INTRODUCTION Welcome to this FREE speedway e-book, the first of its kind as far as we're aware. This book collates the memories and impressions of riders that we've received for our 'Dream Team' feature on the Speedway Plus website. This book runs from Adams to Zetterstrom giving the supporters' opinions on many riders from the past and present. The comments were made between 2000 and 2007, therefore if you find a comment suggesting that a 27 year old Premier League second string is a stick-on to be World Champion, it's likely to be one of the older contributions. This book differs from any other as it's written entirely by a cross section of supporters, from virtually every track in the land and with varying experiences of speedway. If a rider isn't listed, it's because nobody has chosen them as one of their seven favourite all time riders. Similarly if a little known rider has been included, it's because they've made sufficient impression on someone to be nominated. A definite case of democracy in action. Clearly, given that the comments were all written in this present century, the majority of the riders are from the British League era (1965 onwards). However, there are a number of vintage favourites in there also. If you want your own personal favourites to feature in any subsequent editions then fill in our 'Dream Team' submission form on the website. We hope you enjoy the book. The Fans’ Favourites Photographs courtesy of Ian Adam, Steve Hone and Tony McDonald. Cover Photograph courtesy of Ian Adam First Edition - Published 2007 Published by Speedwayplus.com Robin Adlington This little ozzy was a real hero in the '70s at Berwick. Could only ride Shielfield but boy could he go. He was also a really lovely guy. (Barry Forrest) Leigh Adams The rock around which our (Arena Essex) 1st division side Brett Alderton Unfortunately died after an accident in his second season was built. Looking back it seems strange to think that the as a "Knight" - perhaps the most talented teenage rider I've Hammers were once one of the glamour sides - but we were and Leigh was a big part of that. Brilliant to watch ever seen! (Martin Clark) and an absolute superstar - both then and now! (Midge Taylor) Gary Allan Mr consistency! Only one season at swindon. Who could ever forget that stunning pass on the last lap of the 1993 Currently top of Elite League averages. From same small cup semi final to put us in the final? Enough said! (Simon town as Crumpy. Renowned for armchair riding style. Has been exceptional this campaign carrying Robins with 18 Colven) point maximums. (Keith Cross) Oliver Allen I picked Leigh Adams as he is an icon to me and I would Rode for Mildenhall in 1998, and looked back then every bit the fantastic rider he is turning out to be. Piled in some love to progress as far as he has and would also love to big scores, in a fairly short spell with the club. (Neil ride for the Robins. (Stephen Champion) Weston) Leigh looks like he's possibly be going to be one of, if not Improving all the time, will be a world champ one day... the greatest rider never to win an individual world championship. Always smooth, quick and fair, he's been I'm sure of it. (Leanne Sampson) the Elite League’s ‘Mr Consistency’ for so long. I'd love to see him finally string together a season of GP's where he Frank Andersen rides as well as he does in the league. (Chris Backhouse) Very much under rated rider. Frank lived with us for a while whilst at Peterborough and I spannered for him and The greatest rider ever to come out of Mildura and drove him around the country to meetings. Great sense of Australia in my opinion. Leigh is the most professional humour but totally dedicated to the sport and his rider in speedway. Leigh’s has done it all in speedway machinery was always immaculate. Was plagued with other than the World Title, which he will achieve one day. injuries but thrilled the crowds wherever he rode. I Leigh has always been so smooth and fast on the bike it is remember his first trip to Arena Essex where in his first poetry in motion when he rides a round a speedway track ride on the track he did a 180 degree turn in the middle of especially round our home track at Mildura. He is the ideal the first bend! (Norman Pell) number one rider in any speedway team you are always guaranteed at least ten and over points from him every time he rides and he is also a great team man. Hans Andersen (Ryan Sedgmen) My all time favourite rider. Immaculate and absolutely effortless style. I have watched and followed him since his very first race at the Abbey . (Simon Colven) Class. Has been a Swindon asset for many years and has sometimes single-handedly carried the team. Probably the smoothest rider ever in the history of the sport. I can remember seeing him in one of his first matches and thinking he was too small and flimsy for a bike that size...how wrong can you be! (Steve Rayner) A genuinely nice guy (probably a bit too nice in racing terms) with that lovely laid back style. Leigh rode for me at King's Lynn and he was an absolute pleasure to work with - always immaculately prepared machinery and a genuine team man. I would love to see him win the World Championship soon. (Mike Western) This guy can ride anywhere, any time and win. He rides around Mildura with the handle bars touching the ground. If there was a World Final at Mildura then he would be World Champion. There is no-one in the world that would (Picture courtesy of Steve Hone) want a world title more than Leigh. You just wait, I think 2007 is the year of Leigh Adams - I can feel it. The 9 times Aussie champion will be world Champion in 2007 - 4 Hans may have only become the quality rider he is today sure! (Justin Sedgmen) after leaving the Pirates, but during his time at Poole his talent and potential was clear for all to see. He always A really good rider to watch with his laid back, armchair gave his all in every race and never gave up. It was a great style. A really good league rider and it is a shame he never shame that Hans left Poole when he did as he could have managed to convert that into the world championships. He become a legend at Wimborne Road. (Rob Wickham) always seems to leave Foxhall with clean bikes because he almost always scores a maximum. (Liam Grimwood) 3 From the first time I saw Hans in the 1999 World U-21 Local lad. Record for the most points and appearances for Final at Vojens, I knew I was watching a potential great. I the club (Swindon) 641 matches for 5476 points. Not the was delighted when he was signed by Poole and was fastest of gaters but legendary for cut-back manoeuvres on privileged to see him develop into a real force. (Alun pits bend. (Keith Cross) Chapple) Carl Askew Jan Andersson An Aussie who was not the most talented rider but one of I remember going to my first meeting and seeing his name the most hard working riders I've ever seen, he never gave in the program with R/R next to it. People kept saying how up, was a real entertainer. (Glen Johnson) good he was and it took another couple of months before I would believe them as we waited for him to return from We used to look forward to Birmingham coming up, just injury. My only thoughts at the time was "He cant be that to be able to have a go at Carl Askew. He was worth the good he is only No.4", obviously having no concept of entrance fee on his own. Although he never seemed to how the numbers reflected the riders. Talented Swede who score more than about 6 points, in my memory he was in my eyes, along with Leigh Adams, is the best rider always in the thick of things: if a rider came off in the first never to win the world title. (Steve Rayner) bend - it was Carl, if someone looped at the start - it was Carl, if someone packed up when well placed - it was Carl, When I first started going to speedway he was the master if someone went in a bit hard and came off second best - it of Smallmead. He had a shy mystery about him, a man of was Carl. Brilliant fun. He seemed to appreciate the few words but let his riding do his talking for him. Nobody reception he always got (judging by the two fingers he in that era could ride a slick track like he could. Single- used to give us). (Ian Manley) handedly kept Swedish speedway alive on an international level for the best part of a decade. A rider who should have Frank Auffrett won a World title but never really rose to the occasion. He Always a bit wild, does anyone remember the races with would have loved the GP series. (John Downer) Jack Millen? (Gary Mitchell) Great servant to the then "Reading Racers".