John Hyam casts his eye over Speedway-Away Promotions new history of
the Dons. This 106 page production is a spin off from the popular defunct tracks
magazine that the company produces.
Cary Cotterman visited Industry Speedway for the recent
California State Championship and took these excellent track pix. The indoor circuit
is promoted by one Bruce Penhall and looks like an amazing facility.
Chris selects his second Leicester dream team, this time he limits himself to Continentals
and comes up with some interesting names.
Peter Stokes wants to own a set of Peter Collins' leathers - Can You Help?
In a recent feedback column Derek Fey said he'd been at New Cross when Bronco Wilson was killed. John Hyam has pointed
out that Bronco actually died following an accident at Harringay in August 1947.
The excellent Backtrack magazine continues to go from strength to strength and the most recent issue (27) includes
interviews with Les, Phil, Neil and Stephen Collins. Full details can be found at
Retro-Speedway.com
Classic Speedway, the other magazine from the Retro-Speedway
company, has now reached its second edition. Colin Pratt and Terry Betts are just two of the riders interviewed within it.
This magazine concentrates on speedway prior to 1970, with particular emphasis on the fifties and sixties.
"I really enjoyed reading the article and I found myself nodding at the content. I have also found myself looking forward to Monday night speedway on Sky and the Grand Prix saturdays are an event to savour. I find the knowledgable comments of Kelvin Tatum (or is it Paul Whitehouse) an added bonus."
"Love the pictures of the foreign tracks, especially those of the Aussie circuits. I can remember going on 40 years ago reading in the Speedway Star about the solos and the GB v Australia test matches during the dark winter months and trying to picture what these tracks looked like, and all these years later, courtesy of Speedway Plus and its contributors, I'm finally getting that opportunity. Keep up the brilliant work!"
"Lovely Photos, what is the track size? Can we have it in Yards for us old folk! What meetings are planned there, and is there a chance that some Australia vs England Test matches can be revived?"
A look back at the career of the younger of the two Courtney brothers. Sean spent most of
his career in the North, but did venture south for one season as a Rye House Rocket.
Charles McKay visited West Maitland, venue for Hoskins' original meetings,
twice last winter. These are the pictures from his second trip.
Gary O'Hare is on the lookout for pictures from the Roland Danno benefit meeting from 1991. He rode for Belle Vue
in the meeting and would love to get his hands on photographs - Can You Help?
Tony Webb wants to know about former West Ham machine examiner Jack Emmott - Can You Help?
Robert Gray is looking for details of a 1983 junior match at Stoke - Can You Help?
"What a well researched and interesting article. I have learnt a lot about Jerzy that I did not know. I too felt very sorry for him regarding the way he was treated by the British Press. He won his Title fair and square - without underdogs coming to the fore now and again life and Speedway would be all the LESS interesting. I do hope, when people look back, they will remember the fact that he was World Champion and ignore the scurrilous rubbish written by people who ought to know better some of whom would not have the nerve to put their leg over a Speedway Bike. VERY well done with your article."
"Regarding Danny Becker, he was truly a stylish and immensely talented rider who generated excitement whenever he took to the track. On his day, he could challenge and beat anyone. He undoubtedly would have been a crowd favorite in the U.K. if he'd venture d to try his luck in the British League. As good as he was, something seemed to be missing that prevented him from being more successful. Perhaps it was focus, or seriousness. Regardless, he entertained California speedway fans for several years and I hope he's getting along well today."
Speedway historian Norman Jacobs has passed us these location photographs from the filming
of 'Once a Jolly Swagman' the famous speedway movie. Those familiar with the film will recognise many of
the scenes that are being shot.
Jeff Paige pays tribute to seventies American rider Danny Becker. The name will not be
familiar to all as he never appeared in Europe - unless of course you know better!
"Good to see that Ove managed to grace
the event. I cannot believe, however, that the couple of people shown were the complete event considering the number of riders to turn out for
Rayleigh during their time (Terry Stone is the only one that I recall on a bike)."
"I was at a Meeting at
New Cross, when Bronco Wilson (Wembley Lions) fell awkwardly (he was a big man) and was killed almost instantly. I was also there when Ron
Johnson lowered the track record from 58.0 to 57.8 seconds."
