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The great man is 50 today- birthday wishes.

The muppets running British speedway don't want any changes that they don't propose themselves.

I think that when I see things like talent shows on the box, and even in sports: "You were my hero when I was growing up!" and, "As a kid, I always wanted to be like you!" It's that people think that way, but boy, can they sting - and yes, I've had that experience too! American dart player Danny Baggish (who is playing in the PDC now) came up to me a few years ago, and said, "You probably don't remember me, but I was one of those kids you used to give free dart flights to!"

I work at a local bar a couple of times a week, and whenever things like Bohemian Rhapsody or Jean Genie come on the jukebox, I'm one of the only people in the bar that remembers it when it first came out!

Looking in good shape Badge...

I thought it was me, so that makes me feel better! With regard to Steve's comment, I had a problem like that when I turned 30; ten years ago, I was a sprightly 20-year-old, and and ten years time, I'll be an ancient 40! Now I'm 58, I'm positively crapping myself... It's not just speedway that ages me, but music too. When I was a teenager, the Beatles were "oldies" to me. Now, I think of OMD as recent...

I forgot you only need 10 or over - your win by 20 got into my head

Looks like he scored 8 points in a 'Stars of Tomorrow' at Canterbury on 24th May which was won by Neville Brice with 11pts - incidentally Barry Thomas was also in the meeting and scored 9 and came 7th. I actually remember this meeting as Charlie Coleman scored 11 and came 3rd after a run-off.. Charlie was a good sidecar driver on the grass tracks but pretty sure this was his first appearance on a speedway bike so pretty impressive. He made a few appearances at reserve for the Crusaders after that however there was a lot of competition for the reserve slots with riders like Graham Banks, Alan Kite and Jake Rennison amongst others looking for the team place...

I saw Dave Jessup in one of his first races in public as a 15 year old in 1968 in a second half at West Ham. He beat Alan Sage, Vic Harding and Barry Thomas. My programme notes say, "won by half a lap". He was immediately signed up for the Hammers for the following season. It was obvious, even from that first race, that he was destined for greater things and he became my "protege". I always followed his career from then on - I just wish I could have advised him on how to look after his bike!

I like everybody who posts on here.(But then I am heavily medicated!!!!)

Having moved to Cornwall in the last few years, I’m looking forward to watching Plymouth this season. Season ticket sorted. I’m going to miss my first love, the Swindon Robins, and my second love the Rebs at Somerset, but going to put my Gladiators hat on now. With Crumpie leading the attack, what’s not to like?!!! Well done Plymouth for putting together such an attractive team for this season.

Now it's just before my time. But my grandad speaks fondly of riders like Erik Gundersen. So I thought there would be plenty of you in here that would like to relive his 1985 World Final win. Where you there? Do you remember it? Are there any other one-off finals from the past that stand out for you? Commentator Nigel Pearson chose it as his favourite Motorsport Memory when I spoke to him on behalf of Adrian Flux. Take a trip down memory lane with him by listening here - I certainly remember his third favourite from a Cardiff GP but I think this Erik one will resonate with lots of you. Enjoy and looking forward to joining in more discussions around here now I've finally signed up. Cheers Gav

Lublin at home to Wroclaw has all the makings of being an absolute cracker next Sunday night

It says something when Leszno's juniors don't beat an opposition rider and Emil doesn't ride in 14 or 15 AND they still win away from home..

Not a Lidsey fan,think you will be eating your words shortly.

Works every time. Motivational speech lol. Hopefully they can see it through lol.

I'm staying in exmouth for the week Glasgow ar e the visitors will get my e tickets

I was working behind a hotel bar in Edinburgh as a student in the 1990s and the band Mud came in after a gig. The lead singer (Les?) was chatting away and I told him that Tiger Feet was number 1 when I was born. I thought it was a nice thing to say, but he physically deflated! I suppose in his eyes, he was still a hip rock star.

Haha great minds!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=218291086397186&id=100046488889995

Hans is one that screws me too. 29 years ago, but I still think of him as a modern rider. 29 years before that, and Harrfeldt and Nordin were only starting to ride for the Dons...

Is he fat or trim?, that usually determines his season

Wozniak can be different gravy when he wants to be, one of the most under rated Poles there is. He is usually dealt the difficult heats for Gorzow but has been right in the mix again tonight.

Classic Speedway magazine had him down as starting his riding career with Aldershot in 1950 however he would have been 24/25 in 1948 so I guess it's possible?

While I'm not as old as you (sorry!), and my first World Final was 1969, the thought of, "my grandad speaks fondly of riders like Erik Gundersen" is a real kick in the nuts!!! I first saw Erik ride 42 years ago. Still seems pretty recent. When I first saw Erik ride, 42 years before then was pre-war... Sobering thought, eh?

So, he could spend money on a drill? Or did he borrow it from someone?

Spoke to Cam on the golf course today, bikes are ready to go and having a spin at Leicester tomorrow. He certainly hits a long ball...

Yeah as has been said previously Armadale is actually a good bit out of Edinburgh if you are driving up and just looking for nearest place to stay then Bathgate would be best bet as only a £5 or £6 taxi from there to the stadium and there are a few pubs restaurants etc there If staying in Edinburgh itself then as said there is a supporters bus that runs from the city centre and returns leaving 15 minutes after heat 15. Although with social distancing etc I’m unsure exactly on the situation with that this year There is public transport from Edinburgh to Armadale best bets being the train from Waverley or Haymarket stations to bathgate station then a taxi or the x18 bus which runs from city centre to right outside the stadium, this would prob take about 45mins to an hour last bus back to Edinburgh at around 22.05 details here https://www.lothianbuses.com/our-services/lothian-country/ one thing just to watch out for a little is I would have a little look at timetables etc as currently a lot of public transport is finishing earlier and not sure if these will be back to normal by 21st May as Scotland’s restrictions are a little different to down south any questions just give me a shout

Train to Bathgate and taxi works, or stay in Bathgate Think a taxi from Edinburgh to Bathgate cost us about £35 in 2019

I agree. Holta is the rider that's kept Gdansk in this by riding well below par lol. Gdansk have taken full advantage of the weakness in the Rybnik side today.

Armadale is approx 25-30 miles from city centre ,They run a supporters bus from city centre that would be your best bet IMO.Edinburgh fans on here will put you on the right track though.

It must have been. I remember it was a really showery day and they didn't water the track at Halifax. The bumper crowd was covered in clouds of dust!

Why would Poole release 2 riders signed as club assets who already have local sponsorship and local workshop facilities, bearing in mind they have already released MacDonald?

You know how to make people feel old. The first world final I saw was won by Ove Fundin!

Hopefully the news of positive progress will continue Happy Birthday Tomas

KeirStamer Fan You are a bit like the political leader you are named after always 24 hours late with any useful information.

I should post a link to the Gdansk video probably this evening on the video thread.

Speedway anywhere needs new blood, both running the sport & younger spectators through the turnstiles, a good percentage of the previous Dukes fans have probably departed to that great arena in the skies above us. Television only works to a certain extent, bringing the sport to a wider audience but that's got to be converted to bums on seats and they've then got to get a similar experience as TV, inter-heat activity, good presenters, re-runs on large tv screens, no long delays, you need to keep fans entertained for 2-2 1/2 hours, not just the 15 miutes of racing, modernize the whole package, not just the bikes & leathers.

He's still posting on Facebook. Never really knew why he just disappeared from here...

If I remember correctly it's 3900

If you're married seems like the wife doesn't make the top 2, and maybe not on the podium with Crump and Plymouth after this year then??!!

Yep; born 13th September, 1923.

If my information and my arithmetic is correct he must have been about 97 or 98 years old. I hope he was in good health to the dead. I never saw Len Silver ride but from photographs I think Len started the white boot craze, and Pat was, of course at Exeter with him. I think Alan Cowland may also have been a white booter and Norman Hunter certainly was for a while. Sad to hear of his passing . Riders like him were the backbone of the sport.

And an important member of the Speedway Riders XI football team...

Yes. Gil was about a 5 at our level but had flitted between Wimbledon and the Southern League. Pat was probably a 2 and held his own riding in Southern teams/leagues.

Pat came up to Newcastle with my favourite Gil Goldfinch in 1961 to strengthen us and gave us a much better team. I think that used to come up on the train, and we had to take vehicles to get them and their gear to the track. They stayed overnight and did the return the following morning. RIP Pat

Think also people on here who think they know what's going on with the sport but are so wrong on a lot thing's they post.

You’ll find out when they have actually made their minds up, probably on the night !

Sad news indeed. A great rider who has left so many great memories. Sincerely hope that he gets better soon.