norbold

Just looking at that line-up, it strikes me that the two wild cards are better than most of the actual GP riders!

See under Speedway General Discussions

I don't think I need to to. It's all been said!

Arthur Forrest and Bill Gilbert were certainly post-war only. So it seems likely they all were. I reckon the dates 1947-9 are just about right.

I don't think that can be right wollongong. There was no speedway in Great Britain in 1943 apart from Belle Vue. Wimbledon certainly didn't have a team in 1943. Mike Erskine joined Wimbledon in 1946 and rode for them in 1947 and 48 so that would still fit in with your original dates.

Dont quite understand what you are saying???? Are you trying to predict what will happen!? Oh dear!

1. Jason Crump 2. Greg Hancok 3. Andreas Jonsson 4. Mark Loram I reckon it was a shame about the clash between Leigh Adams and Tony Rickardsson in the semi-final that saw them both go out.....

Yes. It's Jim you have to thank, even though it's George Bason not Basin! There's also Alfred George Boyce, George Henry Butler, George Farmer, George Fisher, George (Huck) Finn, George Gower, George Saunders, George Smith and George Wall. Any good?

OK, we'll go for Peace then. It looks as though they were all juniors around 1948. Arthur Forrest, of course, went on to become one of England's best (3rd in the World Championship in 1956) but at the time of your autograph book only just starting out. Perhaps poor old Stringer/Zilinger/Linger never made it beyond the second half...

Yes, could be Peace. He rode for Odsal in four matches in 1949 and scored the grand total of one point! On the other hand, I know it's stretching it a bit, but there's no chance it could be Ron Mason is there? He was a regular Odsal rider of the period. Can't find George Stringer in my Who's Who or in any of the Stenner's Annuals of the period.

Yes, sorry, I meant to mention those three as well. You're quite right about Bob Lovell and Jack Hunt, Jim. I agree it's more likely to be Jack Hunt as Jack Hughes was later - don't think he was around in 47/48 period. Also drawn a blank with Zilinger. Also, on your main list I don't recognise the name Ron Pearson. All the others were top class riders. Pearson anyone?

Thanks Gem! I didn't recognise any of the names on your "other autographs" list, woolongong, so I looked them up in my 1949 "Who's Who in Speedway". Not one of them is mentioned. Maybe they were supporters, track staff, referees, announcers, time keepers, management....They don't seem to have been riders. Incidentally, England won the Test match at Bradford on 5 July 1947, 65-43. Scorers: England: Jack Parker 9, Norman Parker 13, Bill Kitchen 16, Tommy Price 7, Alec Statham 16, Ron Clarke 4, Malcolm Craven (res) 0, Les Wotton (res) 0 Australia: Vic Duggan 16, Max Grosskreutz 10, Lionel Van Praag 3, Bill Longley 6, Frank Dolan 3, Ron Johnson 5, Aub Lawson (res) 0, Ray Duggan (res) 0. There's quite a few different names there to the ones you have.

Well said, Grachan. The most sensible comment on the whole sorry saga so far.

Two Taurus's what? Sorry, Gem!

I'm with Summit....

No, but the highest paid sportsman in Poland will be there.

Yes. Well done Poland. I'm glad they proved me wrong. Fantastic meeting. And you are so right about the joker. It would have been a travesty if Australia had got through because they could use the joker.

I believe there are Forum members who do that sort of thing. Perhaps one will offer...I was at the 1972 Internationale. I might be on your film! Ronnie Moore scored 13 points but lost to Ivan Mauger in the run-off for first place. Banger came third with 12.

Yes! I'm sure it would be of interest, but, as you suggest, maybe needs transferring to video or DVD.

It was a great season wasn't it CHK? The highlights for me were beating Wimbledon in the KO Cup on the afternoon that Malcolm Simmons became a star and the final victory at Cradley Heath that gave us the League. Oh, yes, happy memories.

Agreed, although it might have been worthwhile had the USA been in the competition. Which is why I said, "Come back USA all is forgiven."

Even this current format is a tad meaningless. The final will be between GB, Denmark, Sweden and Australia. We've known that since the start. The first two in each of the first two rounds might just as well have gone straight to the final without having a play off. Come back USA all is forgiven. Or put up a good show Poland and prove me wrong.

1965 always brings back good memories to me, being a West Ham supporter at the time. Thanks for the memories, Bee (and for Hurri-Ken!).

Sorry, I'm not Sean, but yes, Canterbury did.

I recognised him one night in the pub in 1965. It was just after we'd lost at Hackney. He wasn't too bouncy that night...