Ron Butler

Mark Thyme at Aldershot for many years!

Norman N Cross who also takes up the noble pen of Sir Clacton O'Sea!

Thank you for that, Subei, but please don't tell the TV Licensing people that. They will withdraw my free license Regards to you me venerable old warrior.

Perhaps, Subei, because he, Pearson, is cretinous?

Exacrtly! Therefore would any rider deliberately engage in dangerous tactics at the risk of serious injury, or death, to either the other man or themselves. Hard riding is, and always has been, acceptable in speedway racing. If it were not so the sport would have lost its appeal very many years ago. Many of the top riders from throughout the world have got there by hard riding when they felt the occasion demanded it. You say that your view might be a 'tad' biased. I doubt that; it appears to be totally biased against Gollob.

Lionel 'Porky' Levy was killed in a track crash in Australia some years ago.

If you're to hungry it would be advisable to take some food with you; unless, of course you mean Hungary

I know there are a number of competitors who are there merely to make up the numbers, Steve. However, I think it unwise to predict so positively who will be the 2008 World Champion when motors have barely cooled down after the first Grand Prix contest of the season.

Assuming that to be so, it is rather sad and proves how risky speedway is as a business. I sincerely hope that the erstwhile promoters are soon clear of their financial burden.

Do you really thing that two down market tabloids will give the superb coverage that a high quality journal of Guardian standard did? I seriously doubt it!

Now there was a supreme rider and sportsman. Sadly, Norman, I'm too young to have seen him in action. There are so many of the old leg-trailing boys I would like to have witnessed hurtling round the circuit. I console myself that I am fortunate in having seen the Hart brothers.

Have you heard of 'Parker's Pension'? I don't recollect Fundin having a similar incom!

Thank you for that Rye comment, Norman. For many years I believed that Wimbledon never closed. That sounds like a reference to a certain well-known theatre!

E O Spence, the promoter who kept speedway going at Belle Vue - and thus Britain - throughout WW2

Following a lengthy in-depth consultative session with my two remaining little grey cells I regret that I am unable to detail the finer points of the first race I saw. However, my sources do reveal that it was at the Grand Ole Speedway mecca known throughout the sporting world as Belle Vue Speedway, Hyde Road, Manchester in 1946.

Gud on 'yer, Ozzy. Best of luck mate but you'd better start intensive training immediately!

So what did they expect from a man named Coffin?

Was Johnny Chamberlain smaller than Peter Craven - the original Wizard of Balance and arguably England's greatest double world champion?

Maybe it would be wiser from the international supporter viewpoint to wait until Russia becomes more welcoming to the western world before seriously considering adding them to the Grand Prix calendar

That sounds like an even cheaper version of the dreaded play-off system. I suggest giving the extra dosh to the highest placed British rider. That way my erstwhile mates in the Inland Revenue can get their cut!

I think he must have retired as John Pritchard is the current Bishop of Oxford. Harry Carpenter held office for the period 1755-1770 Thought that would be of interest; on the other hand...........

I'm totally reliably informed that Bungay now resides in Suffolk.

I think the 1949 World Champion, Tommy Price, is still living. I'm not certain. Perhaps someone could give me the relevant details that's incorrect.

Jack Parker [belle Vue captain] vs brother Norman [Wimbledon captain] Those two great riders knew each others styles as no other did. It was often said that they were telepathic. Such battles they had at both tracks - neither would give half an inch [we didn't have the invidious centimetres then!] leeway to the other. Each time they were pitted against each other the supporting riders were regarded as also-rans. Generally they finished first and second in their heats, but we never could forecast the winner at either Hyde Road or Plough Lane. Has there been two such competitive siblings in speedway since the Parkers? I greatly doubt it!

Do you not think that more people read Speedway General Discussions than Years Gone By? Surely the thread title in the main index page would attract the attention of interested parties wherever it was posted!