Brian L

Luke Bowen Rye House Raiders & Rockets 2002 - 2015.

Barry Thomas Hackney - a 20 year double testimonial, can't be many of them around.

Paul, I am not on facebook so can you let me know who won Mr Hawk 2011? My vote would have gone to Ben Morely who I thought was consistently good throughout the season. Shane Hazelden also had a good year particularly at the start when he was a trump card at reserve.

Well done to the Hawks last night. It's gonna be tight for 4th place play-off position, but Belle Vue should be favourites now.

PhilK I think we need the win even more with two hard away matches left following this. Should be a good match, looking forward to it.

Shane Hazleden Marc Owen

Well done Hackney. Another confidence boosting win for Brandon Freemantle as well!

Good luck to the Hawks tonight, I take it Ben Morely is fit to race Bryn?

Hopefully Shane is fit for this and we have 7 riders available. I think the team will be better balanced once the averages come in, having our top riders at 2 & 6 is not so good.

Terrific contest, shame we couldn't hold on for at least a point. Much impressed with the Heathens set up, mainly due to their support. Well done to all the riders from both teams!

I am hoping to make my first trip to Monmore Green for this one, it's been long time since a Heathens -v- Hawks match!

Really enjoyed my first visit to Buxton, exciting match with Dudley looking out of it early on. A great fight back to win the match and nearly took the tie as well! Good atmosphere created by the Dudley fans, well done to both teams.

After Hackney closed in '91 I only attended occasional speedway meetings. In 2005 when I went to Rye House for the VHM meeting and have been supporting the Rockets home and away since then. I still can't change my avatar though!

The Speedway Museum has come on a lot since it opened, there are many more bikes now; it needs expansion to accomodate the growing collection. Simon Wigg's trophies are amazing! I have put some photographs on my flickr photostream. http://www.flickr.com/photos/traxcitement I've also added a small piece on the Canvey Island website about Vic Harding's memorial plaque. http://www.canveyisland.org/page_id__752.aspx

Ian I am pleased the race jacket that I loaned to the Museum is on display and that you enjoyed seeing it. The race jacket was worn by Bobby Garrad in the 1980 VHM event and is signed by him on the back. See my tribute to Vic Harding on the Canvey Island website with a great action photo of Vic riding for Sunderland in 1974; feel free to leave comments. http://www.canveyisland.org/page_id__429_path__0p22p.aspx Must try to get back to the Speedway Museum and see how it has come on!

Collins was superb that day and also it was the first appearance in UK of Bruce Penhall and Mike Bast although both struggled on the huge White City track. Rebel 77 the photos are on their way. If anyone has a spare White City -v- Wimbledon 1st meeting of 1977 programme please get in touch as i need it to complete the season.

Used to get on the Central line most Wednesday evenings and go 30-odd stops from East to West London to watch racing at White City. I have some signed B/W photos of Geer, Gatchet, Weatherley bought at the track and my White City silk scarf was donated to the Speedway Museum. Best meeting was the 1977 Intercontinental Final - great atmosphere! Also the 1978 Easter Good Friday home and away meetings against the Hawks sticks in the memory as a good match. Gordon Kennet was almost unbeatable there and the bike noise used to echo around the back straight empty terraces.

Rosita Mattingley, wife of Glasgow rider Maurie raced against Mary Mansfield of Hackney Wick at Hackney on 24/07/64 at the time it was the 1st ladies race for over 30 years according to the programme. Does anyone remember seeing this?

You could be watching this rider again next year! My first meeting was the Superama at Hackney in 1976, I can't remember if Len was there too or would he have been at the Wolves -v- Hackney GBL match? Dave Jessup won the '76 Superama meeting - Blimey...I feel really old now!

Probably watched Andy Galvin more than any other rider; my nephew idolised him. Great captain & team riding with Chris Louis in 1988. A rider you would much rather have in your team than riding against you. Happy Birthday!

Any chance of another 'Golden Greats' meeting?

Great pic. of Andy Smith, Reg Wilson & Sean Wilson!

I remember Bobby McNeil (circa 1977) had a yellow face mask with red spots on it that was quite different to a standard monkey mask of the time. Also Barry Thomas, Pete Wigley and Ray Morton wore a white moto cross style face mask for a while. Thomas and Wigley around 1978 and Morton some 10 years later when everyone else was wearing full face helmets. Alan Johns had a very unusual bulky looking facemask and Richard Davey had the black one I think you are refering to? I have pics of all these if you need them.

Atmosphere Promoters geeing up the crowds and getting covered in flour and having their trousers set alight! Supporters jackets & scarfs covered in sew on patches and badges White City Track Tapes Supporters clubs Victory parades on the tractor Mascots going around on miniature bikes before the meeting Kids being given rides on their favourite riders bikes (with the rider of course!) Being able to recognise individual riders by their leathers and helmet Ted Sear - a great announcer Paul jumpin' Johnson the flag waver 80p admission going to 4 meetings per week Being 14 and not having a care in the world other than Speedway!

Zenon Plech Andrew Silver Andy Galvin Barry Thomas Karl Fiala Paul Whittaker Laurie Etheridge Garry Tagg Daily Mirror / Volkswagen Grand Prix Durex Test Series Golden Greats Meeting Paul 'Jumpin' Johnson Briggo was still a top rider in the 70's Iwade