norbold

Cardiff is, of course, an important venue. But how many fans would NOT go to Cardiff just because there was no British rider in it? Very few I would think.

Talking of Len Read, who was 90 this year I believe, did he not have a go at Norwich before the War, Bryan? So perhaps there is one pre-War English rider still going strong.....

Thanks, sg. I was thinking of British riders really. But it's good to know there are a couple of old timers still alive.

Geoff Pymar died several years ago. As far as I know there are no pre-War riders left alive.

Sorry, I misunderstood you as the thread itself is about Oldest Surviving World Finalists.

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.