chunky

In addition to some of the fabulous tear-jerkers already mentioned, here are some other things I remember (not all from the 70's though) : Badges with year bars Buying Trebor Bitter Orange and Bitter Cherry hard sweets from the kiosk under the second bend at Wimbledon The Golden Helmet Ken Tozer introducing "Hedgehopper" and "Slim Jim Tebby" Speedway Express and Speedway Post Black leathers Not knowing what a "blue groove" was Custom House Star riders from other tracks competing in the second half "With a 2-4-6-8, Who do we appreciate?" Wright-Wood Reading the league results in the Daily Mirror Chrome bikes Riders jumping on someone else's chrome bike when theirs wouldn't start! Alf Jarrett selling the photos at Wimbledon "Make It a Date, Friday at Eight" Olle Nygren's white boots Barry Crowson's blue facemask Ronnie Moore's green scarf £5 fines for delaying the start Eddie Novak, a well-known supporter who used to travel by motorbike Torchlight parades at Plough Lane The Superama Riders wearing footy socks The Winged Wheel Having to leave in the morning in order to get to Belle Vue in time Bobble hats "Angus Kix's Glamour League" in Speedway Star "Seery's Statistics" in Speedway Star After-the-meeting practices For the real old 'uns, "Supplementary reserves", although I never did figure out what the term meant… Steve

Great to hear from you, Stavros! I was one of the Wimbledon Pit Bend Loonies, and we used to love having you guys down there. Those were the days... Steve

Well spotted, that man! In fact, it appears that the crowd was a trifle under 80,000 that night. I watched on TV too, and I'll never forget Briggo's terrible crash. Steve

Two extremely valid points, and you beat me to it! However, I believe that the limit was imposed on evening events also. Something else to remember is that in the late 50's, speedway went through some troubled times, with very few tracks in operation. That would explain the one "50,000 ish" figure that Jeff. mentioned. It wasn't until the PL really got established that speedway "boomed" again, which is reflected in the much better figures post-1962. Steve

Yep, I remember that night well. That was the week before the 1977 I-C Final, and I got both their autographs too! Steve

...and spent some time riding in the German Bundesliga. Both also rode for Halifax, Andy making numerous appearances between 1974 and 76, and Martyn appearing once in 1978. Steve

I never really interpreted the thread as being "nasty attitudes", as I thought you were just being a little overdramatic... The problem is that is things like this have always gone on in individual meetings, although as others have said on here, it shouldn't have been that blatant and tasteless. Taking it one step further, we know that these rules should apply to various riders who have not made a bona fide attempt to race, but then what about Ivan Mauger's last bend slowdown at White City, in order to obtain a different riding number? So too did the Moran boys... As I said, I found most of them to be really nice guys, but for me, Siggy did stand out a little more. Then again, we've had no mention of Lance King, Rick Miller, Scott Autrey, Eddie Ingels, Brad Oxley, Mike Faria, Buddy Robinson, Rob Pfetzing, Bobby Ott, Gary Hicks, Mike Curoso, Larry Kosta, Randy Green... Anyone out there got any memories of them? Steve

Yep, I remember seeing him at Plough Lane that year. I'm a little surprised he never came back in 1970, as he had shown some real promise. Sadly, he lost his life at Ascot Park a couple of years after that. I think that one of the problems with some of the first Americans of the modern era was that they seemed somewhat temperamental - not DeWayne though, by all accounts. Many made fleeting appearances, but appeared reluctant to stick it out for more than a few weeks. There were riders like Steve Bast, Sumner McKnight, Rick Woods (that was largely down to the refusal to be allowed to compete in the World Championship, though), and Mark Cherry, and none stayed for long. Even the perenially controversial Steve Gresham calmed down a lot after a stormy relationship with Hull. Of all the Americans I met - and not that I had any problems with any of them - but Dennis Sigalos seemed the perfect gentleman. Ron Preston was also a really nice guy. Steve

One thing. Kev; sounds like you may not know, but Ken sadly passed away a few years ago after a long illness. Steve

Agreed; Ron was English, Stu was Australian. I actually think this had been mentioned before on here, and it was dismiised then. Steve

Of course, that brings to mind Junicho "Jimmy" Ogisu, the Japanese rider who competed in the 1970 Internationale. It also brings to mind some of the great individual events, such as the Brandonapolis, Laurels, Superama, Westernapolis, Shaytona, Dews Trophy, Golden Hammer, Yorkshire TV Trophy, Blue Riband, Olympique, Golden Gauntlets, Pride of the East etc, plus things like the London, Northern, Midland, and Southern Riders Championships. Here we go again...sniff, sniff Steve

I think the old mind must be going, Del-Boy; we covered this just a few months ago - AND YOU EVEN POSTED!!! Go back and check the "Cheetahs and Dons" thread started by Miro on March 5. Steve

Of course, the only prolem with THAT story, is that Ray Humphries probably wasn't around when the Tyburn Gallows were being used. The last execution at the gallows took place in November 1783! Steve

Actually, I don't disagree with kingpin23699's post above, or with Melchy, but anyway... Had Team GB done well, everyone would have been congratulating the riders, but instead, not only the riders, but also the management are roundly condemned. I really don't feel that "National Pride" is as big a factor in sport these days, but that is not necessarily a reflection on an individual's efforts, be it a rider or manager. I do not doubt for one second that the lads were trying their hardest. However, I can tell you from experience, that in competitive sport, it is not difficult to become disillusioned and deflated when things aren't going well. There is nothing worse for anyone participating in such a sport to be heckled or abused. The fact is that British riders are NOT out there, either in quantity or quality. That should not be construed as criticism of any individuals concerned, because it isn't, merely a reflection of the state of British speedway at the present time. Maybe Woffinden and/or Kennett would have made a difference, but as has been said, when Nicholls, Richardson, and Harris performed like they did, I doubt if it would have made much of a difference. Oh, and Subedei (and others), while you may be correct in your statement about respect being earned, that should not automatically dictate that an individual who has yet to earn your respect, should be subjected to the kind of intolerance and abuse that I have witnessed on some of these threads. Whether or not that person's views coincide with yours, and whether you are even acquainted with that person, people do at least deserve a little civility and courtesy. Intelligence is no substitute. Steve

He has stepped in for Sky on occasion, including one year when they did simultaneous broadcasts from two league matches. Steve

Thanks a bunch, Tony; looking at those pics made me want to cry my bloody eyes out... Steve

Absolutely correct, that man. Steve

I agree; I'd definitely say it was Reg Wilson. Steve

There was a novice at Wimbledon in 1969 by the name of Philip Lach-Szyrma. Steve

Both have already been mentioned, but I don't think that Colin Gooddy quite made it to four decades (1955-1977, I believe). Steve

Good call, Miro. Conny was another rider I'd thought would qualify for a four-decade span, but you certainly confirmed it. Steve

I believe he rode for Poole in 1997, but was absent from the British scene for the next two years. Steve

Yep, he was at Hackney, Bob. From his Hawks debut on April 2nd, 1965, until his last meeting on October 9, 1970, Les never missed an official meeting. He rode in 223 successive matches - 214 BL and 9 KOC. Steve

If we also include grass-track, that brings in Lew Coffin! Steve

Sorry, but he retired at the end of the 1970 season. He rode in 37 matches for an average of 4.71. Also, speedyguy; you're correct about Gene Bonsignore and George Lazor. Both started racing in 1976, which gives them four decades each. Steve