arnieg

From my book: Sheffield kick-started their title charge with an unexpected win [at Tilehurst]. The Tigers possessed enormous strength in depth, even their reserves were averaging nearly 7 points a match. The visitors' reserves (Doug Wyer and Bengt Larsson) totalled paid 19 points between them at Tilehurst. The Sheffield fixture is also remembered for the night's off track events. Since the start of the season announcer David Hamilton had brought a stream of famous faces to Tilehurst as his guest. Many of them would no longer be recognised but that night's guest remains famous, albeit for entirely the wrong reasons. With two number one and two number two hit singles in 1973 Gary Glitter had star written all over him. His presence encouraged many teenage girls with no interest in the racing to attend the meeting and drew a backlash from hardcore supporters who regarded Glitter as a distraction. Their behaviour towards Glitter attracted stern words in the following week's programme! The Evening Post gave the visit front page coverage: “Fever as Glitter hits Reading”, ran the front page headline. Page 4 carried further pictures of the Glitter visit next to a story giving the latest developments in the Watergate scandal. 'Tears & Glory'

Cover gives venue as Sandleford Farm, Newton Road, (somewhere between a kilometre and a mile south of the station).

The key phrase was 'ending up'. I think szkocjasid is assuming Luke will not stay at reserve for long, an assessment I'm sure hou concur with.

I think that was his first meeting in five years.

I remember it well. I devoted a page to it in 'Tears and Glory' Incidentally when he purchased a copy of the book David asked me for my autograph!

Indeed. Jake Turner and Brayden McGuiness have both ridden in the UK.

But they are not competing. It is just a label for a select team racing in an open meeting.

I have a circa 1950 Newbury v Reading speedway programme (grass speedway in Newbury vs a California team)

Quite a high proportion of Argentines are of Spanish/German/British/Italian descent so those could simply be Argentinian names. For example nobody considers Bobby Schwartz to be German or Sam Ermolenko to be Russian/Ukrainian

Most recent Championship season was six years ago - GSA over 9 in 2016

I should have them all, but I'm in Argentina at present. Message me in a fortnight if you are still looking for them then. Arnie

Not always the case. Reading Borough Council provided a site (Island Road) and granted planning permission. But still we got nothing. That's Gaming International for you

Because it is primarily a competition for stand alone teams, of which there are only three.

Best known start marshall in the UK is probably from the 1980s @ King's Lynn and Peterborough - Tony Steele

If I was at home I could tell you exactly how many - about 145 I think - but at present I'm in Buenos Aires, having just returned from Bahia Blanca, my latest addition to the list.

So only 5.3 to go

Interesting choice of opening date - clashes with Eurovision in Liverpool - let's hope it is an early start

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/20/tennis/natela-dzalamidze-wimbledon-nationality-change-spt-intl/index.html So citing this example from Wimbledon there should be no problem (other than the little matter of the Home Office and visa red tape)

A quick search of North Somerset planning site reveals an application for speedway was submitted and refused ... ..in 1972. Nothing more recent. Like you I think this is mostly fiction.

Baked potato with tuna and salad from Eastbourne was my top pick. Used to like Lakeside too.

Definitely the case for Radio Trent Invaders.

Thomas rode when far from fit at the end of last season. I'd put money on him improving his starting average

30 from Marble Arch via King's Cross to Hackney Wick

I don't think he's ridden for over 5 years (8 July 2017 @ Welland is his most recent outing according to my records - Wembley Lion was there !)

Maybe (and this would be unusual in speedway) someone's actually done some proper due diligence and weren't happy with the outcome.