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I've sent you a reply on the Speedway History Forum, Kev. Don't get too excited, but it's a start!

I don't think Coventry operated from 1934 to the outbreak of War did they?

Peter Oakes's "The Complete History of the British League" has all British League averages from 1965 to 1990. Since then there have been several annuals/yearbooks with specific years.

Well, hopefully the Museum will last for ever and money will always be needed...

Yes, Brenda Craven came down for a special (small) ceremony to officially mark the commencement of building. The logo for the Speedway Museum features Peter Craven.

The question is which city/town had the most venues in its history, not which club, so the answer must be London.

The name of the place is Paradise Wildlife Park. I'm sure they'd let you have a look, though at the moment all you will see is a building site!

Not yet. It will be about April or May next year.

There has been speedway at Eastbourne's Arlington track every year since 1929 with the exception of 1931, the War years, 1949 and 1965-68. Although not continuous since the War, I think they have the best record for most years open.

Not as far as I know at the moment. I'll see what I can do.

Romford was in Essex until 1964 when it was absorbed in to London; the same goes for West Ham and Lea Bridge. There was never any speedway at Clapton Stadium. I know that because I used to live next door!

Just to let everyone know that work on the building has now started. The foundations are down and the structure is now being erected. It looks like being a reality at last!

It's undoubtedly been London. Don't forget Romford as well. Not too sure of my North West geography but Manchester has had six tracks as far as I know: Hyde Road, Kirkmanshulme Lane, White City, Droylsden, Audenshaw and Salford.

I'm afraid I can't answer that. I can't find any biographical details about him.

No Mongolian riders again, Subedei. What's going on? Can't you fly Scott Nicholls out there to teach your youngsters how to ride?

Les Tams was an Eastbourne reserve in 1947. He rode in a number of matches for the Eagles. As far as I know he did not move on to Hastings in 1948 and I am not sure what happened to him after 1947.

Thanks Ross. I would appreciate that. I don't think I have it. I'm about to e-mail you separately about Paul Eustace...

Yes, I wondered what had happened to this in my absence from Internet connection... The worst thing is that I found out Gus Kuhn's date of birth a couple of weeks ago, but I can't remember who it was that asked for it on the Forum.

Hi Ross I have contact details for Paul Eustace, but, as you will see from the General Discussion section I'm currently on a computer in Clacton Library. I'll get the details, and next time I'm in the library I'll send them to you.

Given the current state of the scores in the GP with a big gap after 12th placed man, Bjarne Pedersen, I would suggest that those 12 minus Hans Andersen, whose score doesn't count, go in next year's Grand Prix. This leaves four places (plus the wild card each time). Those four should be the four finalists in the qualifier. Sorry, Simon and Bomber...

I can't give individual race scores for te other rounds but here are the riders' scores in each round: Belle Vue: 08.07.1961 P. Craven 15, G. Jackson 13, E. Williams 12, D. Davies 11, R. Mountford 11, B. Briggs 10, J. Scott 10, T.Lewis 10, D. Bradley 5, G. Allott 5, P. Lansdale 4, J. Lightfoot 4, J. Yacobi 3, R. Duval 3, R. Gilbertson 2, J. Debbage 2, B. Powell (res) 0, D. Gerrad (res. dnr) Oxford: 06.07.1961 J. Young 15, R. Genz 13, M. Broadbanks 12, N. Street 12, G. McGregor 11, J. Kitchen 10, C. Maidment 10, J. Biggs 9, D. Strutt 5, C. Roger , T. Teodorowicz 5, B. Elliott 4, G. Warren 3, H. Byford (res) 3, K. Middleditch 1, C. Cox 1 Southampton: 04.07.1961 P. Craven 15, B. Briggs 13, R. Cresp 12, C. Taylor 12, L. Owen 11, A. Golden 11, D. Templeton 7, J. Unstead 6, S. Stevens 6, D. Newton 6, C. Barsby 5, J. Gooch 5, B Meredith 5, M. Mattingley 3, J. Debbage 1, C. Featherby 0, R. Gilbertson (res) 2 Wimbledon 03.07.1961 R. Moore 13, R. How 12, J. Tebby 12, L. McGillivray 11, N. Nicholls 10, R. Gilbertson 9, D. Fisher 9, B. Duckworth 8, J. Lightfoot 8, B. Brett 6, B. Subritzky 6, G. Mudge 5, R. Mountford 5, B. Craven 4, B. Meredith 1, H. Edwards 1 Semi-Finals: Belle Vue: 05.08.1961 R. Moore 14, D. Davies 13, N. Boocock 11, K. McKinlay 11, J. Scott 10, C. Taylor 9, B. Andrews 9, J. Young 9, N. Street 9, R. Genz 8, R.How 5, I. Williams 4, D. Fisher 3, T. Lewis 3, N. Nicholls 2, T. Teodorowicz 0 Southampton: 01.08.1961 R. How 15, P. Craven 14, . Maidment 13, M. Broadbanks 11, N. Street 9, J. Scott 9, J. Young 9, N. Boocock , C. Taylor 7, S. Waterman 6, J. Tebby 5, B. Bales 4, A. Golden 3, E. Williams 3, N. Nicholls 2, B. Duckworth 0

Are you sure about those dates???? Round Two Qulifying Rounds: Belle Vue: 08.07.1961 New Cross: 05. 07. 1961 Oxford: 06.07.1961 Southampton: 04.07.1961 Wimbledon: 03.08.1961 Semi-Finals: Belle Vue: 05.08.1961 New Cross: None Oxford: None Southampton: 01.08.1961 Wimbledon: 31.07.1961 Anyway, the results from New Cross on 05.07.1961 were: 1st B. Andrews (3,2,3,3,3) 14 (after run-off) 2nd S. Waterman (3,3,3,2,3) 14 3rd K. McKinlay (3,3,2,0,3) 11 4th I. Williams (2,2,3,1,2) 10 5th= C. Brine (1,1,2,3,2) 9 5th= J. Unstead (3,3,1,0,2) 9 5th= N. Boocock (0,2,2,2,3) 9 8th= I. Brown (2,3,0,1,2) 8 8th= E. Williams (0,1,3,3,1) 8 10th J. Tebby (1,2,2,1,1) 7 11th D. Hankin (2,0,1,3,0) 6 12th K. Adams (2,1,1,1,0) 5 13th= D. Newton (1,0,-,2,1) 4 13th= P. Lansdale (1,0,0,2,1) 4 15th R. Trott (0,1,0,0,0) 1 16th E. Hockaday (0,0,0,0,0) 0 Reserves: J. Fitzpatrick: two rides one point. B. Croombs: No rides Some good old names there! And I know what the programme means because I filled it in myself... p.s. If you clarify the dates I can give you the scorers for the other rounds as well.

Try post #27, Ken!

No, I agree with you frigbo. The 1981 Final was my 9th World Final - all the Wembley finals from 1963 plus Ullevi, 1971. It was also my last visit to a one-off final. I remember coming home from the meeting thinking that the racing had been nothing special apart from the races you mention. I have been surprised by the praise it has received in subsequent years. I have to say, as an old-timer, that I also prefer the one-off finals. The anticipation leading up to it, the qualifying rounds, the chance of an unfancied rider qualifying. And then, of course, the all-or-nothing aspect of the final itself. The Grand Prix may be a better way of finding the best rider in the world but it just doesn't compare to the excitement of that evening, even the 1981 final!

See here