INTRODUCTION

Seventy years ago a new sport called speedway swept Britain. Though many questions have been raised about its origins, there appears little doubt that the genuine article was the brainchild of the late Johnnie Hoskins in Australia.

The sport thrived best in the early post war years when for the first time Britain boasted full employment, and the international highlight each year(as it had been before World War 2) was England or Britain against Australia.

The coming of our entry into the Common Market in 1973 meant that sooner or later the door was not going to be wide open to any Australian riders to come here. It is also only fair to point out that entry for Brits into Australia carries a large 'no work' stamp on your passport and visa.

The end result is that Australia, led by the almost ageless Neil Street, have fewer riders to call upon - but they are generally of true international quality. Strange too that after several years when test matches against other major countries like Sweden, America, Denmark and Poland appear to have bitten the dust.

The Aussies are still in there, ready and willing to race. After all they do come half way across the world to try their luck here and that, by any standards, is a fine adventure for any young man. Australia has not posted an individual World Champion since the late Jack Young, but it is my strong belief that had not Todd Wiltshire suffered serious back injuries more than six years ago he would have taken the ultimate crown.

Hopefully he will get to ride in this series, and as ever at least one of the British staging tracks would not be the Aussies first choice. Yet I'm sure the same has applied 'down under', and one can only hope that this series is a success and spawns many more against two nations with close ties and great rivalries.

Bob Radford

Created by Vic Leverton

Last Revised: June 23, 1998 07:16:09

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