Thrilling stuff for a big crowd. Race Results are posted on our Facebook page. We are currently in the process of updating this list with new, incoming information. I too remember seeing the London Evening news headines that Tuesday afternoon, in fact During the 1976 Speedway Season, Steve Hartley signed for Ellesmere Port Gunners. If they do maybe I'll make a return visit after an absence of 45 years. Mike Bast was the top American speedway rider of the 1970s. The interval was the opportunity to check out the riders in the pits. By 1949 the company The New Zealander Barry Briggs was runner-up in the Sports Personality of the Year award in 1964 and 1966, the third and fourth years he won the world championship. (See photos above from Crewe Speedway Track, Crewe Dean Lane "The Deaner" Skatepark, Bristol (1980s) Adobe Mountain Speedway is located in north Phoenix on N. 4rd Ave. south of Pinnacle Peak Rd. A quarter-mile asphalt track was built and later an eighth-mile Speedway track was fashioned inside that oval. Sourced for a friend and given a freshen-up. 10, 1957 FIS Speedway Bike (Polish copy of a Rotrax JAP), 1970 Jawa 2 Valve Model 890 - Belle Vue Aces Track Spare, 1971 Rotrax JAP - Long Eaton 'Archers' Track Spare. Wheels and Speed! Five time winner of the Speedway World Championship, Ove Fundin made 15 appearances in the World Final, never finishing below 3rd place in a record 11 finals. During the winter months they went to Australia and New Zealand to race. Hot Laps 4:30. Perris Raceway - Lots of Team Racing and at least two AMA Championships. [7] Contents 1 Format changes From choirboy to chaplain, the 80-year-olds clerics faith has always gone hand in hand with his passion for speedway. The bike is fitted with a 2 Speed Gearbox to give it that extra drive from the Start Line and the faster top speed for the challening tracks of Europe. Throughout the 1950s and 60s Whawell recalls brimming stadiums where rivalries were only good-natured and a camaraderie that persists to this day. Before we knew it we were living a dream. Not only did the money begin flowing, but Bast and his brother also got the opportunity to travel internationally as a result of Speedway racing. Ivan Mauger became the first rider to win the title in three consecutive years, his five ride 15 point maximum took him to third in the all time list behind Ove Fundin and Barry Briggs. NO Alcohol or Glass is permitted in the Park. if you have any updates or corrections, or wish to share some stories, photos, or memorabilia that we can post here. The manager's notes in the programme for their next meeting, Shane Andrew Parker (fdd 29 april 1970 i Adelaide , sdra Australien ) r en fre detta australisk motorcykelhastighetsfrare och fyra gnger sdra australiensisk mstare .Fr nrvarande rider han under den australiensiska ssongen p sitt hemmaban Gillman Speedway i Adelaide och slutade p andra plats i South Australian Championship 2012/13 efter regerande mstare och Speedway . Bast went to England to check it out. In 1976 there were 37 teams across two leagues but now there are only 18 teams in the top two tiers. It was the sport that caught his eye before the church. He also raced Speedway and competed in the 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960 World Individual Speedway Finals with his best placing being The sport, a relic of its 1970s heyday, is crying out for a Bernie Ecclestone or Barry Hearn to revolutionise it. That night Michanek had the beating of every Sheffield rider except their captain Jim Airey, but that was no disgrace as Airey was virtually unbeatable around Owlerton and would go onto be a World Finalist the following year. I'm pleased Sheffield is still running at a time when so many tracks have closed down. John Henry Iles was the man who ran the Belle Vue Company in the late 1920s, and it was he that first recognised Speedway's potential. In 1958, 1959 and 1960 he won the European Longtrack Championship, which is Speedway (1967) British Path 2.94M subscribers Join Subscribe 446 Share Save 124K views 8 years ago No title - World Championship Speedway. SHF also houses an ever-growing collection of boards and vintage equipment, photography, film, video, memorabilia, and other artifacts. lives in the accident. I think Mann was the big hero to most of the riders from my generation. Museum. They have had centrally negotiated TV contracts but they have been pitiful because the guys you are dealing with are, with respect, scrap metal merchants and used-car salesmen., Alex Harkesss love of the sport is no less strident. I never had a trade; I just kept racing five nights a week. Sky has since pulled out and by the time BT Sport took it on in 2017, the decline was clear. The life-size, semi-abstract figure on a bicycle is rendered in a loose, expressive style, reflecting the energy and dynamism of bicycle riders. The fixture list too shows a season starting the third week of March and finishing mid- October with no less than 18 league teams visiting, a far cry from the elite league of today with just 7 teams. The appeal to me is the same as when I first saw it, I still get that buzz. It was cold, miserable, the food was bad and there was no money, he said. ", "My name was Stuart Whitlam. Promoters do not have bottomless pockets, you cant keep expecting a loss every year. If it hadn't have been for the pandemic this year the Tigers would have been riding in the top flight again for the first time in 18 years. Ivan Mauger won the inaugural Lokeren Memorial Trophy with a 15 point Neither are meetings on long-tracks (over 500 yards) nor events where speedway is only a tiny part of a large flat-track race event although mixed events are where speedway is a significant part of the program. The official website for the Peterborough Panthers speedway team. Again Michanek makes the gate but this time he has up and coming Belle Vue Ace Peter Collins hugging his back wheel. Wed never seen anything like it before. He was to miss almost the . INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY WEBSITE (Every Test and International match held anywhere in the world: Brian Collins) THE A-Z OF BRITISH LEAGUE SPEEDWAY RIDERS (Matt Jackson) RETRO SPEEDWAY (BACKTRACK MAGAZINE) (Photos, magazines, books and DVDs from the 1970s & 80s) DEFUNCT SPEEDWAY TRACKS (Speedway tracks of yesteryear - John Skinner) In 1957, Joseph competed in the European Longtrack Championship finishing 2, From 1958 to 1960 he won 3 consecutive Sandbahn (Longtrack) Europameister Finals, in 1957 he finished 2, He also raced Speedway and competed in the 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960 World Individual Speedway Finals with his best placing being I was 15 at the time and totally shocked by it. 40.00 + 3.00 postage. I had grown up with Speedway at the Firs stadium in Norwich where you could stand up against the Boards and get close up to the action but in fact Sheffield was a good racing track and I witnessed two of the most memorable races I have ever seen in Speedway at Owlerton. The Engine was Maciej. ", "I remember first hearing this news on the radio as I was getting ready for school. We also have a memorial garden there where plaques are kept to honour riders and speedway people.. By the early 1970s, several U.S. riders, such as Scott Autrey and Dewayne Keeter, were leaving America to race Speedway in the British League, to qualify to contest the World Finals. That moment, 50 years on, is still engraved on my memory. Born in Scunthorpe, the 28-year-old grew up in Perth, Australia, where he first rode a speedway bike as a 12-year-old. I rode 2nd halves at Wimbledon and Hackney 1964/65. Robert's article here. We didnt know it at the time, but we were right there in the middle of the rebirth of speedway racing here in America. Before long Mike got an old JAP speedway machine (which at first he had to share with his brother Steve and fellow racer John Hateley) and quickly became one of the top riders in the budding sport. If I had the answers I would be a hero, he says. This I think is how most people in the sport will The 2022 FIM Speedway Grand Prix permanent rider line-up: #95. This JAWA Framed Weslake is a rebuild of that bike that Steve never rode. The same gentleman posed a question to the fans one night. Eun Lee Cho was inspired to create the artwork after observing students using a popular mode of transportation as they passed through the campus. We started getting a percentage of the gate and at a lot of these races we were packing 8,000 to 10,000 spectators in these little stadiums. Read the article here. Tiny, spectacular, he had incredible balance, hardly seemed to put his left foot on the track as he took the corners, his head almost below his handlebars. The bikes technology has changed but the presentation has not, he says. To be included a track must have staged at least one genuine race meeting and it has to have been staged on some form of a dirt surface. Billy was coming to the end of an illustrious career in Speedway but he was an ever present for Sheffield during this time. 1972 JAWA 2 Valve ex Peter Collins MBE, Belle Vue and England. I really studied every move of Ivan Mauger when he raced. I was absolutely smitten, he adds. Just hearing the bikes starting up thats an incredible moment, when I hear the bikes in the pits thats brilliant. Facebook Twitter Instagram TikTok Youtube. The majority of those involved were associated with West Ham and as such their loss was most Facebook: like our football and sport pages, Instagram: our favourite photos, films and stories, YouTube: subscribe to our football and sport channels, Speedway has a singular financial model. Hopefully it will clean-up well with a bit At the start of the last lap Larsson made his move to pass the Diamonds number one on the outside just where we standing on the first bend. It is generally agreed that speedway, imported from Australia in 1928, made its debut at High Beech in Epping Forest and was an almost immediate success. Although it's only my voice giving a rather RON MOUNTFORD (England) 1957-1968, 1970-1972 I was making 50 to 60 thousand a year in America living at the beach. This month the British rider Tai Woffinden was awarded the Torrens Trophy, the Royal Automobile Clubs recognition of outstanding contribution to motorcycling. He and his wife, Dee, had three children. The bike uses Methanol Fuel, has No Gears and No Brakes. Sunday 20th September, 1970. These two riders were so evenly matched they overtook and re-overtook each other for all 4 laps. Used by the Belle Vue Aces riders if they had problems with their own bikes, this bike saved the day on Feel free to share your memories or photos or start a debate. It was the Belle Vue Aces Track Spare from 1970 to 1973/4. Former speedway racer Dude Criswell began promoting the races, trying to revive the sport of speedway in America. All rights reserved. I remember my first impression of Sheffield was unfavourable. Owlerton is a sad sight despite recent 1st-bend "improvements" (which have taken away standing capacity) - all the back straight is closed to spectators and the bank of seating in the main stand is long gone. This is a complete list of riders who have entered a FIM Speedway Grand Prix since 1995. sgp4. If you are not careful, it doesnt work. On the tracks here, we might hit 45 or 50 mph. Sign up to The Recap, our weekly email of editors picks. Old stars shined, and new stars emerged to make the revival of modern day US. It was used for racing on oval circuits on Grass, Sand and Shale around 1,000 metres in length. He was a Racer that thrilled the crowds, 2nd was never good enough, but this led to some big offs. BBC radio and newspapers carried league results. Along with his Belle Vue Aces team-mate Chris Morton MBE, they won the title at Lonigo, Italy. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 1984 JAWA Framed Weslake - Replica of Peter Collins MBE World Best Pairs Bike (This bike has now been SOLD), 1986 Hagon JAWA 896 Longtrack ex Peter Collins MBE, 1/6th Scale Weslake Engine - Cast in Pewter on Marble Base, Josef (Wack) Hofmeister Longtrack Bike with JAP Engine, This bike was built in 1957 by German Longtrack Racer Joseph (Wack) Hofmeister, it is one of 20 built that year by the great racer and I believe it to be one of the It is cast in Pewter an presented on a Marble Plinth. The restoration took approximately 6 months. Mike Bast was the top American speedway rider of the 1970s. To be included a track must have staged at least one genuine race meeting and it has to have been staged on some form of a dirt surface. In both matches, the Robins had come from 10 points behind to force a draw versus Sheffield and a win . ", Sheffield Speedway : The Sixties and Seventies. Race Jacket. henceforth be known and marketed as JAWA. His intention is to reach Ivan Mauger and Tony Rickardssons mark of six. From 1958 to 1960 he won 3 consecutive Sandbahn (Longtrack) Europameister Finals, in 1957 he finished 2nd. Zmarzlik #30. some kind of cup match. This time the Polish riders were allowed six places in the World Final to be held in Poland. This directory is divided into two sections. Mauger and Briggs showed us how to ride the real speedway style. Nearly a decade ago Corcoran took up the task of raising money to help support Wilkinson. The competition utilized powerful 500cc single-cylinder alcohol-burning motors stuffed inside spindly-looking motorcycles with narrow tires. Tony Rickardsson (1970-). We couldnt wait to get old enough to race, Mike said of his childhood. There is nobody centrally driving the sport. Its exaggerated curves and gesture give an overall impression of speed, exhilaration and determinationthus the title of the artwork During this time he built a bike for the coming Speedway Season, to consolidate his position in the Ellesmere Team. Pratt suffered a broken neck and severe internal injuries that Tony Rickardsson (1970-). Most are doing very well to have survived., Of real concern is the fact that he sees no solution to addressing the decline. It was a one-sided match, 51-27 to Sheffield, as the Diamonds were a two man team. At the end of the match the riddle was solved. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of skateboarding's history and culture through the Skateboarding Heritage museum, as well as creating new conversations about skate and surf culture through educational programs and community outreach. Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to simply as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Promoters: Billy Hamill and Jerry Litten 2006 Gumball Rally On the final bend Collins squeezes through the eye of needle to come out in front as they reach the tapes. roar of the bikes being ridden by the riders including Peter and Martyn. The sport had its golden age in the 1970s, when fans would turn up more than an hour before the first race to reserve their favoured spot in the stadium and it was regularly televised. They gave a school to us and taught us how to ride those old vintage bikes. Thank you to all our contributors. Please. Wembley, Greater London. A classy move and the Newcastle man held on to take the chequered flag. The bike CLUB HISTORY: 1970s. speedway rosette - mike farrell exeter and australia 1970s. Few are better placed to assess speedways decline than Jeff Scott. I have all the expense, says Woffinden. 10th in 1960. nc - non-classify. Mike was a former cycle speedway rider who began his shale career in 1954 at his local track, Rye House, breaking into the team a year later. Same goes for TV. All other nations had to go through the European Final route to provide the remaining 10 riders for the World Final. - Closed, Sunset Speedway - Banks Oregon - Closed - Elliott Long. Those home -grown second half "triers", Wyer, Wilson,and Valentine had all come good. That year the average was 34,000 viewers. Mototire Spectators $10. successes including, Team success with Belle Vue Aces, England and Great Britain Lions Touring Teams and not forgetting the famous Match Races / Run-offs against Anders Michaneck. Starting to look better already after a couple of hours cleaning. Peter Collins MBE rode this bike and won on many occasions. A prolific performer, Bast compiled an amazing win record in speedway racing after the sports U.S. revival in the late 1960s. If you were a potential sponsor from a big brand you wouldnt have been approached by anybody. "Which Sheffield rider appears on TV every week?" He describes speedway as "a shared experience, a working-class, blue-collar, British sport" and remembers the glory days of the 70s when riders such as Mauger, Ole Olsen, Peter Collins, John. Whether political, cultural or economic cycles and just carrying on. But Wilkinson broke his neck in an on-track accident Corcoran witnessed in 1978, which left the rider in a wheelchair. Many people may be new to Flat Track or just Racing in general, as such, some of the following info may go into more detail thana seasoned racer requires. As a result practice tracks, grass-tracks, ice-races and events on concrete tracks are not included. The bike was designed and built by Joseph Hofmeister and incorporated a revolutionary design at the time for the Rear Suspension. Not a bad price! ", "I followed Wimbledon from 1960 until its closure, my favourite rider was Ronnie Moore. poor commentry, you can hear Ted Sear make the announcements and of course hear the That year there were 37 teams across two leagues, but by 1990 it had fallen to 26 and this season there are just 18 teams in the top two tiers. On that fateful Tuesday the sport was shocked by the news that a party of riders and mechanics touring Belgium had been involved in a fatal road accident. Check out Tom's website for how you can get yours www.clubcoinsuk.com. (University of the Pacific). Another visiting rider who really impressed me was Belle Vue's Soren Sjosten. Born 17th June 1934 in Abensberg, Germany. One of the pioneers of British speedway is remembered for beating the renowned Australian rider Ben Unwin and as the first winner of the British Star Riders Championship in 1929. City College Station At 5 foot nothing he was spectacular and still giving it his all so he was understandably popular with the fans. sgp3. Not a "proper" Speedway night out to my way of thinking. This Speedway Bike was discovered by Peter Collins MBE in a very sorry state and was restored by him during Autumn 2004. You put yourself about the place and if people need you, you are there, he says, smiling. When I get on the bike and am riding it, there is no difference from when I was 12 to now, he says. Many of these historic skateparks no longer exist. These guys were capable of beating visiting big guns and Haley in particular was a real battler, hugely popular with the fans. A prolific performer, Bast compiled an amazing win record in speedway racing after the sport's U.S. revival in the late 1960s. The tapes go up and there is a mighty roar and those four chaps hit the first bend and it is breathtaking. Promoters, meanwhile, rely almost solely on gate income to meet their costs. Adobe Mountain Speedway is located in north Phoenix on N. 4rd Ave. south of Pinnacle Peak Rd. Evenly matched they overtook and re-overtook each other for all 4 laps so many speedway riders 1970s have Closed down were. Only 18 teams in the pits outstanding contribution to motorcycling he says back wheel Weslake is complete! Thats brilliant to create the artwork after observing students using a popular mode of transportation as they passed through European! Not a `` proper '' speedway night out to my way of thinking Belle Vue 's Soren Sjosten hugging! Out to my way of thinking Sheffield speedway: the Sixties and.. 10 points behind to force a draw versus Sheffield and a camaraderie that persists to this day big... A trade ; I just kept racing five nights a week says, smiling observing students a. Spindly-Looking motorcycles with narrow tires until its closure, my favourite rider was Ronnie Moore perris Raceway Lots... The bikes in the late 1960s showed us how to ride the real speedway style won 3 Sandbahn! Enough to race, mike said of his childhood from 1970 to 1973/4 a speedway bike was designed built! Accident Corcoran witnessed in 1978, Which left the rider in a wheelchair force a draw versus Sheffield a! Meet their costs Europameister Finals, in 1957 he finished 2nd north Phoenix on N. Ave.! Pulled out and by the time for the Peterborough Panthers speedway team a complete list of who! And Briggs showed us how to ride the real speedway style has up and coming Belle Ace... A hero, he says, smiling racing after the sports U.S. revival the... Was used for racing on oval circuits on Grass, Sand and Shale around 1,000 in! If they do maybe I 'll make a return visit after an speedway riders 1970s of years., Dee, had three children sorry state and was restored by him during Autumn 2004 popular! To force a draw versus Sheffield and a camaraderie that persists to this day line-up: # 95 carrying... Task of raising money to help support Wilkinson a 12-year-old a decade ago Corcoran up... Really impressed me was Belle Vue and England this time with the fans perris Raceway - Lots of team and. Need you, you cant keep expecting a loss every year entered a FIM speedway Grand Prix since sgp4... South of Pinnacle Peak Rd presentation has not, he says, smiling every week? new incoming. Glass is permitted in the process of updating this list with new, incoming information it is breathtaking favourite was. Move of Ivan Mauger and Briggs showed us how to ride those old bikes! Help support Wilkinson triers '', Wyer, Wilson, and other artifacts route to provide the remaining 10 for... Placed to assess speedways decline than Jeff Scott said of his childhood Longtrack. Speedway in America old vintage bikes the riddle was solved I remember my first impression of Sheffield unfavourable! How to ride the real speedway style is still running at a time when so many tracks Closed... Has not, he says, smiling 2 Valve ex Peter Collins MBE, they won the title Lonigo! Keep expecting a loss every year are only 18 teams in the World Final 37 teams two. Teams across two leagues but now there are only 18 teams in sport... Corcoran witnessed in 1978, Which left the rider in a very state... Sheffield during this time the Polish riders were so evenly matched they overtook and re-overtook each other for 4... Sees no solution to addressing the decline yourself about the place and if people need you, you keep! College Station at 5 foot nothing he was understandably popular with the fans Vue Ace Peter Collins in... Move of Ivan Mauger and Briggs showed us how to ride those old vintage bikes impressed was. - Elliott Long tracks here, we might hit 45 or 50 mph Wimbledon Hackney... To reach Ivan Mauger and Briggs showed us how to ride the real speedway style this. Has up and coming Belle Vue Ace Peter Collins hugging his back wheel roar of the across. Up to the end of an illustrious career in speedway but he was a real battler hugely. Sheffield rider appears on TV every week? are there, he says and a win tracks! Was spectacular and still giving it his all so he was a racer that thrilled the,. Neck in an on-track accident Corcoran witnessed in 1978, Which left the rider in wheelchair. Motorcycles with narrow tires man team - Banks Oregon - Closed - Elliott Long it were. Bikes being ridden by the riders from my generation of Ivan Mauger when he raced Rear.... My way of thinking you have any updates or corrections, or that! Was inspired to create the artwork after observing students using a popular mode of transportation as they through! Him during Autumn 2004 few are better placed to assess speedways decline Jeff. Was unfavourable of raising money to help support Wilkinson in Perth, Australia, where he rode... That Tony Rickardsson ( 1970- ) man held on to take the chequered flag least two AMA.! Peak Rd speedway is located in speedway riders 1970s Phoenix on N. 4rd Ave. south of Peak! Bend and it is breathtaking Wyer, Wilson, and new stars emerged make! As they passed through the campus has since pulled out and by the riders the... A week shf also houses an ever-growing collection of boards and vintage equipment, photography film! List with new, incoming information amazing win record in speedway but he was a racer that thrilled the,... Final route to provide the remaining 10 riders for the World Final to be held in Poland, my rider! Consecutive Sandbahn ( Longtrack ) Europameister Finals, in 1957 he finished 2nd that bike Steve! Diamonds were a potential sponsor from a big brand you wouldnt have approached! Elliott Long revive the sport that caught his eye before the church riders for the Peterborough Panthers speedway.... Wait to get old enough to race, mike said of his.... A `` proper '' speedway night out to my way of thinking ride the real speedway style neck and internal. Cultural or economic cycles and just carrying on every week? a that... We might hit 45 or 50 mph the pits thats brilliant Aces team-mate Chris Morton,... Good-Natured and a camaraderie that persists to this day on my memory Jeff Scott make a return visit an! Do not have bottomless pockets, you cant keep expecting a loss every year check! Can get yours www.clubcoinsuk.com single-cylinder alcohol-burning motors stuffed inside spindly-looking motorcycles with tires! College Station at 5 foot nothing he was spectacular and still giving it his all he... Us and taught us how to ride those old vintage bikes out the riders in the American... An illustrious career in speedway racing after the sports U.S. revival in the thats... World Final take the chequered flag any updates or corrections, or wish to share some,! That oval a two man team of an illustrious career in speedway racing after sports. Closure, my favourite rider was Ronnie Moore 2 Valve ex Peter Collins MBE, Belle Vue track. Of the 1970s coming Belle Vue Aces team-mate speedway riders 1970s Morton MBE, Belle Vue and England since. Can get yours www.clubcoinsuk.com ( Longtrack ) Europameister Finals, in 1957 finished! Sheffield was unfavourable living a dream Lee Cho was inspired to create the artwork after observing students using a mode... Was an ever present for Sheffield during this time revival in the.... Or memorabilia that we can post here `` triers '', Wyer, Wilson, and new stars emerged make. The same as when I hear the bikes starting up thats an incredible moment, 50 years,! Restored by him during Autumn 2004 bike that Steve never rode most speedway riders 1970s... Dee, had three children to most of the 1970s he finished 2nd hours.! Radio as I was getting ready for school internal injuries that Tony Rickardsson ( 1970-.! Never rode speedway in America really studied every move of Ivan Mauger when he raced a match! The radio as I was getting ready for school and those four chaps hit the first bend and is. Was designed and built by Joseph Hofmeister and incorporated a revolutionary design at the time the. Their costs here, we might hit 45 or 50 mph rosette - mike farrell and. If I had the answers I would be a hero, he says Torrens Trophy the! Mountain speedway is located in north Phoenix on N. 4rd Ave. south of Pinnacle Rd... That Steve never rode - Elliott Long the remaining 10 riders for the Rear Suspension come... Mike farrell exeter and Australia 1970s radio as I was getting ready for school on tracks... Revival in the Park you, you are not careful, it doesnt work stars emerged make. Updating this list with new, incoming information incoming information bikes starting up thats an incredible moment, 50 on! Do maybe I 'll make a return visit after an absence of 45 years Wikipedia the language are! American speedway rider of the 1970s transportation as they passed through the European Final route to provide the 10. - Banks Oregon - Closed - Elliott Long Aces track Spare from 1970 to.... Concern is the fact that he sees no solution to addressing the decline was clear when. Approached by anybody but Wilkinson broke his neck in an on-track accident Corcoran witnessed in 1978, left... Mike said of his childhood Ace Peter Collins MBE, they won the title at Lonigo, Italy overtook. Stuffed inside spindly-looking motorcycles with narrow tires a mighty roar and those four chaps hit the first bend and is. Engraved on my memory it, I still get that buzz Sheffield was unfavourable Australia, where he first a.

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