There was a spate of them during the late 80's and early 90's.
A number of riders fell foul of tests around that time, Havelock actually missed a whole season (89?) as a result.
Bart's league and cup stats were:
18 matches, 76 rides, 75 pts, 21 bp's 96total, average 5.05.
As you say, he only averaged 0.28 less than McConnell, and Shawn had already had a season at Birmingham.
Bast had a top league score of 11+1 and didn't score less than 2+1.
I always though Bart got a bit of a rough deal. He was averaging over 5 in his frst season and got dropped for a veteran in John Davis.
To put it in perspective, he'd have been fourth in our averages last season!
Timmy Joe Shepherd what a legend!
Two very slow races v Belle Vue in '75 and then the first flight back home!
He was the Hackney equivalent of Leonard Raba!
There wasn't a girl rider who rode in any official league fixtures.
Lisa Whibberley Wobberley rode some 2nd halves and the odd junior match.
Julie Cross rode in the Telford indoor meeting one year.
It is a pity that he's a shadow of his former self as he was fantastic to watch at his best.
Some riders have ridden on too long (Peter Collins for example) and left a slightly watered down legacy as a result.
Mark will know when he's had enough, i'm sure observations from the likes of me will have little bearing on that decision.
He's still scoring at a decent 2nd/3rd Heat leader level, but to tout him for a GP place is plain daft and would do him no favours at all.
Absolutely no doubt that Loram should not even be considered for a GP place.
Past his best, getting himself into more scrapes every year because he's getting slower.
What format was used to decide the winner?? Whoever had the most K's in their name??
This is Speedway, i wouldn't be at all surprised by any 'solution'.
Quality Mr Shovlar, you are full of em
Calling the meeting off and re-scheduling tomorrow was the only sensible decision. These circumstances have occured before in major individual meetings. Certainly that's what happened in the '84 NLRC.
Situations like this just sum up why Speedway is regarded as a Mickey Mouse game followed by anoraks and pikeys. Total farce and makes you wonder why you bother giving it the time of day!
Don't think the following will be far away:
Lindback
Hampel
Nicholls
Richardson
Kasprzak or Lindgren (depending if one is u21 champ)
Zagar
Andersen/Holta
Frankly i'm amazed that people are touting Mark Loram for a place. British speedway would gain exactly zero from him being back in, and he'd struggle too as i also believe his best days are gone.
Definitely Crash, World Champ round in 1974 - Leicester i think.
Not sure on the Reading number 7 - face mask looks like John Davis, but i'm sure he wouldn't be at 7.