BrizHeathen

I wasn't a Dukes fan but i enjoyed my visits to the Shay enormously. The track was so different to anything else. I'll always remember bank holiday Mondays at Halifax (Cradley were usually soundly beaten). Halifax v Cradley in the morning, followed by the Interrnational at Wimbledon that night. A good club house there too, and what was the name of the pub down the hill from the Shay on the right hand side of the road? I remember a Cradley supporters club coach had got to the Shay early one Sunday and someone had arranged an early opener there.

I have so many memories of Bruce Penhall, a true superstar. His first big win in the Masters Series, was that in 1979? His rivalry with kenny Carter. The first World Championship at Wembley, including two awesome wins from the back (against Olsen and Knudsen) Leading Cradley to victories in all the major competitions in the space of three years (BL, KO Cup, League Cup, and Fours) Not to mention his appearance in "On any Sunday" Shame about the way it all ended in 1982, but the good he brought to speedway and Cradley in particular far outweigh the bad. I hope people don't expect too much from Bruce at Telford, up against a couple of old timers who still race competetively, apart from the odd exhibition race around the world Bruce hasn't raced seriously for many years, its graet to have him back on track though, i wish I was there to see it.

The 82 series was fantastic, I've got a video which contains highlights of the whole series. The two teams were crammed full of talent, plus there was the added value of the Penhall/Carter rivalry. Those were the days.

It was bad enough when the Poles turned up and dissapointed, it must of been even worse for the clubs who publicised to their fans new signings from Poland and Czecho only for them to never arrive, or arrive very late and then fail to make the grade.

A very good point Aussie, despite all the recent talk about the Aussie Championship the domestic season has been very very dissapointing this year, particularly in Queensland, with no action over the holiday period and very little else to look forward to. A certain promoter of International events is now being sorely missed, DT had his knockers but he did provide us with plenty of talent and speedway action, something we are missing right now. As for Saturday's Long Track, well I'm just not a fan of this version of our sport, my thoughts will be 900km down the road Hope the rain stays away for both events.

Saturday May 1st 1999 Sydney Showground Speedway Homebush The programme say "The Tradition Returns" with Aust v USA Solo Test Match, Vintage Speedcars and Sidecar Classic. The meeting was promoted by Terry Poole, with Jim Airey and Ivan Mauger opening proceedings. My programme isn't filled in but the teams were; Australia Mick Poole Stephen Davies Troy Butler Jason Hawkes USA Bobby Schwartz Charlie Venegas Shawn McConnell Gary Hicks I believe the meeting resulted in Australia slaughtering the Americans. Support solos included the likes of Adam and Ben Shields, Lee Herne, Dave Booth and a certain Rod Colquhoun.

You have to love rumours don't you? I for one would love this new format to be tried at the larger traditional venues, I'm sure meetings at venues such as the Ekka and Wayville can attract very large crowds. I'm also waiting for something positive about another Australian GP, is there a promoter out there willing to take the risk? John Mcneill maybe? Here's that word again..but Rumour has it, he's interested, but it remains to be seen whether he could do it all alone, he was responsible for re introducing speedway to the Sydney Showground in 88, a meeting which was promoted well enough to draw in a huge crowd.......One can only hope.

Yes a very well run event but to run out of food and water so early on is pretty poor really, the big crowd was expected and I did notice plenty of extra booze being carted in throughout the night, a few people were very dissapointed with that. A decent souvenir programme would of made the club a few extra quid too. Thats my whinge over, it was a good night, just a couple of things that would of made it better for some people.

A very good night of fast racing. Todd Wiltshire was unlucky in the final, gate four had been terrible all night and Wiltshire managed to round his opponents against all the odds before Adams came down on the first turn. With all four back Todd only got away third in the re run and was eventually over taken by John Jorgensen on the last lap to claim fourth on the night. Not much to choose between Adams and Sullivan, but Adams had a poorer start to the meeting with a third in heat three, he was on the outside gate position when up against Sullivan and Wiltshire. Then in his next ride he was on gate three and was beaten by Jason Lyons, he then remained unbeaten until the final. A quick mention for Mark Lemon who had a good night, he tied with Wiltshire on 11 points but could only make the B Final because Todd had beaten him when they met in heat 14. A very big crowd, probably the biggest ever at this venue. Rain threatened all night, we did have one down pour mid way through the meeting but it had no effect on the racing, it was a very warm humid evening. Met all the usual suspects, including Bryn (finally), Sir Lunchalot, Ron Malm, Peter Baker and the usual Labrador mob, we were sat on the back row of the stand nearest the start line.

Its a multi page excel doc but doesn't contain the rider lineup, just heats, it will be 20 heats plus A, B, C, and D Finals.

Thanks to Trevor Gordon I have been sent the full programme of events for Saturday night at Labrador. Heat three looks like a classic early on with Wiltshire Adams and Sullivan clashing. If anyone wants a copy of the full programme (race details not the actual meeting programme) send me a PM with email address.

Kiwi, You are out of luck, although there is a Long Track meeting on North of Brisbane on the 17th, its at Redcliffe Paceway close to two hours drive from Surfers. Not that you'd be in the area then anyway. The Long track meeting clashes with the second round of the Aust Championship and will be promoted by Ivan Mauger, its an anual event.

I believe the wild card for Labrador is Dave Booth. He rides regularly at the track and has done well on previous visits.

Hopefully I can meet some of you, hoping to get there early and claim my usual spot at the top row of the stand nearest the start line (I'll be in a blue Club CH shirt). Looks like there will be a few faces to put to names, looking forward to it. Don't think you'll need a blanket or chairs Poona, I'm assuming there will be extra temporary seating, otherwise I have no idea where they will put everyone. My advice to anyone going is to get there very early, parking and ideal viewing locations will be at a premium.

You were correct Sir Lunchalot, the Ekka was very narrow for such a large fast circuit with a concrete wall. I think it was quoted as being 400 metres but only 10 metres wide. Imagine how amazing the racing was when the likes of the late great Simon Wigg and Sam Ermerlenko were seen scraping the concrete whilst battling it out, in meetings such as the ones you mention.

The Brisbane Exhibition Ground speedway is without doubt amongst the finest speedway venues in the world, yet it hasn't seen any on track action for quite a while. This is a venue better than many of those that have staged GP's in recent years. The reson for this post? Next Saturday night the Ekka will host a stadium Moto X event which will no doubt pull in a huge crowd whilst just an hour down the road the first round of the newly formatted three round Australian Speedway Championship takes place at a venue with a fantastic racing track but without the fine specatator facilities and tradition the Ekka can boast. Now I'm a huge fan of the Gold Coast speedway at Labrador but what a shame Speedway appears lost to a venue such as the Ekka.

I know there are many tracks that have made way for housing or other developments, but what about the famous venues that still stand but are not used for speedway anymore. The shay - Halifax Odsal - Bradford Brisbane Exhibition Ground There's three for a start, is White City still standing?

Agreed on both counts Albert, Crump is a fine ambassader when he returns home, he has often appeared at the Gold Coast circuit for minor events, and gladly signs autographs and poses for photographs. Nice to see a different side of Jason Crump to that witnessed on Sky TV when the dummy spitting often takes centre stage. As for young Batchelor, only time will tell, but early indications are that he could be one of the next top line Aussies to strut there stuff on the World stage, he certainly showing bags of potential for someone so young and fresh out of the Junior scene. I think Australia needs a few more like him with the likes of Todd Wiltshire stepping down.

Only slightly off topic, I recently came across what must be a very rare action photo of Malcolm Craven. Taken at the Sydney Sports Ground it appears in the recently released "A History of Australian Speedway" written by Sydney scribe Jim Shepherd. The book also carries a photo of Peter with the heading "England's Peter Craven was an idol at Rowley park" (Adelaide), and went on to describe how Craven enjoyed a fierce rivalry with Australia's Jack Young during the 1959/60 season.

I really enjoyed this book, it gave me an insight into one of the sports great riders, someone who i was too young to see ride. Interesting to read about the beach (sand) races and cycle speedway connections.

Howard Cole served Cradley well for quite a few years. He recently retired as head maths teacher at the prestegous Sydney Grammar School in Australia.

This is a tough one, hard to remember who actually appeared in the one off world finals. Riders like Steve Bastable who was in top form when he was reserve in 78. Then there's the American legend Mike Bast, rated higher than the likes of Penhall by many Stateside fans, but totally untried in Europe except for a poor Inter Continental final at white City in 77. Did Bo Petersen ever ride in a World Final?

Hi there. Are you willing/able to copy them ?? I'll gladly pay all costs. hackney@graffiti.net I've emailed you with the full video list.

It is a very good lineup, the best for many years. A pity Crumpy isn't competing, the clashes between the top guns should be well worth seeing. Will Todd Wiltshire be all fired up to end his career on a high?

I've got the meeting Andy mentioned on VHS, also a couple of Cradley meetings at Waterdon Road one a cup meeting from 83. Also have a Hackney v Reading match from the very early 80's, maybe 1980 I'll have to check. I must admit I enjoyed the racing at Hackney, the track suffered plenty of bad press over the years, but the racing was quite good whenever I went there.