norbold

Having thought a bit more about this and read the speedway regulations for 2017, which are not specific on this point as you suggested, BL, I have come to the conclusion it would have to count as taking part in the meeting and therefore the averages would have to reflect no rides, no points but a meeting nevertheless. The reason I say this is because the meeting would start once the riders are called to the tapes. If the meeting only starts once the tapes go up, then there could be no two minute rule for the first race, which is clearly wrong.

I would think the answer might hinge on whether his team could replace him with another rider rather than just reserves. I would guess not, in which case it must have to count as a meeting with 0 points. However, if the rules do allow for him to be replaced by another rider, either a promoted reserve and a new reserve brought in or a completely new rider, then it wouldn't. Or maybe by rider replacement. I would have thought there should be something in the rules to cover this situation and when the meeting actually starts.

So I was right in the first place. As I said, Realpolitik. And a real disgrace!

I should add that one remarkable fact about Lennie is that he spent four years in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp.

I had a chat to Olle too at the dinner. He was complaining about the standard of modern speedway and the fact that the bikes are too fast and that most riders can't handle them properly, just going flat out instead of using their head. Also met my old mate Ove, who was there, as well (a bit of name dropping never hurt anyone!)

I said earlier on that I thought Holder was nailed on to get a pick due to the politics of the whole thing. However, I think that last night did for him. After such a poor GP in his own country after a mediocre season anyway it would be very difficult to justify his inclusion next year.

I went to the Norwich WSRA Eastern Region lunch today and met up with my old friend, Lennie Read, who will be 100 next January. He is still very fit and active with all his marbles. It got me thinking about who is the oldest rider still alive. We've got a list of oldest World Championship finalists, but how about all riders? Is Lennie the oldest still going?

Not quite as long as some mentioned here, but Mike Broadbank managed 16 consecutive years for Swindon.

Hi mick, Barbara is looking forward to a nice evening out....

Rohan Tungate for a pick!

Ronnie Moore and Wimbledon. 1950-1972 (on and off!)

Yes, sorry, everyone. It was the 50th anniversary meeting. And I should know - I was there!!! Still, it makes Jack Parker's longevity even longer.

What it says is "British racing" not your misquoted "British pioneers".

I think the prize has to go to Jack Parker. Phil Bishop wasn't technically a pioneer as he didn't ride in 1928, though I note you mention 1929 in you op, compost, but even taking that into account his career really came to an end in 1950. He only had a few one-off meetings between then and 1959. Jack Parker remained a regular team rider until 1954 and actually rode later than Phil Bishop with a one-off meeting in 1968, when he "beat" Malcolm Simmons in Speedway in Britain's 40th anniversary meeting. One other rider worthy of mention would be Ron Johnson, who rode regularly in Britain in 1928 (though actually started earlier in Australia). He continued on and off until 1961 and even returned for another go in 1963.

I've never liked the excuse, "You've taken my remarks out of context,” but here context is everything and it's a shame you obviously didn't read the comment I was responding to.

Great to see such a large crowd tonight. One old boy said, "it's the most I've seen here since 1952." Not sure that's right (!) but I know what he meant. It looked as if the meeting had the stuffing knocked out of it in heat 6 but Ipswich put up a great effort, especially with Newman and Greaves just keeping our hopes alive with a bit of an unexpected 3-3 in heat 14 leading to a last heat decider, as it was by no means out of the question that Scott and Cameron would get a 5-1 in heat 15 and then again in the first golden heat, but not to be of course. In the end though, three points out of Danny King's scheduled rides instead of what would likely have been at least seven with nine not out of the question, was what did for the Witches. Still, congratulations to Peterborough, you did what you had to do and the accidents to Schlein and King weren't your fault. As for the Witches, oh well, there's always next year....

If you're going to count the War years, you should also count 1928, as he rode regularly that year as well, making 27 seasons in all.

I think it more likely you were on the beer when you posted this!

On a former similar thread some years ago, a poster called speedyguy, who, as we all know no longer posts on here, said, "Indications are that Jimmy Squibb started at Southampton in 1939, where he was a protege of local riders Vic Collins and Frank Bond." It maybe that gustix can confirm this and has more information.

According to that great fount of all knowledge, Wikipedia, Andy Smith rode in the Grand Prix series in 2002 but not the league.

Ivan Mauger 1957 - 1984 (28 years)......though it has to be said a bit on and off at the beginning and end! So probably only 22 years in total.

I believe there is a good account of the history of Greenford in a book called "Speedway in the South East." If only I could remember the name of the author.......

Indeed. He might only have been in the top 6 twice, but he has been in the top 8 five times and in the top 12 every time. Should the Grand Prix be for riders proven to be amongst the top riders in the world or for those who might be one day? But, in any case, as I said before, Realpolitik!

I understand what everyone is saying about why Holder shouldn't get a wildcard for next year, but I believe the word is Realpolitik. He will get one, there is absolutely no doubt about it.

I can't really see any circumstances where Holder will not get a wildcard. Personally I don't have much time for him, but his record in the GP over the last few years will surely see him being given a pick.