arnieg

But Racers overcame that 5-nil reverse and won thanks to a Dickie May maximum - and a new hero was born.

Laurie Simms, John Hammond, Mike Vernam, Dave Jessup

I think all four of mine are (the oldest is 86)

That would make it possible to lose both matches and still get the bonus point!

But they still qualified for the final and got a bronze medal last year, so you can hardly argue it's not worth competing.

I imagine a lot of us have strong opinions on drug taking, drug testing and the disciplinary process, but they are best aired in the generally away from a single specific case - particularly one about which the facts are not yet known/in the public domain

I feel so youthful, just 4

One of my earliest heroes, will be sadly missed

Yeah, positively terrifying to watch. 1989..Long Eaton..10..35..12..0..1.371990..Milton K..27..102..83..11..3.681992..Sheffield..6..20..3..0..0.60

Riding in the Polish Golden Helmet

It looks to me like an attempt to weaken the link between between the site and its (now) former usage as a speedway stadium, with the longer term aim of expunging it completely.

That's a perfect description of Oxford v Birmingham, after heavier than forecast rain the match went ahead and the first (of many) passes wasn't until heat 6, a match well received by almost everybody who attended.

Off the pace, BUT it's a track he's historically struggled on. 4 points from 15 rides (mainly at reserve) in previous appearances.

Read my post again, slowly this time. Or do you think Landshurt and Daugavpils are now in Poland?

It would be refused a licence, would be closed down and then presumably lost to speedway. That's why there are now only FOUR Polish teams in the bottom league.

But does he have that power? There is no discretionary element in the rule as quoted in the rulebook.

But a guest for Berge would be under the 'no facility'.

Anyway couldn't they just sign (say) Dimitri Berge, have him not turn up and then use a 75% guest?

The former - but it would be worth a go. Maybe Newman could guest for Covatti, and then they could have R/R for Newman!

No they can use guests (but only up to 75% of Nico's average) - Kyle Newman looks the obvious choice, followed by Connor Mountain

Sad to hear, I talked to him several times at California reunions.

The heat had not finished, it does so when: when 2 minutes have elapsed after the leading rider has completed the heat (12.1.21) That being the case 12.1.14 applies: The Referee shall immediately disqualify any rider who they consider indulges in foul, unfair or dangerous riding. If, in the opinion of the Referee, such conduct produces an advantage to the rider involved or affects the chances of one or more riders, the Referee may stop the heat and order a re-run. If any rider is unable to cross the finish line as a result of foul, unfair or dangerous riding on the part of another rider who, inconsequence, has been disqualified, the disadvantaged rider shall be deemed to have finished the heat in the placing held immediately before the foul, unfair or dangerous riding and allowing for any advancement in placing following the disqualification of the guilty rider. A similar system shall apply for a rider who, in the opinion of the Referee has deliberately laid down their machine or has left the track in the interests of safety. So Kemp should have been excluded and Thompson awarded second.

The Wolverhampton Express & Star reported (21.11.63) that the SCB discussed a scheme for three regional teams to join the National League. There was further consideration of this plan the following week with Wolves, Sheffield and Exeter the suggested home bases of these teams (WE&S 29.11.63) Eric Linden also suggested a PL Select as a National League team in Speedway Star 27 March 1964 There was also a much earlier suggestion for 1963 (reported in Motor Cycle News 23.1.63) actually discussed at PL Promoters Conference (with the seven home tracks named)

Other solutions were suggested, including a PL Select that rode home matches on 6/12 different Provincial tracks, or a Swedish 'touring team' that rode only away matches.

But if the two leagues had continued would West Ham have been a possible replacement for Norwich who closed at the end of 1964. (Alternatively of course King's Lynn might have been admitted to the league in 65 instead of running open licence. If conflict was averted by amalgamation in 1964, I would guess no West Ham, Newport or Sunderland but yes to Glasgow (Edinburgh need for a local rival, strong crowd base and sport's history in Glasgow). In this alternative history my best guess is that Mike Parker would have opened Newport in 1969 (possibly instead of Doncaster) and Sunderland would have waited until 1971.