chunky

I actually watched the 1976 final (well, what there is of it), and quite honestly, the quality of racing was the best I've seen. Of course, 1981 was great, but basically because of two races and the superb Wembley atmosphere.

So sad to hear that. Very good - and very under-rated rider. R.I.P. Jim.

If any of you are ever looking for books, abebooks is a great website, and you can compare prices from different stores around the world (including places like World of Books). I have bought dozens of books through abebooks.

Funny, I look at a lot of the old videos on YouTube, and do that! You know, a lot of us really put ourselves about back in the day, didn't we?

Same over here. I said to a mate today that fishing would be ideal (and safe), but California has already ordered people not to leave the house, and I'm sure others will follow.

Just read the BSF; EVERYBODY is an expert on here...

I wish EVERYBODY (not just you - and on BOTH sides) would READ what is being said, rather than just interpreting what they want. 1) NOBODY said the coronavirus causes sneezing. 2) Just because someone sneezes doesn't mean that they DON'T have the coronavirus. 3) if the virus can be spread by coughing, there is no reason it couldn't be spread by sneezing; the nose and throat are connected.

What I don't get is why specific numbers are used. Why is 498 people acceptable, yet 502 not? People are still going to be together in a confined area. Over here, the states and cities are imposing their own limits. Some, it's 100, and lot are 250. Weird thing is some of the extra policies... There is a small darts tournament scheduled in San Diego. Public gatherings in San Diego are currently restricted to fewer than 250, which is fine, as they wouldn't even get close to 100. However, while this would be permissible, the city states that no individual may get closer than 6' to another! I can see the logic, but it's totally ridiculous, and besides, who the hell is going to go around measuring???

Of course, it's tough, and a lot of people are going to be affected. I am not saying sport SHOULD continue, but whatever happens, life goes on, and people will still want to do things, either as a participant or as a spectator. Don't forget that, even though we are talking about "sport", sport/entertainment provides a livelihood for thousands - probably millions - of people around the world. From participants to bar/restaurant staff, from cleaners to maintenance staff, from ticket agencies to journalists. I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose your job for weeks (even months), and of course, the way things will be if everything shuts down, it is more than just simple damage to the economy. Does a flu-like (and no, I'm not attempting to trivialise it) virus necessitate the whole world shutting down everything that someone may consider "non-essential"? Think about it...

It was possible in the old World Finals, and nobody complained about the possibility then... We've been through this before on here, anyway... In an individual event, the individual CAN be rewarded for finishing first, but not always. In a team event, why should the TEAM finishing ahead of the opposing TEAM not be rewarded. It happens in other sports (cycling, for example). Anyway, if a system is designed to find the highest accumulation of points, rather than simply how many times you win, then you can't say that it's "can't be right"; it's the same for everyone, and it's FAIR for everyone.

Surprised nobody has mentioned Ian Clark - he really doesn't look any different! Plus, the Hagons and Pete Wrathall...

Thanks! I was thinking Stape was there too...

Yep. That pic was on the cover of SS. I seem to remember Martin Ashby and John Louis as well.

That's right! Forgotten all about that...

Don't forget that Shawn Moran covered Chris Spedding's "Motorbikin'". I had the single...

Thing is, we all have memories. I have still followed speedway over the last 20 years or so, but my best - and most vivid - memories are from W-A-Y before 2000. Watching Olle Nygren at Plough Lane, attending Christer Lofqvist's debut at West Ham (and Sverre breaking his arm), Wembley World Finals, and plenty of others, they all seem like yesterday to me. Of course, not all memories are good - Lokeren, Tommy, watching Leif Wahlmann crash right in front of me... Terrible, but indelibly etched into my brain. I don't subscribe to something as simple as elapsed time being the decisive factor; Personal impact (both good and bad) and importance are what keep our memories alive...

So where does Mike Bast fit in within a 20-year time frame?

I never found a croquette I didn't like! And no, I didn't know that place...

Funny you should mention that! it was only over the weekend when I was explaining to my wife about the Automatieks, and the wonderful hot food you could any time of the day or night...

Yeah, I was in Norden and Amsterdam too! For Norden, we were based in Groningen before heading back to Amsterdam for the "Revenge" World Final. In '87, we drove over for a five-day trip, and stayed with friends in Apeldoorn. I loved the country so much, I moved there in 1990 for about 18 months!

1977 was a similar story, and he proved that he was far from being there to make up the numbers. Had he actually taken speedway seriously before Norden, he could easily have won more titles, or at least picked up a couple of medals. Like you said, it wasn't like it was a surprise to see him win...

Doesn't look much different!

That's right, keep prodding...

Bob was good friends with my parents, and I remember meeting him a few times when I was a kid.

Thanks for that! I was a little baffled myself...