arnieg

A kindred spirit. I've always (well for 30 years or so) taken the view that there should be 4 points available in each heat. (So a 5-1 becomes a 4-nil - with two points each for the winning pair; a 4-2 becomes a 3-1 with the race winner scoring two points and second and third both getting one point). Some how I don't think we'll convince the BSPA though

San Bernadino (the only reason for Wednesday nights) and in the UK California (Wokingham), Norwich and Southampton

Yes you can - afraid I don't have his dob though

Started riding at California (winter 1956 I think) and rode for Aldershot Poppies in 1957. Known as 'Golden Boots' because of his footwear. Second halfed at various tracks, including Oxford in 1967 before becoming a member of the Reading team that rode at Plymouth in their first ever fixture. (7 June 1968)

Try http://www.sportowefakty.pl/zuzel/ Then select from: Speedway Ekstraliga • I liga • II liga • in the blue bar across the top Then select statystyki You can also get Swedish stats on this site [ Szwecja • - on the blue bar] Best site for Swedish stuff is www.speedway.nu nb Sweden no longer records bonus points

Probably a good time to set up a page for Tilehurst as well

A quick bit of degree level number theory. It is what is known as a Steiner system. A steiner system is where 'n' numbers can be put in groups of size 'a' such that they share a common group with any other number 'x' and only 'x' times. Known as an (n,a,x) Steiner system. The 20 heat formula is a (16,4,1) Steiner system. In an individual competition 16 riders meet in groups of 4 (a heat) and meet each other only once. The World Cup race-off formula (when they had 5 teams competing) was also a truncated (i.e. they didn't race the heats where 5 riders from the same team met each other!) Steiner system. In this case it is a (25,5,1) Steiner system. There are relatively few sets of numbers for which this works [(9,3,1) is another handy one] and there are various mathematical proofs that demonstrate the circumstances in which a Steiner system will work. 30 years ago I got a question about this on my Oxford entrance exam and once I realised they were asking me about the formula for a speedway meeting I found it a remarkably easy question. It probably made the difference between me getting in and not getting in to Oxford

:approve: inspired (which is not something you can say about BSI/IMG)

1) Decent sponsors - 'Keith's Janitoral Supplies' is typical of the not exactly glamorous sponsors we now get. And while their financial support is appreciated who ever left a meeting thinking "I must buy a Meridian Lift tomorrow"? Remember Marlboro, Daily Mirror, Volkswagen, Golden Wonder, Leyland, Durex etc. 2) Big Individual meetings that meant something. 15,000 on a Wednesday for the British Final at Coventry. The big October trip up to Belle Vue for the BLRC. And every track had its own individual meeting - Brandonapolis, Blue Riband, The Manpower, Golden Hammer and many others 3) The 1973 Daily Mirror International Series - 24 test matches featuring all the world's greats, including some very rarely seen Russians - all culminating in a 39 all draw and the infamous Michanek v Collins run-off

My comiserations to those who travelled to Germany (at a considerable cost) for nothing Personally I don't subscribe to the conspiracy theories - most of the parties involved are too incompetent to organise a decent conspiracy

I think that makes it nine times that Santej has been runner-up in the Slovenian Championship without ever winning it (He's also been third twice)

Not forgetting the extract from "Tears & Glory" on the first year of Reading Racers @Smallmead

Extraordinarily Schwartz and Gresham were team mates! Both these incidents took place in the same match - a 1982 Belle Vue v Reading cup tie. [result 57-18 to Belle Vue - Races walked out with 3 heats to go claiming track was unrideable].

Not sure about that - Holta is 35 (two years older than Crump, four years older than Pedersen) I'd be interested to hear from our Polish posters how 'Polish' Holta is regarded. Who would be the choice of Polish speedway fans for a Polish nomination?

True, even Crump had a hard time in his first GP season. My first instinct is to say that it is too early. However his Polish form (average above Andersen, and way higher than Nicholls and Lindgren) suggests he does deserve a shot. (He's only ridden four matches in Sweden - scores OK). Like Saifutdinov he is an exceptional talent. (Lakeside score notwithstanding I think it is too early for Pavlic - although he should at least get a run-out as a wildcard in one of next year's GPs) BSI need some new blood so I'd go for: Lindgren (only 22 - Millard please note) Harris Saifutdinov Holder This leaves (assuming the top 7 don't change) Holta and Nicholls knowing that it's a top 8 place or nothing. Of course this depends on the GP Qualifier result. If Sullivan, Richardson or Davidsson/P Karlsson qualify then Holder, Harris and Lindgren must be considered unlikely to receive a nomination. I'm assuming that Walasek and/or Ulamek will qualify, otherwise a nomination spot must go to a Pole (probably Hampel)

Was the SATL actually a name for the league or was it just the label used in Speedway News while the league apparently had no name?

Actually the renaming took place after the season started Early programmes refer to metropolitan league, but then change to SAL mid-May. Guess someone realised that California, Ringwood, Brafield, Hoddesdon and Arlington weren't exactly metropolises

It's been the standard method for many years - (thankfully) it isn't needed very often, but I think it should be known to most officials. However I don't know if it is written into the regs if so which ones. (I'd guess it is in FIM regs, but of course this was a UEM event) I did find an event where they used an alternative way to sort out a multi (ie 5+) rider tie. The 1966 Swedish Championship. They drew lots and seeded Fundin to the final of the run-off, then had a run-off among the other four riders for places in the title run-off. [Fundin won]

Both at Long Eaton 1 October 1994 and 2 September 1995

Mentioned over the tannoy at Lakeside last night. Location given as end of stadium Way in Rayleigh. Ove Fundin, Terry Stone etc in attendance

I went in 2006 and bought tickets (covering all 3 meetings) via the net (Ticnet - Swedish Ticketmaster). They can be collected from ATG agents (these are mainly newsagents even small towns have them so they are easy to find). Although at present Ticnet only lists the Swedish GP - I'm sure our Swedish contributors will be able to give more reliable info. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. You get three very different meetings and get to see some interesting riders you may not have watched before. (And in 10 years time you'll be able to say I saw xx when he was still riding 50cc bikes.

Bob was at Smallmead last night. He's over here for a month, and hopes to get along to Kings Lynn sometime. (He was surprised to discover that they no longer ride on Saturday's) He doesn't see much speedway these days (he didn't seem to be a great fan of Pinjar Park). He talked a bit about his road racing and seemed quite animated when the talk turned to moto-GP and superbikes. We chatted a bit about his Racers days (and Milton Keynes) - I had to remind him he was the first ever rider to card a maximum at Smallmead (and the first with Bernie Leigh to record a 5-1)

Sold out I'm afraid - you'll have to keep an eye out at Collectors' Fayres

First Tempus one was 2004 (covering 2003 season) but there was an A4 spiral bound annual covering 2002

I recall seeing him at Mildenhall. A quick check in Mr Vasey's opus confirms that he rode two matches for Mildenhall in 2002. Robert Bamford's annual gives his dob as 10.7.79 and the place as Maitland, New Soutrh Wales