I like Slant 5 Posted June 27, 2012 I looked at the St Sustell picture again and although the stand is similar I don't believe it is the same one as in the pathe news film however this picture of Swindon in 1949 or the early 50's shows a stand which could be the one although the lamp standards don't look the same Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dukes 19 Posted July 3, 2012 After a simple e mail to Allard Turbo Sport a much appreciated reply:- Hello Geoffrey, According to our records, the track was Wimbledon Speedway Track 1955 - tested by Ronnie Moore 1954 - World Speedway Champion. Hope helpful. Regards, Alan Allard. Just shows that in these days their are people out their who like to help with any research. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted July 3, 2012 After a simple e mail to Allard Turbo Sport a much appreciated reply:- Hello Geoffrey, According to our records, the track was Wimbledon Speedway Track 1955 - tested by Ronnie Moore 1954 - World Speedway Champion. Hope helpful. Regards, Alan Allard. Just shows that in these days their are people out their who like to help with any research. Except that this is absolutely 100% NOT Plough Lane, Wimbledon. Couldn't be a more different looking place than Wimbledon Stadium!! And also certainly is NOT Ronnie Moore in that midget car..! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted July 4, 2012 Except that this is absolutely 100% NOT Plough Lane, Wimbledon. Couldn't be a more different looking place than Wimbledon Stadium!! And also certainly is NOT Ronnie Moore in that midget car..! Apart from that it's OK then. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 21,045 Posted July 4, 2012 Clearly a case of incomplete records and those that were involved are now no longer with us or their memories have faded.That isn't Wimbledon,but Maitland-like the mistake gets repeated.Seems from discussions elsewhere the likelyhood is this was filmed at Rayleigh.I was never there nor have i seen any photos from that period so have to wait for evidence Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gazzatopfuel 15 Posted July 4, 2012 Yes I thought it did look disappointingly pedestrian.. Maybe this is why the 'midgets' never took off in the UK..? Not got a clue as to which track but that contraption isn't doing anywhere near "116 mph on the straights". 40 or 50 mph tops neither have i got any idea where this was shot, but i can assure you the motor was well capable of these figures Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted July 4, 2012 Clearly a case of incomplete records and those that were involved are now no longer with us or their memories have faded.That isn't Wimbledon,but Maitland-like the mistake gets repeated.Seems from discussions elsewhere the likelyhood is this was filmed at Rayleigh.I was never there nor have i seen any photos from that period so have to wait for evidence i've seen ariel photos of rayleigh in the 1950's and it had grandstands on both straights. these stands were still present when i went there in the 1970's. the pits at the weir were at the end of the home straight alongside the main stand, not on the bend like is shown on the cine film. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeithC 0 Posted July 4, 2012 There were a number of references to The Atom in Wimbledon programmes towards the end of the 1955 season, as well in May 1956. Also, there were several features and references to it in the Speedway News in 1955, confirming that the initial testing was done at Wimbledon, with the car driven by Ronnie Moore. I guess that Cyril Brine took over as test driver after the July crash at Plough Lane in which Ronnie suffered a broken collarbone. As there are still leaves on the trees in the clip it is likely that Cyril Brine was filmed in late summer, during the period Ronnie was recuperating. The lighting is very similar to that evident in the 1960 Rayleigh team picture on the Defunct Speedway Tracks site http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/ but was this photo taken at Rayleigh? The front cover of the Rayleigh speedway programmes from that era shows a photo in which a stand looks similar to that in the film clip. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dukes 19 Posted July 4, 2012 Except that this is absolutely 100% NOT Plough Lane, Wimbledon. Couldn't be a more different looking place than Wimbledon Stadium!! And also certainly is NOT Ronnie Moore in that midget car..! What we do know is 100% the driver is Cyril `Salty` Brine, as it is mentioned during the broadcast and at least from Allards they took the time for a courteous reply. The stadium may not be Wimbledon, but obviously you do not know where it is and from the tone of your post I think like many it is time to call it a day on here. Some people like to discuss and debate, but then their certain posters who only conive and complain with no actual positive input. Think many have been lost to the forum and it doesnt take long to understand why, same goes for those lost on the terraces, riders giving up and promoters washing their hands of the sport. But hey never mind lets complain about them still. Bye bye speedway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 21,045 Posted July 4, 2012 i've seen ariel photos of rayleigh in the 1950's and it had grandstands on both straights. these stands were still present when i went there in the 1970's. the pits at the weir were at the end of the home straight alongside the main stand, not on the bend like is shown on the cine film. Ok,that sounds convincing.Like i said i have no idea about Rayleigh.Leaves it open again then.....but i would have thought it has to be somewhere around London.Does it really make sense to travel much further when there were so many stadia in the area and all the protagonists were there? Not sure why Dukes is getting so upset.I don't often back Parsloes up,but can't really see anything wrong with his post.It quite clearly isn't Wimbledon.If you know the stadium throughout its life and the area(after all we are talking London then at no point not even when being built in the 20s would it have looked like that,surely? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parsloes 1928 nearly 495 Posted July 4, 2012 The stadium may not be Wimbledon, but obviously you do not know where it is and from the tone of your post I think like many it is time to call it a day on here. Some people like to discuss and debate, but then their certain posters who only conive and complain with no actual positive input This is completely out of order. You're right, I do not know where it is but it's literally insane to allow the notion that this is Wimbledon Stadium to remain being suggested. I can assure you it is NOT Wimbledon Stadium! And the 'tone' of my earlier posting was purely and simply to put that error straight! I'm not "complaining" about anything simply pointing out what is in any case blindingly obvious!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadster 221 Posted July 4, 2012 Could the track be the original track at Rye House, now the go-kart circuit, I believe? I've no idea, but as a readily available track near London it seems as likely a choice as any. Has anyone got any photos of the orignal Rye House? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC! 142 Posted July 9, 2012 Could the track be the original track at Rye House, now the go-kart circuit, I believe? I've no idea, but as a readily available track near London it seems as likely a choice as any. Has anyone got any photos of the orignal Rye House? Its not Rye House, for sure, my first thought was Arlington, but not sure the dates fit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,118 Posted July 9, 2012 The more I look at the more I think it's Rayleigh. Go to http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Rayleigh.htm, and check out the 1960 team pic. The track lighting in particular looks identical, and the surroundings seem rural enough. Even the individual pics above this (Johnny Fitzpatrick and Alan Smith) showing the pits area looks the same. See what you think... Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miro 9 Posted July 9, 2012 The Pathe site has clips of old Rye House and you can find clips of SAL era Arlington, far more basic. Aldershot was first thought but I'd agree with Rayleigh. As Chunky says the pits and the buildings to the right with corrugated iron roofs are identical in the film and on http://www.defunctsp...uk/Rayleigh.htm, is the kiosk on the bend not painted yellow and blue, and the lamps are very distinctive. I only went there once and much later, sure some Rayleigh people on here could confirm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
