steve roberts

Shawn Venables (?) plus a Canadian (Ford?) who rode for Weymouth back in the seventies.

Lionel Van Pragg Bluey Wilkinson Jack Young Phil Crump Jason Crump ...and Billy Sanders very, very close behind! Obviously forgetting Vic Duggan who was almost unbeatable one year! Very similar to the American thread...pre & post war inclusions. Very difficult to compare if not impossible!

Very different to the other thread as the era under discussion here covers riders who competed pre-war right up to the present date. I would, therefore, find it difficult naming a top five based upon the years involved and especially difficult considering that the sport was very different pre-war but here goes... 1. Sprouts Elder 2. Jack Milne 3. Cordy Milne 4. Scott Autrey 5. Bruce Penhall But then again...?

Very much so Sid...and many fans were disappointed that he was unable to return in 1973 (he did, however, put in some brief appearances for Poole in 1974)

I was attempting to narrow it down to the modern BL (International Record included) era discounting the pioneering years (covered in another thread) and those Americans who didn't ride in Britain like Mike Bast for example.

1. Bruce Penhall 2. Scott Autrey 3. Kelly Moran 4. Shawn Moran 5. Sam Ermolenko Difficult one with the likes of Dennis Sigalos, Bobby Schwartz, John Cook and Ron Preston...and not forgetting Steve 'The Heave' Gresham!!!!

Unfortunately didn't get to see them in 1974 as the Test Match at Cowley succumbed to the weather but eventually caught up with them in 1976 at Swindon!

I would go with that...perhaps adding Valeri Gordeev who many in the West thought was brother Vladimir (who had been banned for a year) riding under cover!

Yes in 1977/78 wearing a pair of Dag Lovaas leathers! Rode for Oxford (beating Ray Wilson during one epic encounter) before an injury off track caused him to miss the rest of season.

Forgot about Oyvind S.Berg! Not really familiar with Hveem...impressive record it has to be said!

..never rated Gunnestad personally. Never did anything at Cowley and I can still hear the cries "Lars (last) again!" Remember when a Norway/Denmark Team competed in 1972 & 73...How times were to change in later years!

Sverre Harrfeldt (never saw him ride unfortunately but apparently was on Oxford's wanted list during 1972!) Dag Lovaas Reidar Eide Edgar Stangeland Odd Fossengen Never saw Rune Holta and because of his chosen path to ride under a different 'flag' I'll rule him out!

Remember John Davis admitting his guilt at the inaugral Indoor Meeting at Wenbley when there was a race incident between himself and, if I recall, Ivan Mauger.

I used to be a Safety Rep at both the University Department and later at a museum attraction in York and, although I did all the relevant courses and training, common sense at the end of the day is fundamental...unfortunately an attribute sadly lacking amongst many people!

...trouble is that modern bikes are difficult, apparently, to handle on heavy grippy tracks...hence why many tracks are prepared the way they are.

No Hans Nielsen?

Sid which Pedersen have you chosen?

This will surely divide people but following on from similar threads my five would be 1. Hans Nielsen 2. Ole Olsen 3. Erik Gundersen 4. Nikki Pedersen 5. Jan O. Pedersen Since they were all multiple World Champions within the different disciplines I personally think that the top five pick themselves (although you may think different?) it's just in what order? I was tempted to place Olsen at the top (seeing that he was the modern mover of Danish Speedway) but personally because of Nielsen's long term consistency in both domestic and international competition I place him at number one...but then I would! Does Tommy Knudsen deserve recognition or going further back Arne Pander who was there before any of the aforementioned?

I'm not so sure. Okay he beat Ivan but had yet to meet Olsen who was flying that night despite his miscalculation in his first ride. Lots of 'ifs and buts' but if Persson hadn't 'hiked him off' it certainly would have made for an interesting climax!

Ivan always said that 1976 was the title that got away from him...rather than 1973 when he admitted that he was at fault. Personally I don't think that anybody but PC had their name on the trophy in '76. I'd go with that with perhaps Toni Woryna knocking on the door (instead of Rembas despite his successful Wembley outing in 1978)?

Yes Sid...he was gaining fast and had the ability to pass at will as was proved in a earlier race.

Sadly? Wish I had been there...a meeting full of drama and controversy!

Remember it well!

Attending a packed Cowley to watch the 1973 Daily Mirror Tournament encounter between Australia and Poland. Witnessed the future World Champ, Jerzy Szczakiel. get no further than the first bend when he collided with the fence and was trapped underneath the kick board. Also Mike Patrick's famous shot of Zeno Plech high siding it and being quick;y withdrawn from the remainder of the match. Poland's hero that afternoon? Jan Mucha despite the likes of Jancarz and Waloszek being in the team.

Remember Marek Cieslak's superlative outside sweeps on the relatively flat Wood Lane circuit at White City. Also Andrzej Jurcynski (also of White City and Polish club team mate of Marek) who on one memorable occasion beat Gordon Kennett from the back during one epic Second Half Final at White City. In fact he managed it twice because the race had to be re-run I recall!