norbold

Who could?

He lives in Newmarket. He told me he hasn't been to any speedway meeting, reunion or anything to do with speedway for about 20 years, but, apparently, he ran in to Pam and Trevor Hedge at a race meeting in Newmarket and they invited him to the dinner on Sunday.

I'm just trying to get rid of them. No correct guesses for the other two behind Stan Stevens so far; though Albert Steptoe is close. P.s. At the "do" on Sunday, Les Beaumont showed me a programme of the meeting at Norwich when he equalled the track record. Strangely enough it was during the George Formby Trophy meeting which we've discussed on here. With one ride each to go, Les and Arthur Forrest were unbeaten. In the race where they met, Les unfortunately "conked" as it says in his programme, leaving the Black Prince to win with a maximum.

Give that man a coconut! Correct. I sincerely hope not...

Not Len Read or Harry Bastable. But, it is Olle Nygren to the left of Stan.

No. Not John anything! Try going back a bit in time as well.

No. While you're thinking about that one, here's another question. Also in my VSRA Eastern Region Gatherings Webshots Album is a photograph of Stan Stevens. Here Behind him are three former riders. Can you name them? I'll admit the middle one is a bit difficult!

OK, time for some clues... He was also captain of Cradley Heath and rode for Birmingham. He hasn't been to any reunions in the last 20 years!

Yesterday I went to the VSRA Norwich Dinner and I met a former Leicester rider. The question is, Gem, who is he: See here And what can you remember about him?

I can't believe this thread has been going for two days now and Shazzy is nowhere in sight!

I saw Trevor at the VSRA Norwich dinner yesterday and told him about this thread. He seemed quite chuffed that people remembered him enough to still be talking about him! He sends his best wishes to all his fans out there.

Skid Skinner was certainly a speedway rider. I shall have to look in to the Butlin's connection....

I'm glad you mentioned this Hazzman! Publication is due for the first week in November. The book is called "Speedway's Classic Meetings" and is by Norman Jacobs and Chris Broadbent, better known as norbold and falcace. There are twenty chapters featuring two meetings from each decade from the 20s to the 00s plus two 'wild cards'. The book is dedicated to Phil and all the members of the British Speedway Forum for all the help given to us in the early stages of the book with suggestions and memories. It will indeed make a great Christmas present!

Will anyone (apart from me) be going to the Norwich VSRA Dinner next Sunday? If they do they will be able to meet Trevor there as he and Pam organise it.

I have some great memories of Leicester too. When I first started going to New Cross in 1960, New Cross were losing everything. Bottom of the League, kncoked out the National Trophy in the first round etc. But then on 8 June, we met Leicester and won 53-37. The sweet smell of success for a change. Yes, I have a lot to thank Leicester for..... Now then, back to leathers....

Talking of Briggo, there was the time he wore no leathers at all...or anything else for that matter.

Green has long been associated with bad luck in the theatre. One reason for this is that it is believed to be the fairies' colour and therefore not proper for mortals to wear. So, make of that what you will in the context of speedway.

Lloyd Goffe also used to stuff cotton wool down the seat of his leathers because he used to sweat so much... Sometimes, you can give too much information...

He first won it on 17 May 1973 from Reidar Eide and then lost it to him the following night. He regained it on 13 September from Arnold Haley and retained it through five challenges (Pete Smith, Edgar Stangeland, John Titman, Malcolm Simmons and Ulf Lovaas) to end the season as holder. In 1974, the Golden Helmet reverted to the old format of chosen challengers. He held it against Ray Wilson, Peter Collins, Malcolm Simmons, Dag Lovaas and Ole Olsen before losing it to Phil Crump. He won it back in 1975 from Dave Jessup and successfully defended it against Malcolm Simmons before losing it to Martin Ashby. He challenged again in 1977 but failed to beat Phil Crump.

Graham, have a look at page 32 of the 1980 Yearbook. The idea was dreamt up by Gordon Parkins. "Instead of having teams fighting for race points from each of the thirteen heats he split a 20-heat programme into five separate formulae - awarding one match point to the winning side..." The formula was used three times: Boston 3 Peterborough 2; Boston 2 Nottingham 2; Boston 2 Cradley Heath 2.

I think Dave Kindred was the photographer. I'm not sure how you would get hold of him now as I believe he has recently left the EADT. But they may know how to contact him. Alternatively, I'm sure John Berry would know how to contact him.

Absolutely. The "Andy Smith scenario" is what helps make speedway speedway, not someone deciding on commercial grounds who should be in the Grand Prix. Let's have some sort of qualifier, even if it is just a one-off final thrash bewteen 9-15 and 9 others.

And both with cigarette in hand...!

Thank you, boywonder. As far as my sharp intake of breath on the news of Wimbledon Speedway see my contribution to the "Wimbledon Strike Back" thread in Speedway General Discussions.

I think the eldest Hole was Graham, but I don't know if Derek is his son.