"Just been in touch with Nathan Murray who was selected to ride and appears in the programme at number 6. Sadly, he was unable to travel due to a lack of funds. So adding to the scorechart; NATHAN MURRAY Q ns."
"Remember White City(Remember them?) clinching league title at Momnmore having used Rider Replacement for Dag Lovaas (remember him? No I never saw him race either!) for a complete season in late 70s"
"John Boyd summed up lack of media attention to British speedway perfectly, it's run by amateurs. Too many leagues with not enough riders, track sharing, doubling up, team averages restricting team strengths. Sport is about competition, speedway is the only team sport that penalises teams that are successful, no wonder media doesn't take notice. The latest is the revamped World Cup, two riders per team, the minimum number of people you can call a team. A great sport being run down by the people that run it. "
"Absolutely right, why did the BBC not comment on the passing of a Motorsport legend? It's shameful of the media to not cover it, just another indication of how speedway is on the media list. If a back room sport like darts can make headlines and attract massive coverage then we need to speak to the people behind the rise in public interest in darts and talk to them about changing speedway's fortunes."
"Perhaps the (two?) exceptions that prove the prevailing rule, actually, Ivan's passing was marked by a full-page obituary in The Guardian, Thursday 19th April, and is available to view on the newspaper's website. The Telegraph also published an obituary which is available online too, though access is subject to a pay-wall."
"David I think you expect to much. Speedway fans which I class my self as, know how good Ivan was. To the press etc he was just a rider. You are right about Lewis Hamilton. But there again Formula 1 get millions of viewers. That is all the TV and media want. Wouldn't it be great to get the results on the news, we need more publicity to push our sport forward.Good for you on getting on t o BBC and ITV."
"Although it's been many years since I have regularly read a daily paper, I believe from posts on Facebook, that at least one of the broadsheets (I believe it was the Daily Telegraph, no less) featured a fairly extensive article as an obituary to Ivan, as well as some of the so-called the red-tops.It's just that they took a while to appear in print after the sad day of his passing....."
"Yes I remember Charlie Monk being almost unbeatable at White City apart from Silver Sash races. I also remember Bengt Jansson going over the 'hump' on the first bend and breaking his leg in 66? And Jim Airey? Takes me back- good times growing up and travelling on the underground from Hillend! "
"Bobby if compared to just about every other American rider of the era had a completely different style of sitting on the bike. When most others were able to be loose and flamboyant Bobby was semi rigid and used to trail his leg off the turns. IMO I believe it was a style that didn't work so well on the larger World Final type tracks. Bobby was brilliant on the smaller ones like Wolverhampton etc and his record in the USA speaks for itself. He was a master of throttle control in an era of when the art was starting to disappear from the Sport."
Greatest rider to never qualify for a World Final? Many say Bobby Schwartz, but how close did he actually come to making the big night? Tracy Holmes looks through the record books.
"In no way do I dispute that Ivan Mauger was a great rider, However, how does one evaluate any rider as the 'greatest ever'? Certainly he was a leading figure in the late 1960s going into the 1970s. But how can one judge him against others who over the years have also won the 'greatest ever' acclaim.
In the early pioneer days we had riders like Vic Huxley, Lloyd 'Sprouts' Elder moving on into the 1930s with trackman like Tom Farndon, 'Bluey' Wilkinson, Jack Milne, while the post-war era saw the domination at one stage of Vic Duggan along with Jack Parker, Jack Young. And so the eras go on.
The 1950s and 1960s had Ove Fundin, Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs especially the forefront. And in their times all had the 'greatest ever' tag. Currently there is justified acclaim for the late Ivan Mauger. But with no disrespect was he better rider than for example Vic Huxley?
The unfortunate thing is we can never know how Huxley would have fared in modern times, with modern bikes, and modern track conditions. Alternatively, how would Mauger have fared with the bikes of the late 1920 s and early 1930s, racing on deep cinder tracks. We will never know. Nor how a Huxley-Mauger match race would have resulted.
I am of the opinion that speedway has provided 'greatest' riders of its varying and much changing eras and in their own timespan justified in recognition as the greatest of that period. But speedway aka dirt track racing has over the past 90 plus years evolved so much, greatest-ever riders (if such is the correct definition-can only be judged within their own era. And on that basis I do recognise Ivan Mauger as being the greatest rider of the years when he was engaged at the highest level in modern speedway."
"Re: Emma Somers on My Beloved Shay. Given the scale of Halifax Town FC's debts - more than £2m - in 2008 when it folded, I don't think income from sub-letting The Shay to the speedway team would have made all that much difference!
The football club, re-formed in 2008 as FC Halifax Town, is now living within its means and performing well, with a squad of part-time players, in the fifth tier National League.
As a schoolboy, I enjoyed visits to The Shay for speedway (and football). Unfortunately, when new safety regulations came in (circa 1985) governing the distance permitted between fixed objects and the safety fence, The Shay's floodlight pylons rendered the venue a speedway non-starter. Bradford Council offered Dukes rent-free use of a refurbished Odsal and, understandably, promoter Eric Boothroyd jumped at the chance.
Strangely, despite Dukes relocating from a town to a city, speedway was never as popular (or as intimate) at Odsal as it was at The Shay. Given Halifax's hilly topography, I'd say the chances of speedway returning to the town are zero. "
Tracy Holmes concludes his series on the New Zealand representatives in the Overseas Final, this time looking at the finals staged this century.
Friends of Speedway (a non-profit making organisation who are proud to part sponsor the British Youth Championship - formerly the Under 15's) are pleased to announce the 69th edition of their magazine the Voice which is packed full of interest and enjoyment. This issue is a big 24 pages, which will keep your interest for hours!
In this issue Charles Mckay gives an update of Abbey Stadium and on what he calls Groundhog Day. John Hyam comments on Bert Harkins new book, a horror crash at Nutley Velodrome, Otto Holoubek and Tommy Croombs. Roy Delaney reports on Stan Greatrex. David Telfer on various aspects of speedway. Slider asks 'Is it a damp Squib?' plus a report on the Ice racing at Heerenveen, Holland. Ron Jones on following in Bluey's footsteps, part three. Jeffrey C. Jameson reports on Stadia. There is much more too to keep you going for hours.
Available from Friends of Speedway; 117 Church Lane, Chessington, Surrey KT9 2DP. Please send your cheque for £12 made out to the above for four issues of the Voice to Stuart Towner at the above address or ring 0208-397 6599 for more information.
"When I used to go to this track in the 70's I could never understand why they made it so narrow. I believe it was originally an athletics track and the width of the first and second bends seemed to remain virtually the same. The only place where passing was really possible was on the crown of the third and fourth bend, as Graham Jones and Tom Owen often showed. How pleased I was to learn that in 1996 (or 97) they actually widened the bends, unfortunately the entrances and exits to the bends are still too narrow which makes the racing too processional. Still it's better than it was in the early days. "
"In reply to Anthony Williamson. Good to know you were a "Dons" fan, and many thanks for that. I wouldn't say that the current maximum £18 admission is anything to do with the lower crowds, just the lack of proper promotion in parts. In fact, who out of us who love the sport baulk at paying £18 for an evenings speedway? Rather that than fill the coffers of overpaid footballers at £50 per ticket. "
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Jack Millen in a car crash. Despite the passing of the years, this great character is still well remembered by all who watched him.
"Very much like the old Shay track 1971-85. Would be a much better race track if the entrances and exits to the bends were wider. Their current narrowness makes the racing processional. Same problem at Berwick. The 1970 circuit until its closure provided better racing."
"I knew Jackie Biggs when I was a kid, his workshop was at the top of Elmhurst Road in Tottenham. He was a terrific bloke, I used to mingle with him often. He also used to take me home in East Finchley where his wife Sheila would feed us, very nice lady. He used to work there after the garage closed where most riders would have their engines rebuilt by him. The most helpful man you could ever wish to meet and fondly remembered."
"Wiithout doubt THE greatest speedway rider I have ever had the privilege to see. Even though we all had the pleasure of booing him as youngsters, he grew with us, and as adults we came to appreciate his professionalism and determination. Never to be equalled, it would be fascinating today to see him mix it with the elite. One wonders, what would existing track records stand at today with the likes of Mauger around. Thank you for the fantastic memories Ivan, rest in peace."
"I was the reason Paul ''Nobby'' Atkins emigrated to NZ and actually helped him win the 1997/98 NZ final by quoting the rule book to the Referee who had no idea about the rules for bikes as he was mainly a Car racing Ref { this sort of thing still happens now!!! }. When Paul went back to the UK for the Overseas Final he had been riding brilliantly but suffered from a lack of racing and no UK practice before the final. He was genuinely better than the 3 points gained and don't forget it was also a terribly wet meeting. "
"Quite a contrast to the previous half-season at Workington where the rutted, dusty, crash-every-race track was better suited to moto X than speedway and 'crowds' were in the 250-500 range. Who can forget the Tigers-Middlesbrough Bank Holiday Monday afternoon match when the track was watered with slurry? None of the riders, I'm sure! I was living and working in west Cumbria at the time (1987), and Glasgow's shambolic spell at Derwent Park revived my interest in speedway. I went along to a few of Glasgow's 1988 meetings at Shawfield. It really couldn't have been more different to the miserable months of 'Workington Tigers'! A shame it didn't last. "
"Re comment from David Pickles. I have not been to a Speedway meeting since Wimbledon closed. Admission £18 now. Maybe this has something to do with the low crowds?"
Some of the finest riders the world has ever seen came from New Zealand. With all due respect, their representative in the 1998 Overseas Final wouldn't fall into that category.
The Mauger Campaign Website has opened an online condolences book after the sad passing of Ivan Mauger.
"Used to drive here every Saturday from our home near Newcastle. Best track and stadium in the country 1986-1995, very much like the Halifax track 1965-1970. Spoiled a little in 1996 when the RL insisted that more of the rugby pitch corners had to be left in place which squared the track off. Fortunately I still have plenty of videos of the meetings there. Hard to believe that in 1997, when the Dukes were champions, the crowds went down! Speedway killed by the increasing success of the Bulls and the onset of the GP series. The standard of presentation by the Ham's was better than many major meetings in other parts of the world. To have speedway there again they would have to demolish that appalling hospitality block to restore the 3rd and 4th bends. "
"What promoter now wouldn't wish for almost 8,000 on an opening night? This was one year after my involvement at Wimbledon. We pulled in around 1,700 on our opening night and averaged around 1,200 in 1987. Imagine it now with the current day admission prices. 8,000 x £18 = £144,000. Probably enough to fund half a season. Happy days!"
The speedway world is in mourning following the passing of the great Ivan Mauger, six times World Champion and voted Speedway Star magazine's "Man of the Millennium" in 1999.
As you would expect, Ivan has been mentioned many hundreds of times on this website over the years. By way of tribute, here are some of the comments the great man inspired:
"The track between 1965 and 1970 was much wider than the bigger track 1971-85 and provided better racing. After the alterations were made in 1971 to meet with the demands of the FA the track was a little faster but much narrower on the bends which resulted in more processional racing. Always spectacular to watch though."
"I'm proud to say that I've seen Peter Craven ride for the ACES. Remember the day he passed on like it was yesterday, I was 11 years old and my Hero has gone. Like most kids I had the photos and the rosettes on my wall, had the central pages from the programme Belle Vue put out after his passing, that was the first and only time I seen tears in my Dad's eyes. I've been a fan from 1955 until today."
"I grew up in Glasgow and supported the Tigers at White City and rarely missed a match. Charlie Monk was virtually unbeatable around the circuit and was my hero, but my abiding memories were of Ivan Mauger and Barry Briggs being the guys that Charlie could rarely beat at the time. In my mind at the time Ivan was virtually unbeatable and a legend. I saw him at one World Final and again when I was travelling and working in West Germany in 1978, where he won a major grass track competition and even hammered the local legend Egon Muller. So for a generation he was a legend throughout the world and I have no doubt that he would have competed well in today's speedway world."
"Ivor Craine had it spot on (Laydowns are killing speedway). I don't entirely agree on the "spectacle" front though, to me after 54 years of attending, it still sends shivers up my spine, but the lack of passing and some track conditions, as well as the shoddy stadia, aren't helping matters. I've said before here many times that publicity and promotion are key, and the biggest obstacle is getting the young generation hooked. Despite all our problems, I still say we have the best sport on the planet along with the best and most knowledgable fans. If we all pull together and the weather is kind to us, 2018 could be an excellent year."
Could Mark Thorpe make it through the Overseas Final and get closer to a coveted place in the new Grand Prix series?
Some positive news on the situation at Cowley Stadium appeared in the Oxford Mail this week. Thanks to John Fray for alerting us to the latest developments.
"I've read Bert's book and found it to be one of the best speedway autobiographies ever. He's right though. There are a few times when I needed the tissues but thankfully far out-weighed by the laughs and the "WOWs". In my humble opinion he has the mix quite right. The overseas adventures have never really been described in such detail, from nail biting, harum scarum journeys, to the different track sizes/surfaces, and the local population and their customs. But what I loved most, was his determination to write it all himself. It's from the heart. THIS IS BERT...and don't we know it. He's a one off, and for those who have never been lucky enough to meet him - he has a heart of gold under all that bravado. Fantastic stuff."
Tracy Holmes on the battle to qualify for the last ever World Final.
Details of a new web-based speedway game:
SpeedwayManager.net is a browser-based manager game in which players have the opportunity to lead their own speedway team, playing the role of its manager. The game created by Marcin Lewandowski, the creator of the popular "Speedway Manager on Facebook", focuses only on the coaching and tactic aspect - it omits other elements, such as taking care of club finances or the stadium. Such a solution allows you to enjoy the game itself and develop riders' skills. What's important, SpeedwayManager.net does not require a player to devote a lot of time and commitment to it. Matches are of course the most exciting element of the game. During the meeting, players can change riders, change tires or give tactical commands.
The production is available on the official website, completely for free, at the address: https://speedwaymanager.net
"Many thanks for the kind comments on your review of my autobiography. Regarding the comment about not enough written about my days at Wimbledon and Sheffield, as you mentioned, I thought that it would be more interesting letting UK Speedway folk hear a bit more about racing in other countries. Most of my UK exploits have been in the pages of Speedway Star and I did not want the book to read something like,..."I scored 10 points here and then I went there and scored 5 points", etc and have it as "Me,Me, Me".
Anyway, thanks again and I hope that if anyone buys the book they will enjoy it and have some laughs and tears along the way. I am thinking of supplying a box of tissues and some "Deep Heat" muscle relief with every book as the reader may need them as he or she turns the pages and learns about "My Crazy Speedway World".
Mitch Shirra was the sole Kiwi to get a ride in the 1993 final. Tracy Holmes tells us more.
Well done to Robert Rogers who is still spreading the word about the lasting legacy of West Ham Hammers. He's giving a talk on the subject at Royal Docks Learning Centre at 6.30pm on 28th March.
"Ivan Mauger, the greatest? Perhaps, especially when you consider he was the oldest to win a world final and won three world long track championships. He is what you'd call the first true professional, may be wrong but I think he more or less introduced big company rider sponsorship.
However I'm of the belief that Tony Rickardsson, Hans Nielsen's, Greg Hancock and possibly Jason Crumps' achievements have surpassed Mauger's. The one off world championships would entail perhaps 2 or 3 world class fields to qualify for the world final. GPs, a rider has to be in the top eight to definitely qualify for next years rounds and approximately ten world class meetings to be crowned world champion and since the mid 80's bikes are more technically advanced and riders are much fitter and more psychologically adept to the mental strains put upon them to suceed.
I dare say had like likes of Mauger, Briggs, Fundin, Moore and Craven been around today they would have still been amongst the best. "
David Pickles:
"BT Sport have today (9th March) committed to at least another two years of live speedway, by signing a new contract. I have e-mailed my thanks to them and think it may be an excellent idea if everyone who reads this excellent website does the same. If you go to www.bt.com and click on bt sport and just follow the links. I'm sure it will be much appreciated by BT Sport to get many e-mails of praise and can only ensure that our beloved sport continues to be covered on national TV."
"What a pity that Terry Stone's exhibition at the Rayleigh Museum for Speedway's 90th Anniversary clashed with the annual Celebration of Speedway at Paradise Wildlife Park for the 90th Anniversary which is not too far from where it all began at High Beech in February 1928."
"The Craven family lived as a neighbour to my family, I had always assumed that the team name came from the Road name where Peter lived 'Prestbury Road' L11 3DU, apparently when the houses were newly built the gardens at the rear were not fenced off and they used the area for practice!"
"Ivan Mauger: The absolute professional of the sport he chose to be the best of. Not one of my favourite riders, but I think he would of been the greatest in any era, the man was to painstakingly perfect in everything he did to the point of obsession. He did whatever it took to win, studying, watching other great riders, toughing it through injury and pain, keeping in top physical condition, In a nutshell, nothing was left to chance, like if you had to stake your money on one race and one rider, Ivan Mauger was the man. "
John Hyam:
"What a delightful poem (of sorts!!!) from Bert Harkins. As the old saying somehow goes "He's a poet but doesn't know it!". I have been aware of Bert's writing skills since around 1956. I was then editing 'Speedway Star" and he used to send in reports and updates on cycle speedway in the area where he lived in Scotland."
"These old 'Sun' newspaper articles are superb recollections of riders in a time when speedway was a well organised and popular sport. Sadly, I do not think the sport will ever recapture the magic of the years between 1928 and towards the end of the 1970s and early 1980s. "
Bill Hamilton shares some "Where are they now?" updates that appeared in the national press in 1973. Riders featured include Arthur Forrest, Jack Young, George Wall and the Parker brothers.
"I came across his grave in the village of Wellford near Newbury, why was he burried there? I enjoyed your article very much, brought back happy memories of going to speedway with my father when I was little."
Freddie had lived in the Newbury area for many years prior to his death.
That great speedway character Bert Harkins has been busy in recent months writing his auto-biography. It will be launched later in the month but is now available for pre-order.
David Pickles:
"So where is the PR? As our politically correct mood slides ever deeper towards total control, with the news that F1 has banned the "Grid Girls", where is the decision from speedway? Where is the publicity? The promoters have all achieved precisely nothing with their silence. Don't the BSPA have a media spokesperson that can get our sport on national TV? Whatever the rights and wrongs of it all, speedway has yet again missed a chance for a nationwide mention by saying it's either going to carry on with our version of "grid girls", or it's intending to follow the F1 line. One day in the not too distant future nobody will know what speedway is at this rate."
"Wow, thrilled I have found all these memories from West Ham at Custom House. Probably started going age 16 in 1962. My dad always rode a motor bike and Speedway on Tuesday night's was my whole life, Stood just in front of the commentary box with Dave Lanning. My absolute favourites were Bjorn Knuttson snd Sverre Harfeldt. Used to wait to see them come out at the gate, When I started courting we went speedway 4/5 times a week. West Ham on Tuesday, Plough Lane, Wimbledon on Thursday, Hackney on Friday, Rayleigh on Saturday and my hubby started racing at Rye House on Sunday, Love it even though I am 70."
"Very good article, went to Cradley about a dozen times from my home in London, was a West Ham regular as they were my team but was then and always will be a MASSIVE Erik Gunderson fan, probably the best rider I've even seem in my almost 55yrs of being a speedway fan."
Colin was a big fan of the many variations of Teesiders, Tigers and Bears that raced at Cleveland Park. Unsurprising therefore that Steve Wilcock is his all-time fave.
Tracy Holmes continues his series on New Zealanders and their performances in the Overseas round of the World Championship.
Shaun James [ srbjames@gmail.com ] is looking for information about an Australian rider by the name of Mark Bitter (or Bittner) that may have made his way to King's Lynn during the late sixties or early seventies. Can you help?
"Further to the photos in the Wal Morton article: I would like to record my appreciation to the renowned photo collector MIKE KEMP for providing most of these."
"l have been a West Ham supporter since the early 1960s. Glad to see the local authority have marked the old site with a plaque and named all the World champions who rode for us."
Tracy Holmes continues the story of the Overseas Final. It was 1984 and Les Collins found that big brother Peter was watching as a non-riding reserve.
Tracy Holmes [ raebo_nz@hotmail.com ] is looking for some programmes. Does anyone have copies they are willing to part with? They are both from the 1973 Daily Mail World League. New Zealand v England at Leicester on June 26th. New Zealand v Poland at Exeter on July 2nd.
"Sadly, Crystal Palace speedway is now long forgotten. As mentioned in the article the last racing there was 68 years ago. The sport is long forgotten in the local area. The nearest there has been to a mention of speedway in Crystal Palace has been the speedway displays by former Wimbledon rider Jon Stevens. In 2016 and 2017 he staged exhibitions in regard to speedway at the now annual 'Motorsport at The Palace' events. At the moment Stevens has still to decide if he will again feature a speedway display at the 2018 motorsport show."
David Pickles:
"Three cheers to Tai Woffinden for coming across as the consummate professional on the Clare Balding Show on BT Sport, over the Christmas/New Year break. Tai, as usual, was a great ambassador for the sport, it's a pity the questioning from Clare though wasn't more thorough as regards the history of the sport, and its current state. Tai though, was ever eager to stamp his mark on proceedings and his comment that he didn't ride in the UK, because speedway "wasn't run to the level he wanted" (he was quoted as saying he could take over the running of it), showed his passion for our great sport. All in all a very enjoyable show, and at last speedway to the fore. I suggest we all e-mail Clare Balding in the new year to ask if other riders can make appearances. It's a start!"
