Grachan

I was going to bring a load of paper clips for you all the play with. They're so good, you can get loads of paper and fix them all together just by placing one in the top corner of the ream. One member of the forum wouldn't let me do it, though, and threw them all away.

I went to Eastville a few times, including the opening meeting when there were traffic hold ups on the motorway because people were stopping their cars to watch. My mum was an old Bulldogs fan in the 1940s at the old Knowle circuit. The track at Eastville was terrible. They actually raced on the same track as the greyhounds and a few riders pulled out half way through the meeting. One rider who always went well there, though, was Bernie Leigh who was a bit of a grass tracker.

This is one of the races I've recorded by the way.

What about Per's last bend pass of Jimmy Nilsen in 1990. A classic Jonsson swoop, and you knew from that moment he was going to win it. Maybe not classic races for quality, but in terms of significance/memorability: Peter Collins hits a wet patch on the outside in 1975 after the fans had watered the track. Not sure the exact year, but Hans Nielsen gates on Erik Gundersen, decides to take him out wide. Gundersen hangs on to take the lead and Kelly Moran cuts under Nielsen into second place.

Damn the quote button! Damn it to hell!

Some idiots think that Les was beaten by his borther Peter in the 1982 Finals. Morons!! We, of course, know better than that!

Why thank you kind sir.

12 - Steve Regeling Bloody Falcace!!

Martin Ashby was also reserve in 1975 and I was expecting him to get a ride when Ray Wilson (I think) broke the tapes, but the other reserve (a Gordeev brother?) came out instead.

Bit before my time, 1964. Ove Fundin had a bit of 'ruthless' reputation though I believe, so could it be him? Someone will no doubt point out that they were the best of mates now!

Any idea which season the feud was?

Something's telling me to go for Bernt Persson, but that's just a guess.

Good point Falcace, and all the better for it. Whatever became of Martin Scarisbrick though. There was a real buzz about him on our 1983 World Final coach.

I'll go for Eric Broadbelt.

Who can forget the 1983 NL Fours at Peterborough. The final featured Newcastle v Milton Keynes v Mildenhall v Long Eaton.

I remember it well. Sliding a trial bike over rough terrain to deliver said chocolates. Didn't look much like Arthur once he took the helmet off though.

And all because the lady loves........... Milk Tray.

Bart Bast's career over here turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. He was signed by Swindon, but was released before the end of his first season. I think he was only averaging around 3 points a meeting at the time, although he was very popular with the supporters and I remember there being a campaign by some fans to keep him on. I noticed recently that he's still riding in the States, though, and doing well, which is good to see. I also noticed that his father rides too!

Did Dag Lovaas ever reach a World Final? I don't think he did, which would make him a top contender. He was real quality at Oxford.

Not sure, but I have a feeling John Cook rode in a WF at Bradford.

Bobby Schwartz?

It's that 1974 World Team Cup final again. Heat 15, and Dave Jessup clinches the title for England without even the merest hint of an engine failure.

Are you sure? Didn't his non-riding brother Gary appear in a TV ad?

Oh yeah!! So I do! Tim Bungay.

Couldn't tell you the exact team on that occasion, but the Cradley Heath History Site shows the 1965 team as: Eric Hockaday, Tom Bungay, John Hart, Ron Cooper, Leo McAuliffe, Matt Mattocks, Chris Julian and Ivor Brown.