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| 31st May 2021 |
King's Lynn - Part OneIan Davey shares some memories of his spiritual speedway home, concentrating on a night in 2015 when he rediscovered his love of the sport. |
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"Beautiful JAP. I have my grandfather's JAP that he raced. But it is not as prestine as this one." "Looks like the noise test was carried out at the Brett's playing field in Canterbury which is (was) in the Wincheap area of Canterbury. On the site now is Morrisons." "I remember that I had a soft back book on Graham's life and career which I probably purchased in the early 1970's but for the life of me I cannot find it. I saw him ride for a Coventry select side minus Nigel Boocock and Ron Mountford at Liverpool in 1960. " "Thanks Graeme and Matt, Great to stimulate interest in past mysteries and get welcome feed back. I will keep digging! There is another Queensland based rider Harold Hard luck Stevens, who I think died in a road accident 1937-38 that I am researching. He was actually born in UK, Arthur Yenson and Fred Hore are two more UK riders who were the first to ride in Australia." |
| 23rd May 2021 |
Speedway in Germany 1933Doug Macfarlane on attempts to establish speedway at Hamburg, Chemnitz and Cologne in the thirties. |
Dream Team : Kevin HuggettKevin started his speedway life as a Wimbledon Dons fan. His team is an interesting mix of world stars and lesser lights. |
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"I believe the people referred to are 3 different people. The first person, who rode at Deagon in the mid-1920s was Wilfrid Allen, born in Kidderminster Eng, but lived most of his life in NZ. Only briefly rode in Australia, and rode in the UK in 1931, but rode in NZ in the 1920s and 30s and died in NZ in 1976. Jack Allen who rode in Australia through the 1920s and 30s, went to China, and klled himself in 1937 was a different person. Jack was riding in Queensland at the same time that Wilfrid was riding in NZ. The Midget Car "Bill Allen" is a bigger mystery. All the claims that he raced midget cars in the USA, including racing in the 1932 Indy 500, aren't verified as far as I know. I think all that is proven is that he raced midget cars in Australia. The rest of his "career" in midget cars seems to have come from him and I've never seen any historical information about him in the USA or NZ." "Great to read the article by Tony Webb regarding the two Bill Allens. If it's any help with his continued investigation, (and it's the same family), Bill's birth and census record has him being born with the unusual first name spelling of Wilfrid with an i. The family lived in 1911 at an address called Longcroft in the village of Wolverley. His father was also Wilfrid, his mother was Lucy and his sister, born in 1903, was also Lucy. Wilf senior was listed as a market gardener on the census." "David Pickles re your comments on my articles on speedway in Asia. thanks for your encouragement. I have always believed that if the speedway powers that be had taken advantage of two great leaders, Ivan Mauger and John Berry then speedway would not be in the state it finds itself. Both men had a global appreciation of the potential of speedway far above all others, they were not one eyed for the advantages for their home patch like the Danes and the Poles, they had the vision that it could be a world wide sport without parochial overtones. but this did not suit the establishment who carried on a downward spiral." |
| 9th May 2021 |
The Unsolved Mystery of Two Bill AllensTony Webb with another fascinating speedway tale, this time he's trying to piece together the story of some riders called Bill Allen. |
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"Couldn't agree more Tony Webb. Asia in general is a wilderness where our sport is concerned, and I remember the story well 13 years back. Ivan Mauger was a speedway genius at all levels and if the support had continued there is no doubt that speedway would now have a major foothold in that region. It's a great pity the FIM aren't more outward looking as I firmly believe that China could be the key to success, but it would take much talking with the Chinese Government, and the FIM and the organisers of the Grand Prix series to bite the bullet and simply slot it in, preferably in Beijing for one trial round one year and see what happens. Just out of sheer population and numbers and curiosity makes me believe that a GP in China would be a huge success and would maybe ignite the interest of the press to give our sport the publicity it richly deserves." "Hi Colin, I used to live across from you in Waghorne St Ahuriri Napier NZ, was always interested in your speedway bike and sport also went to watch you at track when it was down by Anderson Park end of Taradale, Kennedy Rd's. Worked In Port Headland 2013 for 2 years but lived in Perth. I hope this reaches you." |
| 2nd May 2021 |
The Ipswich WitchesIan Davey on his one and only trip to see the Witches in action at Foxhall Heath. The Witches will be tracking one of the sport's greatest names once the season gets underway. |
Book Review: The Danger of WinningGaven Dall'osto reviews a new book from Tony Webb on the great Aussie rider Graham Warren. |
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"As one who is old enough to remember all the events posted by Tracy, what else can I say but a genuine and heartfelt "Thank you" for an emotional and brilliantly researched article." "I think the photo was taken at Wolverhampton and not Sunderland. Dave is in Y/B which suggests he was a visitor." "Hello Les, I still remember the thrill of the 5-1 partnership with Dave Gooderham in the last race! I believe I knew your nan who had a Yorkshire Terrier I think it was and lived in Chartham. All the best, Robbie" |