TwoMinuteWarning

I agree, Greg. It would be a boost for the sport in Croatia too. Jurica's father, Zvonko, has built the country's 2nd speedway track at Gorican, it opens soon. Pic of Jurica here

OK Jesper, full details are on the Slovenian Forum here

The first match of this series, at Lendava in Slovenia on Sunday, resulted in a surprise win for minnows Croatia. Their star was 16-year old Jurica Pavlic (son of a former Yugoslavian Champion), who really looks to be a massive talent. Have any UK clubs spoken to him yet? Croatia 37 (Jurica Pavlic 17, Zeljko Feher 12) Slovenia I 31 (Jernej Kolenko 14, Ales Kraljic 13) Slovenia II 30 (Izak Santej 17, Denis Stojs 12) Austria I 14 Austria II 5 The second of the scheduled 5 round series is at Ljubljana on May 15.

Yes, details are here Relive those good old days...

Yes, there was. But it wasn't in April. All that recent publicity was premature, a case of the newspapers not letting the facts get in the way of a good story (as usual!) The Heysel Stadium disaster was on May 29 1985. On that night, Dons beat Milton Keynes 47-31 at Plough Lane. I was there as well. Nothing wrong with your memory!

For anyone with an interest in the very early days of Dirt Track Racing, can I recommend some well-written and excellently researched articles by Ross Garrigan. Plus, the best biography of Billy Sanders. And it's all here

Falcace, the 1973 Daily Mirror Final, including the controversial run-off between Collins and Michanek (I've watched it 20 times, still don't know whose fault it was!) was one of several ITV World of Sport productions made available on video by Tony Jackson in the 90's - I believe he bought the rights to these programmes(?) Whether they are still available from him I don't know - I bought mine on eBay.

That's excellent! Thanks Moxey63, much appreciated.

Brilliant! Many thanks for all your efforts, much appreciated.

Yes indeed! Interesting web site, that. Thanks

I agree, Tom, but this applies to many old riders. Just sit them down, and record them chatting about their career, I can't understand why it isn't done more often.

Thanks norbold!

Thanks, CHK and norbold. I don't have the Pre-War years book (yet!) Anybody have a date of birth for Jack?

Someone compiling a website for a Durham village has contacted me asking for information about a former resident of the village, Jack Ormston. I know that he rode for Wembley 1930-32, Harringay 1935-38 approx, was in the first Test match, won the first London Riders' Championship, 13 Test appearances. Could anyone fill in some of the gaps? Thanks

The report I have of their opening meeting on 7 April 1964 aginst Wimbledon (Challenge) says the crowd was 12,000 Other reported crowds were 14 April 12,000 v Swindon (Easter Cup) 21 April 12,000 v Norwich (Easter Cup) 28 April 10,000 v Coventry (Britannia Shield) 5 May 12,000 v Belle Vue (Britannia Shield) 19 May 10,000 v Wimbledon (Britannia Shield) But newspaper crowd figures for speedway are VERY unreliable!

I think Wal was born in Birmingham?

Thanks, but I think it would be on the headstone if he knew?

A newspaper clipping here about Wal I notice it dosen't include his birth date - any ideas anyone?

Biggest reported crowd was at Prague for an International 4TT in 1959, and again in 1961. The crowd was said to be capacity - 200,000. Ove Fundin was riding for Sweden in the 1961 meeting, and I seem to remember that he was later reported in Speedway Star as saying that he reckoned there was "only" 150,000 there, as he could see quite a few gaps!

Reported on the Wimbledon discussion list by Bob Andrews jnr. that Andrew Bargh won yesterday's North Island Championship at Rosebank, Auckland. 2nd was Dean Wallace, 3rd Jason Bunyan, and 4th was Andrew's uncle David - who I reckon is 42 now. Meeting was apparently run under the GP format.

Was that before he started doing speedway race commentaries for Sky TV?

Yes please, Al internationalspeedway@yahoo.co.uk Thanks

I'm trying to find a rostrum pic of the first World Pairs Championship, which was held at Kempten, West Germany in 1968, and was won by Sweden (Ove Fundin & Toby Harrysson). There wasn't one in Speedway Star, the 1969 BSPA Handbook, or the Swedish book Kolstybb och metanol. Can anyone help? It's for a lady in New Zealand, and would complete her records of this competition.

Why not? These kids could be the future and everyone should try and support them as much as possible. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well, me too, but different people have different attitudes. I know someone who goes to the GPs - but rarely domestic racing. He says he ONLY wants to see the best riders, racing at their best - and that rarely happens in the Elite League because riders are trying out engines, conserving their energy for GPs etc. Personally, I'll go to watch any level of speedway - anywhere, any time!

I think the idea is that the league runs on Saturdays and Sundays, plus during the school holidays. Keep this in perspective - we aren't talking about a 20 team league here! Haven't seen any numbers quoted, but I'd be surprised if it was more than 5 or 6 in the first season.