paulboy

TRACK - EXETER CAPTAIN - SCOTT AUTREY TEAM - VACLAV VERNER, RICHARD GREEN, COLIN COOK, ZDENEK KUDRNA, STEVE KOPPE, MIKE FARRELL PROMOTER/TEAM MANAGER - PETER OAKES (DEFINITELY NOT JOHN BERRY!!) ANNOUNCER - BOB RADFORD & DICK BARRIE RACE NIGHT - MONDAY 7.30PM MARCH OUT MUSIC - STAR WARS THEME TUNE, I ALWAYS LIKED THAT AT EASTVILLE, BRISTOL

Zdenek was at Exeter in 1979 and moved to Birmingham in 1980 when the Falcons dropped down to the National League. Not sure how many years he was with the Brummies but I think he was there in 1982.

(looks for innocent smilie) Yep <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Good, you've put my mind at rest

Crikey Shazzybird you've just accused speedway promoters of tax evasion, a criminal offence (with imprisonment as a potential penalty). Are you really allowed to say such things?

Sheffield, Swindon and Mildenhall for me.

Exeter 1. Ivan Mauger 2. Martin Ashby 3. Scott Autrey 4. Mark Loram 5. Nigel Boocock 6. Simon Wigg 7. Vaclav Verner

Long Eaton v Exeter, 1988. The Falcons were, surprise surprise, hopeless away from home that year but did well at Station Road, forcing a last heat decider. The Falcons were sat on a 5-1 until the last bend when Richard Green, under pressure from Mike Spink (I think) fell and the resulting 3-3 saw the Invaders home by 2 points. Some years later, 1995, and a magnificent performance from Billy Hamill, guesting for the absent Mark Loram. Beaten only by a 2 minute exclusion including a thrilling pass of Richard Hellsen. The followiny year Loram rode for the Falcons and scored a superb paid maximum, culminating in a four lap pursuit of Steve Johnston before a superb last bend cut back saw him take the honours and complete his max. Unfortunately his team mates didn't fare so well. From memory Colesy had a decent night but both Rosco and Wiggy were disappointing and Long Eaton were comfortable winners. I used to love my visits to Station Road, what a race track!

Pretty stern words Grachan. From what I remember of the reports of Leif's accident either his or Smudger's engine seized with the other right behind and a collision was unavoidable. Going back to the original question I remember Buddy Robinson was a real hit at the CG, even though he only arrived halfway through the year. However he picked up a ban from the American federation at the end of the season and this, I think, was the straw that broke the camel's back as far as Peter Oakes was concerned and he pulled out of promoting at Exeter. Colin Hill then stepped in and they returned to the NL. That was the year when the Falcons went BL but really struggled for a team. Ivan Mauger rode in home matches only and we also had Andy Campbell, who had a storming season, Sean Willmott, Frank Andersen, Louis Carr and a few other second string/reserve riders. Efforts to sign a host of top men failed with, for one reason or another, Bobby Schwarty, Larry Ross, Les and Neil Collins and probably several more all turning down the Falcons (although I think Ross was actually announced as a signing at one point!). Leif Wahlmann was on loan from Poole where he was very highly regarded.

I set the question and hadn't thought of Vaclav for the 90's! The three I had in mind were Petr Vandirek, Toni Svab and Bo Hadek. Jiri Stancl is not the answer to either the 70's or 90's. The four from 1979 were Vaclav Verner and brother Jan, Ales Dryml (father of Lukas and Ales) and the late Zdenek Kudrna. Steve Hone, not sure if Jan Holub was late 60's or early 70's - will find out and let you know if you added one to my list!

Similar theme to the Wolves question. Name four Czechs who rode for Exeter in the 1970's and three Czechs who were Falcons in the 90's.

The way I understand it is that two riders can be nominated to score double points in one heat (each) and the Golden Double (30 metres back) remains in operation as before. Not sure if one rider can have a Golden Joker (if thats what its called) and Double. I'm guessing that those suggesting the riders must be nominated before the start of a meeting are just on a wind up!

To my mind the great problem with this Golden Double/Joker etc is that it can positively encourage race fixing

Happy 50th Scott Autrey p.s... how long did he hold the Exeter track record?? I think it was 13 years, 1979 to 1992 (broken by tony Olsson).

I haven't yet watced a meeting with Posselwhite as ref where he hasn't got at least one decision completely wrong. Why do they give him GPs - he isn't up to it. Hats off to Andreas Jonsson for a very mature response to a shocking decision.

From my years as a Falcons fan:- 1. Ivan Mauger - to me the greatest ever 2. John Titman - much under-rated rider who blossomed at Leicester 3. Mark Loram - still an Exeter asset! 4. Vaclav Verner - bonkers but so entertaining 5. Scott Autrey - my first real speedway hero 6. Steve Regeling - pure class at NL level in the late 80s/early 90s 7. Richard Green - almost an up to date version of Verner

The dog track's long gone from Exeter now but unfortunately they haven't been allowed to widen the bends on the insides - that would make it a great race track. The dog track at Exeter was of course unusually inside the circuit rather than outside.