Robyn1972

So, let me get this right. First you ignore the request at the start of this thread for no mention of fatal crashes...then you make mention of a crash which you've not seen, then you say that because of this crash (which you didn't see, let's not forget) you never rated Hackney! Sorry - the reason you "never rated Hackney" is that your Wombles got trounced there once too often! To say you don't or didn't like a track because of an incident that happened there that you "heard about" is, in my opinion, ludicrous! Quite frankly, If we all disliked tracks which have seen serious or fatal crashes none of us would be seeing much speedway! (Ahh......1988 KoC final, 2nd leg - those were the days!)

Did you ever make it down to Hackney Tigerblade? Perhaps I'll make Sheffield one day!

A few I remember specifically - at Ipswich in (I think) 1990 - Robbie Fuller's tear-offs coming unrolled and getting caught round the chain. The bike stopped dead in the middle of the back straight and Robbie flew through the air, over the fence, and landed on the stock-car track on the third bend. Was stretchered off but emerged from the first aid room on foot later just a bit bruised, then went out clubbing afterwards! Another involving Robbie was at Peterborough in (again, I think!) 1992. He came off and hit the safety fence with such force that he punched a hole through it. Scary. Also Sam ermolenko demolishing about ten panels of safety fence at Foxhall!

Mike Gerrie was great - what a sense of humour, and I can remember Alistair looking soooooo embaressed sometimes! Glad to hear he's still out and about and "seeing" some speedway. I'm with you on the bacon sarnies Bryn - followed by a packet of Chocolate buttons if I remember correctly, while Chris played poker VERY badly!!! Can still picture that room in my mind - what a great atmosphere there was in there on a friday night - win or lose!

No chance of Walthamstow having speedway back I'm afraid - housing round three out of four sides of the stadium now! Local council would almost certainly not even give the idea a hearing.

Adult?? You?!! Are you sure?!!! Glad your Mum's OK now.

Not so good for the riders NEXT to the one trying it on though. Several times riders were clearly distracted by someone next to them moving, and as a result failed to get the start they should have done. Personally I think that a rider moving at the start should be penalised, and NOT by being given a straight re-start either! I felt sorry for Yellow/Black & Blue (Sorry - can't remember who and was watching on Sky so had no programme!) in the race when somebody (One of the Dryml's?) conked out at the tapes. Both were thrown for a second I think!

Paul Boseley rode briefly for Hackney in 1988 - can't help you with anything more recent though I'm afraid!

Up against it or not.....I AGREE! David was great value last night - fought to the last and anyone watching from elsewhere in the world might well be tempted to go and watch more racing like he provided last night. Go Floppy!

Well it has to be said that watching it on TV you could predict that if Pedersen was off the inside gates he turned late and took people wide, and if he was off the outside gates - as one of the commentary team said "Bet he'll be on gate 1 by ten yards out!" As for what other riders think of him.....the fanzone commentary was amusing!

You can worry - I had to go and watch it at my parents as we dont have Sky! ot only was the dog giving me looks, but they were too! Thought all the brits did well - Lee Richardson was outstanding. Floppy was great - just about every race he was in was "edge of the seat" exciting! From a Witches point of view, bit disappointed with Hans and Jesper's showings. Scotty did well though, and I thought that Chris had nothing to be ashamed of either! He was certainly enjoying himself in the commentary box afterwards too! Good to see him & Havvy shaking hands at the end too!

Yes - reckon that about sums it up. As was mentioned, the boot was on the opposite foot on the lap before - except that Hans was able to drift out a bit after the contact and stay on, Unfortunately Holta wasn't in such a good position. Don't agree with Hans' comments about people "jumping off the bike for a re-reun" at all though - I mean, hardly! At that level you are always going to get incidents of that type, but it doesn't even begin to compare with Pedersen's action of a few weeks ago!

Hardly. If you are referring to my comment about the subject being done to death, it was an attempt to diffuse yet another Nicki lovers -v- Nicki haters thread - think we've used enough room debating that issue don't you! Full credit to the lady for voicing her opinion - although I'm still suprised that the Star published something so contentious - not usually their style at all!

*sigh* Oh dear - why can't people READ the post prior to deciding to slag it off? If you would care to re-read what I posted, I made the point that my list WASN'T even attemtping to be the greatest seven riders of all time based on skill, but a personal list of seven riders who I felt were great to watch, for various reasons. I'm clearly a lot younger than many of you who have posted on here, and sadly did not have the opportunity to see the "greats" like Brigs, Mauger etc ride. Lucky old you if you did! Personally I may disagree with some of the other selections posted here, but certainly wouldn't be so rude and dismissive as to post in the terms that others seem to consider acceptable.

Right - deep breath then... I will stress though that I make no pretence that these are "great" riders in the sense of the word that many of you may be meaning it.... 1) Andy Galvin (1988) - He was truly at the top of his game that year, almost unstoppable, and a delight to watch 2) Chris Louis - If these guys were going to be formed into a team, then Chris would be my bet for Captain. Professional, stylish, good at handling people and situations, and capable of some incredible overtaking moves, especially round Foxhall 3) Tony Rickardsson - watched him riding for Ipswich and he was breathtaking. Talk about a risk-taker - so many times we thought he was headed for the stock car track and somehow he managed to hang on and end up taking the chequered flag....phew! 4) Mark Loram - from his first season at hackney in 1987 - even then he was so clearly one to watch. 5) Hans Neilsen - what can you say......ever a pleasure to watch. 6) Malcolm Simmons - worthy of more than a reserve spot really. Only saw him riding in his last season of course, but even then he could put some of the youngsters to shame... 7) Alan Mogridge - The Entertainer! Always worth paying to watch in my opinion - another one like TRick to an extent - not the most elegant of riders but seems to get some results. Glad to see he's having a good year with Stoke!

I wonder how far we could have unchanged teams for this clash if it came off? I mean, on the Hackney side you would have Mark Loram, Chris Louis, Moggo of course, and perhaps persuade Andy Galvin out of retirement? For the Wombles - Ray Morton is still riding, who else? Would be fantastic to see.....

Remember that '89 meeting - I was stood right by the pits at the time and had to make a hasty exit as the wombles were just taking it all TOO seriously! Those meetings were always great fun - if nervewracking. Don't think they ever quite forgave us for '88!! I also remember one time when there was a tube strike called for the night of the meeting. I think the Kestrels management tried to get the wombles to agree to postpone it as our fans would have so many problems getting to Plough lane, but they wouldn't. Anyway, a bunch of us decided that no way was it going to stop us, and Terry Heath agreed to drive us over in the supporters club bus. The traffic was terrible, we only had a sketchy idea of the route, and nearly got stuck in the Rotherhithe Tunnel as Terry had forgotten the height restriction. Eventually arrived there just after the start of the meeting I think.....!

I used to enjoy the end of season shenanigans - for some reason it was always funnier at Waterden Road than other tracks - perhaps mainly because whoever the poor b*****d who'd lost their trousers was, with the pits being where they were it meant a walk "sans legwear" past the majority of the crowd to get back there! Who was it who had theirs thrown on the bonfire one year?!!!! Another memory - that terrible old supporters club coach. Alright on it's own, but when coupled with Terry's driving......eeeeeek! Still - it never really let us down! (The bus, OR Terry come to that!) Ahhh - happy days!

Yep - remember it well - a really good read! Also always enjoyed "Birdbrain" in the programme - some of the catchphrases from that column still raise a giggle when I think of them! When we moved house last year I came across a pile of old Hackney programmes and had a great laugh reading those and the copies of KN which were tucked in the pages of some of them! I was delighted to hear that Snowy is still about too!

Hmmmmm.....good point - they were safer than the tea from that wretched urn by about 1am though! You're reporting on the IOW now I see from the Speedway Star......I've been missing my speedway due to work circumstances for a few years but am getting just as hooked as ever again now, and living 25 minutes from Rye House so may see you there at some point in the season.....

Yes of course - it always was easy to get those two mixed up! Thanks!

The guys always used to get a great reception at Berwick.....it was a great place to go as a fan too - esp when we won (46-45 in '89!!!)! Banditsbabe - I wonder if you're who I think you are?!!

Hi Bryn - forgotten me already?! I remember the Rolls well - do you remember the trip to Kings Lynn when we left Hackney horrendously late one saturday afternoon? Got stopped half way up the M11 by the plods, who let Chris off with a warning as "they couldn't catch the jag " (which he was following)!!! Also remember some good trips with Chris in the Opel - one notable one down to Poole when we had Whitty & Mark following us as they didn't know the way - kept nearly losing them at roundabouts! Apparently when I got to Swanley station where I was being picked up to see Paul Whitt waiting for me my face was a picture! Chris was indeed a smashing guy - I was really sad when I heard of his death but had many happy memories of late nights in the Vic Harding lounge with the card game going on, eating Snowy's superb bacon sarnies and sharing my chocolate buttons with Chris! Still think of him regularly - one of life's genuinely good people. Hadn't heard about Paul's accident at all - poor devil - things like that always happen to the nicest people for some reason. I do recall hearing a rumour that he'd married Tracey Swales? Is that right?

Ouch! He always did have a "way with words" lol! You must have known his Dad too then I guess?

Favourite by miles since about 25th March 1988 has to be Chris Louis! (Yes, that WAS his first meeting at Waterden Rd - with his unforgettable win over Kenny McKinna!!!) Also Andy Galvin - how good was he to watch around Waterden Road? Moggo of course - never QUITE knew what was going to happen next...! Barry Thomas was always the great entertainer....... Rick Miller & Tommy Knudsen were good to watch too.......although prefereably not on bikles or wearing helmets!!!!