norbold

Pat Flanagan is not shown as a Hastings rider in 1948 in either Peter Morrish's "British Speedway Leagues 1946 - 1964" or in the 1949 Stenner's Review of Hastings, 1948. There is an entry for him In the 1949 "Who's Who in Speedway", which says, "Born London 1927. A 1949 Harringay junior."

Thanks for the link, Grachan. It looks perfectly ok to me. It just looks like a great move by Gundersen - and I think we should remember that Gundersen always figures in discussions about the greatest riders of all time and this sort of move is why.

Music is an interesting one. I was listening to one of my young teenage favourite songs yesterday - Runaway by Del Shannon. The song came out 60 years ago this year. 60 years before that was 1901!!!

I often make that comparison too. When something comes on telly that I remember etc., I think to myself what was that number of years before the event. It is quite frightening at times.

I saw Dave Jessup in one of his first races in public as a 15 year old in 1968 in a second half at West Ham. He beat Alan Sage, Vic Harding and Barry Thomas. My programme notes say, "won by half a lap". He was immediately signed up for the Hammers for the following season. It was obvious, even from that first race, that he was destined for greater things and he became my "protege". I always followed his career from then on - I just wish I could have advised him on how to look after his bike!

You know how to make people feel old. The first world final I saw was won by Ove Fundin!

I agree Kester. Chunky is quite outspoken and doesn't mince words, but that doesn't mean he is wrong to do so especially if someone is posting complete nonsense and doing it specifically to wind people up themselves. Kester mentions Jack Keen from Erith, but at one time, John Hyam had at least four different aliases he was posting under and there were a number of threads where he took over and just argued with himself. It was bizarre. He did settle down from that but would then quite often post provocative statements and get hurt when people replied to them. I was actually quite friendly with John and had been for many years, as he did have a lot to contribute to the history of speedway, and, away from the Forum, was very helpful and supportive to me, but I have to say that even I found his posts very tiresome at times. I never picked him up on his posts or argued with him on here because of our friendship but it was a bit of strain to restrain myself sometimes! As Kester says, there were others far more outspoken than Chunky in their responses and Chunky did, on several occasions, try and help John out with information, both historical and technical, but, many times, his help was flung back in his face. Incidentally, I do find it funny how those posters accusing people of bullying are lining up to attack Chunky!

John Louis averaged 8.74 in his debut year, then up to 11.31 in his second.

That's great, Matt. I'd love a copy please. I'll message you.

Very sorry to have to bring this up, but does Olle Nygren's sad death mean that Mike Broadbank moves into the Top 16?

Very sad news. One of the all-time greats who also put a lot back into the sport.

I'm fairly sure Don Gray is no longer with us. I'm afraid I have no idea about Ray Ellis.

Very sad news. I met him a few times at various reunions and the like. Always good company.

Thanks for the update frigbo, although it is very sad news.

Sorry, yes, you're right. He is still with us as far as I know.

Mine was back in May 1960. New Cross v. Norwich. I think the only four still alive are three Rangers, Reg Luckhurst, Tommy Sweetman and Leo McAuliffe and one Star, the greatest of them all, Ove Fundin. We didn’t stop to see the second half, but one of those due to ride was Ron Johnson and I certainly know for a fact he is no longer alive!

Mine too, CHR. If only he'd had the good sense to ride for West Ham, eh?

Strangely enough, we've lost one rider I did see to be replaced by one I haven't seen.

Ooooh, sir! I know, I know!

First track to use a starting gate.

It's at the back of the King's Oak in what is now the Epping Forest Visitors' Centre. You can still see the outline of the track and the banking.

42 riders entered on the day in 8 different events, each with scheduled heats, semi-finals and final. In all 50 races were programmed. I do have a few more results than appear on Speedway Researcher (should I send them to you, Tiger Owl?), but nothing like 50 races and in those races that I have records of, there are only about 20 - 25 different names mentioned, leaving something like 20 who don't get a mention. Norman Lewis may well have been one of those. Oh, just to add, DC, the meeting WAS advertised with posters, in the motor cycle press and in the local press.

Buster Frogley was Wembley captain in 1930, but, by the end of July, was actually their worst rider in terms of averages, causing him to resign as captain.

As some of you know I was named after a speedway rider, Wimbledon captain, Norman Parker, and the first team I supported was New Cross. Yesterday, while sorting through some of my old Speedway papers, I came across a copy of Speedway World which included the results for the week I was born, so I looked up what matches were on the day I was born. By an odd coincidence, the only match on that day was Wimbledon v. New Cross, with Wimbledon winning 52-43, Norman Parker scoring 12 points. Sorry, I'll get back to my hole.