Bert Harkins

Yup, it certainly looks like "Hurri-Ken" McKinlay, but check out the helmet peak and facemask on the previous page when Jack was riding for Oxford,...they look the same. In both photos, the zip on the right sleeve of his leathers is open,...Could Jack not afford to get it repaired? The high, wide handlebars are similar to McKinlay's too although in the other photo on page 16 taken at Belle Vue when riding for Exeter, Jack seems to have changed his 'bars and also repaired the zip in his leathers! Ken also had white socks over his black boots and on page 16, they don't seem so white, so it must be Jack or McKinlay forgot to use Persil! Haggis

I am sorry to read that Dave Stummings is unhappy with the Speedway Museum at Paradise Wildlife Park but I really take exception to Dave saying that the when George & Linda stepped down, the Committee, of which I am a member, elected to run the Museum were, (quote), "Glory Hunters". Dave, nothing could be further from the truth. If you think the Committee are "Glory Hunters", why is it that you only seem to know the names of George & Linda who were involved? They did a fantastic job travelling the country and raising funds and everyone appreciates what they have done, but others were involved in fund raising too. If the Committee were "Glory Hunters" as you say, then their names would be plastered all over the Museum and in the adverts instead of remaining in the background. Perhaps as "Shazzybird" says, more could have been done in the speeches at the World Speedway Riders' Association Dinner to thank George & Linda for their great efforts, as it would have been very difficult, if not impossible, to raise the neceessary funds without them but George always said that when the funds were raised, he and Linda would step down and return to a "normal" life. Regarding the Museum Committee:- As in the WSRA (World Speedway Riders' Association) Committee, everyone on the Museum Committee is a volunteer and gives up their time and effort to help free of charge and there is no money paid for travelling or other expenses to attend Committee meetings during the year. Every member does it for the Love of The Sport and to try to raise the profile of Speedway for everyone, riders, promoters, supporters, media, etc., hence the building of the National Speedway Museum at Paradise Wildlife Park. Did you know that Museum brochures have been distributed to the Press Centres at the various Grands Prix? This also helps raise the profile and spreads the Speedway word. Dave reckons that the Museum is not the same since George & Linda stepped aside. Yes, it has changed. The small cinema which was in the centre of the floor is now part of the Wembley Twin Towers exhibit, leaving more room for other bikes and displays and the Museum shop. The best thing for anyone, is to come along and have a look and make up your own mind as the exhibits are always changing. For example, the Simon Wigg display has so many trophies that we cannot show them all at once so they have to be rotated, no wonder the Museum needs to expand. As 'Norbolt' says, without Peter Sampson there would be no Speedway Museum. Peter has helped enormously with the building and running costs of the Museum plus we have the overnight security of being inside Paradise Wildlife Park, so we are safe from thieves who would love to get their hands on some of the rare motorcycles on display. Peter also supplies an office to be used for Committee meetings at the Park F.O.C. So thanks again to everyone who donated to the Museum Fund and loaned bikes and memorabilia to go on display. Remember that it is a NATIONAL Speedway Museum, open to everyone, comments whether good or bad are welcome and are taken on board, but please do NOT call the people involved, "Glory Hunters". Haggis

Hi, Tony,..............Yes I think the promoter IS Jack Knott but I don't know who the 'May Queen' is presenting Jimmy with the trophy. Haggis

Just to keep you up to date,there are always new exhibits at the Speedway Museum and it is well worth a visit, even if you have been there before. The Museum shop also has Speedway gifts for sale including the latest Grand Prix programmes (The Swedish GP programme will be in the shop on Tuesday), also a One-Off brand new Tony Rickardsson, 'Rickardsson Racing' pit cap as worn by the great man himself and now by Antonio Lindback. Scott Team jackets, pit caps and wallets will also be available plus back copies of Speedway Star for the collectors amongst us. Watch out for the new discount voucher for Paradise Wildlife Park and Museum coming soon in Speedway Star! Haggis

Get Well Soon, Lloyd and for the U15 fans reading this,...Have a look at the WSRA (World Speedway Riders' Association) website, www.world-sra.org.uk to see a great team photo from the Sheffield Bonanza of the boys along with team manager, # Name Removed # and former double World Champion, Freddie Williams. Go to the website, click onto "What's New" and have a look at the Sheffiled Bonanza story. Haggis

Having read the various posts about "The Celebration of Speedway" at Paradise Wildlife Park, I thought I had better get my tuppence-worth in. I can understand people feeling sad about leaving High Beech, but for all the various reasons given earlier in the forum, we are trying to make this event as memorable and comfortable as possible for everyone. I am sorry that a few fans have such a negative attitude to PWP and, as stated earlier, the Park makes no money from our Museum and were it not for the generousity of ex-rider and PWP owner, Peter Sampson, there is no way we could have funded or run a Speedway Museum. Apart from buying the land to build the Museum, just think of the running costs, building costs, electricity, security (at the Park we are protected by lions & tigers so no-one will break in!) business rates, staff, even down to paint for the floors and walls, etc. all of which have been funded by the Park, so for anyone to say that moving from High Beech is a money-making exercise, then they are very much mistaken. George & Linda did a fantastic job in fund-raising dedicating a part of their lives to the cause, but, George had said that once money was raised, he would like to take it a bit easier and take a step back. The Museum Committee and the WSRA (World Speedway Riders' Association) appreciate everything that George & Linda have done and although others played their part, G&L were the "public face" of the museum fund raising. Now that the Museum is well and truly up and running, 8th February will be a great chance for everyone to check it out and form their own opinions. Exhibits are forever changing, so if you have already visited the museum, then you are sure to see something new each time you drop by. I was also disappointed that one correspondent said that he, and many others had no interest in the Wildlife Park, well, I think he should reserve judgement until he visits as it is a great day out for all the family and now there is a Speedway Museum to visit too, so look on the bright side. Your kind donations have been gratefully received and the VOLOUNTEERS who run the Museum and the Committee are doing their very best to promote the sport we all love and keep it's history alive.. Hackney, West Ham and Edinburgh fans will be pleased to hear that one of our favourite Swedes, Bengt Jansson, is flying over for the event and invitations have gone out to many other riders, including World Champion, Nicki Pedersen and former double World Champion, Freddie Williams. So come along to the "Celebration of Speedway incorporating High beech at Paradise Wildlife Park on 8th February 10am till 3pm and enjoy a great day out FREE OF CHARGE! Bert Harkins WSRA President , Speedway Museum Committee WSRA Committee Ex-Rider and All Round Good Guy!! (I hope!)