spiegal

Yes you are correct..he also introduced teh 1st ever Lady Start Marshall..a very "tasty" girl called "Barbie"...she was huge fun...the family Johnson are really pleased that he is remembered from his days in UK.

Sadly have to report the death of PAUL JOHNSON..PJ..the famous "Flag waver" from Perth. An amazingly extrovert character who was based at Foxhall in the late 1970 and featured at various World Finals at wembley..etc. He was always great fun..at times barking mad..but had some great ideas and made friends easily throughout the Speedway world.....Thoughts are with his lovely lady Edna..and Kim & Penny his daughters. RIP >>PJ....was more than great pleasure to be your friend. James

The difference is that British fans know what to expect from what's on offer...When they see a sub-standard outfit, they will stay away.....that's why the Elite League is rubbishe.....they simply cannot support with any genuine fervour a team of Mercanary's..and that's what the product is.Most americans will support without question a National team (as rare as Hens teeth), and given plenty of advertising they will turn out to watch good racing. Those who have sadly never been to California Speedway have missed what our sport is all about. Great racing, close racing, well promoted, expertly staged.The only answer for UK is for every Elite League Team to race 1 time a month with every top racer they can get hold of. For the rest of the season..ALL teams form a main British League and form teams with part Prem part National League..it will take 3 years but by then you will have your own stars and a genuine British League.

N Not only a great few hours of racing..but the atmosphere was electric...a Polish GP is like nothing else..always huge fun along with Cardiff..but at least the Hotels don't rip you off..and you can quote me on that !!

Nice names..many of whom were dragged along by the example of John Louis, the force of John Berry..and the amazing support. But having watched the fabulous sides of JB..the awful crap from Chris Shears...my choices would be Mike Lanham (who worked full time)....Bert Edwards...Ted Howgego..Mick Hines...Tim Hunt..Preben Ericksen... The real triers were those who really had no natural talent...but excelled when most needed. Many names..Jolly..Doncaster..Knight..Castagna..etc..were not underated..they had status...Oh how I miss those days..over 30 years ago when Foxhall was a cauldron every Thursday....when Uncle Lenny..Martin Rogers..Cyril Crane..Reg Fearman..etc came visiting..but did it get tough when we went to their tracks !!

Each year we select a charity to support..last year a Breast Cancer Event with ladies Sky dive..."Interesting" For 2013 we will be supporting TAI WOFFINDEN on his CANCER CHARITY ride prior to the BRITISH GP. For every person booking in May we will donate £10 to his fund. Also on every 2013 Tour we will be collecting for his charity. We will be attending the CARDIFF FANZONE with a stand collecting for him. On that stand we will be providing Special Charity Ride tee Shirts for sale at CARDIFF ...and ALL proceeds (not profits) will go direct to Tai's charity. We are hoping to make this a substantial collection as I personally have lost 3 really good friends from that terrible,distressing disease in the past year. Hopefully everyone at Cardiff will drop in on our stand and help fill the Buckets. Any further ideas from the Speedway family on how to raise more funds would be appreciated. JAMES EASTER TRAVEL PLUS TOURS

Some of the older members of this forum will remember Danny Leno who ran Warner Sports in the 1970/1980 era.Sadly Danny passed away last night after a long painful illness. Danny via Warner Sports also sponsored Michael Lee and at times Hackney and many open events.. We were rivals, but also became goodfriends. Danny was great company, many wild nights, but he never lost sight that the sport and clients came first. I will miss him. James Easter

Just a big THANK YOU for all the wonderful hospitality from the fans and Dudley Management at our TRAVEL PLUS TOURS TROPHY meeting. Always a huge pleasure to visit Monmore and sponsor a Club which runs their business so well. James Easter

yes the BIG MAN is alive and doing very well in Texas...lovely guy...you can contact him on FACEBOOK...spoke with him 2 weeks ago..in fine fettle.

Absolutely correct Tim....

Personally I truly hope that EVERYONE will respect this request....Sprouts deserves this..and i am sure that everyone in speedway will do him the honour of posting nice messages at this time.

A SUPERB APPOINTMENT. Armando will be ideal, good judgement, universally liked and admired. Shrewd, technically proficient and a great ambassador for the sport. Indeed good news for the sport

we have 5 standing tickets if that is any help...and can send them by mail

Following amazing demand we have been able to come up with a weekend from BRISTOL departing thursday 4th october..which INCLUDE STANDING TICKETS.returns on sunday 7th just look at POOLE website...www.poolepirates.co.uk Cost is £399 incl flights-hotels-transfers-stadium tickets just 20 places.

On checking Cardiff Conventions 2013 Reason 1st June hotels throughout Cardiff booked is a Womens Institute conference with 4000 middle aged ladies packing the hotels so i am told...Have no idea when the date is though

On behalf of Ray Walters of Orwell Motor Cycls, myself, and all the "Old Boys" who turned up in honour of JB...a huge thank you to the big crowd who attended Foxhall on a warm emotional night. Also a thanks to the Louis family for treating the event with absolutely the correct attitude and commitment. Certainly all the former riders thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and spent a lot of time talking to the many fans who chewed the fat way past the final race. Thanks again...those of us close to JB felt that he was watching us all with no small pride and enjoyment. Thank you all again. JAMES EASTER

Just had 4 clients cancel from Denmark....so we have 2 Double rooms @ Holland house hotel...saturday night only @ £170 room with breakfast...maybe also 1 room @ ETAP £118....(01473) 730000.

Thank you....JB will be honoured in the very best way we can...I really appreciate your remarks.

What seems to be forgotten is that 3 of who were so heavily involved with JB for all those years have been talking to Ipswich Speedway and John's lady "Linda" since his demise. It was the express wish of Linda Berry that we did NOT arrange any form of religious service to commemorate his wonderful years @ Foxhall.. It was her wish to have a "Speedway meeting" which would reflect his love of all matters Foxhall. I am personally by NO means associated in any way with the Promotion, but it must be said that they have been really helpful, as indeed have Spedeworth. Also we have spoken with "Leaping Len" who was more than helpful.Always difficult to know what to do...and frankly whatever we do will not be enough. Thus far we have almost 20 "old boys" who made up the Witches team in JB's tenure, plus many of those in the back up team of people who helped run the meetings. It is always difficult to know what to do but we are hoping that fans will take time out to meet the "Boys", and with Ray Walters @ Orwell m/cycles..and me @ Travel Plus Tours we will be sponsoring the event, as you never know how any of us will be around in the coming years. The "Old Boys" will be at the 2nd bend sponsorship lounges and to a man have asked for all friends who make the event to come along for a chat about the old times....sadly some 30 years ago...but still wonderful years. Just putting forward the "Facts", so that everyone is aware of the wishes of the family, and those of us, from Gatemen to Clerk of the Course, who were REALLY involved with the making of what was a truly memorable team are looking forward to seeing each other again at what is a sad time. Ok now !! JAMES EASTER Travel Plus Tours

Apologis..all rooms now sold out...thanks

We have had a group from Germany send back some rooms at the ETAP (City...about 15 minutes walk to stadium) for just SATURDAY night...it's a 2 star modern hotel, basic but clean. We have 9 rooms B/B basis each with 1 double bed...cost £118 room...call us (01473) 730000 We don't have any 4 star hotels left but am told that Holland House have rooms but they are 2 nights @ £240 a night..a tad expensive but the demand from the cricket fans has been immense.

Personally always be Anders Michanek..nice guy to deal with as well...latterly Mick Poole.

If it helps in anyway....when I was managing teh Aussies on WTC series in the late 80's..Zenon was always riding or latterly teh Team Manager.....By then he was well past his better days...but occassionally if someone "upset" him he was the "old" Zenon. FRoggy Regeling was a teeny bit harsh on him at Kempton, in Germany.....Plechy set off like a "dervish"..caught Froggy on the last turn and hung him out to dry. On the way back he waved his annoyance and then proceeded to give us all that huge smile....and held absolutely no grudges. Like many "Foreign Teams" racing in the old Communist Poland, Zenon always opened the "Commercial doors" when we needed spares, or even engines....saw him last weekend in Gorzow, he was and remains a good friend.

Quite correct...Nigel Pearson knows his speedway..his football and his darts. he is a seasoned and quality "Mike Man" and frankly given the options he has been offered, the sport is lucky to have him. I have over the years broadcast live many times on radio on sports...mainly Speedway from 8 world finals..it's a science, and a very very hard job. Those with no experience and knowledge of what's involved shoudl stick their ill judged opinions right where the sun will never shine. Over and out.

Indeed as a very young boy at Ipswich I can recall Big John racing around the 410yd Foxhall track. The era of Bert Edwards, Bob "Cowboy" Sharp, Junior Bainbridge, Nobby Stock etc....Our school banned us from gping to the Speedway as it kept us children up later than 8.00pm !!