Grachan

The race is Heat 4 of Swindon v Ipswich on 29 August 1988. Final score: Swindon 51 Ipswich 37. See my signature for the riders in the race.

It's great isn't it! I love the collective 'gasp' from the crowd when he picks up extra drive on the second lap.

He was number 8 in 1987, and joined full time in 1988. It's not often you actually want someone to be absent so you can use your no 8, but that's how I used to feel. Same as you, Jeffster. I was so pleased when he joined full time. He may not have ultimately fulfilled his potential, but he was by no means a failure in my book. It was a real joy to watch him ride, and when on top form he was totally amazing. I used to love it when he missed the gate on the outside, looked across and waited for everyone to go ahead, then cut under everyone on the first turn to come out in the lead. I saw that happen quite a few times at Blunsdon. I reckon his 'decline' came about because he had his hair cut, kinda like that Samson bloke. (No, not Lou or Mike! The one in the bible!)

Rothmans Middle East Speedway Spectacular at the Royal Kuwait Sporting Club during the 1978-79 close season (2 day event) Peter Collins 28 (15+13) Les Collins 25 (11+14) John Louis 24 (13+11) Chris Morton 21 (8+13) Dave Jessup 18 (7+11) Tom Owen 18 (8+10) Barry Thomas 17 (10+7) Jim McMillan 15 (7+5) Bernie Leigh 14 (8+6) John Davis 13 (6+7) Craig Pendlebury 13 (8+5) Reg Wilson 12 (11+1) Ian Cartwright 12 (5+7) Dave Morton 5 (3+2) Richard Greer 3 (0+3) Neil Middleditch 3 (1+2) Information obtained from 'The Peter Collins Speedway Book No 3'. There's a 4 page article on the meeting in there. See below: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

Wasn't he invited to take part in an open meeting somewhere (Arena maybe?) a few years after his retirement, and surprised everyone by nearly winning the meeting. He was a bit of a World Class Snowboarder too, if I remember rightly.

Probably the most exciting rider I ever saw! Fantastic rider, but my feling is that he never really took Speedway that seriously. I don't really know what happened to him actually, but it's a shame as I think he could have gone on to great things. I remember him riding for Eastbourne and averaging around 5 points a meeting. I never could understand that. During his time at Swindon he was - when the mood took him - one of the best passers and team riders I ever saw.

Leigh Adams wins!

You may well be mad Longlivefrankie, but you're not wrong. It was the 1975 final. The track was terrible and became more and more dusty as the meeting progressed, so (if I remember correctly) some angry supporters took a hose pipe and put some water on the first bend. Peter Collins was on the outside gate in the next race and hit the wet patch, causing him to literally slip into last place and lose any chance of winning the title. Still, he made up for it the following year.

Crikey!! He looks like my Mother-in-law! Scary.

Maybe not the best quality, but there's one here: http://www.geocities.com/gam_noticeboard/rh79.html

Thanks Steve. I'm hoping to go to a meeting in Japan at the end of May and wondered if there might be some names to look out for, but if he lives in USA then I guess not.

I don't suppose you know the names of the 2 current riders that have ridden in the USA do you?

There may be a clue in the 'Classic Matches' thread, 21CH.

My thoughts exactly, Norbold.

I reckon I know!

Let me guess. Swindon 40 Belle Vue 38 from 1976?

So did you write the Belle Vue v Sheffield article in Edition 1 then Falcace?

I thought it was. Funny thing was I could clearly remember his hair, but not the face!

Left of Neil Street is Matthew Cross. Right might be Tony Langdon but not sure.

Swindon team manager is former Bristol rider Dick Bradley.

Weymouth picture: Bob Coles on the bike. Malcolm Shakespeare in the middle at the back, and Brian Woodward front right. The guy at the back on the left looks familiar too. It might be Doug Underwood. Then again, it might not. Not sure about Champ, but it could be Norman Hunter without a moustache. The Reading picture on 'Old Crusader' has Jan Andersson in the lead. I''l ahve to guess the others: Simon Wigg, Nigel De'Ath and Pierre Brannefors (or possibly Per Jonsson, but the padded shoulders make me go for Pierre!)

I think you confirmed your nerdishness quite satisfactorily with the answer to number 17, Falcace!

N , but I can find another picture of Bo if you really want.................. Thanks Grachan It's okay. I've got one of him and my mum sat on his bike together, so I don't need any more. There is a definite Bo Petersen-esque style going on in that pic though. There is! THERE IS!!! No 17 - without even looking again: Andy Hackett.

The 'other' rider in 22 isn't Bo Petersen again is it?

Ah, Billy Hole, my mother's hero. Funny there should be two pictures of Geoff Pymar, as he's featured in the one race I have from Knowle Stadium - See Here