norbold

Bob Leverenz' world final appearance was in 1951. His seven points would have made him the highest scoring second division rider ever in a world final...if it hadn't been for the fact that a certain Mr Jack Young was also in the 1951 final!

You could be right there. Do we really know what Stonehenge was used for???

Yes, he did miss out some years altogether - 1957 and 1964 - 68 - but for the other 17 years he only rode for Wimbledon (apart from the two matches for Coventry in 1972), which must be the record. There was, of course, Tommy Price. Wembley 1935 - 1956, a total of 22 years, but, as with Bert Spencer, there were 7 years lost because of the War.

Ronnie Moore spoiled probably the best one team record by riding in just two matches for Coventry. Apart from that he rode for Wimbledon from 1950 - 1972.

Thank you for your kind comments, psymon. Yes, on reflection, maybe I should have mentioned King Cinder but, sadly, there is a limit to what I can put in as I have to stick to a certain number of words maximum. Inevitably things get left out. You'll have to ask Tony McDonald about the photograph of Brian Foote! Because of the major part he played in the Rockets' early league history I wanted to have a photo of him in the book and that was the only one of suitable quality I could find. It came from Tony.

Yes, the park is open from 9:30 to 6:00, but I think the Museum may be shutting at 5:00.

Correct, Bryan.

Mike Polukard was more 50s and 60s than 40s and 50s.

Could it have been Johnnie Hoskins who "invented" the starting gate at West Ham?

Very interesting, iris. Especally this bit: "The first MCUI event was a ‘run’ from Gough Statue in Dublin’s Phoenix Park to Bray, on 20th April 1902, and their first race meeting was on the cinder track at Ashtown Trotting Track, Co Dublin, on 18th October 1902. Bob Stevens was the winner of both the 10 mile handicap and one mile scratch races, riding a Phoenix machine." Cinder track, one mile, 1902!!!

Phew! That's a relief. I thought you were going to say it was used at a speedway track somewhere else before Crystal Palace. It is quite clear in the early reports in the Speedway News that they had adopted the idea from horse racing.

Tell him to buy his own!

Found me out!

Thank you, Ken. I wouldn't say better....As good, maybe.

I see that the Amazon web site is now showing the book as in stock. Have you received your copy yet, Shazz?

I thought the best one last night was when he complained that Scott Nicholls had been left off the overall standings caption at the end of the programme, because, by his reckoning he should have been in 9th place with 50 points. The fact he was shown as 8th with 50 points seemed to have completely passed him by.

I guess the subsequent debate on this issue shows that Kittlesen was none of the above.

Can you dispel the myth of the starting gate for me please as I don't want to perpetuate any myths in my forthcoming Crystal Palace book do I...?

Aaaaaarrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!!!

Yes, train to Broxbourne where you can pick up the Paradise Park courtesy bus. P.S. If the bus isn't waiting at the station ask at the ticket office for them to ring the Park up and send the bus.

Agreed, speedyguy.

A question for Mr Clemens I think... My 16 would be: 1. Vic Huxley 2. Tom Farndon 3. Frank Arthur 4. Bluey Wilkinson 5. Jack Milne 6. Vic Duggan 7. Jack Parker 8. Jack Young 9. Ronnie Moore 10. Barry Briggs 11. Peter Craven 12. Ove Fundin 13. Bjorn Knutson 14. Ivan Mauger 15. Hans Nielsen 16. Tony Rickardsson

30s: Vic Huxley, Tom Farndon, Jack Milne, Jack Parker, Bluey Wilkinson, Lionel Van Praag, Eric Langton, Frank Arthur, Colin Watson, Ginger Lees, Wilbur Lamoreaux, Cordy Milne, Ron Johnson 40s: Vic Duggan, Jack Parker, Tommy Price, Graham Warren, Bill Kitchen, Norman Parker, Aub Lawson, Eric Chitty, Ron Johnson, Alec Statham 50s: Jack Young, Freddie Williams, Aub Lawson, Ronnie Moore, Graham Warren, Barry Briggs, Ove Fundin, Brian Crutcher, Peter Craven, Arthur Forrest, Split Waterman 60s: Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs, Peter Craven, Bjorn Knutson, Ronnie Moore, Ivan Mauger, Gote Nordin, Ken McKinlay, Sverre Harrfeldt, Nigel Boocock, Ron How, Igor Plechanov and so on throughout the decades... Maybe every decade had its great riders and those who were privileged enough to watch them will always feel they were the best.

Tempus tell me they sent 20 copies of the book to Amazon yesterday, so, hopefully, Shazzy, your copy should be arriving soon!

I don't know - let's talk about it.