Bryn

In my dim and distant youth, I took part in a Crayford Supporters v Rye House footie match. Brian Foote played for the Rockets and came onto the field wearing hobnail boots. Needless to say most on our side were rather reluctant to tackle him!

Talking of Hackney (rather than "that lot" from SW19!) one of my abiding 'off track' memories of Waterden Road - apart from dear old Snowy's bacon sarneys in the Vic Harding lounge after meetings, was catching up with Mike Gerrie each week. Now I know his son Alisdair used to be a member of this forum (not sure if he still is) but I'm sure he won't mind me telling you a bit about his dad. It makes me laugh when i read all the whinges and moans on forums such as these for, I'd say to people who post regularly in such a way, put yourself in Mike's place. He is one of the most avid speedway supporters I've ever come across - and he's NEVER seen any of the countless meetings he's attended! He explained to me that, as a very small baby, soome sort of disease made him go totally blind. That didn't stop him thoroughly enjoying the sport, and being very knowledgeable about it too. Great sense of humour with it - once asked me to ask the female serving behind the Burger King counter at a motorway services if she fancied a blind date! Hope he's still going strong.

One of my abiding memories of matches at Canterbury was the near-suicidal dash from Kingsmead to the Kempton Manor Hotel near Hothfield my ex-missus and I used to make after meetings. To explain, I was the DJ at the hotel which was situated on the A20 at Hothfield near Ashford and 'performed' there every Saturday night. That was after the paying punters enjoyed a carvery meal in the restaurant. I'd managed to work out that we just about had time to see the match at Kingsmead before making the dash to the hotel to arrive more or less at the time everyone had finished their meals. We used to park our trusty Morris Oxford in the swimming pool car park opposite the stadium and literally run to it immediately after the last race for a "Le Mans type" getaway! Now my ex-wife always had aspirations of following in the footsteps of various Grand Prix drivers and, believe me the way she drove along the Canterbury to Charing Road (which was not the best I've got to say!) certainly wasn't for the faint hearted! Nor were my efforts to execute a complete change of clothing in the front seat of the car whilst she slung the old Morris Oxford around the many bends at breakneck speeds! Happy days indeed!

Good to hear about Tony - not surprised that he works in a potato factory for on one northern tour for the Kestrels, when we arrived at Craighead Park (one of Glasgow's former homes) his first words to Jim Beaton Snr who was grading the track was, "when's the potatoes coming up then boy." !!! Mr Beaton was NOT impressed! LOL Once acted as mechanic (er I use that phrase VERY loosely!) for Mike Spinks (not to be confused with Canterbury / Peterborough's Mike Spink) at Canterbury and he scored a 15 points max! Met up with Paul Bosley and his brother Steve at Eastbourne last night - Paul is in the car spraying business.

Just goes to show that this lack of sleep lark plays havoc with my memory (or is it Alzheimers setting in???) - yep I'll be at Wimborne Road!

Thanks for the nice comments (cheque's in the post!) and yes I did 'cover' for John, who of couse is sadly no longer with us, on quite a few occasions. As for writing a book...one day perhaps BUT goodness only knows when I'd be able to find the time...looks like Oxford tomorrow, Easbourne Saturday, Sittingbourne Sunday, Wolves Monday, IOW Tuesday, Arena Wednesday....

Can help you on some of these: 1. Last time I saw Laurie was at Arena a couple of seasons back - he and wife Dee still live in Pulborough in Sussex where I believe Laurie works as a plumber. 2. Pete Wigley - "slightly" over his racing weight last time I saw him at an IOW match last year (he and wife Chris visit Smallbrook every year). Tells me he has now got a supervisors job wiith the GPO or whatever it's called nowadays. 3. Saw Alan Sage at Arena last year - hasn't changed a bit...stil lives in Ashford. 4. Tony's somewhere in Norfol! 5. Met Alan Johns (briefly!) at Barnehurst (Kent) railway station last year - like Sagey, hasn't changed one bit! 6. Beliieve Richard Davey (like "Feathers") lives in Norfolk still. 7. Johnny H - last I heard, was running a driving school in Kent Can't help on Geoff Canble, Jack Bibby or Paul Hollingsbee. Garry May lives and works in Poole and regularly attends matches at Wimborne Road And finally, Nigel Sparshott was tragically killed in a road accident a few years ago. Hope that helps Bryn

My day, like most others, was brilliant and what a great meeting it was. Knackered though now - got back here to Kent at 4.30am...2 hours kip....am compiling programmes right now...off to Boston (King's Lynn) in 3 hours, the Eastbourne tomorrow, IOW Tuesday, Arena Wednesday....MIGHT have day off Thursday (!)...Oxford Friday.....

Your memory serves you correctly once again VV!!! And dear old Peter Thorogood was none too pleased when I called a halt to the meeting midway through due to that wet stuff falling down in buckets!

No you didn't dream it VV - that's exactly what happened....I would have waved the chequered flag "Paul Johnson" style (remember him?) but I was scared of splitting my trousers!

Blimey - SKID!!!! How ya doing? Me? Smoke??? Er...yep! LOL Sunny yourself in the Phillipines huh? Alright for some! Anyway you'll be pleased to know that dear old Snowy's still around and a regular at Arena Essex although he doesn't get to many away tracks now. He had a stroke a few years back but he's still with us. Wonder what Terry Heath's doing now?

Nope...haven't forgotten you Robyn - as if anyone could! Ah....Snowy's bacon sarnies...can still taste 'em now...or is that indigestion?

Ouch! He always did have a "way with words" lol! You must have known his Dad too then I guess? I'm sure Shazzy new Andy's dad Chris as I did. Smashing guy and went on many an away trip with him. One notable occasion he turned up for a northern tour in his Rolls Royce despite me telling him to bring his other car - and Opel! Somewhat embarrasing moments - 1. We ran out of fuel on the A19 near Middlesbrough and 2. Got a puncture in the sheffield car park! Life didn't treat Chris that kindly in his latter years and he was not in the best of health. He lived in rented accommodation near to where I and the ex were and often came round for dinner. Sadly he had a massive stroke one night, was rushed to hospital and subsequently died.

Marty (alias Mark Martin) and son Sam arrive Heathrow tea time Wedneday and, all being well, will go straight to Arena to meet myself and Mark Loram...will then spend couple of ddays or so with Mark and, once sorted, have arranged digs for him in Oxford where Sam will be given every opportunity

Courtesy of Jane Collier: SSRAV CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS AT BROADFORD On a perfect autumn a good sized crowed witnesses some excellent racing at the SSRAV Club Championships, held at Motorcycling Victoria’s state motorcycle complex, Broadford on Saturday March 27, 2004. It was a busy day for everyone with fifty eight events on the programme, competitors and officials had an early start, with racing starting at 11am. The solo class attracted a field of thirteen solos, riders included Ashley Jones, his younger brother Mark, and Matt Jones (no relation to Ashley and Mark), Cory Gathercole, Chris Ferguson, and young gun Tyron Proctor. With a field of this class the championship was wide open and the promise was there for some fantastic racing. Heat six saw brother against brother with the Jones brothers (Ashley & Mark) and the Dore brothers (Corey & Sam), going head to head. Mark made the best of the start and recorded and all the way win, try as he might Ashley was unable to pass Mark, and had to settle with second, Corey was third and Sam fourth. Chris Ferguson was the only rider to lead Mark Jones on the day. In heat twelve Chris got the better of the start and was leading when another rider fell and the race had to be red lighted. In the restart Mark got the best of the start and went on to record the win, with Chris a close second. Mark Jones claimed the championships with a perfect 12 point score line (Mark was riding Ashley’s spare bike), Ashley was second with 11 points, Matt Jones was third with 10 points fourth was Corey Gathercole with 9 points. The classic solo class was won by former international rider Danny Young. Danny and fierce rival Mick Evans were having a good dice for the lead in their third heat of the day, when while in the lead Mick’s bike ceased. The over 30 solo class attracted a field of twelve riders, and produced some fantastic racing that had the crowd on their feet on numerous occasions. Mick Evans won the championship from John Morgan second, Mayne Morrison was third and Wayne Dawson was fourth. Malcolm German/Nathan Chisholm put in some impressive rides to win the Sidecar class ahead of Steve Davies/Brendon Marshall (2nd), Mark Radford/Matt Putkunz was third and Rory McEnroe/Tony Kavetani was fourth. An accident in the first Classic sidecar heat saw the race meeting held up for ¾ of an hour while the other couple of competitors were treated on the track and taken away by ambulance. It happened when on the exit to corner two Gus Seegar/Peter Scott were in second place an clipped the out side fence, spitting them off the machine, the following bike was able to get passed but then the Seegar/Scott bike bounced back onto the track and the Peter Spiden/Jim Carter machine had no where to go and collected the bike. Both were thrown from the machine. Seegar and Scott walked away from the accident with some bruising. Peter Spiden received a broken wrist and Jim Carter who was knocked unconscious was transported to hospital for observation. Results from other classed were: Classic Solo 1st Danny Young 2nd Daryl Spiden 3rd Mick Evans 4th Bret Jenkinson Junior Solos 1st: Josh Munro 2nd Jake Anderson 3rd James Godden 4th Beau Evans Junior Sidecars 1st Josh Munro/Jake Booth 2nd Jordan Hartley/Keira Fordham Formula 250 Sidecars 1st Ronny Roberts/Lyn Hartley 2nd Andrew Timmerman/Chris Pontin 3rd Craig Carter/Jason Carter 4th Paul Hartley/Kim Rezmann Classic Sidecars 1st David Cottrell/Marie Chapman 2nd Jason Carter/Michael Moremile 3rd Alan Bush/Stephen Bush 4th Peter Spiden/Jim Carter At the finish of racing the SSRAV put on a BBQ for competitors and spectators alike. It is a great chance for everyone to mingle and have a good chat. From all the comments I heard it seems like everyone had a good day and is looking forward to the clubs next race day in a couple of weeks.

Tut! Tut! Andy! Tis only 'up the road" isn't it??? Would have thought you and Mark could have jogged there!

Wondering what Lunchy has been getting up to in Shepparton thus preventing him bringing us a meeting report thus far?

I think you'll find that Trent is Steve's nephew, not his son.

Thanks for the update Lunchy...only wish I had been there too as I can't stand this flipping cold weather! Spoke to Matt earlier today and gave him a ticking off for dropping it...he couldn't work out how I knew! LOL Says he'll make up for it at the club championship meeting. MUSt find somewhere over here that sells cans of Bundy - only got one bottle left!

Did you see me? I was the one with the can of Bundy & coke in my hand!

I'm surprised that no Monarchist has mentioned Darren Winkler on this thread!

Phew! Rain in Oz??? Glad I'm back in Blighty then where I'm basking in a temperature of 30degs celcius - wll that's what the central heating is set at!

Anyone got details from last night's meeting?

Good to hear Joe is still riding bikes! He developed into something of a "living legend" during his spell at Crayford.

I'll let "Lunchy" post a full report later cos I've gotta start packing for my return to the UK tomorrow and goodness only knows how I'm gonna cram everything into my suitcase! Anyway just to let you know that, on a blistering hot day it was teenager Mark Jones who set things alight to win the solo section of the SSRAV's latest club meeting at Broadford He dropped just one point in his four rides, losing out to the Cory Gathercole oin his first race. Gathercole claimed the runners-up spot overall by virtue of the greater number of heat wins (two) from Mark's elder brother Ashley. A full day's racing featuring several classes, both of the solo and sidecar variety, with former Scunthorp Stag Danny Young unbeaten in the "Classic Solos" at the tender age of 51. A most welcome sight too (and sound come to that!) for all present was the appearance of some vintage sidecars including two Vincents - bringing back fond memories of the days before the dreaded "noise police" came into operation! Ah well, that's it for this trip "down Under" - once again I've enjoyed some fabulous hospitality, met some wonderful people and witnessed some great racing....er and sunk a few tinnies! Thanks guys...see you later in the year (hopefully!)