chunky

Most of us know about the famous Olsen and Stancl 15-pointers in opposition, but I just stumbled on another incident that deserves mention. On 20th April 1973, Swindon beat Halifax 42-36 in a BL match. Mike Keen was unbeaten in five rides (full 15-point max) for the Robins, while Eric Boocock was unbeaten for the Dukes in six rides (16+2)! Even though Boocock's maximum was a paid one, the fact that the two avoided each other in the meeting, AND were both unbeaten, seems pretty special to me.

Don't get me wrong, I love Speedway Researcher, but there are still a lot of results missing - including a number of whole years for particular teams. The advantage of the results there as opposed to magazines (particularly older ones) is that the result grids are displayed, rather than just heat results. I really appreciate what everyone involved with Speedway Researcher has done, so that is not a criticism in any way.

As I said, now I have all my books and magazines out of storage, so at least I can through some. Of course, it's so much better having the internet now, and at some point, I would like to create a website so we have all this stuff readily available! Just a matter of finding time...

Now, here's something I would like to add... Like every other old-timer on here, I have VERY fond memories of years gone by, and I think the top boys were fantastic. However, when I watch some of the stuff now - particularly from the 70's - some of it seems almost amateurish to me. Of course, it wasn't, but often... ...riders used to slow down and coast at the end of the straight. ...entering the bends, they didn't turn the bike until well into the corner. ...the foot forward style, particularly entering the bends, looks awkward and ungainly. Is it just me, or does anyone else think that? Be honest...

The problem with all this stuff is that there are no statistics readily available - unlike weird stats in other sports. With speedway, we have trouble accessing all official stats, and if we have any weird questions, we have to manually wade through pages of magazines and computer files...

30th July 1970. Colin Gooddy and Mick Bell got the 4-2 over Graham Plant and Alan Jay in heat 7.

Has there ever been a meeting where EVERY heat was a 3-3?

Sheffield won at Coatbridge (40-38) on April 6, 1973, and there were 9 different race winners. Interesting thing is that the first 8 heats provided 8 different winners! Top scorers for losing Tigers were McMillan (9), and Beat on and Sjosten (8), while the winning Tigers had Haley, Wilson, and Wyer all scoring 8. EDIT : I have yet to find a 13-heat match with 10 different race winners - but I have found one with 11! On September 21, 1976, Weymouth hosted a double-header, with the second match being the second leg of a challenge against Stoke. Wizards won 41-37. Five of the Wizards won a race, as did six Potters. Mike Sampson won three (the only rider to win more than one), and only Geoff Swindells, Martin Yeates, and Malcolm Shakespeare failed to win a race. The others were Chris Robins, Tim Nunan, Steve McDermott, Mick Newton, Mal Corradine, Robert Maxfield, Billy Spiers, Jim Brett, Les Collins, and Brian Leonard.

Kelvin said the same, and I agree. Have two or three select doubles, and one-offs for the others. Personally, I loved them...

Ah, that's what it is! Sorry...

I wish I had the time to put everything on computer! Actually, I wish we'd had the technology back in the 70's and 80's... I knew there had been several cases of all seven team-members winning a race, but I am sure there must be one or two cases of 10 (maybe 11) different race winners from 13. Obviously, the main thing is to look at a good team, solid from 1 to 7, and riding away from home. My first thought was Poole in 1969, but no luck there... I don't have all the figures, but I wonder if a Cradley team from the early 80's would be a good place to look. I should be able to a little more of my own research now, as I have finally got all my Speedway Stars that were in storage 400 miles away...

Risky for the riders too...

We are still the world leaders when it comes to whining and bitterness...

So, that makes it okay? That makes it "fair"?

It's still not the British way. Moaning is far more enjoyable...

Stop talking sense; you know it's not welcome on the BSF...

You sound like me - fraud...

Some of these people would need lessons to use it. Having sand in your ** is so much easier...

When we demanded the World Final at Wembley every year, was that any different? Other than the fact that we weren't good enough to win on home soil?

Oh come on, that's not the Poole - sorry, BRITISH way; if we're not successful, it's the responsibility of the others to come down to OUR level, not that we have to put in some effort...

The only one I would put ahead of him is Gollob...

Like the old World Final system, you mean?

Nah, not like basketball. These guys have bigger balls!

Say what you will, but with three heats to go in a 184 race season, and there are still three possible World Champions. Lot to be said for that...

You surprise me. You hadn't mentioned that before, Steve!