BobC

Arrived safely here in Debrecen.Only took 30 hours from Poole. Staying in a hotel,less than 1 mile from the track. I will give a quick report on the meeting later. Oh and its 21 degrees outside already,and its only 7am here,6 am in GB!! Had brekkie with Jay and Nicky Glanz.Oh,and that wonderful Cardiff referee........................

Little Christer is still my ALL TIME favourite.Used to keep in touch with his son Dennis until a few years ago. Only made it to Custom House twice.Huge place,and some great action.

Andy Scorey,who was the main organiser of this event,passed away on Sunday.See other thread in General discussions. I have placed the photo album here for those that wish to guess who some of the former riders are.Have fun. http://community.webshots.com/album/570127867cdnBCz?start=0 These photos were passed on to me by Andy at one of the Poole REF nights.In fact I think it was the last one he attended.For those not sure of who he is,he appears in photo 19,wearing a black shirt,with short red sleeves. Let me stress,these are NOT my photos.I am publishing them without the written consent of the copyright holder.I will remove them immediately should that person so require. Even if you didnt know Andy,let this be a small tribute to all his hard work.All you need to do is see ALL the smiling faces. They were all enjoying a day out.as part of the wonderful Speedway family we all belong to. They were smiling that day.Difficult I know,but share a smile with and for Andy today. RIP mate.

Look closely,very closely.Underneath the handlebar,of the inside rider,you can make out the difference between the Red and Blue quarters of Hackney. It is very definitely Colin Pratt,Hackney.

More info from Poole press officer,Gordon Day. Poole 5 Further to the recent mystery riders request, I’ve had a long look at the individual meetings held at Poole during the times that Bill Andrews and Norman Strachan were with the club and have come up with the following which I think might just be along the right tracks. I reckon it’s the FIM World Championship qualifier held at Poole on 16 June 1965. Heat 7 of that meeting had Colin Pratt off of Gate 1, Strachan off of Gate 2, Gate 3 was Bill Andrew, with Colin Gooddy coming off of Gate 4.If we are right ( and I say we coz I wouldn’t have got Pratty on Gate 1, then please post it on the BSF. Cheers.

With you 100%. By all means have a 'museum day' if you all so wish,but please drop the High Beach celebration.Its a total sham.

No. Liverpool were Red and White.

Tony, its about the size and shape of the skull and XBones. Poole have a small pear drop shaped skull,and wider spread of the bones. See here: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/chris.bayliss1/pirates2.htm Liverpool have a larger skull,(similar to a monkey nut in its shell),and the bones are not so wide spread. See here: http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Liverpool.htm Hope that helps.

Ive enlisted the help of Poole press officer,Gordon Day.He has come up with the following. Poole 1- Liverpool rider Norman Murray Poole 3- The racejacket has white stripes on either sides which puts it at 1961 and the rider is Gordon Bailey ( he often wore a white jersey like Ivor Brown, I think he came over from the Channel Islands ) Poole 4- The two riders leaning on the safety fence are Cliff Newton ( left ) and John Pitman ( right ) who rode for Vic Gooden’s juniors. It could even have been taken at Poole. The year would be 1958, the only year that Cliff rode for Poole.

Poole(2) Antonin Kasper. He never actually rode for Poole!The photo was taken in a 2nd half race.The Knotts invited him over for trial.The Poole fans didnt approve,and quite forcibly insisted that a Norwegian newcomer was given his chance. We were right! Odd Fossengen has been proven to be one of the all time Legends at Poole Kasper was signed shortly after by Coventry

Cradley Heath lead Laessing @ Poole 68-1 L-r Bill Andrew,ted Laessing,Chris Julian,Bob Andrews Cradley Heath (5) Roy Trigg Leicester1..looks like Michanek......It is Anders Michanek! Milton Keynes(1) 79-1 Bob Humphreys New Cross (2) Bobby Croombs Newcastle(1)...Peter Kelly.....Newcastle (2 & 3)...Brian Craven Oxford (7) v Swindon unknowns....L-R Clive Hitch,John Bishop,Pete Munday Peterborough (1) @Romford 71-1....Richard Greer Poole(1) havent got a clue,as its a LIVERPOOL race jacket! Poole (2) Antonin Kasper (Snr) 1968 Poole(5) v Oxford.Its not v Oxford! Inside Colin Pratt,Norman Strachan,Bill Andrew Southampton (4)...Outside Brian Hanham,Inside Chum Taylor Southampton (5) Outside Brian Crutcher,Inside Dick Bradley Swede at Wembley (1)...I think its Joachim Dinse,Germany.(Maybe spelt Jochen Dinse...not sure) Swede at Wimbledon(3)....Birger Forsberg..(might be his brother Danny). Swindon (3) @ Oxford 68-1 Bob Kilby and Pete Munday Unknown 2 Peter Moore Unknown v Oxford 68-1 Les Owen and Colin Gooddy Unknown WC Round..At Southampton.Outside Bob Andrews,Middle Barry Briggs,Inside Peter Craven,At rear Ronnie Moore Unkowns action..at Southampton..Outside Cyril Roger,Middle?,inside Mike Broadbank West Ham (3) v Nigel Boocock 68-1 Outside Ken McKinlay,Inside Norman Hunter More,given time.

Spot on,Star Ghost. The smaller circuit helped the development of Martin Yeates,Steve Lomas,Geoff Swindells,Russell Foot,plus others of course. There is a very real danger that this area could be lost to development.Houses get nearer each year,and more complaints about noise continue.

Ringwood,Matchams Park. Still there!! There have been 3 different circuits at this venue,all in the same arena. 1) The original race track is middle of the 3 circuits.Over 400 metres in length.Now tarmaced over for Stock Cars. 2) The inner of the 3 circuits is the training track put in place by the Knotts in the early 70's.About the size of Lakeside.Also tarmaced over. Very similar layout etc to Lakeside 3) The outer of the 3 circuits is the 'mini longtrack' as organised by Simon Wigg.A huge 5/600 metre circuit,which has a fence on the inside,as well as the outside! Sadly,the whole area has been the subject of the aborted WinterWonderland recently. http://maps.live.com/#JndoZXJlMT1NYXRjaGFt...jYwNzcyNzA1Mg==

How about Somerton Park,Newport. Houses. http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=newport&a...les,%20NP20%204

Right opposite where the arena was,is a Stadium Place(I seem to remember that being there during the racing days?) Just beyond that is none other than Belle Vue Avenue!

High Beach. Although on Multimap they spell it High Beech! The outline of the arena is very visible,just look for the horseshoe shaped trees. http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=high+beac...ful_information Edited to add Trelawny Speedway.Have they actually excavated the site? http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=nanpean&a...and,%20PL26%207

California is near Wokingham,off Nine Mile Drive. Look closely,and you can make out the remains of the track,with a little of the centre green still there.Sadly,no birds eye for this one. http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=motherwel...and,%20RG40%201

Exeter,Housing. http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=motherwel...land,%20EX4%203 Click on the 'birds eye' and see the stadium being demolished. Sorry Nevs and co.

Motherwell,Milton Street. Now parkland for local football. The old track is still there,no stadia though.Tarmac strikes again! http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=motherwel...land,%20ML1%203

Dont forget his Poole career! In 1948 he scored 226 pts from 43 meetings. In 1949 he scored 425 pts from 52 meetings.He was also an ever present that year.(League and Trophy) Thank you for the wonderful legacy you have left us,Fred.You are a true Poole Legend. R.I.P

I totally agree,Parsloes. Im not the slightest bit interested in going to the High Beach celebration at Paradise Park. I fear the oragnisers have 'sold their sole' to make a few quid. As the 19th is my birthday anyway,I will make my way to High Beach on Sunday 15th or 22nd and share a pint with the 'Grand Old lady' of our sport. While the Kings Oak Hotel is far from ideal for exhibits etc,it is the surely the only rightful place to be? Sure its cramped,not very glamorous,but its real.A very true 'step back into the past'.Somewhere you can actually touch the past.Its steeped in history.You can sense it.It isnt difficult to see how chaotic it would have been back in 1928! I have supported the Museum since it was first mooted,and thoroughly enjoyed helping whenever I could.I feel that somehow the Museum has lost its way.Still no website.Unbelievable. Long live HIGH BEACH.The only place to be in February.

Ah,thats it.I knew that name from somewhere! Isnt Madeline Ove's daughter? I remember the match races at Wembley Indoor,against another girl.Wasnt she American? Bobbie Fisher or something like it?

So it was. My mistake.

Who were the girls at Telford? I know Andrea Cross (Simons sister) rode extremely well,but cant recall the others. Maxine Hill and Lisa Whibberly spring to mind,but not really sure.

Canterbury Speedway....Being greeted by the Great Johnnie Hoskins.The GB U21 meetings.Dick and the mob press ganging you to buy programmes. Announcers.....Ted Sear(Hackney),Jack Knott(Poole),Graham Hambly(Exeter) Swindon....Yep,those cheese n onion rolls,Martin Ashby in full flight round the Abbey. Poole....The Knott family.I never did appreciate how good they were,till they sold out to Fearman. Christer Lofqvist,still my favourite. Weymouth....Training school meetings with Wolves and Eastbourne.In fact,passed my driving test on a Wednesday,and got my one and only(so far) speeding ticket driving to Eastie on the Sunday! Belle Vue....Going to the BLRC and fair.I even beat Simmo and PC in one race on the Karts,both from the back too! Trying to beat Chris Pusey and those mad Poles on the horse racing.Oh,and 'the Bobs' switchback. Racing with lights that covered the track only,as opposed to floodlights. Great days......