olddon

Jim Blanchard's Post is noted. I dare not say more in case I get a ban! JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

I owe Michael # Name Removed # an apology. He has drawn my attention to his initial Post on this thread. I now see that the website will be designed for other amateur leagues besides the AJL. I was completely mistaken, and so apparently were other posters on this subject. For my part, I now wish Michael well in his project and look forward to frequently visiting his website. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

I agree that there is a need for a place where the AJL can be followed, as is the case with similar competitions. Michael # Name Removed # though said that his website would be dedicated to the AJl, and I have no doubt that it will be. However, the actual website title does not point up the fact that it is solely for the AJL. Rather it implies the site is for amateur speedway in its broadest sense, i.e to cover other activities besides the AJL. All success to the website but it needs a title specifically designating it as being just AJL. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Well that's explicit enough in reply to posters who don't toe your line. I hope you do look in again, several things need a mention. Why is it the website called amateurspeedway.co.uk when it's just for the Anglia Junior League. Or are you now going nationwide with it and taking on board the other novice rider competitions? And, as it is amateur speedway, is there also a wish to cover the various veteran rider events? One other point, for more than an hour, at various times, I have tried to get on the link you gave. Various servers tell me that the page is not valid and cannot be found. Pass the hot cross buns again Parsloes! JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

We are now nine hours into the start of Easter and waiting for the appearance of this website! How much longer are we to be kept on tenterhooks in regard to it? JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

I agree with this. No matter how much Ross Garrigan, Norman Jacobs, Cyclone and others in the clan attempt on the BSF to decry the evidence provided in support of Johnnie Hoskins and the start of speedway at Maitland in December 1923, support for that theory is always provided in a convincing way. The South African website without doubt is a fine new source of reference in regard to Maitland in December 1923, and also on how Johnnie Hoskins was at the forefront when REAL speedway - not the High Beech shambles in the February - was brought to England in 1928. It will take more time, perseverance and research on the part of the pro-Hoskins group to finally prove their point. But recent information and supportive writings show that the Johnnie Hoskins at Maitland in December 1923 cause is now winning the recognition that it deserves. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Bated breath and baited breath. Obviously the former 'bated' would be correct, but it's a debaitable (joke!) or accepted as a debatable topic. Parsloes will enjoy this link http://www.dailywritingtips.com/waiting-with-bated-breath/ JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

I endorse your comments. I am waiting with "baited breath" as they say to see what turns up website-wise based on what we have so far seen as AJL threads on here. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

For those who have not yet - are there any ? - read the comments about Johnnie Hoskins on the South African site which I linked. here's an edited clip of it: "Johnny S. Hoskins The history of speedway began in Australia, when the godfather of the sport, Johnny S. Hoskins, organised the first motorcycle races on a dirt oval track at West Maitland, near Sydney, in December 1923. This event has generally been accepted as the very first speedway meeting, even though it’s a proven fact, that the Americans had pioneered motorcycle races on oval tracks as early as in 1902." JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

I feel certain that Bill Buckley's programme notes were vetted by the GP organisers? Hence the references to Johnnie Hoskins would have been cleared to be printed. I would even think - purely supposition - that they also provided him with background info for his notes? JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

As we were saying....scroll down this page and read all about dear old Johnnie Hoskins...and read what it says about Maitland in December 1923. http://www.speedway-...Years%201-5.pdf JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Do I detect a touch of censorship here? I think my comments were reasonable. Obviously they are not. I am sorry to have offended. All I want is to try and establish why there should be a website for a very junior speedway competition. I don't think that's unreasonable. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Why are you setting up a website when all you need is a running thread as the Midland Development League have done on here? Who is going to pay the costs of the website? JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Here's an interview with Jason Bunyan. Any views on his comments? http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/news/video.cfm?c_id=9&gal_objectid=10794752&gallery_id=124772 JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Your website start deadline looks like being missed? And when are you going to get the word AMATEUR to replace Amutuer? JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/racing/news/article.cfm?c_id=53&objectid=10795484 A New Zealand press comment on the GP. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

I fully agree with Iris123 and Ross. The comments from the Guiness Book of Records 1986 are ridiculous. I wonder if it was ever corrected in future yearly editions? I am unsure how to find out but it must have been disputed. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Thanks for the reply invitation Ross but further comments by Parsloes 1928 Nearly are very much akin to my own views on this subject that there's little further I can add at this point in time. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Ross: you are correct in what you say. Even I know that Johnnie Hoskins didn't introduce speedway to England in 1928. And, yes, things need to be debated and all sides heard. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

This is not solos but the midget cars at the final 2011-12 meeting of their season at Western Springs season. It shows how fast the racing circuit is. When the adaptation for speedway is finished, those at the GP should have some good spectacular racing to enjoy. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

That is a new view on how Johnnie Hoskins became recognised as the founding father of speedway as we know it after his 1923 venture at Maitland. The trend, as I see your comment, is that what he did in December that year was so inspirational that it was the benchmark for the sport's future? Or do I misunderstand what you are getting at? JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Elsewhere on another discussion group I have read a rather odd Post. It says that Johnnie Hoskins wrote some programmes notes in which he denied that he started speedway in the UK in 1928. I wonder why this matter was brought into the public domain because I don't think anyone has ever claimed that Johnnie started British speedway in 1928? As they say "yer pays yer money and yer takes yer choice!" JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Edited in the quote are two important comments from the 'Speedway Star' article. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

This looks like a 2-1 lead for Johnnie Hoskins supporters at the moment! JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT

Speedway Star, page 25, March 17, 2012 - JOHNNIE HOSKINS, MBE The father of speedway racing - or at least that's what history decrees, although there is some question as to whether he really did run the first-ever dirt-track meeting in the world. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT