chunky

You know, it's funny that you posted that; I'm also fascinated by things like this. Does anyone know what the lowest WINNING total has been in a regular 16-man, 20-heat, individual meeting? I believe that there was an 11-point winning score at Wolverhampton's Olympique (handicap meeting) one year. Even with league scores, I seem to remember a case where a team's top scorer had something like 7, and the lowest had 5... Steve

Wayne actually rode for Coatbridge in 1969, and did join Wembley after that. It is possible that he went into a short retirement after 1966, as he didn't join Exeter until the 1967 season was well underway. He rode for Exeter in 67 and 68. Steve

I've been in touch with Tony's daughter, and she was going to ask him. I'll give her this new information, and see what I can find out. Steve

I must add my heartiest congratulations to Tomasz. Honestly, a few years ago I was thinking that his best chance had gone, but he persevered, and has continued to improve - and more importantly mature. He thoroughly deserves it. Steve

Yup; there's one I remember... I remember a second-half race at Plough Lane involving Rocky, when all four juniors came off before they hit the back straight! I think the other three were Ian Fletcher, Graham Crook, and Ian Silk. There, how about those names from the past? From what I recall (although I could be wrong - I was about 10 at the time) the meeting was a London 4-team tournament, including a former Wembley team. Cany anyone help with the details? Steve

Don't know if you're talking about that bloody "Pride of London" challenge at Plough Lane in 1989, Rob? We went into heat 16 47-43 ahead. The race was rerun without Neville Tatum after he went down with Galvin and Tagg INSIDE him. Then Galvin took Wiltshire's front wheel away BEFORE they even got to the first bend, and amazingly, the ref put Todd out! Still angry after all these years... Steve

Well, yer man is looking good for the title now! A majestic performance in Vojens to answer his knockers... Steve

You beat me to it! I know it was always an opportunity for riders to try out new equipment, but some were very exciting. I remember when we had "guest" stars coming over to ride in second half events. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, the second half of a Wimbledon v West Ham (for example) league match would include perhaps Terry Betts as a guest. Not only would he race in the "Rider of the Night" event, but would also take part in match races against one or two of the Dons. Steve PS Think I'll have to dig out some progs for you...

Trevor Redmond (Bristol) Ken Middleditch (Poole) Eric Hockaday (Rayleigh) Tony Robinson (Sheffield) Doug Templeton (Edinburgh) Tony Lewis (Poole) Jack Kitchen (Sheffield) Ivor Brown (Yarmouth) Wal Morton (Liverpool) Johnnie Hole (Bristol) Tommy Roper (Bradford) Reg Reeves (Rayleigh) Ray Day (Bradford) Clive Featherby (Cradley Heath) Norman Strachan (Poole) Cliff Cox (Bristol) Eric Eadon (Cradley Heath) Ross Gilbertson (Poole) Steve

What ones are you talking about? I'm sure there must have been several series over the years, but the only ones I am familiar with were produced in the early 60's, I believe. I think that there may actually have been more than one series of these. Don't know how rare they are, but I've never seen them outside of the few I have. Steve

...thanks to a last heat 5-1! I was there for that one. Don't forget that Cup match against Poole, where we conceded four-5-1's in the first four heats, and came back to the draw! That was the night the fans were queueing up Plough Lane. The following week, there was a letter in the Speedway Star praising us Pit Bend Loonies for the way we supported our team! Those were the days... Steve

Don't forget that Mark Loram was born in Malta, so what was he doing riding for England??? Ronnie Moore was Australian, Dave Gifford was English... I think the problem with these situations in speedway is the way it is done, and I'm not talking about Commonwealth riders representing GB. In most sporting cases, the individuals have become naturalised, which of course, is perfectly acceptable. Personally, I think that switching countries by simply taking out a racing licence in another country is questionable to say the least. That leaves the system wide open to abuse, although in the case of Andreas Jonsson (assuming that what I have read about him is true) such a switch would be justified. Some of you on here know that I am involved in international sport, but having been born and raised in the UK, I now represent the United States. I have not taken out US citizenship - yet - but I've lived in the US for 18 years, am married to an American, own property here, pay taxes here, and am considered by the US government to be a legal PERMANENT resident. I compete almost exclusively on the US tournament circuit, and I do feel that I have every right to be considered an American for sporting purposes. Incidentally, when I am competing in the UK, I am taxed as an American, which means that I can pay taxes on a loss... Steve PS You forgot Martina Navratilova...

Hmmmm... Wasn't Hillsborough used for FA Cup semis etc, even when Wednesday weren't in the top tier? Haven't most international matches and Scottish Cup finals been held at the home of a lowly-ranked Scottish team? Steve

Okay; I'm bloody sorry!!! I realised what I'd done after I wrote it. However, it is still a strange rule, considering that there is less of a home advantage in footy than in something like speedway. Steve

Even away goals counting double can be included here... Steve

Have to say I'm with you, Rob. It does add excitement, and a very interesting strategy at times. Like Grachan, I think the double points is absolutely ridiculous, but tac subs and r/r (in their old form) were great. At least teams are relying on their own resources... Steve

Hey Robbie, you need to get on FB and add me as a friend! I tried to look for you, but there are too many of you... You can always refine mine by entering "Saint Louis" as my location. Steve

Contrary to popular belief, I'm not old enough to actually remember Al, but I do know that my parents often mentioned that he could be a little wild on the track! Steve

Aah... Peter Wyngarde, another great blast from the past... Anyway, my memories: The 1976 Grand Prix Final, my first time at the track. The General Smuts pub just round the corner in Bloemfontein Rd. John Davis missing out on the 1977 World Final after that clash with Mauger. The Aussies winning the 1976 World Team Cup. All that bloody dust that used to affect the Sunday afternoon meetings! The 1977 ICF. As already mentioned, the 220 bus and the Central Line trains. The last meeting in 1978 against Bristol, and watching Steve Gresham win the second half final from the centre green. Steve

Have to say I agree with you, Henry. There are often inconsistencies in stories (particularly when not originally written in English), and obviously, the video evidence is far from conclusive, being so short. However, it certainly appears that the two tangled, and for whatever reason be it poor throttle control or maybe just picking up some unwanted grip from somewhere, I really don't think that Raniszewski just rode into the stairs. Maybe "thrown" isn't the best word to describe the event, but he was certainly "thrown" off course and out of control. Still, the thing that puzzles me is that this supposedly occurred outside of the actual track, but again, some longer video evidence may help. What I will also say is that Zbigniew Raniszewski's memorial website is an incredible - and extremely touching - tribute to the rider. When I first tried to find extra information on the tragedy for my website, none of this information was out there. Talented though he may have been, Raniszewski was hardly a familiar name to most of us, but it is amazing to unearth all this stuff now. Steve

Schneeweiss, actually. A very famous name in Austrian motorcycling, he was killed at Graz on October 4, 1947. Steve

It seems quite possible that it was JEAN Berthet. Apparently a versatile motorcyclist, he was predominantly known as a grass-tracker. He was killed on September 19, 1948, in practice at the Velodrome de Plan-les-Ouartes in Geneva. Steve

Speedway in November??? You 'avin a larf, Del-Boy??? The season NEVER runs that late... Sorry, but the double-header at Waterden Rd was staged on November 1, 1976. We beat the Hawks 49-29 in the first match, and then Hackney downed the Rebels 42-36. The Warners Holiday Chase was held on October 29, with Ole Olsen the winner. Steve

I agree. Honestly, I was really no fan of his, but nobody could - or should - argue about his ability. He did suffer from injury and bad luck, but even so, he was an incredible rider. To be fair, I never saw Jason Crump as a World Champion, due to his temperament as a young man. However, he matured, and showed us what he can really do. Sadly, Kenny Carter never gave himself the opportunity to do the same. Steve

Well, I know he was still alive in 2007... Steve