KevH

I've got to say I'm not sure CH - never really got into the doggie side of things, but I'm sure someone will know!

Have there been any recent attempts to re-introduce speedway to Catford that you know of?

Your theory could be correct Sean, or maybe they didn't know it was back - the publicity machine did leave a lot to be desired :!: Is Harringay Stadium still there, or has it been bulldozed :?:

I agree with what you're saying Sean, but would just point out that they didn't exactly come in their thousands to Hackney at the last attempt :-(

Go on then Barney - we're all ears.

Walthamstow would indeed be a superb home for Speedway and also relatively easy (in London terms ) to get to. The problem with speedway returning there is not the nearby houses, but the GRA, or so I've been told. I've heard from a learned source that there have been a few attempts to temp the GRA in allowing a shale track to be laid there, but each time they've met with the same answer - "Walthamstow is the Mecca of greyhound racing, and we (the GRA) don't want a speedway track ruining it". Now surely the GRA aren't that flush with cash and any extra income would be welcome, so has anyone got any suggestions for laying a track which wouldn't detract from the "Mecca of dog racing"?

Shazzy, do you remember the night Ivan rode at Canterbury? He did a few match races but I can't remember who they were against, but what I do remember is him changing into different leathers for each race.

Running a war in North Africa / Middle East? There wouldn't be enough personal gain in that for him Addy :!:

What's he doing now Shazz, do you know?

We had a dog track @ Canterbury.......... it was the downfall of speedway! It wasn't so much the dog track as the man behind it though was it Shazzy?

Thanks for the explanation Dick - what happened to Chris's business partner Terry Waller?

I did say that was the official reason Dick, we all know there was far more to it than that! Can you expand on why Chris Galvin never applied for it?

Here's mine for what it's worth:- 1. Peter Collins 2. Joe Owen 3. Tommy Jansson 4. Nicki Pedersen 5. Leigh Adams 6. Mike Ferreira 7. Barney Kennett

1. Official answer is that planning permission was refused prior to the 1988 season. 2. The dogs allegedly went bankrupt - and didn't have the speedway to support the stadium overheads. 3. Didn't have the speedway to support the stadium overheads. 4. There was no reason to keep it open with no sport to support it.

Steve - I had the same trouble but used the Cathedral in the background to get my bearings.

I can remember watching Ivan Mauger at Plough Lane and being amazed at how soon he started to slide his rear wheel going into the corners. He seemied to start the wheel sliding as he passed the start line, but clearly this was the way to ride the track, because on his day, he was unbeatable around Wimbledon.

A very sad sight - has anyone looking into the possibility of speedway returning there?

I agree Steve - but were you in the loo when Trevor Hedge was riding :?:

Heres wishing Split a full and speedy recovery.

I should think everyone on the forum will echo your future wishes for Erik.

I was way off the bull.

I accept that they had contrasting styles, but my point was they were both the most outstanding prospects of that time, and had it not been for accidents (a tragic one in Tommy's case) would have gone on to grace many more World Finals.

don't know why, but i seem to remember something about that... i've a feeling he even went on to ride at Mildenhall. suppose someone will correct me on this I could be way off the bull here, but didn't it turn out to be John Cook?

I agree with all you say about Tommy J - but maybe a better way of judging if he'd have won the World Championship is this - at the time both Tommy and PC were outstanding prospects and had very similar careers up to then - PC went on to win in, therefore I'm certain Tommy would have too.