fatface

Balls .............. basically is what I have to say to that comment, everyone is in charge of themselves, don't get me wrong as a child Michael Lee was my hero. You can't blame parents for what kids get up to so how can you blame management or promoters by saying if he'd rode for someone else. Michael is his own person and regrets what he did at the time anyone would think he was a big time drug user. Have to say I agree with a lot of what "dontforget...." says Shazzy. Of course we are all in charge of ourselves. But everybody is influenced greatly by their peers, be they parents or others. I think it is certainly a valid point that a strong promoter or manager can keep a young rider on the right track. Is it any coincidence that under the wing of Peter Adams young men such as Penhall, Gundersen and Pedersen came to this country and blossomed into World Champions as well as decent men? I think another point to bear in mind with Mike Lee is that it is pretty obvious that school and education was pretty low on his agenda from an early age (and that certainly is an area where his parents should have had an influence). He hasn't really turned out as the most rounded individual and I think this can be partly put down to a casual attitude to his education. But it is not just speedway where this can be an issue. I would suggest that most young men with a real talent for sport are allowed to cast aside their education at a far too early stage. It is probably the reason why Football's Premiership is so cram-packed with empty-heads as well.

I must say I really enjoyed John Chaplin's "Coversation with....." piece on Michael Lee in the recent Speedway Star. I too was a big admirer of Lee. I'd even go as far to say he was one of the most talented riders I ever saw. However, in this interview (which was admirably frank) he really comes across as a rebel without a clue. It strikes me that he went against the authorities just for the sake of it rather than for any specific reason. What did everyone else make of the piece?

It would be fantastic if Birmingham did re-launch. I think its important for British speedway as a whole that the sport has a presence in the country's big cities. Also the "Brummies" is one of my favourite speedway team nicknames ever. Fingers crossed for them.

Here, here. Cheers Grach

1.Crump - said it back in October and I'm not changing 2.Pedersen 3.Rickardsson Dark horses: Adams, Jonsson, Sullivan, Nicholls, Dryml You can forget the rest.

Whilst this is sad news, it does seem that Jack enjoyed a very long and peaceful retirement. Well deserved too for a Belle Vue legend. RIP.

Great Minds Grach.... If you couldn't do 1981 WTC Mort/Gundersen/Muller, this was my no 2 pick. Hats off to you and the winner of this race (don't want to spoil it for anyone!)

Good race, but Boogaloo was really asking for that to happen. Don't suppose you could do us a favour Grachan and dig out Muller v Morton v Gundersen from the 1981 World Team Cup Final - now that's racing.

My cousin always reckoned a bomb had dropped there and they decided to build a speedway out of it. Actually, I always enjoyed my trips to the Shay. It also softened me up before becoming a County Ground regular!

Wasn't there (out celebrating my big 30!) but can pretty much picture it. I'm sure we have all been victims of poor preparation and organisation by speedway promters in the past. Tannoy not working, tapes not functioning, no ambulance in attendance etc. etc. - we've all been there. Maybe the organisers could have enlisted some assistance from the professionals at SKY and BSI, who - on the whole - are slick and know how to put on a show. BTW - bit disconcerted that Brucie's getting a hard time for his looks. Having just reached the top of the slippery slope to middle age, I hope people don't soon talk about me in a similar way! Also wonder if it had been a middle-aged woman that the guys had been slagging off, it might have provoked a stronger reaction.

Thanks Gredon

I'll be going from Edinburgh. But I also need to make a booking for my folks who live in Devon. Ideally Bristol, Birmingham would suit them. i've tried the usual supsects - Ryan Air, EasyJet, but nae luck.

Can anybody offer any advice on where to find cheap flights to Stockholm?

Dirty b*****d, that Olsen

Or even offsprings? Having said that, speedway's record on this front aint too bad. Chris Louis and Jason Crump have both become as good as, if not better, than their dads.

I thought that too. But do you think they charge extra for the white knuckle ride they give you?

Yes Wayne Brown did have a storming match and finished the season in excellent style. I thought he was going to hit the big time in '83, but alas he never returned from NZ and his talents were lost to English speedway forever. We did have the excellent David Bargh though..................... Cracking rider was Wayne Brown - could have made it big I thought. Dave Bargh was also a good lad, he always gave a good show wherever I saw him ride. I'm sure Belle Vue owned him at one stage, but could never fit him in and he moved on. Anyhoo, another fine finale has come to mind. 1983 Premiership, first leg Aces win 42-36 at Cradley, so its a forgeone conclusion right?! Wrong. In the second leg, the Cabbage Patch kids are all over us and are 40-32 head going into heat 13. No Chris Morton though, he's scored 15 riding from no.4. So a very subdued Larry Ross and PC line up against Gundersen and King. Nerves-of-steel Ross jumps from the gate, PC scraps his way past the Heathens and the Aces win on aggregate by the skin of their teeth. Phew!

Are you trying to wind me up!!!

Have to say my favourite meeting of all time was when my team (Sheffield) went into the last heat of a meeting at Hyde Road in '82 leading 37-35. Needless to say PC and Mort. did the deed and got a 5-1. Great meeting. Great race. Lousy result. You remember it Falcace ? As soon as I saw the thread I thought of it. Great meeting. As I recall, PC and Mort came from the back against Shawn Moran and Reg Wilson in heat 13 - classic stuff. Also remember young Wayne Brown (RIP) having a storming match for the Tigers. Also - one for the Falcons fans - 1989 KO Cup v Berwick 2nd leg, Steve Regeling and Frank Andersen get a last heat 5-1 to make it 90-90 on aggregate and force a replay. Another belter of a match.

One things for sure - they were not going to catch PC.

My two-penneth: Penhall took him out. I think Kenny was pretty dirty in the lead up to the incident and this probably gave Bruce the red mist. If you watch closely, Penhall just takes him wider and wider and even when they reach the straight, he doesn't straighten up he just keeps on sliding out to the fence. HE HAD NOOOOOOOOOO CHANCE!

That was a peach of a ride as well Grachan and I did consider it. I also remember Henka Gustafsson passing Sam Tesar on the last turn that year. It doesn't receive anywhere near the amount of praise as Wembley 81, but for pure racing it was as good, if not better.

Just picking up on another thread inspired by Grachan's much appreciated clips. What's everyone's top 10 World Final races ever? Here's my faves which I've either seen in person or on video. 1 - 1981 - Knudsen v Penhall (sensational first turn and it just gets better and better) 2 - 1985 - Gundersen v Moran/King (Gundersen dynamite as he takes the team riding Yanks in one swoop in must-win race) 3 - 1976 - PC v Simmons (Collins in irresistable form as he outfoxes Simmo) 4 - 1981 - Olsen v Penhall (Olsen narrowly failing to cover every move as Penhall pips him on line) 5 - 1978 - Olsen v Mauger v Kennett (Mauger uncharacteristically slow as Olsen and Kennett creep up on him together, then something has to give) 6 - 1982 - Penhall v Carter (nearest thing to a fist fight on track) 7 - 1990 - Jonsson v Moran (not the run-off - Shooey counterpunches Per as they pass and re-pass) 8 - 1994 - Rickardson v Nielsen (run-off - Tony superb as he outrides the favourite in his homeland) 9 - 1972 - Olsen's first race (Defending champion goes all or nothing in his first ride in thrilling but over-enthusiastic chase) 10 - 1982 - Les Collins v Penhall (speedy Les defies crafty Penhall in hometown)

And before Grachan does put up this all-time classic, let me be the first to say it: "HE HAD NOOOOOOOOO CHANCE!"

I think you're mistaken there Grach. PC didn't beat Les at all. As I recall, Les was beaten by Stancl and Kelly Moran (?). Anyone?