Split

Reg was in the first race I ever saw, in September 1960 so a little later than you. I looked it up and he fell in that race riding with Split Waterman against Ronne Moore and Jim Tebby of Wimbledon. Of course he went on to ride for Wimbledon along with another member of the New Cross team that day, Leo McAuliffe.

Sorry, never heard of one of them.

Chris Julian (far left) rode for Plymouth back in the 60's together with his namesake Chris Blewett (third from right). They were both West Country lads although Blewett was born in Canada. They were known as fierce rivals but apparently it was all show and behind the scenes they were good mates.

I saw him regularly, riding as a reliable second string for the 1963 New Cross Provincial League team. I loved his armchair style.

I think Bjorn Knutson is still with us but missing on the list (born 27 April 1938).

I also remember seeing a rider named Vladimir Sokolov top scoring for the Soviet Union in a test match against Great Britain at Wimbledon in the mid 60's, outscoring his more famous teammates.

I think my previous post on the short stay thread actually belongs here: He remained in Britain until 1971, riding for Wembley Lions so it was certainly not a "short stay" for Sverre Harrfeldt. But I thought I would mention that I saw the Norwegian make his debut for Wimbledon in 1963. I recall he rode an introductory lap around the track carrying a Norwegian flag before the meeting. He moved on to West Ham and I believe Olle Nygren went in the opposite direction in a swap deal. At West Ham he was undoubtedly a world class performer recording two ten plus average seasons and finishing runner-up to Barry Briggs in the 1966 world final.

He remained in Britain until 1971, riding for Wembley Lions so it was certainly not a "short stay" for Sverre Harrfeldt. But I thought I would mention that I saw the Norwegian make his debut for Wimbledon in 1963. I recall he rode an introductory lap around the track carrying a Norwegian flag before the meeting. He moved on to West Ham and I believe Olle Nygren went in the opposite direction in a swap deal. At West Ham he was undoubtedly a world class performer recording two ten plus average seasons and finishing runner-up to Barry Briggs in the 1966 world final.

Reg rode in the first race I ever saw which was at New Cross back in 1960. He fell which is no surprise on that rainy night. He was a second string to captain Split Waterman in that New Cross team but went on to attain heat leader status at Wimbledon and rode in the 1965 World final.

I once got a birthday card from the family with Les McGillivray's picture on the front. He had a very distinctive riding style and I recognised him straight away.

Sad to see another world finalist is no longer with us. Condolences to the family. I remember watching Ian load his bike after a meeting and thinking that his handlebars were the widest I had ever seen on a speedway bike.

Eight for me too which is no surprise as I know we started watching speedway at about the same time. I would have nine if I had attended the 1960 world final as I could add Hofmeister to the list.

Born in Tasmania. So, can anybody tell us why he became a naturalised New Zealander?

When I went to school it was called 'rounders' and only played by girls.

I believe that Hans Wasserman, a German rider who appeared for Reading back in the 70's was nicknamed Split, Wassermann being the German translation of Waterman.