miadfa8

Why not change the race format as follows: 1. Programmed rides up to and including heat 11are the same. 2. All riders must have taken a minimum of three rides by heat 11. 3. The pairings for heats 12 -15 are at the team manager's discretion with all riders having to take a minimum of one ride. 4. Only one rider permitting to ride twice in heats 12 -15 (rider repalcements excepted) and must not ride in consecutive heats. 5. The home team must declare their pairing's first for heats 12 -15. 6. Reserves can only take a maximum of six rides. 7. The tactical rides are only allowed up to heat 11. 8. Top three averaged riders ride at 1, 3 and 5. This would certainly sort out the tactical nous of team managers and would also generate some interest for those on the terraces as well.

Well, all this comment about what Nicki did I find sanctimonious. Can't remember seeing any comment about riders "shutting off" in league racing when they are in front of their team mate when they are wearing the tablecloth to gain an 8-1.

Well what can I say. After attending my first meeting at the Wick in '66 and then drfting away from the sport in the mid 70's I returned to speedway in the late 90's but had no team to support. Looks like this is going to change this year. Fantastic news. All the Hawks have to do now is top the bids from Tottenham and West Ham so that they can return to their spiritual home. Up the 'awks!

My first post, although I have read this forum for many years. I did a search for hackney Cheetahs and found this topic. I think I know who Cheetahhawk is but unfortunately cannot remember her name. She is correct with the names mentioned in her post although Ken Harris who was my best mate, was also from Hackney as well. We all used to go to the Wick and stand right at the back of the grandstand, just in front of the bar (very convenient!). My first season at the Wick was 1966 when a friend used to get me in for nothing as his dad used to work on the gate (sorry Len). I was hooked straight away and my all time favourite Hawk was Bengt Jansson although my favourite rider was Martin Ashby. Only went until the mid 70s and then drifted away into marriage and kids etc. Got involved again in 1995 as I had a Friday off and went to the Grand Prix practice at Hackney and have been going ever since. As I live equal distance between Rye and Arena I cherry pick which meetings to go to although I do not support either team. I have found an old photo of the Hackney Cheetahs from the early 70’s See below) and the line up is Back row: Vic “Eso” Esperon, Stuart ? (any ideas), Dave Lye, Some bloke who runs speedway, Steve Goodfellow, Vic Haines. Front row: Me (miadfa8), John Goodfellow. My link