Jim Blanchard

Well, you do moan all day so instead of bragging about it - moan somewhere else. We got all the moaners we need thanks..This is a speedway forum that is trying to look on the positive side of a sport now and then - which you seem never capable of about any sport it seems…

The Know - anyone that reads these pages on a regular basis knows that Trees will not be convinced that speedway will ever have a successful GP W/C individual series and that Humphrey Appleby likes to be negative about all things speedway racing in this country. GP’s, One off World Champs, League racing, the Speedway Star, - in fact anything apart from Go -karts - it seems that might make him a little more positive or animated.

Thanks Steve - Great Stuff...

Received a message from Brian's eldest Daughter: "Hi Jim I am Estelle and I am the oldest daughter of Brian Craven. I have attached 3 photographs which I think are unique to most sites about my uncle Peter. The first two are of him and my dad and the third is of him with his mum after receiving the world trophy in 1955. I Hope you will put up the photos as I am always perplexed as the story of uncle Peter starts by him following my dad into speedway but after that my dad never appears to be mentioned in his life. When in fact they were extremely close and always stayed part of each others speedway career. When I went to uncle Peter's 40th memorial they told a story of him coming home from ainsdale beach after practice and he was leaning out of the car giving directions in the fog, but they failed to mention that he was giving directions to my dad - Brian. My dad was very proud of Peter he even retired from speedway after his death, and we were brought up as youngsters very close to Auntie Brenda, Robert and Julie. I hope the photos are of use to you. Thank you Estelle." I have put the photo’s on a separate page on my tribute Peter Craven web site http://www.jbsportsimages.co.uk/peter_craven/peter_brian.htm Can anyone add any anecdotes, stories, pics about Peter & Brian as speedway racing brothers that I can add to the page for Estelle? Many Thanks.

Well, Theresa and I am a bit biased of course, one of them should have gone to Ove. But he is such a soft touch he would most likely given to anyone who asked for it. Rather like the famous 'Norwich Track Spare # 2' bike - the one he won most of his world championships on - Briggo asked for it - so he gave it to him - just like that.

As I understand it to take the topic a bit further and in a conversation with Ove Fundin, the post war trophy (Sunday Dispatch?) was given to Barry Briggs to keep and the winged wheel trophy was given to Ivan Mauger (who uses it as a door stop for his garage - I gather) to keep. Maybe that is why Ove’s name was then eventually aligned with the SWC series and that trophy named after him?

Erm.. Iikley Moor by tat - Funny but we always sang that at New Cross - we once sang it together Norman I'm sure... (Just kidding) I have a New Cross Speedway tribute site if any one would like to check it out and I would welcome any imput and contributions. Its not 100% accurate but it can always be amended.. http://www.jbsportsimages.co.uk/page0.html We also have the correct 'parade' music and the leaving tune..

I thought it would be a good idea to have a meet with like minded individuals at the site of the track and maybe have a pie and a pint in a local pub. If I recall, others wanted to make more of it and some less but there was not a consensus. Then Norbold’s talk came up and though nothing has been organised along these lines by myself, I would not have thought it beyond the bounds of possibility that those who want to attend his talk, and also meet at the site of the track beforehand, maybe in the afternoon, do so. Hope it goes well Norman.

On reflection Norman, maybe the whole thing should be arranged around this. The trip and walk around the where the track was, would be tied in nicely with your talk on New Cross Speedway in Lewisham, it makes sense for those that wish to attend both, and I know I would like to. Sorry about that - I was simply thinking about the book launch which no doubt will be well covered anyway. At least it will make a day of it and pubs and beer to me at least are not so important, rather than just getting the atmosphere hopefully and to a little extent of what the sport was all about initially, to us fans of New Cross. Problem is; will the Lewisham local History Society be able to cope with all us New Cross fans turning up...?

Come on guys. I'm talking February 2010 not November . Norman has delfected the idea to suit. Cant see a better date than the launch (of his and JC's) book on Tom Farndon. Hope Hatcham can make it. Looking forward to hooking up with him.

Come on DK/Norbold. What happened to the meeting we were going to have in a local pub and a look around where the track was. Some of us maybe running out of time you know. A nice pub lunch and a walk around where the track was. It would be nice if it was about the time John Chaplin and Norman Jacob's book came out on Tom Farndon - that would be a nice touch. I might get the old bugger JC there in person with a bit of luck. Plus, if he could find the right number bus out of Streatham 'Speedyguy' if he has a night off from lamp posts and get the 'SOUTH LONDON PRESS' involved with a review.. I would be happy to mention it on my New Cross website and create a page for it on Facebook. (Can you find your way south of the river Derek?) I'll do it if needs be but I will need some recognizance from DK perhaps regarding pubs etc. Over to you....

I asked a similar question not so far back DK and up to date these are the responses. From 'Nigel' on the Speedway History Forum: """""""""""""""Arthur Sheene is listed in "Speedway Panorama" as a midland pioneer Rider...which means he was riding in 1928....I,ll do a bit more digging through my records. Found a mention of Arthur Sheene riding At Brandon in 1928. I think Arthur's speedway career was short lived and not too successful . I have only found one mention of him (so far) he won the Brandon club handicap in 96 and 4 fifths of a second. Scratch races were around 80 secs """""""""""""""""""""""" (Hope you did not mind me quoting you Nigel.... )

Parsloes 1928 nearly

Original gouache painting of Erik Gundersen for sale. Size of actual painting is 550mm x 425mm. Offers please by email or pm. There is at least 40 hours work involved . Also original paintings of Greg Hancock and a (signed) Tai Woffinden available. These are all sold now.

Forget about Ole. He does not ride any more. Whoever prepares the track - its the same for everyone.

My guess that Jason Crump would win the G.P. series turned out to be right, also did I get it right that we would see Emil Sayfutdinov on the podium together with Tomasz Gollob. Many congratulations to the three of you. It was a very exciting finish to the championship we saw from Bydgoszez, I enjoyed every race, but did not agree with Tony Steele ( without doubt the best referee in todays speedway ) when he put all four riders back in the re-run of the second semi-final. Sorry, but Pedersen should have been left out. Now I await to know the line up for next years G.P. Those of you reading my earlier letters are familiar with my view regarding "wild cards" Please, please decide the riders by qualification races. We do not want to see same old riders giving new chances year after year.... look what happened this season, wasn't it great to see Emil Sayfutdinov ....I'm sure there are other new boys that could impress us just like Emil, let them show us. My friend, Len Silver wrote in "Speedway Star" about clubs/promoters not doing anything to improve speedway stadiums unless they are the owners. He is so very right! I wish that all promoters during "speedways golden years" had made sure to own the racetracks, todays speedway i the U.K. would have been so much diffrent and bett Also in "Speedway Star" I read about "the hugger safety tyre guard" I think it might be a good thing, but can't help wishing that speedway could be like in the old days when spectators could smell the racing oil,hear the noise of engines... no silencer, no dirt deflectors, no confrontations on or off the track...... Maybe it's just nostalgia. Ioana and I had a nice visit to "the speedway lunch" in Norwich at the end of October. As always it was "a full house" of riders and supporters. Pam Hedge does such a fine job of getting us all together, we all want to thank Pam for giving us every year this possibility. My wife and I stayed over a week in England, much of it visiting old castles and ruins from the middle ages. After having read Philippa Gregory's books, we became so interested in Henry the VIII, the Boleyns and everything regarding England during the historical times of the 15 and 16 centuries. The U.K. and the world has so much to thank British National Heritage for saving and keeping all those great old buildings. In London we saw, among others, my granddaughter Michelle, she is trying her luck in the world of art. If anyone is interested in her work you can take a look at http//mimisioux.blogspot.com or http//redsquirrrel.blogspot.com We will spend Christmas and New Year on a cruise sailing from San Diego along the Mexican Riviera. Also seeing some friends in California. May we take this opportunity to wish you all MERRY CHRISTMAS and a fine NEW YEAR; Ove and Ioana Valcros Nov 2009

One of the best Westerns on TV was ‘Gun Law’ or (Gunsmoke) With Marshall Matt Dillon (James Arness) . It started with the viewer looking down the barrel of a Colt 45 being fired into the camera. 'Pow -smoke'. There was also Dennis Weaver as ‘Chester’. ‘Mr. Dilllon, Mr. Dillon‘ , Wyatt Earp - was also good TV with Hugh O’Brian. But did Wyatt really have that Butline Special and hit people with the long barrel.? Some doubt...

Who wouldn’t. Here is one for you lot: An actor that appeared in Western films and that was actually in real life one of America's most highly decorated soldiers. No, not that type cast actor - Marion Morrison, that never saw any kind of real action apart from learning a script. A real life hero, not the comic book type....

Anyway, Gene Autry was the original singing cowboy, kimo sabe. (BTW, They stuffed Trigger...)

Relax Ron. Its just another lamp post.

I am sorry I have had a look but I have not. I have found three not very good ones of Kings Lynn v. Hull from what may have been the same year perhaps? I might have some more from this meeting. Thought the Hull fans might appreciate them though. Here Here Here

Sadly, I never met the guy. What a speedway rider he was though. I think I was driving a minicab when he won the championship - in Grantham was it in 1974? I got a lot of stick from my bosses at the time by asking the question on the Saturday night on the radio which of course meant nothing to them the cretins.. Should have won more in my opinion. Jimmy.B

It seems to me you know little about anything really. You could always return it if you wish. Ignorance (which you demonstrate plenty of examples just on this thread is no defence in law. 'Sorry ocifer I did not know it was against the law to drink and drive..) I killed him because he stole my property etc. Grow up.

Just another lamp post.

Suze. I think I have given some prints to you in the past. Did you offer the postage like Lupus did? She has been the only one ever as it happens. Anyway, I am talking about re-selling them and having a business connected to selling them. Not for personal use. So, I think your house is safe. (And your nuts.)