salty

Really thought the Russians would win this, looks like the absence of Renat in the latter heats cost them. Looks like it was a pretty close meeting though.

Thought the fact he got the wild card at Krsko meant he had settled his differences with the Slovenian authorities.

Still think it would have been invaluable experience riding against the likes of Lindback, Kindgren, Zabik, Risager and Kolodziej on continental tracks.

Think you'll find that the final last year consisted of Poland, Denmark, Sweden and Czech Republic with strong teams put out by all. Granted some of the qualifiers were poor with teams dropping out, such as America and France, but would we rather be bracketed with them or the 4 countries who took the comp seriously.

Joonas would be the perfect candidate for a wild card at the Scandanavian GP.

Thanks for the reply Main Man. I hope Aldridge makes a go of it over here, it would be great to see the Kiwi's making a comeback in the sport.

Does anyone know if Skyler Grayson and Andrew Aldridge came all the way for just this one meeting or are they hoping to break into a team over here?

According to the BSPA site the Russian brothers have visa problems and might not make it. If so their place will be taken by Kennett and J. King.

Looks like a heavy Hackney influence! Not complaining though as I can't wait to read the Bernie article. I'm sure Simmo will have a lot of interesting memories.

Richardson is evens to beat Lindback with the dreaded Bet & Win

Looks a very competitive line up, though it sticks in the throat of those of us who remember when it was held at Hyde Road, the decision to hold the event at this time of the season has resulted in a much better turn out than recent years. With a good weather forecast should be a good meeting, PK looks a value bet at 25/1.

Steve, Pete doesn't say Bjarne could not win the ELRC elsewhere, he says that if he does win tomorrow everybody will say it is only because it was held at Poole. If he doesn't win he then gets slated for failing to win on his home track. Never mentions that he wouldn't have a chance at any other track.

Scott Humphries and Nathan Simpson from Wimbledon, Pete Bradshaw who died at Lokeren as did Mal Carmichael (don't know if he rode in league comp or just 2nd halves) Dennis Gavros, Bob Jameson from Halifax

Now I should have remembered him!

Just thought of one more... Graham Coombes.

There was always the strong feeling that some clubs were treated more favourably than others. In John Berry's book he bought the licence to West Ham(including riders) but then states that Christer Lofqvist (the No 1) was spirited away to Poole who were then run by the influential Charles Foote(I think). I remember Cradley being refused permission to keep Jan Simensen one year who then got allocated to the Ochiltree show at Brandon.

Craig was born in Manchester, used to go to NZ in the winter though.

Having seen Reading on the TV last night, I sincerely hope massive improvements are done to both the stadium and the track before the World Cup. Looked ramshackle and as mentioned before goes against the previous philosophy of BSI to try and give a positive image of the sport.

Yes, but he became a naturalised Kiwi and represented them at Test level, famously winning the World Pairs.

Unless I've missed him one of the best Kiwi's of recent times was Mark Thorpe.

The thing that struck me watching that meeting again was how awful the starts were. Green light and go, with rider after rider getting a flyer.

I remember Mike Letch riding second halves at Cradley in 1970, as did Mal Carmichael who sadly lost his life at Lokeren. Remember seeing a photo of Mike in one of the Websters annuals watching the racing at Hackney in his wheelchair.

Can't wait to read that interview, and yes Tony Cradley fans won't hear a bad word said about our Bernie. I would like to hear from Bernie how he felt riding for the Heathens when Dan McCormick was in charge and he ended up being sacked. You have to remember that Bernie was not excluded following the Briggo crash, though having watched it again recently that is definitely a questionable decision. Bernie was my hero from when he joined the Heathens in 1969, particularly when you remember how the loyal Heathens fans had to endure season after season of disappointment. As many Cradley memories as possible please!

I saw Cradley beat Halifax 64-14 in 1980 I think. Pretty certain the Cradley rider who missed out was none other than Erik Gundersen in about Heat 9 or 10. Extremely dull meeting from the racing point of view, only interest being whether the max could be achieved.

Just to clarify DeWayne Keeter's British career.He was introduced at Leicester for the 1969 season (when he was the only American to ride here). After understandably slow start using borrowed machinary he improved throughout the season to finish on a creditable 4.87 average having ridden in all fixtures. Who knows what he might have achieved if he had come back the following season. Of others mentioned on this thread I always thought Mike Caruso was a perfectly respectable second string and I find it hard to see Lance King as a failure when he finished on a World Final rostrum. While I take your point that he could have done so much more, then you could say the same about a lot of riders. Particularly, in relation to this topic to the Moran brothers who were seen as supremely talented but never reached the absolute pinnacle of the sport. On a personal level I found Brad Oxley to be a frustrating rider, because after a perfectly acceptable first year with the Dons he never kicked on in his second year and left the British scene behind.