steve roberts

How about the flag waver Paul Johnson? Brought colour to the start line in his pink outfit and flamboyant flag waving!

Characters within the sport is just not about the riders, as I have tried to elaborate with examples within this thread, but those on the peripheral. Presenters, Announcers, Fans, Referees, Team Managers etc etc are all part of the same package (after all speedway is not only a sport but an entertainment) in their various guises. Basically anybody who brightens up proceedings by adding their own particular flair which can leave a lasting impression.

My next purchase!

Is Dick Barrie still involved in the sport? He was always ready to wind up the opposition and add spice to a meeting! 'Uncle' Len once questioned Dick's patriotism when Dick was presenting a Test match between England and the USA at Poole. Len was moaning at Dick's impartiality and that he wasn't taking the side of England. Len said "Where's your national pride?" to which Dick replied "Back up in Scotland where it belongs!" announcing it all those present!

Just been looking thru' the wonderful images of Wimbledon Riders (earlier thread) and Tommy Jansson had it all. Good looks and a style on a bike to match. I last saw him ride at Swindon in 1976 competing in a Golden Helmet encounter with Martin Ashby and although loosing the tie he was just poetry in motion. A rider who had everything but his life was cut short during that awful night of the 20th May 1976 when he was killed competing in a world championship meeting in Sweden. I remember waking up to the news and feeling numb. Would he eventually have become World Individual Champion (he was already a twice Pairs World Champion)? We'll never know but my guess would have been a resounding yes! Gone but never forgotten. PS The book on Tommy's life is well worth a read.

One of my last experiences of Billy was at Cowley (1984) on the occasion when he just rode straight thru' the tapes because a decision had gone against him! Last time I saw him ride was at Swindon (1985) which may have been his last ever meeting (?). Of course none of us knew what was about to happen and he was/is sadly missed. Reminds me, also, when in 1973 Belle Vue visited Cowley and a decision went against Alan Wilkinson (another character) and he strode from the pits and tore the tapes out of its sockets! As you can imagine the crowd went wild!

At my place of work, yesterday, I got talking to some tourists from Birmingham who had travelled to York via Parry's International Coaches. We had an interesting chat (they were none speedway fans) but were aware that the signage on the side of the coach stated that 'Parry's International' were team sponsors of Wolverhampton Speedway. Dave Parry was apparently on the coach so I told said visitors to impress upon him that they knew that he once rode for Crewe and Crayford and was responsible for introducing Hans Nielsen to British speedway!

Super value...I'd buy them but I already have most on your list! Got to be a buyer out there somewhere?

Wasn't he an amateur boxer also? Remember seeing him ride in a pair of Ivan Mauger's leathers.

Also went to the same meeting and remember the long coach trip from our base Amsterdam. I had already been informed by a source that Hans Nielsen was to join Oxford the following year but had to keep that one under my hat (Dad had drawn his name on the coach 'sweepstake!') as it was still confidential! I wanted an Englishman to win and, as usual, Kenny Carter failed to deliver leaving Michael Lee the main threat. Dennis Sigalos was one of the favourites but was never really at the races. Muller was a class above that afternoon...but Hans did have the beating of him until throwing a chain!

Can't believe this idiot!

As a 55 year old I find that rather insulting!

How speedway could do with that British talent now? Add Kennett, Davis, Wyer, Collins, Moreton, McMillan etc to that list. I recently viewed the 1974 British Final and the line-up was more impressive than certain World Finals...especially when the likes of Mauger, Briggs, Boulger, Sanders and Valentine were thrown in as well!

I can picture Martin now, having missed the gate at Blunsdon, lining himself up down the back straight and passing the leading rider round the third and fourth bend hugging the white line. My dad used to refer to it as the 'Ashby Groove!'

Martin Ashby...very under-rated rider. A rider I admired although he rode for the 'enemy' the Swindon 'Budgies!' My very first hero, Garry Middleton, often had the beating of Briggo but always appeared to have problems when up against 'Crash!'

The occasion that John Berry had to 'rugby tackle' Eric Broadbelt who, with track rake in hand, was about to have an altercation with John Louis after an on track 'coming together!'

A long, long saga but for many various reasons (which I have chronicled elsewhere) Where to start? Heat formula, points limits, team suits, lack of continuity, lack of British riders, value for money, BSPA, manipulation of regulations, machines and/or tuners, GP etc etc As I have commented elsewhere i have helped behind the scenes, given promotional talks etc but for no real benefit. Unfortunately I feel that the sport has dug itself a big hole and really needs to accept that attendances are constantly on the slide and people have decided to look elsewhere for entertainment and needs to take a big look at itself. Has the day come that the 'star' riders need to be given an ultimatum to chose between competing in Britain or ride in the GP or abroad (many apparently already do)? Personally I think so but as I say I no longer have a vestige interest in the sport and it's up to others to 'discuss' the sports merits/short falls/rescue in turning the sport round. I did my bit for 32 years! I'll continue reminiscing about the 'good old days!'

Another rider I would have enjoyed watching...Vic Duggan! I think that Terry Betts owns one of Vic's bikes?

Yes!

I've purposely tried to take a back seat regarding this particular subject because of all the abuse and finger pointing that any comment against the Play-Off system from certain quarters generate but... It's no secret (well chronicled elsewhere) that I gave up attending speedway in 2003 thru' various reasons but mainly due to re-location. My team (Oxford) won the last traditional championship in 2001 after a very closely fought season long battle with Poole. The matches all season long were well supported because we felt we had a team that would be challenging for the title. The next season (2002) it was decided to re-structure the league format and hold play-offs to decide the league champions. Oxford were denied an opportunity to defend their title because SKY had decided that the 'qualifying' matches should be completed by the end of August. However, Oxford's visit to Peterborough didn't take place as it fell outside that remit. If Oxford had won that match they would have claimed the last play-off spot however Peterborough 'qualified' instead (even though one could argue that they were at fault for not running the fixture within the agreed time scale). Hence why my enthusiasm began to wain (although to be fair it had been on the decline for a number of years). I have no interest in the economies of play-offs as I haven't access to such figures and it's beyond my remit and, to be frank, my interest as I no longer attend matches. I'll let those who still have a vestige interest in the sport to 'discuss' the pros and cons but my underlying feeling of play-offs are in the negative due to the irregularities of its initial inception and the fact that my team was denied an opportunity to defend their title thru' no fault of their making!

It would be great to read an article on 'Joe' Gooddy. I recall seeing his bike parked up in the Poole car park and it appeared to be tied together with string! I remember my brother telling me that 'Joe' and 'Speedy' Pete Jarman would look out for each other and if anyone messed with either the other would be to his rescue...so to speak!

I bet you can quote some Ian Thomas' stories...always one ready to bend/manipulate rules to his advantage!

Strewth!

Thanks for that! Just read the statement but I have to confess that July does seem to be rather optimistic bearing in mind we are likely to have a few 'iffy' months with the winter on our doorstep! Here's hoping that I am proved wrong but the statement(s) does suggest that speedway will continue next year which is the main thing.

Watched highlights from the 1979 Intercontinental Final held at White City last night and, despite the dust, the racing was excellent (especially races involving Michael Lee and Peter Collins) I actually went to the meeting but can't remember much about it except that Gordon Kennett (a favourite of mine) failed to qualify on what, only the previous year, was his home track.