norbold

What about Olle Nygren? He must be older than Ove? Phil certainly is still with us. I'm hoping to see him in a couple of weeks.

Not from me you don't. Anyway, I don't remember anyone being personally abusive when the subject was discussed. There were disagreements but it didn't descend to the sort of rancour you get on this Forum.

You're absolutely right, Ian. It's just so sad. Think I'll stick to the Speedway History Forum from now on: http://speedwayhistory.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=recent

Dear Jeff, it's such a shame that you have turned what was a lighthearted thread, fantasising about what might have been, in to a completely uncalled for personal attack on Parsloes. We all have different views about what might or might not have happened under different circumstances. Who's to say you are any more right than he is? And who really cares anyway? This is not meant to be a serious discussion, so leave off and let's get back to what we are supposed to be discussing and allow people to put forward their views without fear of being called a fool just in case you happen to disagree with them.

I was assuming there would have been no War for the purposes of this.

1940 - Arthur Atkinson 1941 - Jack Parker 1942 - Eric Chitty 1943 - Bill Kitchen 1944 - Vic Duggan 1945 - Vic Duggan War Time years - a field for endless speculation....

Looks like it. A match race between Harry Huntly and Johnnie Chamberlain would have been good.

Johnnie Chamberlain was reputed to be the smallest I think.

That was the first thing I thought of when I saw his name posted above.

Keith Whipp played a part in the best meeting of all time - the Wimbledon v. West Ham Knock Out Cup Quarter Final Replay on 14 August 1965, about which I have often waxed lyrical. He was drafted in to the Wimbledon team in place of Trevor Hedge and scored two points.

Where's BOBBATH when you really need him...?

Tell him BOBBATH!!!

Yes, he died recently.

Believe me, Rob, it is. Take it from one who knows!

These are fantasy World Championship Finals we're talking about. My imagination can run to Wembley not being rebuilt! Besides, you could give me a lift back to London after every final that way.

Wembley for all of them of course!

Ooops, sorry, Rob. I have Knutson for 1965.

I think I would agree with that except maybe Briggs in 1964, which would leave Plechanov with nothing but there you go...the nearly man of World Championships and of GPs! Also I would go for Collins in 77 instead of Olsen.

Stan Greatrex won the 1935 Dutch Championship with Nobby Key in 2nd place. They were regular visitors in 1934 and 5. So perhaps Holland could have had a GP as well.

Good call, arnie and well supported. The problem as I see it is that Youngie was in the Second Division so never had a chance to match Lawson in first division averages or rankings. Also, do you know how many of the open meetings he was in on first division tracks? Youngie was a class act though. He was undoubtedly the best in the world in 1952 and 1953. There is also good reason to think he was best in the world in 1954 too, although we seem to have given the 1954 GP to Ronnie Moore. In fact, having revisited the year, I think my vote would go to Young for 1954. Given a full run of GPs in 1951 against top riders I think Young's class would have told and he would have won it. That is assuming he actually qualified. But I'll go along with lucifer sam's view that he would have qualified through the 1950 GP Challenge.

I've known Ove for a number of years now and I can't imagine his motivation ever faltering! Though I would go along with the idea that Briggo may have sneaked in in 1957 or 58. Not sure about Peter Craven in 1962? You'll be convinced when you read the book speedyguy is referring to... As for 1964 - 66, I'll go along with BOBBATH, but I agree with lucifer about 1967. Definitely Briggo's year. Mauger not quite there. 1968-70 Mauger. After that...well, Mauger could have dominated like Ove with 1971 and 1972 as well. As for 1973, without a doubt, Jerzy Szczakiel of course.

I used to walk to Earlsfield station and get the train up to London from there.

Didn't we have Ronnie for 1954 and 55?

Homes of British Speedway is wrong. I have spoken to a number of people involved in the change. I spent a day with Mike Broadbank while researching my book and he filled me in on a great amount of detail regarding the two changes. Him and his father built both tracks. As I said, it is all in my book. His story was corroborated by Pete Sampson and Tommy Sweetman, both of whom were involved at the time as well.

Yes, I agree. I think there is no doubt that Ove was the best throughout the years 1956-63, but it's just impossible to think of him winning it every year. As has been said before, bad refereeing decisions, injury, engine failures could mean enough to lose it especially if Briggo was breathing down his neck say in 1958. But, if I had to go with a backwards prediction it would be Ove all 8 years.