22nd November 2020

Book Review: Dave Jessup - A Speedway Journey by Peter Lush Our review of a new biography of Dee-Jay, one of England's finest riders in the 70s and 80s.

The BLRC 1983 Tracy Holmes with the penultimate article in his series on the BLRC.

From the Archives: Leif "Basse" Hveem Soren Kjaer told us about this legendary Norwegian back in 2009.

Philip Dalling on British Speedway : When did it start to decline?: "I quite liked Kirkmanshume Lane, although by the time I paid my first visit the backstraight spectator accommodation had been demolished and, yes, some parts of the remaining facilities were certainly down at heel. It is a couple of years since I visited the new National Stadium. It is magnificent and the racing, whether seen live or on television, is excellent. But I missed the ability to drift around the stadium, which has usually been permitted at speedway tracks. It was possible to stand on the bends or the back straight and still get full access to the grandstant bars. These were a meeting place for a significant number of former Belle Vue riders (and riders from other tracks). I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Powell, Arthur Wright, Peter Williams, Jim Yacobi, Roy Pecock and others. " Ian Davey on THE BLRC 1981: "I've enjoyed Tracy Holmes' pieces on the BLRCs.I was interested in the comment from Frank McLean about the crowd being down on previous years. I've just published a piece on "The Decline of British Speedway" suggesting it started somewhere in the mid-80's. However maybe it started earlier.Tracy asks the question "Had the magic already started to fade?" Whatever the truth about the dates, the 64000 dollar question is why did it fade? The subject of future articles no doubt." Click here to leave your own feedback

 

15th November 2020

British Speedway : When did it start to decline? Ian Davey reflects on his first visit to Belle Vue's Kirkmanshulme Lane circuit.

The BLRC 1982 Tracy Holmes on the 1982 BLRC, a meeting that offered Kenny Carter a chance of some consolation after the World Final controversy.

From the Archives: Tracking Down the Swagman Ian Harwood shared a tale of the lengths he once went to in order to watch the best known speedway movie - Once a Jolly Swagman.

Graham Clayton on The Tragic Story of Percy Dunn: "Doug Macfarlane: Hindle was acquitted of the charge of murder." Click here to leave your own feedback

 

8th November 2020

DVD Review: Before Air Fences Our review of a new double-DVD that's described as "a tribute to the risk takers".

THE BLRC 1981 Chris Morton finally got the chance to compete in the Hyde Road spectacular. Could he turn home advantage to his benefit? Tracy Holmes will tell us.

From the Archives: Dagenham John Phillips told us about a circuit that operated on either side of World War II. We first published this back in 2010.

Duncan Pemberton on The BLRC 1980: "Remember this meeting very well as my wife went in to labour in the early afternoon (we lived about 6 miles from Hyde Road) and off to hospital we went. My daughter entered the world at 6pm and I spent around couple of hours there and then got myself off to Belle Vue arriving at heat 9. Quite apt that Les C won as I was originally a Leicester lad and still a Lions fan. Fourty years on and I was taking Kerry my daughter to Torun for this year's GP to celebrate her 40th until Boris put a stop to it by sticking Polska on the quarantine list and we couldn't go because of self isolation (over £600 down the swanee)." Click here to leave your own feedback

 

1st November 2020

Book Review: Who Gates Wins by Jeff Scott Jeff Scott is back with a second book devoted to the traveling circus that is the Speedway Grand Prix series. It's a follow up to last year's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Speedway Grand Prix, this time covering the 2019 season.

The BLRC 1980 Kenny Carter made an impression on his BLRC debut, but it was another Englishman that went home with the spoils. Tracy Holmes reports.

From the Archives: Owlerton in the Sixties Some pictures of Sheffield's Owlerton Stadium that were taken by Robert Brocklehurst in the 1960s.

Friends of Speedway (a non-profit making organisation who are proud to part sponsor the British Youth Speedway Championship) are pleased to announce the 79th edition of their magazine the Voice which is packed full of interest and enjoyment. This issue is a huge 28 pages, which will keep your interest for hours! In this issue Charles McKay says 'Of course it's legal' and 'We are following official advice.' Sue Towner on her Soapbox again plus pens a review of the Dave Jessup book. John Hyam on Squire Split Waterman. Roy Delaney looks at Here and Then. Slider says, 'The time to Panic is Now! Stuart Staite-Aris speaks of Alf Mattson. TAG Allison reports on Reg Luckhurst's attempt at Spanish speedway. Plus more to keep you interested. 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.

James McGinty on Speedway Researcher Update: "Well done Jim Henry. Nice memories of when the speedway was in Coatbridge. Great work." David Cohen on Jason Doyle does the CZ Golden Helmet 'Triple Crown': "Nice summary, including the stats, of an event that maybe hasn't always got the visibility in the UK that it deserved, as it quite clearly *is* a big open meeting. And it's brought to mind those years, especially in the 70's, when there would be tons of open meetings, which were always a good indicator of which riders were really at the top of their game that season." Click here to leave your own feedback