Jim Blanchard

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.

Your pushing your luck now Tony. (I guess you did actually notice I ordered three prints Tony from the last lot?)

I never go in pubs - only churches Gems. Can remember 'The Plough' was it? After the meetings at Wimbledon on a Monday night. Mind you due to my very young age it was only for a soft drink though. Surprisingly, I never went into 'churches' proper until I was well into my 30's.

A few not certains - but I'll give it a go anyway: Unknown 5: Eric Boothroyd Unknown 6. Ron Bagley Unknown practising at Wembley 1; Henryk Zyto Unknown practising at Wembley 2: Josef Hofmeister Unknown at Rye House: Sandor Lavai

That is deffo Ronnie Moore Steve. Briggo is the farthest away. Unknowns WTC Final action; leading I am sure its Bjorn Knutson and maybe Boocock in third place. Southampton 2; deffo Cyril Roger with maybe Ronnie Genz. Southamton 5 (V. Norwich) its actually v. Wimbledon - with Ronnie Moore on the inside. Brian Crutcher and Dick Bradley.

It is Peter Craven guesting for Birmingham, Steve. 1960 I think. The other rider in (2) is Ronnie Moore (I'll have a copy of each of these Tony) Coventry V. Oxford is Ken Mckinley and Jackie Biggs. Coventry 1 is I am sure Mckinley and Jim Lightfoot Coventry 11 is John Bishop and McKinley Craven leading unknown Belle Vue is Gote Nordin Is Belle Vue 1 Ivan Mauger or Cyril Maidment I'm not sure with that one? Is unknown Belle Vue leading Fundin, Peter Williams? Unknown stepping out of car is Jim Tebby. Is unknown at Wimbledon John Debbage? Unknown action is Mike Broadbank, Dick Fisher (?) and Cyril Roger. Unknown WC round: Peter Craven, Barry Briggs, Bob Andrews and Ronnie Moore. (Copy please Tony..) Swindon (2) Ian Williams and that Teo chap... Nowich or Wimbledon (2) I would say Wimbledon; Ron How and maybe Cyril Brine. Unkowns at Wembley practise. Ronnie Moore nearest camera furthest away Barry Briggs. More later or tomorrow.

God, what a good idea that is.

He wants to be the new team GB manager?

Found a few when I was attempting to do a little riding myself at Mildenhall. 'Rhinestone Cowboy' by Glen Campbell and January-February by Barbara Dickson. Got the Good Timin (ticka-ticka) one by Jimmy Jones, Norman. And yes; I can remember that being played at New Cross. Thanks for that one.

Playing around on youtube today I was after some music that I could remember being played at the tracks from years ago between the heats. Just for a short trip down memory lane. I went to Ipswich at Foxhall Heath with Bobby Dugard once in the early 60's and all they played all night was Frank Ifield and 'I remember you' and Ray Charles and 'I can't stop loving you'. I can slightly remember that at New Cross they often played a tune by Russ Conway but the actual name of it escapes me. Can you remember which one it was Norman? Do you remember all the old songs played at the tracks and which were your favourites?

I think you could be right about that Doug. Not too many Eastern Europeans could humble Fundin on the world stage in ‘run off’s’ in ‘64 and ‘65 as Plech did. Also agree with Grachan about Jerzy Szczakiel.

I attended most of the Wembley world finals from 1960 and I think one at Bradford. Easily the best one from a personal point of view was 1962 when Peter Craven won it. 1963 was a very good one too for me as thanks to Ken Brett and Leo McAuliffe. I was in the pits and watched the races with the other riders from the benches on the dog track, and Doug Davies took me along to the official practise on the Thursday, which I spent on the centre green. What memories - I was so lucky. The official practise in a way was more enjoyable than the actual final and I seem to be able to remember it more than the meeting itself. (Alzheimer’s kicking in maybe) Wembley with empty terraces with un silenced 500cc speedway bikes rattling around it has an atmosphere all of its own and will stay in my mind eye forever.

Madeline is Ove's daughter. He mentioned that Ivan said that he would show her how to do it in the car park at Wembley, but he was not there himself. Montana Jowett won the support class amateur championships at Scunny this summer beating all the guys. A photo of her receiving the championship trophy from Mrs. B Here Jessica Lamb rode in one of the early rounds at Scunny and I am sure this is a photo of her. She looked confident and smooth though lacking a little speed. Here

Worthy? You have a simplistic outlook on life Jeff, and not a little aggressive at times, at least in your posts. Very black and white too, if you do not mind me saying so. Maybe, the doctors and nurses that treated these unfortunate injured riders felt the same as you at the time. Sure, I see where you coming from, but that does not alter my stance one bit. No one is beyond helping.

I have been watching this thread for a few days now. Is it actually been confirmed that Shawn Moran is in such a predicament as been stated? If so (just thinking out loud now) is there not something we can do collectively to help the guy. If a fund was raised or something - I would willingly contribute.

Slightly off topic, did anyone enjoy (in a different way of course) visiting tracks during the day for practice, test days, or any other reason? They seemed to have such a 'different feel' to them. Being empty the bikes had more of a powerful sound and though the atmosphere was totally different without the crowds, given the opportunity I looked forward to attending any tracks on these occasions given the opportunity. Wembley obviously was the best one for me, especially on the Thursday practice session for the world final.

I would say no. It looks like a pure one off experiment. Has is been mentioned there are no engine plates, but it seems to have also a cradle frame which seems odd as it would normally have the engine as a stressed member of the frame if there were no front plates at all. There does not appear to be a primary chain drive; a gear driven clutch from the engine sprocket which also seems a little odd from the point of view of altering the gearing ratio, it could it be by the look of it an experiment with a centrifugal example of a semi automatic clutch, a bit like the 'twist and go' examples of today scooters. There seems to be a cable and lever so maybe its a semi automatic or an experiment with a slipper clutch of some sort? Anyway, I like the idea of the cam type rear wheel chain adjuster though.

Went to Crayford a few times. It was only a few stops from New Cross Gate on the train (or was it just New Cross?) and the station Crayford, was just across a footbridge from the track. My brother also lived in Crayford at the time. Forget the race night sadly now though.

Must have been bloody awful for you LW. I guess it would be hard to imagine that an inside venue would get cancelled because of a water logged track. We do seem to live in crazy times. I took some guys from the States who had purchased some bikes from the South London dealer I worked for at the time to Custom House, and I am sure Ivan Mauger was racing that night there. They really enjoyed 'Speedway' for the first time. I think it was about 1971.

Thanks for the info Jeff. I knew it was White City but was not sure about all the riders or the year. Here is another shot from the same meeting. Here I think this is Billy Sanders and Kelly Moran. I can just remember that I went with a group of friends from a village in Norfolk, but one was not able to attend, so we tried to give away his ticket to anyone in the queue, but everyone refused it.

A photo of mine I found today. I guess to many on here they will know the answer and it will be easy but even though I took the shot, I do not remember who won the meeting or the circumstances apart from the track so information will be appreciated. If there is any interest in them - I may post a few more like this up to Christmas just for a little fun: Photo Here

Malmo WF in 1961. I so wanted to go on my own but I was prevented by my parents as I was only 12 at the time. I saw the WF at Wembley in 1960, '62 and 63. I had to settle with the International Final at Harringay instead. I never saw Fundin at Norwich or Craven at Hyde Road but it never bothered me really. I saw them both enough at New Cross, Wembley and Wimbledon and of course Harringay.

Aww, that was nice of him Doug. Its always a good feeling if someone praises your work and especially if the subjects themselves acknowledges your efforts. Where did you meet them both?