23rd August 2015

Order of Service from Geoff Mardon's Funeral With thanks to Tracy Holmes, here is a copy of the order of service from Geoff Mardon's recent funeral.

Dream Team: Doug Phelan Doug is an Oxford fan, though he also had spells following White City and Eastbourne. There's a strong eighties theme to his selection.

Andrew Sheppard ( andy.sheppard1964@hotmail.com ) is trying to complete his collection of programme cover scans. Can anyone provide him with scans of the following?: Div 1 Pairs Final 1977, 1984 PL Pairs Final 2002 CL Pairs Final 2006 Div 2 / PL 4TT Finals 1980, 85, 88, 90, 91, 98, 2000, 01, 02, 04 British Under 21 Championship 1987, 89 World Cup Final 2005 Overseas Final 1997, 2001 Intercontinental Final 2001 Brighton Indoor 2007 Telford Indoor 1987 World Long Track Finals 1971, 75, 77, 81, 89, 91, 94, 96 European Under 21 Finals 1978, 79, 80, 81, 84, 85, 87

Danny Maguire on George Bason: "I have come into possession of a bike that I'm told George Bason may have owned. A light blue 1940 Triumph with a JAP engine. Great to read a little bit about him. " Mike Langevin on Garage Mahal II: "I have yet to meet Steve but I have been invited to his home to watch some GP and check out what looks like a speedway fan/rider museum " Fay Bagguley on A History of Long Eaton Speedway: "My dad worked on the turnstiles, I used to go with him in the early 60's. I loved the atmosphere running round the outside of the track before it opened was a thrill for a child of 8 or 9 waiting for the crowds to come in and the excitement of the crowds. We sang.... 2 4 6 8 who do we appreciate A R C H E R S Archers! " Click here to leave your own feedback

 

16th August 2015

Track Pix: Coventry With severe doubts over the long-term future of Brandon, Ian Presslie captured these pictures while the stadium is still fully operational.

Old Rivals Support Paisley Party Details of a fabulous chance to enjoy some free speedway and revel in some nostalgia in the same weekend.

John Louis: My Life in Speedway JOHN Louis, Ipswich Speedway's greatest servant, is writing his amazing life story and his publisher is inviting supporters of the Witches and our readers to contribute to what promises to be a must-read book. Retro Speedway will be publishing John Louis: My Life in Speedway in October. John is currently working on the later chapters in collaboration with journalist Elvin King. In the meantime, Retro would like readers of Speedway Plus to send their own personal memories of 'Tiger' from his time in the sport as rider, promoter and team manager. The best contributions will appear in a 'Tributes' section at the end of the book itself. Even if you write just a few words or sentences, no tribute will be too small. Email your comments to publisher Tony McDonald at editorial@retro-speedway.com before September 1, 2015.   Tracy Holmes on Geoff Mardon's funeral: The funeral of Geoff Mardon, 24 November 1927 - 6 August 2015. Held on 13 August, Christchurch, New Zealand. "In the hallway of the Avon Park Chapel in Linwood stood one of Geoff's restored motorcycles and on the desk was a memorial book to sign with a few framed snaps. The 1953 World Final podium, one with Ronnie and Briggo, one from his car racing exploits and one on his road racing days. It was simple but SO effective. Because Geoff never lauded his achievements. He was happy with what he did, end of. And this service reflected the man he was." "One of his daughters told of her dad's endless patience when the family was on holiday. How Geoff had built a boat and he took them all water skiing. No matter how many times they fell off, he just turned the boat around and got them going again. Friends from the Golf and Bowling clubs shared stories of their happy times together. We were told of Geoff's ventures into the catering and taxi industries and how he with Val, brought up their family, sharing as much time as they all could together. It was a humble celebration of a life well lived. A very good and respectful way to say goodbye."

Graham Timberlake on Dream Team : Rob: "Great comments Rob.....and of course Bert ! .........I used to watch the Lions in 1970 and 1971 too.....great memories.......I was only 14/15 yrs old but was mesmerised by it all. Sverre was a sensation from gate 4 yellow/black helmet........I don't recall watching Ove but did see Reider and Gote as great No 1's.......some of the lesser lights contributed too....the likes of Brian Collins and Brian Leonard.....Tony Clarke........and even lesser lights like Steve Bast, Pete Prinsloo and Wayne Briggs.........did get the occasional surprise point or two! I used to travel from Watford and then climb those concrete steps to sit and watch high up on first bend......can still imagine riders coming out if close my eyes and also hear that irritating song 'Chirppy Chirppy Cheep Cheep' ........ Went onto Hackney on Friday nights at Waterden Road when Lions finished...was good but could never replace those wonderful Sat nights at Wembley........" Pete on Riders to Remember....Graeme Stapleton: "I suspect that Neil referred to was probably Neil Cameron, an Aussie rider at Wimbledon Dons?" Simon Colven on SWINDON - The Abbey Stadium: "Will be a very sad day when this place is pulled down. Many happy memories as both man and boy. Still got the programme with my name in when I made my debut on the radio mic in 1995! " Click here to leave your own feedback

 

9th August 2015

Geoff Mardon Sad news this week with the passing of Geoff Mardon following a long illness. Geoff was the first rider from New Zealand to make the podium at a World Final. By way of a tribute, here's an article that Tracy Holmes wrote about Geoff in 2009.

Paisley Lions - 40th Birthday Party Former riders are travelling from the other side of the world for this event in September. Here's details of how you can be there on the night to welcome them back to Scotland.

Can any of you Aussie experts help Ross Tipler ( rosstipler@iinet.net.au ) with this enquiry? "The father of a friend of mine, Val Lovf, told me about his racing at Deagon Speedway as a young man and had a couple of old photos of the track. He has since passed away and his son is now in Melbourne and we haven't been in touch in some years. Val's name is pronounced Luff ... would you have any information on him, the way he was talking it sounded like he was a founder of the track or among the first involved."

Gunhild Kaasa on Svein Kaasa: "So many beautiful words <3 I missed my brother very much, so this was a good reading... Svein Harald, you will always be with us. " Mike Wilson on If It Ain't Broke...: "Yes I do believe the result would have been different due to the fact the bike would have played up during the final itself possibly robbing Briggo of even a rostrum position. When you look back at pictures of Barry's bike the term over preparing is not one you could throw at him is it?" Brian Keil on SWINDON - The Abbey Stadium: "I can see noise problems here as unless you are a speedway fan would you want to live next door to a speedway track? It doesnt matter that the stadium has been there years, one only has to look at the Mildenhall situation." John Callaghan on Book Review: Born to Rumble: "WRT to Steve's comment, the culprits behind NL90 were Kevin Jago (stats), Aidan Preece (artwork and graphics) and myself (words and trivial corrections 25 years later). " Click here to leave your own feedback