Paul Houghton suggests that speedway would benefit from a series of regional museums and
is looking for help in improving the speedway display in the Coventry Transport Museum.
Jim Blanchard has just finished another of his excellent speedway action paintings, this time of Erik Gundersen
the three times World Champion. It's not clear yet whether prints of this work will be made available. Jim would urge anybody
interested to contact him via his website so that the level of demand can be established.
Neil Day, personal manager of the Baseby brothers, is now offering his services to other riders. Full details at
nikkoracing.co.uk
"Many references are made to Wal Morton
his name was / is Val Morton. My father was Ken Sharples, one of my sons Paul is mechanic for James Wright who is a grandson of Jim Yacobi and
a new signing for Belle Vue this season 2009."
"I really agree with comments made about
the sport in crisis, supporters are picking their matches to go and watch. I follow sheffield and like many others can't go every week due to
price increases on the gate! It might be only a couple of quid, but it's still there, clubs will be playing to empty grounds shortly, bring the
prices down and more folk will go to watch. Don't let speedway die!"
"You are so right. At the very least, you
know there are at least two members of this particular grumpy old farts club! If speedway isn't careful, it will successfully price itself out
of any 'family sport' definition. Whether current day promoters like it or not, it's people of our generation (and their families) who they are
trying to attract and quite simply it's not going to happen at current day prices.
I have two adult kids who together with my wife equate to
at least £56 for the new season in basic admission prices, add on 1 programme (between 4) plus at least one round of refreshments and that is
at least £60 per week. What family (apart from the Windsors, not noted speedway fans) can afford £240 per month? Break this down, and if your
break even figure is 700 spectators per week, this equates to 1400 able to afford going once a fortnight, you're possibly in trouble. Everyone,
and I include riders, sponsors, supporters and promoters, needs to get a grip on reality if the sport has any chance of surviving. When you
consider how much most incoming revenue (and by that I mean admisson money from spectators) is actually available. "
"Many thanks for taking the trouble
to download these pictures enabling us all to see what the Museum has to offer. An excellent advert for all the hard work put in by the owners.
Very nice to see a section dedicated to Wiggy (Rip fella). Once again well done to all. "
Emma selects the greatest ever Ipswich Witches - no surprises then that Louis senior
and junior both feature in the team.
Jerran Hart of the Scunthorpe Scorpions has an excellent new official website, including a welcome
video from the man himself. Take a look at jerranhart.com
The Speedway and Grasstrack Show takes place at The Sports Connexion, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry on
Sunday February 22nd. Admission will be a bargain £2 for adults with children going free.
Click the banner below for full details of this great day out.
"I agree with Tracy's
views on Jerzy Szczakiel. He did not come from nowhere to win the World title and his victory was not too outlandish, even though he is
generally accorded the dubious title of "worst rider ever to win the World Championship".
Writing in the 1972 Webster's Speedway Mirror
annual, Ian MacDonald said in the international section, "The Poles themselves are still Eastern Europe's top speedway country...The
international days of Pawel Waloszek and Antoni Woryna seem numbered but there is still an awful lot of talent over there. Leading the way
is Jerzy Szczakiel and how the Poles could have left him out of their World Cup team is one of speedway's mysteries!" Szczakiel's photograph
is the main featured photograph at the beginning of the section.
In the report of the World Pairs, Ian MacDonald also says, "The Polish duo of Jerzy Szczakiel and Andrzej Wyglenda were indisputably masters
in the World Pairs Final..." So he was already being touted as the Pole to watch and a possible future champion a year or so before
he actually won the title."
"What a sad sight. I first went to Rayleigh in 1949,
and supported regularly until about 1955, all during my teenage years. Wonderful memories of Jack Unstead, Les McGillivray, Gerald Jackson,
Peter Clark, Tom O'Connor etc. Myself and a gang of friends just couldn't wait for Saturday evenings. Then when the Weir stadium opened
again in 1968 I started going again, eventually taking our twin sons who are still speedway fans today. We went with the team to Rye House,
but despite all the good times we've had there, part of me still thinks fondly of the old Weir stadium."
"Thank you so much! A great set
of pictures and I am already looking forward to the second instalment! What a great collection this must be and I just wish I could visit,
would never convince the speedway hating wife though!"
Last year we brought you the 'story so far' of Niall Strudwick's career. Young Niall
is a junior rider at Eastbourne and regular in the Southern Track Riders meetings. He's
still waiting for his big break into regular league racing but remains determined to make
that step as soon as possible. In this article he shares the story of his 2008 season and
looks forward to 2009. As always, it's an honest appraisal of his year and gives an insight
into just how tough it is to 'make it'.
Harry Ward visited the speedway museum at Paradise Wildlife Park last Sunday
for the anniversary gathering that celebrates the first meeting in the UK. He took so many pictures
that we'll split them into two parts, the second installment will be added to the site next week.
Just a single picture this week and it's of the site of the old Rayleigh stadium - The Weir.
The picture was taken by Dave Jones shortly after the stadium was demolised. The picture has
previously been published in Backtrack magazine. We'd be delighted to hear from anyone who
pictures of the stadium in its pomp.
The Speedway and Grasstrack Show takes place at The Sports Connexion, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry on
Sunday February 22nd. Admission will be a bargain £2 for adults with children going free. There are already
35 stall holders confirmed, but there's room for more. Click the banner below for full details of this great day out.
"A good dose of common sense in this article,
it's obvious to most people that prices are far too high. 25 years ago I would not think twice about taking myself and my 2 kids to Hyde Road,
parked in a side street, programme was free with entry. Now it's £17 plus programme at £2, plus £2 for parking - £21 plus
about £3 for petrol - total £24. This makes people pick and choose matches that they go to. We need to get real quick or I fear for
the future of the sport."
We're very fortunate to receive a considerable amount of feedback on the articles
and pictures we feature on the site. Here are some of the comments we've received
in recent weeks that we've not been yet been able to include on the site.
As always, your feedback is valued and appreciated, please keep it coming.
Thanks to Howard Williams for these pictures of the Broadford circuit
in Victoria. The circuit is notable for having trees on the centre green.
Long Eaton Speedway Reunion Group have organised 'An Evening with Sam Ermolenko' on 10th March at
The Bridge Inn, Sandiacre. 'Tapes up' will be 7.30pm and the admission price of £3 includes a raffle ticket.
The JustSpeedway.co.uk website, which aims to
promote the sport as a whole, now contains a number of new features, including a blog, game reviews and a 'help a rider'
scheme.
There's a new forum dedicated to speedway in London with all former tracks covered. Click
here to pay it a visit.
The Speedway and Grasstrack Show takes place at The Sports Connexion, Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry on
Sunday February 22nd. Admission will be a bargain £2 for adults with children going free. There are already
35 stall holders confirmed, but there's room for more. Click the banner below for full details of this great day out.
