spiegal

Should be a fascinating read..first watched him at Caister Road when he was at Yarmouth. I believe that he married the daughter of Alfie Weedon..not 100% sure of this. Might be an idea to have a long interview with Alf..who must have a fund of great stories.

Apologies..new set up and not exactly sure what I buggd up !! Ok,.,.the 7 best I have actually seen. 1. OVE FUNDIN. 2. PETER CRAVEN 3. IVAN MAUGER 4. HANS NIELSEN. 5. BARRY BRIGGS 6. OLE OLSEN 7. TONY RICKARDSSON TEAM MANAGER...RONNIE RUSSELL...WELL AT LEAST THE BOYS WOULD ENJOY IT !!

I was talking to my Polish contact this morning...and he along with many is totally devastated...my genuine and sincere thoughts are with all our Polish friends at this extremely sad time.

I was at both meetings...in those days..1970's it was the era of state Communism..everything was run by the State Party. Many workers in Katowice were from the many Coal mines,steel works...and on both occassions the entire work force and family's were taken to the event in trucks/buses..totally free as a gift from the state. You must also remember at that time there was nothing to do on a Sunday, except Church..or sometimes Speedway. It was a massive arena..and Poland in those days was extremely intimidating for the small groups of "Western" fans.

Not for th team...his best years were at Exeter..where he remains a legend even 20 years later..Pops at the County ground was worth the admission alone.

Pop Rivett..one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet. He was part of Team australia late 1980's...without exception all teh boys loved him..tremendous character... On a World Team cup in Jarnovia in Czechko he stuffed Roman Matousek up the fence, after we told him to keep clear of him...It slightly went off after that race...memorable Pop. I really hope that life smiles kindly on him, as he is and always will be a Top Bloke.

Nice thoughts Malcolm. My first ever meeting was at Caister road..and everytime I go Horse racing nearby I always have a quick look at that lovely stadium There is indeed land at the rear..but the sheer use of the stadium for Dogs/Stockies, would I feel make it virtually impossible to have a race night. i believe in fact only fridays remain as a "quiet" night. keith was a sad loss..lovely bloke. Regards James

Oh dear...that is so very sad..he was indeed a great authority on all things from the home of the Bloaters. also an extremely well read and articulate man. My personal condolances to the family.

The best known Swedish Referee of the recnt past was CHRISTER BERGSTROM..his father was teh legendary ARNIE..a real bastion of SVEMO. The better known RINGBLOM was indeed Charles..known as Pompi...a lovely odl boy who again was somebody everyoen in Swedish Speedway feared

Try the web site..it has the full Track 2010 calendar

For many years in the 1970's I looked afte rthe flighst for all teh Swedes and major riders..Ivan..Briggo..Mich ..etc.etc. Anders is a wonderful, modest, friendly and was also an extremely superb racer. he was a true delight to deal with..and we often meet up even now some 30 years later...They come no nicer than Anders..and he remains one of my genuine hero's without feet of clay...unlike some it must be said. Met up with Bossa Wirebrand in Polski and he tells me that Mitch lives in the forest these days with his earth moving business..a truly great and good human being.

Siggy was by far one of the nicest, most genuine of all the Americans who came over circa 1970's era. Most Witches fans had their reservations when Siggy and Cookie replaced genuine legends JL and Billy. Siggy was a class act, he was not only a superb racer, but he integrated with the locals and was a true delight to deal with. he and the later returning Billy were great friends, and to this day Siggy remains a hero in the area. Unlike riders today, he saw teh club as more than just a way of making money..he loved the laid back countryside, and was always willing to front up at any social,publicity event. he has a fabulous lifestyle in California, and deserves everything which he has achieved in his career both on and off the track. Top Man Siggy

Actually teh wetaher is superb..sunny warm 23c ..and ideal for Cardiff..enjoy your flight..catch up with ya at teh Marriott on Friday..they have reserved a tent in the car park for you !! Regards

There were some interesting "pen names" in the 1970 era. Martin Rogers started at the Speedway star...and also wrote under the name of Stanford Rivers...superb...it was also teh name of a village close to him at Chelmsford. I believe that Peter Oakes also had a pen name but cannot remember it. the company was Webster Publications and they had offices just off Fleet Street.

I am equally sure that this was Freddie...the ONLY person at Saddlebow Road who John Berry liked !!!!! he was a lovely person...always wanted a 3hr chat...always smiling, a true son of teh local soil. Wonder what happened to him.....indeed he was one of life's true delights.

In the few years I ran the European part of Australia Speedway...Tito was highly experienced...and I thought that he would be "difficult" How wrong can you be ? Tito was the nicest, most laid back, efficient, uncomplaining Rider you could ever wish to deal with. A thoroughly nice man, superb rider, extremely professional, and a credit to both teh sport, his country, and indeed any Team he rode for. Top man...and somebody I was delighted to call a "mate" JAMES

Any idea where the (probably) most under-performing rider of teh 1970/1980 era. On his day...when he was genuinely trying (sadly in my opinion, not many of those)..he truly was world class...but most of the time what you saw in teh first 20yds, was what you got.

On a freezing December day in POLAND...Just had an inspection visit of the magnificent new stadium being built in Torun. It is only say 500 metres from the old stadium...and the whole area is being worked on by a massive amount of cranes,and concrete terracing. Very impressive indeed..and surely the world's best stadium built from nothing Mind you, I don't recommend watching on a day like today. My vitals have totally frozen over Regards James

Suggest anyone who is interested in the Cardiff Grand prix and Hotel accommodation should maybe buy next week's Speedway star. An interesting development awaits you all. No doubt there will be the usual sceptics...but there again... best wishes and toodle pip.

Is there anyone out in RUSSIA...preferably in the TOGILATTI area...on this forum. i need somebody who knows the area...the Speedway..and is a reliable contact please? All replies will be treated in confidence. Thanks JAMES EASTER

fROM 1983..TO 1991 I was the Australian International Manager. We started off with the likes of SANDERS/CRUMP/TITMAN etc...then had many barren years, until we emerged from the wilderness with Leigh Adams/ Todd Wiltshire in the later years. During that time ALAN "POP" RIVETT came to the UK, initially for the Commonwealth Final...and later with EXETER..etc. He was without doubt "barking mad"...in the very nicest way. We took him on a couple of World Team Cup meetings in Europe, and he promptly stuck Roman Matousek through the fence, much to everyone's great amusement. Nobody, yet nobody, ever did that...but "pop" did. One of life's truly brilliant people, immense fun, loved by just about everyone, he was a legend at Exeter where they still regard him as a real hero. All the riders in the Aussie camp loved him, and one of the very nicest,madest,funniest,off the planet people it has been my pleasure to meet a wonderful character. Long live The Pop. JAMES EASTER

I am sure that given just a few days everything will be set in place and refunds will flow. Like everyone, we were devastated on Saturday...but our people were magnificent, kind, considerate and frankly had an amazing attitude in adversity. Possibly Brits at their very best. Had it been footie...then probably the Stadium would been in cinders by now. Yesterday morning we refunded all our clients by cheque..directly from our own funds..sent 1st class mail, and by all accounts many have already recieved the ticket refunds today... If anyone has a problem...then we are all in the same superb sport...and if they care to call or e mail me...I will always do anything i can to help..irrespective if they booked with us or travelled independantly Regards and thoughst are with you all JAMES EASTER TRAVEL PLUS TOURS

My copy arrived on Derby day. Sadly due to the fact that its persisting down here, I have decdied not to travel to Epsom, and instead spent teh hours reading the first few articles. A vast improvement, and the publication can be thoroughly recommened to all. Well written, clearly set out and shoudl appeal to just about everyone. A good investment and should be supported.

That is indeed a most sad but not unexpected loss. He was a man of great integrity, simply lived for Speedway, and believed in old fashioned honesty and the Corinthian spirit of the sport. Many times in the 1970-190 period when I met him on countless occassions, he was always polite, amusing and idiosyncratic...he was a true character, and his knowedge of the halcion days of Polish Speedway always brightened the (often) extremely boring press conference after a meeting. yet another gone...may he enjoy his Speedway in the next world James Easter