25th October 2020

Jason Doyle does the CZ Golden Helmet 'Triple Crown' Tracy Holmes on Jason Doyle's third straight win in the famous meeting in Czechia.

The BLRC 1979 It's that man Tracy Holmes again, looking back on the last BLRC of the super-seventies.

Ian Southward on Riders to Remember....Sandor Levai: "My brother in law used to take me to see the Aces on a Saturday, Sandor was my favourite as he once sat me on his bike, a Jawa and asked me would I like to ride it, I of course said yes and told me to come back when I was old enough. I was 10 and I'll always remember him. " Ivan Blacka on Powderhall Memories: "What I didn't know then I know now about all these riders when I burst upon the scene in 78 just how long of a head start they had on me. Powderhall was a great Stadium to track was tricky but once you learned it it was a fairly good track. The stadium was better than most British League tracks in the 1st division. I have to give my thanks to the Scottish people without them I would have never had a Speedway career. " Robin Tremblin on Harry the Swede: "I was lucky enough to get to know Toby really well through my association with Jimmy Nilsen and Per Jonsson in the 80's and 90's. He was massive influence on both their careers and was always there to support at important meetings. Dave has captured the way Toby talked perfectly It was like hearing Toby all over again. I will always remember when he came to our hotel room during the 2 day world final in Amsterdam. We had a box of beer in the room and over the space of an hour Toby opened about seven separate cans as he forgot where he'd put the last one so opened another. We forgave him for that as his stories of his life and riding career had us laughing he was great company. He died much too young." Anonymous on Sheffield Speedway : The Sixties and Seventies: "We started watching Hull Vikings when they opened on 1971, and as a treat (I was 8) we got taken to see or hero Reg Wilson rding for Sheffield. I can stil remember how open mouthed we were at Jim Airey hammering round that track - I don't think I have ever seen anyone faster. Owlerton is a sad sight despite recent 1st-bend "improvements" (which have taken away standing capacity) - all the back straight is closed to spectators and the bank of seating in the main stand is long gone. " Click here to leave your own feedback

 

11th October 2020

New Cross Picture Album 1936 Doris Lambert inherited an old scrapbook filled with speedway photographs when her Dad died in 1984. A recent house move forced her into a clear out and she was keen to ensure that her Dad's book went to a good home. Thankfully she has passed it on to us. Thanks to Doris and her Dad, we can bring you some great autographed photographs of the New Cross Rangers team of 1936.

The BLRC 1978 There was a familiar name on the top of the rostrum in British Speedway's Golden Jubilee year. Tracy Holmes reports.

Brian Mulholland on Riders to Remember....Bjorn Knutsson: "Although an avid Belle vue fan I loved this guy. What a rider, went to Wembley in 1965 to see him win the World Crown. Wish he had signed for Belle Vue," Jim Henry on Speedway Researcher Update: "Hi. Still bored with Covid? We have now needs lists for meeting details in the UK 1933 - 1939 on The Speedway Researcher web site. Any help to fill gaps would be welcomed. On a different note - the visits to Argentina in the pioneer days by riders from Manchester are available on The Speedway Researcher website. The credit for this very fulsome record as to go to George Carswell who worked with Bob Ozanne. Much of the information has been drawn from contemporary sources in Argentina which George has had translated into English. This is an amazing bit work which deserves to be better known." Ray Liffen on West Ham - Colour Memories: "Sverre rode the outside at Custom House like no one else - it was his 'Home' if he gated send or third you would hear the crowd shouting 'Come on Sverre' Dad would say 'Wait till he gets to the outside - 'He'll win' - HE DID - Saw him once at The Shay in Halifax [Baking about 5-6ft from white line to fence - Sverre got 13 from 5 rides - just got straight to the fens THEN turn left and flew down the straits - could never understand how he did so well at Wimbledon -when he came to Custom House - he must have thought 'Wow' now I can show them - HE DID - his races were worth the admittance cost." Arthur Duncan on South Africa: " Congratulations on gathering all this historica information on speedway. At 85 never expected to see a photo of myself at 20 participating in speedway racing. I am now a competitive cyclist and currently the South African and provincial road and individual time trial champion in my age category. Good luck with your future endeavors. " Click here to leave your own feedback

 

4th October 2020

Sheffield Speedway : The Sixties and Seventies Ian Davey was a regular attender at Owlerton in the sixties and seventies. Here he shares some memories of memorable meetings, races and riders.

The BLRC 1977 Tracy Holmes on the 1977 BLRC, could Peter Collins use his home advantage to regain the title?

From the Archives: Enthusiasts Bypassed by Fame: John Pilblad A 2011 article from Philip Dalling on one-time promoter and super-enthusiast John Pilblad.

Peter Cousin on Jerzy Szczakiel: "I saw him ride at Oxford. Poland v Australia, Jim Airey rode using Ivan Mauger's bike and leathers. I also saw him win the final." Sue Bodey on An interview with....Dave Gifford - Part Two: "Lovely story. Dave Gifford is my long lost cousin. His mum Evelyn was my Dad's sister. I am now 65. I don't think I ever met Dave.. Before I was married my surnam was Addley. If you are still in contact with him please send my regards. " Janette on Speedway Riders on the Wall of Death: "Newspaper article in 1933 states Arthur Handley - Ace Handley - was a dirt bike rider in Liverpool, UK and had travelled with the team to Australia. No date given. Arthur - Ace - was Wall of Death Rider 1930 - 1938 until his untimely death in Jamaica in 1938. Alan Mercer and former Wall of Death Riders have greatly helped me in obtaining information about my great uncle. Is Arthur/Ace Handley noted in your records? Thank you." Elizabeth Trevor Thomas on Who is Garry Middleton?: "Bob Sanford's account is correct. I attended the same church with Bob and Gary in Van Nuys around 1984, and we became friends. I was a public relations professional and tried to help them. Gary was being villainized in the news media. There was an aggressive district attorney that was looking to get reelected, and he was pushing the agenda to prosecute Gary and Bob over ADS. Bob, I still have the New Testament you gave me signed by Porter Barrington, who wrote the master outlline, and who's wife successfully used ADS until her family made her stop. Gary and Bob were good guys. The story of how Gary came across ADS is fascinating. Gary called me late one night and said he was leaving the country, would never get a fair trial, and did not want to go to jail. I didn't blame him. Last time I ever talked to him. He was so fun. He loved the circus and took my son and I to a circus where he arranged for me to be the guest circus master. I still have the picture he took of me on the circus stage. Rest in peace, sweet Gary!" Click here to leave your own feedback