Wessex Wanderer

They did indeed. I don't think the 5 5-1's has ever been equalled in this competition. With a comparatively short trip home a great time was had by the Weymouth fans in the bar afterwards. Joined as always by the Middlesbrough fans of the day and a very sporting group from Long Eaton who had been beaten in the Final. I still remember Wally Mawdsley "requesting" me to get back off of his dog track in the lead up to the presentaion.

Martin started Speedway at the Weymouth and Matchams training schools. His early appearances for Poole were probably as an "emergency reserve" (though I stand to be corrected there) and he then joined Stoke before moving on to Eastbourne for a couple of seasons. Bob Hughes signed him for Weymouth in 1975 (along with Brian Woodward and Vic Harding - Bob had a great eye for talent). He moved to Oxford in 1977 and, I think, then had one or two seasons with Poole before Mervyn Stewkesbury brought him "home" to Weymouth in 1980. Apart from a couple of months in early 1984 (with Swindon) he remained a Wildcat until his retirement, moving with the team to Poole in 1985. He is way out on his own as Weymouth's all-time top scorer and won both the Silver Helmet and National League Pairs as a Wildcat. His NL Pairs title with Simon Wigg in 1982 remains the only time a pair has scored 5-1's in all 3 heats and then done the same in both semi-final and final. I notice the track record at Newcastle has been mentioned. I was there that night and seem to remember that the track had been specially prepared that night as the Newcastle number 1 of the time (Rod Hunter or Dave Bargh?) had been getting close to the track record. The Newcastle rider did actually beat that record but not Yeatsy who set a new one (I think some 1- 1.5 seconds faster than the old one!). Wonderful memories. Thank you for starting this thread.

Ken was a regular for the Weymouth Royals non league team from 1962 to 1964. He probably rode in more matches (and scored more points) than any other rider during that time. He was captain in 1964 and won the Wessex Championship in 1963 (beating Charlie Monk and Jon Erskine in the final - terrific race by the way). I think he had previously ridden for John Pilblad at Aldershot. He also rode for Long Eaton and for Johnnie Hoskins' Canterbury amongst others. From memory I think he was skipper of the Crusaders when they won the Division 2 Cup (in 1968?).

I was sitting on the 4th bend as well Tsunami and for some reason I was watching Vitalij - he came wider and wider then just slammed into the fence. Kick boards splintered, fence went down (I seem to remember one of the metal fence supports was bent to a crazy angle) and Vitalij lay tangled up in the whole lot completely motionless. It remains to this day one of the most horrific incidents I have ever seen. I don't think many of us expected him to survive but how good it is to learn that he is still alive and well over 40 years later. Thanks for the news about him Igori.

Was he not a regular for Cradley in Provincial League/early British League days. Speaking totally from memory so I stand to be corrected if the memory box is playing tricks on me! He was a decent middle order scorer. Did he also ride for Sheffield after leaving Cradley?

No. Definitely Geoff Mudge. Ross Gilbertson was the top scorer but was not the captain. Geoff Mudge took over the captaincy from Alan Kidd (I think) in 1961 or 1962. He held it until moving to Reading in the early 1970's.

Totally agree Speedyguy. I always remember him as one of the most entertaining riders in the old Provincial League. Not a big scorer perhaps but ALWAYS worth watching.

He definitely rode for Long Eaton at about that time. I remember him being very entertaining in one particular meeting for the Archers at Poole. Almost certain it was 1964 but I could be a year or two out.

Very sad news. Surely the best Russian rider of all time and must be among the very best (regardless of nationality) of any never to win a World Championship. A true great who mixed it with the likes of Briggs and Fundin and proved their equal. RIP Igor and thanks for the memories.

Weymouth 83-1 is Chris Martin. A New Zealander he was a regular in the Weymouth 1983 team. I think that was the only year in which he rode in the UK. It was definitely the only year in which he rode for Weymouth. A good rider, good team man and a real nice bloke.

He certainly did - at least once! It was in a match against Weymouth (2nd half I think). He got excluded, took exception to the exclusion light and smashed the lot with a rake taken from one of the start gate staff. Great character - never a dull moment when he was in a meeting.

Yes, it was a great shape and produced very good racing (at least for my very occasional visits!). Quite the opposite from Holker Street which had one particularly "square" corner I seem to remember. Maybe Park Road suffered crowd wise by being a bit from being out of town. I also seem to remember it was very scenic to the west. Last promoter there was Chris Roynon (Adam's dad).

So sorry to hear about Igor Plechanov's health. A true great and surely undisputed as the best Russian ever. If World Finals had been held in Eastern Europe at that time we would most likely be describing him as a "former World Champion". The guy to Ove Fundin's left is Boris Somorodov. Another top flight Russian, I think it was on his UK debut (1963 World Final?) that there was nearly an international incident when he was excluded for bringing down an opponent (?Ron How?).

Good to hear that both Richard and Mervyn are better now. Both would be very welcome guests at Weymouth. It is also very good to have Alan Hodder back in the Speedway fold. One of the best administrators Speedway ever had. I went to school in Weymouth with both Richard and Alan (now that really dates the lot of us!).

I agree - Chris Blewett is the only contender for this title. Some of the others were very spectacular (Vic Lonsdale and Slant Payling for example) but Chris Blewett was in a whole class of his own. I remember him riding for Glasgow but most of all for Exeter along with Jim Squibb and Chris Julian! Care to upset that team Mr Pedersen? Bill Andrew later became a favourite at Poole and I know he frequently "upset" opposition riders. Good old days!

A few months ago someone was asking if anyone knew what had happened to Malcolm Corradine. Malcolm's brother in law was in Weymouth last week and he dropped into the Stadium for a quick visit. Malcolm is now running the Woodland Waters Park at Ancaster near Grantham. It is a park with cabins and caravans plus a large pub (?inevitable with Malcolm around), fishing lakes etc. Malcolm has a 14 year old son (Tom) but is now separted from his first wife (Alison) and remarried. I expect fans at Weymouth, Birmingham, Cradley, Middlesbrough (and a few other tracks) will be pleased to hear about him.

That looks like a very imaginative format - it makes most races important and keeps most riders in with some sort of chance until late in the meeting but at the same time rewards those who have done well early on. I would like to see it used more often. I also think it right that riders were given the chance to take those extra rides. This level is all about giving the youngsters as much competetive racing as possible.

OK - copy will be in the post tomorrow.

Hello Ken I have the heat details from the Ipswich v Weymouth match. Is your address still the one in Pevensey? If so I will copy the heat details page and send it to you (it will save me typing the whole thing out!). Ray Collins

Purely from memory: Long Eaton were taken over (or reopened) by Dan McCormick the former Cradley promoter. I believe the idea behind the renaming was both to break from the team's past (which had always been a bit of a Cinderella outfit) and also to make it more attractive to the larger population of Nottingham. The "Outlaws" had nothing to do with Robin Hood's gang - the race jacket depicted a Wild West type with cowboy hat etc. They had decent teams during their short existence and Mike Sampson was one of their top riders (I distinctly remember him conning Martin Yeates into breaking the tapes at Station Road one night - Yeatesy should have known better!). I think Graham Drury also rode for them.

He's not still drinking at the Greg is he? Always very popular at Weymouth - please pass on the regards of Weymouth fans of 25 years ago if you get the chance.

Sorry to hear about Sam - hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Just wanted to endorse what has been said about Peter Oakes. He has done some very good work for the youngsters over the past two seasons. Junior rider development had been ignored and disorganised for decades and it has always needed someone like Peter to get things moving. Also conratulations to all the lads who have taken part in the junior matches. I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the meetings I have seen (both team and individual). Thanks for the entertainment lads.

I remember these two matches very well. Exeter have been rubbing our noses in it ever since Nevsy. Final outcome no good but a great couple of matches though. Was it really 22 years ago.

Malcolm Shakespeare was a very good rider, real nice guy, excellent team man and a superb professional. When he joined Weymouth he brought a whole new attitude to the team and will always be one of the most respected and popular Wildcats of all time. He was "transferred away" a couple of times (not at his request) but each time returned after a while so altogether he joined us three times and was a very welcome signing each time. Among his achievements at Weymouth was winning the Seyco Trophy (in 1978 I think) but it is as a team man that he is most remembered.