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1997 Archive of International Speedway

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October Part 1 - 1997

From: swaalen@online.no
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Re: Polish finals
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 23:06:51 +0100

Hi

>Do you make out a GP at Bydgoszcz? I can't. The stadium's capacity is far
too small, and either the terraces >will be packed like hell (impossible
for safety reasons) or the tickets will be expensive enough. I'd rather
>see a GP at Chorzow..


After being in Bydgoszcz at the WTC two years ago, and seing the matches
this and last week-end at the track and the Corzhow track, I must agree the
Corzhow track looked in much better shape. As for the Corshow track as a GP
venue I can`t comment, because I have never been there, but every time the
Bydgoszcz track is in focus, there is always trouble in the crowd, and too
many people inside. Also there is not much enough room in the terraces.
Some big changes has to be made before an eventual GP.

The hotel in town is brilliant though !!


Stein 
From: KDSmith@compuserve.com
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Oceanic Classic (22 October)
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 18:01:09 -0400

Oceanic Select at Hull

This was a straight 20 heat individual meeting
comprising some of the best performers at Hull this
season (plus a few old friends).  Paul Bentley won
the run-off for the GBP300 prize after he and Paul
Fry were level after 20 heats.  Another individual
title for Bentley!

After 20 heats:

Paul Bentley    14
Paul Fry        14
Stuart Robson   12
Jesper Olsen     9
Kevin Little     9
Nigel Sadler     9
Richard Juul     8
Scott Smith      8
Lee Dicken       8
Lawrence Hare    7
Shaun Tacey      6
Simon Cartwright 4 (in for Les Collins)
Ray Morton       3
Simon Taulks     3 (in for Peter Scully)
Paul Thorp       1
Leigh Lanham did not show therefore:
Simon Cartwright 3 (reserve rides)
Simon Tawlks     2 (reserve rides)

An above average crowd turned out to finish off
a below average season.  The track looked prettty
good apart from the bumps on the  1st and 2nd bends
that caught out quite a few riders including Stuart
Robson who was leading in heat 20 and looking set
to win the grand (!) prize, and Paul Fry who came a
proper cropper in the re-run of the run-off leaving
Paul Bentley to coast home for an easy win.

The racing all night was pretty poor with very few
passes.  Olsen was the most exciting rider, being
involved in two of the best races of the evening
including an amazing heat 16 battle with Newcastle
team mates Juul and Bentley.  Olsen almost fell on
bend two but came off the floor as if his throttle
was stuck open to fly round the outside of Bentley
as they reached the end of the lap.

Thorp and Morton were trying hard to impress and
book their places back in Hull for next season.
Unfortunately they were both embarrasssed by major
engine problems (Thorp failing to finish in 4 out of
5 rides and Race-Rusty-Ripper Morton failing in two
rides and limping round in the rest).  Engine
problems also prevented the impressive Lawrence Hare
from having a chance of some prize money.

Best Regards,

Kevin Smith
From: prwhite@ozemail.com.au
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Ivan Mauger Series
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 08:20:15 +1000 (EST)

ROUND 1
NHULUNBUY (Gove), NORTHERN TERRITORY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Heat points: Vaclav Verner (Czech Republic) 12, Chris Slabon (Canada) 10,
Scott Hislop (Gove) 8, Buck Blair (USA) 8, Grzegorz Walasek (Poland) 8,
Richard Wolff (Czech Republic) 7, Kjell Sola (Norway) 7, Jesper Foldager
(Denmark) 4, Brendan Mackay (Darwin) 4, Jamie Bell (Darwin) 2, Dean Pearce
(Darwin) 1, Scott Boyce (New Zealand) 0.
Semi-final 1: Wolff, Mackay, Verner, Hislop, Blair.
Semi-final 2: Sola, Walasek, Slabon, Foldager, Bell.
A Final: Wolff, Mackay, Sola, Walasek, Slabon, Verner (excl).
MEETING AND SERIES POINTS SCORED: Wolff 12, Mackay 11, Sola 10, Walasek 9,
Slabon 8, Verner 7, Hislop 6, Bell 5, Pearce 4, Blair 3, Foldager 2, Boyce
1.

ROUND 2
KATHERINE, NORTHERN TERRITORY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5
Heat points: Chris Slabon 11, Richard Wolff 10, Vaclav Verner 10, Buck
Blair 9, Grzegorz Walasek 8, Jesper Foldager 8, Kjell Sola 7, Brendan
Mackay 7, Scott Boyce 2, Dean Pearce 2, Jamie Bell 0, Wayne Lorymer 0.
Semi-final 1: Walasek, Wolff, Sola, Slabon, Mackay.
Semi-final 2: Blair, Verner, Foldager, Boyce, Pearce.
Final: Walasek, Sola, Wolff, Verner, Foldager, Blair.
Meeting points: Walasek 12, Sola 11, Wolff 10, Verner 9, Foldager 8, Blair
7, Slabon 6, Boyce 5, Pearce 4, Mackay 3, Bell 2, Lorymer 1.
PROGRESSIVE SERIES POINTS: Wolff 22, Walasek 21, Sola 21, Verner 16, Slabon
14, Mackay 14, Foldager 10, Blair 10, Pearce 8, Bell 7, Boyce 6.


ROUND 3
TENNANT CREEK, NORTHERN TERRITORY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Heat points: Vaclav Verner 11, Buck Blair 10, Grzegorz Walasek 10, Chris
Slabon 9, Richard Wolff 8, Jesper Foldager 6, Kjell Sola 5, Brendan Mackay
4, Scott Boyce 4, Dean Pearce 2, Jamie Bell 1.
Semi-final 1: Blair, Verner, Mackay, Boyce, Pearce.
Semi-final 2: Walasek, Wolff, Sola, Slabon, Foldager.
Final: Walasek, Sola, Verner, Wolff, Blair, Mackay.
Meeting points: Walasek 12, Sola 11, Verner 10, Wolff 9, Blair 8, Mackay 7,
Foldager 6, Slabon 5, Boyce 4, Pearce 3, Bell 2.
PROGRESSIVE SERIES POINTS: Walasek 33, Sola 32, Wolff 31, Verner 26, Mackay
21, Slabon 19, Blair 18, Foldager 16, Pearce 11, Boyce 10, Bell 9.


ROUND 4
ALICE SPRINGS, NORTHERN TERRITORY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
Heat points: Grzegorz Walasek 11, Richard Wolff 11, Chris Slabon 10, Kjell
Sola 8, Buck Blair 7, Vaclav Verner 7, Brendan Mackay 7, Jesper Foldager 4,
Scott Boyce 3, Dean Pearce 3, Jamie Bell 0.
Semi-final 1: Walasek, Verner, Mackay, Boyce, Slabon (ef).
Semi-final 2: Sola, Wolff, Blair, Foldager, Pearce.
Final: Sola, Walasek, Wolff, Blair, Verner, Mackay.
Meeting points: Sola 12, Walasek 11, Wolff 10, Blair 9, Verner 8, Mackay 7,
Foldager 6, Boyce 5, Pearce 4, Slabon 3, Bell 2.
PROGRESSIVE SERIES POINTS: Sola 44, Walasek 44, Wolff 41, Verner 34, Mackay
28, Blair 27, Foldager 24, Slabon 22, Boyce 15, Pearce 15, Bell 11.

ROUND 5
MOUNT ISA, QUEENSLAND
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
Heat points: Grzegorz Walasek 12, Allesandro Dalle Valle (Italy) 11, Buck
Blair 9, Chris Slabon 8, Kjell Sola 7, Rickard Wolff 7, Vaclav Verner 6,
Shane McCabe (Townsville) 6, Jesper Foldager 2, Kevin Looby (Townsville) 2,
Scott Boyce 1, Mark Grennan (Mount Isa) 1, Aaron McKinlay (Mt Isa) 0.
Semi-final 1: Walasek, Verner, Wolff, Blair.
Semi-final 2: Slabon, Sola, Dalle Valle, McCabe.
Final: Walasek, Verner, Sola, Slabon.
Meeting points: Walasek 12, Verner 11, Sola 10, Slabon 9, Dalle Valle 8,
Blair 7, Wolff 6, McCabe 5, Foldager 4, Looby 3, Boyce 2, Grennan 1,
McKinlay 0.
PROGRESSIVE SERIES POINTS: Walasek 56, Sola 54, Wolff 47, Verner 45, Blair
33, Slabon 31, Foldager 28, Boyce 17.
From: RUSSELL@cchs.usyd.edu.au
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Videos
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 8:34:17 +1000 (EST)

Guys
It is that time of the year when I spend some money buying videos from
Speedway Star.

At times it can be very difficult to get an objective view of the quality of
the meeting from the Star.

Could I please have you guys opinions on meetings you saw throughout the year,
where you thought that the quality of the racing was probably a bit above 
average.

I did this earlier in the year and Steve from Poole told me about the
Cup match against Kings Lynn, which I bought and saw some terrific racing.


Any opinions given will be much appreciated, please don't be shy.

Regards
Glenn Russell
Cumberland College of Health Sciences
The University of Sydney
NSW
Australia
From: John-Lowe@classic.msn.com
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Re: Videos
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 97 01:03:25 UT

Glenn wrote:

>Could I please have you guys opinions on meetings you 
>saw throughout the year, where you thought that the quality 
>of the racing was probably a bit above average.

Without doubt the best heat of speedway I have ever seen was the last heat of 
the Edinburgh v Berwick Premier League match this season. From start to finish 
it was possible to put a blanket over the four riders: Les Collins, Kenny 
McKinna, Kevin Little, and Scott Lamb. The passes were too numerous to relate.

Kevin Little of Berwick edged ahead in the last lap while Monarchs' guest Les 
Collins moved from last the second from the final bend to give Monarchs a 3-3 
in the final heat and win the match 46-44.

Edinburgh put out a challenge to anyone to produce a better heat. As far as I 
am aware none have been forthcoming. One possible candidate was the last heat 
of the Edinburgh v Newcastle Premier League match. This was very similar to 
the Berwick match however Newcastle took a 3-3 to win the match 46-44, so it 
was hardly the same!

John Lowe
From: DEBBIH16@aol.com
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Re: Mail digest
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 21:15:38 -0400 (EDT)

hi trying to help anyone who may be going to the indoor in brighton in
december
ok 
3 minutes walk from the brighton train station, half hour by coach from
gatwick airport
to the bus station which is 200 meters from the centre, or 75 minutes coach
ride from heathrow to brighton bus station. also try the shop's down here
don't forget it will
be christmas and still warm on the south coast.
deb
From: mark@marklawt.demon.co.uk
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Re: Wolves  49  Cradley  41
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 22:16:27 +0100

In message <9CF6CC3E47@ksinet.univ.gda.pl>, Steve Wright writes
>Forget the result!! Speedway was the winner tonight. (Best crowd and the
>best atmosphere for years). 

>[I'll post the full results tomorrow if Mark L. doesn't do it!]
>
>Regards to all, Steve Wright - Wolverhampton.

I totally agree Steve.
Please post the results - I am extremely busy this week. Thanks a lot, I
appreciate it.

Cheers

Mark
-- 
\  Mark Lawton              e-mail: mark@marklawt.demon.co.uk    /
/  Web Site URL: http://www.marklawt.demon.co.uk/Wolves          \
\                                                                /
From: K.Meynell@terena.nl
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Re: Scottish National Team 
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 10:39:09 +0200

>So we must be country then, to be truthful Kevin I think you have a problem
>mate.  Why should you give a toss if Scotland want to go it alone, if the
>people want it, give it to them. Why are you so against it, I can't see why
>it is any skin of your nose.  The end effect of it all will be more
>internationals riding in the British league (ie it will be good for all of
>British speedway).

I have nothing against Scotland at all, but I am concerned for the future
of international competition for the reasons I've outlined previously. I
don't have a problem with Scotland holding their own National Championships
under the umbrella of a British Championship, or indeed being represented
in the odd Test Match. I think I've put forward a fair argument, and whilst
you don't need to agree with me, you still haven't explained how Scotland
differs from Bavaria, Catalonia et. al. Is no-one allowed to question this?

>Mr. Salmond was indeed there to present the awards for the Scottish Riders
>Championships (as he was unable to make the Armadale meeting).  Mr. Salmond
>is a regular customer of Alan Robertsons' and various people involved at
>Linlithgow Speedway are members of the SNP, he spoke of his support of a
>national team and his attendance at a crappy track on a freezing day was very
>much appreciated and show the honour of the man. I would not expect him to
>have any involvement regarding a national team however, he has much more
>pressing issues in getting the countries independance as a whole secured.

Well no doubt where your political allegiances lie. I worry about anyone
that puts their faith in a politican.

>Oh well thats enough from me, I reckon we will get our Speedway independance
>in a few years and not just when we get our independance as a nation on a
>political level cometh the new century. It will happen, believe me it will.

I feel you are mistaken. Any time a political party in Scotland has stood
on a platform of full independence, they've actually lost votes. The only
reason the SNP made minor gains at the last election (approximately 3 seats
out of 72), was because they changed their manifesto to push for a separate
assembly first. Even if Scotland did gain independence (and that's your
business), the problems would remain the same in a country dominated by two
cities. I know how the Glaswegians and Edinburghians dislike each other
(plain and pan loafs and all that). Not to mention the fact the Shetlanders
would probably wish to secede (and they've got all the oil).

Regards,

Kevin Meynell
From: stratfna@btlip25.bt.co.uk
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: RE: Riders killed in track accidents in POLAND
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 97 10:25:00 UCT

Mick Wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Did anyone notice how often these poor riders died on their 'home   
tracks'.

Does that mean they ride there more often it was always likely to be the   
case?
Or wouldn't home track knowledge balance that out

My own view is that riders are more likely to take risks at home and so   
get
themselves into dangerous and sometimes fatal situations...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Or could it be that statistically they are more likely to have an   
accident on their  home track simply because they race there more often?


Cheers for now

Neil
 -----------------------------------------
All opinions are personal
 ----------------------------------------- 
From: nikulin@hotmail.com
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Swedish News
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 04:48:14 PDT

Reports are saying that Team Svelux have signed Vetlanda duo Tobias 
Johansson and Thomas Ljung.
Also, thanks to all of you who have helped me with the list of speedway 
riders killed in accidents. I'm still looking for more information, 
especially from minor speedway countries.
A new and updated list will be sent out later.

*********************************************************
*  Jonas Holmqvist   E-mail: nikulin@hotmail.com        *
*  ICERACING - The season is soon starting !!!          *
*********************************************************


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
From: AP_Greaves@compuserve.com
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Mail digest
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 12:45:45 -0400

Message text written by INTERNET:speedway-l@ksinet.univ.gda.pl
>It's been my opinion for more than a year, and the subject of much   
speculation,  that Scott Nicholls will end up at Wolverhampton at some   
point, and last nights paper more or less said the same. Although I'll be 
sorry to lose him, I can see the attraction for him personally, as I'm   
sure Van Straaten will pay him twice what he earns at Ipswich, and   
probably provide him with some decent equipment too - something Ipswich   
cannot afford to do. However, surely this must be a World record transfer  

if it happens?<

You could yet be wecoming back Howe and Clouting then :-).

Alan
From: WeeLarry@aol.com
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Re:Scottish National Team (Yet again!)
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 14:39:54 -0400 (EDT)

While away on business today I bought the SS for the first time in years to
help me while away the hours on the train as I returned home.

Imagine my surprise as I read a three page article on one of the lists hot
topics.  It seems that old man Robbo is really going for it over the winter
and has finally gone public. 

It did surprise me that it merited a slot in the BSPA's weekly press release
but there you go,  it appears that Alan has got the support of the Glasgow
promoter as well as the Edinburgh promotion and he is looking for a figure to
spearhead the national team.  Names mentioned in the SS are Bert Harkins and
Jim McMillan, with Neil Hewitt playing a part in the administration.

I know that we all knew about this anyway but now it is in the SS it must be
official! 

The article also has a feature on the Heathersfield Helmet which will surely
be the most prized Amateur trophy next year.  
The helmet will be contested in an individual meeting held at Linlithgow each
year,  entry will be limited to winners of a weekly second half event (A plan
to make better 2nd halves will please DJM me thinks!)  Winners of the weekly
second half will win a medal and an invite to the end of season meeting for
the helmet, sounds a good idea in theory we'll need to see how it goes in
practice.

Also liked the interview with Jan (also in the SS), apparently he is nifty on
a computer these days!  His website is looking good mind you so some good has
come from his layoff!

See ya

Paul
From: miki@globalnet.co.uk
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Re: Satellite/16-Lapper
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 20:02:00 +0100

Stein wrote:
>Is Tomasz flying in to England. If he is it will probably be the first
>time.

I seem to remember him & his brother riding at Telford - season before last
in the ice meeting. I remember also he soon won over the crowd who were a
bit anti early on :))

Mick
--------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Voice Of Reason (yeah right) ~
Mick Ibbotson                                   
Miki@Globalnet.co.uk
F.B.B. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~miki/fbb.htm                    
--------------------------------------------------------------------
From: KDSmith@compuserve.com
To: "Internet Speedway Fan Club List" 
Subject: Rumours about track closures/openings
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 15:44:43 -0400

The Hull Daily Mail recently ran a report on the future of the New
Craven Park ground (currently in the hands of administrators after
Hull Kingston Rovers financial problems).  The ground carries a
restrictive covenant to ensure that it is retained as a leisure
facility, but nevertheless the official club administrators Coopers
and Lybrand have announced they will be submitting an application to
the city council to use the land at Craven Park for low-cost
residential development.

Local councillors are protesting, if the ground is sold, they want the
money to be given to local residents (no self-interest there then!).  My
guess is that the change of use will not be permitted (but then I'm
usually wrong on most things).  What is it about sports grounds that
makes them so attractive for property developers?  I guess stadium
owners are tempted - they can probably make more money from a sale than
they can from running poorly attended sporting events.  Secondly,
neighbouring residents, who will moan like hell if a field is to be
developed, are unlikely to protest if a stadium is knocked down and
replaced by housing.  Which leads on to:

What's happening at Newcastle??  

Are people serious about building on Brough Park.  Am I mistaken, or did
I see miles and miles of wasteland nearby? In a similar vein:

Does anybody have any news from Middlesbrough?

I've heard that the college expansion that need the land has fallen
through and separately heard that the track might re-open in a new
riverside location nearby.  Again there is plenty of space available
- we are not talking City-of-London here!  Perhaps Newcastle will be
sending Middlesbrough's shale (and tractor) back down to NEW Cleveland
Park. Interestingly, Middlesbrough is a Thursday-night track

Any news or counter-rumour would be appreciated.

Best Regards,

Kevin Smith
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