Terry

When Tomasz first arrived on the scene he had a real aura about him. Everyone wondered who this mysterious Pole who never gave interviews or spoke any english was. His father 'Papa' Gollob used to run the whole show. I too thought he'd 'missed the boat' to be world champion, especially after being so far ahead with just a couple of rounds to go in 99. There's no denying he was a bit wild (to put it mildly) in his early career, but the way he turned it around and won the respect of the fans and his fellow riders was fantastic. As others have said some of the moves he made (particularly at Bydgoszcz) almost defied gravity. He's up there as my favourite Pole (along with Plechy of course!)

Never went to Belle Vue (wish I had) but went to Cradley once, again in 85. I went mad that year and ventured twice up north, both times making sure I'd taken my shots. It was an England v Denmark test, I remember Peter Ravn having a nasty crash, and Jan O (one of my favourite riders) being the match winner.

I went there once, they had a meeting after the Bradford world final in 85. I was surprised at the black shale and steep banking. It was good to see ex Hawk Sean Willmott (la la la la la) again, before he emigrated to Australia. I remember there being a pub right outside with a big picture of a speedway rider in the foreground and a smaller footballer in the background, which was nice!

Hopefully they'll hire the 'dream team' of Ermolenko and Havelock. Insightful analysis from former world champions, plus the viewer gets the chance to learn two new languages. Everyone's a winner!

Maybe not the best, but the ones who have entertained me the most down the years. Mark Loram Peter Collins Chris Morton Joe Screen Chris Harris Barry Thomas Andy Galvin Alan Mogridge Andy Smith Kelvin Mullarkey

Yeah, that was kind of the joke.

Blimey you're eager aren't you? Getting there a year early. (Hope you got a good seat.)

Best. Mark Loram becoming world champion. Hackney doing the double in 88. Having the privilege of watching Barry Thomas every Friday. Worst. Vic Harding being killed and Steve Weatherley getting badly injured. Paul Muchene being killed, (thankfully I wasn't there the night of Denny Pyeatt's fatal crash.) Hackney closing midway through the 91 season.

They were a little before my time Sidney. My first speedway memory is of a rider in yellow leathers winning practically every race. I'm sure it would have been Dag Lovaas in 74

Thommo, Plechy, Moggo and 'The Great Galvini' used to light up many a night at Waterden Road.

Not a Nicki fan but I respect him for not getting involved in this random number nonsense. Piotr Pawlicki-sponsored by 'Lucky Seven' casino.

Any likeable Brit, so I'd have someone to cheer for.

R.I.P Bryn, our fantastic sport will be the poorer without you.

Weirdly enough, I wouldn't rule out anyone finishing 15th with this line-up. April can't come quickly enough!

Jansson, Middleton, Lovaas, Morton, Petersen, Plech and Thomas. Up the 'Awks!

Cousins I think.

I myself am partial to battenberg, so too I believe is football ref Mark Clattenburg.

Tommy, Guy, Nicky, Adam=a lot of Allotts.

Amazing that White City held the WTC final three times and England weren't in any of them. We had some decent riders in those days as well!

When I saw the headline 'Rebels move up with Hancock,' I thought they'd made their first signing!

Who is this Mark Fiala? Karl's brother? Not forgetting 'Mr Rye House' Bobby Garrad.

Didn't Emil Sayfutdinov win an under 21 qualifier at Rye about 10 years ago? So he likes the track...One down, six to go!

Henka Gustafsson was leading the 'A' final in Sweden, followed by Gollob, Hamill and Hancock when Greg slid off. He stayed down and Billy won the re-run. The Yanks did Nielsen up like a kipper in the last round in Vojens. The way they manipulated the results to keep Nielsen in the 'B' final really had to be admired! Edit. lucifer sam beat me to it with a more thorough explanation of events!

RIP to the voice of speedway.

I've long admired Hancock's track craft, and there is no denying he's a speedway legend, but I'm not buying his excuse. He should've just held up his hands, admitted he let Holder through, accepted the exclusion and continued his gp. Riders have been doing 'favours' for their mates since speedway began, and will no doubt continue to do so, but withdrawing from the meeting has lost him respect from most supporters I would say.