31st May 2020

The Tragic Story of Percy Dunn Matt Jackson tells us about the grizzly fate of Newcastle pioneer rider Percy Dunn.

The Internationale 1980 Tracy Holmes on the 1980 staging of the Internationale at Wimbledon. With a few of the biggest names missing the meeting was beginning to lose some of its shine.

Sue on Middleton Mystery Resolved: "So sad to read Garry died at such a young age. My sister and I met Garry and his wife Ann at Belle Vue when we was on a coach trip with the Hackney supporters. They ended up driving us home. Such a lovely couple. " Bob Bath on The 1961 Midland Riders Championship: "John, thoroughly enjoyed your post. Wasn't there myself but visited all those Midland tracks at one time or another. Your mention of the smells and sounds brought back memories for me too." Emma Westwood on Book Extract: Simmo - The Whole Truth: "Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows why this book is hard to come by? I can only see 1 copy for sale and it's over £3000 on amazon? " Click here to leave your own feedback

 

24th May 2020

The 1961 Midland Riders Championship Oxford fan John Fray looks back on a special night when the Cheetahs fans followed Arne Pander to Swindon.

The Internationale 1979 'Mike the Bike' led the way in the 1979 Internationale, Tracy Holmes reports.

 

17th May 2020

The 2019 World Speedway Rankings - And Finally Arnie Gibbons concludes his series, looking at the busiest riders, strongest leagues and best veterans.

The Internationale 1978 Tracy Holmes on the meeting staged in British Speedway's Golden Jubilee year.

Paul on It's All About You: Jim Dodd: "Does anyone know the reason that Christer Lofqvist quit Hackney in 1975? Also are there any Hackney re-union events planned?" Mervyn Hughes on Riders to Remember....Peter Craven: "Just to let you know I was at the Golden Helmet race, same night as Kings of Oxford Trophy. 14th August 1958, Peter Craven beat Ron How 2-0. The first broke the track record by 2 seconds and Ron How beat the old record time as well. (possibly only time ever that two people in the same race both broke the existing record). Peter autographed my programme in pencil, I still have it. My father was a St.John's Ambulance man so I had access to the pits. I asked Peter did he have his lucky pyjamas on? I realise now that Ove Fundin, talking to him, was wetting himself laughing.....he told me not to-night!" Click here to leave your own feedback

 

10th May 2020

The 2019 World Speedway Rankings - The Rest of the World Arnie Gibbons looks at how the main speedway nations measure up on his bespoke rankings system.

The Internationale 1977 Tracy Holmes on the 1977 Internationale, which proved to be a good night for the home favourites.

Andrew Gallon on Inside Story : Elfield Park: "Only just caught up with this fascinating piece - a mere 16 years after it was published. Better late than never! Congratulations to Terry Cheney and his army of dedicated helpers for keeping the speedway flag flying in Milton Keynes amid such difficult circumstances. I visited Elfield Park twice, for a match with Glasgow Tigers in July 1990 (a fabulously sunny summer evening, I remember) and another against Middlesbrough Bears in May 1992. For the Glasgow meeting, I walked to and from Elfield Park from the YHA hostel at Bradwell, where I was staying overnight. Interesting to note Terry state Daz Sumner went well at Elfield Park. In the Middlesbrough match I watched, Daz (aka 'The Electric Hare') scored only 6+1. Three Aussies - Steve Regeling (11+2), Dave Cheshire (9) and Mark Lemon (8) - were Bears' best. Dane Peter Glanz posted a six-ride maximum, and the evergreen Rickard Hellsen 13, as Knights won 48-42. Milton Keynes lost 40-56 to Glasgow. My records show Kevin Jolly, with 16, top-scored for Knights. Glanz, a Knights stalwart, contributed nine. Top Tigers were Steve Lawson (13) and Shane Bowes (11). I recall being thankful I'd taken trousers to change into once the sun went down. It was so warm, I'd set out in shorts from the youth hostel. Boy, was it chilly when darkness descended! As Terry suggests, the spectator viewing at Elfield Park, particularly from the flat area high above the third and fourth bends, was excellent. Had I been a local, it's a track I would have enjoyed attending regularly. I look forward, one day, to speedway returning to Milton Keynes. Here's hoping!" Click here to leave your own feedback

 

3rd May 2020

The 2019 World Speedway Rankings - Great Britain Arnie Gibbons applies his world rankings methodology to Britain's current crop of racers.

The Internationale 1976 Tracy Holmes on the 1976 Internationale, staged just days after the tragic death of Tommy Jansson.

Friends of Speedway (a non-profit making organisation who are proud to part sponsor the British Youth Speedway Championship) are pleased to announce the 77th 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 the Abbey Stadium Speedway after Covid-19. Sue Towner on her Soapbox, with an update on the progress of young Sam Norris. John Hyam on Ron Johnson, Stan Tebby and Jack Winstanley. Roy Delaney looks at Alan Hunt. Slider says, Covid-19 Speedway Nil. Ron Jones looks at Tom Farndon. Spike reports on the Ice speedway or lack of it! Read about the return of women in Japanese Speedway. The Editor reports on the High Beech Reunion. 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.

Ken Howes on Middleton Mystery Resolved: "Close to our hearts always indeed. I followed Hackney and West Ham during the late 60s up to 1976 and, latterly, my now local club Newcastle from 1990 to 2003. Of all the riders I've seen Garry is my favourite and I find it sad that he died at such an early age but sadder that he never realised his true potential. I've been lucky to have seen many wor ld champions at club level and for my money Garry could have been a contender. R.I.P. mate." Duncan Pemberton on The Internationale 1975: "Remember this meeting, simply because I went on the Leicester fans coach and when we got there extremely early I decided to leave my friends and tube it over to Wembley to watch Evil Knievel do his "bus jump" and ended up missing 8 heats of speedway! I was 15 at the time." Johno on Paisley Pictures: "I would love to get any information you have on Tom Davie please. I'm from Mt Isa and am trying to piece together info on his life/death etc. Many thanks in advance Johno" Click here to leave your own feedback