"I know two of the autograph hunters! Would never have known if one of them hadn't told me, but the rider signing autographs is Kevin Russel I am told."
"Good to find out what happened to Chris.Was there at Holker street, the night it all went wrong (Ian Hindle was the other rider guesting for Teeside in a challenge match of all things).Barrow certainly missed Mr Bailey's scoring after that."
"Ken McKinlay is one of those that riders that is still talked about by the older generation of fans that remember him in action. That speaks volumes about how great he was."
"Thanks Speedwayplus for posting that picture. Have to get Bruce and Bobby to sign it then I can frame it and hang it in the hallway. I would like to thank Speedway Star Australia for that picture that they posted on one of the Speedway sites. Forgot all about that. 1979 Sydney Showgrounds Australia. Don't know why I look so small when we all are about the same height. Cheers mu ch appreciated on the best Speedway web-site ever. I would also like to thank Nigel Boocock for the use of the Speedway frame when I was in Australia. Without him I would have not had one.. Thank you Nigel..."
The last instalment in this series of Peter Colvin's vintage photograph articles. We'd be delighted to hear from anyone else who would like to share their own collection and memories in the same way,
"Dene Davies is my uncle, and doing well in Adelaide, Sth Australia. My father, Laurie Davies, also rode speedway back in the 50's, mainly at Rowley Park and Port Pirie's famous "The Mile" dirt track. He has since passed away. Rode a Norton, ...which he spent many hours in the shed creating and converting a twin engine beast that bloody flew! Sure wish I still had some pics of that. I must send Dene the link here as he would probably love to have a read, and maybe get in touch with some of the riders he used to compete with and against. Love the old pics you've posted. I am glad I stumbled across your site, you have to love Google!"
"Tony Rizzo is my brother and I am shocked at how little he is mentioned across the board of speedway sites I have visited on-line! He raced for the Edinburgh Monarchs in the 1980's alongside Brett Saunders and Roger Lambert whom used our family home garage to store, maintain, clean, repair their bikes and leathers! :) Tony may not have been an high 'point at every meeting' scorer but he did have his moments and was well liked by male and female fans a swooning! I remember him always crashing well at Powderhall and silencing the crowd after the mighty 'whoah!' It would be a happy feeling to see some pictures/photographs with several well chosen describing informative words about my brother and then my daughter and I can share the pride when we show our friends how good we Rizzo's really are at achieving and failing! Yours hopefully!"
"Very interesting article, I live so near to The Crystal Palace but so far away in time regarding the Dirt Track racing all those years ago. Maybe, and it's probably just a dream, when the 2012 Olympics are done and dusted, perhaps the athletics stadium at the Palace will become redundant, wouldn't it be wonderfull if the old oval could be re utilise d for a much needed return of speedway racing to South London......sorry, just day dreaming again."
"I used to go over Hackney every Sunday during the close season (along with a few others including Tiger Beech) to help dear old uncle Len repair bits in the stadium, reclaim shale etc., Jack Biggs sometimes came to do a bit as well. The first week he was there he found out all our names without asking any of us and never forgot them always addressing us by name from then on. Some memory he had and some gentleman he was! I was in the queue at Wimbledon one night at the turnstile by the pits when Jack arrived, he called me over and got me to carry his bag into the pits, getting me in for free to see the match.The only time I ever got in for free at Wimbledon! He did the same at Halifax once, telling the guy on the gate that me and a mate of mine were helping in the pits that nig ht. A great man still sadly missed by all who knew him."
Tickets are now on sale for this year's Hackney Speedway reunion. Organiser Paul Tadman brings us up to date with prices and what's on offer.
Retro-Speedway have a new DVD about the West Ham Hammers on the market. Here's a preview of it, including regular SpeedwayPlus contributor Robert Rogers at 6 mins and 20 seconds. You can order the DVD from www.retro-speedway.com
Terry Jones is looking for info on his Grandfather, Billy 'Cracker' Simpson - Can You Help?
"Call yourself a Pirates fan and you leave out Geoff Mudge and Pete Smith (my sister would never forgive you!!!). Some great names there but my early years of Pirate worship were dominated by Ross Gilbertson and Bill Andrew. Two great riders whose spectactular riding sent me home each week grinning from ear to ear...."
"Well done Speedway Plus for your article on Sponsor Speedway, this is just the publicity this scheme needs.This scheme is going to be huge so to all your viewers/readers PLEASE HELP BRITISH SPEEDWAY GET BACK ON TOP!!>>>>.Come along to Mildenhall on Sunday13th May and see for yourselves the talent in British Youth Speedway. Mildenhall will be a great meeting the promotion there are fully invoved in bringing on our young riders. Jez and Keith of Sponsor Speedway will be there too, come and have a chat to them. See you there!"
"This looks an excellent initiative on Tony Webb's part and deserves all success. A pity buses from where I live (South London - joke) don't pass the library. I would love to be there. I am sure many Australians interested in speedway locality who live in the area will give their support to the venture."
"Happy days at Weymouth indeed. I remember a lot of John's frustrations at the time. John was also godfather to my late son, Ian, and I would love to get in touch with John if possible, and have a reminiss. For the record, I am the lad in a white jumper, helping to put up the posts for the perimiter fence, in the second photo."
"Ohhhhh, Hyde Road. Only saw 3 seasons of speedway here but I remember every detail like it was yesterday. I know the old place could have never survived with those wonderful old wooden stands but wish someone at the time had the money to buy the place and let us have a couple of more seasons with the old stands and (when only absolutely necessary) developed the place and kept the track intact."
"Nice shout, Ivan. Football i s more accessible to the vast majority of the population than speedway racing is. It's played in schools across the country and tends to monopolise the media. Other sports have marketed themselves much more professionally over the past two decades and I still say the biggest problem speedway has is internally. It will never have any credibility as long as those in charge remain in control of ALL the decision-making. It needs updating with fresh ideas. Individual clubs sometimes come up with some great ideas but they are few and far between now. There are also so many other things for people to spend their disposable incomes on these days. In one year I counted I had been to 20 rained-off meetings which included many days holidays taken from work. As a Middlesbrough fan having meetings at Eastbourne, Exeter, Milton Keynes, Poole and Wimbledon rained-off was no fun as it was virtually impossible to travel for the rearranged matches because of work commitments and the expense. The average speedway attender wouldn't tolerate that amount of postponements and look for other more value for money things to spend on. I know of someone who promoted speedway at Oxford a few years ago now and he said it didn't matter how much he tried to promote the sport at Cowley, the crowds never increased beyond a certain level. I only went to Newport once in 2009 against Scunthorpe in a Conference League match - which turned out to be a cracker. There looked like there was around 300 there the day before the Grand Prix in Cardiff but crowd levels last year were very rarely if at all above that figure - and that was for PL speedway. It's a real shame that a purpose-built stadium has gone out of business. Tracks that have had long absences from the sport such as Plymouth, Redcar & Scunthorpe have proven it can work but its certainly not easy to keep the momentum going against a backdrop of a recession."
Adrian has followed the Wildcats at both Poole and Weymouth. Here's his selection of his favourite riders down the years, most of whom have turned out for Poole at some time.
Details of the annual reunion of Long Eaton Invaders riders and supporters. This year's event takes place in June.
Bruce Penhall recently donated his bike cover to the Denny Becker cancer fund. Here's Bruce with old pal Bobby Schwartz and the prized item.
Long Eaton Supporters Club are staging a race night at Long Eaton United FC on Saturday 28th April. Funds go to help the Invaders riders - the club are in the Midland Junior League this season. Admission is £3 and it starts at 7.30pm
Jeana Werntz is looking for info and pictures of Canadian rider from the 1930's Jmmy Gibb. Jeana is a relative of Jimmy's and tells us he's still alive at well at 101 years of age - Can You Help?
Cyril Cooper wonders whether an Australian cricket team ever played at the Tamworth speedway stadium - Can You Help?
Jim Henry is looking for results from second halves at Middlesbrough in 1963. Email Jim at jamesjhenry@yahoo.co.uk if you can assist.
"I am the youngest sister of Ken, my beloved brother who was not only a great, if not the greatest speedway rider, that came out of Scotland. He passed away much too soon and I miss him every day of my life. He was a fantastic brother, very loving and very caring and I miss him every day. I loved him so very much. Thank you to everyone who wrote about Ken. Very touching."
"I just stumbled across your article here on the great Norman Hunter, what fabulous reading, I hope there are more stories from you like these. I went to Coatbridge (Albion Rovers Ground) many times in the late 60s & 70s. Many of the top riders then came from Sweden. I have some original newspaper cuttings in good condition, showing photographs of Reg Luckhurst and Norman Hunter in a challenge match - Bees against West Ham, dated 1964. Also a world team cup shot with Mac speeding into the turn ahead of Soren Sjosten taken by Alf Weedon. Brings back great memories."
"Please excuse any inaccuracies in my recollection as I was only a young kid at the time. Now I'm a silly old fool. I was a keen Poole Pirates fan and my hero was Ross Gilbertson followed closely by Bill Andrew. I am sure (here we go!) that Bruce was introduced to British Speedway by Bill in 1965. My memory of Bruce was that in his first few outings he just went flat out usually ending up in the fence before completing a lap. The sages in the crowd put this down to the larger tracks down under and each week we willed this exciting young man to hang on for four laps. Each circuit he got faster and faster and nearer and nearer to the fence.... Every time he went down the crowd went silent - until he eventually got up with a big grin and a cheery wave - sending the crowd wild with cheers of relief... Over the next five years as I grew up I watched this young nutter grow into our hearts and become a cracking rider - then he went and (gasp) joined our arch rivals Exeter bl**dy Falcons! Great memories probably tinged by gross innacuracy.... "
"I have met and worked in the pits with Bruce back in the 80's when he rode for Wolves. He was a true profesional always looking after the younger riders regarding set up and a like. I still see him around Wolves from time to time, he hasn't changed much. Great rider and guy to have on your side, speedway misses the riders of the seventys and eighties - what a great time to watch speedway."
"Wishing you guys all the very best.This is an excellent idea to raise not only awareness for the sport, but to help these young lads. Lets hope the British lads can really make an impact to bring the sport in England, back to the numbers it once was. Good luck."
Details of a new scheme intended to raise funds to support young British riders and the clubs that offer opportunities to youngsters. It's a simple idea that will hopefully generate much needed funds to help kids make their way in the sport.
Tony Webb on an upcoming speedway display at a library in Brisbane and invites speedway historians to meet up with him to discuss old times.
The above pictures are of Harry Huntly and a Perry Barr programme from 1929. They were sent to us by Harry's son Ian, who wonders if anyone has details of Harry's rides at Perry Barr that season. Harry was associated with both Newcastle Gosforth and Brough Park. He'd be delighted to hear from anyone who can shed more light - ianahuntly@supanet.com
Speedway is making a bit of a comeback in South Africa. Find out more at www.speedway-sa.com
"I agree with your correspondent that there should be speedway at Odsal. I only went there twice, for the World Finals. I have to say the terraces frightened me a bit, steep and very large. Having said that, I recently went to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff (on the tour), and I thought the terraces were even steeper, and there seemd to be nothing to prevent a large guy falling over and rolling over dozens of people below. I thought Odsal a good track, and not too bad to get to. Lets hope, one day."
"I remember very well the first practice at the track. Charlie Monk was the first man on the track and promptly fell off at the first bend as the track was so slick. I am happy to say I still have my first cheque from there for a second half ride which I did not finish, the is made out for seven shillings and sixpence (37.5p) which was the starting money, ten shillings less 2 shillings and sixpence for fuel. Happy days."
"Thought this piece was true and straight to the point ...Ivor was without doubt one of the finest riders to race around Dudley Wood and was a match for any rider in the Provincial league....him and Harry Bastable were a good combination .....Remember as a lad his immaculate JAP machines ....great days...Can still smell "the Castrol R" as well as the dope..Happily came home filthy from watching the racing.."
"Ian Beattie, are you the same person that was involved when there was a training track at the Gyle one winter? Which I remember for a very young Bobby Beaton crashing and old Jimmy giving him hell if he had damaged the bike."
"Commendations to the authors of this Belle-Vue tribute site, I can recall great days as a youngster attending Belle-Vue speedway & the gardens, now pushing 60 I am still going, however those early days were quite literally the Golden years. Keep the Legend alive, that is Belle-Vue! "
"AS a young boy I used to attend the Dudley Wood track. In those days there was no such thing as tear off and speedway riders used to put cheap plastic goggles over each other to clear the dirt. At the end of meetings riders gave their goggles away to fans . I remember waiting in line behind his van for my chance to get a pair. For many years I had a pair of Ivor Brown goggles along with his picture and a green club badge on my bedroom wall . I remember Ivor's white smock . He became most disgruntled if there was any dirt on the front of it. He didn't like coming second."
"This is a very interesting article by Tracy Holmes, but I wonder if it truly represents the moral victors. Thanks to a 'quirk' of the GP system, the winner of the round is not necessarily the one who leaves with the most points. Take that into account, then Andreas Jonsson would indeed be a triple winner. But the really unlucky rider in that respect must be Fredrik Lindgren. Twice he has top scored, but that gold medal continues to elude him. On the other side of the coin, perhaps one of the most fortunate riders on the night must be Rune Holta. He took advantage of Freddie’s first missed opportunity and walked away top dog despite scoring five points fewer."
"Re Bob Rowe and the Track Record. Now it could be mis-print in the programme, but R.J.Rowe shows as the SCB Timekeeper for nearly all the season, except that first match on the 7th April 1969, when Ray set the Track Record, we had an ACU Timkeeper G.F.Little. Does anybdoy know the differance between an ACU and a SCB time Keeper?"
"More fantastic memories from Mr Colvin. As a 'pusher' at White City in 1968 (no! not a drug dealer - I just helped the Y/B helmet rider on his way - honest m'lud!), I was paid to mix with my heroes of the track. The two guys leaning against the fence in the 1950 photo were probably in transit between pubs and were unsure if it was New Year or New York. "
Another instalment from Peter Colvin's popular series of vintage photographs. This selection includes this great colour shot from a Glasgow v Swindon meeting in the sixties.
Roger Abel is the latest to undergo a friendly interrogation from Tracy Holmes. Roger is another former rider that still takes an interest in the sport.
Condolences to the Penhall family on the loss of young Connor this week. Bruce's son was killed while working on a road crew after being hit by car. Thanks to Ivan Blacka and Richard Austin for letting us know about this tragedy. There's a video on Youtube that shows Connor in Moto-X action a few years ago.
"Roy Uden did ride speedway pre-war at Rye House and also rode in a few meetings there during the war years. After the war he had a 1947 trial in Division Three with Plymouth, but did most of his league speedway for Rayleigh in the late 1940s. Roy was late a leading stock car driver in the latter part of the 1950s, possibly into the early 1960s. He also owned a car showroom/petrol station just outside Rayleigh Stadium. In later life, Roy went to live in Spain. He passed away a few years ago "
"I have followed the exchanges about the West Ham track record with interest. Pleased to say that i was present at virtually every home meeting between '65 and '70 and was the ACU timekeeper for much of that time and although I haven't got the programme to prove it, am pretty sure I was on duty when Ray Wilson broke the record. The one-lap times of Ken McKinlay and Sverre Harrfeldt which I was also on duty for were rolling starts.
Good old Dave Lanning was responsible for introducing that interval attraction each week and i would leave the timekeeper's box and go out to the starting gate, with Dave on the mike and do the timing from there ! As I've mentioned on Speedway Plus before i've worked at a lot of dog tracks which also featured speedway -Knowle(Bristol),Oxford,Leicester,White City, Wembley,Wimbledon, Belle Vue (Kirky Lane) but undoubtedly the best and that which provided the happiest memories for me was West Ham. "
"Thank you for publishing my story on my tapestries. Thanks to Ivan Blacka in the first place, for pushing me to do the story about them, without him it would never have come about. Blown away with the comments from Graham Frost & Mick Hargraves & David Walsh for their comments.Thanks guys, it made me cry, you made me feel very proud. But thanks to every one who took the time to comment. I enjoyed making them & best of all giving them as gifts to the said riders who deserved to own them."
"I live in Switzerland nowadays and watching Sky Sports, I thought that I would look up one of my childhood heroes, whilst living in Leicester and watching the 'Friday night Speedway'. So sorry to hear of Ken's passing. My own memory is of his full points most weeks and especially the thrill of when he lined up in the outside position. He was so fast at the gate that he just went straight to the corner, from the outside position, and hit the front on the first bend. A thrill to watch. Great days! Graham Fox Once of Mowmacre Hill, Leicester."
"Chris Bailey,Top Bombing!!! Always wondered where he went too. Watched him race for Barrow Bombers at Holker Street,very stylish,very very well turned out bikes & brave as they come!! Tipping into that first turn on a summers evening, with the setting sun making it a blind 'Pin it & Pray' job, took a lot of nerve. Glad to see the passion for two wheels has not faded, look after that Matchy."
Former Cradley Heath rider Bob Andrews popped down to the GP track at Western Springs in the build up to this weekend's opening round. Eventual winner Greg Hancock and track guru Ole Olsen were amongst those he encountered.
Perhaps surprisingly, Greg Hancock has just won back-to-back Grand Prix rounds for the first time in his career, Tracy Holmes looks at the record books to see the others that have achieved this feat.
Jim Blanchard's latest painting is of American ace Scott Autrey, seen leading Poole's Christer Sjosten. Scott has signed 12 prints of the picture, one of which will be used to raise funds for the SRBF. You can find out how to get your hands on your own copy at jbsportsimages.co.uk
"Hackney Olympic reunion. Paul Tadenham mentions the 'unique atmosphere' at Waterden Road. In the late 1960's I used to visit Hackney very few weeks. I was a West Ham supporter, so had a few mixed feelings. I totally agree that the place had a unique atmosphere, I thoink it was the smell of paint, or some chemical that pervaded the air!!!! Having said that the track was great, the racing was great and Uncle Len was (and happliy is) a great promoter. Lets hope that visitors to the Olympics get to smell the paint too."
"I was there for both meetings as a 12 year old. I bought an Ashington Arrows badge, then took it to school and the teacher took it off me, 41 years ago. I have just got the same badge from ebay, wow am I pleased!"
"As a little boy I sent a get well card to Sverre Harrfeldt whilst he was in hospital following his dreadful accident. I was pleased to receive a card in return from him thanking me. Proving what a lovely man he is, a few months later straight out of the blue I received a Christmas card from him. I still have both of them!"
"I was at two of these meetings as a wide-eyed 11 yer old, including the World Champs prelim won by Russ Dent. We were all big Monarchs fans, and I remember the riders willingness to sign autographs without having to queue by the pits for ages! Sadly the programmes are long gone, but I still have one of the few FiFe Lions metal badges. "
"Actually lived in Hornshay st until i was 19, when I joined the army.Went to the speedway nearly every week,and stock car racing, dog track, when we could bunk in. C,mon you rangers! Johnny Hoskins was the king of the game. Saw some great riders - Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs and many more. Great times."
"There was no restriction by the Spanish authorities in regard to what sort of bikes were used. There have been several ventures to try and establish speedway there over the years. The basic fact is that for some reason speedway does not appeal to Spanish sporting tastes. So far as the Almeria venture was concerned the problems lay over planning permission, then that the track was built across to local authority borders.
Speedway is Spain - the late 1920s and early 1930s. Then 1948, 1950, 1953 and the early 1980s whne Wally Mawdsleyy was involved in a track in Madrid. Wally was not involved in the early 1970s effort in Majorca - it was Ian Hoskins and Reg Luckhurst. They used 250cc bikes because they were quickly built to speedway design by a local motorcycle dealer at a reasonable cost for mainly novice Spanish riders rather than burden them with having to buy more expensive conventional speedway machines."
"I started following speedway back in 1971 as a Rayleigh Rockets supporter and well remember Roy's motor business by the Weir. Only later did I learn of his history with the Rockets. In the mid eighties I was in Estepona on the Costa Del Sol covering a pro-celebrity bowls tournament of all things for Screen Sport when I was introduced to an elderly spectator who I was told also had speedway connections. I was delighted to find myself being introduced to Roy!"
Simon has spent many years watching speedway around the circuits in the north of England. He includes the Polka Dot Kid in his selection of his all-time favourite seven.
The consensus seems to be the mystery rider above in George Wigfield who rode for Sheffield and Nottingham. Thanks to all who got in touch. Special thanks to Dave Gifford who sent another picture of George for comparison purposes.
We didn't expect an article on tapestry to be so popular, but it's generated a remarkable amount of feedback. So much so that we've had to hold back feedback on all other subjects to accommodate it. See below.
"I'd never have thought that you could put tapestry and speedway in the same sentence, let alone combine the two like that. They must have been super fine pieces of work to catch that sense of movement. Let's hope that you don't have to put quite so much effort into customising the helmet colors that you make! Well done Maureen!"
"Very interesting story about Maureen's tapestries. She's done more than make helmet colours. She and husband Dave were tireless workers for Speedway in South Australia for decades, starting at Sidewinders Junior Speedway in the 1980s, then onto North Arm and Gillman. They helped untold overseas riders on their visits to Adelaide. Two of the people in the background that do so much but never get any recognition. Without these type of volunteer workers Speedway in Australia would be a lot poorer. Sadly no longer involved."
"The piece by Maureen Schooling (Tapestry, 18th March), with the relevant accompanying photograph, certainly brings back happy, if somewhat blurred, memories.
Maureen did indeed present me with that fine tapestry just prior to my departure from Australia in the early 1990s. However, the previous night I'd been at an all-night party in Adelaide and so I'm afraid the euphemism 'tired and emotional' probably best describes my disposition at the time rather than simply 'emotional'. See that empty crate behind us? That symbolically equates to a lot of rum down the 'hatch,' probably from a distillery not a million miles from the Queensland town of Bundaberg, as it happens, and there'll be plenty of Aussies who can verify what the old 57% vol. O.P. can do to the unaccustomed 'POHM' (i.e. me) even when mixed with a crateful of coke!
Nevertheless, despite the state I was in, the amount of work and high level of craft that Maureen must have put into making the tapestry was still immediately apparent and I do remember that what little wind was left in my sails following the previous night's 'jolly' was very quickly taken right out of them. I was, in effect, left speechless. Whatever I did muster to say in response was no doubt inadequate in conveying my sense of gratitude at being the surprised recipient of such a fine memento. Not, incidentally, a memento of the time I spent as a Bandit, though it does certainly serve as such, but of the time and friendship granted me by Maureen, husband Dave and so many other people I met while racing Down Under, principally in Adelaide. I trust I made a better job of thanking Maureen in the card I sent from England, er... some months later (!), when presumably I'd finally sobered up, though of that, like so many things these days, I really can't be sure of.
Therefore I'd like to take the opportunity here to thank Maureen for the memory of that particular February morning, represented as it is in the photo, and for all those other memories from more clear-headed excursions with her family throughout South Australia. Needless to say, I still have the tapestry: it is beautifully made, I will not part with it and, for the reasons explained, still hold it in high regard with real personal value.
Some values change, however, and, digressing ever so slightly, looking back at that photo of Maureen and myself on SpeedwayPlus, no matter how hard I tried to remain focussed on the things that matter to us both, I just couldn't help but recall a line from a song by legendary punk group from Leeds, the Mekons (still going strong), who once sang words to the effect of:
Look, coke [non specified brand] is not good for you. Don't drink it!
The words in question are from Insignificance, a song on the album Retreat From Memphis (1994), which, as a matter of fact, contributed as inspiration for the thesis subject I pursued for an MLitt in American Studies. Subsequently, a lot of time was spent not thinking about speedway but writing about US corporations, dead 'cowboys' and perhaps the most enlightened of former British punk rock groups - and that is what you call an education! Oh yes.
So, rather than the two of us (Maureen and me) appearing to be unwitting participants in an advert for an American sugary drinks conglomerate, and especially if there are any kids logging-on to this blog, I more than happily repeat those paraphrased words of infinite Mekons wisdom:
Look, coke [non specified brand] is not good for you. Don't drink it!
Rum, on the other hand, ideally from La Habana and held by a drinking mug filled to the brim with sweet, sweet irony, would be absolutely fine - only in moderation, mind, and distilled to a relatively more humane % volume. You see, you mustn't O.D. with 'Queensland O.P.'! Ahem...I'll say no more on that one!!
If, however, any of you kids reading this aspire to be a good professional speedway rider or, alternatively, simply plain healthy and sensible, or even all three (eh?), there's no need whatsoever to take any advice from me. Just you stick to the orange juice! And no, that doesn't include 'finta,' as any of our self-respecting friends from New Zealand might say. After all, that particular 'brew' is Fa...Fa...Fa...far from pure...(how should I put this?)... 'orange juice!'
And yes, I more than happily repeat those last words again, too, and they ought to be as music to the ears of both young and old alike...
ORANGE JUICE!
Ok, ever so slight digression over.
Maureen, despite those various injuries you mentioned in your piece, I sincerely hope all's well with you and Dave half-a-world away at your relatively new place in Tasmania. Thanks again for what you did for me all those years ago (now twenty-plus...brrrr, shiver me timbers!) and, as ever, my very best wishes to you both.
Zdenek Flajshanz has visited a number of Ice Speedways over the last couple of decades. Here are a selection of pictures from his visits to Dresden, Erfurt, Frankfurt and Heidenreichstein.
"Re Reidar Eide was injured the night before he rode at Glasgow. The race at Halifax included Ronnie Moore and Eric Boocock. All three were close going out of the second bend when Ronnie Moore picked up and moved over on Eric Boocock leaving Reidar nowhere to go except into the fence at high speed. As he hit the fence he was thrown up and managed to hand vault over the fence not knowing that there was a sharp fall on the other side. He made a heavy landing on his side and had rib, hip and leg bruising. I drove him straight to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for x rays and he was released to rest for a few days. Despite me clearly and repeated t elling him what had happened he was initially convinced that Eric had PUT HIM in the fence. This was absolutely not true as Eric was a very fair rider always. Even days later when at Coventry Nigel Boocock tried to assure Reidar that 'our kid is not a dirty rider'he took a lot of persuading by me that he was wrong in his belief. Three years later he thanked me for insisting he had been wrong about the incident. Reidar and I travelled extensively together up to the time he was at Reading."
"Wasn't there a problem launching speedway in Spain due to the Spanish authorities not allowing the use of bikes built outside Spain. I remember an attempt to run speedway in Majorca (was the promoter Wally Mawdesley?) using Bultaco engines. 250c two strokes? I mean it just wouldn't be speedway would it?"
"It makes everybody sad when another track closes. We need to be opening more tracks not closing them. Let's face it Speedway is a great spectator sport. I cannot understand why Football get's so much coverage. Speedway is just as exciting if not more exciting. It's because Football is on the TV from morning till night and we are all brain washed with it. Don't get me wrong I like Football too but Speedway deserves it chance too."
"Does anyone recall a speedway match way back in the 1950 s when on a dreadful night of torrential rain Wimbledon went to the unbeatable Wembley and won 42/41? I recall that Mike Erskine scored 11 points. I got absolutely drenched and it turned me off the stadium for life."
"Re the comment on Roy Uden, please see this picture, Sorry not in very good condition, but the Newspaper was from September 1948, and in a very tatty condition.
The paper is twisted, and despite me adjusting it in the scanner to make it straight, the scanner keeps twisting it back! It shows a Charterer of Roy, seem he was in the RAF, and as it states he is rebuilding his Speedway Career after the RAF, I assume he rode pre-war."
"Look I see Steve Luxton with the Garage Mahal II lurking in the backround over the fence in picture #2 trying to pinch a few vests for the Garage Mahal II. LOL."
"So good to read about Alf doing good. We crossed paths when he came to work where i was serving my apprenticeship. I went to old meadowbank and did cycle speedway, so you can imagine the excitement when he came to my workplace. I leart a lot from Alfie and crossed paths with some of the riders coming in to see him, and had lots of laughs too. Alf if you happen to read this all i can say is a big THANKS i learnt a lot and have passed it on down the line. Best wishes to Alfie and Margo "
"Many thanks to all who have answered the "Custom House Track Record Conundrum". 62.1 is the fastest calculation, and the mind boggles at physically having to watch that round the famous bowl. If only the place hadn't been flogged off. And for £475,000 at that! Those were the days!"
"Dudley is so right about each track having a regular race night and a good promoter who believe in the power of publicity in the local press to attract the crowds. If you want a good crowd any promotion has to put in hard work to achieve it.
My track, Oxford, for too long suffered from promoters that only turned up on the day with little effort put into publicity prior to the meeting during seasons when the race night was constantly being changed with some weeks no racing at all. They relied on free publicity the night before the meeting from the local newspapers. They didn't bother with poster around the town or any publicity that would cost money. I am told that one promotor refused the sale of the Speedway Star at the track and even fell out with Oxford's local radio which aired a weekly speedway programme that was winning industry awards. Real effort if it had to be paid for was in short supply. The tracks decline under such circumstances was due to the lack of positive promotion. Oxford still has strong support, the track is still waiting to be used it needs genuine promoters who can convince the stadiums owners that they can make it work and pay the rent.
Equally Dudley is right that riders percieved loyalty to a club is very important, but sadly there is little evidence of it today with riders changing teams each year as well as being contracted to more than one track either in the UK or abroad during the season. Some riders, when interviewed hardly seem to care about their team, they only relate to how they are doing. I know it is professional and exspensive sport and yes they want and need to earn as much money as they can, but many supporters are disillusioned by this attitude. Team and league speedway is what sets our sport apart from other motor sports. Most of us would like to have more teams in the leagues but I suspect that the promotors who run the sport are not of the same mind they are comfortable with what they have got and do not encourage expansion.
When we talk of the hey days of the sport we had many more teams up and down the country and as a result many more supporters it would be interesting to analyse, if we could, the way and the reasons why supporters attended the tracks in the past. I suspect that such was the interest and the reason why attendance was so high was because they were all keen to see as much racing as possible on the different tracks. Enthusiasm feed on enthusiasm especially with all the tracks in London. That said I am very sorry that Newport has closed and my heart goes out to all their supporters, but don't give up there is always a chance that you will get back on track. If one of us wins the Euro Millions lottery who knows what would happen!!"
"
I would like to add a personal memory of Jackie Biggs. Whilst riding for Coventry, Jackie broke a couple of ribs but was determind to carry on riding. He "borrowed" one of his wife's roll-on, and pulling it up accross his chest, continued . I have broken ribs in my time and can honestly say the pain is excruciating just breathing, let alone riding a speedway bike."
"
I was only about 14yrs old late 50s or early 60s. I knew Jack and Barry when they had the lock up garage at the top of the avenue in Tottenham. Myself and my friend Les Sims used to be there all the time and we used to help them clean and wash bike parts, they were the real nice guys."
"I enjoyed Dudley Jones' piece but must take issue with his dismissal of my often-demonised role in Terry's departure from King's Lynn. Far from being 'a new manager' I had been general manager at Saddlebow Road for six years and administratively and otherwise involved for several seasons before that, enjoying what was first a friendship and then a very long working relationship with Terry. In his later seasons he regularly cast doubt on his ability to continue riding because of other commitments and at the end of 1978 (his worst year, not a bad one but well short of his usual high standard) he indicated it was unlikely he would be back. Accordingly the directors of Norfolk Speedways together with the club's then major sponsor backed me in going after Dave Jessup, who was duly signed, and with DJ and Michael Lee in the side and everybody else contracted, by the time Terry very belatedly said he would ride after all, there was no room to accommodate him. The stuff that followed was very unfortunate, and I realise even after this time many people continue to cast me as the villain which I must say I'm not crazy about. All that said, of course this man was the heartbeat of King's Lynn for years and I suggest far and away the one most entitled to be fondly rememberd by old-time fans."
"I was a young kid when I saw my dad - Ginger O'Beirne - and the rest of the tigers try to roll back time. Enormous effort went into it - but eventually it had to be admitted that for Ireland, speedway had run its course."
"Regarding Briggo's West Ham track record. Jack Young held the record of 70.6 when Custom House closed in 1955, however by the 1964 re-opening the wheel size had changed resulting in the record being reset. The track size remained 415 yards. Briggo set a new TR of 73.4 at a World Championship Round 2 meeting on 4th Aug 1964 only to break this again (72.6) a week later when he rode for Swindon in a league match. It took just over a year before Nigel Boocock lowered it to 72.4 during the British Final, coincidently won by Briggo! Ray Wilson's record of 70.2 on Tuesday 8th April 1969 was to remain unbeaten. By my estimation the TR would now be 62.1, which I calculated by converting the times to speeds and comparing to track speeds of a non-defunct track of similar size, this being Owlerton."
"I would like to add my personal regrets to Dudley Jones' feelings of sadness at the demise of Newport. I worked for the South Wales Argus newspaper in Newport in the early 70s. The crowds at Somerton Park by that time may have been smaller than the massive attendances in the 60s, but still seemed pretty healthy. I visited the new track about eight or nine years ago and there seemed a reasonable attendance at that stage. Watching was comfortable from the grandstand. I do agree with Dudley's other comments. I also recall a visit in the recent past to Rye House. Len Silver is a shining example of really promoting the sport and working the crowd. So few people really know how to do it these days. I was also impressed by Dick Barrie's performance on the centre green at Somerset last summer, when he visited with, I think, Berwick. Speedway is primarily entertainment, and desperately needs its showmen."
"Briggo and the West Ham Track Record, now it gets technical! Jack Young held the record as the fastest man around the `new` West Ham track untill Ray took it, I was there that day, boy was he moving! Remember the West Ham Track was shortend and redesigned on Jacks word The final Programme of 1964 shows Briggo as holding the Track Record for `Small Wheel` @72.6 Secs (Jack was 70.6). Briggo described the West Ham Tack as one of fastest and best in the world, and who are we to disagree! Rays unbeaten time was 70.2 Jack also held the 1-lap record for West ham at 18.00 secs The modern one lap record was jointly held by Sverre Harrfeld and Ken McKinlay at 17.6 secs. One can only imaging with the modern lighter bikes what the record would be now. "
"Ken's research identifies "a general decrease in the average age of the finalists from the mid-1960s until the introduction of the GP Series in 1995". So surely, the key difference is the switch from one-off finals to a SERIES? Nowadays the rider who becomes "World Champion" is the most consistent over the whole campaign which will, thereby, inevitably tends to favour those with the most experience of racing and the tracks themselves as well as requiring they ride best, mechanically well maintained equipment. These characteristics are probably most likely to come with age."
"BarryW - thanks for your feedback. Definitely have some West Ham programmes from 1964 showing Briggo as the track record holder - although, a bone of contention here. I think it was around 1952/3 that the rear wheel was changed to a smaller one, and the West Ham progamme showed 2 track records, one for the larger wheel and one for the small wheel. Briggo is down at 73.4 on the modern day wheel (the smaller one). That record, of course, was smashed over the seasons down to 70.2 by Ray Wilson. Yes, it was the Easter Monday meeting, as Leicester also used to race on a Tuesday evening, therefore the Hammers curtain raiser in the late 60's/early 70's was always the Lions on Easter Monday. Any views as to what the record would be now? I calculate around 64.8 or is that wishful thinking?"
Neil Burrows reports from the recent social event in Long Eaton. One of the special guests was Invaders legend Jan Staechmann, who looked back on his time at Station Road and forward to his new role as Peterborough manager.
Philip Dalling attended the recent Speedway Birthday celebration event at the Speedway Museum. Here's his report of the day, illustrated by pictures by Brenda Dyer.
Helen Young is looking for info on which riders wore particular numbers in late eighties BLRCs. She also wants to know about a Czech Golden Helmet jacket - Can You Help?
Paul Broomhead is looking for a programme from the Jimmy Crawford Trophy meeting at Sheffield in 1970 - Can You Help?
Mike Evans is trying to track down Peter Murray who was start marshal at Hyde Road in the sixties - Can You Help?
Another pic from Ivan Blacka. This time showing some all-time greats who got together for the grand reopening of the Sydney Showground in 1988. This was the first meeting at the track since 1980 and a crowd of 20,000 packed in to see the action. Sady the Showground is no more, though the clock remains.
"I never had the good fortune to see Jack Young ride, although when West Ham reopened in 1964 I remember the whole borough of (what was then) West Ham (now Newham) had A3 size posters advertising the speedway, with a back-to-front photograph of.............Jack Young!"
"Great article, enjoyed very much. One memory I have that ties in with some of the things mentioned happened in the Wimbledon car park near the workshops ( now gone} when my brother & I were chatting with Garry about his recent weekend foray to I think somwhere in Eastern Europe from which he had just returned, ( unloading bike & gear from morris van} when suddenly from nowhere came a fuming guy, who i think was Vic Gooden who was ballistic about Garry not having correct paper work. All I remember was the words at the top of his voice were ", you go in, you get a stamp, you leave you get it stamped". I think it was a passport Vic was waving about. Only response from Garry was a shrug and a comment of "so what". Brilliant, what a guy, r.i.p."
"I was good friends with Gary. I will tell you one thing, the gun was real. John Langfield - Australin test captaion and former rider for West Ham and Poole."
"Very interesting comment by David on the West Ham track record, perhaps confirms that it is not speed itself that makes good racing. One point, I remember being at Custom House when Ray Wilson broke the track record, I think an Easter Monday afternoon and do recall someone sitting nearby commenting that Ray's time would mean that Jack Young's name would no longer be in the programme after so many years. This makes me fairly sure that Briggo never did hold the record at Custom House."
"Great news to see this publication now available, just a pity that the option to print pages has been disabled. Whilst I can fully understand the reasons behind it being produced as a CD, personally I would have liked the option to print a copy at my own expense, as I am not a fan of reading off a computer screen for any length of time. Minor quibble though and congratulations and thanks to Richard Waller for this work."
Ken Nicholson wondered whether the recent World Title wins for the relatively elderly Hancock and Gollob were indicative of a trend or statistical anomalies. His resultant research makes for interesting reading.
Darren Ashman shares some more photographs that he took during the eighties. This time we see Foxhall Heath, Kirky Lane and Brandon (before the high fence was erected).
Tracy Holmes catches up with Colin McKee. Probably best remembered in Britain for his spells with Edinburgh Monarchs and Hackney Hawks.
John Callaghan has been in touch to tell us that he's now writing crime fiction. You may remember John was the controversial columnist whose articles led to him being banned from the Milton Keynes programme. He also wrote the fabulous NL90 book - definitely the funniest speedway book ever. He's written four novels about a Glasgow-based private detective and the books are infused with the same humour and attitude that found an audience in his speedway writing, albeit with an exponential increase in swearies (though still quite light on sex and violence). Check them out at glasgownoirfiction.com.
Tony Webb is still trying to piece together the Garry Middleton story. If you can provide any information on Garry's movements between September 1973 and March 1975 then Tony would be delighted to hear from you. His email address is binbooks@iinet.net.au
"I think I mailed you on this Patricia but just a wee reminder that Eddie was also manager of the Bradford Panthers during the ill fated 1960 Provincial League season at Odsal. Bit more speedway news on Bradford, there is to be a "speedway in Bradford" exhibition at the Industrial Museum this year and also a book on the history of Odsal as a track is imminently due. I have seen the proposed cover and I believe Eddie's is one of the photographs on it! What a perfect excuse to get something going on a return to action, maybe a roving Northern or Midland Development team as a start as the Halifax Dukes have already done?"
"Was at Hackney for a 4TT and Alan Mogridge was something else. 3 times he came from the back in spectacular fashion to win. 4th time out Alan overccoked his pass and went through the fence. Thankfully he wasn't badly hurt. "
"Great Article. Understand he was the landlord of the Crown Inn, at Missenden/Little Missenden not far from Amersham Bucks. Unfortunately, I saw the accident that ended his career. The race was over, Ron had crossed the finishing line, then shortly after something happend to the bike which catapulted him forwards, from which he sustained the shoulder injury that was to terminate his racing career."
"I agree with Derek. The old Tactical subtitute rule was much better and worked well for years. Abandoning it on the basis that it probably cost more money to pay the substitute that it would have the rider he replaced is typical of the backward thinking that seems to prevail in speedway in the UK. And while we're at it, how about replacing the points limit in the National League with a grading system. This is supposed to be a development league, but has recently reduced from 10 teams in 2011 down to 8 in 2012. Yet they keep the same points limit. The result is that young British riders who made progress last season and upped their averages are now frozen out. I know one rider made homeless by Belle Vue pulling out was denied a place in another team because his average was 0.08 too high..!! Hello....."
"I've been giving some thought to what track records could be now at defunct tracks. My home track West Ham, closed in 1972 but the Div 1 record at the close was held by Ray Wilson at 70.2. The track was 415 yards. When I first attend ed Custom House in 1964 I think the record was around 73.8 held by Briggo. Given the ever increasing speed of the bikes I calculate that if Custom House were still standing we'd be seeing a track record of around 64.8 - quite unthinkable 40 years back! Any other readers any ideas of what times would be now at other long-gone circuits?"
Ian Harwood:
"Is Donny "Too Tall" Odom and relation to Jim Odom, one of the AMA flat-track racers featured in the film On Any Sunday?"
Our latest trip down memory lane with Peter Colvin as our guide. This time we see the tapes rise for the first time at Britain's biggest speedway and at the most northern track in the UK.
Remember that this series is open to others to contribute to. Do you have a stash of old pictures that you'd like to share with our visitors? If so, get in touch via our contact page.
Simon Stanley reports from the recent social event in Long Eaton. The evening was a celebration of a successful comeback campaign last season (based at Leicester) and a chance to look forward to the season ahead.
Stephen (who dabbled with racing himself) selects his all-time favourite Belle Vue Aces. Given the club's rich history he's spoiled for choice.
How about this for committment to your favourite rider? This chap has a magnificent tatoo of Dennis Sigalos on his shoulder. Thanks to Ivan B. for the picture.
"How very typical of Ove Fundin to take the trouble to send a "thank you" for the content of the article about him. I remember some time ago sending him a note asking about Sverre Hardfelt and he replied within a day telling me Sverre was OK, something I had never been able to discover following the horific injuries he suffered many years back, in Poland I believe. Someone of Ove's stature, to many, including me, the greatest ever does not need to create an impression, but his modest courtesy and humility says a lot for the way sport "superstars" could behave. Many a celbrity footballer and the like could take a lesson or two, but I doubt any are relatively the "best" as Ove was. Thank heavens for some of the people we have to look up to in our sport."
"I remember Graeme doing the best ever team riding with another rider called neil! they were always paired together and it was almost impossible to split them when behind them. i did a bit of second half riding around 76/77 and some at Eastbourne and Mildenhall. who was Neil? and just for the record the best ever Wimbledon rider has to be Ronnie Moore (he rode the white line like he was glued to it!!)"
"Great artical, Garry Middleton has a special place in my memory for one reason, The first match I ever went to was Cradley Heath against Hackney, It was the season when Colin Pratt had left the Hawks for the Heathens, And Garry was the first rider that I saw win a race, I still remember him now in those pale blue leathers, This artical reflects him very well I feel, He had so much potential but sadly never got to the very top, He was a very fast rider on his day and if I remember clearly, Never took too many prisoners, I have had such great times with this sport......"
"Having just, very gently, returned home after major surgery, John Frays news is a great boost to me.Three cheers for Oxford Council, may the good people of that city add further to the clubs great history and legacy!"
Calum Macaulay on Jason Lyons:
" Jason Lyons: I remember more than a few years going to Powderhall for the season opener Edinburgh v Glasgow. Always a great encounter Glasgow were bouyed by their new signing Jason Lyons. The very young blonde Australian looked nervous on parade but heat two beckoned and the "tricky", in a nice way, Powderhall corners. The inevitable happened and Jason came to grief. Back in for the re-run he went straight back into the fence again having to be "spannered" out of the wreckage this time on Sean Courtney's bike his own being very much the worse for wear. I remember, although it was a long time ago, going home that night thinking we had signed a really good rider. I was right then and now. He went on to prove it big time. Happy retirement Jason from a Glasgow Tigers and Jason Lyons fan."
Dean Felton has been a stalwart of the National and Premier League over the last 20 years. Here he selects some of his heroes alongside some of those he's ridden with and against. His middle-pairing of Buzz Burrows and Tomasz Gollob would certainly be worth watching!
Tracy Holmes catches up with another star of the past - this time the former Newcastle Diamond - Murray Burt.
Another from the Ivan Blacka collection. This time showing Doug Nichol, Billy Hamill and Bruce Penhall. Doug rode for Middlesbrough for a spell in the nineties when he was known as 'Uncle Doug' due to his connections with Donny 'Too Tall' Odom.
"The old T/S rule was 6 behind and there was no restriction on how many times it could be used. I would still have this rule, the current TR is just tinkering, making team managers almost redundant. If most home teams are savvy enough they'll put their top 3 at 1,4 & 5 thus giving them a strong finish especially with the away team almost certainly putting a heat leader at no3."
"The most memorable race I ever saw was what I thought to be was in one of the London ( Southern ) Riders Championships ( ? ) in the late 1970’s held at Hackney Stadium.
It was four of the most compelling laps I have ever seen and was of Martin Yeates chasing the immaculate Billy Saunders – unsuccessfully. Boy did that lad try.
I have tried to look up the record of this meeting but can not find anything relating to it. Any ideas.
I wonder if Len Silver could remember this event of his.
If only I could trace Martin now, to congratulate him on what must have been his finest race ( match race decider ) in which he came second."
"Thank you for your replies guys it's very touching to hear your stories. I love hearing about your experiences and your knowledge, i'ts great to be able to carry on the history in such a unquie way. Ken nice work, very jealous i have a few more years ahead of me yet til i can retire :), youll have to keep us updated on your adventures. I was surprised to find there is a badge with Pa on it, found it today on the net, it's incredible the advertiesment and memoriablia that is around the world from the earlier days."
"It has been really satisfying, and somewhat humbling, to find that my modest contributions have been read and given some satisfaction and pleasure to Ove Fundin, and the relatives of such famous riders as Jack Biggs and Peter Moore.
I am sure I speak for very many when I say that there must be many thousands of supporters, past and present, who feel privilaged to have witnessed these and other great names in action and who hold great memories. These riders, and many others, gave us something special and enduring. They certainly played a big part in my life, and influenced my sporting interests for ever.
Also, I hope and imagine that there must be many younger readers who wish they could have been there to see these and all the other heroes of the shale recalled."
"It was really interesting to see the name of Roy Uden. I can remember my father talking about his cousin who was a speedway rider and it is a joy to see someone has recorded this information. Thank you."
Jim Chalkley:
"Great pictures of Argentina. Could the promoters please come to Spain & do the same here? I feel the reason speedway failed in Spain was due to the language barrier."
Geoff Langley looks at a subtle change to the tactical ride rule in 2012 and believes it's a step in the right direction.
The above picture shows Tony Webb visiting the grave of the late Garry Middleton. Tony spent many years trying to trace what happened to Garry and reported his sad findings on this site a few weeks back, Tony also reports that a headstone for the late Noel Johnson should be erected in the months ahead. Funds are being provided by the directors of Exeter Speedway.
It's always nice to hear from former riders and one of the very best got in touch this week. See our feedback column below.
Here's another great pic from Ivan Blacka. This shows the students and staff at a recent Billy Hamill Speedway Academy. Leigh Adams was visiting and is also pictured.
Those of you enjoying Dick Barrie's reports from Argentina in Speedway Star may be interested to see some pictures from the events. Point your browser at https://picasaweb.google.com/115855111953269560634/SPEEDWAYPRENSA to take a virtual trip to South America.
Don't forget that the Long Eaton Invaders are holding their pre-season launch night on Saturday. Full details at longeatoninvaders.co.uk/
"Ronnie Moore really was a one off. Watching him show the young Tommy jansson how to ride plough lane and then watching Tommy put it into practise ( very effectively) was a treat to behold. Have a great framed photo by Mike Patrick ( black and white of course) signed to my wife of 40 years Chris of Mirac on his JAP at full chat...memories were made of such things. One other note I knew Cyril Maidment when he was team manager at Wimbledon, mainly because I had managed to get my company to sponsor some second half events, I also visit tenerife twice a year and get dragged to the market in Los Cristianos, only found out three years ago that the man taking the money from stall holders was Cyril, sadly I did;nt recognose him it would have been good to chat."
"Thanks for this review! I'm glad you liked it. I hadn't realised some of the pics were from the wrong year. Sorry about that! I have most of the data for 1983 and 1984 already. You're right its a painstaking effort (and of course I'm doing it for the love of speedway, not the money). I haven't decided yet whether to proceed with those two years. Anybody who can shed light on the missing junior speedway details is welcome to get in touch. "
"Hi have just found your page and as a Tigers supporter since the 1950s and now 79yrs still enjoy a race day. I would like to purchase a photo book of racing at Glasgow, Edinburgh, and paisley. Paisley has memories as I was starting marshall for the last year."
"In 1982 Speedway Yearbook review... "If you need to know the individual scorers from the three team tournament between Ayrshire Rebels, Lanarkshire Eagles and Cumbrians (Craighead Park - 31/11/82) then you'll find it in here" And if you need to know the date you'll find it here - 31/10/1982 ;-) Yours pedantically, Dave Allan"
Our review of a new work that allows us all to step back 30 years and recall what happened throughout the 1982 season. Ideal for those who keep notes on the sport's history or those who just like to wallow in nostalgia. Richard Waller is the author of this book and it's published by Retro-Speedway.
Tracy Holmes catches up with another former rider - this time it's the man who virtually single-handedly built the massive Crewe circuit back in the seventies.
"Thanks Tony for closing the chapter on Garry. I only saw GM a few time at Hackney from bend two near the supporters shop, and that would have been in the early 70's."
"This wasn't one of my better 'off the top of the head' replies. The French star Charles Bellisent never won a French-staged world championship, although he was France's National champion at one time. His son Pierre was also a rider of some merit."
Neil Burrows brings us details of an upcoming social event in Long Eaton. New Peterborough manager Stekkers and the Leicester promotion will be fielding questions from the floor.
Mick Handley recently celebrated his 65th birthday. Thanks to Jim Henry and Bob Andrews for these pictures from the party.
John Hart and Dave Perks
John Hart, Mick and Colin Pratt
Mick and Bruce Cribb
Andy Oldfield wonders whether a Canterbury Crusaders supporters club exists or could be formed - Can You Help?
Dave Bush is looking for colour pictures from the 1973 World Final - Can You Help?
The Long Eaton Supporters Club are staging their AGM on 28th January at Long Eaton Football Club. Full detaiils can be found at www.longeatoninvaders.co.uk
"Have been reading supporters and friends memories of my husband. he was indeed one of a kind. Always generous with his time, to talk or help. I know, The hours that I waited for him to stop talking and make our way home. I wouldn't have had it any other way! Regards to all. Sheila Biggs,"
"Really shocked to hear that Alf has had it so tough recently. I was a fan of his when he rode for Bradford in the early 70's making up a really potent trio of heat leaders in Alf, Gary Peterson and Alan Knapkin. Glad to hear he seems to be looking on the bright side, despite everything. Totally agree with chris backhouse about Odsal, it's a real shame there is no top class speedway in West Yorkshire anymore.if any new track is built though, I hope fans don't expect it to be the same as Odsal (or The Shay) as those places were unique in their own way. We can only hope."
"A correction in regard to the last winner of a French staged world championship. Charles 'Pee Wee' Cullum in 1936 was not the last winner of the event. There was another championship in 1937 which was won by Martin Schweinweiss of Austria ."
"A good article, I almost agree with you but Peter Craven will always stand out for me. I have been watching speedway since 1949 and think that like any other sport money has spoilt it in lots of ways. in the old days you could see lots of thrills from lads on an old bike having a good go at so called stars. My best race I have ever seen was Briggo v Ken Mcki nlay at Wimbledon at a world qualifier."
"Tony, Thank you so much for confirming Garry's death and final resting place. He was one of my first heroes and it's very sad indeed that what was rumoured was actually true. R.I.P."
John Hyam shares his memories of this rider whose career spanned both the pre and post war eras. He turned out for Southampton and Wembley amongst others.
Tracy Holmes catches up with former Monarch, Tiger and Diamond - Alf Wells. Alf has suffered great misfortune in recent years, but retains his sense of humour.
"The good old days. I always sat on the wall at the first bend with my sister. She used to fancy Tony Clarke. I remember the crash that took half the B team and the manager Phil Bishop. "
"Great web site very interesting read. If I am not mistaken I think Reg Duval also rode for Coventry Bees. I watched Les Hewitt win the Brandonapolis in 1950 when I was only a young boy, beating all the top First Division riders at that time. I was in touch with Les during the last 3/4 years of his life he was a great guy and a gentleman."
"So far as the French were concerned, Fernand Meynier was a world champion. In regard to the world championship, the first official one was staged in 1936 at Wembley. But there were unofficial world championships held in France, Australia and even in England before that. However, these events do appear to have carried other titles but Press reports and other available information also carries the world championship title. Perhaps a good qualification is that the first officially recognised world championship was held in 1936 at Wembley Stadium. France is rather a talking point on oldtimespeedway@yahoogroups.com and a message search there may help in this research. Besides Fernand Meynier, another French world champion was Charles Bellisent, while various English and Australian riders are also credited as having won the title. Some famous names among them. These championships were held in the Buffalo Stadium in Paris. The last world championship to be held in France co-incidentally was in 1936 and won by the American rider Charles 'Pee Wee' Cullum, who rode for Belle Vue in the late 1940s. "
"It's about time the track was reinstated and the monstrosity that has been built where the pits once were situated is removed. Realistically it will never happen despite Bulls attendances dropping year on year and the club not being in a particularly strong financial position. Best us West Yorkshire speedway fans can hope for is a site for a new stadium and a rebirth like Leicester, Scunthorpe and Newport."
"WOW... sounds like a wonderful time and I wish I could have been there, I live in Greece now and see very little speedway... loved the Lions SO much, was taken to see it at 10 years old and myself and my family have been fans since, even to myself working for Kings Lynn back in 2001. The Current Glasgow manager is the brother of the guy I did music with for 4 Years - small world huh! Anyway, Love the info, photos and write up, it's great to see the riders again.... Thank You!"
