We remember speedway historian Bryan Tungate who passed away earlier this month. In this article we recall some of the contributions he made to the site and have details of his funeral arrangements.
John followed Newcastle for many years, but now watches from the comfort of his living room. Unsurprisingly, he selects a couple of the Owen brothers in his team.
Edinburgh fans have always been renowned for digging deep to support their club. A new scheme hopes to formalise that into an ongoing arrangement. Find out more at monarchsfanstrust.co.uk
Diane Baker (dibaker5305@gmail.com) has a query - can anyone help?:
"I have been trying to track down a short film about speedway.
I went to the cinema in Southampton in the early 60s to see Pat Boone in State Fair and when the short film that preceded the main feature came on it was about speedway and featured footage from Southampton where I was a supporter.
I just wondered if anyone knows of it?"
"I only saw Bjorn Knutsson once, at Brough Park in Newcastle, when he was a member of the Vagarna touring team. He was absolutely awesome and scored a 12 point maximum against a Newcastle team featuring, yes, Ivan Mauger on his own track. I seem to recall he even broke the track record on his first ride on the track. I was lucky enough to see Briggs, Fundin, Nordin, Olsen, Michanek, etc, but Bjorn was just the best. "
"I think this is a great shot in the arm for Australian speedway and I hope that it attracts record size crowds. Etihad was definitely the best choice of venue. And its easy for those around Australia to get to Melbourne with cheap air fares. I also hope that the international riders like Greg Hancock and Nicki Pedersen stick around for a while after the SGP and race in Australia at our local tracks. Other than the the likes of Aussie stars Crump, Adams, Holder, Doyle, Sullivan, Ward, Watt and Batchelor, we really haven't had World Championship riders race here since the Series 500 folded after 2000. Having the SGP riders race on Aussie tracks will definitely raise interest in the sport outside of the die hards."
In recent years this website has been updated on a regular weekly basis. Going forward we'll be switching to publishing ad-hoc updates as and when we've something of interest to bring you.
Please keep contributing articles, pictures and news items. It will be the quality and quantity of submissions that will largely determine how often the site is updated.
Cary Cotterman uncovers an odd speedway reference in the Paul Newman film, "Somebody Up There Likes Me".
Details of an upcoming event courtesy of Tony Webb:
Sunday March 15 from 9am until 2pm.
Static display of VSAQ Vintage Speedcars and Solo Bikes at the Indian Motorcycle Museum by kind permission of Darryl White
Indian Motorcycle Museum of Australia.
419 Newman Rd Geebung, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4034
Breakfast and coffee available at the Burt Munro cafe.
From Keith Avery:
"A stalwart of our sport particularly Weymouth speedway passed away last week, Lew Coffin at the age of 93. Although Lew won many accolades in Grass Track racing, over the years he helped nurture a host of young talent both in Speedway and Grass Track during his long career in the sport. Being one of those in the early seventies who attended Lew's training schools at Weymouth I had the pleasure of his teaching, although for myself it would be Grass Track I would follow I got to know Lew, and what a Gentlemen always had time for people to give support and advice."
"In your list of riders highlighted in this video you didn't include John Jackson. Do you expect us to take this video as a serious historical record of the national league over the period in question if Jacko is not included alongside the Owen brothers as the dominate riders of the age? Come on, be serious. "
'Jacko' is one of the many great riders included on the DVD. For a full list check out the Retro Speedway Website.
"The light standards in the centre of the Pinjar Park Speedway are no more. The local club is now clearing land behind the circuit for a new 330 metre oval that should be much better for the sidecars and the senior solo competitors. Fundraising has now started for the project. "
"372 metres (407 yards) in length with a clay surface. Known more as a car track (mostly Sprintcars which are very popular here in Oz), it hosted the 5th and final round of the 2007 Australian Solo Championship with both the round and title being won by then reigning World Champion Jason Crump. It has also hosted various sidecar meetings."
Peter Baldwin has a collection of speedway magazines that he'd like to go to a good home. These include Speedway Stars from 1967 to 1998, plus other spedway magazines - Post, Mail etc, He's based in Washington, Tyne and Wear. Contact Peter for further details on peterbaldwin67@hotmail.com
"A very interesting article. George Bason was a good friend of my father George Earle who had a garage in Marlow. Very pleased to see he is remembered. "
"Great stuff Gareth! I have nothing but respect for Adams and if I may, would like to touch on a few of those other meetings. And I see that Leigh won 3 World Cups; 99, 01 and 02. For me, his winning 4 CZ Golden Helmets makes him one of the all time greats. 99, 2K, 01 and 04. Only Sir Ole Olsen had done the triple before him and no-one has done it since. Also that he won the 09 ELRC and in 90, was second in the World Pairs Final with Todd Wiltshire. I wonder how many times Australia may have won that had it not been blown to bits?! I'm glad for Leigh that when the greats of Oz speedway are talked about, he will be right there alongside them. Here in NZ, all people talk about are the 'Big 3' and Geoff Mardon is ignored. So very happy that will not be the case for Leigh Adams !"
"Love him or hate him...you can't forget him. The two times British Champion was favourite to take world final glory on many occasions. The rogue locked horns with American Bruce Penhall many times in his quest to be the best. Many Carter fans may remember him from his refusal to give up. He wanted to win every race, even if he was riding with a broken leg...
One memorable moment for Kenny's career was at a meeting that was going to be rained off, this particular meeting featured Kenny who was riding with a broken leg. Kenny said that if he could ride with a broken leg, the others could ride in wet conditions. Carter went on to win the meeting, proving he is a rider with character and skill.
The former England team rider had many great races with the likes of 1980 world champion Micheal Lee and Danish rider Erik Gundersen. Carter will always be best known for his rivalry with Bruce Penhall. Whilst riding for Halifax, Kenny asked for a written transfer unless the promotion signed other riders for the team that could score points because he was so good. Kenny's average reached above 11 points at one stage in his career! Of course, Carter is also well known for his death and the events leading up to it, but, although what he did cannot be forgiven, he left an unforgettable legacy in British speedway."
"The images of the Etihad suggest that the action might not be too far away from the terraces. Ok there is an Australian Rules football pitch there which I guess will be a bit larger than a traditional rugby or football pitch. It may be that the track will be larger than that at Cardiff."
"302 metres long and it has a 112 metre long junior track on the infield where the likes of Leigh Adams, Jason Crump and Jason Lyons got their start in speedway."
Details of a new book from Allan Batt that covers pre-war activity at Christchurch.
Issue 66 of Backtrack is out now and contains some great stuff as always. Martin Ashby is the cover star and there's also a fabulous interview with plain-talking Tony Coupland and a feature on the opening of speedway at Shawfield. Full details are on the Retro Speedway wesbite.
The latest edition of 'The Voice' magazine has also been published. Topics under the microscope this time include Bluey Wilkinson, California-in-England and the upcoming 2015 season. Available from Friends of Speedway; 117 Church Lane, Chessington, Surrey KT9 2DP. Please send your cheque for £10 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.
A query for the programme collectors from Robert Errington (Rsouthendian@aol.com):
"Has anyone ever seen a copy of the Programme Nottingham Outlaws v Stoke on 28th May 1979. The match was postponed but the Programme was No 8 and was reported to have been 'pulped'?"
"Yes it is great that big time Speedway stays down under. My only concern is how far away from the action you could be sitting in a stadium of this size as the track will surely be a small one like Cardiff etc."
"Brilliant work Peter! Thanks for that. Would you or anyone have a podium snap of that 1976 Australian Champs with Olsen, Crump and Sanders? Love to see it here if at all possible. Cheers!"
"As a youngster I remember Millen the Villain at Powderhall in the Monarchs race jacket and he brought such great entertainment to the fans. Unfortunately I didn't know him personally but felt a bit angry and sad for Dave Gifford for making such awful comments. I regularly travel the road where Jack left us in that terrible accident and always have a smile when I pass the exact spot. Crazy Jack brought so much fun to the sport and is warmly remembered by the Monarchs fans."
"372 metres (407 yards) in length with a clay surface. Known more as a car track (mostly Sprintcars which are very popular here in Oz), it hosted the 5th and final round of the 2007 Australian Solo Championship with both the round and title being won by then reigning World Champion Jason Crump. It has also hosted various sidecar meetings."
