moxey63

Really loved this competion, the early days of it. It was a massive new tournament for 1976 when, I think it was over a wee or so, every top flight track (was it 19 then?) staged a round. In 1977 I remember Speedway Star magazine contained the scoregrids for every round and, as a enthusiastic kid, I would get each morning's Daily Mirror and fill in each score. The competiton died out after 1978, they cut the qualifying process, and I think the last GP staged was 1980.

As in normal life, a speedway club’s existence is only temporary. No sooner is one born; it precariously edges toward the doors of death, the exhilaration of a newborn gradually stumbling into the frailties of an old age pensioner. Many suffer life-threatening ailments along their way; some find a miracle cure and live on. In the end, alongside the few diehards that remain, many terraces feel the chilling presence of the grim reaper. Our thoughts are with Workington right now.

May 3 1975, Lee scored 3 (paid 4) as Boston lost 32-45 at Canterbury. Statistics taken from Alan Robertson's 1975 British Speedway Yearbook

And there's usually more people on the infield than on the terraces.

Hasn't this been tried before, surely it isn't a new thing. My concern is not getting newbies to attend, it's keeping them entertained and interested, and giving them the appetite to come back. The next time you are at a match, think that it's your first time and what will persuade you to return. After the initial experience of how fast, how dangerous the first couple of races are, it then starts becoming a bit tedious. That was my first experience, back in 1975 when I first attended. I was bored after a couple of races, but for some reason attended the following week. It was only when I learnt to fill in a programme that I realised the racing meant something. Otherwise I thought it was just motorcycle racing. What has kept most coming back, and I may be wrong, is the ability to fill in a programme. Without keeping score or having a programme and knowing the basics, a newbie wouldn't really know what is going on. People will only attend something again if they liked what they experienced. Regular speedway goers think it's a certatinty that anybody who attend the first time will come back. It is their belief, I feel, that "If I like speedway, everyone else I introduce to it will." They think it'll be love at first sight for any newcomer. In this day and age where youngsters are difficult to keep interested, entertained and occupied, my worry is that speedway, especially its long gaps between some heats, won't hold the imagination of restless youngsters. There is something about speedway fans that they like keeping records. Just look at the people in the stadium the next time you attend - it's like the main part of being there isn't for the racing, it's who can fill in the result quickest. And go forbid if you get home and you've missed catching the time for one of the heats. Speedway attracts a special type of person, perhaps a bit like a trainspotter. Perhaps it's the task of having to keep your own score which puts off newcomers. Football's easy to keep track of for a newcomers. I don't know, does cricket require you to keep your own score - and that doesn't attract big crowds. I introduced my brother to speedway 30 years ago, making sure before he actually set foot inside a stadium that he knew how to fill in a programme. From the off he knew what was happening, loved watching the match progress, how riders were perfoming, thanks to being able to keep track of his programme scorecard. Without knowing how to keep track of the scores, I really doubt if he'd have gone again. As it was, it became a big love of his life. All I'm saying is that not everyone understands speedway's meaning, the scoring process etc, at least, before letting them loose in any speedway stadium.

Love answering questions I know the answers to... that's why I don't post that much.

1978

BEST PAIRS MEETING Bonanza Best Pairs (17.10.1975): Zenon Plech (12) & Steve Lomas (12) 24; Dave Morton (11) & Barry Thomas (10) 21; Michael Lee (11) & Terry Betts (8)19; John Davis (15) & Bengt Jansson (2) 17; John Louis (13) & Dave Gooderham (3) 16; Tommy Jansson (11) & Ed Stangeland (4) 15; Ila Teromaa (7) & Ray Wilson (6) 13.

Bobby Duncan raced last year in Norway for second division Oslo. http://www.speedwayp.../BobbysBack.pdf

Yes, I doubt it'll reach six - and that's in a watered down league... that has already been heavily diluted several times before! Back in my day - that's the 70s and 80s - teams were more or less full of solid heatleaders, good second strings and competent reserves. Nowadays, if it's the Elite League we're comparing it to, then that league is muscled up with men from the current second tier.

Thank Matt Jackson and Hugh Vass. They have done all the research into these two cds, covering the 40s and 50s, and which I hope the third one in the series (the 60s) is forthcoming, Matt (if you're listening). Anybody who hasn't already acquired these cds, I urge you to do so.

According to the excellent Matt Jackson/Hugh Vass cd covering the riders of the 1940s, Bill Osborne and "Ossie" Osborne are/were different people. Bill Osborne rode for Bradford in 1946 (also appreared for Hastings, Walthamstow, Oxford, Edinburgh) and ended his career at Leicester in 1962; James "Ossie" Osborne rode the years 1949-51 (Oxford, Rayleigh) and, according to Matt's database, died in 1955.

Trevor CHARLEY: Rode illegally under the name Trevor Vincent when just 15, receiving his (illegal) maiden call up by Stoke for the September 1975 visit of Rye House. The previous month he had ridden for short-staffed Mildenhall when they visited Loomer Road - more than seven months before his 16th birthday! Had also ridden beforehand in a Training School match at Mildenhall in February 1975 under Trevor Charley!

Can I ask where you purchased it from - I wouldn't mind seeing it but can't find it advertised anywhere.

Has anybody seen an Ice Speedway DVD documentary titled "Icy Racers"? I think it featured Posa Serenius and was out about two years ago.

Hi, I am looking for results for this years American Extreme International Ice Racing last three meetings (if they actually took place). Thanks! Round 9: April 2, Dodge City, KS Round 10: April 15, Jamestown, NY Round 11: April 16, Jamestown, NY

Anyone know how you become a member of this site http://www.historyspeedway.nstrefa.pl/brytania/index.php - you need a username and password to login.

Nice one, Matt. I'm sure I speak for everyone, that your work hasn't gone unappreciated regarding these discs.

Any closer to finishing the third CD, covering the 60s, Matt?

The thing is, speedway has a reputation for diddling its customers. Last night was possibly another occasion.

And I got banned from the Belle Vue website for insulting behaviour.

http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/

Your memory must need to go to specsavers. I don't recall a figure that high - more like five or six thousand.

Can anybody provide heat details or full scores, rides and bonus points for the Challenge fixture (April 18) between Piraterna v Crossbone Pirates. Many thanks in advance.