BrizHeathen

Have you moved to OZ from Poland Dexter? It would be absolutely fantastic if Gosford and Labrador (Gold Coast) worked together. With such a shortage of riders these days especially in Queensland it would be of great benefit for some of the Gosford regulars to be available on Labrador race nights, and visa versa of course. One of the big problems in recent years has been clashes of dates.

Well the season is finally upon us here in South East Queensland. Tonight see's the Gold Coast Sidecar Championship at Labrador with Scott Smith riding in the support solos. Next week we have the Queensland Solo Championships at Gatton (13th Nov) this is the first bike only biggie at the 500 metre venue West of Brisbane..should be a cracker. Then there's the Queensland Sidecar Title at Labrador on December 11th. In between these we also have action at Northgate which is North of Brisbane on 27th Nov. Let the good times roll.

Cheers guys, I guess the books heading for OZ should arrive next week then.

What a ridiculous statement. This was a great performance by GB. Midlo can't be faulted, from what I've seen the riders are right behind him. Team GB deserve praise for coming so close against the odds.

Anyway enough of this non speedway talk, we are talking 24 years ago, maybe finally getting the chance to see a successful team got the better of some people.

Untrue on several counts. I was at the KO Cup fixture in 1980, the so called "Brawl" took place on the back strait and was fairly minor, it involved only a handful of people. Yes drinking was a major factor on both sides, but it was dealt with by both the Cradley Supporters Club who banned certain individuals and the local constabulary, I'm not denying it wasn't unaceptable but there were certain factors involved besides booze. As for changing the fixtures to weeknights, this is not correct, the following year Cradley took what I consider to be one of the best away followings I've ever seen to Saddlebow Road, for a Sunday afternoon fixture. Once again due to the history of this fixture Heathens fans were advised to stand on the first and second bends, which were packed solid (I've got the video of this one). It takes two to tango and for some reason Kings Lynn was one of the venues where trouble was never too far away...no idea why you can't get too much further away from the Black Country.

Yes I saw that Lunchy thanks. I know its Junior speedway, no bid deal people might say, but if you are in the area maybe recovering from a few too many coopers or bundies between meetings what better way to spend a nice summer's evening than to watch the stars of the future have a blast around this great little setup. I'll keep my fingers crossed though.

Anyone have an idea of dates for the upcoming season. Wouldn't mind popping along to have a look if I head down that way for the Australian Championships.

A little to early for me to commit at this stage Lunchy. I'm working in the Middle East until mid September. I'd certainly like to do at least one speedway trip during the summer though, possibly the Southern rounds due to my Mrs not being too happy with me being away during the New Year and an earlier non speedway trip to Sydney on my return to OZ.

As expected no Queensland Round which is unfortunate. However good to see just a couple of days between the rounds in NSW and down South (SA/Vic). A couple of worthwhile trips in the making.

Wolfcrazy, I salute you. A sensible unbiased response from a true speedway fan.

I've just received the first three issues, thanks Tony.. What a fantastic magazine. From front to back its superb reading. Tragedy, on track drama, great races, brilliant matches, the personalities, it covers everything. Love it and can't wait for number four.

What a load of negative clap trap. You have highlighted a few isolated incidents, get real man. Over a 30 year period Cradley will be remembered more for on track action (plenty against Wolves) why harp on about one or two so called "stories" yes some of them may be true but if thats all you can come up with over such a long period of time i think Cradley win again. Are you a speedway fan or what? Any real Wolverhampton Speedway fan misses the local rivalry, it had to be good for the sport. Go on admit it, you miss us, where else can you equal the atmosphere of a Cradley v Wolves encounter... I admit I enjoyed visiting Monmore.......

Any idea why Labrador pulled out Lunchy? Costs being a factor no doubt. Shame if true it was a good night last time and nice to put faces to a few names.

Its the same old story, almost every track has produced great racing at one time or another, personally I've seen some superb races/meetings at both White City and the old Wimbledon. Although I've seen some not so good ones, more so at White City. Even the legendary racers tracks like Hyde Road were poor at times. The question I've got to ask is; Is it best to have a poor meeting on a large track where the riders are spread miles apart or a small track? If the surface is crap I'd go for a small track.

If your into programmes check this site out, http://www.speedway.org/programs/

After a couple of months considering whether I should subscribe I finally did it. The magazine sounds too good to be true. Can't wait for the first issues to arrive Yes I'm a thirty something...for a little while anyway.

This is a tough one, I've seen fantastic racing at so many tracks. So based on my overall impression I'll say; Cradley..Of course Belle Vue - Hyde Road Wimbledon - a la 70's/early 80's Newcastle Motordrome-NSW = When prepared correctly Best speedway stadium The Brisbane Ekka

So how did it go? Who turned up? Was Websters on tap?

Can't remember much about Chasewater but I do remember the old Bewdley Bonanza's. All the top speedway boys used to ride in it plus the likes of Don Godden, Baybutt? etc. Used to be held on a Sunday and they always advertised it at Cradley the night before. By the way wasn't there a grass track meeting near Halfpenny Green Airport once? It was always interesting checking out the grass/long track bikes on the trailers after a saturday night speedway meeting.

Mid to late seventies the Oldbury Lions cycle speedway club organised a game involving riders and others associated with our great sport. It was actually played at Oldbury's ground. The likes of John Davis, Dave Lanning, Bruce Penhall, Michael Lee, etc etc. There was a nobbly knees comp...but I have no idea who performed on the pitch. I do remember that the Americans were crap...no great surprise there. Still got some pictures in my scrap book...I think they appeared in the speedway mail.

Martin Rogers now resides on Australia's Gold Coast. Last I heard he was sports editor of the Gold Coast Bulletin daily newspaper and gave speedway regular coverage. I've seen him at Labrador Speedway regularly over the years and was giving away signed copies of his book last year.

Good luck with the reunion. I had a chat with Craig Pendlebury a while back. He now resides in Perth. I remember him as a fast trapper at the Shay.

Triggy reckons people were surprised at the oldies performances, he said "It was great getting back on the track again last week with Bob, I think we impressed a few people with our performance, half of the spectaters expected us to compete on zimmer frames! So when we both came out on 4 valve lay downs and then cranked them on a bit, we surprised everyone including ourselves! Bob reckons the organisers didn't want him to wear the famous Cradley Heath race jacket, hence Bob Andrews in Wimbledon colours and Triggy wearing the green and white of the Heathens.

Hard to believe how Midlands speedway has declined over the years. From the late seventies when you could go to Wolverhampton (Friday), Cradley or Coventry (Saturday), Stoke (Sunday), Brum (Monday), Leicester (Tuesday). Great atmosphere at Perry Barr, the Brummies were a tough match for the Heathens on track, the likes of Hans Nielsen and Andy Grahame were true leaders. Didn't George Gavin know how to wind the Heathens fans up? I believe Peter York sstarted off there too. By the way former Brummies great and original blonde bombshell Graham Warren isn't travelling so well these days, he has suffered from a stroke and now resides in a Gold Coast nursing home. I had a nice chat to him at a veteran riders reunion on the Gold Coast a few years ago and Ivan Mauger actually interupted to say how he remembered Graham as being Mr Perry Barr.