fatface

Likewise. My sympathies go to Steve. One of the sport's most colourful characters.

quote] Yeah I guess I do expect something different from a company running the premier speedway event in the world and that is put some of the profit back into grassroots speedway instead of keeping it all to themselves. Yes, speedway is a business but it is a sport as well and especially in this country where we are lacking facilities for youngsters we could do with some monies being put back in from the top. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Unfortunately you are living cloud cuckoo land if you expect an international private company to plough their profits back into something because it's "the right thing to do". Anyway, why should BSI give any money to the development of British youngsters, just because we have largely sat on our a***s and done nothing about it for all these years. Sweden and Denmark have developed youngsters without BSI money. Why can't we? I would exempt Sheffield from my criticism. They have shown what can be done with a little bit of hard work and imagination. Why can't other promoters follow their lead?

This discussion highlights something for me which I don't really understand - who actually owns the riders? For example, when Belle Vue paid a transfer fee for Jason Crump, does that mean they own him or are they simply buying the British rights to him?

Despite not being his biggest fan, I do worry for Mr Crump. I think he is the best rider in the world and - like him or not - it would be a shame if he didn't ever become World Champion. But, I can't help but think that Tony Rickardson breathing down his neck is the last thing he wants at this stage of the series. I think he is intimidated by Tony and feels a bit inferior to him. If he wasn't feeling any pressure before, he'll certainly be feeling it now. Was Saturday a sign of the cracks beginning to show? I can't remember Tony ever losing it like this over such a petty incident.

I'd say most of these pics were from the 1979 Intercontinental at White City. Except no5 is of PC in 1978 (as others have alluded to - cracking shot by the way) and I haven't got a clue about the guy in the last two pics.

Indeed - the cheek of it! Pah! In fact I'm sure I've still got the British Open 1986 official patch sewn on to my Belle Vue 1986 official cap, which goes very well with my Belle Vue 1986 official anorak.

Positive Tigerblade. It was a pairs event about a week before the World Final in Poland. Aces had Mort and PC, Cradley had Gundersen and Jan O, Oxford: Nielsen and Wigg, Sheffield: Shooey and Neil Collins. Can't remember the rest, but not bad going eh?

Yes, a real character. He used to stand close to the starting gate at Hyde Road and his mouth was quite capable of letting the whole of the main stand hear his opinions. I remember him regularly bantering with Dick Barrie, who, of course, had the benefit of a microphone. At the 86 British Open at Sheffield, during the interval I remember him parking himself on the steps that overlooked the pits and telling the world's best riders what he thought of them. In particular, I recall him telling Peter Collins (who he was a big fan of) that he should pack it in. He also said that Chris Morton (who was unreal that day) would never win the World Final because he didn't have what it takes. Ouch! Soldier Boy had a big mouth, but he did know what he was talking about and never shied away from the unspoken truth.

Maybe. What I do recall is that Richard Knight used to work for him and was also sponsored by him too. Is that what you were thinking about??

very good Grach...

Keep 'em coming guys. Like Norbold says, your suggestions are most welcome. I'm sure many of you have some great meetings tucked away in a warm place in your minds - I certainly do. Here's your chance to share them with not only fellow forumers, but thousands of others (I have a good feeling about this book ) So come on down and share those magic moments with us. Either post here or e-mail myself or Norbold. YOUR FORUM NEEDS YOU...

It sounds like it could only be from one of the World Team Cup Rounds held in the early 80s between England, USA, Australia and New Zealand which were held at Reading or King's Lynn. No names I know, but it could narrow it down a bit.

It was only two days ago! Surely that's recent enough to let us moan for a little while yet. If we'd won I'd still be celebrating!

What I will say is that Middlo got his selections absolutely spot on. Even going right back to last summer, his faith in David Norris has, I feel, played a huge role in helping give us the rider we see today. As for this year, bringing Screeny back into the WTC fold and having the guts to drop him for Havvy for the final have been managerial masterstrokes. Well done Neil. I also admire your attitude that losing is not good enough. It's not good enough for other countries and shouldn't be good enough for us either. IMO too many people are being all very British here - happy to be the plucky losers. Not good enough, we were at home, all fit and in form. WE SHOULD HAVE WON IT!

I think GB are looking good at this stage. Sweden and Australia are good, but they won't be happy going through the race-off. Who's to say even if they do get through, they will come through such a cut-throat meeting unscathed too.

I'm just surprised that "Man Utd" are fretting over "Stockport"

Ouch! That score chart can't be right. Things were perfect in the 70s and 80s Grachan and don't dare try and pretend otherwise.

I remember that one. For some reason Greeny's cut-out never seemed to work. As I recall, he was planted on his bum on the track when the bike came after him looking for revenge. He was soon up and away then. I also recall Mark Simmonds (who seems to be the crash king according to this thread) sliding across the top of the third bend fence with one leg either side. He travelled for a fair few metres sending a red light flying with sparks spraying everywhere. Amazingly he walked away. Even more amazingly he still managed to father a child.

Yes. I would agree with that sentiment. Even though me and a couple of others have nit-picked , don't let it put you off. Your site does make very interesting reading Tom.

Interesting yes, but like Grach and SCB have said, it is flawed. I think the wild cards should be taken out too - have you never heard of the minimum six match rule!

Thanks Dave. I'll be back with my opinion after I've poured through these stats...

Do you have the actual facts and figures? All I can see is a list of names.

You're not wrong there. What speed! What a track! What a nutter!

What's my porn star stage name doing in your all-time list?

A well balanced post rmc and one which I largely agree with. I was amused to read this little gem too. Mike Lee in the ref's seat? Wow, that is an image and a half.