norbold

Yes, I considered Tai, but thought it's just a bit too early. Hopefully in years to come it will be as unthinkable to leave him out of a top 12 or top 10 or whatever as PC. But I just feel at the moment he needs to show that last year was not just a one-off. One other rider who just missed out was Arthur Forrest.

In rough chronological order I'll go for Tom Farndon, Jack Parker, Eric Langton, Tommy Price, Split Waterman, Freddie Williams, Brian Crutcher, Peter Craven, Nigel Boocock, Peter Collins, Michael Lee, Mark Loram. Reserve team: Roger Frogley, Arthur Atkinson, Frank Charles, Bill Kitchen, Ron How, Ken McKinlay, Ray Wilson, John Louis, Dave Jessup, Malcolm Simmons, Martin Ashby, Eric Boocock.

We also shouldn't overlook Frank Arthur. Probably the best rider in the world in 1928; overtaken by Vic Huxley in the following couple of seasons but should certainly be remembered as one of the greats.

Anyway my top seven would be: 1. Tom Farndon 2. Vic Huxley 3. Bluey Wilkinson 4. Eric Langton 5. Jack Milne 6. Jack Parker 7. Lionel Van Praag Not too far distant from gustix's original seven!

I agree, Rob, I think Lionel Van Praag has always been underrated. I think this is because many people feel he was lucky to win the first World Final in 1936 i) because it was held on his home track and ii) because Bluey Wilkinson actually went through the card unbeaten on the night only losing out to Van Praag because of the bonus points system. However, Van Praag's league averages 1936 - 1939 were: 9.45, 10.53, 10.50, 10.61, which can't be bad in anyone's book.

You didn't just refer to it though did you? Your implication was that waihekeaces1 was a bit stupid for not knowing about the Speedway Researcher website. Why could you have not just answered by saying, "The Speedway Researcher website"? That was all that was needed.

As my friend, Gustix, so rudely puts it, the best place to find the full results is the Speedway Researcher website: http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/ Ifyou just want a summary you could try: http://www.speedwaychampions.com/national-champions-dupl.php

He was robbed of his peak years through death - a bit of an extreme injury! Parker won in 1947 and Duggan in 1948. There was a War Time British Riders' Championship from 1940 - 1945, which Eric Chitty won on three occasions.Ron Clarke, Frank Varey and Bill Kitchen were the other winners. And then the Riders' Championship, later the British Riders' Championship, from 1946 - 1948. The other winner was Tommy Price in 1946.

Did you include the war time British Championship. If so, where does Eric Chitty feature?

Yes, Knowle is absolutely right regarding their value. I think he has also made a very good suggestion re-their disposal.

You're both right of course. Here's another eight then...: Max Grosskreutz, Aub Lawson, Split Waterman, Tommy Price, Freddie Williams, Anders Michanek, Nicky Pedersen, Tomasz Gollob.....

Top 8 of all time? Impossible...but here goes: Vic Huxley, Tom Farndon, Vic Duggan, Jack Young, Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Tony Rickardsson.... Or alternatively: Frank Arthur, Bluey Wilkinson, Jack Parker, Ronnie Moore, Peter Craven, Bjorn Knutson, Ole Olsen, Hans Nielsen Or alternatively: Eric Langton, Cordy Milne, Lionel Van Praag, Jack Milne, Peter Collins, Erik Gundersen, Bruce Penhall, Jason Crump.....

Yes, the one thing we have in common, Tsunami! That was from the Harringay song: "2-4-6-8, Who do we appreciate? Who? The Harringay Racers. 2-4-6-8, Waiting at the starting gate. Who? The Harringay Racers. Come on chaps and turn on the taps Take the right line all along the white line. Who do we want to see, him and you and me? Vic, Vic, Vic for victory!" Vic being a reference to captain, Vic Duggan of course.

Can I just echo what moxey has said. Your dedication and hard work is proving an invaluable source for speedway historians and enthusiasts. Thank you. It is all very much appreciated.

"Cyril would now be 101(born 27.12.1921)" Er......?????

Thank you, that's brilliant. I have always wanted to see the Lea Bridge track. It was actually the nearest track to where I used to live - about equidistant with Hackney, but, of course, it had closed before I was born.

Savalas Clouting

You can find out all you want to know about him from this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Len-Silver-Luck-Would-Cockneys/dp/0955934036/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366718007&sr=1-1&keywords=Len+Silver And it's not even one of mine!

Any big track. Hyde Road seems to be popular so I'll go along with that. And then Mauger with Collins, Loram and Jack Young all trying to get past as they will all have gated badly!

I know there were two brothers...I was named after Norman!

Thank you. How could I have forgotten Jack Parker? Doh!

On achievement and skill on a bike it's hard to argue against Craven, Collins and Lee as the best of the post War Brits. But going on from there with Carter, Simmons, Ashby, Wilson, Louis, etc, surely Freddie Williams should rank above all of them and we would also need to include Tommy Price, Brian Crutcher, Split Waterman, Ken McKinlay, Nigel Boocock and Ron How in the mix.

Syd Edmonds rode at high Beech in 1928 and 1929 and was in their league team in 1930 and 1931. He took over as captain on 1 May 1930 following Jack Barnett's crash which put him out for several weeks. He qualified for the final of the 1930 Gold Trophy along with Huxley and Phil Bishop. He also qualified for the final of the Star Riders' Championship in 1931. He was High Beech's no. 2 behind Jack Barnett and was a decent enough rider, not quite the top class but certainly a good heat leader.

Monday: Wimbledon; Tuesday: West Ham; Wednesday: New Cross; Thursday: Wembley; Friday: Hackney; Saturday: Harringay; Sunday: Rye House and then start all over again....

Yes, very sad news. Freddie was always so supportive of speedway right up to his death. He still went to meetings, functions, events etc. R.I.P. Freddie