norbold

Who's that then, Gustix? Personally, I don't think Briggo was the greatest of his time, let alone all time. I was at my most active as a speedway supporter in the 60s and early 70s and I'd say, as someone who was there, that without a doubt Ove Fundin was the greatest rider of the period, if not all time. But it's all a matter of opinion of course and I could name at least a dozen riders who have a claim to greatest of all time: Vic Huxley, Tom Farndon, Bluey Wilkinson, Jack Parker, Vic Duggan, Jack Young, Ronnie Moore, Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Hans Nielsen, Tony Rickardsson......

But there are 15 Grand Prix riders. Should they not be the top 15 in the world? Or are you saying that only the top eight should be in the Grand Prix? On what criteria do you select the other seven?

Do you mean he steals poles, or is he actually a Pole and not an Aussie?

1950s is interesting. I think the top 5 in no particular order would undoubtedly be Jack Young, Ronnie Moore, Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs, Peter Craven. It's the putting them in order that's the problem!!!

I'm not sure I understand the point you're making. What difference does it make whether he was found with alcohol in his system before or after a meeting? The only difference I can see is that he is more likely to have seriously injured himself or someone else if he hadn't been tested beforehand and allowed to ride with alcohol. What is he charged with and what might he have been charged with?

I took 1970/80 to mean 1970-1980, not 70s and 80s, which is why none of us chose Hans Nielsen.

60s. 1 Fundin 2, Briggs 3. Mauger 4. Moore 5. Craven 6. Knutson 70s 1. Mauger 2. Olsen 3. Collins 4. Michanek 5. Louis 6. Simmons 2000s: 1.Rickardsson 2. Crump 3. Pedersen 4. Hancock 5. Gollob 6. Adams Greatest: Ove Fundin

You're right there, Screm, there certainly will be plenty of argument. People will be arguing on this Forum whoever is selected.

Just to add this is a fantastic site and you deserve a lot of credit and our undying thanks for putting it all together. If it wasn't for people like you a lot of the sport's history would be lost forever.

He should be suspended for at least two years for not knowing the difference between your and you're!

I see Darcy couldn't even get BFD's name right! Darcy Ward #4⃣3⃣ ‏@D_Dublu_racing R.i.p Dave paxley. Top bloke Incidentally, what happens if the unthinkable happens and Darcy Ward is cleared of all charges? What happens about his suspension, the money he's lost and his chances in the Grand Prix?

Welcome back, Darcy!

Not only that but there was almost always the odd rider from GB, Oz, NZ etc who were surprise finalists as well but got there on merit by getting through the qualifying rounds. Geoff Mardon made it to reserve when he was a third division rider. Jack Young made it when he was a second division rider (I can't remember how he did that night!) and, more in my time I remember the sensation when Bryan Elliott, a Leicester reserve, qualified. It was all felt to be the "romance" of the world championship in those days and the riders in question were congratulated for riding above themselves not villified for having the temerity to qualify when they shouldn't have done!...

Is Bomber the new Andy Smith?

Quite frankly, sidney, that is complete nonsense. No one single rider is bigger than the sport. Greg Hancock will soon be retiring; will speedway come to a s top when he goes? Tomasz Gollob ditto. Nicky Pederesen can't be far off retiring either, or at least, no longer in the top flight. Did speedway come to a halt when Chris Holder missed a year? Nothing will happen to speedway that isn't already happening just because Darcy Ward might not be there.

I've just caught up with this, reading the last five pages. I've forgotten who Darcy Ward is now or what he did. Can anyone remind me?

I agree with that mostly, Oldace, except that I'd put the revival at 1960 rather than 1965 with the formation of the Provincial League and then a gradual upward curve boosted by the British League.

34 teams in 1950, down to 9 in 1959. I'd say the 50s easily matches the 80s in decline.

There should be a law against failing to rehydrate....

A top 10 from over 50 years of watching. A difficult call! But I'll go for Stan (the man) Stevens, Jimmy Gooch, Reg Luckhurst, Malcolm Simmons, Ove Fundin, Ken McKinlay, Dave Jessup, Peter Collins, Mark Loram, Jason Crump (as you can see I didn't go much in the 80s!).

A six month ban? let me see...September, October, November, December, January, February....oh finishes just in time for the start of the next season. Fancy!

According to Twitter there are "some legal concerns". No idea what they are.

Can't wait till we get to 1955 to 1964 and 1965 to 1974....

What he tweeted was, "@oakes_pe: So we'll have to wait until next week at earliest for any FIM news on @D_Dublu_racing" Note: "at earliest"

It's a bit worrying that the editor of a national journal - albeit a sporting one - doesn't know that, Humphrey. Anyway, I think the major powers we need to bring back is the right to have curved cucumbers if we want them.