Gemini

Can't remember them ever really calming down.

As an ex Leicester and Long Eaton (sometimes) supporter the answer's simple - I do. Couldn't be like Liontamer I'm afraid as I have to have my weekly fix, even if it did mean transferring to bitter rivals Coventry in 1984. :-( I know loads of Leicester fans wouldn't go to Coventry on principle when Leicester were shut down (by the Coventry management) but it was either that or just occasional visits elsewhere.

You have my deepest sympathy.

Looks like there have actually been three tracks in Dublin. Santry Greyhound Stadium - first meeting May 1948. Shelbourne Park - first meeting May 1950. Chapelizod Stadium - first meeting August 1950.

I've never forgotten the crash between him and Mike Lohmann during a Belle Vue v Halifax match in the 80's. Unfortunately I can't remember who of the two was the cause of the deliberate retaliation for a clash that had happened on the previous bend, but it was really dangerous riding which put both of them in hospital. Seems he leads a quieter life these days.

That's good news indeed. Eurosport always used to show Speedway and I could watch that a number of years ago without having to pay for Sky Sports. I hope Channel Four will continue to show their hour long highlights programme as well. The more, the merrier!

Hope you are not expecting to get any sleep on Saturday night Dawn.

I remember Soldier Boy very well too. Well, not many could miss him hollering from the stand! He became quite a celebrity. He used to follow Leicester's Ray Wilson at one time.

Think he helps Billy Hamill in the pits, Ian. (If this is wrong it was my husbands suggestion.) ;-)

Not me Lioness. I know nothing, living 25 miles away. :?

Trackman would have loved to get his teeth into this subject. His reply would have gone off the page.

Should be able to take some photos of the riders at the stadium. I got one of Andy Smith and Carl Stonehewer last year. It's interesting hanging around to see what's going on anyway.

Thank you greytiger. I got the bit right about Glasgow then. Please excuse me everyone for going completely off the topic, but was it you who saw me and Pawprint at the Speedway Show and made yourself known? Nice to see you posting on here. Care to say what the typical Aussie is like?

I'm keeping out of this one after getting my Johnnies mixed up. :roll: I do remember Charlie Monk riding though - think it was for one of the Scottish clubs, probably Glasgow. Rode over here for a number of years and very successfully too. I'll leave all the statistics to someone more intelligent than me, who still have some working brain cells left. :?

Thanks moxey63. Obviously that's who I was thinking of who rode for Leicester. (Same initials anyway. ;-) ) I'm sure he was quite small as well, but not as short as Johnny Chamberlain. I have got a programme somewhere with his picture on the front so I will have to try and find it.

Hard to just choose seven (No cheating at the top there! ) Mine would be - Peter Craven Ove Fundin Ken McKinlay Bruce Penhall Kenny Carter Erik Gundersen Kelly Moran.

He didn't ride for Leicester then? :-( Perhaps I was thinking of Johnnie Carpenter, but I do remember him and that he was the smallest rider around at the time (or perhaps ever.)

That name rings a distant bell from way back. :? Would it be the same Johnny Chamberlain who rode for Leicester Hunters in the early 1950's? Our best bet for finding out is our friend Norbold so watch this space.

All good ideas Sandman. I don't care what they do as long as they don't use a webcam on the rider's helmet. Waste of time in my opinion. There you go - that's only 3 lines but I don't think there is a limit.

Taking absolutely nothing away from his exploits on the ice, he was a bit of a disappointment at Briggo's Extreme Races last year. There was a big build up for his attempt on the track record at Brandon, but he had problems getting round and the time for his first race was 63.9. After putting more spikes on his wheels, his second ride produced a time of 61.9 which is about the same for conventional Speedway, give or take a second or two. Incidentally the all time Coventry four lap record is held by ex-World Ice Speedway Champion Alexander Balashov, who zipped round the 303 metre circuit in just 55 seconds five years ago. Tony Rickardsson holds the Speedway track record - at 58.9 seconds on 27th July 2002.

The best things have already been mentioned, touching the tapes rule, air fences, dirt deflectors, cut outs, etc., but the riders themselves look so much better these days with all the colourful kevlars and team suits. Most riders years ago just wore black leathers, with a few notable exceptions like The White Ghost, Red Devil, Little Boy Blue which made them stand out from the rest. Sandman...Don't worry about messing up the quotes. You will soon get used to everything. Welcome to the forum. You have done some very interesting postings so far. Well done.

And a very nice place it is too. Stayed at Alnwick last year so did quite a bit of touring round Northumberland, even made it to Edinburgh and Newcastle as well as Berwick.False dawn.....You'll have to excuse Nora Batty, poor old gal, because her life just revolves around a ten mile radius of Newcastle.

Bong!!

I read just about everything Shazzy. It's surprising how some topics unfold. Don't want to miss anything....

Have just tried www.re-runvideos.co.uk and it seems to be the correct one. Not been updated since last September though so I don't know what your chances are.