rusky

I had it in mind taht they were either late 81 or early 82, but not sure. The big question is, does it have an external oil feed ?

Groningen has superb nightlife with an incredible array of bars. The thing I would say is don't expect things to start livening up much before midnight, and conversely don't expect it to wind down much before 4 - I can assure you that you will never have seen so many people on the streets at 4 in the morning as you will here. The good news is that the Febo is still open at that time so a portion of Fries & Mayonnaise is easily obtained A really good standard hotel in the middle of Groningen, about 2 minutes walk from the very centre of Groningen, Grote Markt, is the Best Western Cityhotel. This hotel is immediately opposite the casino. Its a very modern hotel, with very friendly staff and their own secure parking (if you ask for it). The rooms are of a very good standard We have stayed there several times now, and never fail to be disappointed

Having been to Bysarna a few times, and having stayed at Larbro on numerous occasions I can tell you its not that far, about 20 -25 minutes from the existing track. Knowing some of the people involved with the club over the years, I can tell you that the preferred option is to stay in Visby, but as in England the problem that they face at the moment are primarily enviromental issues, primarily noise.

The Magneto Weslakes used by Pete Smith, Richard Hellsen & Co were used around 1977 - 1978 if memory serves me right. The feeling was the same on the 'British' Mag engines, in that they were exceptional from the gate ( I believe that was the reason for Jawa sticking to the mag on the 897 also). Rickard still has his magneto Weslake I believe, not sure when he last had it running though

I think the numbers were very small, probably no more than a dozen or so. They were killed off by the magic boxes becoming more reliable and more importantly, affordable

They were a conversion by a guy called Derek Hobson (I think) in Penistone Yorkshire. Reg Wilson, Pete Smith & Rickard were the only ones who I can remember using them. They were around at the time that battery & coil were the major ignition source on the weslake, the magic boxes had just started to make an appearance but were hideously expensive (Derek made those as well). The magnetos used actually came from Concrete mixers, and produced a spark that was far stronger & consistent than either a box or battery/ coil setup. Derek used to re-wind his own magnetos in his garden shed ( I think he serviced all of Guy Allots mags, as well as mags from all of the speedway parts suppliers), and had all sorts of 'heath robinson' test equipment, as a youngster it was a fascinating place to visit

Nearly right SCB, its an FGM conversion. FGM is manufactured by Flemming Gravesen, Rune's engine tuner & friend

Rickard Hellsen did indeed try the DOHC engine in both the UK and Sweden, with moderate success. He also tried the SOHC as well, but stuck with the pushrod variant - including his trusty magneto driven pushrod wessie.

Iris123, I believe that you have hit the nail on the head exactly. I do have a bit of an opinion on one of the guys in the GB team who doesn't seem to be going about things in the right way (in my opinion). The first time I realised that he had an attitude problem was a few years ago when an U15 team went to Germany, but he didn't go, reportedly because they weren't paying enough. This year at least he has moved to a larger ( if not slicker) track than he had been on previously, and then elects not to do the SGP qualifiers - I really don't understand that. The British attitude was made very clear in the interviews in the press during the past week. All of the other teams were looking for a win. The interviews that I have seen with the GB boys suggested that they would be happy with a 'top 3' place. Were we beaten before we went ?

Should be lots of King's Lynn / Peterborough interest in this. Alex Davis, son of Stephen Davies & Taylor Poole, son of Mick

If you were a King's Lynn fan in the late 70's early 80's you would not agree with this statement. Being a Saturday night track, top line riders were quite often missing at Saddlebow road. If it wasn't a world championship qualifying round, World Team Cup round, Longtrack Championship round, lucrative Continental grasstrack, lucrative Continental Longtrack depriving the King's Lynn crowd, it was a very unusual Saturday. It was pretty much the same as today in that there were riders who would turn up regardless, and those who you knew would not

Notice that Henka & Simon are 6&7 for Kumla so will be riding as a pair. This will make Henka very happy I'm sure, I remember him telling me a few years ago that he would continue riding until he had spent some time riding with Simon.....I'm not suggesting that he will retire in anyway, just a passing comment he made

The bottom end is all wrong for a Bellini, that was what was confusing me at the time. Flemming has been doing engines for Rune Holta for many years now so it would be logical that he is using one. Flemming has a wealth of experience on the mechanical front and would I would suggest make a good job of any engine that he designs. It certainly looked quick enough last night !!

That will explain it then.....I couldn't work out what Motor Rune Holta was riding in last nights European GP. You have to say that was a pretty good debut for a new engine....well done Flemming

Not sure Jason was the first, maybe the first for that particular brand ? I'm sure that Tony Rickardsson had been using similar devices by one of his sponsors, Ohlins for sevaral years now. Whether they were as complex as Jason's I'm not sure

Thats right Elisabeth was sister to Anders. If I remember she had a florists in Stockholm. They both had some practice rides at King's Lynn in the late seventies, when there always used to be pre season training at Saddlebow for Swedish teams. I remember it quite well as it was the first time I had seen female riders, and Rickard Hellsen & Tommy Nilsson were talking to me about them at the session. I'm not 100% on Marie Wall. She was the only female name that I can remember from the time apart from one of Ove Fundins daughters who rode. I can't remember her name and I'm sure its not her, as she had quite long curly hair, and looked thinner in the face.

One particular picture Bernt Persson, dont know the name of the girls - can anyone help? Think the one on the left could be Elizabeth Michanek, and the one on the right Rosemary Wall

spanner47, you will not be dissapointed. It really is a scenic little island. It really is very different, and its easy to forget that you are 'half way to Russia'.Whilst you are on the ferry, try talking to the Destination Gotland crew about speedway. Many of them are big Bysarna fans, and are regular visitors to the track, when time permits. I'm sure you will enjoy your visit

Sorry Searley, but most people would not agree with you that he would have reached the final. As far as reserves go, thats exactly how Mr Kennett managed to get to the semi, as he was drafted into the 1/4 final when the Russian couldn't get a visa, and did well enough from that meeting to qualify. However he didn't do enough from the UK qualifying round to reach the 1/4 final.

This is at best, laughable Chris, we are comparing Leigh Lanham who apparently only ride one track (at the highest level in the UK, by the way), to Edward Kenett, who apparently can ride more than 1 track ( not at the highest level in the UK). There can be no doubt, that if he wanted it, Leigh Lanham should have been given this chance, as he fully deserved it by finishing in a higher position in the qualifying meeting.

Excellent coverage Anders, and with the updates on speedway.nu, just what we have come to expect from Sweden. Your work is much appreciated by those of us in the UK with an interest in the Swedish Leagues. Thank You

Have spoken to Niklas last week, and he has indeed signed for Brokstedt, and is looking forward to riding for them in the bundesliga. At this time he wasn't sure which meetings he was going to ride in. As an side, if you have Microsoft Map Point 2004 (or maybe Autoroute), and do a 'find' for Neuenknick one of the options it will come up with is Speedway-Club Neuenknick, complete with all details including phone number. Its the only speedway track that I have found on Map Point, so I say well done to the club.

The only other option would be Bent Rasmussen, but the rider in question looks 'too tall', and I don't remember him having a dark Bell Moto helmet, but he did have a white one.......Doesn't look like his bike either Does that make me 'anorak of the day' ?

206 John Smith in Baseball cap, John Eglese in the White jumper, ?? 210 Billy Sanders, John Louis (?), Lance King, Alan Grahame 213 Rickard Hellsen in White (on somebody elses bike, but I don't know whose), ??

133 Phil Collins, Steve Regling , Kevin Jolly 134 John Louis, Eric Monaghan 135 Jan Andersson 136 Jeremy Doncaster, Andy Grahame, Kenny Carter (or maybe Kelvin Tatum ?)