arnieg

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

RE Ivor biggun's little masterpiece. If used at Coventry then I think it inconsistent with: 14.1 The ANNOUNCER/PRESENTER's role is to provide Spectators in a strictly impartial manner with information they need to reasonably understand and enjoy a Meeting and in respect of racing decisions, instructions / statements as given by the Referee. Under no circumstances should s/he make comments that gives the impression that a protest has been/is being made against a Referee's decision, that incites any section of the crowd, or comment on any matter that is sub judice and is responsible for the comments of any person being interviewed that does not hold an SCB Licence / Registration. (from this year's SCB rulebook) I have no idea what FIM rulebook says. While it amused me I must say I was suprised. My pet peeve is the use of 'Born in the USA' an anti-patriotic song for Greg. And Land of Hope & Glory clearly worked very well, but how about adding 'Jerusalem' to the repetoire? (Bring me my chariots of fire - anyone?)

Not sure how I lost the 1952 appearances He did ride a few matches for Southampton - in 1956.

Indeed. Ron Sharp – first rode at a Rye House training school where he became a protégé of George Bason. Signed to New Cross but never made a league appearance for them. Continued riding in the SAL and second-halving. Injury and the decline in tracks meant he didn't get a regular team place until the Provincial League era, when he rode for Stoke and Long Eaton. Tears & Glory - The Winged Wheel Story, page 20 Incidentally one of my first customers at Smallmead said his father rode at California. I asked who, and he said Ron Sharp

but I get none out of five at Motala

But I want to see Kevin Wolbert, Ryan Sullivan, Matej Zagar, Emil Saifutdinow and Jurica Pavlic at Motala! Don't think we're both going to be 100% sattisfied

In 1986 he was 5th in the Polish league averages and 6th in the Polish Championship. In 1987 he made a few appearances in the Polish league. Both years he was riding for Gdansk. As he was born in 1953 he would have been 33 or 34 on retiring. In the years prior to the collapse of Berlin Wall and communism we saw very few Polish riders. (There was a gap of something like 7/8 years between Piotr Pyszny and Jacek Remapla riding in the British League)

Go to: http://www.przegladzuzlowy.pl/wersjaangielska.php Look on the right and click on the leagues listed below the heading "wyniki and tabelle" for fixtures Use the drop down menus for the clubs (at the top) in the three leagues and click on "kadra zespolu" - to get the squads

Vladimir Trofimov (b 28.1.62) rode for Rovno in the Russian league last year - that suggests it is the same one as 1987.