chunky

I've been noticing the proliferation of comments regarding tonight's start tarts. Not sure if that is reflection on modern speedway (and a lack of excitement) or a reflection on the frustrated old saddos on this forum!!! Steve

That has to be one of the best races I have ever seen. If only every race was like that... Good performance from the Russians. Steve

There was another thread on here before, asking the same question, and speedyguy even suggested Aldershot, which was another I had considered. Steve

Not sure, but I wonder if it is Rayleigh? There was a trial at an "Essex" track, and Rayleigh would seem the logical choice. Steve

What about Bruce Hughes, then??? Steve

I'm sure that Bob Hughes was Welsh, and thinking about, so was Ivor Hughes. As I said, Bob, I never knew that Howard Cole was Welsh, but he was born in Cardiff. Steve PS Just thought of another Welshman - Phil Vance.

I can't disagree with either statement, but I do feel that Sanders had really come of age. I honestly never knew that Howard Cole was Welsh! In that case, he should slot in there with Leo McAulliffe. Of course, there have been other Welsh riders over the years (including Bob Hughes and Tom Brown), but without wishing to be disrespectful, there have been surprisingly few top-liners. Steve

I would definitely put Phil between Cyril and Leo, Bob. Steve

I always held Billy Sanders in the highest esteem (he was very popular at Plough Lane), but in 1983, I too felt that he really was one of the men to beat. He was always very good, obviously, but he seemed to develop into the complete rider. Steve

Legend... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Morris_(speedway_rider) Steve

Phil Morris... Steve

As an individual who only became a naturalized New Zealander toward the end of his career (after a long and successful career as an Englishman), I find it difficult to include Bob on such a list. Steve

With the greatest of respect, I would put many other Kiwis ahead of Bunyan, including Bruce Abernethy, Dave Gifford, Bryce Subritzky, David Bargh, and even Wayne Briggs. All great choices... Steve

Can't argue with that, and would even say that other than Briggo and Mauger, we could stretch that to 40 years... Looking back at the list of Swedes, I think that Bengt Jansson and Torbjorn Harrysson should both be ahead of Henka, and perhaps some of the others. Steve

Don't forget names like Peter Moore, Ron Johnson, Frank Arthur, and Lionel Van Praag... Steve

I sat down and compared the modern layout directly against an old map I had. It appears that the stretch of road past the stadium is pretty much the same, but they may have messed with the area where it joins the A106. Also, with much of Carpenters Rd gone (where the aquatic centre is), the bottom end is a little different, but the old shape of Waterden Rd remains as it joins the road that rings the Olympic Stadium. Steve

First leg (at Plough Lane), the Aces lined up (1-7) : Mauger, Pusey, Roper, Eyre, Sjosten, Waplington, Hiftle. Second leg (at Hyde Rd), the Aces lined up (1-7) : Mauger, Pusey, Roper, Hemus, Sjosten, Eyre, Hiftle. Steve

Very much so. Same as when we won the KOC up there in 1970! Steve

The pork and stuffing sarnies (and pork scratchings) were also superb! Steve

Indeed it does, although not accessible from Carpenters Rd. The stadium location would be somewhere at the southern end of the International Broadcast Centre, which is accessible via Waterden Rd. Steve

It was a big place, sidney, and relatively open, and you'd get the wind coming off the river! I loved the place, but for us, the biggest problem was the drive there! I was at the 1969 British Final, and other memories include Christer Lofqvist's debut (against the Dons, when Sverre Harrfeldt broke his arm) and the Lokeren Memorial. Steve

Doesn't matter whether the place was dark or not, Plough Lane was a superb racing track. My biggest regret is that I didn't see the 1980 England - USA Test Match (I was laid up with chickenpox), which is still regarded as one of the greatest meetings of all time. Oh, and Autrey won the Daily Express Spring Classic in 1978... Steve

I can see what's happening here; nostalgia appears to be taking over, and what people are doing is looking back at the way it used to be! Don't worry, I feel the same, which is why I will say Wimbledon, Hyde Rd, Hackney, and West Ham... Sure, they were good racing tracks, but we are also thinking back to the huge crowds and the atmosphere, the mugs of Bovril, and of course, the trips to the zoo and funfair at Belle Vue... Steve

It's that time again; 36 years ago today. R.I.P. Tommy. Steve

I had wondered about mentioning 'Zoomer', but he was a little before the time period mentioned. I think he rode for us in 1967, before making some appearances for Ipswich in 1969. Of course, others from the mid 60's include Ronnie Rolfe, Keith Whipp, Steve Chilman, and Geoff Hughes. Steve