How about Ivan Blacka?
I remember him riding for Edinburgh with some success. Didn't he also ride for Wolves, or at least double-up, rather less successfully?
An idea floated by, I think, Bob Dugard back in the late 1970's. I can't remember much debate about it so I'll try and start some here.
Pros (in no particular order)
No gardening
Easy track preparation
Little track maintenance during meetings (watering on very hot days)
Fewer rain-offs
Consistent surface - no ruts, holes and bumps
More tracks - share with stock cars
Cleaner for riders - keeps sponsors happy
Cleaner for spectators - watch from the bends in comfort
Fewer track staff required
Cons (again, no particular order)
Different riding technique required? How difficult is it to broadside on tarmac?
Different starting technique required? The concrete starting areas of the 1950's were problematic.
'Blue-line' rubber deposits, especially in the wet.
International adoption of the surface
Fewer track staff required
Fewer track staff appears in both lists since it's good for the promoter but bad if you happen to be one.
We weren't - it was 'invented' in Australia by an Australian - Johnny Hoskins.
No fluke - he scored the most points over the series. Had it been a one-off meeting your argument would be stronger (but I still wouldn't agree).
Yes, he's good, but, I feel, not as dominant day in, day out as Fundin and Mauger were. For example, Fundin finished on the rostrum in the World Final 10 years running. Mauger's record is something pretty similar. And they didn't have the luxury of sitting out British league racing to concentrate on the world championship.
Many older tracks were built within greyhound stadia or around football/rugby pitches. Those factors dictated track length.
New, especially standalone tracks, are smaller due to price and availability of land (and maybe to minimise track maintenance too?).
According to speedwaywapshop.co.uk, Ian Somerville from Linlithgow has both programmes. He's usually selling on ebay as 'Skidmarks' and can be contacted through that medium.
It was actually staged 1940-45. I don't know the third place finishers but first and second were:
1940 1. Eric Chitty 2. Bill Pitcher
1941 1. Eric Chitty 2. Bill Kitchen
1942 1. Eric Chitty 2. Frank Varey
1943 1. Ron Clarke 2. Bill Kitchen
1944 1. Frank Varey 2. Jack Parker
1945 1. Bill Kitchen 2. Tommy Price & Eric Chitty
Sad to hear this. I last saw him at the Saints event at Fair Oak (the Welcome Inn). Suffice to say, he was as amenable as ever and still as enthusiastic as anyone. Get well soon Alby.