norbold

Tracks I used to go to...New Cross , West Ham , Harringay , White City , Hackney . Not even the stadiums left. No hope!

I remember the Provincial League well, though I didn't see much of it as my teams were mostly in the old National League, but I did get about half a season of Provincial League racing at New Cross in 1963 before they closed. Good old Reg Reeves, Jimmy Squibb and Stan Stevens. Also Geoff Penniket as it happens. I did see the Provincial League Riders' Championship at Harringay in 1961. This was when Trevor Redmond, easily the best rider on the night, was cruelly robbed of the title when he shed his chain on the fourth bend of the fourth lap in his last race when heading for a 15 point maximum. Incidentally, that was the last meeting ever held at Harringay.

First of all let me say that I am at one with all those who say that Ward should be suspended, fined and certainly not be allowed to take part in the 2015 GP series. However, there IS a legal IF whether we like it or not. Ward admitted to drinking the night before BUT if it is found that the equipment used to test him was faulty, he could get off on a technicality. I certainly hope that doesn't happen but you can't say there is no IF about it as clearly there is.

As I said before, if Ward is found guilty by the FIM his only recourse is through the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If he is found not guilty, his recourse for compensation may be through the same route or possibly through the Swiss court as that is where the FIM is based. However, Swiss courts have been reluctant in the past to get involved in these sort of issues and that's probably why a number of International sporting bodies are incorporated there.

Lindgren, Batchelor et al. This keeps coming back to the idea that if you can't get in the top 8, you're not worthy of a place in the top 15.

That was because the dispute was with the AMA, who the court said were acting as agents of the FIM, therefore they were allowed to sue the FIM. In this case the dispute is directly with the FIM; the ACU have nothing to do with it. But in any case the laws concerning international sporting bodies have changed significantly since the 1970s The only option open to Ward if the decision goes against him is to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport which has the supreme international authority to rule in sporting matters when the international governing body of a sport has made a ruling. There is no other course of appeal open.

Why is that making two and two equal five? There is no European court that an issue like this can be taken to. That seems to be making four to me.

Which European Court are you talking about?

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.