Kipper

There is a half page obituary in the Daily Telegraph today of Split Waterman, who has died aged 96. His is a name I remember from my early days at Poole in the very late 40s and early 50s. I can remember him riding (in my memory, which might be faulty)with and against such names as Ken Middleditch, Jimmy Squibb and Cyril Quick. I always thought Split was Australian, but he turns out to have been born in the UK and after his speedway career had a varied career which included spells in jail in this country and in Europe. He was also mixed in with the Krays, apparently. I can't remember much about his riding, except that he was pretty quick and one of the left-foot trailers. I thought he'd popped off a long time ago. So RIP Split.

The Telegraph printed the Elite and Premier results, and occasionally had articles on mainly Elite League matters.

I believe that there was a step function in lower speedway crowds in 1956 when all motor sport was stopped because of the Suez crisis. If I remember correctly during the time motor sport was banned my local team, Poole had a greyhound track inserted in the stadium where the speedway track once was. I cant remember quite how long speedway was suspended but Poole certainly lost great chunks of the crowd and they never returned due to a variety of factors, may of which are listed above. Incidentally for those that go to Poole the old 'safety' fence can still be seen in places, bend three for instance, on the outside of the dog track. It consisted of quarter inch steel plate firmly anchred and braced on the spectator side. Good for the fans but not so safe for the riders.

Getting away from the punch-up I've just seen Greg riding his speedway bike up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. He's due to do it later on this afternoon and a couple of times tomorrow. The most difficult according to an interview is to get the bike to turn right-ish. First time for a speedway bike apparantly

25% cost of materials, 75% gross margin to cover staff costs, premises, tax etc is a reasonable split for a manufacturing company. Not so sure on a service company as speedway is. The FTSE 250 company I worked in for 30 years (in a sort-of niche market) was pretty pleased with a PBIT of 15 to 20 %. PBIT = Profit before Interest and Taxation on a £200Mpa turnover.

Suirprised no one's mentioned Cyril Quick, who if my memory serves me correctly, very often wasn't.

The Czechs will be sticking to their own currency until 2007. My preference when visiting Prague a couple of years ago was to change my money at the airport whilst waiting for my bags. The Exchange Bureau in town don't seem to give you as good a rate and will 'sell' you a tourist guide which you can pick up for free elsewhere. Beware of the Taxis (usually big Mercs) at the airport. They charge an arm and a leg. The Minibuses (to the right as you leave the Terminal) charge a fixed rate and are just as quick. That is if you are going somewhere recognisable. Have a good trip.

Living midway between Poole and Eastbourne I'm pretty happy at the locations. Can't help thinking that the multitude of fans in the noprth and Scotland are not going to be best pleased at the prospect of that long distance travelling. I'm also relieved that there will, apparantly, only be four riders per heat for the semi and final.

Whilst I am in broad sympathy with your views JoD, I have difficulty understanding why this Forum has a RIGHT to interrogate CVS - much as I'd like to see it happen. Secondly, FAST, as far as I am aware, is concerned purely with raising and distributing sponsorship to up and coming riders. Its is NOT there to act as a focal point for debate about the future of speedway in the UK.