chunky

I can't recall the exact circumstances of most of those mentioned, but of course, Erik Gundersen's crash had nothing to do with fences or other safety measures; it was just a racing accident, of which I have seen many. It was mentioned earlier in the thread about the tracks "being to blame". What I feel is that, as speedway has drifted away from "dirt-track racing" to slick tracks and "blue grooves", more riders are hitting the fence than ever before. Just my opinion... Steve

It really does seem that there was a particularly bad era for on-track tragedies in the UK from the mid-70's to the mid-80's. I will do a little research and publish the findings. Steve Edit : According to my records, there have been a total of 80 fatal accidents on British tracks, from 1928 to the present. From 1928 to 1931, there were 18 fatalities on British tracks, including 6 in 1929, and 5 in 1931. From 1932 to 1945, there were 7. From 1946 to 1953, there were 22 (with 4 each in 1948 and 1953). From 1954 to 1971, there were 10 (with 1956 having two - the only year with more than 1), In 1972 there were 2. From 1975 to 1984, there were 16 (with 3 in 1977 and 1983, and 2 each in 1975, 1979, 1982 and 1984). Since 1984. there have been just 5 fatalities on British tracks.

This will explain a little more (the Showground was also known as the Royale)... http://www.vintagespeedway.com/Sportsground.html Steve

I do agree that Hackney wasn't the safest of tracks, a fact shown by the number of tragedies there. However (and as a Wimbledon supporter, this is embarrassing for me to say!), it was also a superb racing track. It was a track with multiple racing lines, including out in the dirt. Watching Thommo in action there was brilliant! Steve

Got to agree with you! Love Herb Alpert - and Roger Whittaker and Jim Reeves... Steve

Gil Farmer indeed; don't forget Alan Farmer from Ipswich and Wimbledon either,,, He's in the team with : Howard Kohlrabi Andy Sell-ery Ian Turnip Jason Onion Shane Hearty-choke and a couple of Swedes (including a has-bean who rode for the Doncaster Scallions). Steve PS Almost forgot Veg Luckhurst...

Come on, norbold; surprised you haven't come up with : Pratt's BotTOM FARNorough LangDON! And that was without leaving Kent! Steve

I see, I see... Couldn't find a way to use "Tadeusz", though! Steve

Jeez... I think WANTAGE and KERRY should come into play here! Steve PS Yes, please note that this is intended to be a humorous post... PPS I'll see if I can come up with something for Konstanty Pociejkowicz and Zbigniew Marcinkowski...

Well, I would certainly have included Jimmy Gibb, and also George Pepper... Steve

Dave "Tiger" Beech Mark Cherry "Sprouts" Elder (riding a dirt-track Douglas Fir) Spruce Penhall Howard Coleus Holly Nygren and, of course... Graham Plant... Steve

Alf Chick Stan Bear Stephan Katt Carl Squirrell Lol Hare Jaroslav Wolf Robbie Blackadder Steve

What about para-Finn Thomsen? Or Andy Sell (an die-sel, get it?) Steve

You beat me to it, grachan! Actually, the actor spelled his name Erik (with a "k"), and the actor who played Peter Craven was Malcolm McFee, as opposed to the former 'Boro rider, Malcolm McPhie! Steve

What about Graham Smiles? Steve

Andrew Silver Doug Nickel Richard Knightrogen Stan Bearium Cec Plattinum Rene Aasenic Per-Olof Sodium Manager : Xenon Plech Steve

Brian Paddington Mr Benn Barker Ivor the Engine Brown Andy Pandy Campbell Postman Pat Clarke Graeme Gordon the Gopher Big Ted Ede Steve

Not bible books, but... Phil Cain Roger Abel Kent Noah Ivan Magi Barnabas Gyepes (there, Iris...) Csaba Hell Jordan Frampton They can ride for the Glasgow Tigris... Steve

If this is where you want to go, how about : Martini Ashby,,, Steve

Nah, think he was a Crusader... Steve

Rode for Romford? Sure he was a Bomber... Steve

Dale Rook John Board Steve

That's the best ever Dutch team, isn't it? Steve

Oh, like a veal and West Ham Pye? Steve

I could be wrong, but I think Tom Farndon rode under the name of Tom Farndon... Steve