Wessex Wanderer

A few months ago someone was asking if anyone knew what had happened to Malcolm Corradine. Malcolm's brother in law was in Weymouth last week and he dropped into the Stadium for a quick visit. Malcolm is now running the Woodland Waters Park at Ancaster near Grantham. It is a park with cabins and caravans plus a large pub (?inevitable with Malcolm around), fishing lakes etc. Malcolm has a 14 year old son (Tom) but is now separted from his first wife (Alison) and remarried. I expect fans at Weymouth, Birmingham, Cradley, Middlesbrough (and a few other tracks) will be pleased to hear about him.

That looks like a very imaginative format - it makes most races important and keeps most riders in with some sort of chance until late in the meeting but at the same time rewards those who have done well early on. I would like to see it used more often. I also think it right that riders were given the chance to take those extra rides. This level is all about giving the youngsters as much competetive racing as possible.

OK - copy will be in the post tomorrow.

Hello Ken I have the heat details from the Ipswich v Weymouth match. Is your address still the one in Pevensey? If so I will copy the heat details page and send it to you (it will save me typing the whole thing out!). Ray Collins

Purely from memory: Long Eaton were taken over (or reopened) by Dan McCormick the former Cradley promoter. I believe the idea behind the renaming was both to break from the team's past (which had always been a bit of a Cinderella outfit) and also to make it more attractive to the larger population of Nottingham. The "Outlaws" had nothing to do with Robin Hood's gang - the race jacket depicted a Wild West type with cowboy hat etc. They had decent teams during their short existence and Mike Sampson was one of their top riders (I distinctly remember him conning Martin Yeates into breaking the tapes at Station Road one night - Yeatesy should have known better!). I think Graham Drury also rode for them.

He's not still drinking at the Greg is he? Always very popular at Weymouth - please pass on the regards of Weymouth fans of 25 years ago if you get the chance.

Sorry to hear about Sam - hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Just wanted to endorse what has been said about Peter Oakes. He has done some very good work for the youngsters over the past two seasons. Junior rider development had been ignored and disorganised for decades and it has always needed someone like Peter to get things moving. Also conratulations to all the lads who have taken part in the junior matches. I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the meetings I have seen (both team and individual). Thanks for the entertainment lads.

I remember these two matches very well. Exeter have been rubbing our noses in it ever since Nevsy. Final outcome no good but a great couple of matches though. Was it really 22 years ago.

Malcolm Shakespeare was a very good rider, real nice guy, excellent team man and a superb professional. When he joined Weymouth he brought a whole new attitude to the team and will always be one of the most respected and popular Wildcats of all time. He was "transferred away" a couple of times (not at his request) but each time returned after a while so altogether he joined us three times and was a very welcome signing each time. Among his achievements at Weymouth was winning the Seyco Trophy (in 1978 I think) but it is as a team man that he is most remembered.

By the time it was abolished there were only 3 riders on the 20 yard handicap. (Peter Craven died the year before and Ronnie Moore had retired from British racing.) That left just Briggs, Fundin and Knutsson and it really had become a bit much to expect just those 3 to start 10 yards behind (say) Nigel Boocock at Coventry. Probably all three wanted the system abolished (or at least made a bit fairer) but from what I remember (40+ years ago now!!) Barry was the most vocal and all credit to him for saying what he thought. Like I said before though it was a pity they didn't tinker with it a bit (maybe a second level of riders being also handicapped for just their home matches) rather than throw the whole system out.

Rather different. At that time the "Big 5" of Fundin, Craven, Ronnie Moore, Briggs and Knutsson were handicapped 20 yards in all league races. They still managed to be among the top scorers every season though. From what I remember most others were off 10 yards with some reserves off scratch. It was abolished (?during the 1964 season?) partly due to pressure from Barry Briggs. It probably was a bit unfair that the 5 had to start behind riders like Nigel Boocock, Peter Moore and Ron How on away tracks. Pity they didn't tinker with it a bit though rather than abolish the whole thing. What I was suggesting would apply to all riders and would depend solely on the scores in the match at the time. Like I said though I doubt very much whether it would ever be accepted.

Sure is Trees. Trouble is that wanting and getting are two different things.

For a long time I have thought that handicapping would be a good alternative to tactical substitutes and the current tactical rules. Quite simply a team 6 (or maybe 8) points down would go off the gate with the other team off (say) 15 metres. That would mean every match would either be close scorewise or there would be a lot of passing. At least one or the other would be guaranteed. With it usually being the home side facing the handicap it should also lead to tracks being prepared for passing (pressure from the home heat leaders would see to that). I don't think it will ever happen (massive opposition from the riders would be one problem!) and I am not too sure I would like to see it applied to the CL due to the inexperience of most riders but it would turn EL racing into a can't miss surefire spectacle every match.

Johnnie Hoskins may have been past his peak by the 1960's but he was still the greatest even then. My proudest moment in Speedway was when I got to shake his hand and talk to him for a few minutes at Wimbledon one NLRC night.