23rd April 2019

Book Review: Freddie Williams - Double World Speedway Champion A new book from London League Publications on the Wales and Wembley legend who lifted the world title twice.

NZ in the 1973 World League - Part 1 Tracy Holmes kicks off a new series looking at the Daily Mirror World League from a Kiwi perspective.

Paul Ashbridge on The Australasian Finals - 1982: "A great shame the series could not have continued for another two years, would love to have read an account of Barry Briggs' brief comeback in 1984 when he scored 11 points in the New Zealand final " Mike Hunter on The Non-Essential Guide to....Cowdenbeath Speedway: "The crowd for the opening meeting was actually 3248 and the second meeting was also over 2500. As you say, fantastic by today's standards." Shaun towler on Riders to Remember: Ray Moore: "Hi, I'm a family member of Ray, which is his middle name! his first name is Cyril. Also his death was March 21st 1964 (year I was born) Not April!!. Hope this helps, Always loved the stories of him from my Nan, & my Mother who stills talks about him." David Pickles: "Can I ask everyone here to raise a glass to the achievements of Greg Hancock? Aside from coming to the UK for a few exhibition rides with Billy Hamill at the age of 18 in 1988, "Herbie" has passed three incredible landmarks in the history of speedway's 91 years. 1. He remains the only rider to still be riding at top league level, whether it be the Swedish League and/or GP's since the 1980's (debut 1989 for Cradley Heath, in British League Division One). 2. He is the only rider to now be riding at the top level for FOUR consecutive decades (1980's, 1990's 2000's and 2010's - heading for a fifth decade next year). 3. He holds the record for the most GP's ridden in. Whilst he isn't up there in number terms for World titles with the likes of Mauger and Rickardsson, surely Greg deserves a mention in the annals of history of our wonderful sport. Best wishes to him for his fifth decade season in 2020." Click here to leave your own feedback

 

7th April 2019

DVD Review: Heathens Heroes Our review of the new DVD boxset dedicated to the Cradley Heathens.

Due to popular demand, we've added the supporters' cup race format to our programme generator. You can find it here. Apologies to those who found themselves at meetings this week with the wrong heat line ups!

David Pickles on Wages Day: "An interesting article from Steve Haire. If memory serves me well, at Wimbledon in 1987 it was our responsibility to pay for BOTH teams start and points money. The Dons were in what was the second division. and I remember well that in those days, points money exactly equalled our admission cost at the time - £3.50. I have no clue as to present day arrangements, but it is common knowledge that especially in the top tier, some of the leading lights are on "guarantees". There was one story in the 90's of a top rider (who shall remain nameless) at a club not a million miles from west London (who will also remain nameless but no longer exist) whose guarantee was almost the whole of the weekly gate receipts. Whether that is true or not is open to debate. " Jim Henry on Wages Day: "I have accounts books from 40/50 days. As some rides are still alive I can not be more specific. I can confirm that the track promotion in these days paid the start and points money to the visiting promotion less deductions for fuel, oil, parts and insurance. The ledgers have the carbon copy pages setting out the promotion to which a cheque was sent for the total team payment. I also have a number of sheets itemising who had to paid what sent by other promotions. There are notes indicating that some riders were paid directly but this is not very common. Travel expenses do not appear on these sheets by rider." Jerry Lunn on Board Game: Skid-O: "Thank you so much for writing this and posting up the rules. I have my Dad's copy of this, but the rules were mislaid many years ago - although I remembered mostly how to play it. " Paul Outram on Chris Bailey: "I was at those first Belle Vue Colts meetings and can remember Chris coming round the fourth bend at what seemed like a hundred miles an hour, missing the fence with a couple of inches. He was one of the stand out riders with his Red football jersey." David Pickles: "Really sad news of the passing of John Chaplin. I first met him in the 1970's and was stunned at his knowledge and articulation of our wonderful sport. An old late friend of my family had given me a wondrous collection of speedway magazines from the pre-war years up until the late 50's. John eventually purchased them from me at one of the annual "programme and magazine events" at the General Smuts public house at White City during the major meetings held there in the late 70's and early 80's. One of our foremost brains of the sport who will be sadly missed by young and old. His articles weaved the memories of the past. RIP John." Jim Henry: "Sorry to hear about John Chaplin's passing. He drew on his memories and historical records to fashion some great articles, and books. The Vintage Speedway mag was a boon to all of interested in the early history of the sport we all love. Occasionally when l felt I needed to suggest corrections he would welcome my thoughts orwewold engage in a bit of friendly debate. There was no doubt he was a journalist through and through rather than a crusty researcher digging into the dusty old newspapers. That did not diminish his contribution as I can acknowledge that he was happy to publish researchers findings in his magazines which is big positive. I hope John is up there with his heroes of the tracks - it is just a pity that he'll not be able share their tales with us. Goodbye John - you will be sadly missed." David Cohen: "Very sorry to hear that John Chaplin is no longer with us. He leaves a really fantastic legacy of documenting a period of speedway history that will forever live long in the memory. Really enjoyed reading the two re-published articles." Click here to leave your own feedback