26th January 2012

Track Pix: Fast Fridays Pictures of the Fast Fridays Speedway at Auburn, California. These are courtesy of Charles McKay who visited in 2011.

A Welcome Change To The Tactical Ride 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/

Ove Fundin on Riders to Remember: Ove Fundin: " Thank you for a fine article...reading it made me happy and proud." Ian McConnell on Colin Tucker - You Have Two Minutes: "Still got his autographed picture from Newtongrange Saints in 1970! I think he deserves far more than two minutes. " Bob Griffin on Ronnie Moore - You Have Two Minutes: "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." Richard Waller on Book Review: 1982 Speedway Yearbook: "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. " George Simpkins on Snapshots of Yesteryear: "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." Dave Allan on Book Review: 1982 Speedway Yearbook: "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" Well spotted Dave. We've fixed that! Click here to leave your own feedback

 

19th January 2012

Book Review: 1982 Speedway Yearbook 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.

Colin Tucker - You Have Two Minutes 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.

Andy on Middleton Mystery Resolved: "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." John Hyam on Pre-War France: "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." Click here to leave your own feedback

 

12th January 2012

Snapshots of Yesteryear The latest instalment from Peter Colvin's onging series of vintage photographs. This time he includes the legendary White Ghost - Ken Le Breton.

Oxford Update John Fray updates us on a recent council decision in Oxford that might just help our favourite sport make a return to the university city.

An Evening With The Champions Of Speed 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 The Sunderland website has been given a complete rebuild - check it out at www.sunderlandspeedway.co.uk

Sheila Biggs on Riders to Remember....Jackie Biggs: "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," Steve Metcalf on Alf Wells - You Have Two Minutes: "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." John Hyam on Pre-War France: "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 ." Gordon Benson on Riders to Remember: Ove Fundin: "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." Steve Baker on Berrington Lough Action Pictures: "Unidentified riders on the Berrington pictures are; pic 3 in yellow is Peter Carr, pic 7 in red is Kelly Moran, pic 8 in red is David Blackburn." Kenny Taylor on Alf Wells - You Have Two Minutes: "Glad to hear Alf is doing ok. Spent some great time with him when he and Margo lived at the WELLS at Jedburgh...." Stephen Roberts on Middleton Mystery Resolved: "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." Tony Mac, Retro Speedway on Middleton Mystery Resolved: "Excellent work, Tony. Well done." Ewan Todd on Interview: Jim McMillan: "Muir, we have met. Have a look on my Facebook for photos and stuff on wullie n dougie,,, real riders" Click here to leave your own feedback

 

6th January 2012

Middleton Mystery Resolved After many years of uncertainty, rumour and counter-rumour - Tony Webb can now reveal exactly where Garry Middleton is.

 

5th January 2012

George Bason 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.

Alf Wells - You Have Two Minutes 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.

Kenny Walker on EDINBURGH - Powderhall Stadium: "A great Stadium at the time for racing and we also had the pleasure of having Les Collins in our Team. Happy days." Dave E on Video: West Ham 1971: "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. " Bob Wilson on Craven and the Chads: "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." John Hyam on Pre-War France: "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. " Chris Backhouse on Odsal: "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." Ian Harwood on Berrington Lough Action Pictures: "Isn't the unidentified rider in red Kelly Moran?" Ghillean Bates-Salter on Paisley Lions Reunion 2011: "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!" Click here to leave your own feedback