27th April 2006

Magazine : Issue 4 Issue 4 of our FREE downloadable magazine is now available. The magazine is 20 pages long and is in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format. This edition of the magazine includes many articles that have not, as yet, been published on the site - or anywhere else for that matter. Contents Include: Former GP rider Brian Andersen is the subject of our big interview. He talks candidly about his time with Coventry and Oxford, his experiences in the Grand Prix and his new life as an engine tuner. We have an exclusive excerpt from Jason Crump's autobiography. The 2004 World Champion talks about the lifestyle and associated pressures that the top stars have to endure these days. Chris Seaward reflects on the recently abandoned ELRC in his column. Will we ever again see a rider that's "good in the wet"? Is speedway being left behind as the modern media increasingly turns it attentions to celebrity and amazing real life stories? Dave Green believes so and comes up with a plan to grab some headlines. Hackney Hawks are no more, but the memories live on. Andy Davidson recalls their trip to Poland in 1980. Andy was one of the mechanics on that particular adventure. Should the British Grand Prix be moved to King's Lynn? Just one of the topics under discussion by Mike Bennett. Alex Raby joins the team with his track report on the Norfolk Arena. There's also pictures of the new Almeria circuit in Spain. ` Dave Gifford recalls the time he spent the winter working as a television stuntman. Regular visitors will know that Dave can spin a yarn like no other. Download Issue 4

 

24th April 2006

Soundbites: 24th April 2006 "I knew I had the worst gate but just had to go for it, I have only been able to give 90 per cent because of my injury but as the track got slicker it became easier for me to ride. I am sure I will be able to compete in Poland but I want to be able to give 100 per cent in all the GPs, nothing less." GP winner Nicki Pedersen

Owlerton from the Air Ryan Dodworth was the photographer on these new shots of Owlerton in Sheffield. The pictures were taken from a hill behind the stadium, lending them something of an aerial feel.

20th April 2006

Grand Prix Preview 2006 The GP circus kicks off in Slovenia on Saturday night with Tony Rickardsson as the defending champion. Chris Seaward gives us a run-down of the fifteen permanent members of the series.

Grand Prix Countries 2006 This year's series consists of ten rounds, being staged in eight different countries. Chris Seaward tells us what to expect from each one and assesses the part that each country plays in the series as a whole.

In His Own Words....Jason Crump The 2004 World Champion reflects on his unsuccesful title defence and shares his thoughts on the new GP season. This is the last year that he'll have to compete against his old rival Tony Rickardsson - Jason says that hasn't affected his thinking at all.

The fourth edition of our downloadable magazine should be on the site next Thursday evening (27th April). A mysterious correspondent who describes themselves only as "Thumper" poses the following conundrum: "Does Oxford promoter Aaron Lanney look more like Des from Neighbours (Paul Keene) or Kevin from Eastenders (Phil Daniels)?" Des Aaron Kevin We'll let you decide - any more nominations for Aaron lookalikeys? David Ashcroft suggests a marketing opportunity for speedway: "As a keen speedway fan and motorcyclist I attend the BMF motorcycle rally at Peterborough Showground the home of the Peterborough Panthers. With approximately 80,000 visitors to the Showground over the weekend of the 20th and 21st of May what an ideal time to show speedway to a large amount of like minded people. The only speedway action over that weekend is down to the vintage speedway club, who put on a great show, but why no up to date speedway? It would be good for speedway's promoters to get a few of the big names down there and show a very large audience what modern day speedway is all about." Sounds like a good idea to us. Anybody else got marketing suggestions they'd like to share? Barry Dalton is still hoping to complete his collection of Peterborough programmes. Full details of his 'wants' are on the Can You Help page.

John 'Smudger' Smith on The Bears Are Back!: "It's great to hear that another club has been reborn rather than closed. Good luck for the future. Being an Arena Essex fan I was pleased to hear that Havvy has got a new goal to fulfill. Best of luck to you all. " Bill Reynolds on On Tour with the Hawks: "Brilliant article, had tears rolling down my cheeks, brought back a lot of memories, thank you very much." Tracy Holmes on David Torley's Dream Team: "Re Mark Thorpe. I saw Mark a while back at a meeting at Moore Park, Christchurch, NZ. looking like he never aged, was chatting away to Ronnie Moore's daughter. I believe he is an electrician working locally." Click here to leave your own feedback

 

17th April 2006

Soundbites: 17th April 2006 "I have experienced the highs and lows of this game all in one day. The thing that has upset me most was the attitude of Rickardsson who came into the pits slagging off his team mates. I am glad to see the back of him. I will never go down that route again with someone like him." Aaron Lanney on Tony Rickardsson after the Cheetahs were hammered at Reading on Friday night

Pictures of The Groveway The Groveway was the original home of the Milton Keynes Knights. They raced there from 1977 until they were forced out at the end of the 1988 season. These pictures are courtesy of Graham Burrows.

 

13th April 2006

The Bears Are Back! The opening of a brand new track is always cause for celebration. When it means the return of one of speedway's great clubs then there's all the more reason. They may now be called Redcar, but they're still very much the Bears. We look back at the history of the Middlesbrough Bears and forward to the new era that starts in Cleveland tonight.

Redcar Circuit Taking Shape Dennis Beeforth has given us more pictures of the new stadium at Redcar. These were taken a week or so ago. Spectator facilities still look a little basic but the track itself appears to be complete.

Dream Team: David Torley Newcastle fan David Torley selects a team of his favourite Diamonds (along with one 'guest'). He includes Kenny Carter who started his career at Brough Park.

The Young Americans are back in the UK to take on some of our Conference League sides. Find out more about the team at usadreamteam.co.uk.

David Horner on Sunderland Reunion: "A great set of photos. I remember a lot of the riders over the years. I started watching speedway in 1950 at Bradford's Odsal stadium in the days of Arthur Forrest, Oliver Hart and Eddie Rigg just to name a few. I was on the track staff at Halifax in the seventies and we still have the occasional reunions with the former riders. Great days." David Scougall on History of the Speedway Hoskins: "Hoskins was a great showman and as the sixties were an era of great change, he put speedway up there with soccer. George Hunter would be there with George McLean, Jimmy Baxter, and other soccer heros, Hoskins would keep it wound up. The great nights he staged for us young guys at the time and he made sure we kept the Scots Flag flying high. We would trot off to Manchester, London and where is Cradley Heath anyway? I wish Ian well wherever he is and thanks again mate!" Diane Michie on On Tour with the Hawks: "Just been reading Hackney to Gdansk etc by Andy Davidson ....... what a trip ....what a laugh. I really enjoyed reading that. It felt as if I was on the trip! The pictures were great as well ..lots to look at." Click here to leave your own feedback

 

10th April 2006

Soundbites: 10th April 2006 "Beating Tony Rickardsson is not something I will get excited about because I have done it before on a number of occasions. Tony is obviously a legend in speedway, but I have always believed I am capable of defeating both him and the other top riders in the world. All I am concerned about is being the captain of a successful team here at Peterborough and our first away victory means far more than any personal achievements." Hans Andersen on the Panthers' win at Oxford on Wednesday

The Cardinal Takes a Bride Former promoter Ian Hoskins is also an accomplished author and award winning playwrite. His latest novel "The Cardinal Takes a Bride" is now available. Click the link above for a synopsis and ordering details.

 

6th April 2006

Book Extract: History of the Speedway Hoskins Few people can claim to have experienced a life quite as full as that of Ian Hoskins. Ian, eldest son of Johnnie, graduated from mascot to promoter and has promoted the sport in England, Scotland, Rhodesia and Spain. He's also been a welfare officer, cinema manager, actor and author. Ian moved back to New Zealand in 2002 after being forced out of Zimbabwe by Mugabe's brutal regime. Ian's latest project is a revised and updated edition of his "History of the Speedway Hoskins" book. It covers both his own life and the exploits of his father, the man who invented speedway as we know it. The first edition sold out and there's likely to be great demand for this second edition. This exclusive extract from the book covers the 1964 season. Ian promoted Edinburgh that year in the 'black' Provincial League and also re-opened White City in Glasgow.

Dream Team: Ryan Sedgmen The Mildura circuit in Victoria has produced an incredible array of talent over the last few decades. Ryan Sedgmen selects the seven that he would send out as his Milduran Dream Team.

The VSRA museum fund is now in the latter stages of fund-raising. The latest update on progress can be found here. 16 year old Mitchell Davey from Townsville has just turned senior. Found out about him at his new personal website. Mitchell is also one of the boys involved with the Team Rising Sun Honda group.

Tony Webb on Trelawney: "Trelawney, was an absolutely fantastic place to see speedway. The racing surface was first class. I was there at the final meeting, what a loss to speedway! Hope the sport comes back to Cornwall soon." Bryan Tungate on Speedway in March: "In days gone by the start of the season usually was around the Easter Holiday. Since the advent of teams using numerous Continental riders this has caused a problem of spreading out the season. Often in the height of Summer we have weeks where there is no meeting to attend. The G P System hasnt helped continuity of fixtures either. I agree with the idea of the all-in K O Cup but with double-up being rife and use of guest riders this would prove hard to organise I think. " Click here to leave your own feedback

 

3rd April 2006

Soundbites: 3rd April 2006 "I'm up for it this year and I want to start as I mean to go on. I got three wins under my belt on our opening night and I felt quick and strong on the bike which is quite a good sign. There should be no excuses. We have had all winter to sort the bikes and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get another injury-free season and find the form I was showing before I joined Stoke." Robbie Kessler

Speedway in March? Does the speedway season start too early in the year. Shane Parker thinks so and Scott Frame agrees. Scott has carried out a bit of research into the subject and although the findings didn't back up his argument, he's sticking to his guns!