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I had the privilege to attend the Ronnie Moore Memorial Meeting yesterday at Moore Park Christchurch . It was an outpouring of love and respect for the great man that has done so much for and in Speedway. The attendance was huge, swelled by many past competitors, at least double any crowd I have seen at Moore Park. The meeting needed 81 Races (61 solo and 20 sidecar) to allow all the competitors, who wanted to, a chance to compete. The contestants were in various grades ranging from Bradley Wilson-Dean to the 68 year old on an old upright and the seven year olds on the 50cc bikes on the inner training track. The oldest bike was a 1946 JAP and there were Jawa, Weslake, Godden etc to gladden the heart of an old speedway supporter. There were approximately 50 solo competitors and 20 odd sidecar duos. I was really impressed some of the old fellas still fitted their circa 70's/80's leathers. In the A grade BWD looked unbeatable and his only likely competition Thomas Jorgensen of Denmark had to retire from the meeting after winning his first heat because of the pain from hand injuries sustained in a Mountain Bike crash when exploring our beautiful country. The final was won by Andrew Aldridge after BWD had a mechanical failure while well in the lead. Ryan Terry-Daley was second and Jake Turner third. Unfortunately no new prospects on the near horizon. George Congrieve our latest U21 Champion is about the same standard as Ryan Terry-Daley. They had the best race of the night in the semi-final with passing and re-passing final settled in Ryans favour out of the last corner. A great day and a really moving tribute to a great man and speedway rider.

Hackney v Exeter 1977 for me. The Falcons needed a last heat 5-1 to grab a draw and Ivan Mauger and Scott Autrey gated and team-rode perfectly with Barry Thomas and Keith White trying desperately to find a way by. Off the final bend Thommo went for a tiny gap between Mauger and the fence and squeezed by to win the race by the width of a tyre. Probably the most famous race at Hackney and one that I'll never forget...It even had a snippet in the Daily Mirror the following day!

Fantastic thread Rob Godfrey must be pizzing himself!

One I remember at Wimbledon in the late 70s against Ipswich, in the spell when Anders Michanek was riding for them. Larry Ross got out of the gate, Michanek was all over him and Stefan Salomonsson was the same to Michanek. All 3 riders locked together for the race until Salomonsson got through for a 5-1 on the last lap. Terrific stuff and I can remember old Ken Tozer going mad on the PAat the end.

The Sverre Harrfeldt thread got a bit side tracked by a discussion about Christer Loftqvist andReidar Eide so rather than spoil that thread I thought I would start a separate one as both were involved in two of the most memorable races I have ever seen. I say memorable rather than great because we can have different opinions on what is a great race but sometimes you see a race or races that just seem to define everything you love about speedway. The two races in question took place in a West Ham v Wembley match 13th October 1970 . There was a great build up to them . Reidar went out and won heat one over a second faster than anyone else rode that night, and inflicted Olle Nygrens only defeat of the evening. He was back out in heat 5 and whopped Tony Clarke and Barry Crowson. Two heats later he came out on a tac sub to beat Christer Loftqvist. He was looking invincible and the fans resigned themselves to him going through the card. Then came a fabulous heat 11 , when Loftqvist and Eide were programmed against each other. Reidar made the gate (just) but with Christer scraping the fence as only he could , he slowly edged in front , but with barely half a bikes length lead he locked up sightly coming out of bend two lap 3 allowing Reide back in front by a matter of inches. I think Christer had the throttle hard against the stop for the rest of the race and came back to win by about half a bikes length. Heat 13 was a repeat of Heat 11 except that this time Christer was round the line unusually for him and Reidar round the boards. Christer again locked up a bit, same place ad before, but being on the inside, he recovered more quickly and again won by about half a length. Speedway at its absolute best. Anyone else remember it ? One of the few programmes I still have. West Ham closed down for redevelopment soon after and I felt bereft. I continued to Hackney for a time but it was never quite the same to me and eventually I drifted away for many years until returning to Lakeside, which for me somehow captured the mood of Wets Ham in a way that Hackney never did, not for me anyway.

...and I see that you've coveniently side-stepped my question to you which is still outstanding. I await with interest.

ive never understood the need for all riders to have the same set of kevlars and team suits so i get why Poole dont do it. I always remember as a young lad going to Rye House and Ipswich and buying the little riders toys and racing them on the kitchen table..........Cox in black and white checks....Naylor all black. Mullarkey in white and red..........Preben Eriksen all yellow......John Cook in grey........Siggy in white with the stars and stripes...........different leathers made it more fun for me back then and i still prefer it that way....dont like everyone decked out in the same stuff.......just my opinion

What is worrying is that so many people seem mathematically challenged these days. It's not just that they don't understand it, but because they don't understand it, they don't believe it. Simple mathematics is generally - well - simple! More than that, it tends to be consistent and reliable - until people start adding unnecessary variables. Without the variables, even though the actual answers may differ (and here, I did state that the example was extreme and unlikely - though not impossible) the concept and the processes used to reach that conclusion remain constant. That could be one of the reasons I love darts and speedway so much; they both revolve around numbers! Steve

All I am saying John is you just post things you don’t check.This list a couple of times even after it was pointed out Clem Cort didn’t ride for Wimbledon in the Southern League.Posting a link to an article stating Wembley hosted the 1985 World Final etc,etc !!!! Why Not Check things before posting?And why post things after they have been questioned as false? So,yes.Imo shoot the messenger and quickly!!!

It tecks nee notice

But you keep posting the lists even after it has previously been pointed out they are not correct The whole point of history research and postings is to control,question and correct mistakes. Not ignore and repost mistakes

There really are so many factors that people don't take into account, and much of it is personal perspective. The same as when we look back and remember just how good the racing was back in the day, but when we look at videos now, we see that it really wasn't any different to what we see now. As far as the statistics, I do love them. The one thing I will say is that numbers don't lie, but they don't always tell the true story BEHIND the numbers... Steve

Not really that far back.Maybe 8-10 years ago Danish Final at Holsted and it was the final of the final.Think from memory it was Bjarne Pedersen,Kenneth Bjerre,Hans Andersen and of course Nicki Now Nicki was the rider I wanted to win and into the first bend it looked like he had it in the bag.Then he lost control,almost totally.He was almost at a standstill as the others left him for dead.At least as someone who wanted him to win it looked like he had no chance.Then he got going and over the next 2 laps passed Bjarne and Bjerre.Still Hans had taken advantage and was quite a way out in front and silver looked the best Nicki could hope for.But it was his home track and his main rival and Nicki just kept going and making up the metres,until on the last lap he did the unthinkable and went past Hans to win the title Just for the sheer rollercoaster of emotions of thinking he was going to win,then thinking it was all lost,then the slow felling of he is going to make something happen here....it had all a speedway race should have,for me

I've just taken a look at 'Seery's statistics' in the Speedway Star from May 1969. He regularly produced a table of riders with over a 9 point average. There were 22 riders in that table. I think we can discount one of them as he'd only ridden three times but the rest had managed double figures in meetings, or close to. After 11 meetings Ivan Mauger had yet to drop a point. 19 teams in the league and lots of riders scoring heavily. If I recall correctly, last season in the Premier League, two riders averaged over 9 in the Star's end of season averages. Of course, it's not just a smaller league but other factors; fixed gate positions, race formulas meaning heat leaders meet each other more frequently and more professionalism. Riders routinely turn up with two or three bikes, so you don't have people withdrawing after a ride because their engine had blown up and, with a much smaller league, they're much more familiar with away tracks.

I was at the meeting and I have just got my programme out to see if I wrote anything on it as I sometimes did if there was anything worth recording. However, the only thing I wrote was on Heat 13 where I wrote, "Christer from behind." I don't particularly remember those races like you do, E.I., but I was always very impressed by Reidar Eide at West Ham. He rode it very well and it was always a bit of a surprise to me that he never quite made it to the big time the same way Sverre did.

Indeed it is a distortion - although no more than Steves 18 race formula No1 only beats No1 scenario that I originally repiled to I wasnt really linking it so much to Sidneys view aside from the difficulty in comparing eras which I agree he can tie himself in knots with! The issue is often that the reasons given are pretty random and dont always make sense Id liken that with another analogy (which is a bit bonkers but bear with me!) The discussion is the weather One poster saying global warming means there are less days of rain Another says that cant be true as they have seen the stats that the average person uses their umbrella more often Averages must mean something right What is actually happening is that with more days of sun people are using their umbrellas as parasols (doubling up ) So yes it may be true that umbrellas are being used more but it isnt because it is raining more. The original poster points out the use is actually for the opposite reason but the responder just keeps saying umbrellas are used more Where Sidney goes wrong is he persists in using those inaccurate examples to try and prove his point rather than listen to the reasonings as to why he is misguided

I understand exactly what you are saying, but you are a: having to make something up that couldn't have happened and b: distorting the parameters. The names are irrelevant in reality, they were just given as examples to try and make it simple for Sidney. The way to look at it is simply the averages of the position. The averages of the 2nd and 3rd heat leaders across the league would shoot up in a 16 team format compared to an 8 team format. I agree, actual individuals, in extreme circumstances that you describe could be different. Anyway, all of this is simply getting away from the sheer nonsense claim that Sidney's judgement of riders is not effected by how many races he sees them win. Surely you can see the lunacy in that statement!

Mike Bushell can claim something that probably 80 percent of us forum users cant, he has fallen off a speedway bike. He has done pieces with Tai and Ruthless in the build up to British GPs.Dont know if he actually has any interest in the sport outside of his work life but unlike many Sports Presenters he treats every sport he covers with 100 percent respect. Be it Olympic sports right the way through to the highland games and everything in between.

Not in 1984 he wasn't.

...I await with interest but don't leave it too long as the years are catching up with me and reading some of these long winded, round the house threads is only adding to the agonising eventuality!

From Gov.uk : For accounting periods beginning on or after 01/01/2016 to qualify for audit exemption, a company must qualify as small, in relation to that financial year. In other words it must meet any two of the following: annual turnover must be not more than £10.2 million the balance sheet total must be not more than £5.1 million the average number of employees must be not more than 50 So that criteria will cover many, many companies in the UK. However lenders and shareholders, if different from the directors, will usually require an annual audit.

"Lofty" was quite the rider, very spectacular style.....absolutely loved every race he was in.....taken from us far too young! Reider was a good rider but never caught my eye the way "Lofty" did. Have to agree with you E I Addio, after West Ham closed, I too kinda drifted away, came to Canada soon after but never drifted away the sport.

From what Jesper wrote on his live updates, the title was decided on this race. hence the points scoring giving the winner more points than the others if his team mate finished last. But in Ice Racing, the Russians are not going to let that happen. It looks like they've taken a successful format and completely turned it on its head. If you look at it that there were 73 points on offer, and Russia took all of them......

No matter how many statistical permutations and theories are advanced, it is always people's individual perceptions of reality that ultimately have the greatest influence on their thoughts and decisions

I appreciate that (I started but agreeing all your arguement is 100% correct) but was pointing out that the comparisons are not only affected by the number of teams changing but also by the pool of riders lost or gained as the change happens Take your example re Staechman and Parker becoming 8.5 point riders after being 6 point riders because of one big league. This was because the riders introduced to boost the numbers were low end 'rookies' below the standard of the pair Had the new rider pool been drawn from 'world class' level above the standard of that pair then their averages may well have fallen I was trying to set out why 2 people can disagree on the outcome yet having been using the same set of statistics You cant really compare one 16 team league with another 16 team league let alone a 16 team league with a 7/8 team league from the average figures alone as other significant variables are in play rather than just league size

I thought you said you were a cart dealer?

Same here.I receive a few messages about you.Someone even mentioned how your name was mud with a few riders.Everyone can see how you post rubbish in the hope of disrupting threads all over the place just this week and got shot to pieces

What a shame I'm not a journalist. Thank you for pointing out my failings. I tried and failed to indicate that you asked the question on Facebook. The point remains that you already well know why cars continued and speedway didn't. Nothing to do with viability - all to do with the commercial aims of the owners. Off out now to have a laugh at myself. I frequently do so. Are you going to the Dons Den event on Friday? Perhaps I could buy you a drink and we could have a chat about it. Enjoy your day

We have had years of it.Asking the same questions,posting the same comments over and over like a stuck Frankie Vaughan record.Nobody takes the old boy serious.

I think the racesuit has been a bit of a flop for the sport personally. It's embarrassing seeing clubs showing their team off and all the rider's look different anyway. Each rider gets theirs made by their preferred manufacturer so they never match up. Might aswell just use race bibs.

You make me laugh Gustix. You know the answer because you asked exactly the same question / made the same comment on Facebook. You asked 'The puzzles is how after the end of speedway at Plough Lane did Spedeworth Motorsport and short circuit car racing survive there for I think another 11 seasons?' and Ian Perkin responded to you ' the reason why cars continued and speedway did not was because to run speedway the BSPA require that you enter into a contract with the stadium you use to help provide assurance that you can complete the season and not pull out mid season. Once the GRA sold their stadiums to Risk Capital Partners they were no longer prepared to lease Wimbledon Stadium to us anymore. The cars on the other hand never had a lease with the stadium they ran on a week to week basis as the didn't have to produce a contract to get licensed by their governing body so Risk Capital Partners could end their events whenever the re-development started. Ian'

Could all the qualified accountants on this forum please put their hands up? That way the unqualified accountants will know what to believe.

so,build his private business from scratch to be a successful local based business,takes a unused grass field in a run down area and turns it into a profitable business and a track that is upthere with the best in the country,and has won silver wear at various levels and you call him not intelligent a clueless? now it matters not if you like him or not or if you agree with him or not,but to dish out personnal insults is below the belt,especially when the hard facts prove other wise and id go as far as saying that it isnt the BSPA,the MC,the riders,the tracks thats wrong with British speedway,its clowns like you that continually pull the sport down ,,,,,thats wrong wiith speedway and btw,have you looked on google maps yet to see if your statement that the EWR is a circle is correct?

Well I think all the premiership teams are fair and even and by first bsa average shuffle ,any 7 stand a chance,it’s just some typical British supporters ,never happy and love to whinge and complain, stay at home and eat ya muffins and drink ya hot beer,as I have said before go the witches!

It does, in the appropriate section.

Whilst it is evident that Stock Cars and the like are far more successful spectator wise than Speedway , personally I have never been able to see the reason

No, it was won by Reg Reeves. Trevor Redmond should have won as he was easily the best rider on the night. After four rides each, Redmond and Reeves both had 12 points. When they met, Redmond was well in front when his chain broke on the last bend and he finished last. He then beat Maury Mattingly in the run-off for overall second place.

Halleluiah !!! at least other people can see the truth of what is going on.... not like those blinded by them Buster coloured shades.... I am in no doubt, you will not find a speedway supporter from another club, who would agree with the way us Star fans are treated…..

Of course they are interested, the difference being they know their team line ups and are not as frustrated as the poor Lynn fans. They are being treated like mug punters in my book...

this thread is at the top of the page, you'll notice also that threads for most of the teams that are all announced are slipping down to the bottom because no-one is interested any more, they've had their say, but this one keeps going .....

Being critical of the management and 'supporting the team' are two completely different things. Indeed, it could be strongly argued the absolute worst fans are those who stand around happy clapping instead of voicing their displeasure at the decline in fortunes of the club/sport they claim to love so much.

Managed to get to Crayford during their last season to watch one of my favourites making a rare appearance...Hasse Holmqvist!

Mike Bushell does seem to have an interest and a positive positive attitude towards our sport.

Makes you wonder how speedway survived during the 70s / 80s without 'team kevlars' ? I'd much prefer it if every team went back to race jackets TBH

Whilst i agree with the racing side of it,i also think as it's a team sport you should all look the same like in every other team sport.People moan and groan about speedway being stuck in the 70's and 80's well having no team kevlars is one that is still from that era.

Spot on. I touched on it in my post earlier but this is something else the BSPA can't blame anyone else for : absolutely dreadful customer care. A friend of mine and his dad used to occasionally attend a certain track. One day, they complained about the racing surface and were told : 'If you don't like it, don't come'. They took the advice and never went back. That track has now closed, citing poor attendances as one reason. A good friend has attended another track every week for years. Fed up with the poor quality of the racing, he took to the internet and complained. On entry they next week, a member of the track staff sought him out, verbally abused him and said he would get my friend banned from the stadium. The promotions initial response was to agree, but fortunately wiser heads prevailed. When I was told, my reaction was disbelief then anger, because what was proposed was surely contrary to any sensible practice. Had he been banned, 4 other regulars and one occasional fan would have walked out and not come back. I'm no business man, but if it had been me I would have made the member of track staff apologise (and if he had refused I would have sacked him) apologised myself, explained why things were not as good as they should be and invited him to come direct to me in future with any issue rather than using the internet. To really put this in perspective, I went to a meeting a few years ago and it was clear the track surface was extremely poor from the outset and the meeting was eventually abandoned because it became dangerous. I took to the internet and complained. The next time I saw a co-promoter he too was verbally abusive. I haven't been back since. In early 2016, I went to the newly reopened Isle of Wight. The track was in a similar condition and again I complained. Barry Bishop contacted me and said : 'We're really sorry about the track. We are new and learning, and will try hard to make sure it doesn't happen again. We really hope you come back and see us soon, and if you do we'll give you a pits tour and a go on the centre green'. It says everything about speedway PR that I was astonished. Barry has since become a friend, I have been back numerous times and have turned into a huge advocate for Isle of Wight speedway. The incredible difference between reactions is simply down to a few words in response to criticism.

New Updates Service Bandits home meetings in 2019 now have a dedicated Twitter updates service. Heat results posted seconds after the chequered flag www.twitter.com/LiveBandits

I fear we will not hear from Ged or Neil again. It is almost unbelievable the total disregard for the paying public shown by the Mafia and the seeming contempt in which we are regarded.

I love the way that Thomsen and Castagna are being ignored like they don't exist. If one or both of them bloom into decent riders, then that'll wipe some smirks off some faces. These things happen. Who'd have foreseen how riders like James Birkinshaw and Jack Hargreaves would have done so well for us until their respective injuries stopped them, all those years ago?

Sverre was a wonderful rider. He seemed to have it all - enormous talent, good looks and all the rest of it. He was also a very fast and spectacular rider. Here's a memory for you, CHK. It comes from right at the end of his career, when he'd just spent his last season with Wembley. He'd come back from horrendous injuries, and although he was probably never going to hit the top again, he certainly could hold down a heat leader berth in the top league. Anyway, what I remember is the plaque which was presented to him at his last-ever meeting by his Wembley team mates. It read : "The record shows He took the blows And did it his way". I reckon that just about summed Sverre up. In terms of speedway in the 1960s, he was the first of the great Norwegians. He was followed by the likes of the late Reidar Eide (what a character he was - I'd pay a huge sum of money just to see him race one more time), Dag Lovaas and the rest. But Sverre Harrfeldt was without doubt head and shoulders above them all at the height of his career. Incidentally, does anyone know what he's doing now?