Main Man

May I add my condolences along with my brother Gareth of the passing of Alby --memories of Somerton Park and the Wasps led by Alby (remember the words of the Wasps song "Were led by Alby Golden and he's backed by six good boys" --Glory, Glory to the Black and Amber Boys etc!!. As said in previous postings --a true gent who always had the time for a chat when we met. RIP Alby.

It was SWAPA (Speedway Writers and Photographers Association) who played a few matches for charity including this one at Oldbury. Came across the programme recently and had a chuckle or two at the pen-pics!! I had played in the morning for my Sandwell League side then borrowed a set of the club kit and headed for Oldbury to play in this one alongside Pat Foley, Rob Bishop, Phil Rising, Mike Partick etc against the riders. Also remember playing in a match at Port Vale's ground played in a blizzard at one stage with the former West Brom keeper John Osborne in goals --remember turning round to see the goals empty and Ossie sitting in the stand puffing on his pipe!! Happy memory though of getting a hat-trick in this game --my claim to football fortune scoring one on a Football Laegue ground!!

Spoke to Skippy last year and was hoping to meet up with when I was over in Auss last winter for a beer and a chat but never managed to fit in to my busy trip. Bill & Frances Hancock, the landlords at the Oak Tree Arena, keep in contact with him --in fact one of the bedrooms at the farmhouse still has "Adrian's" room on the door!! He has his own little business and speedway is now I think a thing of the past for him --certainly on better equipment he could have been a good litle rider.

Right GreyhoundP , I was there. did some commercial work for the event. Big crowd --although quite a few found their way in by other means than the turnstiles!! Can't remember who won it --must have the prog somewhere though, will try to look it out. Until I spoke to GreyhoundP recently I hadn't realised the trotting track was still there --remember the old big stand being knocked down (before it fell down). Remember talking to the then stadiun owner Maurice (Menagood --or something like that) as he was looking to either sell it or renovate it but lost contact. Pity that no one ever tried it again after that one off meeting.

I can't believe it!! Last year when I was down under there was just 2 meetings at Gosford (enjoyed both!!) but this year at the same time there are all those Aussie title meetings.!! Wonder how nice I'd have to be to the missus to let me go again !!!

Australian there will be Trevor Harding.

NO one out there got any old cine film ???

Alan Scott, who was with me in the box at Chesterton, when the Potters opened in 1973 as the timekeeper is producing a Stoke video going back to the original days and is looking for any footage anyone might have of Stoke riding to include. Leave any details here and I'll pass them on to Alan. Thanks

It is the "responsibility of the Team manager to let the referee know " which rider is on a TR.

It is 2 x TR --nominated before the heat with a TR board displayed --from the gate and points count double. Only one ride per rider. 1 x TS off 15 metres is allowed but a rider cannot have a Tr and a Ts and neither can be used in ht 15 and you can't have a TR and a TS in same race. For both team has to be 8 down after ht 4 and once nominated by a TM it cannot be changed. That's it in a nutshell !! (Thought you might have bought a rule book at Stoneleigh SCB--they were on sale on the refs stand???)

super guy --stayed with the Herne family when in Aus. Lovely people --no wonder he's top of the polls.

Thanks Sir Lunchalot --wonder if we will see him in the UK before long then ??

Noticed that there was an Andrew BARGH finishing 2nd in the NZ u-21 last week ---any relation to the former Newcastle star David I wonder ???

well done Lee --I know that you really looking forward to racing on Kelvin's old bike and what a great way to start on it on it with a win !! Nice one m8!!

dave tattum can usually be reached at Loomer Road 01782 566921 colin pratt at coventry 02476 542395. good luck ..as far as I know there was only one Pete Jarman.

He was at Stoke last year at one meeting when I was there. Worth contacting Dave Tattum at the stadium as he should have a contact No. for Speedy --or Pratty at Coventry as he is an old mate of his. Hope this helps.

thanks again . Met the Slades at Gosford along with a load of other really nice families with lads who love riding speedway --some of them are coming over to the UK in the Summer for a "holiday" and a few rides .

Thanks Sir Lunchalot. Is that Michael Slade's brother ??

Once again thanks for report Sir Lunchalot --again hope you don't mind it being used on KL site --THANKS!! How did Daniel Harding do in support events ?

Thanks Sir Lunchalot for the in depth report --hope you don't mind if I borrow it to put on the Kings Lynn site --of course giving the British-Speedway Forum honourable mention as well as yourself. From the texts I've had the track was as slick as a board and caused, as you have said, a few problems for some not keeping to a tight line. This qualifies the top 4 for the World U-21 --but will Robert travel as I understand his dad (a former Polish International himself) wants him to finish his education before thinking about racing in the UK . If not will this promote Mark Jones --if he can come !! John Oliver seemed to haved a right mixed bag with a win over Matt Wethers but three crashes.

good luck Sirg. It would be great to see him have the chance to prove himself in Britain this year now his average has been re-assessed at 5.00.

Having been staying with the Hernes whilst over the main reason (and for that of the likes of Watto) is finance as it would have cost them money (and lots of it) to ride without any real rewards. Lee and Watto were due to race in Ivan's Long Track meeting last Saturday but it was called off after floods in NSW meant the bikes couldn't get out to them after they'd flown out.

could well be a different rumour though!! In fact I've actually been on site at one of the venues and walked the track --and if it comes off have the pictures to use to show the site etc !! Intrigue --isn't it great!!

Very interesting. Please tell us more. Can't yet ..my lips are sealed but if it comes off it will be a superb venue --and possibly the first of several the interested parties are looking at !!

certainly Sir Lunchalot !! Unfortunately with a business to run, three kids to feed and Kings Lynn commitments , a fortnight was all I could manage . I know the run of meetings coming up and had Phil Herne and Mark Myers (FlourTrans and dad of NSW rider Louis) bending my ears to get me to stay longer but much as I wanted to , needs must --but next time !! In fact if something I was privvy to comes off I may be back to help get off the ground --exciting stuff eh!! Didn't manage to meet up with the bundy drinking, smoking Welshman -- but the bugger has just sent me a message on the Kings Lynn site about the weather etc !! SWINE!! See you soon (I hope!!)