keepturningleft

I used to be a big fan of tractors but not any more. In fact now I'm an extractor fan.

Can anyone tell me what Barry Davies had to say? I couldn't hear a word thanks to a large group of drunken Polish fans standing next to me. It was good to see Julia Bradbury back at the speedway.

You can also catch the highlights programme on channel 4. Check your tv times.

That was the official attendance for the 1990 staging at Odsal. Local newspapers at the time gave the attendance for '85 as 42,000.

Odsal 1985 seems to have become a forgotten statistic. I have clear recollections from seeing it in print that the attendance for that world final was 42,000. I was there that day, the place was heaving and the 42,000 figure doesn't seem exaggerated. If it is true, then the Cardiff claims about the biggest attendance since time began are false.

Personally, I hope TRick does equal Mauger's record as it could/should generate some decent publicity. I am also becoming more and more convinced that TRick may well be the greatest rider ever. Watched the Swedish GP the night before Cardiff and revelled again in that race when he stormed through from last place to first. I can't remember Ivan Mauger coming from last to first in any race in his entire career let alone in a world championship meeting of this calibre. TRick is the only rider who can raise his game with relentless consistency when it really matters. That compares him with Mauger certainly, but TRick is far more of an all rounder and a true racer.

Those who have rubbished ABBA in his thread are clearly paid up members of that rather unfortunate club of 'The Tone Deaf and Musically Narrow Minded Society'. A sad club of members who fail to recognize that some of the best songs of 20th century were written by the Swedish foursome. These people will happily judge ABBA solely by their image, the same as judging a book by the cover, whilst casually disregarding the most important thing of all, the content. Their loss. I have been undecided about going to Cardiff this year, but if Bjorn Again are on, my mind is made up for me...I'll be there!

Came across an interesting item on a George Formby tribute site. Type this in http://www.georgeformby.co.uk/ and click on Middleton Towers.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the biggest crowd ever for a single speedway meeting was for the 1976 world final in Katowice, Poland with an an attendance of some 130,000.

A programme on BBC2 yesterday called Nation On Film about amateur films from the 1930's, featured a few seconds of speedway. I couldn't identify the track. Did anyone else see it?

Ta for that info. Just as a matter of interest, is it possible to obtain footage from the BBC who must have tons of archived speedway. I know a lot of 70's World Of Sport footage cropped up a few years ago on the Aces of Yesteryear series. Is it question of money, copyright, or will the BBC not release any material full stop?

The posting immediately above this one refered to your add in Backtrack about Vols 1-4 to being available on one tape. Do we assume fom this reply that this option no longer applies?

Despite standing on the terraces at the Shay for 20 years and witnessing many a great meeting there, plus world finals and other big meetings, my most potent speedway memories of all are of the BLCR at Bell Vue. I saw about 5 on the trot starting in 1968. Eric Boocock almost won but it was the amazing Barry Briggs who romped home in that one and seemingly every one after that! These meetings were simply fantastic and magical. Fans from every track in the country, a superb atmosphere and the whole thing taking place in the best stadium and on the best track in the world. The funfair afterwards with what was then the most fearsome roller coaster ride in the country, 'The Bobs'. Anyone remember that? Riding the scenic railway and looking down into the stadium from a high vantage point and seeing the the few remaining fans drifting out of the vast stadium. The firework display which always took place on Saturday night. Incredible and indelible memories. These were very special times and Belle Vue was a very special place!

Check out Wally Loak's website. I bought a couple of videos recently which had some fantastic action from the 60's and 70's and most of it very good quality.

Almost certainly the race you are thinking of, happened in an England v Sweden test in 1973. It wasn't a run off but was the final heat of the match, both teams having finished level. For three laps Sweden were on a 4-2 until PC swept around the outside of Anders, whilst Eric Boocock did the same to Tommy Jansson to secure victory. It was an incredible race which actually features on the 'Peter Collins Story' video.

Given the apparent and deserved success of your mag, can we expect a leap into colour at some stage?

Personally, I always consider dwelling on single incident which 'decides' a meeting to be a bit pointless. The meeting is determined by what happens in all the 25 races. You might as well say that if only Norris had won heat one, GB would have won. Mind you, that doesn't stop me being of the opinion that Anderson is a complete and utter ******!!

There's still the mystery of how he could have sobered up so quickly. In the commentary box ten minutes after his track inspection, he was completely normal sounding with not a hint of being p****d! How did he do that?? Kelvin, however, remains one of the best things about Sky's coverage.

I noticed that after Pederson crashed out in the semi's, messrs Tatum and Millard apparently didn't know exactly what had happened to him. They seemed to respond only to the same pictures we were seeing. If they were really commentating from a position in the stadium, clearly they would have seen what happend. Does this mean that the commentators are not really there in the stadium as we are led to believe, but are in fact tucked away in a studio in London somewhere?

Bryan Seery compiled a weekly fact filled article every week in the Halifax programme in the 60's under the title of - wait for it - Halifacts!

I was at the very first meeting at the Shay in 1965 as a 12 year old, and was at the last meeting in 1985 as a 32 year old! Provided I'm not on holiday, I will definitely be at the reunion.

A bit unfair on Gary Havelock I reckon. The records for 1992 reveal that he won virtually everything there was going that particular season. A worthy champ for a short while at least.

I can only agree with almost everybody else. Hyde Road was the most magical place on earth for a speedway fan. The meetings which stick in my mind the most are the run of British League Riders Championships from '65 to '70 which were all won by Barry Briggs. Anyone on the forum old enough to remember these meetings? The atmosphere, quality of racing, and sheer spectacle have been imprinted on my mind for 30 odd years now. I've seen a few world finals but BLRC night was uniquely special and thrilling. I can nearly break down in tears when I think of the loss of this legendary venue. Someone pass me a hankie...