The White Knight

There were flaws in the old one off World Final Qualication yes - BUT - as I have said many times at least anyone COULD and sometimes DID qualify. Currently there is a debate as to who to 'award' a place to in the Speedway GPs. Are you seriously arguing that this is a FAIR and morally JUST way of organising a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. Speedway currently has a credibility problem with the British Public at large. One of the reasons for this is the pathetic way that the current GP System is run. If you are one of the select few, you are fine - just look at Chris Harris as proof of this. I have nothing against Harris - but - his place in the GPs next Season looks very dodgy to me. I am a regular Speedway Supporter - how will this look to an outsider? At a time when Speedway support is dwindling - it is things like this (and there are others things too) that need addressing. We British are renowned for our sense of 'Fair Play'. Perhaps if we can get back to that - things may begin to improve.

..........AND limited PARTICIPATION.

I loved the 'EAGLE' and am a Member of the 'Eagle Society' to this day. Dan Dare, Luck of the Legion, PC49, Harris Tweed, Storm Nelson and Tommy Walls. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!! PS. I'm 66 years of age and these are STILL great memories.

Thanks for the warning SCB.

Does that include Breakfast??

I TOTALLY agree with you Bryn.

My sentiments EXACTLY.

Where would you put Freddie Williams then? Genuine question.

Jack Millen and Frank Auffret for me.

I have the Full Set of VSM too. I would not part with them. I also have all the Classic Speedway and BackTrack Magazines as well. I would not part with those either. My son will inherit them along with everything else - so what HE does with them then is up to him. I just enjoy reading them all - sometimes two or three times.

I can't wait for this Issue Tony. Graeme Smith is a great friend of mine - I am looking forward to seeing what he has to say. (He was a Sunderland 'Stars' Rider back in the Seventies).

Oh Heck - this makes me feel 'OLD'.

OUCH!!!!

Come on Chaps. Speedway is a Sport for our enjoyment - not for us to keep sniping at each other. Perhaps the two of you, BOTH of whom I respect, could perhaps agree to differ and move on. It grieves me to see two obviously keen and enthusiastic lovers of our Sport having a go at each other.

I am sure - actually - HE WAS.

I must admit to having a change of mind. After viewing the various Postings on here I am now not as convinced as I was regarding this issue. Johnnie Hoskins is still, to my mind a GIANT of the Sport and largely, with Mr. Hunting, responsible for the DEVELOPMENT and PROMOTING of the Sport from it's early beginnings. I have, because of weighing up the EVIDENCE on here and doing a little research of my own, got to now admit to the fact that there were people 'sliding' moterbikes BEFORE the Maitland Meeting that is widely regarded as the first ever Speedway Meeting. This does not lessen the special place that Johnnie Hoskins has within our Sport. He was clever enough to see the possibilities, he had the vision. I still believe that we have Johnnie Hoskins to thank for the way Speedway is today - BUT - crucially and sadly I have to admit I no longer think that Maitland was the first ever Speedway type Meeting. The highlighted part of your Post Norman - I wish I could use the Avatar of my Teams - Sunderland 'Stars' and Sunderland 'Saints'. Sadly, for me anyway, it seems that Sunderland is a step too far for the Avatar Section. I know I have mentioned this before - BUT - it WAS a long time ago and I apologise to those who are fed up with me going on about it. But I AM trying to keep the name of Sunderland Speedway alive in the Speedway World. Ian.

I basically agree with you I suppose Tony. I do - however - think it is a National disgrace that there IS no Speedway in our Capital City. Very sad indeed. :sad:

Speedway Riders are judged on Results. Carter was a good Rider - but - he did not reach the heights of the other Riders I mentioned. He WAS certainly brave - I am not questioning that. The fact is though that he never really realized his FULL potential. Sad - but - True!!

Good to see some folk coming up with some excellent ideas. Personally - I like the 'Stigg'. I'm sure that with a little thought and maybe, as has already been said, with more than one Stigg throught the Country, it COULD be made to work. The Rider wouldn't really need to be 'unknown' that wouldn't be an issue for me. I'm sure that, if this were put in to practice, advertised and the Stigg Rode Match Races against the top four Scorers in the Meeting, it would bring more people in to our emptying Stadia. :approve:

Hi Matt Thanks a lot my friend. Please let me know as soon as it is ready and I will have a Cheque in the Post by return. Ian

Thanks for your reply Tony. Perhaps I should have put - can you please let me know when it is due out? Sorry. Ian

Could anyone advise the release Date of the CD's covering Riders from the 1960's please? I already have the 1940's and the 1950's and they really are EXCELLENT, a must for those of us from the 'Good Old Days'. I do hope that the 1960's will be produced soon. Cheers Ian

Looking forward to this Issue. Any idea when it is coming out Tony. :)

Very difficult this. Personally - I can't separate them. They were BOTH superb Riders. White Knight sits on fence.

I reckon both Malcolm Simmons, Dave Jessup and Les Collins were ahead of him too.