Guest BilaHora Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 All I remember when tape touching was not an offense. Seeing how speedway is today, with riders excluded under the two minute allowance while at the starting gate, the days when tape touching was not an offense seems like anarchy at the starting gate. It was at its worst during crucial meetings - especially the world final - with riders routinely seeking an advantage and rolling into the tapes. If I remember correctly, only breaking the tapes was an offense. I remember the first year of the new tape-touching rule. It must have been 1984 - the year of Erik Gundersen's first world title and also the year of the so-called "Gundersen maximum", which consisted of three imperious wins and a tapes exclusion. Indeed, I went to watch Cradley Heath at Newcastle in 1984 and, sure enough, Mr Gundersen obliged with three wins and a tapes exclusion. It made little difference to the result as Cradley Heath triumphed 29:49 on a night when Phil Collins produced a maximum and Lance King also performed well. From memory, the new tape touching regulation was tremendously controversial at the outset but, now, it seems like one of the most sensible regulations brought into the sport. Perhaps one day BilaHora will see a "...racing incident" regulation introduced as he would wish. Anyway, comments on this post very welcome, but, as the title of the thread suggests, if you have any particular memory of the sport, you can stick it down here as well. Regards BilaHora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matousek Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 I have never forgot roman matousek and sean wilsons punch up in 1993 northern riders, sean got fined off referee and said he would never come back to sheffield!, changed his mind though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BilaHora Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 All I remember when the Edinburgh programme described Berwick's Rob Grant as continuing to ride "...like an out of control Centurian tank". Regards BilaHora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePass Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I remember Bruce Edger at Romford not managing to stay on for more than a lap Steve P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I remember some Canterbury fans lifting the then new Eastbourne calapsable fence of it's hinges to get a race delayed, I still keep in touch with those who did it too!!, what great derbys they were. - well when we won 'em!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I remember my mum telling me how Mrs Moon was stuck under the collapsable fence when a rider when through it at Eastbourne, truly fantastic fan never ever put her off going to speedway, nor giving the Eastbourne (who are they?) fans loads of grief bless her she even upset the Canterbury fans by cheering on Uncle Ted at Wimbledon donned out in her "King Ted" crown that the Rye House fans had made her awwwwww those were the days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I remember my mum telling me how Mrs Moon was stuck under the collapsable fence when a rider when through it at Eastbourne, truly fantastic fan never ever put her off going to speedway, nor giving the Eastbourne (who are they?) fans loads of grief bless her she even upset the Canterbury fans by cheering on Uncle Ted at Wimbledon donned out in her "King Ted" crown that the Rye House fans had made her awwwwww those were the days <{POST_SNAPBACK}> yeah what a great lady she was, worked so hard at Kingsmead. Of all the Dery matches those are the most missed, didnt matter if it was 57-21 or 40-38 it was a great match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I remember when Hackney Raced Wimbledon in the PL cup final, and couldnt think of anything nice to put so left the page blank - remember that Bryn??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BilaHora Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 All I remember when Middlesbrough came to Berwick for a National League match in 1985 (which ended in a wonderful 39:39 draw) and Geoff Pusey, upset at criticism of his performance by Middlesbrough supporters, stopped on the back straight after a race and offered his helmet to a portly Middlesbrough fan. The suggestion being, of course, that if the supporter could do better he was welcome to try. When the supporter showed little interest in this (choosing instead to continue criticising Mr Pusey), Mr Pusey attempted to climb the safety fence and engage with the supporter. At this, a member of the track staff, intervened by pulling Mr Pusey away from the fence. Mr Pusey responded by trying to headbutt the chap twice, before Tim Swailes the Middlesbrough manager succeeded in pulling Mr Pusey away. It was a great meeting, with some wonderfully entertaining riding (especially by Middlesbrough's Mark Fiora) made all the better, as ever, by this entertaining little intermission. Regards BilaHora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 (edited) I remember when Hackney Raced Wimbledon in the PL cup final, and couldnt think of anything nice to put so left the page blank - remember that Bryn??? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Can't recall if it was THAT particular Hackney / Wimbedon clash Ken but do remember what you are referring to! Must say, before explaining how that blank space came about, it was agreed (within reason!) between the two promotions in those days that neither would worry too much about what one said about the other - afterall it was all about pre-match build up. Sadly, in modern times thanks to the "football mentality" of some, I doubt you could do it. Anyway on that particular occasion, people should firstly remember that there were no such wonderful things as personal computers, emails etc etc. I can't recall the name of the programme printers we were using in those days but I seem to remember that they were based near London Bridge. I used to have to compile the programme and write any articles using a somewhat ancient portable typewriter and literally pin those articles, together with any photos etc to the relevant page where they were to go. (probably haven't explained that too well but I'm sure people will get the idea!) and would normally get the programme in the post by the midday collection on the Saturday by guaranteed delivery so that it would arrive at the printers first thing Monday morning. (thank goodness times have moved on!) I had been promised a photo to fill that particular space you refer to which SHOULD have arrived in the Saturday morning post - yes there WAS such a thing back then! Anyway it didn't arrive! Undeterred I thought, "OK it'll be here first thing Monday and I can deliver it and the rest of the programme to the printers on my way to work in the City." Monday came, the postman came....the photo didn't! Snookered! (for want of a better word and remembering this is a family forum!) and late for work already I simply HAD to use a bit of ingenuity! Edited October 28, 2004 by Bryn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I remember when Hackney Raced Wimbledon in the PL cup final, and couldnt think of anything nice to put so left the page blank - remember that Bryn??? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> agreed (within reason!) between the two promotions in those days that neither would worry too much about what one said about the other - afterall it was all about pre-match build up. Sadly, in modern times thanks to the "football mentality" of some, I doubt you could do it. I remember Cyril Maidment getting worked up on a number of occasions by something in the Hackney programme.Not sure if he was a football fan though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star in Exile Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I remember when the Pride of the East line-up was more-often better than the World Final line-up from a few weeks beforehand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BilaHora Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 Mr Star in Exile Would I be right in thinking that Tomasz Gollob made his British debut in the Pride of the East during 1992 - scoring a very useful nine points? From memory, Kings Lynn were interested in signing him for the 1993 season. Regards BilaHora Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 I remember when Hackney Raced Wimbledon in the PL cup final, and couldnt think of anything nice to put so left the page blank - remember that Bryn??? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Can't recall if it was THAT particular Hackney / Wimbedon clash Ken but do remember what you are referring to! Must say, before explaining how that blank space came about, it was agreed (within reason!) between the two promotions in those days that neither would worry too much about what one said about the other - afterall it was all about pre-match build up. Sadly, in modern times thanks to the "football mentality" of some, I doubt you could do it. Anyway on that particular occasion, people should firstly remember that there were no such wonderful things as personal computers, emails etc etc. I can't recall the name of the programme printers we were using in those days but I seem to remember that they were based near London Bridge. I used to have to compile the programme and write any articles using a somewhat ancient portable typewriter and literally pin those articles, together with any photos etc to the relevant page where they were to go. (probably haven't explained that too well but I'm sure people will get the idea!) and would normally get the programme in the post by the midday collection on the Saturday by guaranteed delivery so that it would arrive at the printers first thing Monday morning. (thank goodness times have moved on!) I had been promised a photo to fill that particular space you refer to which SHOULD have arrived in the Saturday morning post - yes there WAS such a thing back then! Anyway it didn't arrive! Undeterred I thought, "OK it'll be here first thing Monday and I can deliver it and the rest of the programme to the printers on my way to work in the City." Monday came, the postman came....the photo didn't! Snookered! (for want of a better word and remembering this is a family forum!) and late for work already I simply HAD to use a bit of ingenuity! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Shame really beacuse a lot of the fun has been taken out of the sport, the burning hats of Johnnie H, the Leaping Lens, The Mularkeys, great memories, times may have changed, but memories live on.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Before the Wimbledon/Hackney rivalry there was the Wimbledon/New Cross rivalry. Ronnie Greene and Johnnie Hoskins were not noted for being polite in their opinions about the other team in their programme notes. Even that gentleman of the speedway, Ronnie Moore, joined it at times. I remember he slagged us Rangers' supporters off something rotten once. It's hard to believe now, but after that he became a bit of a hate figure down the Old Kent Road. Of course, being a young teenager in those days I believed it all, but my dad used to laugh at it and say it was just done to get the crowds in and that they were all the best of friends really. I didn't believe him at the time..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Before the Wimbledon/Hackney rivalry there was the Wimbledon/New Cross rivalry. Ronnie Greene and Johnnie Hoskins were not noted for being polite in their opinions about the other team in their programme notes. Even that gentleman of the speedway, Ronnie Moore, joined it at times. I remember he slagged us Rangers' supporters off something rotten once. It's hard to believe now, but after that he became a bit of a hate figure down the Old Kent Road. Of course, being a young teenager in those days I believed it all, but my dad used to laugh at it and say it was just done to get the crowds in and that they were all the best of friends really. I didn't believe him at the time..... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Don't know if terry Stone or Bob Dugard read this, but I wonder if they remember when the hose was used on the Rayleigh riders as they came round on alap of honour, Bob had the hose, terry had the fist!, I was only young, well youger than I am now, but it was great to see, I thought it was so funny, terry didn't!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Talking of Terry Stone, and digressing slightly, does anyone know how he is? I know he was unwell a little while ago and he wasn't at the Norwich 'do' at the weekend, something which he normally goes to. I hope he's ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 A bit off topic, but there's something which will interest Norbold (and Shazzybird) on Speedway Plus at the moment. It's a sad topic, but well worth a read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 A bit off topic, but there's something which will interest Norbold (and Shazzybird) on Speedway Plus at the moment. It's a sad topic, but well worth a read. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> NOT HEARD, WILL TRY AND FIND OUT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Thanks for that Ian. I remember the occasion well. I saw it on the front page of the Evening Standard when I went out for a break from work at lunch time. I still have the paper. It was a very sad day of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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