Midgetracer

I remember that around that time changes were made to the Wimbledon track to accommodate stock car racing. I may be wrong, but I thi9nk that at one time they changed the track shape so that cars and bikes shared the straights, but the bikes had their own bends on the inside of the stock car track. However, my aged memory may well be at fault. If so, I am sure that somebody will correct me!!

As Chunky writes, there used to be a lot of kiwi speedway riders. Are there any speedway tracks still operating in New Zealand?

I entirely agree with Norbold. The Rob Hargreaves book is superbly written, and is an extensive history of the life and times pf Clem Beckett. It is not a whitewash-it is very well balanced, and explores Clem's strengths and weaknesses in some detail. I t also describes in detail the sometimes crazy world of 1928/29 speedway. The best speedway biography I have read.

I remember Jessica Lamb riding in at least one heat during a match at Poole around that time.

I think it most important that we avoid comment until more information about this case has been released to the public. We simply do not know enough to be able to draw any conclusions.

I never visited the stadium, but I believe that Neath, in the early1960s, allowed people to view from their cars?

An interesting discussion. To me, it underlines what a shame it is that the splendid Buxton track no longer hosts speedway meetings. it is not a huge distance from Long Eaton.

This is an interesting thread. It is such a shame that we no longer have speedway at the wonderful Buxton track, which is not a huge distance from Long Eaton.

I have visited about 15 different tracks in the last 65 years. My favourite by a long way was BUXTON. Such a beautiful situation. I am astonished that the Peak District National Park authorities allowed a track to be built in such a splendid location. But, they did! I was very disappointed when Buxton closed. 200 miles from my home, but I tried to visit it every year.

I am sure that I saw Ron Johnson in his last official race. On August 31st 1960 Edinburgh were riding at Poole. Ron Johnson, despite his age, had returned that season for a comeback. Ian Hoskins, the Edinburgh promoter had given him a few rides, but he had not been successful. He rode in the second half at Poole that night. About halfway through the race he suffered a very heavy fall, and was carried off on a stretcher. It would seem that his injuries were not serious, but I think that this was his final official ride.