TwoMinuteWarning

Yes, Jeff, Im going with TP. Do you know if there is there any ice hockey in Pardubice on Friday night? Brian Collins

Well, yes ... but with crowds several times what they are now at many tracks! In 1964 - 7.000 at Exeter....7.000 at Wimbledon ... 12,000 at West Ham .... 6,000 at Oxford ... 8,000 at Glasgow White City ... 6,000 at Middlesbrough ...

Thanks, moxey63. If you - or anyone - has any information for the site, please get in contact. Much appreciated.

Many thanks to everyone for the information

My favourites are the romantically named Bulgarian Rudolf Valentinov, and the Austrian Kurt Schwingenschlogl (try saying THAT after a few pints)

Talking to friends at Wimbledon this week about what a fine rider he was, but no one could remember when he died, can anyone help? And was it his wife who killed him? Thanks

OK, thanks. Bruce is apparently alive and well and living in Yorkshire!

Yes, norbold, 2 . As I said in my previous post, Vic got 2 bonus points. Those details are courtesy of Peter Jackson's excellent series of books, "Speedway Archives", covering the post war National League Division One.

Cinderman, Vic Duggan scored 275 points + 2 bonus in those 96 rides for a CMA of 11.54. An amazing record, BUT one that was beaten by none other than Ivan Mauger. In 1969 for Belle Vue, he scored 456 points plus 5 bonus in 158 rides for a CMA of 11.67, so he dropped just 13 points all season.

Someone has contacted me after seeing the name of his father, Bruce Ovenden, on my website. He wants to know about his speedway career. All I know is that he was a Kiwi (or maybe Aussie?) who rode here in the mid-1960s for, I think, Scottish teams mainly. Can anyone help?

Judging by the reception they got at the end, I think ONLY fan! But hey, each to their own.

Of course not, it's another meaningless UEM competition, and little money in it either!

Don't understand this thread at all! The FIM have made no announcement at all about the incident. I don't see how they can, anyway. Crump didn't touch Pedersen, Pedersen didn't fall or get injured ... which rule is Crump supposed to have broken???

Peter, that race (heat 13) was one of those cases where a rider (Bjarne, in this case) got a superb gate, a "flyer" as we say in the UK. It was called back for being an "unsatisfactory start". Whether the referee thought that Bjarne was moving before the tapes went up, I don't know. I don't have a video of the meeting yet, to check it. These restarts happen now and then, and I often wonder why. If a rider was moving, I can understand it. But if he just anticipated the start, then good luck to him! It certainly turned out well for David Norris in that race, I must admit. Brian Collins

Thanks Peter, now corrected. My excuse is that I'd been at the stadium for nearly 5 hours by that point, and was on my 5th pint of ale! Don't you mean the INFAMOUS Hans Andersen?

Have to agree that the WTC at Poole was one of the best speedway trips I have been on. The organization, the weather, the incidents, the drama, and - best of all - some superb racing. Couldn't fault any of it! I had standing tickets for both meetings - and got a seat AND table inside the back straight stand, and a mere 30-seconds walk from the bar! What more could I ask for??!! I know we lost, but the effort put in by all the GB boys was magnificent. Also want to give credit to our team manager. Middlo must inject our boys with something red, white, and blue I reckon - the pride they all show when wearing the Union Flag is outstanding. Well, if no other country wants the World Cup next year ... can we have it at Poole again, please?

For anyone who is not sure what this is all about, today's report from The Sun is at the bottom of this page: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/intspeedway/wtc04.htm

I think some of Scotty's accusations of corruption in today's newspapers would be very difficult to prove! The SUN report is at the bottom of this page: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/intspeedway/wtc04.htm

It's great that you have taken the time to let us all know what is going on, Neil. In the past I have been critical of your selection of riders for the World Cup. I know we have always had injuries, but I mean to say, Norris and Barker in 2003? What sort of crazy team selection was that!! But you were right, of course, both rode with a passion I have rarely seen, and did us proud. In fact, that selection was probably instrumental in turning Floppy's career round??? So, I think like many GB fans, I now have total faith in your selections (!), so if you say Havvy for Screeny in the Final, so be it. I shall be shouting for our boys on Saturday, and if they all stay fit and we have just a little bit of luck, then I see no reason why we won't be World Champions for the first time in 15 years. Best wishes to everyone involved in Team GB!

Israel. Full details here: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/intspeedway/isrusavrow.htm

In the unlikely event that happens, it would partly be the fault of promoters who train up riders from other countries in preference to young British riders. For all their superb training of young riders, Denmark should be very grateful for the experience we have allowed their riders to gain in our leagues, which has definitely accelerated their progress. GB U-21 is rebuilding, several riders having passed the 21 yo mark last year. We don't even have a rider in the World U-21 final. But in 2 or 3 years another batch of young riders will be making their mark at international level. Don't be so negative!

Losing is acceptable ... ... getting slaughtered is not!!

Well, this was an inexperienced British team, rebuilding at Under-21 level. I think they did as well as can be expected. Many thanks to Stephen and Anders for the updates - much appreciated!

Thanks Zetters. This is a very young British Under-21 team - average age is only 18years 4months, and includes two 16 year olds. The Swedish team looks more experienced, but there won't be any lack of efort from the British boys!

Anybody know if there will be any updates available of these matches this weekend? Or what the teams are?