Sidney the robin

In 1969 Dornier great rider 11.09???

I remember 1975 well with the R/R rule for Hasse which seemed dodgy.The ruling in 1974 to let Eric Boocock ride at reserve after breaking his arm at Newport in 1973 seemed bizarre he had been there number 1 for years and to cap it all he won the British Final that year.Remember Eric riding in 74 for Halifax at number six at the Abbey scoring a brilliant 14 points from five rides.In 1983 remember seeing Eric comeback after his eight year lay off at Swindon hated watching it was not prepared not fit anough but you could still see there was a proper rider there.

His son often comments on Facebook and what a nice guy he is.He often seems a bit surprised on how much his dad is remembered and respected as a very good rider in this country he certainly was.For me he is in the Jiri Stancl, Toni Kasper,Edward Jancarz, Zenon Plech, mould of all were all unlucky in a certain way of not being able to show there true worth.

Could Hasse have been a bigger force with a bit of luck Steve???felt he could of reached greater heights a very good rider.Often i missed seeing Hasse ride as R/R was often used for him which often caused a stir.

I wish i had seen those races live both 2.0 victories at Halifax and Poole to beat Carter like that was no mean feat. He also went through the card that night at Halifax in a pairs meeting partnering Julian Parr..Also people forget Michael also defeated the great Gundersen in a defence if my memory is correct??? Michael was stripped of the title with his no shows against Kennett/ S.Moran( different years).??

Johansson reached a world final and won a Swedish Final championship a very talented rider indeed.Jan Andersson was a really consistent rider over the years and Christer Sjosten was also improving up until his untimely death then there was a gap in real star quality until Gustafsson ,Jonsson, Nilsen appeared on the scene.

Must admit Steve i did not see that much of Bernie either a very underrated rider like Bengt Jansson.Even after the Briggo incident i never disliked Bernie he was in a era of a group of great Swedes ( ie) Anders, Bengt, Tommy, Christer, Soren.

A geniune number one rider, making seven world finals in a very tough era came very close in 1972. RIP Bernie.

City i do you think there will be alot of regular diehard supporters like yourself being lost to the sport.I have got used to not going now and the TV speedway does not really appeal to me hopefully the enthusiasm will comeback.

Totally right about the Qualifying rounds Addio there were lots of them and most tracks had one prestige individual meeting per season.The point you made of only seeing certain riders ride once or twice a year is so true made it more exciting.Thinking back there were a few riders i never really got the chance to see ride that much for whatever reason.?? Pander, Nordin,Plech,Younghusband, Airey, Monk, were a few who come to mind.

Addio even in the days of the Robins having bang average sides the team aspect of it aways fascinated me i was not a lover of individual meetings.You often then got to know some of the riders and really got an affinity with them, the result was often irrelevant to me and I would go and support my team win or lose and revel in seeing the opposing teams riders.Have not seen a live meeting this season and it hurts me to say it but i have not missed it which surprises me.If next season is up and running which is ( doubtful) will go to the home meetings again but as you said the old magic has dwindled a bit now still hope speedway can prosper again in the UK.

1976 Swindon v Wolverhampton 42-36 Finn Thomsen ( paid 21 out of eight rides on a oversized engine????) Jim McMillan 7.

I really like Jack rate him but Lambert now looks ready to kick on and be a fully fledged GP rider not so sure about Jack what do you think Daniel?? .With Lambert as a rider he has real trackcraft makes up for his frailties in gating also now he looks to have a package mechanical wise not cheap at all to set up takes along time.Looking at Robert alongside Drabik, Kubera, Smektala ( who I rate) he is doing pretty well..

I would only judge Holder on his career at Poole on a decent home track strip.The track was often inconsistent a disgrace at times terrible he is a rider with a decent amount of talent if he is sticks at it can be a GP rider of the future.

Yes Terry forgot about Paul,he really stepped up with riders like Cross ( etc) Yeates was a rider i always liked was great for the Robins but really he was only a really good number 1 rider at NL level.He never quite conquered the top league ( i.e. ) a bit like John Jackson another NL great.When Martin qualified for the Overseas final he really had mastered the top league was good anough a great servant to.

Great to see young Palin start so well he impressed me when i see him last season very level headed as a rider technically very good.

City as i have said only been to Cardiff four times one of them was when the Bomber won it and that was a great occasion.Also went to Torun two years ago when Tai won the title again a great night the racing was not that great the weekend and looking around Torun was more memorable than the racing.I think the series has to change something for me, it is in a bit of a rut roll of the mill stuff at times.The old system was totally flawed but i loved the concept of a under dog having his day sometimes going back to yesteryear the British Final was a ultra mega tough meeting as good as most.My memories of the old WC system was remembering Simon Wigg and Martin Yeates qualifying along the way as national league riders a great achievement that made the world championship special for me.

Some nice footage of Arthur on the superb Halifax DVD a great watch great footage of Carter v Lee and Nielsen in the Golden helmet.

Mauger always seemed to get the treatment at Swindon even before his incident with Kilby when he had to have a police escort out of the stadium.Preben Eriksen/ Tim Hunt were two riders i disliked both dirty riders Hunt as a partner at Reading was a nightmare to ride with.

Was that on par with the WILKIE( RIP bless him) and Cowland incident in the Belle Vue v Leicester encounter.?

Honestly CITY you have totally knocked it on the head spot on,.I i have only been to, Cardiff four times .I don't want to go anymore well overrated. OVERPRICED fans being ripped off certainy track wise Forget Cardiff.!!!

Like you Addio i had no real Idea about Arthur Forrest, he was mega exciting to watch retired young never really know how to evaluate him one thing was he was certainly Exciting to watch.!!,

Great choice different eras Wessex i don't agree but hey I respect your viewpoint bigtime and loads would agree with you to.!!!!

All in hindsight now Steve but Hans against Erik now in combat would be awesome .Two great champions going against each other both at the peak of there powers but it was spoiled by Erik's dreadful injury both LEGEND riders. After a number of years got to realise just how good Nielsen was doubted it myself hold my hands up but his brilliance over a period persuaded me.

Mirac was better than Ivan/ Barry Wessex ???? both riders admit that what a trio ???? take your pick who would you pick Wessex hand on heart hard choice.