chunky

On October 11, 1972, Poole faced Reading in a challenge. Brian won his first three rides, and then broke the tapes in his fourth. He won his fifth ride. Could that be the one?

Most of the time, my memory is really good, but occasionally, it appears that things really aren't how I remember them! One of the perks of getting old, I suppose?

Could it have been in a second-half, perhaps?

I've seen both, but "On Any Sunday II" is the one for speedway fans.

It's hard to explain to people that have never been through that, isn't it? It's a terrible feeling when your body won't react in the way that you want it to, or the way you are used to. You really do feel just like an empty shell...

When I was on beta blockers for my blood pressure, it was the worst time of my life. Not only did I not suffer any nerves, but I couldn't experience ANY emotion; it was like I was a zombie. Not feeling nerves is one thing, but I never felt disappointment or despair, and worse than anything - I never felt joy or elation at winning. There was no adrenalin rush, no relief, no nothing. It also prevented me from "digging deep" when I was in a pressure situation, which is very counter-productive. Beta blockers may be good as far as your health, but they can destroy all emotion, and anyone in competitive sport can tell you that emotion is the biggest "hook".

Same with darts. It doesn't make you more "accurate", but once you get that supreme confidence, and removes EVERY doubt in your head, it does - as you say - lead to an accelerated level of performance.

It's certainly not the kind of photo that would encourage a kid to become a speedway rider!

Yeah, I've never seen anything like that! Still shocked that they would publish something like that in a programme!

That was the one where they printed the photo of the crash on a later programme, wasn't it? Where he was laying on the track with his leg doubled underneath him?

Now, that IS fascinating!

Now, THAT is cool...

Thanks, I wasn't sure...

You would probably know off the top of your head; did Charlie Dugard ever ride with any of his boys?

Yep, forgot about them!

True, but how many fathers and sons HAVE ridden together? Other than these two, we have the Coles', the Barclays, and Les and Ronnie Moore (at Shelbourne). Anyone else?

You quite sure about that? Think about it for a few minutes!!!

Think it was 76...

And one of the best!

That's a little harsh, John, considering the amount of spelling mistakes you made on your speedway books thread. Have you found the question here, yet?

I believe he was.

I don't really know where the idea of the captain being the No. 1 came from, but obviously, a rider with more knowledge and experience does make sense. Bob Paulson was the first one that I thought of! Tommy Roper was captain at Hyde Rd, when Mauger and Sjosten were the top two.

And that surprises you?

It is there in black and white, John...

Why are we here? What's life all about? Is God really real? Or is there some doubt?