chunky

Quite honestly, that is one of the most ridiculous posts I have seen! Okay, I know iris can be abrasive, and I know you are not a fan of his, but you need to look in the mirror sometimes instead of making comments like "why do you act like this?" This is HIS thread, and he has - as is not uncommon - some fascinating information for us. Like me, he is genuinely interested in the "years gone by". It's not like he is just coming on here to antagonize others - seriously. You can see by comments from others, including myself, that we are perplexed by some of the self-promoting (and often poorly produced) posts by a certain forum member. Even as strongly as we feel about John's posts at times, nobody is "advising" him to stay away from the forum, and there is absolutely no reason for you to make such ridiculous statements about another forum member who provides us with some great stuff. Steve

Funny thing is that over the years, I have had several private conversations (on here and on Facebook) with John about this very topic. With his knowledge and experience, John is - and should be - a valuable member of these forums, but he just doesn't help his cause with some of the things he posts. No John - we don't have a problem with YOU; we welcome your interesting historical posts. We just wish you wouldnt make some of the ridiculous and unnecessary posts you do, and I have said to you before that simply asking for answers to questions to which most of us already know the answers is not advisable. Steve

Well of course... In those days, comedians were able to be suggestive without being crude or tasteless - and nobody was offended. Steve

OMG!!! That is brilliant! When I saw "Sandy Powell", I thought, "I only know one Sandy Powell?" I love old British comedy and music-hall stuff, so that is right up my alley! Steve

Great stuff, Doug; thanks for sharing! Steve

As an addendum, they just sold an old Harley board racer for $45,000. There was actually a board track about a mile from where I am right now in Sharonville, OH. Steve

Here in the US, we obviously don't get much speedway exposure, and most people know little or nothing about the machinery. I work at a local bar a couple of times a week, and when I got in this morning, there was a motorcycle auction being shown on several of our tv's. I wasn't really watching, but I kept an eye out just in case... About 15 minutes ago, they wheeled out a beautiful 1952 Rotrax JAP! Of course, nobody in the bar had a clue what it was, but through all my drooling, I was able to show off my little bit of knowledge. It was sold for $15,000... Actually, that reminds me; a couple of weeks back, a tv show called "American Pickers" (they go round picking up antiques and other stuff they think they can make a profit on), and one guy in California (not anyone I know) had this old GR500 hidden away in his garage. Again, they didn't come up with too much info, but I wonder if it could have belonged to one of the Moran boys? Yep, I'm always on the lookout for things like this... Steve

I'd forgotten about Alan! Yep, born in New Zealand... Steve

Blewett definitely, but I never considered Chris Julian "wild". Spectacular, yes, but that is different to "wild"! Steve

My mum used to tell me about him. Not so much "hard" as "wild"!!! Steve

I wondered if you knew that? Always used to see him outside South Wimbledon station grabbing a kebab after the meetings! His legs made Les McGillivray look like Steve Schofield... Steve

I'm sure you've seen another... The Plough Lane legend, Phil Vance! Steve

Wouldnt that be wonderful? I dream of being able to do that... While some of my earliest memories as a kid are certainly speedway memories (like you, "Olle white-boots" stands out for me), I don't have many really vivid memories until 1969. Ronnie coming back, taking the special from Tooting Broadway, and the World Final were the highlights. That era ended when Ronnie left. I wasn't a regular for the next few seasons, and unlike most, it was Tommy's tragic death that got me going again. From 1976 to 1979 I would class as another great era. Finally, the NL years at Plough Lane seemed special... Steve

As has been said, the idea of them being one and the same was just a crazy idea based on the western distrust of Eastern bloc nations at the time - and perhaps a little Lanning sensationalism! They both rode in the 1976 World Team Cup final at White City. I think that was the only time I saw them together in person, but they were also in the 1975 final. Steve

Pretty sure he did, although it was at the end of his career, and I don't think he ever represented Sweden in international competition. I came close to including him on the list... Steve

Doesn't count, as there is no such country as Tasmania... Seriously though, while he did represent Australia for a short while, he did represent New Zealand - legitimately and legally - for the vast majority of his career, and can - and should - be considered a New Zealander. Steve

You even got the best New Zealand team riding pair - Bill and Drew!!! Steve

Oh dear, it does seem that several of our posters - on ALL of these threads - are mathematically challenged. We are looking for TEN names, but I have seen fives, sevens, twelves, and even several SINGLE names! Steve

I can't believe that nobody has mentioned the most spectacular of them all, Torbjorn Harrysson! Oh well, so here goes (and I am deliberately avoiding any of my beloved Dons). Torbjorn Harrysson, Christer Lofqvist, Per-Tage Svensson, Haase Danielsson, Bengt Jansson, Conny Ivarsson, Christer Sjosten, Rune Sormander, Jan Simensen, Erik Stenlund. Steve

I think her name was Elisabet, and I did mention Julie Cross on the previous page. Oh, and the girl at Exeter who I couldn't remember was Sarah Cunningham. Steve

Yep, that was Deborah Cherry who researching Fay Taylour also. I shared quite a bit of info with her a few years back when she was working on the Fay project. Steve

I've seen quite a few riders riding like an old woman... Steve

As far as I am aware, Mark was only ever English; he never claimed Maltese nationality. Steve

Good call! Very accomplished rider who doesn't seem too well remembered these days. Steve

I remember her having a go, but not sure where. Her name was Pauline, I believe... Steve