iris123

Was riding for Australia when i saw him

Chris Pusey was also not very happy being made to move away from Belle Vue to Halifax. Just seen in an old Speedway Star,Olsen was in 74 trying to leave Wolves(quote:"Unless i get a move to another track who will meet my terms,I will walk out of British League speedway."),who were having trouble with Robin Adlington,who was refusing to go there On the flipside,there were riders who were happy to get moved away.Phil Crump wanted away from King's Lynn because he was behind Betts and Simmons in the pecking order and was very happy to be allocated to Newport where he joined Neil Street

The other problem of course Andy was that riders could be allocated to tracks that were not suitable,because of travelling time or other commitments.Riders maybe didn't like their allocated track. Think Tony Clarke waited a year to come to Wimbledon,didn't get on there and within a few months was gone. Wimbledon also welcomed Christer Lofqvist into the team in 76,only for him to refuse

Think he is a bit miffed i didn't mention Jack Young

Might be an idea to go through twominutewarning's site look at all the test matches Australia and Young Australia have raced in Britain,come back with a list of riders and then ask who is missing.A list of Australian riders is a very big task.Second only to English riders i would have thought.Scottish or Welsh riders would be outnumbered by Australians.Will gladly help

Might have been easier going for Denmark,Hungary or Germany,but Australia

Bob Valentine Lionel van Praag Bluey Wilkinson

Olsen was allocated to Oxford in 75. A quote from the opening meetings programme "Already a tremendous boost to our team has been the allocation of the Danish star,and former World Champion,Ole Olsen. We are well aware of the need for a top class number one rider,and in Ole we have assured the services of the best number one in the World and wish him good luck in our colours" Olsen had other ideas though.He refused to go(in the Spring Classic programme he is listed without a club) as he wanted to go to Coventry and got his way a year later(i think) It could be that he was allocated to both clubs though as Mick Hines in backtrack states he was allocated to Coventry and Wimbledon and chose the Dons.The year before he was allocated to Belle Vue and refused to budge

Wonder if Sven Holstein can hold on at the top of the juniors or will Max Niedermaier jr storm to the top this weekend? Looked very sharp in Berlin,but of course he wasn't up against Holstein or Gartmann.

And before the last 2 rounds, here is an interview with Mark Uzzel online Didn't know which thread to put it on or start a new one,but an interview with a british ice racer is quite a rarity.Needs to be here somewhere

Nobody seems to have mentioned last years controversial rider,Andy Bargh

Cancelled due to bad weather.Will be held next sunday if all goes well.I can see the grass outside for the first time in a couple of weeks

No!

The late Gary Petersen who rode for Wolves

Think Frigbo is wrong about Mal Bedkober as well.If it's the same rider who rode for Wimbledon and Exeter(early to mid 70s),wasn't he an Australian!

Didn't go conkers!Have to save some money for next week when i come over. Sweden made hard work of the silver.Wonder what happened there with a fall and a exclusion.Germany seemed totally different today and Slava started strong but ran out of steam.Must say there doesn't seem much enthusiasm on inspeed.Hardly any posts on Berlin all week! Do think that Netherlands could have given Holstein a race or two.Like you say Tuinstra didn't seem fit yesterday and they were never going to win a medal

Wally Kilmister Bruce Abernethy both rode for Wembley

Yes,Germany are a one man team at the moment.Slava didn't look on the pace and Marian was very slow in his one heat.The Russians are just playing with the rest.Only in one heat(think it was Klabo?) were they separated for a bit,but the rider was easily passed.Was thinking maybe Sweden will give them a test,but they were given no chance.Sweden should be in a better position but heat 4 was a bit of a farce.Posa and Svensson had the Swiss(Gartmann,as Weiss had been excluded for a fall) easily beat and were putting on a bit of a show.A red light came on,apparently to disqualify Posa for crossing the inside line.They all came to a halt by the pits thinking the race had been stopped,Gartmann then realised what had happened and crossed the finish line to win,then Svensson crossed as well to get the 2 points!Personally i thought the decision harsh as they were really racing each other,Gartmann was well behind,but those are the rules.A lot of mismatches especially with the Swiss heats and when Russia are out,but a few good clashes and some good wheelies Russia will win,think Sweden should pull clear for second barring any more funny business.So it's a battle for the bronze.If Slava finds some form Germany could do it but i feel Finland with Aakko and Flyktman will get it crowd of 3,500

Very sad news.I had wondered why his site hadn't been updated for a while.Like many others i also had some contact with Kjeld.Speedway has lost a great friend R.I.P

Just back from practice and Bogdanov is riding instead of Lumpov.Doesn't get any easier for the rest! Young Max Niedermaier jr seemed to be flying in the juniors And a few pics here

Any idea how hosting the GP affects Smederna financially?.Positive or negative?

My,my Rob where have you been all winter.There was a split in Russia,with a new federation formed that was recognised by the Russian sports council.Unfortunately for them the FIM still recognised the old one.Kamensk-Uralsk went with the new federation so their riders(Khomitesvitch and Ivanov brothers)were out of the FIM competitions.Didn't stop the new federation from trying to get them in though.They did turn up for qualification meetings but were not allowed to ride.Then before one of the semi's,a top official from the new federation barged into Lumpov's hotel room and tried to persuad him to drop out or retire so Vitali Khomitsevitch could take his place.The guy then with the aid of the Russian sports minister who is a friend and club colleague(Moscow Ice Hockey team)they tried to get the meeting called off!Not sure if anything happened at the Russian GP's. Anyway,not a nice affair.Hope it all gets sorted out before next season. Only the 4 GP's.Russia were due to hold 4,but had problems with venues(perhaps due to this strife).They wanted to change from Moscow(?) and Saransk,to holding all 4 in Saransk.FIM were not pleased. Berlin is hosting the Team Championship this weekend,but is back with the GP's next year.

Was rather hoping Bogdanov would be in the line-up.Not bad though for Lumpov to be in with the very good chance of being crowned World Champ,just weeks after a top official from the NRMF tried to persuad him to retire,so Khomitsevitch could take his place in the WC semi

What is the situation with Smederna?Thought they were having a bit of financial trouble?

Here is the full line-up and heat details for the weekend.Must say,Sven Holstein being named in the team is a surprise.Wonder if anyone has ever taken up a motorcycle sport and just a few months later been in a World Final? Let's get it on!!!