chunky

Thing is, we all have memories. I have still followed speedway over the last 20 years or so, but my best - and most vivid - memories are from W-A-Y before 2000. Watching Olle Nygren at Plough Lane, attending Christer Lofqvist's debut at West Ham (and Sverre breaking his arm), Wembley World Finals, and plenty of others, they all seem like yesterday to me. Of course, not all memories are good - Lokeren, Tommy, watching Leif Wahlmann crash right in front of me... Terrible, but indelibly etched into my brain. I don't subscribe to something as simple as elapsed time being the decisive factor; Personal impact (both good and bad) and importance are what keep our memories alive...

So where does Mike Bast fit in within a 20-year time frame?

I never found a croquette I didn't like! And no, I didn't know that place...

Funny you should mention that! it was only over the weekend when I was explaining to my wife about the Automatieks, and the wonderful hot food you could any time of the day or night...

Yeah, I was in Norden and Amsterdam too! For Norden, we were based in Groningen before heading back to Amsterdam for the "Revenge" World Final. In '87, we drove over for a five-day trip, and stayed with friends in Apeldoorn. I loved the country so much, I moved there in 1990 for about 18 months!

1977 was a similar story, and he proved that he was far from being there to make up the numbers. Had he actually taken speedway seriously before Norden, he could easily have won more titles, or at least picked up a couple of medals. Like you said, it wasn't like it was a surprise to see him win...

Doesn't look much different!

That's right, keep prodding...

Bob was good friends with my parents, and I remember meeting him a few times when I was a kid.

Thanks for that! I was a little baffled myself...

Passed away last year? Must have been getting on a bit then? Even if he was only 16 in 1928, he would have been 107 or so...

Think I've heard the name somewhere...

I noticed you'd mentioned him in your initial list. I liked him, and thought he was pretty useful too.

I agree with that. Back in the 70's and 80's, there were quite a few Aussies who were impressive, but never really achieved full potential. Many of them are largely forgotten now. In addition to O'Brien, I liked Dave Jackson, Jim Burdfield, Stuart Mountford, Glen Baxter, Scott Norman, Lou Sansom, and Tony Langdon (he put in some brilliant performances against the Dons).

Uusually the opposite - struggle for a few years (a la Nielsen) and then step up a gear - but Crump did it in reverse. Had to be something mental with him, as it wasn't like he had "bad luck" like Jessup and others.

Interesting, but you may want to get them to correct Geoff "Pymer" and Mick "Hanley". Steve

You're in trouble, PotteringAround; gustix is on a mission! Once he starts copying and pasting links with this regularity, there is no stopping him!

That's exactly the thing I was talking about! The only non-small oval racer who was even able to control a speedway bike was Martin Lampkin.

Because he was raised on it. My point is that other motorcycle racers are generally all at sea when trying speedway - as was shown on the show I am talking about (Superbike Six, I think it was called). However, speedway riders were able to adapt to the other disciplines a lot easier. I agree that the speedway is largely unrecognised by the motorcycle world, but the fact that many speedway riders haven't ridden other bikes is irrelevant. My point is that if you can ride a speedway bike, then you can ride a road racer or motocross bike with little difficulty. That doesn't appear to be the case in reverse. Can't argue with that at all. I was waiting for him to be mentioned!

That is my point, John! Speedway riders can switch to other forms of motorcycle sport with little or no difficulty, but it doesn't happen in reverse. Therefore, those who master small oval racing tend to be much better all-round motorcyclists.

Thing to remember, John, is that speedway is probably the most difficult of all motorcycle sports to take to. Remember when we had the televised competition in the 70's between the best performers in various motorcycle sports? Not one racer from outside small oval racing got close to anything past mediocrity on speedway. There is a lot to be said for that...

No. I don't spend much time on FB these days, but I wasn't aware of that particular group.

Yes it is still there, John; or at least it was a few days ago. I am a member... Steve

It is always sad when we lose someone. It is a tragedy that the person was suffering in ways we can't even begin to imagine, An even bigger tragedy is that we didn't know, and were unable to help. R.I.P. Danny

It was also mentioned - and apparently later deleted - on a post on the Ipswich website.