Grachan

I'm sure Tony would be too if was still allowed.

Not too sure about Michenek as I'm not convinced he had the true dedication, but other than that I agree. The thing is, so many of those old one-off titiles were turned on one single race and it's impossible to make comparisons. Would Ivan have won in 1972 even if they had had semi-finals and a final. Ole Olsen was far an away the best rider on the night but totally blew it in his first ride. 1977 - Ivan was again fortunate. Wasn't he back in third or fourth when John Boulger fell off in one race? Ivan, therefore, certainly had his share of luck in those finals but who knows what would have happened with the GP in place. I've long stuck with the theory that Ivan was the best, though, but I have to say that I'm starting to sway towards Rickardsson now with the way he's benn going this year. That Cardiff final came close to clinching it for me. His form this year is remarkable. I don't see why Ivan should say he's the best. It's pure conjecture.

I had Ivan Mauger's autograph. It was an I followed by a line. Or, to put it another way, a right angle. I guess that's what you get for asking someone for their autograph while they're in the middle of talking to someone else.

Algerrie, My recording of the GP was fine. E-mail me your details if you still need a copy.

Hmmm. Inconclusive I'd say. Definite similarities though, but definite differences too.

I can't e-mail as you have no e-mail option set up. Send me one instead.

I thought it looked like 'Alan' although it could be John Davis as his looked a bit like that if I remember. I used to have loads of autographs around that time, but unfortunately I lost them at some point so I can't look.

Fingers crossed it came out then! Is +RW ok?

I should have a copy recorded on timer, all being well, but I won't know for sure until next Wednesday! If you still need a copy then, let me know.

Lee Richardson's mum used to present the speedway on Screensport.

Spot on Shaky. Second time lucky. I'd quit now while you're ahead if I was you!

He could miss one of them completely and still be guaranteed top.

To everyone else - there's always next year.

Hardly the crime of the century is it!

I've got the dk4 feed with commentry from Radio Oxford. Will they match up time wise though? Highly unlikely.

I'd like to know why tracks have become smaller too. I've always preferred big tracks too. Swindon is now seen as a big fast track whereas it was relatively typical when I started going. The irony is, of course, that as tracks have become smaller, so bikes have become faster. Maybe that would explain the accidents. I only went to Hyde Road a couple of times, both for World Championship events. One was an Overseas Final (I think) won by Phil Collins and the other was when Kenny Carter rode with a broken leg. It was a truly great place for Speedway, though I'm not sure how it would look today if it was still open as I'm sure the wooden stands would have had to come down.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Seeing as nobody has mentioned it - number 8 arrived today with none other than Martin Ashby in there! He says he still sees Broady quite often, but I already knew that. I've often seen them standing together on the Blunsdon terraces. I went to Martin Ashby Motorcycles once to get my FS1-E fixed. It was miles out of the way, but it meant it was fixed by Martin Ashby, so I was well pleased. Would Tommy Jansson have been 1976 World Champ? A possible future champ, maybe, but not in 1976 in my opinion. He was a great rider but PC was ahead of him at World level at that point.

As soon as I saw this thread it rang a few bells, so I've dug out some of my early programmes. The first ever match I went to at Swindon was Swindon v Wolves on Saturday, August 17, 1974. Announcer: Graham Guthrie. The second match I went to at Swindon was a 4TT between Swindon, Exeter, Newport, Oxford on Saturday September 7, 1974. Announcer: John Sutton. This is taken from the 4TT programme of September 7 1974. Graham Guthrie It is with deep regret that we have to announce that Graham Guthrie passed away on Saturday, August 31st. It was typical of the man that he had battled bravely against serious illness over the past months and was still able to inject his own brand of humour into the proceedings. It is fair to say that from the time he joined us in 1965, Graham had established himself as an integral part of the Blunsdon scene and was unique in his style as an announcer. To his family and friends we extend our sympathy. He will be sadly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.

I liked Bert Harrison at Swindon, but that's probably because he lived just round the corner from my mum and dad and announced my birthday once.

Nigel, I've sent him an e-mail to tell him about your post. Thanks.

The good thing is that no matter how old I get or feel, I will always have the satisfaction of knowing that TMC left school, worked for the MOD and had the 'you've been to Poland so you must be a spy' interrogation a year before I did. It must be hard being 45. Forty-four is so much younger. Actually, I just realised I'm still 43. The first sign that you're getting on a bit is when you have to mathematically work out how old you are rather than knowing it automatically. I'm a year younger than I thought! Result (as those young people say).

Thanks Tigerblade. I have to say, by the way, that the more I look at the back row of that Stoke picture, the more it looks like a line of geezers headbanging to 'Born to be Wild' at the local village disco.

Yes, tell us more Tigerblade. Inc-de-ly. I ju- reali- it- no- Ray Bales who loo- li- Norman Collier bu- Graham Edmunds.

And there was me thinking it was one of Status Quo!! Interesting, also, to see how some of the old riders have aged. It's wierd. You don't see them for 30 odd years, and they turn up looking like someone famous. Okay, Malc Simmons, Terry Betts and Paul Woods don't look much different, but when did Mel Taylor become Peter York? And Ray Bales looks remarkably like Norman Collier. Then there's David Gagen without a feathercut. That's so wrong. How can you have David Gagen without a feathercut? He's now morphed into Joe Brown, while Ian Turner looks like he's about to burst into the chorus of 'Agadoo'. Also, Bobby McNeil. I've often wondered how Bobby McNeil might look these days. I was expecting him to have aged in a similar way to Charlie George of Arsenal. But NO!! He looks like he should be Chancellor of the Exchequer - a kind of cross between Nigel Lawson, Gordon Brown and Geoffery Howe. Hope his cocxyx is okay these days. It has also suddenly occured to me after looking at page 10 that John Louis now looks remarkably like Tommy 'TV on the radio' Vance. Amazing.