Fourentee

Had a call from the father of one of the riders immediately after this meeting which got me thinking. The gist of it was: "We've just finished, everything's OK, so his mum and I can relax tonight after the drive home. He's really enjoyed it, desperate for another go. Oh, and by the way, he scored x points so he was really pleased with that." I wouldn't mind betting that this sentiment broadly reflected the view of every parent there. How appalling it must be to have a child who wants to ride speedway – that parental mix of 80 per cent encouragement and support for your offspring's dream mingled with 20 per cent of blood-curdling terror every time he or she throws a wheel over a bike. I would dread it were any of my four that way inclined. But, given that desire – and there's no way you can eradicate it from the human psyche – how fortunate that so many people give of their time and talent to ensure proper training under appropriate conditions for these youngsters. Congratulations to all involved and I trust the news on the injured rider is better than it appears.

Mervjankefanclub, great shout there for little Guy Wilson, how could I forget him? Immensely popular at Workington, fantastic out and out trier and top personality too.

Wot, no Terry Kelly??!!

Wolverhampton Express & Star is running a competition, 10 pairs of tickets.

Thanks Iris, but the results from the link have Tomicek third and Hefenbrock fourth?

At risk of a slight digression, Terry Kelly – what a character! Remember him going out four times in five heats for Workington at Paisley to turn a match. And also recall him at home for Workington against Glasgow, when flags of all nations were displayed on the centre green. At the pre-match introductions, after much deliberation, selecting and rejecting flags, he eventually removed the saltire from its socket and wiped his boots on it. The visiting fans went wild but it was all good knockabout stuff.

Hotshoe, as a student in Harlow I used to visit Rye House frequently and saw John Jackson in fine form there one sunny Sunday afternoon. If memory does not play me false (and it was the late seventies), the stadium public address system failed. JJ was brought out as a tac sub (old style!) and Len Silver walked all round the track carrying a board with "Y/B J. Jackson chalked on it", pointing it out to the fans. He got back to the pits gate, where the four riders were sitting next to each other on their machines ready to emerge, stuck the board in front of the Rye pair and pointed out the change to them too! Happy days.