chunky

It's amazing how people twist numbers... The reason those confirmed cases are closed is because of the death rate, and not - as you seem to suggest - the other way round. If you are honest, you would admit that the final death rate will not be anything like that. As far as people criticising those who "downplay" the virus on here, claiming comparisons are "invalid" need to look at it like this. 1) Nobody is attempting to downplay or trivialise the effect of COVID-19. Yes, it IS serious, particularly for the elderly and infirm. 2) As serious as it is, there are many other things in this world that afflict people, causing suffering and death, and in great numbers. Therefore all comparisons can be classed as "valid". 3) As has been said, regular flu/pneumonia/respiratory afflictions kill people in HUGE numbers every year. The fact that most people are willing to sweep these under the carpet seems to indicate that the general public a) don't believe these numbers, b) don't WANT to believe these numbers, or c) don't care. 4) You're worried about catching COVID-19? Be sensible. Take precautions. Wash your hands. Practice social distancing. Even taking something totally different, let's consider this: There have been 1.5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide. In 2017, 2.2 million people needed medical attention due to motor vehicle accidents. In the United States ALONE! 14,802 Americans have died from COVID-19 so far, and everybody is scared. 37,133 Americans died in motor vehicle accidents in 2017. You want to kick it up a notch? 607,000 Americans die each year from cancer. 647,000 Americans die each year from heart disease. Nobody thinks about that. More to the point, nobody worries about that. If you were to multiply the current number of deaths in the US from COVID-19 by ten, that would be a total of 148,020. You see my point? Nobody is trying to trivialise COVID-19, but as bad as it is, it still doesn't - and won't - claim anywhere near the number of victims that other things do. Other things that seemingly aren't worth a second thought to most of you. People die. We are all going to die. If it's not from one thing, it will be another. It's not worse, or more important, to die from one thing rather than another, and just because a single virus is bringing the world to a standstill, many more people will die from many other causes. And will be ignored...

Joel Jansson passed away in 2018.

Don't forget, Bob, PC's first two rides at Katowice in 1976 were both pretty special too.

I think the Olsen race has to be the best. That moment they both lifted at the exact same time was incredible!

Thanks! I did wonder about that, because Q doesn't seem common, and I was hoping that someone here would know.

I've actually seen the same for Christer Lofqvist and Gunnar Malmqvist.

Nor just in the early days. I was watching the video (on YouTube) last week of the 1986 NLRC; it was "Simmonds" on there...

Obviously, Willson is not a common spelling. We did have a large photo of Harry Willson on his bike. Not sure where it is right now; it may still be in storage, so I don't have access to that at the moment. I know you are probably wondering how I know some of this stuff. I really am not the antagonistic troll you think I am; I told you, I just have trouble dealing with stupidity. I was born into speedway. My mum started going to Plough Lane in 1950, and she soon started taking her parents. They used to go to all the London tracks regularly. Their interest waned, but my mum (her maiden name was Valerie Phillips) really got involved and became the Secretary of the Wimbledon Supporters Club, and organised a lot of functions, like the old dinner/dances. She became good friends with a lot of riders. My dad started going in 1958, he met my mum, and then I came along. My dad also got heavily involved, and used to help out riders. When Sverre Harrfeldt would go home, my dad would drive him to and from the airport, and would have use of his car while he was in Norway. We got to know a lot of the riders over the years, including juniors like the Willsons, Bob Warner, and Freddie Sweet. When I was older, we would often spend time with Jim and Jill Tebby, and end up playing darts at Ron How's pub. So, it probably surprises you, but I have a true lifetime of "involvement" in speedway...

Sorry John, the name was "Willson", not "Wilson". Wally and Winnie Willson emigrated to Canada, and used to keep in touch with my late grandmother.

I think he had a brother, Punch...

Uunfortunately, talent and potential doesn't equal greatness. We have three supremely talented individuals there who mustered just a single world title between them.

Don't forget the "sugar-in-the-tank" episode at the 78 British Final... That could have been four on the bounce.

Actually, you can! Rough is "ruff" without the T, so pigs must eat from a "truff"...

I'm the same. Not so much worried about the scamming, i have better things to do than to waste time listening to some tw*t...

I also liked Hugh Johns. I know the Beeb had some good ones, but I always preferred ITV for sport, particularly footy. Of course, BBC had all the cricket...

Never could work out why the Internationale was the only thing they wanted. However, in later years Grandstand developed an interest in grass-track, which was surprising, and Murray Walker did those.

Bob Danvers-Walker did in a Pathe News clip, I know that.

Yeah, that's how I watched it too!

Well, the drama in 72 with Olsen and everybody baying for Persson's blood!!!

It has absolutely nothing to do with editing skills, John! You knew he was a grass-tracker (you had previously stated that), so why did you ask about it this time? If you want to ask for comments/memories, there is nothing wrong with that at all, but you don't do yourself any favours by posting things like that which either contradict what you said previously, or worse still, make you look like you can't remember what you've said.

Yeah, half a crown...

for Hackney...

Come on, John... In your latest post, you "wondered" if Al had been a grass-tracker before turning to speedway. Why would you ask that, when you had already stated it? It is perfectly okay to just dig up a subject and ask if anyone has any memories, or has anything to add, without posting strange comments like that. I am NOT anti-gustix, just anti-stupidity (whoever posts it).

There was an interesting thread on the BSF a while back. It may answer some of your questions...

Scammers always try to lure the old and mentally disadvantaged, so obviously BSF members are at risk from them..