Beirao

If the NL/PL split had been averted would West Ham, Glasgow, Sunderland and Newport have been opened https://classicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/march-2024/going-back-in-time-march-1964

This edition will featureMarch Obituary - John PilbladGoing Back in Time March 1964 - a look at the NL/PL situationBlack Nights - your teams worst home defeatsThe Prodigal Returns - when a rider returns to his rootsAlphabetically Speaking - the extra SBig Birthdays - who is celebrating this month?Anyone Remember Number 16 - our monthly test of your recall skillsclassicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/

This edition will featureMarch Obituary - John PilbladGoing Back in Time March 1964 - a look at the NL/PL situationBlack Nights - your teams worst home defeatsThe Prodigal Returns - when a rider returns to his rootsAlphabetically Speaking - the extra SBig Birthdays - who is celebrating this month?Anyone Remember Number 16 - our monthly test of your recall skillsclassicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/

The top four in the BL were all former NL tracks which suggests the top heavy approach followed by picking up better second strings by mid summer paid dividends. Coventry got Les Owen back, West Ham added Tony Clarke, Oxford Stan Stevens and Wimbledon dropped Geoff Hughes though not sure who replaced him.

I'm pretty sure he's still with us.

Anyone remember Alf's time at Bradford. Seemed to start quite well in 1970 but his scoring tailed off the following year. Did he get on ok with promoter Whaley with whom he had a rough time at Hampden in 1969?

Did your team ever have Scottish riders, or have I missed them. https://classicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/february-2024/scot-free

I missed that too, until this morning!

I think this was Britains consolation prize for losing the World Final to Sweden. Each of the ten NL tracks staged a qualifying round with 40 riders taking part, each getting four rounds, with the final being staged at neutral Harringay. This wasn't repeated with just a one off meeting at Wimbledon with invited riders. Anyone remember things from this time? Perhaps the qualifying meetings weren't a good deal for the staging tracks with increased costs not being absorbed by bigger crowds? Was Harringay a cheaper neutral track than Wembley?

https://classicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/february-2024/willie-templeton-the-25-year-man

A few more from the early 70s, mainly northern based. https://classicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/february-2024/retired-too-soon-part-2

This edition will featureFebruary Obituaries- Garry Hay, Rick France, Graham DruryThe New Paisley Lions FB page - the latest Paisley pageWillie Templeton - the 25 year manScot Free - teams who never used a Scottish riderRetired Too Soon Part 2 - more riders who gave the sport up too s=earlyBig Birthdays - who is celebrating this month?Anyone Remember Number 15 - our monthly test of your recall skillsPreview of March's editionclassicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/february-2024

Would Claus Vissing fit?

Remember him playing a vital part in Bees win at Coatbridge in 1968 while riding with a rather makeshift strapping on top of his leathers. The win would prove to be pivotal in the Bees taking the BL title on racepoints ahead of Hackney that year. This wasn't his first league title, having been part of the Wolverhampton team that won the PL in 1963. Seem to remember his signing for the Wolves was quite controversial. Anyone know the details?

https://classicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/january-2024/mike-parker Mike Parker - Speedway saviour being the driving force behind the Provincial League and the Second Division or just a ruthless business man when closing down tracks? Did he have any "feel" for Speedway or were stockcars his real love or was he just in it for the money?

Which was your teams Good Year. I've had a stab at it, but am I right? https://classicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/january-2024/the-good-year

Thanks Salty. It looks like I got Lovaas and Simensen transposed. Have made the necessary corrections.

Thanks bigdave. Duly amended.

The following articles are included in this months editionThe Good Year - each tracks most memorable yearWhat a Great Team We Nearly Had - Glasgow's hoped for signings that didnt materialiseMike Parker - his contribution to speedways development in the 60sAnyone Remember No 14 - more memoriesBig BirthdaysPreview of February Editionclassicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/

Have Glasgow adopted a "no Danes" policy for 2024 given their Wednesday night league meetings cause problems with rescheduling fixtures? It would also explain Flint being preferred over Vissing.

Late December a time for looking back at the year endiing so a chance to look at all the articles put on line this year. . What were your favourites? A guid new year when it comes. Lang may yer lum reek! https://classicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/

Vissing is good value on a 6.24 rolling average, derived from the last 20 meetings. Based on his 2023 meetings (14) his average is 7.07. Not sure why Glasgow preferred Flint on 6.56 unless it was becoming too problematic to have Danes in the team.

A report on FB about the JSH Cup JOHNNIE HOSKINS FOUNDERS CUP run at Kurri Kurri last night. What a debacle. What was going to be an individual was changed to a two, seven man team event due to the non appearance of two riders. No real problem there except the paying public were told half an hour before tapes up. Who is in which team? What are their riding numbers? where are the programmes? purchased one at Maitland on Friday for $10 but nah, that's no good, believe half of what the commentator tells you, I'm sure he was doing his best but constantly wrong. If you are running a teams event how the hell do you get an individual winner? My question is, why change the format? I'm certain a few phone calls to local juniors would have found two replacements willing to race with the big boys. The Kurri club did very well with track preparation considering the heat, yes half an hour plus late in starting, I get it, but we all knew it was going to be a 40deg day three days ago, rather than let the public fry while waiting, could the start time have not been put back an hour? I will be back, but hell ...........

Basso and Douglas seem to be the only riders missing next season. Tarasenko was always just a short term rental. While supporters may want it, would they turn out in sufficient numbers on Mondays and Thursdays to make it viable?

Remember a time when meetings ran promptly enough to allow for interval attractions? What ones stick in your memory? https://classicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/december-2023/anyone-remember-no-13