BOBBATH

The thread on Scottish speedway riders got me thinking on this subject-I saw Ken Mckinlay in the early 70's at Oxford-Ken went on too long perhaps(born in1928)-however I also recall Harry Edwards and Howdy Byford going on a bit too long-but all these guys graced the sport in one way or another-bless 'em all.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!

Sounds great -wish I could have been there but Long Eaton will always be " Archers " to me!!Wish the old Pavilion pub was still there tho.

Hi Brianhamilton, thought you'd dropped off the radar there glad you're back-remember your comments on Ronnie Genz well-interesting comments in Classic Speedway by Jimmy Gooch on Ove-also comments on Arne Pander by him -anybody got any comments on Arne being a loner(nothing the matter with that I'm a loner too)??.Worst thing about your post was that you said you were 12 in 1960 makes you younger than me aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!- yet how can that be I was born in 1946 but am only 42-in Canada 60 is the new 40(understand that they will be soon introducing that law in UK also-make ya wait for your pensions!!!)

I really think Ken McKinlay should be #1-longevity, Capt of West Ham in 1965 when they were Champs, several World Finals including 1969 when he was 41, and almost a dark horse winner in 1956-but for a fall he could have done it. No contest-I think the only other World Finalist is JimMcMillan(once as reserve I think).

I thought the same about Eric Liddell-Chariots of Fire-incidentally that Eric Liddell died in China in WW2-he was a missonary-the actor who played him in the movie whose name I have forgotten died also- very young- of AIDS I think-he was a well known gay(not that there's anything wrong with that)!!

Note to andout-hi Roger do you think something like that could be arranged!!

Great to hear Capt. Kidd-does Alan ever get to Paris or Brantford Speedways, Stan Bradbury is often there. Tell your dad he is remembered with great affection by all fans of a certain age.Does he still have his moustache?? Please pass on my best wishes to him and tell him his speedway career is still talked about whenever speedway people meet!!

Excellent post Bee-Peter Brough now there is a name from the past. I knew Alf Elliott's son who lived in Vancouver and he used to tell me how Peter Brough who was stationes at St. Athan airforce base in Wales would give him a lift to Coventry meeting(Alf was a former rider at Wombwell and manager at Cardiff I think.)Anyone know how Peter is doing these days??

Kaiser I can confirm Leicester was a wonderful track to visit-along with the John O'Gaunt pub!!!!

What about good old Bert Harkins being in the top five??

Hi speedyguy-looked at that site with interest-no question in my mind that Ken McKinlay was #1- I would have put Jimmy McMillan #2, and George Hunter #3. As regards Tommy Miller-surely he did ride in Div 1 1957 when the NL 1 and NL 2 combined. I am interested in Tommy-as you say he shot to the top like a meteor-but than went down the same way.Never made the World Final-anyone out there know what happened and why he didn't stay at the top. I think he must have passed away by now but what a rider!! Is there anyone out in forumland who saw TM ride???

Just noted you asked for Poles 1975 on-Pogo was before that but no apologies for remembering him on this site.

Thanx Bee-this former Brit (part of the British diaspora in Canada) greatly appreciates it-remember all the 41-37 or even better 40-38 scores under the old formula-you may even recall that in 1965 the Wasps almost beat the Bees at Coventry-if they had what a major upset it would have been -my favourite Bee of that time would have to be Ron Mountford-always put on a show-those days should not be forgotten.

Andrei Pogorzelski(remember him??)-1965 World Finalist-wotta guy!!

Bee, couldn't agree more-1965 was a wonderful year-agree also with the tactical sub rule when 6 pts. down-also think the old 13 heat formula was the best.Also the old second halves with the juniors. A lot has been lost with the constant changes.

Boys, boys, let's be civilised about this!!! This has caused more controversy than the thread on gay speedway riders!!!!!

Jolly roger -do you mean you went to bed with two generations of speedway rider-are you a female-(in which case can I have your phone number) or are you gay-(not that there's anything wrong with that!!)

Thanx to you Norbold I now know the three oldest surviving World Finalists(in addition to the tallest ever rider-wouldn't happen to know the second tallest would you!!!)

Norbold thanx-then Louis is the oldest surviving World Finalist of all, Cyril is second and Split Waterman is third (I think)-sounds like a heat result!!

Ove is such a gentleman-and it is great to hear of his activities.I well recall his race-offs for second place with Igor Plechanov in the 1964 and 65 World Finals. Ove lost those times but what great races-I also recall of course Ove's many wins.Glad to hear he is enjoying life so much.He 's a good example of how physical fitness keeps you young.Good for you Ove.

Falkirk Bandit -thanx for putting us on to this article. Question now arises -who is the oldest survivor of the 1949 World Final-Louis or Cyril Roger(the only two left).

I think there were just 3 riders in 1964 who were placed on a handicap-Fundin, Knuttsson,Briggs-is that right or were there more??My memory is shaky on this-if it applied in 63 there would have also been Craven and Moore-known as the big five.

Thanx mate -great website-answered the questions.

Any old Panther fans out there-can anyone tell me what the Panthers uniform was and where they raced??