Thing to remember is that under the old World Final system, it was possible for a rider to become World Champion without winning a race also! Okay, it never happened, but it was possible...
Great point! I remember all the "Open" fixtures on the calendar, which often used to end up as challenges. One of my main memories from 1969 was an end-of-season challenge at Plough Lane when the Dons took on a "London" team. I was there. I had no intention of missing it. It was speedway, so I went. And I enjoyed it
You say about the individual trophy meetings. It was that variety that maintained our interest. A couple of league matches, then an individual meeting. Couple more league matches, then a KOC clash. Another league match, followed by a 4-Team Tournament. Great stuff!
You know, I love seeing the comments about James' name "fascinating" people. Oh, I get it, but what very few people realize is that speedway's James Bond came first! Not as a rider, obviously, but he was born in 1938, whereas Ian Fleming didn't create the literary character until 1953...
I know, but still... 1975 still seems so bloody recent to me. It's 48 years, I know, but go back 48 years the other way, and speedway didn't even exist in Britain!
EDIT: You want to know what REALLY scared me? The next most recent after 1975 with all three medallists surviving is 1981...