Bryn

All getting a tad silly isn't it? Of course we know it would be tosh to say that Andy was blameless for all incidents he was involved in - just as the same could be said any any rider over the years and indeed still riding. What he was though was a very talented rider indeed and THE major player in Hackney's brilliant 1988 side.

Well said Rami and, of course, those who knew Bodger will know exactly where you're coming from. Those of us "behind the scenes" as it were, will always be fully aware of the dangers riders, ALL riders, face when taking to the track. They really are a breed apart WHOEVER they race for.

Spot on VV with the greatest of respect Mick (Bunyan) that was indeed precisely how it happened. Apologies if I've posted something similar as to what follows on another thread in the past but as I've said in an earlier posting on this particular thread, I was on the centre green than night and was, therefore, closer to the incident than most. Now I've always made it a personal rule NEVER to make ANY comment on a crash when I have a microphone in my hand until I've seen any rider involved move a hand, arm, leg or whatever. Andy laid completely motionless but, thankfully, a paramedic nurse amongst the Arena medical team that night got to him very swiftly indeed and, immediately recognised that he could have sustained a serious neck injury and held his head rock solid steady until the others in the medical team had done what was necessary. But for that quick action it could well have finished up worse than it actually did which, of course, was bad enough and resulted in his carrer coming to an abrupt halt. Memories of that night (amongst other equally vivid memories involving other incidents) will remain with me forever including many in the King's Lynn AND Arena camps subsequently actively persuading Richard Knight to take his place in the re-run when he really didn't want to go out on a bike again. Let me stress at this point that NO blame could be attached to Richard - it was purely a racing incident. Andy was rushed straight to Basildon hospital and placed into intensive care. Before going on, on a lighter note, after the meeting I was by the speedway office when the track doctor on duty that night who just happens to still be my GP, arrived looking very shaken indeed and, on seeing me, pleaded with me to give him a cigarette! I still remind him of that on occasion! Moving on, following phonecalls throughout Saturday revealing that Andy was still in the intensive care unit, on the Sunday I had to go to Rye House and arranged a lift home with Malcolm Simmons. He was keen to go to the hospital as was I on the way back to Kent. We arrived at the hospital and, with crowds around the one person manning the reception desk, we followed the signs to he intensive care unit. On arrival, there was a big notice on the wall saying, "Put a mask, gown and hat on BEFORE entering." On reflection that was probably a reminder to the medical staff (!) but that's just what Simmo & I did...we entered the room...six beds fully occupied with two or three nurses on duty but Andy wasn't in ANY of the beds. Simmo turned white as a sheet, muttered some words that can't be repeated here but, somehow although I too feared the worst, for some reason I didn't panic. I persuaded Simmo to follow me back to reception where, much to our great relief I can tell you, we were informed that Andy had been taken out of intensive care earlier that day and transferred to a ward. We made our way there and soon spotted Andy's ex-wife plus Arena co-promoter Ivan Henry at Andy's bedside and as soon as Simmo saw Andy he swore at him and said words to the effect that, "I thought you was dead you B****** Galvin!" Andy tried to laugh but...... Anyway Mick (Bunyan) I'm sure you could recount several stories about the pain, suffering and indeed hell riders go through when trying to recover from injury - it's the sort of thing that ordinary supporters never get to see or indeed hear about - but it's just one of the reasons why I have, and will always have huge respect for ANYBODY who becomes, or indeed tries to become a speedway rider. I'm sorry if I've rattled on but IF it stops just ONE person on the terraces cheering when ANY rider falls, then at least it will have served some purpose.

Mother T... I wasn't specifically having a go at SL (I'm not that brave and don't fancy a clip round the earole!) but making the general point that even if we had witnessed a meeting where there had been passing on every lap in every race: A group like U2 providing the pre-meeting entertainment, and Elton John the interval set; everyone got free admission and programme AND free beer - SOMEONE would have a moan on a forum somewhere such as this! * (* probably a teetotaller!)

Seems to me whatever goes on at ANY meeting, now matter how good it all is, someone somewhere will find something to moan about. No wonder the Aussies call the Brits whingers! Mind you THEY can talk!

In a word Mother T - Nope!

Just spoken to Nigel Wagstaff who's out in Latvia supporting the British based lads (particularly Greg of course!) and forging further his good relationship with the Latvian authorities. Rained in Daugavpils this morning and whilst it stopped and meeting is about to start, it is now drizzling again. Told him about the "Ferjan situation."

No Richard but ((apart from Josh Auty - what a great young talent) times were generally a heck of a lot slower - 11 heats of 60 secs plus and, again, apart from one or two races, riders were considerably strung out by the time they reached bend three

Having known Andy, his late father Chris, his mum and the rest of the family since the days of him practising at Iwade, with respect Graham, I find your description of him as a ego tripper etc absolutely preposterous. NOTHING could be further from the truth believe me as someone who was closely associated with him throughout his riding career rather than someone who saw him on his visits to mainly Scottish tracks. In my view he was one of the most naturally talented riders ever to grace the National League especially as part of Hackney's marvellous 1988 side. You are right in saying his track comeback from injury was not successful. In fact there were two comebacks as such, the first being from the crash that totally shattered his hipjoint at Rye House. He was JUST beginning to get things together as they say though, when he was involved in a horrific crash at Arena Essex that nigh on cost him his life, and that's without being over dramatic I can assure you. The other comeback again ended in injury, an injury to his arm/wrist that last time I saw him was still giving him huge problems and that was gong to require further surgery in an effort to try and regain full use of that limb. Interesting to note that when he made that latest comeback, he had to not only try to regain some measure of form but also cope with the fact that speedway machines were now fitted with laydown engines rather than uprights that was the case before his enforced length lay off. Andy is now happily married to Lisa and were blessed with their first child last year, him also being the father of two other children by a previous relationship. A great many speedway fans will remember with deep affection and admiration not only the silky skills he displayed as a rider but the courageous way he battled back after the sport he, and indeed ourselves, love so much - a sport that could have cost him his life but for the quick thinking and action taken by the medical staff on duty the night he crashed at Arena Essex during that match against King's Lynn. As the guy on the centre green mike that night, the memories of that crash will stay forever in my memory along with those of other tragic events over the years. Any Galvin a "showman" - Undoubtedly! Childish? Crude? Ego Tripper? NEVER!

They had a very good team manager that day VV! Am told Schoie is getting on well nowadays which is absolutely brilliant. I was present on "that" day he had his accident at the Bonfire Burn Up which, from memory, also involved Screeny and Jason Crump. Horrible memory especially as I'd been chatting to him at the interval break having only been released from hospital two days earlier after being in there for over a month after breaking my back in a car crash on the way back from a meeting at Exeter.

Courtesy of Gavin Elmes: QUEENSLAND 37 - NEW SOUTH WALES 52. QUEENSLAND 1. Scott Smith 14 (from 6 rides) 2. Jon White 1 (4) 3. Dave Booth 2 (2 - blew motor) 4. John Oliver 8 (5) 5. Sam Taylor 8 (5) 6. Dennis Hall 4 (5) 7. Hugh Stephens 0 (3) NEW SOUTH WALES 1. Michael Slade 6 (from 4 rides) 2. Louis Myers 8 (4) 3. Jay Herne 11 (4) 4. James Holder 7 (5) 5. Lee Herne 10 (5) 6. Luke Gough 6 (4) 7. Luke Slade 4 (4)

Long way Lunchy? It's "just down the road" isn't it?

Sorry if you consider this as 'spam" BUT: WIN AN EXCLUSIVE TRIP TO THE 2005 BRITISH GRAND PRIX… For just £2 you can win a fabulous day out at this year's British Speedway Grand Prix The prize includes: Two tickets and overnight accommodation in Cardiff, however, more excitingly you will have the opportunity to meet with Greg Hancock during the day and see his preparations for the big event. 2nd prize: Signed Greg Hancock Race Top 3rd prize: Entry and meal for two to an Oxford meeting of your choice. To Buy Your Tickets: See one of the ticket sellers at Oxford Stadium on any race night OR you can purchase tickets via post, please send a stamp and your address, with a suitable cheque for the number of tickets you require (£2 each), payable to "SOS" to: Greg Hancock Raffle, 31 St Johns Rd, Grove, Wantage, Oxon OX12 7NP

I'll reserve judgement on the points scoring system at the moment I think. What I would say is that the eight round British Sidecar Championship are employing a system that might be considered fairer. The TOP FOUR in the heats progress to a final to determine the winner of each round in a one off race but in that final, they are awarded points as thus: 1st: 4. 2nd:3, 3rd: 2, 4th: 1. Those are added to points tallies in the heats. After Sunday's first round at Newport therefore, THREE of the field are level on 14 points each in the series standings.

Does the camera still work after taking my mugshot?

Was certainly good to see so many old 'uns like moi at Sittingbourne on Sunday including that veteran forum member Mr Hone Had a long chat with Ex-Crayford Kestrel Paul Woods who really would like to get hold of some old footage of his days at London Road. Apparently he's only got a few clips from one meeting at that, to use his own words, was "not one of my better meetings!" Anyone out there who can help?

Tomas Suchanek won the meeting with a 15 point max, Ales Dryml was second on 14 and Lukas Dryml defeated Lubos Tomicek (who fell) in a run off for third after both finished on 11. A full scorecharchart can be found on Marcin Babnis's excellent international site at: http://world.speedway.org/2005/cz/o/wc.sdf

WWTBP - could you please refrain from posting comments such as the above thus well and truly hacking off those such as myself sitting here with the central heating on full!

Hope the snags didn't get soggy on the barby after the meeting and that the rain didn't dilute the Bundy!

Congrats to Tony Mac, celebrating his 45th birhday today! Jeez - makes me feel old for I can remember when he was a whippersnapper!

Well you DO support WHUFC so we can forgive "brain meltdown" can't we?

Simple solution Paul - give up work!

Eagerly awaiting Sir Lunchalot's report on the SSRAV Club Championships - and his comments on the "guest" commentator! Courtesy of Craig Fordham, the results were: Results from SSRAV Club Championships held at Broadford Sat 26th Feb. Sidecar - 1st Steve Davies / Brendon Marshall 2nd Simon Hartley / Peter Taylor 3rd Jason Trewin / Scott Munro 4th Noel Gawne / Mark Armstrong Formula 250 Sidecars - 1st Andrew Timmerman / Chris Ponting (on count back 1 & 2) 2nd Craig Fordham / Danny Young 3rd Georgia Vipond / Emily Tucker (on count back 3 & 4) 4th Paul Hartley / Travis McKinnon Classic Sidecars - 1st Ken Walker / Marie Chapman 2nd Dave Cottrell / Peter Vipond 3rd Doug Cotterell / Peter Henley 4th Gus Seegar / Marie Seymour Junior Sidecars - 1st Beau Evans / Jake Anderson 2nd Vince Seegar / Danielle Carter 3rd Jordan Hartley / Kierra Fordham Junior Solo - 1st Jake Anderson 2nd Beau Evans 3rd Toby Proctor 4th Jackson Milne Solo - 1st Mark Jones 2nd Ashley Jones (on countback 2 - 4) 3rd Tyron Proctor 4th Cory Gathercole Classic Solo - 1st Daryl Spiden 2nd Steven Rose 3rd Damien Edgar Over 30 Solo - 1st Les Garside 2nd Wayne Morrison 3rd Daryl Spiden 4th Mark Parkes Australia's Only One stop for Speedway Information www.ausm.info

Interesting to see Big Arthur Browning featuring strongly on a programme dedicated to hill climbing on M&M earlier this evening...and winning the event of course!

OK matey, Leigh, can you arrange for red carpet please? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm sure the announcer (who's a good bloke! ) will comment suitably on your attendance!