OGT

Fag Ash Lil must be getting worried.

For a Birmingham fan, 1974 has to be the favourite year. Double winners, beating Eastbourne in the KOC final 2nd leg in front of the Lord Mayor. And most of the team lived within a mile radius of Perry Barr. Perfect.

One name. Jerzy Sczerz Sczerzak Shzerzack The guy who beat Ivan in 1973. Him.

Well that fizzed and popped, didn't it?

It's a sad state of affairs when both sides in an NL match are using guests and RR. An absolute shame

Dirty boy!

Wow, what a meeting and what a performance from GB But I have to say that Martin Smolinski has the heart of a lion. Unbelievable.

As an old fuddy duddy (see photo on left) I can remember the heady days when those pesky foreigners weren't allowed in the 2nd tier and we were that flush with British talent that Barry Briggs and co rode for Great Britain. But hey ho, that's another argument entirely. What I'm trying to say is the sport was a joke, even when it shouldn't have been. Reading the posts on here is like watching people arguing over a relatives death bed. The sport is on it's knees in this country, the best thing to do is enjoy it while you can, if you can ignore the nonsense going on in the background that is.

Accrington Stanley, who are they?

Talking Pictures TV will be showing this wonderful movie in February. Keep an eye on their website or your EPGs. They showed "Skid Kids", the cycle speedway film the other day, which was interesting, films are repeated so look out for that one too. The channel can be found on Freeview Ch 81, You View Ch 81, Sky Ch 343 Virgin Ch 445, Freesat Ch 306, so you should be able to tune in somehow If I find out the date/time, I'll post it here. http://talkingpicturestv.co.uk/

Speedway is a farce. true, so badly run that at times it seems as if it isn't "run" at all. it just stumbles along randomly and aimlessly. Interesting that Phillip's article was from 1981, it was a bit bonkers before then too. When Birmingham joined the GOBL in 1976, they were treated like 2nd class citizens almost from the off and actually did pretty well to complete the season. It was like the BSPA had shares in Bic biros. The low point perhaps being the infamous double RR with Bob Valentine riding at the time when one of the RRs was to cover him. Carry On, Don't Lose Your Head, summed up our season. .

Yes Sid, it was Kermit because of his green leathers. An exciting little rider to watch, always gave 100%. I recall him being thrown out of the 4TT finals at Monmore in 1980 due to successive first bend "incidents". At the final meeting of the Brummies' 1980 season, there was a demonstration of MX bikes in the interval. Zdenek promptly slung his leg over one and proceeded to wheelie it round the track, taking the corners speedway style, firstly the right way around and then the opposite way, still broadsiding it perfectly. A proper character and sadly missed. RIP ZK.

Good stuff First meeting Cradley v Swindon 1970 Second Meeting Cradley v Hackney the following week. Heathens' fans stoning Garry Middleton's Mercedes when he tried to leave early First meeting at Perry Barr 1971 Arthur Browning's max in his first meeting for Brum in 1972 Mal Corradine riding in a plaster cast 1972 Mick Hines in 1973 The double in 1974, Just the team, fantastic bunch, brilliant times NNL champs in 75, sponsored walk (pub crawl) for Keith White 1978, Czech touring team at Stoke, utterly bonkers! First time I saw Zdenek Kudrna race. 1980, Zdenek joins Brum, fantastic. My ultimate sporting hero 1981 KOC final, ran Ipswich close with a rag tag and bobtail team Last World Final at Wembley, a great occasion, even though Penhall won (joking) 1982 Zdenek returns to Brummies. The sheer joy of watching Jason Lyons in action Bad times The debacle of Brum's debut year in GOBL 1976. Chris Morton fencing Alan Grahame. We knew. Losing Zdenek in 1982, a real low point both personally and for the club Finishing at the Ladbroke in 1983 The reality of the Wheels stadium, not good. Decent racing in 85, but in 86, well........ Seeing Joey Owen seriously injured 1985

I was given this for Christmas and I have to say, it's a terrific read. The surprise for me was seeing a photo from the indoor speedway in Wolverhampton in the closed season of 1971/2. I remember my old friend Derek Timms telling me about it, as I recall he rode in it himself. There's a wonderful picture of Arthur Browning trailing Chris Harrison. Is there anyone out there who attended this meeting?

Indeed, but Birmingham is the 2nd city, that's the difference.

Wilf O'Reilly and Cat Deeley?

I reckon it's Wilf O'Reilly and Cat Deeley. But what do I know,

A wounded Robin is a dangerous animal. Talking of dangerous, how will they cope with the most terrifying track in the world on Wednesday? Well done to Wolves and good luck in the 2nd leg.

Against the Big A, for old time's sake

I'd throw Middlo in there, literally!

Problem on a night like tonight is there are too many inexperienced riders out there trying too hard and riding way beyond their current ability. It's an accident waiting to happen, especially with these modern bikes. Hope Thorsell is okay, BTW.

Well, Birmingham's previous demises have been anything but dignified. The broken promises of 83 and the sink without trace in 86. Shame. I hope something can be agreed for them to run next year, Cradley too, for the diehards' sake at least.

I would have thought that EFI and plug and play engine control units would have made setting up the bikes a whole lot easier.

Back in the 4-valve revolution days, fans waited with baited breath to hear which of their riders had raised enough cash for a Street conversion or were lucky enough to acquire a Weslake. Later on it was 4-valve Jawas, then Goddens. there was a section in one of Briggo's books in the 70s about all the different types of engines used during the decade, including Egon Muller's old Lantenhamer (sp?) JAPs. In the "olden" days things were a lot more interesting than now, it hasn't always been this boring engine wise. Tuners have been around for years and yes, some of us did pay attention way back.

Watched the meeting tonight and the first thing that struck me was the standard of the 2 teams. A few years ago this would have been a Premier League encounter. What is going on with the sport?