Jim Blanchard

I think I may have asked this before, but how did he do in those two matches for Coventry and are there any photo's of him in a Coventry race jacket?

Looking forward to watching it on TV though. Its going to be the old incense burner on the patio for the first time this year with Castrol R in.. Is Leszno still the Polish home track for Leigh Adams?

I remember that DKRA as a Czech touring team that also raced at Mildenhall around 1979/80 as I have a few pictures from that meeting. I would not be sure if they were the ‘Police Team’ of Red Star Prague, though. Perhaps, someone can advise us? Here And Here

My apologises AndyM Chris and Andrew, but unfortunately, every time I went to PC he had a customer with him or in some cases maybe a ‘fan’. So I did not manage to put to him the Questions from you guys - as yet. He gave me his number so when I can and at some time - I am going to call him with them. I asked Vaclav about his brother Jan and he told he was doing okay and has been on disability pension for a few years now and is 58. He gets a bit tired in the afternoons and still suffers from a little double vision. Vaclav also told us some funny stories most of which I cannot repeat on here but there were others that involved the ‘Police Team’ of Red Star Prague where all the Czecho riders at the time we all members of the local police force. Anyone have any more info on that? Les Collins was also there with PC and I managed to get a couple of photo’s of them two and Vaclav. PC Here Vaclav & PC Here PC & Les Here

No problem Andy. I'll hit PC with them for you.

All being well, I will be seeing the great PC this weekend at the Stafford Classic bike Show, where we both have a stand. Vaclav Verner normally comes over for it to and helps PC out. I would be be happy to put maybe a dozen or so sensible questions to him from forum members. Just in case if Vaclav is there - it would be nice to include some for him. Email or PM them over to me and I will do my best. It has been confirmed that he is attending but If it does not work out for any reason, it will not be for the want of trying.

Ross Garrigan and Eric have recently finished the Fifteenth Collection of the Eric Williams Stories, and it is one of the best. It can be read: Here Ross, Eric and his family thank all those that have passed their good wishes on to him. Anyone wishing to write to Eric about his stories or anything (receiving any messages at all from all fans really lifts his spirits) please send them to Ross on "rjgarrigan@ozemail.com.au" who will ensure that they will be passed onto Eric. Many Thanks again.

Ross and Eric are now up to the Fourteenth Collection of Eric's stories. That and the previous ones can be read: Here I have also heard the Eric is not to well these days but he loves to hear from anyone with questions about his stories or anything at all to do with speedway generally. (Or even just goodwill messages.... ) Emails should be sent to Ross Garrigan: "rjgarrigan@ozemail.com.au" who will ensure that Eric receives them. Many Thanks.

Well, Doug I am sure your memory will be better than mine - so if that is the case; I apologise Is there no possibility Norman that you cannot do a sort of self publication with all that material on Crystal Palace Speedway as did Grachan and also Arnieg I believe. Whom both I am sure would be able to advise you how to go about it… Seems such a waste if it does not see the light of day. It could be marketed on all the forums, based on mail order sales and also sold via the museum. I could help with a web site (for a free copy -signed of course) for it etc. What do you think?

Well its too late now DKRA as I have down loaded them. I owe you an apology as in the past when this subject was raised, I was given family advice that the speedway track was actually further north of the park but its almost on the site of the new athletics track and very close to what was known as the Anerley ramp, on the road race track where the sleepers on the outside were a familiar place for my brother to end the day in. So apologises again to you - and thanks for letting us see them, fascinating stuff.

The one in London? Do you mean that little area just opposite the little boating lake at Southend Lane, and in between Bellingham & Downham in SE6, including Whitefoot Lane, just off the Bromley Road? Not sure what its called now though - it comes under Bromley, (Greater London) I think but everywhere around it seems to come under Lewisham or Beckenham. My wife lived all her single life just off Anerley Park close to the back entrance to the park. Her dad use to go up the 'Palace' for what he referred to as 'Cinder' racing. Any chance DKRA that you get get some scans off those old aerial pictures you mention and post them? They would be very interesting.

Well, there is my Peter Craven tribute web site. Here My New Cross tribute web site: Here My Ronnie Moore tribute website (in the process of updating this) Here Then of course is the best Speedway History forum on the net with the best speedway historians on the planet... Here And finally, already been mentioned the official Ove Fundin web site, that I am proud to administer on his behalf. Here

Hello dear readers. It's a new year, the U.S. has a new President, the world a new leader and lots of people are full of hope for the future, of course there is no denying that most of us are in for some hard economic times ahead. But despite the grim situation I hope our dear sport of speedway can ride out the storm. To do this I do think that the riders (not all but too many) will have to stop being so greedy and concentrate more on the sport and less on the money. I can't understand why every rider must have a team of mechanics and several bikes.... For sure it does not make the racing any better. In my days we had one bike and some, not all, had a mechanic, if you had trouble with the bike, you just borrowed another from a fellow rider. My friend, John Chaplin, wrote recently about the problem with "gardening" at the gate, the irritating habit of riders digging grooves in the track surface at the starting line. I have for a long time been advocating that all tracks should reintroduce the old tarmac or concrete starting areas. It could be coverwith a couple of inches of dirt (like it was at Wembley) That would stop the "gardening" that so much frustrates the fans, not least me. My son Michael was born in Norwich 1959, he will be 50 next June. HAPPY BIRTDAY dear Michael! Does that make me feel old, well most of all I'm amazed, my little boy, 50 years old.... I, myself do not think of me as old! I can still do what I could when I was younger -OK I can no longer race a speedway bike- but when I feel like it , I can without a problem play two rounds of golf in one day, ride my motor bike or drive my car over 600 miles in a day... I weigh the same as when I was 18, my hair has gone gray and it is thinner, but..... Sure I am more of a patient at my doctor then before, but most of the time he check me over and say "you are fine, nothing wrong with you" Back to speedway. Mr Dudley Jones, a long time speedway supporter, has written to me about his concern of the G.P. series. Mr Jones points out that " every rider should have a chance to become World Champion"( just as I wrote in my latest newsletter) he goes on to say that " for me there is no World Championship any more, although no doubt those who come top of the G.P.'s are worthy riders" Please give us back the qualifying system, no more seeding of riders. It's unfair! I see that a few riders are leaving the English speedway league, to, as they say, concentrate on Polish and Swedish speedway.... I think it has more to do with money, and I'm sure they are making a mistake. They will come crawling back when the Swedish and Polish promotors can no longer pay as much as today. Because English speedway is the backbone of the sport! Ioana and I spent a couple of weeks in Sweden during January, we went there in our car, but had to return by air as I had an accident while in Sweden. I was alone in the car at the moment, the car got badly hurt, but I got away without a scratch.... just my pride and wallet. As a ressult with all the problems I shall miss thel WSRA dinner, so I will miss seeing my friend Terry Stone installed as President for 2009 sorry. And I miss the WSRA golf tournament! Now we are looking forward to a new speedway season. Hope to see you at some racetrack. We wish you all a wonderful summer! Ove and Ioana. Fundinove@aol.com

Quite, star ghost. Very good rider and here is a photo in the tradition of the WATigerman. Here Slight difference with that of WT- this is sharp: Never got around to using blurred filters myself.

Forget the bikes for now and the plaque, or bench if as likely they will take about 5 years before they are allowed officially, why do not just arrange to have a meeting there Norman of like minded enthusiasts, and get a press release out about it. As its a public place we would not be breaking any rules or laws either. I would like to go back again and just to stand there and let it all go back over the memories in my mind (it must be at least 20 years since). It would be really nice to chat to other like minded folks, and we could all end up in a local pub (if there is one of those left to ) and have a late lunch..... Just a thought.

Long time Birmingham fan and journalist John Chaplin has confirmed that Birmingham (1) & (2) is Peter Craven. (2 with Ronnie Moore - Wimbledon). Also there is a team photo of Birmingham including Peter Craven in the Speedway Star digest 'International Edition' 1961 page 10.

Been going there for years since the early 70's, and for almost every meeting since 1995 and was there for all the meetings in 2008 including the Gold Cup in September. We have a trade stand at the top of the hill on the right in the trade site area. Agree with what you say though its worth a visit if you have never been

Yes your right Steve. It is in fact Mike Polukard on the left and Henryk Zyto on the right. Going by the shale on Zyto and the fact that Polukard is 'clean' it must be from the 1960 World Final at Wembley, with Polukard being a reserve and not riding. I have been down to the garage and checked in the Speedway Star for the world final edition in 1960. I must have been thinking of the final in 1959 when Kapala was a reserve, and did not ride and Polukard did. Sorry - another senior moment. Now, I have brought a few SS’s up to the warmth of the house and I am going to check and see who else I can recognise. Lets face it I am assuming that all these that Tony are showing us are by Alf Weedon and most but not all would have been in the Speedway Star at some time. (Tony if at all possible I would like a copy of the photo of Peter Craven holding the Tom Farndon memorial trophies complete in New Cross race jacket. Its on the back page on the SS dated October the 10th 1959. Also - I have mentioned in the past a copy of the photo including several riders and yours truly watching the races at the ‘63 Wembley final from the dog track. The issue is: December the 14th 1963 on page 11. Appreciate it may take a bit of time knowing Alf's filing system. ) Edit: It looks like I may have another one or two wrong. Practising at Wembley 1; I'm sure now is Pawel Walosek. Belle Vue Unknown leading Fundin @ Norwich. Most likely Derek 'Tink' Maynard, but surely its at Hyde Road anyway? Leceister 2 is Jack Geran. (It was those Mattingley trombone front forks that threw me....) Confirmed correct: Coventry (10) V. Oxford. McKinlay and Biggs. Picture in SS. Unknown 14. Most likely will be Per Tag Svensson. Going by the face mask, boots etc - in a different photo in the SS. (I did only guess at Bryan Elliott....) Rye House (Red Devils) 3: Picture in SS says Roy Trigg. Coventry 11 V. Oxford: Confirmed John Bishop and Ken McKinlay. Picture in SS. Southampton (2) Confirmed as Cyril Roger and Ronnie Genze. Picture in SS. Uknown 6: Confirmed as Ron Bagley. Picture in SS. I'll think I will go for a lay down now...

Not sure your going to get much response with a joke or two from young Tony, Bryn. Its difficult enough to get any response when you place an order with him.

Yes, it is used about 4 or 5 times a year for road racing. The track is the little road that goes around the park which is obviously closed when the racing is on. Web site here

Sorry to put a downer on all these ideas. As far as I am aware the local council does not allow any at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough who own, it even though a few riders have been killed/lost their lives there over the years. I have never seen any anyway. It is a public park and that technically they ‘passed away’ in the local hospital. With Tom as we know, he actually did. Plus as you say Norman, given permission where could it go?

Can see a few noise issues with the possibility of running up the bikes there with the houses in such close proximity and maybe other H & S problems. They might go for it if the area was used just to display them, and we all turned up. As anyone approached the local press as yet? It might be worth getting something into them now and try and get them on board. Its not that far off really.

I'll give it another go then Tony: Poland 1: Florian Kepala left and Mieczyslaw Polukard right. Coventry 6: Tony Lomas and Martin Ashby. Cradley Heath 5: Roy Trigg Southhampton 3 v. Sweden: Gote Nordin & Dick Bradley. Unknown 14. (This a pure guess) Bryan Elliott?? Unknown v. Oxford 68-1 Tony Lomas (not sure about the Oxford rider tho) Unknown 13: Gote Nordin. Leicester 2: Ken McKinley Swindon 2: Ian Williams left & Tadeuz Teodorowicz right. Russia 1: Valerie Klementiev Russia 4 & 5 Boris Samorodov That would be great Tony. Some New Cross ones would not go amiss and especially from the 1959 season when Peter Craven was a guest ( I would buy them also) for them as did many other riders that year, and PC also won the Tom Farndon Memorial Trophy that year. I know Alf took a lot there cos I saw him every week. Also, I like the Thursday practise shots from Wembley around 1959/63 as we have already seen.

I think the whole Birmingham team in 1960 were 'guests'. They returned after packing up in 1957. Rather like New Cross did in 1959 with a limited number of meetings and using what riders that were available. Norman or one of the Brummie lads could no doubt give the full details in case I have not got it 100% correct.

Oh ye of little faith. You have funds.