23rd February 2020

Len Read Sad news this week with the passing of Len Read at the grand old age of 102. Len rode for Norwich, Liverpool and Plymouth in the 40s and 50s. Tony Hurren pays tribute.

The Internationale 1968 An Englishman finally clinched an Internationale win at the eighth time of asking. Tracy Holmes tells us who.

Jim Belfield on Riders to Remember....Eric Boothroyd: "I started watching Speedway in 1965, with my two mates, Roy Jackson, and Keith Barraclough. We followed The Dukes and had a Great Time. We were there for the Big Season in 1966, when they seemed to win everything. I especially remember Roy and myself were at my house watching England play West Germany, one Saturday in July, we live in Leeds, and the game went to extra time, we only just made it to The Shay to watch the Speedway that evening. Eric Boothroyd, Eric Boocock, and Dave Younghusband were the Top Three riders, but they had a Great Team, and my favourite was Tommy Roper. Over the next few years we visited quite a few tracks, and it is such a good sport where all the fans will chat and exchange things , badge and programme collectors, very friendly riders who will chat with the fans." Click here to leave your own feedback

 

16th February 2020

Celebration of Speedway 2020 Tony Hurren brings us details of next weekend's Celebration of Speedway event, where the 1983 World Champion will be the star attraction.

The Internationale 1967 Ivan Mauger made his first appearance in the event, but nobody could get close to Gote Nordin. Tracy Holmes has the details.

Bob Bath on My First Sporting Hero: "The first ever World Final I attended was the only one where Bjorn became World Champ -ahead of Plechanov and Fundin (Igor beat Ove in a run off for 2nd for the second year in a row). Bjorn had come close on a couple of occasions prior, sometimes was pre meeting favourite but had a rep for big night nerves letting him down. In 1965 however, he lost his first race to Bengt Jansson and since Igor won his first two races maybe that took the pressure off Bjorn a bit - anyway he won his four other races. Not for a minute did I think that would be his only World Title. Bjorn retired too soon for sure. Great rider." Click here to leave your own feedback

 

9th February 2020

Riders to Remember: Manuel Trujillo John Hyam on an interesting American whose career spanned from the thirties to the fifties.

The Internationale 1966 Tracy Holmes on the 1966 Internationale, which came down to a last heat decider.

The California-in-England reunion will be held on Sunday 20th September this year. Tapes up at 11am, with the final flag at 4pm. Refreshments will be available and there are no issues with disabled access.

Jim Henry on My First Sporting Hero: "I realise the article is about Bjorn Knutsson but the photograph shows him with Jim Clark - world champion racing driver that year. There is a magnificent Jim Clark Memorial Museum in Duns in the Scottish Borders. I mentioned Jim Clark's role at this event and the staff manning the museum had never heard of it. They have loads of Jim and it might provide an opportunity for a wee bit of a plug for speedway if the Museum did have a copy of tis photo. I had a look at a copy of the World Final programme and there is no mention of who was to present the Trophy." Derek Wildash on Who is Garry Middleton?: "I worked for Gary Middleton in the pits of Hackney for a short while. He was an arsehole. I saw Barry Briggs almost strangle him one time. Just a dick to be around. " Click here to leave your own feedback

 

2nd February 2020

My First Sporting Hero David Pickles tells us about his first sporting hero, a man who had to compete with World Cup winning footballers for that acolade.

The Internationale 1965 Tracy Holmes on the 1965 staging of the Internationale, with one of speedway's most enigmatic characters coming out on top.

Friends of Speedway (a non-profit making organisation who are proud to part sponsor the British Youth Speedway Championship) are pleased to announce the 76th edition of their magazine the Voice which is packed full of interest and enjoyment. This issue is a huge 24 pages, which will keep your interest for hours! In this issue there is Charles Mckay who looks at 2019 and beyond. Sue Towner on her Soapbox, with an update on the progress of young Sam Norris and her Treasurer's Report. Gerry King with an opinion of lost support. John Hyam on Manuel Trujillo. Roy Delaney's articles on Cesil L. Smith and Wee Georgie Newton. Slider says, To Infirmity and Beyond. A.J. Gooding history submitted by Ron Jones. Followed by much more reading. 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 Stu Towner at the above address or ring 0208-397 6599/07860 135939 for more information.

Tracy Bray on Whatever Happened to Tracy Bray?: "It's been a few years, but I just came across this article again. Firstly thank you to C Harrison & Rab Drake for their comments. Please feel free to send me a line via FB messenger anytime! Secondly, I've been riding a grasstrack bike here in Australia that was set up for local dirt track events, but my heart isn't into it like speedway. Therefore I have just built up a laydown using an ex Max Fricke chassis and an ex Brady Kurtz Karger GM. My first ride will be next week Feb 9 2020 and it will mark 33 years from my last racing season. Yours in speedway, Tracy Bray" Bernie Marshall on A History of Long Eaton Speedway: "One of the most significant contributions of Long Eaton speedway was the winter training school that was held there over at least two winters in the late sixties. Along with Weymouth, this provided much needed practice, experience and tuition in the quiet time of year. About ten to twenty riders would attend of all levels experiences, from raw rookies to riders recovering from serious injury, under the eye of Ron Wilson and other family members. My father and I volunteered there, covering the dog track, selling fuel out of a large tank and flagging down in the event of regular falls. Don't think that would happen today! We even took the injured Pete Reading to Nottingham General with a broken collarbone. An amazing time!" Click here to leave your own feedback