norbold

I am really interested. The King of Crash, the man who broke every bone in his body, so it is said. He was also West Ham's team manager in the 60s and, of course, lost his life in the Lokeren disaster. I have a number of photographs of him and info if you would like any, Jenny. Let me know.

Putt Mossman held one of his famous rodeo meetings at Staines Greyhound Stadium in 1938. Several more amateur meetings were held that year and the following year. In 1947 an application to run speedway at the stadium was turned down by the ACU and again in 1948 following an objection from the local Town Planning Committee. The stadium authorities appealed against the local planning decision and their appeal was upheld, though nothing happened subsequently. In 1956 some sidecar speedway was staged at the stadium.

Yes, I was very sorry to hear about Ron's death. I met him a couple of times at veteran dos and he was always very happy to talk about the 'old days' and had a fund of stories. Very sad.

I'd go for Ken McKinlay and Tommy Miller, though I wouldn't argue too much with Ken McKinlay and either Jim McMillan or George Hunter instead.

I was talking about this thread to an acquaintance of mine who does not possess a computer. He told me his first meeting was on 19 February 1928 at a place called High Beech. He said unfortunately he didn't remember much about the meeting as he was only 4 months old at the time. Beat that one!

Haven't we just done this?

It's a great site, Jim...er...Dick...but could you do something about the blue writing on a black background? My poor old computer can't cope! Thank you.

More than just West Ham bias surely? Remember he did break in to the Fundin/Briggs/Moore/Craven stranglehold to become part of the 'Big Five'. He was a great rider in anybody's book.

11 May 1960. New Cross v. Norwich. Ove Fundin winner of the first race I ever saw when he beat Split Waterman in heat 1. Ove Fundin and Split Waterman in my first race - no wonder I got hooked!

As you were saying, Dekker...

Harringay opened in 1928; closed in 1931. Reopened in 1934; closed at the outbreak of War in 1939. Reopened again in 1947 and continued until 1954 when they closed again. There were a number of one-off special meetings subsequently. The last meeting was on 16 September 1961, the Provincial Riders' Championship...and I was there! I don't recognise the name Reginald Smith, but I will check.

Strangely enough I was working on a similar thread myself, only with 4-man World Cup type teams. However, I agree with most of your selections CHK. My only changes would be: Australia: Vic Duggan, Jack Young res: Vic Huxley. Gt Britain: Tom Farndon, Peter Craven res: Jack Parker. Denmark: Erik Gundersen as sub. Not sure about USA, might put Jack Milne and Greg Hancock round the other way. Might also put Briggs and Moore round the other way for New Zealand.

Barry Briggs

And everyone seems to have missed out Tommy Price. Surely, if longevity is the key, then there is no doubt that Jack Parker would be the greatest ever. Arguably the best - or at least one of the best three - British riders in the very first year, 1928, and still arguably the best (in fact, almost certainly the best) British rider twenty years later in 1948. The only interruption to being accounted the best probably coming during Tom Farndon's hey-day, c. 1932 - 35. He even beat Malcolm Simmons fifty years later in 1978 on a very cold day at Hackney!

I agree falcace. That is the real tragedy of Michael Lee. He could have been the greatest rider of the 80s. It would be interesting to know how Nielsen and Gundersen would have fared had he still been around and whether Nielsen would still be one of the leading candidates for "greatest rider of all time" or whether Lee would have eclipsed him..... But (sigh) we'll never know.

And then what happened....?

I suggest you contact Jim Henry, editor of Speedway Researcher and Scottish speedway historian at 90 Greenend Gardens, Edinburgh, EH17 7QH and/or Ian Moultray (another Scottish speedway historian) at 24 Moredun Park Gardens, Edinburgh, ED17 7JP. Tel: 0131 6662826, e-mail: ian@moultray.freeserve.co.uk

September the 20th might be appropriate as it will be the 40th anniversary of his death That may well be why the publication date is mid-August. It allows for a little slippage and time to get it out to the shops for the anniversary.

I believe it's due out in the middle of August...or thereabouts.

I'm with you CHK, though Michael Lee might have made it if he hadn't gone off the rails.

...in the modern era I think you mean Gem. Sprouts Elder and Art Pechar were probably the first in 1928 followed by Ray Tauser, Jack and Cordy Milne, Wilbur Lamoreaux, Benny Kaufman etc. etc. The first clean sweep of the World Championship was achieved by the Americans in 1937 - Jack Milne, Wilbur Lamoreaux and Cordy Milne. Nevertheless, having said all that, Scott Autrey was the first of a new wave of Americans and laid the foundations for Bruce Penhall, Sam Ermolenko, Greg Hancock, Billy Hamill etc. He was a brilliant rider. I remember him well. Happy 50th.

Dave has been a sheep farmer for many years, even whilst riding. Does Lt know?

May I quote from that excellent book, 'Speedway in East Anglia' by...the name of the author escapes me at the moment...: "It was in 1969 that John Louis was approached and asked if he would like to have a go at speedway. In spite of being a top local scrambler, Louis was very reluctant to have a go. In the end he agreed to a trial session on condition that it was held after a meeting; that all the stadium lights had to be turned off for ten minutes so that all the spectators would leave and then, and only then, would he try his hand. All the conditions were met, but Louis got scared and joined the crowd by going home instead! Eventually, he was persuaded to ride in a second-half event and the rest, as they say, is history." I believe that is the true story of Louis' debut! And yes, Gem, he was quite old. 28 I think, but not sure.

More impressive debut: John Louis. In each of the first two matches he ever rode in he scored seven points. He finished his debut season as Ipswich's top scorer with 7 full and 1 paid maximum. He also took the Silver Helmet during the season and successfully defended it seven times. In his second season he averaged 11.31, easily topping the league averages, scoring 21 full and 4 paid maximums on the way. He successfully defended the Silver Helmet 25 times and won the Division Two Riders' Championship.

Less impressive debut: Terry Betts for Norwich. He rode in four meetings in 1960 and did not score a single point. Didn't improve much in 1961. Then... He suddenly came good in one match in 1962 away at Belle Vue. On a night when Ove Fundin managed to score just four points, Betts scored a 15 point maximum including two victories over Peter Craven on his home track. Craven was later to win the World Championship that year. From then on Bettsy never looked back.