Leicester Hunter

That's a tad harsh. He's not the whole answer, I agree - but he's certainly part of it.

KKS does have previous for posting on the Brummies forum, but making sense doesn't even come into the equation.

I know Newcastle fans have been moaning about Ludvig recently, and he is still our asset, but that really is one big leap of faith!

Thanks Em, nice to meet you too! Told you how it would turn out, didn't I? Seriously though, that was one heck of a performance by the Stars. I've never seen Kenny Bjerre as quick as that, NKI was pure class after his heat 1 defeat by Sqora and it didn't take young Mr Lambert long to weigh up the track either. Lewis Kerr probably won't have such a free scoring opportunity again this season, but it will have his confidence a world of good tonight. That Lewis Rose only had three rides and outscored almost half the Birmingham team just about summed everything up. Adam Skornicki and Daniel Nermark aside, I think less said about the Brummies tonight the better. Glad you enjoyed tonight, hope your trip to Leicester tomorrow is just as enjoyable!

Yes, that's right. It was a Midland Cup match at Swindon, 21 August 1976 Swindon 42 (Martin Ashby 10 Bob Kilby 10) Wolverhampton 36 (Finn Thomsen 20) Same night as Henny Kroeze scored his 21 point max against Birmingham. When Swindon returned to Monmore Green for a Gulf British League match on 3 September, the Robins operated R/R for Bob Kilby and Martin Ashby scored 21 points from eight rides. Woverhampton 41 (Finn Thomsen 13) Swindon 37 (Martin Ashby 21)

Yep, that's been my thought since I heard Charles Phillips was being interviewed for the post of co-promoter a short time ago....

That just goes to show you learn something every day. I only knew of Doug Serrurier as a racing driver/constructor. He built many LDS 'formula' cars powered by various capacity power plants, the last one being fitted with an Australian Repco V8 engine, the type as used by Jack Brabham. Sam Tingle DNFed it at the 1968 South African GP. He was also famous for racing large capacity Lola-Chevrolet sports cars and a Formula 5000 Lola in South African Formula 1. Painted in red and white stripes, the cars were sponsored by Walls Ice Cream. The sports cars had the catchphrase 'Stop me and buy one' emblazoned in large letters across the rear spoiler. Happy days!

Yes, without a doubt a real toughie in prospect, but winnable (I hope). Our old friend Mr Rider Replacement will be used for BB I would think, as the only teams realistically we can chose a guest from are Berwick, Rye House and Workington (but not messrs Grajczonek and Lawson). Weather forecast looks good, hopefully a good crowd will turn out. See you there!

Gordon Kennett scored 639 points plus 17 bonus for White City in 52 matches in 1977, which I believe is a record for the old 13 heat format. The Rebels were a six man outfit for most of that season. BTW, does anyone know if Dag Lovaas actually received his championship medal?

They did TWK and I'm sure it was sometime during the 1977 season. I've searched through my yearbook and can't find it! I also seem to remember that their sister Ann had a match race or two with Steve Bastable's sister, as the picture of all five of the Collins' appeared in the Speedway Star. As soon as I locate the where and when, I'll let you know....

Oh dear. Don't give up the day job will you? Too late, you already have. Still, at least you were there to witness the match, weren't you? Looks like you Cycled there too. I await with interest the number of excuses you come up with after this one.

You could be right. On this showing, I would say it will be all over by the end of June, if not sooner.

Hell will have been frozen for over a million years before that happens. Absolutely spot on.

Mate, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. You obviously were too accurate in your post, and it seems some people didn't like it as it was too close to home. As a matter of relevance to the thread, I notice there is a post which makes veiled attacks at both Birmingham and Poole Speedway's and is still there. Light having been shed on reasons why certain other posts were pulled, why is that one still here?

As far newspaper coverage goes, they probably won't get that. BBC West Midlands were at Wolverhampton last week and will almost certainly be at Perry Barr tonight. Doubt whether Central TV will bother.

Yes, seems like there's only you and me being realistic enough to admit this on here. It's only half time with advantage to Birmingham. We simply cannot afford any complacency. It's not over by a long way, yet.

I remember the Gulf Oil British League, it was a five year deal from the beginning of '75 to the end of '79. For a few years before that they had been big sponsors of McLaren in F1, IndyCars and CanAm racing as well as being the main money behind the John Wyer Engineering organisation who raced various Fords, Porsches and their own Mirage-Cosworth in Endurance events. Their only other venture in motorcycling was with the John Player Norton team, which ended, I believe at the end of 1974. Their CEO in America was one Grady Davis, who was a complete motor sport fanatic, whose main love was the sport itself. The fact that the sport advertised his oil company was just a happy coincidence, so I have read. The big question is, would other oil giants like BP, Shell, Esso or Texaco be interested? Has anyone approached them? I also remember the French nationalised oil company ELF being reasonable sponsors of mainly Leicester riders about 30/35 years ago, but I think they have now been absorbed into the Total company. They still have motorsport connections as fuel supplier to Red Bull Racing, so another avenue to pursue? If it's been done before, why not again. After all, if you don't ask, you don't get.

Affirmative! For their chances of further progression to the final, anyway.

Spot on. Made my first visit to Monmore in years and really enjoyed it. Great atmosphere, too.

BWitcher makes a very good point about Woffy's absence. I said as much before the match on Monday, and as it unfolded. Another factor was the inclusion of a certain Mr Andrew Tully in the Birmingham team, who on that performance has probably been our best guest this season. Any bike problems for both Nico and Smoli were cancelled out by Proctor's absence IMO. However, Miskowiak in particular, and to an extent Klindt were shocking for the Wolves. The amount of points dropped by both of those riders in the end could prove fatal. That said however, it's only half time, advantage Birmingham. We've got to stay focused and finish the job at Perry Barr on Monday. Supporters of both clubs, get down to Perry Barr on Monday to cheer your team on. I reckon it'll be another cracker of a match.

Maybe, maybe not. Let's not forget we are in a sudden death scenario and anything can happen. Wolves go very well at Perry Barr, and could win there next Monday regardless of any result tonight.

No, TBH, that's not enough. If the team goes with that attitude (and I don't think Wizzer will allow it anyway), we'll get well beaten. The attitude is we're going to win every heat and bring an advantage back to Perry Barr next Monday.

Thanks, mate. I'm actually making the trip to Monmore tonight, first time in many years. I'm going to get there quite early, as it should be a whopper of a crowd tonight. Should be a good atmosphere, too. Usually is when the Brummies and Wolves meet.

That's a fair point, PQ7, it was actually advertised at Wolverhampton last week before the end of the matches at Birmingham and Swindon that the Brummies would be at Monmore Green tonight. Not only good business sense from all four clubs concerned, but Swindon obviously won't have picked the Pirates if they thought they were going to lose. As you say, best of luck to all teams involved tonight, may the best teams win, whoever they are.

Totally agree. OK, we had the 'Smolinski effect' early on, which is still there to some extent, but for me, Jason Doyle has been signing of the season for us. Let's not forget he's been on the winning side the last two years and is really going to want to make it a hat trick. Sure, we've been written off as 'No1-less wonders' many times this year, but then there's always been that 'Yes, but what if....' factor about the Brummies all season.