steve roberts

Thanks for that...beats continually having to read posts about coronavirus. I'm looking for distractions during this period personally.

On the Ancestry.co.uk web-site of which I'm a member under "Search" and then "Immigration and Travel" where there is a passenger lists option...good fun. I've also checked out movements of the Hollywood stars of that era.

During a break from my family tree research I decided to check out passenger lists of ships and found the following iconic entries Lionel Van Pragg - Listed as Professional Motor Cyclist. Arrival date as 3/4/1936 via New York on the "Aquitania" bound for Wembley Stadium. He departed from Southampton on the 3/10/1936 on board the "Empress of Britain" for Cananda. Of course during that period he became the first Speedway World Champion. Ronald (Ronnie) Moore - Arrival date as 13/5/52 via Sydney arriving at London on board the "Ranchi" Ivan Mauger - Listed as presser. Arrival date as 16/3/1957 via Wellington arriving at Southampton on board the "Rangitoto". Also date of departure as 23/10/1958 from London on the same ship. Barry Briggs - Listed as student. Arrival date as 13/5/1952 via Sydney arriving at London on board the "Ranchi". Same trip as Ronnoe Moore. Ove Fundin - Listed as mechanic (Address Strand Palace Hotel, London) Departure date as 13/10/1954 from Lodon and destination Sydney on board the "Oronsay" Peter Craven - Listed as speedway rider. Arrival date as 5/4/1957 at Southampton via Durban, South Africa on board the "Pretoria Castle' His wife Brenda was with him...may well have been on his honeymoon whilst riding?

I've only seen three but remember Dick Bradley as Team Manager of Swindon.

Good race...Scunthorpe looks a bit like a trick track or am I being too harsh?

Very impressed with the Belle Vue track I have to say!

Words can't describe really...great stuff again!

Ditto!

Well perhaps when you have a moment you can clear up a long standing question when you were confusing 'facts' with 'opinions' regarding a speedway related topic which you've not addressed?

Fabulous racing...but the commentary drives me mad!

Brilliant stuff again.

Infact, if I remember, didn't Bob Kilby make some comment about Niemi's engine?

I've "self-isolated" myself from the other thread on corona virus...just goes round and round in circles and dominated by a certain few.

I was there Sid...and Eastbourne still lost!

I do recall one of the great races at Wood Lane...against King's Lynn early in 1977 when on the last lap Kai Niemi rode round Terry Betts on the second bend and under Michael Lee going into the third bend (or it may have been the other way round) to complete a 12point maximum! However I have lots of memories of White City and wouldn't have changed it for the world thanks to an equally enthusiastic father. Between 1976 and 1978 got to witness the best of both worlds. British League speedway at White City and National League at Oxford plus visits to Swindon cheering on the oppostion! Great days!

I'm going to have to give that some serious thought Sid!

I would tend to agree...Ivan Mauger often said that whatever system was in place he would still make most of his starts.

I remember like it was yesterday...great memories!

It was a great evenig Sid...watching speedway in a vast stadium under floodlights after having been used to Cowley.

Well that moment of goodwill didn't last very long!

No I wasn't at that one Sid...probably getting confused!

Was the Southern Riders Championship held at Reading as I may have seen him in that?

I remember a photo of Tommy sat in the pits that evening Sid studying the programme...can't remember from where now?

What would be interesting would be an interview with Mark Courtenay who had so much talent and was a brilliant stylist but who had off track issues before making a dramatic comeback.

Great to see a rider gain success by riding the white line.