Sidney the robin

Just looked back at the programme of the meeting you talked about White City v Wimbledon 1976 ( opening meeting). Kennett beating Jansson twice and Jansson going on and winning the man of the meeting final.

I remember seeing him ride all those years ago for Barrow his move to Belle Vue/ King's Lynn did not quite work out for him.A terrific stylist even after his enforced layoff Mark came back and had a decent career.Along with Mel Taylor those two never quite did fullfil there true potential great to see Mark still involved within the sport.

The Heathens beat the Budgies 40-38 Bruno, Bruce Cribb scoring 17 points from seven rides R/R for Boulger.

At Wimbledon October 07/10/75 Jansson beat Autrey in a run off after both scoring 14 points.There were other Qualifying rounds Steve so you might of seen a few of them ??? i unfortunately did not.

I remember seeing it somewhere Steve to !!!! maybe it was in the brilliant Backtrack magazine ?? as there was a golden helmet edition.I also have photos of Tommy against Crash and Dave Jessup in the helmet and when he won The Laurels and the Southern riders Championship.

Got his autograph three times and like yourself got it that night, totally right he was on his own all night.I remember the leathers he had on they were black with the gold stars down the side.

Wembley was not a great track in all honesty, in 1981 Len Silver prepared a brilliant surface to race on .All of my visits to Wembley( wooden boards to sit on.) were memorable because of the atmosphere the coaches in the car park were jam packed great days.I am not a GP series lover but i acknowledge what a great product we have now something to be proud of.

I can remember Mike Lee getting stuffed out really wide in his first race against Gundersen, Penhall,Andersson Bobbath.1981/ 82 were torrid years for Mike he did manage a long track title in 1981 and came back and have a terrific 1983 season.

Lovely rider Kelly also met him in my local Swindon pub after a meeting.A really nice guy Kelly and Shawn as a partnership were something else Shawn first came over to the Uk under the name of David East.

1984 Gothenburg a brilliant Kelly Moran manoeuvre in his fourth ride to nip past Hans Nielsen sticks in the mind.This race ultimately cost Hans the title that year but Hans came back stronger and won his titles yet he was very lucky in 1986.

Don't believe everything you hear or read Steve especially from the BBC.

I would love two meeting's every ten days,i could not see many clubs dropping there admission prices though.

Was 1981 that good Bobbath? two great races the rest only ok the occasion and atmosphere was as usual electric.

Could supporters afford say two home meetings in every ten days Mike ?? would UK clubs consider that.

Totally right i enjoyed the second half give newcomers a chance to mix it with the big boys after winning the stadium scurry.In 1977 i remember Malcolm Holloway demolishing the flowers beds at the Abbey hilarious.On that day i never envisaged him ever making it as a fully fledged Robin.Just shows how first impressions can be wrong, remember seeing Sam Ermolenko ride for Poole at Swindon totally out of control but hey how Sam made it bigtime in the end and he had to deal with a peak Hans then as well.

Looking back i was fortunate to see Tommy ride seven times Steve, the last three times were the Swindon v Wimbledon fixture in 1975 Tommy scored 11 from four rides Crash beat him once Tommy also spoiled Martin's maximum. The Wembley 1975 World final and the 1976 fixture on April 10th Swindon v Sheffield.Crash beat Tommy in the Helmet 2.0 with Tommy winning the decider at Cradley Heath the strange thing about the Sheffield fixture was that Tommy stayed for the second half with Kilb beating him in the final.

Never tire of watching it Steve , in your opinion would Tommy Jansson have been a World Champion.? Imagine Tommy at his peak against PC , Michael Hans, Bruce, Erik mouth watering really a real class act on and off the track.I got his prized autograph at Swindon when Crash beat him in the Golden Helmet.

The music brings back many memories Mirac defeating the greatest of them all Ivan.

I can remember Bert Harkins helping him, and i read that Steve thought he would be riding three or four times a week everyweek.That did not happen so he went back home. I often think also what could Dewayne Keeter have achieved if he had comeback after his decent debut 1969 season.Keeter along with Keith Chrisko are the two Americans who don't get mentioned much but both could of gone on and had decent British league careers.

I saw both Woods brothers ride both had real potential to be decent over here a shame they did not stick at it.

He was really close to Billy Sanders wasn't he City ???? a relevant point was made by Falcace in an earlier post.John could be a tad bias but i think he was tough but fair he was twenty years ahead of his time.Just the man to ask !!!! City did you ever see any of the likes of Mike Bast, Scott Autrey, Sumner McKnight , Jeff Sexton, Gene Woods practice at Wimbledon after the meeting's.? I know you went regular and was a huge Ronnie Moore fan i am sure Iris was a regular Plough lane visitor as well at one time or another.

Don't know what Shawn is doing now a great rider who was box office just like Kelly(RIP). I have seen his DVD and was amazed and shocked on how Shawn said he lost his nerve it just shows how we all forget just how dangerous speedway is.

I have no real answers Falcace have you? i still enjoy speedway and i am grateful at the moment ( hopefully this season?????) that i still have a track to visit.?? Darts is the sport that makes me so envious Hearn who i am no fan of has totally revamped that pub sport he has made a glorified p... up into a very enjoyable evening.I think he has managed that because he is a dictator and very focused on what he wants he has got this sport to attract young fans.The biggest two problems we have is that most of the Stadia now is old and tired and run down.And the other reason is the week meeting is not concluded early anough for young kids to stay out before there bedtime.

Yes your idea Falcon is a very good one something needs to change in my opinion, and if your suggestion happened i would go with It because i love speedway.Will things change i think not it never has in my lifetime and the chance they had years ago to let the late great John Berry revamp the sport was lost.The real shame of it all is we do have talented people out there who could try and implement change ( i.e.) Bishop,L.Kilby, Painter, Vatcher.

Mark Courtney used to love watching him ride a really talented motorcyclist.Does anyone know who Mark regularly mechanics for now? does he do the UK or just Europe.( not that it will matter this year no Speedway until 2021.)