Sidney the robin

Very very happy with that statement don't CRY Chunky what a bitter man you are but concerning Tommy Jansson we shall leave that eh save you the embarrassment.Concerning Gustix you seem to enjoy badgering him yes do it but show a bit of humanity.

Stupidity maybe it is / Maybe it is not ??? but you are not god and have no right to lay down the law.Back to Tommy Jansson you did NOT once say that he was REAL world class you were not convinced you said he could MAY of been in your really valued opinion.My point was if alive he would of been completing with the best (i.e.) 1976 onwards most people would of anyway not rocket science,Chunky.!!!!!!!' Did you disagree because i commented on it ? also don't call me a Liar Chunky my memory is as good if not better than yours.

You get confused quite easily Chunky ( i had the balls to opologise to you when i thought it was the right thing to do yet sweet nothing back from you.??????) You quoted that in 1976 Tommy Jansson was not really world class but in your HUMBLE opinion could of been in the future laughable really stop your agenda against Gustix really sad getting pretty tiresome now.

Good point but you have to say the Americans had team spirit in abundance.Just thought the Nielsen/ Gundersen saga was unnecessary and Olsen should of been impartial and he should of helped both.Maybe Hans showed him that he had his own ideas and mind and said so glad Hans/Erik get along i think they always did the respect for each other was immense.

Strange that Steve, he helped Hans alot early on his career then there were problems later on.Olsen is still one of the greatest riders i have ever seen but looking back it is amazing the success the Danes had.Mainly because i don't always think the atmosphere in the camp was always the greatest maybe i am wrong on that score.?

Great post Grachan his final efforts in 1980/ 81/ 82 left alot to be desired and my opinion of him then would be that he would always come up short.How wrong was i as usual his move to Oxford did the trick he had a couple of years that he made mistakes in Finals and in 1986 he was lucky in the Knudsen incident but he got there.Hans reminds me of Jason in that respect he hung on in there and once he got his first title ( which is the hardest) he moved on to the second.Cerainly in the top five riders of alltime for hard to know where to place him but the frightening thing was he could of won 7/8 titles great rider also did not always get the backing of Ole along the way.

Chris the best of luck to you, a real racer gave everything remember you riding in a Conference Final at Rye House Wright won it.

Briggs got a 18 max Ivan hit and miss got 10 that was it England Kilb 16, Wilson/ Betts 13 each E.Boocock 9 plus 5 bonus points.

A real shame Flood was also a top class motocross rider apparently the dogs B......., with engines as well.

Barry Meeks got the track record in 1970 - 70.4 the track was huge then it suited Barry well as he was a very good grasstracker then.He averaged well over seven in 1969 and 70 then the track size was reduced Lou Sansom held it in 1973 and then surprisingly Cliff Andersen in 1975.Meeks must of been very quick to be Quicker than Crumpy,Flood, Jacko who could all shift a bit.

There the two that i missed out on to Steve and Knutsson often gets forgotten a real class act. Craven often gets forgotten as well and he is still my no 1 English rider mainly because of the era he rode in very strong one he also died when approaching his peak.

Got the track record in March 1972 the time was 69.8 he went on to score a 12.point maximum that year Bob averaged 9.82.

The interview i quoted was made by Bob in 1973 Steve so it could of been later.???? Later on in 1977 ( April) Swindon v Exeter Bob and Ivan had a clash in heat 13 remember it well Ivan took Bob off he got at excluded for dangerous riding.Ivan had to get a police escort out of the stadium that night real drama in that meeting Ivan rode at number 2 with Verner at number 1 Bob had already beaten Ivan in heat 11 and had won all of his three races.

What do you think Steve on the misconception of Kilb not getting on well with Ivan ??? i have heard loads of stories.Kilb was old school said things as it was no back stabbing from Bob he said in interviews he got on very well with Ivan i have a few photos of both of them laughing and joking together.Bob did say when Ivan came to Exeter that meant he missed out on open bookings as he was not the number 1 anymore.Kilb has to be up there as one of the best around the County Ground( did Bob, Autrey,Adams have the track record???) up there with Ivan, Autrey, Crump, Crash, Adams.

He had to go for it bruno but Bernie should of gradually eased his way through on the inside but i believe he knew Barry would of eased back over.Looked at that programme endless times and with Ole having his Knightmare first ride fall i believe Barry would of won it with maybe 14?? .We look at Ove and Barry differently now history wise but it would look different if Barry had five titles.I do think as it stands Ove just edges it mainly because he did dominate for a number of years Barry also had his spell as well Barry edges though longevity wise 18 Finals to 15.

Yes that was at Wembley Doris heat 11 , Dukey did well paid 8 from the ultra tough number 2 position Briggs scored 14. In the home match Dukey rode at number 6 so didn't meet Ove, Briggs got a max Pete Monday ( RIP)beat Ove in heat three as well. Wembley included Fundin, Eide, Wayne Briggs, Harkins have you read the Kilb book Doris ?? a great read still pick it up now and then and read again.

No don't disagree WK , this night has wrangled me for years he should of won a fifth world title.

Exeter did put Ivan at number two for tactical reasons as well.

Hope you are well WK, yes my take on things were that Barry would of scored 14 points and maybe Ole would of beaten him.Persson was a rider I liked so never hated him Briggoe's biggest mistake was leaving that hole on the inside Persson was way over zealous though.

I do think from 1972, Briggo was not the force of old he was still good and to average well over nine was some feat.The one thing with Briggs was was he a good gater or not? i could not quite make my mind up to be honest.My uncle who first took me said oh not to worry Briggs will pick them off after a few laps for me his gating seemed pretty good.His son Tony who was talented again his gating was terrible sure that contributed to him having to override at times.

Only saw Ove once 1970' Swindon v Wembley Briggo beat him twice so a massive regret of mine was not seeing Ove at his peak.Also not seeing Craven/ Knutsson was a downer as well but generally been lucky i do think in 1970 Barry came back stronger. He beat Mauger home and away and that took some doing how did you think Briggs went at Cowley Steve.?

I just found a brilliant article and stats from the immortal Brian Seery on the Fundin v Briggs record in World Finals amazing stats. OVE. Final appearances 1954- 1969. World Finals 15 rides 75. 1sts 44. 2nds 17. 3rds. 7. Unplaced 7 Total Points 173. Winner 5 times. Runner up 3 times. 3rd. 3 times BARRY. Final appearances 1954- 72 ( missed out 1971) World Finals 18 rides.87 1sts.47. 2nds 22. 3rds 16. unplaced 2 ( including 1 fall in 1972.). Total points 201 Winner 4 times. Runner up 3 times 3rd. 3 times A great article by Brian both these two riders have to be in the TOP 8 GREATEST riders of alltime with Ove edging it have to be proud of Barry's record as well though only unplaced twice including a fall.

Got mine at 9am yesterday Philip it is always on time apart from Bank holidays ( day later) another great read enjoyed the Denzil Kent piece.

Very cant see where the other 18,000 is coming from on a regular basis.Even in the Prem season i had to pick and choose matches could not afford both Football and speedway.I think people do that alot today pick and choose matches .For me if you are getting between 11/14 000 EVERY week at the Town you will be doing well is it all about winning ??? promoted this year yet the average gate is not great.

That says it all if we can only average 15, 274 in the Fergie era with the romance of being in the Premiership can't see us getting that even in the top 6 in the Champs.Times have changed maybe if you can get the Indian population in Manchester Rd to convert to being Town fans that might bridge the gap. !!!!!