Grachan

I have a Hotbird dish and I've yet to have software loaded on it that will show Polsat. There is a channel on there that shows Polish league. I watched quite a bit of it last year - normally about a week or so behind. I can't for the life of me remember what channel it was, though,so if anyone wants to remind me.......

Newbury!! I live in Newbury and I'm getting a hotel in Cardiff. Last time I drove back to Newbury from Cardiff I nearly fell asleep and decided I'd never do that again. You've just missed out on a big opportunity unfortunately. Travel Plus had a whole heap of rooms available a couple of weeks ago after a big cancellation. I know this because it was in Speedway Star and I phoned up and booked a couple. In fact, the two I booked were two of the final remaining three - so you'll be too late on that score I presume.

Riders include Alan Bridgett, Hec Haslinger, (both with 30 appearances for the club). Leading points scorers: Gordon McGregor 257, George Major 226. Other riders include Doug Wyer and Reg Wilson.

A pity Sophie didn't have one fitted then.

Tommy Jansson's brother Bo was blonde. Wasn't as pretty though.

I remember the Mike Keen Testimonial. Hottest and driest summer on record and it peed down all day. The track was absolutely drenched, and I rememver Mike Keen standing on the second bend during the meeting with a hosepipe and watering the track in pouring rain. Dag Lovaas scored a maximum and was untouchable. Just how good was he in the wet?

Funny you should mention that. It's a pet subject of mine. Egon Muller was fantastic! Anyway. Yes. I'm sure.

He did win two World titles you know. So, yes. Best rider.

Really. Scott Autrey was already here? I never knew that (he said sarcastically). Scott Autrey was always a bit of an outsider when it came to American speedway. In my eyes it was Penhall/Bast in 1977 that kicked off the big USA era over here. I agree that Mauger lifted the sport to a new level of professionalism, but that he won his first title back in 1968. Hardly 'immediately before' Penhall won his first title. I never said the influx of Americans started with Penhall, I said he helped change the face of speedway. He was a part of a major wave of Yanks coming over here, and he was the best rider of that wave. Sorry, Wolves fan, but he was. And, yes, his looks plus the engaging personalities of him and so many of his compatriots, were a part of that.

I'd say he did, along with the influx of Americans in the late 70s and early 80s. They brought a whole different image to the sport that wasn't there before that. The moment Bruce turned up at White City in 1977 and was outclassed, the rest of the speedway World was in trouble. He decided it was time to get serious, and it was the start of the greatest era of USA riders in Speedway history. Don't underestimate the impact Bruce Penhall had on Speedway, even if you do support Wolves!

As far as I know, Olsen made his debut in 1970, scoring 6 points.

You started it. Nur nur de nur nur!

Sheffield - 18 May 1967

Bruce Penhall never rode for Hull in 1976 if that's any help.

I thought he never rode there, but another to add to the impressive list of World Champions linked to the Vikings in the 70s. Maybe they allocated him to Hull in 1976 but never actually bothered to tell him!!

I was looking through an old scrapbook that I made in 1975/76 the other day. On my special 'Yanks' page there was a typically badly cut-out picture of Bruce Penhall. Written underneath it, in my own fair 14-year-old hand, were the words: 'Bruce Penhall, who has been allocated to Hull for the 1976 season'. Obviously I can't say that this is the first time I'd heard of this considering I actually wrote it, but it was certainly something that I'd forgotten. Was I right? Was Bruce allocated to Hull in 1976? If so, does anyone know the story there? Because, as far as I remember, he never rode for the Vikings that year. My guess is he decided not to come, but changed his mind about riding over here after being somewhat outclassed at White City in 1977.

Correction to this post/ The score was Wolves 38 Oxford 39. The second half was abandoned. Gary, I have a few press cuttings and match reports from Gary Peterson's career. If you would like me to scan them for you either PM me or send me an e-mail.

That will be interesting. I don't have much stuff myself, but I hope you get some good pictures of the Tilehurst Stadium. It closed down before I started going to speedway, but I sometimes goe to a kids play area which is right next to where the stadiun used to be and I'd be fascinated to see how it looked. Speedway Fun Day? What on Earth is that?

Yup. You want proof? I'll give you proof.

The aforementioned cine footage from the first leg can be seen here: Gary in yellow.

What's the betting Sam wins the race, Greg and Billy go over the line together in second with Bruce at the back pulling wheelies. It'll be just like old times!

The meeting definitely wasn't called off. It ended Wolves 40 Oxford 38. Reports in Speedway Star said he was killed instantly.

Do you know which bit it is? The only Wolves rider I can identify on it are Martin Ashby and Finn Thomsen. The file I have is 8mins 24 seconds. If yours is the same then tell me which bit and I'll put in online.

I remember Gary Petersen getting killed. It was the first time I heard of a speedway rider dying and it actually had quite a profound effect on me at the time. I cut out all the press clipping, or copied stuff out of the newspapers, and put them all in a ring folder. One thing that's always puzzled me. Gary was almost certainly killed instantly, yet the Wolves v Oxford match carried on to its conclusion after the accident. I've never understood that.

A few things that might be of interest. The track operated from 1934 as Longmoor Training track. California Poppies rode 1954-56 in the Southern Area League, and the track operated in 1957 on an open licence. Track Length: 334 yards Among their riders were Swindon legend Mike Keen.