Alan_Jones 1,005 Posted October 23, 2008 Peanut shells on the Hackney terraces. That's a good one that I'd completely forgotten about... ...and leads me on to thoughts of Rye House in their Infradex team leathers. Speedway Mail is the one I really miss though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sotonian 610 Posted October 23, 2008 Bikes looked like bikes, not hidden under plastic covers Riders with neck scarves Pre-meeting parades without crash helmets Winning team's lap of honour on the tractor Track lighting that only lit the track, not the infield Easily identifiable team race jackets with no sponsors names Special race jackets only used for 2nd halves Being able to park in the carpark at Poole after 7pm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyMac 720 Posted October 23, 2008 Chris Pusey's polka dot leathers. Two (or three) bikes pulled along on a trailer. The long, hot summer of '76. The Warnersports train to Katowice ('76). 5,000 British fans in Katowice to cheer PC, Simmo, Mort, Flier Wyer and Tiger John. Danny Leno of Warnersports, sponsors of Mike Lee and Hackney's Superama. Dougie Wyer's tassled white leathers. Daytona Boots. Leathers worn OUTSIDE the boots. Nigel Boocock's all blue leathers; and Broady's all red. Nitro. Garry Middleton protesting about everything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Molestrangler 0 Posted October 23, 2008 Carrying Ronnie Moore’s bags for him and getting in for nothing. Waiting for the ‘Middletons a bum’ chant and banner against Hackney. Drooling over Eddie Novak’s (Kovac’s?) Harley; wouldn’t be seen on one now. Hairdressers bike! Jim Tebby beating Ivan Mauger (did I dream that?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted October 23, 2008 Peanut shells on the Hackney terraces. That's right... You used to see the same peanut seller at White City on a Wednesday, Wimbledon on a Thursday, Hackney on a Friday and then I'd see him on the Clock End at Highbury on every other Saturday (doubtless he was slumming it at White Hart Lane the alternate weekends! ). My goodness, what a lucrative trade - and one which was destroyed by the combo. of the Speedway tracks closing and all-seater stadia across London's senior Football clubs.. A shame... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,362 Posted October 23, 2008 The deaf and dumb bloke selling pens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted October 23, 2008 speedway in london! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,972 Posted October 23, 2008 (edited) The Start Marshall at Plough Lane in his smart red with yellow trimming(?)suit and even the rakers had Dons pullies.Think they also done the Wembley meetings as well. And all those riders like McKinlay who wore scruffy old bobble hats Edit:And after seeing the news today......in the 70s at least 90% of the top riders rode in Britain.One or two didn't.But now it seems to be almost like 1 or 2 do and the rest don't want to know Edited October 23, 2008 by iris123 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
REBELS77 4 Posted October 23, 2008 Enlgand not Team Great Britain being Number 1 in the world Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dietbowers 522 Posted October 23, 2008 The deaf and dumb bloke selling pens. I remember him as well Grachan,used to see him at Somerton Park and Swindon,plus other tracks up and down the country. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,637 Posted October 23, 2008 1) Decent sponsors - 'Keith's Janitoral Supplies' is typical of the not exactly glamorous sponsors we now get. And while their financial support is appreciated who ever left a meeting thinking "I must buy a Meridian Lift tomorrow"? Remember Marlboro, Daily Mirror, Volkswagen, Golden Wonder, Leyland, Durex etc. 2) Big Individual meetings that meant something. 15,000 on a Wednesday for the British Final at Coventry. The big October trip up to Belle Vue for the BLRC. And every track had its own individual meeting - Brandonapolis, Blue Riband, The Manpower, Golden Hammer and many others 3) The 1973 Daily Mirror International Series - 24 test matches featuring all the world's greats, including some very rarely seen Russians - all culminating in a 39 all draw and the infamous Michanek v Collins run-off Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tigerblade 221 Posted October 23, 2008 ....riders wearing their old overalls in the wet and sawdust You have just reminded me of one wet late 70's meeting against Reading when Dave Jessup had said attire on. The only trouble was - around the bends at least - the wind blew up the legs of his and inflated his backside to twice its size!!! On a similar tack, I remember Doug Wyer and Reg Wilson wearing jumpers over their leathers - as has previously been said, legs of which tucked inside boots - but underneath their body colours. I don't know if this qualifies as 70's or not but............the Shay!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Butler 0 Posted October 23, 2008 What do we miss about '70s speedway? Sadly I can't answer that - can't place my memories of the sport into years now due to primarily that my two remaining little grey cells have jumbled all my memories into a confusing heap! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted October 23, 2008 Being able to put my programme in my patch pocket trousers without creasing it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paulco 7,075 Posted October 23, 2008 Before the days of teletext and t'internet i had to go into the kitchen at 11 p.m. and tune into Radio Luxembourg to get the night's speedway results , which they gave after the news . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
