norbold

Personally, I don't think they should have any wild cards. The Grand Prix should be made up of the best riders around not 22 of them and a couple stuck in each meeting who can't actually win the thing. Of course, putting in local wild cards may be a purely commercial decision, but,as has been said above, it's very doubtful that the inlcusion of Dave Norris and Chris Louis brought in any extra fans at Cardiff. I expect the same goes for GPs held in Poland, Sweden and Denmark. Maybe in the smaller countries like Norway it helps, but I guess, even there, it is doubtful. There should be a proper qualification system and if you make it to the Grand Prix, great, if you don't, try again next year.

I think it'll be a sad day if he doesn't win it. He's been the best rider in the world for three years now and absolutely deserves to take the title.

Yes, iris, maybe I was exaggerating a bit to say ALL the time, but I do think they would give of their best in League matches. Certainly Ivan's averages would suggest he was doing his best.

Actually, spin king I don't agree that Ivan was the greatest ever! Ove's my man! The point I was trying to make in response to Bee was that I don't believe that Ivan Mauger was only giving 90% in league matches. He, like all the great riders, was giving it 100% all the time. (I do think he was the second best of all time, if that's any consolation! )

Talking of which. I was up in Norwich a couple of weeks ago at the Norfolk Police Gala Day (!) helping out on the Norwich Speedway stand. Amongst the supporters, former riders and those 'in the know' there seemed to be a feeling that plans to reintroduce speedway to Norwich were doomed and that it would never happen. However, there was a lot of optimism about a return to Yarmouth and many were looking to a return as early as next year, either to Conference League or Open Meetings. As I say, there was no definite news, but it was the general 'feeling'. Does anyone have any more definite news?

If what you say about Mauger is true, how come he several times recorded an average of over 11 points per match during the league season? If he was only at 90% and still managing that sort of average, then there can be no doubt he must have been the greatest rider ever by a very large margin.

Of course, falcace, if Rickardsson does manage to pull off the championship, it could be a Classic Meeting...

we had crowds like that back in 1981 get reading the veteran speedway magazines <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think you mean we had one crowd like that in 1981 - the World Final. Brian Crutcher was a great rider, but, somehow, I always feel responsible for his retirement as he retired the same day that I attended my first-ever speedway meeting! I've often wondered if it was me!!!

Well said, E.B.

1. Crumpy 2. Gollob 3. Rickardsson 4. Andersen

I'm sure you don't need an answer about what happened to Bob Dugard! As for my mate, Stan (he says name dropping), he's alive and well and living in Witham. He can often be seen at VSRA functions and every February at High Beech. Yes, New Cross lost to Poole, 41-37. I was there and I still have the programme. Jimmy Squibb scored 10. He was beaten by Geoff Mudge and Tony Lewis. Lewis got a full maximum and Mudge got a paid maximum. And Stan won the last-ever race at New Cross beating Lewis, Mudge and Squibb.

Wimbledon

So it was your fault!

I don't think it ever really operated successfully, even then. In 1948 Birmingham won the second division and were promoted. They were followed in 1949 by Bristol. In 1950 Norwich topped the second division but were denied promotion because the London clubs voted against saying that the visits of Birmingham and Bristol had been financial disasters. In 1951 Norwich won again and this time were promoted. They had a disastrous year in the first division finishing bottom. In none of those four years was any team relegated.

I've just discovered that I once met Jimmy Squibb! In the 1960s and 70s I used to keep a more or less daily diary. These diaries have been up in my loft for at least 20 years. Today, whilst putting yet more things away up there, I discovered my box of diaries and thought I'd have a quick look. And there on Wednesday May 5th 1965 is the following entry: "In the White Hart [a pub near Hackney Stadium - I had been to a play rehearsal. I was a bit of a thespian in those days!] having a drink with John [my friend] when in trooped Norman Hunter, Alan Cowland, Colin Gooddy, Pete Lansdale and Jimmy Squibb. We chatted a bit and I asked Norman who won [Hackney had been racing that night]. He said 'I don't know.' Alan Cowland said 'Hackney won and Gerry Jackson got the lot.'" I had forgotten all about this meeting! But it's nice to know I did once meet and talk to Jim.

Apart from Reg Fearman's stunt as mentioned by Parkstone Pirate above, I think most of speedway was embarrassed by Tyburn Gallows change of name. He was banned by the Control Board from using the name Tyburn Gallows so he changed his name by deed-pole so they couldn't stop him. As far as I know most promoters therefore did not use the type of advertising you talk about. Very unimaginative! At one time the body colour he wore for individual meetings and second halves was the CND symbol. The Control Board stopped him wearing that too.

I think this should come under the Forum FAQ section. Tyburn Gallows, real name Raymond Humphries, was reputed to be an assistant hangman. At least he said he was and I think, by consensus, we've decided there is no reason to doubt him. He died on the day of his mother's funeral, but I can't remember the year. There's lots more that could be said about this extraordinary character!

So sorry to hear this, sandman. Sincere condolences to Steve and his family.

Bob Dugard is down Eastbourne way, Split Waterman is in Spain, Eric Williams and Tommy Sweetman are in New Zealand, Jimmy Gooch is somewhere is deepest Essex as is Stan Stevens.

Both statements are quite true, Clive. He was the last to cross the line and almost unbeatable. However, to have finished last in the last race shows he was beatable some times...unless he deliberately came last with an eye to history? It was only a scratch race after all, no team points depended on it.

Sorry, TwoMinute Warning. I don't know how I missed that. Many apologies.

That's correct, but do we know how many of Vic Duggan's second and third places were behind his own teammate?

Shame about your vote at the moment, Grachan! The current consensus seems quite clear.

Can't remember the year off hand. Tony Clarke first rode for West Ham in August 1965.

So sorry to hear this. Jimmy was a great servant of the sport. We were joking on the "Rode for" thread a little while ago about how Jimmy seemed to have ridden for every team in the country! I remember him particularly at New Cross. He was unbeatable round the frying pan in 1963. A sad loss and my condolences to all his family and freinds.