arnieg

Ian started as a junior at Reading in 1975. He was Racers number 8 riding 39 matches between 1976 & 1981. He rode mainly in the National League - he was at his best when riding for Stoke (77-79). His 1979 NLRC victory was a huge shock as his average was too low to qualify him, and he only got to ride when promoted from reserve because someone else pulled out. After Mildenhall he moved to Oxford in '82 his average plummeted, and he retired. I know nothing about another generation riding. Probably Jack's maternal grandfather. so who would that be then?

How about Ian Gledhill winning the NLRC?

I think a look at the scores from golden doubles shows the problem with reintroducing handicapping. Simply it is too difficult to pass even when giving away only 15 metres. The few successful golden doubles usually come from heat 8 or 14 and involve a number one against a weak second string and a reserve. Mind you it works in the States and the Olympique is still a good meeting

Another vote for Ronnie Moore But what would Zenon Plech have achieved if he'd ridden in an era when there was some money in Polish speedway?

I used to make the trip to Blackbird Road every Tuesday when I was at University up the road in Loughborough in the 70's. Two of us used to travel on the Loughborough Speedway Supporters coach and we'd support the opposition every week. How many sports could you do that in and get away with it? Reminds me of when I first moved from Reading to Leicester in 1983. Seven of us from Leicester (5 Lions supporters and two Reading fans) went down to Wimbledon on the Sunday for a big meeting and then onto Reading. watched Racers v Lions on Monday (wearing Leicester colours!) and then on tuesday we all travelled back to Leicester on the Reading supporters coach. I then entered the stadium through the season ticket entrance wearing my Racers colours.

Martin Scarisbrick winning the NL fours title at Peterborough for Newcastle in 1983. Diamonds had a team consisted of Joe Owen, Bobby Beaton, Rod hunter and Alan Emerson. The first three all had league averages over 10. Scarisbrick came in as resrve after Beaton was injured and produced a match winning ride to thwart Mildenhall. It also ranks as the best televised speedway pre-Sky era. how about brent Werner's 19 (or was it 20?) points at Cov in early 2001 for Eastbourne?

But different national federations have their own rules. I think Ryan Fisher got dispensation to ride at senior level a year early in the States beacause: a) he was too good for the other under 16 riders and the nearest junior programme was 500 miles away at Auburn (Costa Mesa had no junior races)

Belle Vue - for all threasons already stated Leicester - lovely racing track, graet viewing Powderhall - saw some great matches there, very friedly home fans and more controversially :-o - wolves and Peterborough (but because they are tricky tracks to ride they are at there best when the home team is not too strong.

Or Vic Duggan. What is indisputable fact is that he is one of only two riders to be runner-up twice in the World Championship without ever winning it. And the other is...?

Newcastle v Hackney 52-38 Hackney v Newcastle 46-44 Newcastle v Exeter 54-35 Exeter v Newcastle 49-40 Arena Essex v Glasgow 46-44 Glasgow v Arena Essex 46-44 And the replay: Arena 60 Glasgow 30 and Glasgow 50 Arena 40

I'd be interested to know which members (as a former leicester city councillor myself). from the venue I wonder if Roman one of them.

It seems like an age since the meeting at the Oxford Suite when Tony Mole announced he'd been forced to pull out. I remember going down to the stadium at the end of the evening for one last look at it. Fingers crossed

How about Sydney olympic stadium?

Best source is the Maurice Jones speedway yearbooks - they occasionally come up on e-bay, but seem quite in demand.