BobC

All have one drink less each..........and put that money into a bucket for Garry Stead. Just a thought.

An interesting development tonight at Poole Speedway.I was happily discussing this thread with friends.It turns out that Bob Andrews will be in this country for the British GP at Cardiff.He will be here until early August. Stu, If you are trying to organise something,wouldnt it be great to get Bob along to add some first hand knowledge,and of course reminiss with former riders? I will happily lend as hand where possible,and might be able to arrange a display of machinery as well. Let me know.

Hi Stuart, Lofqvist72 is my user name on the Poole Speedway Website,in honour of my all time favourite rider,Christer Lofqvist. Please see my pm for my email details. Regards, Bob

I can only echo Rabbits thoughts above. I know he was very excited when we chatted earlier. Very well done mate. I cant wait to see you in a Pirates race jacket.

VV, I had a chat with Alan Hodder,the former cheif of the Premier League,at Weymouth last night. Alan is the new announcer at Weymouth this season,and I know they are friends. Richard had major surgery a while back,and although fully recovered,is still rather frail.Alan hopes to coax him along to the Wessex Stadium in the warmer months. Alan also said that Mervyn Stewksbury is very well now,and he also hopes to bring him along sometime as well.

George Piper http://www.georgepiper.co.uk/

Got my copy of The Flying Dutchman,Lionel Van Praag. A very colourful lifestyle,thats for sure. Interesting to hear the views of Eric Langton,and Tommy Price!

It was your website that reminded me that the place was still there.I first found the place back in 97/98,when I moved to nearby Bracknell.At that time,there was a lot more to see,as Sliderphil says.I took loads of photos then,but I have misplaced them in the move back to sunny Poole! From the photos on Bob Andrews site,it looks like it was a great track.I like to get up and close to the action,but I dont know if Id like to be as close as some of those folk! Thanks to Bob Andrews,Tom Sweetman and Reg Fearman for their valued input in trying to piece things together.

There is an excellent,although small article in this weeks Speedway Star,concerning California Poppies.(see page 22) I recently paid a visit to the site,on Sunday 21/01/07,and took the following photo's.I would welcome any comments about the track's geography.For instance,where were the pits?Ist turn,start etc. Use the following link to access some of the photo's. http://community.webshots.com/user/Lofqvist72 I have been in touch with former riders,Bob Andrews and Tommy Sweetman in New Zealand and they think the pits are where photo 1 is and the start is approx where photo's 3-8 are. I did find some large lumps of concrete on the opposite side of the circuit,photos 14,15,and 16.Were these part of the old style concrete starting area's in use at the time? Anyone venturing there will need to be wearing wellies,as the ground is very boggy.Some places are reasonably dry,but in the main,very soft under foot. I had to venture the 'wrong' side of the barbed wire fence to obtain some of the shots,and believe me,you can easily go up to your knees in the bog! Anyway,I hope this helps shed some light into one of the more forgotten speedway arenas.

I will make the trip up as usual.Ive only missed one in the last few years. Good day out for those that enjoy the history of the sport.Always good to see riders from yesteryear supporting the event as well.

Here are some results from New Zealand.These have reached me via email from former rider,Bob Andrews. Might be some names to look out for in the future. Subject: Moore Park IVAN MAUGER’S INTER ISLAND CHALLENGE MOORE PARK 13TH JANUARY 2007 The South Island team ran out comfortable winners 69 to 37 points. Racing was very close with only 3 points separating the teams after 10 heats. The depth in the South team then started to tell despite the North riders Andrew Bargh and young Ricky Wells taking the challenge to the South head on. Bargh was racing at a higher level than last year after a second season in England while the 15 year old Wells ex pat kiwi from California USA was all class. He was exceptionally quick away from the start and won five of his six races. Every start was from grid one and while Bargh and Andrew Aldridge swapped positions with their partners, Wells had the prime spot all day. He failed to score in heat 15 when his kill switch popped out while leading. He did well to reattach it but was too far behind by then and followed the field home. Bargh picked up three wins before a suspected bottom end went on his bike in heat 13. From here on the South pulled away on the score table. Young Dale Finch (16 years) top scored for the South with 16 points benefiting from both Well’s and Bargh’s misfortune. Andrew Aldridge scored 15 with the Invercargill rider Alex Cunningham collecting 13. Aldridge never gave up against Bargh or Wells in every encounter and his tight pole line riding saw him gain on both through the turns on several occasions but their machinery appeared to be too quick for him on the day. The four top runners, Wells, Bargh, Aldridge and Finch seemed determined to prove a point and although a team meeting, often offered little support to their partners on the track. Both Cunningham and Cox seemed happier to share things around for the South team. The best team race was heat 11 where the North riders put up a demanding challenge for the South. Jamie Moohan and Mathew Emerson lined up against Andrew Tree and Finch. Finch was quick away to the front. Moohan and Emerson had no chance of reeling him in but had positions two and three on the track. They rode two wide for the complete race very effectively blocking any move Tree attempted to gain position. With Finch in command ½ a lap ahead, Tree was persistent in his endeavours and grabbed an opportunity on the last lap. Coming out of turn two, Emerson drifted up pushing Moohan higher on the track. Tree launched an instant attack to slide underneath both for the 2nd place. North Team 1 and 2 Andrew Bargh (9) and Karl Bagshaw (2) 11 points. 3 and 4 Jamie Moohan (6)and Mathew Emerson (3) 9 5 and 6 Ricky Wells (15) and Dylan Moohan (2) 17 South Team 1 and 2 Andrew Aldridge (15) and Grant Tregonning (9) 24 2 and 3 Alex Cunningham (13) and Sean Cox ( 21 5 and 6 Andrew Tree ( and Dale Finch (16) 24 Heat 1. Bargh, Aldridge, Tregonning Time 64.10 Heat 2. Cunningham, J Moohan, Emerson 67.13 Heat 3. Wells, Finch, Tree 64.34 Heat 5. Aldridge, Tregonning, Emerson 64.81 Heat 6. Wells, Cunningham, Cox 66.91 Heat 7. Bargh, Finch, Tree 65.25 Heat 8. Wells, Aldridge, Tregonning 65.53 Heat 9. Bargh, Cunningham, Cox 66.12 Heat 10. Finch, Tree, J Moohan 65.81 Heat 11. Aldridge, Tregonning, Bagshaw 64.66 Heat 12. Cox, Cunningham, Emerson 69.91 Heat 13. Finch, Tree, D Moohan 66.72 Heat 14. Aldridge, Tregonning, J Moohan 65.75 Heat 15. Wells, Cunningham, D Moohan 66.56 Heat 16. Finch, Tree, Bagshaw 66.82 Heat 18. Wells, Aldridge, Tregonning 69.41 Heat 19. Cox, Cunningham race called Bagshaw fell Heat 20. Finch, J Moohan, Tree 70.28 Junior team racing was also held and the South again was too strong. While Cory Lang (Greymouth) topped the field on points, it was particular close behind him. Konner McCluskey-Young (Speedy) and Anthony Knowles were 2nd= with back 4th= were Neil McIntyre (Invercargill) and Ryan Moss. Junior support was won by Bradley Ellis from Adam Wilson ( Nelson) and Shilo Tocher. The crowd favourite was 8 year old Bradley Andrews (Auckland) riding a 125cc bike who did not let the occasion over whelm him even though he was on tip toes at the starts. Senior support was also competitive with Josh Perston (Auckland) winning from Bradley Sharp (Invercargill) and Jason McKay (Palmerston North) Over 57 riders attended the training seminar of which Ivan Mauger said found Moore Park a challenging track but excellent for training on. A smaller infield track was effectively used attempting to get riders obtain more control over tight turning. Junior Racing 1. Knowles, Speedy, Chris Jennings (Tauranga) 2. Carl Bagshaw (Auckland), Dylan Hancock (New Plymouth) 3. Lang, Moss, Hayden Bagshaw (Auckland) 77.59 4. Ellis, Wilson, Ryan Terry-Daly (Auckland) 83.13 5. Speedy, Knowles, C Bagshaw 75.97 6. Vaughan Struthers, McIntyre, H Bagshaw 76.89 7. Jennings, Lang (Lang relegated for start infringement) 77.47 8. Ellis, Wilson, Tocher 81.78 9. Knowles, Speedy, H Bagshaw 78.06 10. Sean Mason (Auckland), McIntyre, Struthers 79.12 11. Hancock, Lang, C Bagshaw 81.53 12. Ellis, Tocher, Wilson 84.78 13. Knowles, Speedy, Jennings 75.87 14. McIntyre, Struthers, Hancock 78.13 15. Moss, Lang, H Bagshaw 79.22 16. Ellis, Wilson, Tocher 81.60 17. Lang, Moss, H Bagshaw 77.50 18. Speedy, Hancock, Knowles 76.31 19. Mason, McIntyre, Struthers 75.78 Senior Support 1. Sharp, Perston, Aaron Klemple (Greymouth) 73.82 2. Matt Smith (Wanaka), Cris Harris (Timaru) Quinten Weiring 3.Jason McKay (Palmerston North), Smith, Perston 72.87 4. Sharp, Harris 71.78 5.Sharp, Mitchell McHardy (Palmerston North) Smith, Harris 73.40 6. McKay, Perston 72.06 7. Sharp, McKay, Perston, Smith, Klemple, Harris 70.97 By Warrick Korstanje

I would thoroughly reccommend anyone making some time to watch these guys.Ive seen them 5 times over the last two visits.Great value each and every time. A big welcome will await you at Weymouth,thats for sure. See you all soon.

Definitely not Wimbledon.Cant confirm its Rayleigh either,as I only went there once as a 5 year old,and cant remember it. Let me have your email,and see for yourself!

I have some footage from Rayleigh,taken in 1958,of the 'Atom Car' It shows Ronnie Greene and Cyril Brine,setting the car up in the pits,before embarking on a few demo laps of the circuit.No bike action Im afraid. It is from the Briitsh Pathe series. Incidently,this was sent to me via email from former Wimbledon,Wolves,Cradley and Hackney star,Bob Andrews. I have tried many times to put the link on here,without success.If anyone would like the link,please PM on here with your email address,and I will happily forward it on to you. Hope it helps.

Very sad news indeed.Ive passed this news onto friends,who have in turn informed Merv Hanham and Alby Goldens widow. An aside to this,I always remember getting Brians autograph while he was with Newcastle.I particularly liked the way he wrote the capital 'B's when he signed my programme,and set about copying it. To this day,I sign my name in the same style,and almost always think of Brian when I sign anything. I will always remember him. RIP Brian.

Interesting comment from Len Silver at Rye House last night. He made special mention and welcome to Mrs Brenda Craven,widow of the late great Peter.She had apparantly been in attendance at the Paradise Wildlife Park earlier in the day. Something to do with the footings of the new Speedway Museum?I didnt quite hear the full explanation,as we were chatting.Can anyone enlighten us further,please?

Brilliant news. Well done to everyone involved,but especially George and Linda Barclay.

Quite surprised a few of us too! Mark Owen and Shane Hazelden certainly look quite accomplished and very stylish for ones so young. A good days racing all round.Well worth the long drive from Poole!

For those that do want race times...... Academy..Ht1.61.1,Ht2.61.8,Ht3.59.9,Ht4.60.3,Ht560.4,Ht6.60.8 250cc Races..Ht1.61.5,Ht2.61.9,Ht3.61.9,Ht4.Awd,Ht5.62.9,Ht6.63.2,Ht7.61.9 Hope that helps.

Just got back from the same meeting! Very well done to Joe Haines.A thoroughly deserved winner.Apart from when Ben Hopwood got the better of him in a heat,he was never headed.In the Final,I thought Ben had the run on the inside,going into the 3rd turn,but for some reason,he hesitated,and Joe was gone. Adam Wrathall rode steadily,if not spectacularly for third,with the surprise being George Piper.In his first heat,Meakins broke the tapes,but George got tangled up in them,bucked and reared,and almost got it back in control,only to fall base over apex by the 30 metre mark.Right in front of us.With a few minor repairs,he was on is way again,to finish 4th on the day.It was only after the meeting that I found out from his Dad,Steve,that George had actually twisted the frame,and forks.He rode with them off centre,making it even more remarkable that he rode so well.He was also suffering from double vision and had a screaming headache by the end.No surprise that he withdrew from the Academy meeting that followed. By his own standards,Brendan rode poorly.He won his first race,and then missed the start in his second.Chasing hard after Wrathall and Piper,went for an inside dive on the first turn,and fell in a heap,but not after trying to head butt the safety fence! After walking back to the pits,he sought medical attention,and needed oxygen to clear his head.Advised to miss his other two rides,but cleared to ride in the Academy meeting.Restored some pride by getting 8 pts from his 3 rides. The track was in excellent condition throughout,many congrats to Glyn and his team for that.We were treated to some lively races .Franklin and Greenwood put in some good rides,and you can visibly see that they have both improved since the begining of the season. The whole meeting was well presented,and was a good advert for the future of our sport.Well done to Peter Oakes and his many helpers.There is a long way to go,but this is definitely the way forward. If you get the chance to watch these youngsters,please take it.I am positive you will be very surprised at the standard.The next meeting for these lads,is at Newport next Sunday,which will take the form of a Best Pairs. Once again,Congratulations to Joe Haines,Ben Hopwood,Adam Wrathall and George Piper.Top 4 on the day,and overall. Oh yes,that wind made it very chilly indeed!!

Cheers Glyn,much appreciated.Travelling up from Poole for this. Thoroughly enjoyed my recent visit with Weymouth.

Oh no,we dont have to put up with the Golden Oldies,do we? Dont worry,they took all the rain with them to Newport last weekend!

See you all there....................weather permitting!!

Anyone with weather updates from Newport? Not leaving till 11am,so any help appreciated.

Dont forget Newport on the 1st October.Thats the final qualifier. Like you say,The Grand Final is at Redcar on the 7th October at 3pm. See you all there.