TeamBouchard

Sadly, probably not as much as you were thinking! A copy - autographed, as yours was, by all the celebrities present - went for £20 a few weeks back on ebay.

Just had a look at my programme and I hadn't written in a no. 8. However, looking at the 2nd half, I note that I have written in Ian Williams (who was not programmed in any of the junior events) as a replacement for Larry Ross in Ht 1 of the senior Event and again in Ht 4 as a replacement for Graham Stapleton. He also appeared (busy lad) in the Up and Comers Event after the four qualifying heats for the Senior event. No 8's who didn't get a ride in the main meeting had to have two rides in the second half and having just checked the internet and seen his link to being tried as a junior by Wimbledon, I am pretty certain he would be the Dons No. 8 that evening.

I was at the meeting and have looked at my marked programme. Heat 12 - Roger Johns T/S replaced Rudy Muts in the white helmet. Colin Richardson, originally programmed at no. 6, was moved up the order pre-match to no. 5 as Mick Hines was 'missing', so was programmed to ride in heat 12 in Y/B. I have Colin Richardson as last in heat 12 and have written in a zero into his individual score-chart for that heat 12 ride, which was his 5th and final ride in the match (having taken a R/R ride in heat 5). Hope that helps.

Anyone out there got a good condition copy of this programme they would be willing to sell to help me complete my Long Eaton collection?

Many thanks, Vikingblue, for the confirmation. I thought I'd be waiting days for a response but fair play to both of you for providing the info that I needed. Cheers.

Brilliant, Dave. That answers it spot on as far as I'm concerned. I didn't have a Hull fixture list to work from, so had checked the results on Speedway Researcher but there was no note of the meeting on the 17th being postponed. I can sleep easily tonight now! Thanks for the quick and informative response.

I have finally picked up the 'programme' for this meeting (26/5/95) to fill one of the last remaining gaps in my LE collection. It is a four-page 'insert' type, but, having apparently seen that Hull hadn't had a meeting postponed prior to the fixture, I'm a bit bemused as to why just the four page issue appears to exist i.e. there wasn't a prog from a previous postponement for it to be inserted into! Any info from a Vikings collector (or indeed, any programme collector) would be gratefully received. I am looking for the additional info as I am in the process of trying to prepare a (sort of) definitive Long Eaton programme spread-sheet covering all issues home and away 1963-97 (inc all postponed issues/re-issues/inserts/different editions etc etc.), which is, as you can imagine, not exactly straightforward!

Probably a bit late now, but, just off the top of my head, I can think of enough incidents at Long Eaton in that period to fill a couple of pages. At least eight!

I was at the meeting and have checked my programme. Re heat 7, I have just put EX alongside Rumsey, so can't confirm tapes or two minutes, regrettably. However, re heat 13, I have put EX TAPES alongside Reg's name, so I can confirm that one.

Speedway for me certainly hasn't been the same since the opportunity to go to Station Road on a regular basis disappeared. Some fabulous memories and great personalities (irrespective of points-scoring ability) in abundance over the years. While we are talking Long Eaton, I have a small but steadily growing collection of Long Eaton memorabilia and I'm always interested in adding to it, particularly race jackets and the like, so if you have anything to dispose of, please message me. Thank you.

Spot on, Marcus. Allan (urkocollector) is extremely helpful and very reasonable with his prices. I've dealt with him on numerous occasions and he's helped me out with my Long Eaton collection. Use this link to an item he currently has for sale on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LONG-EATON-SPEEDWAY-PROGRAMMES-1986-17-/371250101355?pt=UK_Sports_Memorabilia_ET&hash=item56703afc6b and then click on his name (in blue, top right). That will take you to another screen where you can click on 'contact' and you can send him an email. Hope you have success!

A 24 point score (without double-points) was technically possible during the 1976 season. In one of those bird-brained ideas thrown up at the Winter Conference, a revised rider-replacement regulation allowed a rider to take THREE rider-replacement rides of an injured rider who was above him in the averages! With FOUR programmed rides, plus ONE tactical substitute ride, it was possible to have EIGHT rides in a THIRTEEN heat match, always assuming you had enough strength to hold on to the bike! I saw Reg Wilson take eight rides in a Leicester v Sheffield match on 29th June. Appearing in heats 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 13 he scored 17 and 1 bonus. I guess there would have been other occasions during that season for other riders in other teams. A real test of man and machinery.

After the last speedway meeting at Station Road in October 1997, the site stood empty, derelict and increasingly over-grown until 2010 when the area was finally levelled for a new housing estate which developed over the latter part of 2010 and into 2011. No trace of the Stadium remains, sadly.

Finally got around to checking the programme. Heat 5 result Robert Ledwith (Blue), Paul Hurry (Red), Shaun Naylor (Y), Mark Geary (W) Fell. 5-1 to Arena. Time 62.5.

Sent you a pm

Sent you a pm

Any chance of a bit more info? Where are you based and roughly how many progs are involved? Are they mostly from one team? Cheers.

Mate of mine has just handed me a copy of The Mascot - all sport boys magazine, which shows no date, but from a small inset feature about Stanley Matthews, suggests it comes from 1951. It is priced at 2d and is A4 in size with just eight pages of mostly text on flimsy paper. The front cover has a drawn action picture of two speedway riders and the main feature is a 2 page story about Wolf of the Speedway, written by Clint Carson, with a small half page feature the with more speedway drawings. There is a two page story about football and a two page story about ice hockey. Magazine printed and published by Martin & Reid Limited, 106 Bishopsgate, London. The interesting thing about the magazine is that it is Issue no. 1 as marked on the cover. There is nothing on the internet about this magazine. Does anyone know anything more about its life I.e. were there any more issues, etc? Cheers.

Superb summing up, Paul. I'm with you all the way!

Excellent, friendly service from Roger. Instant responses to e-mail queries, simple, straightforward invoicing and payment facilities and next day service for the five Long Eaton DVD's I ordered. Well done, Roger - and the very best of luck with future sales.

Can someone recommend a company (or individual) in the Midlands area who carries out kevlar repairs?

From memory, I think that during the 1976 season (13 heats), the new rider-replacement rules in the 1st Division allowed the possibility of 8 rides - in 13 heats! Certainly I saw Sheffield's Reg Wilson take 8 rides at Leicester in the summer of that season - 4 programmed rides, 3 r/r rides and a tac sub ride. I think the rule was changed the following season to prevent this.

Had a reply from Gary O'Hare. He says that the yellow top boxes were specifically for 'points' operated ignition and the red tops for the 'magic eye' ones. This would appear to solve the mystery. Nothing wrong with the boxes themselves but incompatible with my ignition system. Oh, well - we live and learn!

Thanks, Starkey. That info is really helpful. Will give it a go and report back. Cheers!

Currently running an interspan ignition box - silver top/red writing/6 pin connection - on an old GM. Seems to struggle to hold charge for 5+ rides at training schools etc. Decided to purchase a back-up to get round the problem. Finished up with a silver top/yellow writing/6 pin connection. Have given it an initial charge - charging lamp comes on. Tried it on bike - red power on light bright - but engine won't fire. Swapped boxes - and with orig box on - fires up every time. In theory, there shouldn't be a problem swapping red/yellow boxes should there? Yellow box hasn't apparently been used for a long time and i note on Interspan site they recommend 10/12 hour charge as a first charge. Box was getting 'hot' after an hour and a half, so didn't go any further. Would 10 hour charge assist? Any advice/help would be appreciated re the box.