Ipswich 2016

[Baldyman]

Isn't there a saying "nice guys finish last" if that's the case then paco must be a very very very very nice guy.

There again it's not really paco fault, but the man that gave him a job.

[2ndbendbeerhut]

Nothing against Paco himself but it's riders like him, Konopka, Karger, that are doing Brits riding in the NL out of jobs.

Shouldn't happen after this year as riders will be saddled with a 5 point ave. I also said a while ago that this years point limit inc the 3 point nl no7 will do riders like Morris and Ellis out of pl places.

[Sings4Speedway]

Looking at the latest averages with all the Ispwich riders in the top 5 upping their aves it really does give very few options to replace Paco. Even Branford on 3.40 is too high i think? Turns out i cannot read the small print properly did think it was peculiar!

Konopka would fit but i think he has had enough chances. If changes are made it might have to be for another NL 3 pointer.

The Greenwoods both have PL experience, local lads Mountain or Kinsley are in good form as is number 8 Hume.

 

As a supporter i would rather see a rider gain experience for next year and return on a flat 3 or just over rather than an overseas rider who would have to return on a 5.

Edited April 22, 2016 by Sings4Kings

[Baldyman]

We currently have 3.49 for a replacement, but I'm sure we will have plenty more come the next green sheets. So is there a list of possible riders somewhere?

Edited April 22, 2016 by baldyman

[Reviresco]

So who is your team macca? I thought you were a rye house fan?

 

Well, my team from 1972, when West Ham closed, to October 1985 at Oxford in the 2nd Leg of the KO Cup Final, was Ipswich - apart from 1981, when I became an away fan of Hull Vikings and 1982 when I saw every one of King's Lynn's matches, home and away. After 23 April 1985, a great chunk of my speedway enjoyment and association disappeared. It was never quite the same again. By the time he passed away, Billy was like the kid brother I never had, despite being a year older than me. I was lucky enough to call him a friend, as well as my favourite speedway rider, and also to spend a fair bit of time with him and his family out in Australia during February and March for a few years.

 

I was at his home in Werrington County in February 1983 when he got a phone call from Ole Olsen trying to persuade him to join Coventry - and effectively inherit Olsen's mantle as No. 1 at Brandon, when Ole retired - but his heart was set on a return to his beloved Ipswich Witches, especially after his enthusiasm for the club had been rekindled when he guested, was it three or four times, for the Witches when John Cook had left the club at the end of 1982. I believe I am correct in saying that Bill recorded maximums in all three/four of those guest appearances.

 

Two of my favourite moments in speedway were the night at Smallmead in 1984, when the Witches clinched the League title - when Fuel Taps was there as a , what was it, eight year old kid, - and a week or so later at Hyde Road in the first leg of the KO Cup Final, when the track was virtually frozen and Billy and Richard Knight hopped out of the gate in Heat 1, and basically that was the KO Cup's destination sealed. Many other great memories too. Enough to write a book.

 

Some of the things John Berry and others (James Easter on here), have said about Billy are just not true. I know that BluPanther, stood up against Mr Easter, a couple of years ago or so on here, when Mr Easter was making incorrect statements about Billy's funeral, who paid for what, etc. I saw these posts too late to have my say and back-up Blu, but I was very grateful that Blu said what he said at the time. I went and picked Billy's mum Bonnie up at the airport, Ipswich speedway did not, and I was one of the people who contributed to the cost of repatriating Billy's ashes back to Australia. John Berry did not pay for everything, or arrange everything in respect of Bill's funeral. I know that as fact and if James Easter, or anyone else, wants to say different, they I can prove them to be liars.

 

Phew, rant over sorry. I guess with the anniversary tomorrow, the subject becomes a little more raw at this time of year. I do not believe in talking ill of the departed, but I know who I hold almost 100% responsible for Billy's actions that fateful day.

 

The rest of my speedway involvement, I can bore you with at another time, or during an evening at Foxhall later on in the season, if you want. I think I've picked up where you and some of the other guys sit, and I am very easy to spot when I go to a speedway meeting. I had a regular seven/eight year spell, during which I would do a minimum of 80 meetings a season and a couple over one hundred, including following Witches junior riders at their own tracks, or during their U21 or World Championship qualifying rounds. Foxhall was over 60 miles away from where I lived, so I racked up the miles to 'home' meetings alone.

 

I think that I know you said Baldyman that you used to mechanic - was it at Old Newton,for an overseas (Polish?) rider, and that Fuel Taps Bruv is a mechanic and that he caught the end of Bill's career, and remembers Billy inviting Soldier Boy up on the truck with the boys after that KO Cup Final. Would be good to say hello to The Scotsman too, seeing as our families come from about a mile apart up in bonny East Lothian. So we will definitely have something to chat about during the evening - unless CL has got his "IFFF"up and running by then and we are all so entertained that there will be no time for chatting. On that note, good luck helping Bob with the track prep tomorrow .

 

Macca are you thinking of Billy Lelhman (not sure of spelling)?

 

Gee, your'e good man. That's the fellow. Billy Lellman. Came over in 1990, but never rode a league meeting for the Witches. Top marks and a beer on the bar for you Fuel Taps. Thank you very much.

 

 

Go the book at Christmas thought it was a very good read loved it .

 

 

JLs book is a decent read Macca.

Some very well written tributes at the back too! wink

 

Thanks for that guys. I have only had a flick, and I probably didn't pick on the best chapters, but I thought that JL was coming over very bitter, very anti American and a bit self centred, but I will obviously get a better overall impression when I actually get round to reading it from page 1. I will say, that if it wasn't for John Louis, I probably would not have followed speedway like I have, starting from when I first saw him (and Tony Davey) smashing the track record, and winning his heats by half a lap at Brooklands (Romford) in 1970. I will take a look at the tributes tonight. There is no doubt in my mind that there is nobody that has done more for a British speedway club than JL.

 

I do tend to frequent the Years Gone By part of this forum more than anywhere else, as I am more likely to know what they are chatting about - plus the posts are informative and interesting to me, whereas some parts of the Forum can get very nasty and aggressive, with what seems a clique infesting the threads. Also, I remember things from years ago better than I remember this morning and, I guess, I am a sad old git now.

 

All the best guys and hope tomorrow evening is enjoyable. Apologies for rambling.

 

We currently have 3.49 for a replacement, but I'm sure we will have plenty more come the next green sheets. So is there a list of possible riders somewhere?

 

I vote for James Shanes please, if he is ready, willing and able.

Edited April 22, 2016 by macca56

[Baldyman]

There is a good bit about Billy in the book.

 

Old Newton yes.Polish no. Czech

 

I started going in 76 so I saw both Billys stints.

Edited April 22, 2016 by baldyman

[2ndbendbeerhut]

So is there a list of possible riders somewhere?

 

Hynek Stichauer 4.22

Joe Jacobs 4.07

Alex Edberg 3.70

Chris Schramm 3.92

Jan Graversen 3.83

Aaron Fox 3.76

Chris Mills 3.74

Arthur Sissis 3.71

Rob Branford 3.4

Ritchie Hawkins 3.35

Max Dilger 3.04

Nicki Barrett 3.01

Dan Greenwood 3

Danny Maassen 3

Rafal Konopka 3

Oliver Greenwood 3

Luke Crang 3

Roland Benko 3

Ellis Perks 3.00

Benji Compton 3

Ben Hopwood 3.00

Lee Smart 3.00

Daniel Halsey 3.00

Ben Reade 3.00

Sam Chapman 3

averages from the final set of 2015 pl gsa's

Edited April 22, 2016 by 2ndbendbeerhut

[Baldyman]

Having looked at that there isn't many I would take a chance on. Maybe 3 or 4

[Reviresco]

There is a good bit about Billy in the book.

 

Old Newton yes.Polish no. Czech

 

I started going in 76 so I saw both Billys stints.

 

Ahh, got it thanks. My first visit to Foxhall was the Thursday after JL finished third in the 1975 Wembley World Final, but had seen him and Ipswich ride at Romford and some of the other tracks around London before then. I had to wait to get my driving licence before I could start heading up the A12.

 

JLs book is a decent read Macca.

Some very well written tributes at the back too! wink

 

Just had a look at Page 271, Fuel Taps ( or should I say ..... RB ). Mmmmm, 'tmc' should really have asked my permission for using my post in the book. Oh well. When I first read it one here, I thought your tribute was brilliant. Knocks the one below into a cocked hat.

[TheScotsman]

Good posts macca.

 

I well remember Louis & Jessup riding second halves at Wembley in 1970.

 

Having watched monarchs (Edinburgh & Coatbridge) through the sixties I had to move down south in time for the licence being switched to Wembley in 1970!!

Edited April 22, 2016 by TheScotsman

[Baldyman]

I thought I had been going for quite a while but you old boys have trumped me. I will add though that I've only missed 5 home meetings in all those years

[Pob]

Wow Macca56 I bet you must have some stories to tell about speedway that you must have collected over the years . JL is in my eyes Ipswich speedway , my 1st memory of speedway is on JL IN his orange and black leathers. As a 5 year old at the end of the 70's being taken up to the track on the bus by my mum. Dad used to work on the track with his mate normally on the 3rd bend and myself and my mum would meet him up there .

He told of the time a race that Billy was in a race a rider went down close to the inside of the track and they were trying to help the rider and machine off the track . Billy had already been about half a lap ahead when the rider went down and as he came roaring down the back straight the bike they were trying to clear off the track locked and they narrowly missed clearing it in time before Billy in one smooth motion switched his line and came past so close my dad said he could have smelt his aftershave . Apparently they all laughed about it in the pits afterwards.

Edited April 22, 2016 by Pob

[2ndbendbeerhut]

Much better couple of days for King...

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

Maccas ramblings were an interesting read.

I only hope I can have a few nights even half as good as that one at Smallmead before my days are done.

[Reviresco]

Good posts macca.

 

I well remember Louis & Jessup riding second halves at Wembley in 1970.

 

Having watched monarchs (Edinburgh & Coatbridge) through the sixties I had to move down south in time for the licence being switched to Wembley in 1970!!

 

Thanks, the Man from Inveresk. Yes, saw JL and, I think, DJ at Wembley in 1970 too, shame we didn't bump into each other . JL had an outing for them the following year I seem to remember - then wasn't there some sort of ban stopping BL2 riders, not attached to BL clubs, from riding in the BL, which stopped riders like JL getting higher level experience and was a factor in Berry moving up to the BL by purchasing West Ham's licence?

 

Wow Macca56 I bet you must have some stories to tell about speedway that you must have collected over the years . JL is in my eyes Ipswich speedway , my 1st memory of speedway is on JL IN his orange and black leathers. As a 5 year old at the end of the 70's being taken up to the track on the bus by my mum. Dad used to work on the track with his mate normally on the 3rd bend and myself and my mum would meet him up there .

He told of the time a race that Billy was in a race a rider went down close to the inside of the track and they were trying to help the rider and machine off the track . Billy had already been about half a lap ahead when the rider went down and as he came roaring down the back straight the bike they were trying to clear off the track locked and they narrowly missed clearing it in time before Billy in one smooth motion switched his line and came past so close my dad said he could have smelt his aftershave . Apparently they all laughed about it in the pits afterwards.

 

 

I'm sure we've all got a few stories, Pob, and I have one or two I suppose. Great little account there of your dad's 'Close Encounter of The Third (bend) Kind'. I can just imagine the looks on both their faces and the 'Strewth mate, that was a ripper' coming from under the agv helmet. He certainly was a smooth, stylish rider that lad and would've enjoyed that experience.

 

Maccas ramblings were an interesting read.

I only hope I can have a few nights even half as good as that one at Smallmead before my days are done.

 

Thanks Fuel Taps. And never say never, but it was a special night 22 October 1984. Having lost there earlier in the League Cup by a handful of points and also having been behind when the original staging of the League match was abandoned with three heats to go, I don't think many Witches fans would've envisaged the result that followed. Happiness that night was 32 - 46.

 

Apologies for the earlier mini-rant and for dragging this thread back in time from its purpose of discussing the current season...

 

Some showers forecast for this afternoon, but race time looking good at the moment with some further showers from 10pm.

[crazysue]

Compared to some on here, I am a relative newcomer to speedway!

 

First meeting was in 1988 at Exeter, a friend dragged us along for a meeting while we were on holiday, on our return, I started going to Foxhall. Was ever present until the first meeting of 1994 as I had had eldest son at the end of the 1993 season and pennies were extremely tight. I was then lost to speedway until the summer of 2002 when once more whilst on holiday, the same friend who had dragged us to Exeter, used his charm and we (me and eldest) accompanied him to Poole...2 weeks in a row!

 

I could only do a handful of meetings in 2003 at home due to my work schedule (amazingly, every meeting I went to we won in that very poor season) but after a bit of a mess around with my hours and an agreement at work to do the hours another time, I and eldest son started going every week in the 2004 season. Within a short space of time, it went from just me and eldest son to me, my 3 boys and a friend (who used to come with me back in the original days) and then back again to just me and this time middle son...now it is becoming predominately just me sitting on my lonesome on the home straight terracing frantically asking on Updates for someone to go and fetch a cup of tea for me

[Baldyman]

Have you ever thought of taking a flask sue?

No one ever brings me anything when I'm doing updates. A few vodkas and a burger and chips would be nice

 

 

Macca you should defo have to come and hunt us down one evening, even if it is to meet the Scotsman, he seems like a really nice bloke and comes and sits with me and a few others now. Fuel taps and beerhut normally pop over during the meeting also, so there is plenty to chat about

Edited April 23, 2016 by baldyman

[TheScotsman]

Yes deffo come over macca they are a really nice friendly bunch.

 

Though maybe not tolerant enough about paco!

[Reviresco]

Macca you should defo have to come and hunt us down one evening, even if it is to meet the Scotsman, he seems like a really nice bloke and comes and sits with me and a few others now. Fuel taps and beerhut normally pop over during the meeting also, so there is plenty to chat about

 

An acceptable Scotsman. Never...?!

 

Yes deffo come over macca they are a really nice friendly bunch.

 

Thanks for the invites guys and, yes, I will for sure. I'll let you know when and you can arrange to sit in different seats that night, or hide.

 

Won't be there this evening though as I have family commitments - my son's last non league game of the season today is due to kick off in a bit - (that's football, sorry Baldy) plus the 23 April is not a happy day for me, when a visit to Foxhall is not usually on the agenda. I wonder if they will mention anything tonight, but I suppose it Is 31 years now, and a generation or more ago.

 

Do they still play 'A Walk In The Black Forest' at the end of meetings? Whenever I hear that, it always brings back memories - mainly of not being able to find my car on the Heath, it not starting, or getting stuck in the queue to get out . "So Long As We Know" as someone once said.

 

I'll be keeping an eye on the excellent Updates site tonight (see what I did there, Sue?), and will be looking for a bit of Baldy humour to give us a chuckle. (I could be "Baldy Mark 2" the way my hair has washed and gone over the last couple of years.) I only registered on the Updates site at the end of last year, to be able to have a chat about the Aussie Qualifiers that the (always excellent) Updates site covered. I'm plain "macca" on there rather than "56" on here.

 

Anyway, hope you have an entertaining evening and The Scotsman, and HKP, are right about Paco. Forza Paco! Finger out of pizza pie, show them your rear end and, Rapido Maschietto! Look out for things being thrown in your direction when the tractor goes past, Baldy.

 

Again, thanks for the invites and for putting up with the ramblings. Very kind and much appreciated. (I see that Romance is back next Thursday with the Rebels, maybe I could get along to that. Would be good if CL could find a regulation to get Auty in as a guest, as it might spice the evening up a bit.)

 

Never know, I may get the Foxhall bug again - not a pleasant thing that particular bug as it has been known to bring on temporary feelings of hope and excitement in the New Year, which are soon followed by cold shivers, lethargy, boredom, poor eyesight and even alcoholism and depression.

 

If not the League Cup or League, Witches will win the Pairs and Fours this season. There, that's positivity for you...

[TheScotsman]

I won't be there tonight either - visiting the demented father in law in Norwich today.

 

But paco will be in my thoughts.