Sotonian

My abiding memory of Per was in a double header at Reading in, I think, 1992. This was a meeting of 2 cup finals - v Poole in the BSPA VCup and Bradford in the KO Cup respectively. As an infrequent visitor to Poole I had not seen Per at Wimborne Road so my only experience of him was the TV coverage of his World Final triumph. Suffice to say, I walked away from Smallmead that night in no doubt as to his ability. Per had 9 rides, didn't drop a point and looked so effortless in everything he did. Given what transpired later, I'm so glad I got to see him in action.

And Hamill.

Rob Grant (Berwick) always seemed to dwarf his bike.

A bit more info here http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/docs/staines/1938.pdf

It is now but do you recall when it was over 6 laps in Heat 15? That was a fundamental change that I was pleased to see the back of.

It's a factor for sure but I don't believe things would have stood still even with 2-valve engines. Tuners would have found new ways to 'breathe on' them and who's to say they wouldn't have also become laydowns eventually.

FYI, Wayne Barrett badly broke his collarbone grasstracking last weekend so would be a massive doubt even if he had've been interested.

Some more: Barrow (Holker Street) Berwick (Shielfield) Glasgow (Ashfield) Poole

Andy Grahame for Milton Keynes and Birmingham in, I think, 1979.

Unless it's changed recently, the minimum age is 10. As for what's it like, have a look on YouTube or pay a visit to the Winchester Road track to see the real thing.

I see what you did there

At Ipswich, they have a curfew on the Tannoy but not the racing!

The Norwich v Russia 18 Heat challenge match in 1964 is worth a mention. Due to a fixture mix-up, the Russian team only contained 4 riders who it was agreed could take 9 rides each. Not only were man and machine up to the task, they even won the match 55-53.

Does he think he'd still have won his World Champs had the finals not been held at Wembley?

He was allegedly chosen over MJJ for commercial reasons - to maintain British media interest. The irony now being that Sky won't be showing the 2013 series.

26.7.61, a World Team Cup QR. Eng 44, NZ 38, Aus 26.

The Longtrack WC was first held in 1971. Before that it was the European Champs from 1957-70. Top 3 in 1970 were Jon Odegard (Nor), Don Godden (GB), Hans Zierk (Ger).

See Mystery Rider here http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Name%20The%20Rider.htm

Is there a track in Berwickshire? Certainly not Berwick, which is in Northumberland, England

And long may it continue. As the saying goes, 'show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser'.

Well, I hope that ends up consigning the joker to the bin where it belongs.

Bravo Salty!

Heat 20 - wow!!

Even more unlikely, a rider could become World Champ without winning a single race. Finish second in every heat, semi and final with different winners of all the finals and it's job done!

That 17 pointer was actually 17+1 so he was unbeaten by a Pole in the series. 2 years earlier his scores were 17, 18 and 17 all from 6 rides. Given how unfamiliar the tracks would have been to him and the relative strength of the Poles on their own circuits, it was an impressive feat to say the least. Another reason why he stands head and shoulders (metaphorically, given his diminutive stature) as the best Brit ever.