FAST GATER

I understand the premise behind the NL and it should be for developing young riders but they IMO benifit from riding with older riders in their team.I have always felt that a rider should be allowed to race regardless of his AGE and lose his team place to a better rider not be forced out by the system. Also in recent years the sport has lost a lot of it's Vets ,I really think that there are very few of these riders remaining in the sport today and their inclusion can only be good IMO.

Shadders You missed a real treat the track was massive and probable IMO the fastest ever built in this country lined with railway sleeps it was a frightening experience for any visitors.A real engine breaker and the racing was unbelieveable although the Kings were all but unbeatable at home "Happy Days".

Well done tmc another great read as always Kelvin was one of my all time favourites and the fact that he raced the last 2yrs of his career (one legged almost) carrying such an injury.His last visit to Poole when he almost beat Ricco( still at his best ) was amazing considering the pain and effort it took for him just to ride the bike .

I was a Gunners fan but now go to Stoke nice track great fans but it's just not Elle/Port and it's a hike each week.

The track is still in tact they actually race the dogs on the old s/way track what a waste and Stuart was so unlucky killed at a training school by hitting a roller on the centre green.

Rob I think IMO as to the greatest D2/NL rider of that era John Jackson would be my choice but Joe was a great rider strong and brave without doubt.

He also retired a lot better off than 99% of riders do to quote Lannning "he is retiring a millionaire" IMO he has run things for his own benefit .I don't knock him for that but he is no saint he has merely taken advantage of the sport like that midget in the wig has in F1.I don't supose he cares what people think he is too busy counting the cash which I am sure out weighs in his mind how popular he is with the s/way public.

Don't forget John Jackson ,Phil Collins and avery young Chris Morton Happy days indeed :lol:

Would it not be Jimmy Squibb who rode until he was about 55yrs old almost 40yrs unbroken but I maybe wrong?

I was lucky enough to have a chat with Jimmy right at the end of his career( about mid seventies) and he told me he was 55yrs old and wished he was 25yrs old again, great fellow loads of stories and a lots of advice for a then aspiring young rider .

Cyril was my first hero in speedway the first race I ever saw had him in it in his one season at Elle port still got his photo nice to hear he is still about .I remember his brother in law who sat by us getting him to come and sign the photo and have a chat with me a true gent and an unsung hero of the sport IMO .Rode one last season for the then new Potters after his season with the Gunners and then retired I would guess he is in his late 70's by now.

Sounds like Tom my father invited him to our hotel during the 70' on several occasions with his charming wife but never got a return invitation of any sort,he was from farming stock short arms deep pockets as it were!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was or is he not more plant hire than transport I maybe wrong or out of touch but that is how he started off .

Remember him in the pits at Elle/Port in the mid70s with blisters on his face from falling asleep on a sunbed but always immaculately turn out on the track and nice fellow aswell many happy returns Taffy.

Nice to hear from you no chance of a comeback we need any help we can get at Stoke ,hope to see you a mr Collin's meeting later this month

Well done to both Collins's pity they are both lost to the sport even at CL level but maybe Les will get a taste for this racing !!!

The simple reason this happen to them was their D.O.B as we seemed obsessed about age in this sport but I am always being told that i favour older riders but were all allowed our opinions are we not .

Shame it's just aone off Les could still do a job in the PL IMO and one of the best riders to have in a team with his experience,what awaste as he never actually said he is retired!!!

I remember he rode in a team there with Jimmy Mac ,Finn Thompson ,Liefe Berlin( forgive the spelling) and John Jackson( who I spannered for) doubling up from Elle/Port,George was a true gem and told me many stories of 60's s/way.He was tough but fair rider on many occassions team riding Jacko home. He told me he wanted to ride for ever as it was better than working for a living ,this was borne out by the fact some said he rode a couple of years too long.

1987 would be about right hung himself in his garage I believe would make him about 29yers old no age at all what a waste

It must be getting on for 20yrs ago I think he was in in his late 20's but not 100% sure.

i knew Ian personally his mother worked for us for awhile and my father was Ian's first sponsor at Elle Port ,Ian was a fine man and a resonable rider .It was agreat shook to hear of his death and agreat waste of a young life ,I can't image why he took his life although he did have a very sensitive side to his nature that very few saw RIP Ian.

Ivan Mauger may of had some influence !!!!

I believe that Cyril was or still is a regular visitor at Newport ,rode for us at Ellesmere Port in the early seventies right at the end of his career .Did a season for Stoke after us and then retired he was in the very first race I ever saw as a 12 yr old funny the things you remember.

Some nice pics Tony( love the gold bike still better looking than today's IMO )and Ole was a great rider but I don't like his attitude to the sport. He is a businessman with a great brain sadly his ideas IMO have been detrimental to our leagues and he can't deny that no matter what he says.