SHALEWAY69

miro Danny Dunton is alive and well and lives in Berkshire I think Closer scrutiny of the information I have on the January 16 1965 promoters meeting at Poole, brings up some interesting facts Firstly my research is from reports in the Speedway Star 15 and 29 January 1965. My deduction from whom was present is from a photograph of the attendes. Absent from the photo , which has 17 promoters are are reps from Oxford, Ipswich, Rayleigh, Norwich Kings lynn, Weymouth, Middlebro and Eastbourne, all tracks that ran in the 1964 season. Reg Fearman represented 2 tracks and Mike Parker 4. there were 3 officials present Dave Stevens, Les Clarke and Eddie Glennon. Wether the missing reps had already left the meeting or never attended is one for debate . The criteria for attendance appears muddled because John Hoskins was there representing Cowdenbeath which had not opened at that tme, whilst new club Kings Lynn han no representation. The fact is the Shawcross report was not handed down till February 17. the RAC library has failed to find a copy although they do have 10 other records, so much for record keeping, but i must say that there libarian Trevor Duncombe was most helpful. . There are 2 books published on the history of the british league, Peter Morrish states the report was handed down in December 1964 , not true, Peter Oakes in his great book on the British league makes no mention at all about it's formation. In summary this lack of archive material makes it impossible to compile an accurate speedway history. I am given to understand that when Bryan Seery was manager of the BPA excellent records were kept, where they are now is anyones guess. maybe this is a mission for the speedway museum. Tony

Very sad news, truly one of speedways gentlemen. fondly remembered in Australia fo his performances in the 1972/3 Lions tour and his top score in Perth in the first test match RIP

THere were 18 promters present at that meeting, there are only four who are still with us today. Len Silver, Ian Hoskins, Reg Fearman, and Wally Mawdsley are the survivors , it would be interesting to hear their feedback on how they came to make the decision before the report was tabled. although I guess it was the only path open to them. Fearless and McHoskins are no strangers to forum world so we might get a feed back The power structure of speedway has always been complex. If you recall the Australian who brought speedway to England in 1928, yes A J Hunting, threw his hands up in horror after 18 months and never returned to Englands shores again. That last statement should gain a reaction!! I left England in 1981, but I believe there was another inquiry in the mid eighties as result of some newspaper reports but I do not have any evidence. Tony

Following up on Ian's excellent posting, which clearly outlines the scenario, the report was commissioned by the RAC, it was originally due by 31/12/1964, in time for the annual promoters conference in January 1965. The promoters opted for one league prior to the report being released which was not until February 1965. By the time the report was handed down the promoters had already put into action the main recommendation. A copy made be found in the RAC LIBRARY AT 89 Pall mall London TONY

I would think that Reg Fearman may be able to advise on the availability of the Shawcross document. I have found no reference to it on the internet and it is possibly the most important doument in Speedway History. There must be a copy in the British library archives surely. Tony

Marcus, your comments on the lack of speedway books is interesting.A few years back I had a bookshop in Perth, I was continually asked for books on speedway. I decided when I retired to Queensland three years back to start writing. I wrote biographies/ articles on Bluey Scott, Keith Cox. Keith Gurtner, Bob Sharp, Johnny Chamberlain, Garry Middleton, Vic Sage, Bonnie Waddell, Syd Littlewood and Bill Braund mostly with the help of the riders or relatives. Jim Henry has published many of these in Speedway Researcher. Speedwayplus and Newcastle web sites have also published them. However the cost of publishing is prohibitive, and I have failed to get any interest from the recognised speedway publishers to take them on board, so I have elected to self publish on demand, my products are not professional but do include the information and inside stories. As you know marcus I had a lot of contact with riders over the years and there are some stories that cannot be told!! If you want to read some of these just email me on binbooks@iinet.net. and I will forward to you .I want to share my work with other speedway folk not let it sit on my computer Tony

Bob, at the moment in Queensland we could do with some cool relief 32 and hot and sticky! But to the Poles, I got to know Zenon, Roman Jankowski, Fast Eddie and Andy Huszcza very well as they visited my workshop for spares regulary when they were at hackney. I think that if Zenon had had a consistent run in the British league he would have made World champion. He also had the charisma and was looked up to by the other Poles as a leader for advice. Kind regards Tony

Zenon Plech in my book was the most exciting of all the Poles and a great ambassador for speedway so unlucky in the year that Jerzy won you have only to watch it on UTUBE to see how close he came. TONY

A sincere Christmas morning from sunny Queensland to all forum members and a big thank you for your memories and recollections over the last year. We are a few hours ahead down under so the shrimps are already on the barbie and the cold ones are coming out. But oh for a white Christmas and a traditional; dinner!!! Regards Tony Shaleway

Another dedicated speedway identity was Ernie Hancock, who passed away after a long illness a couple of years back. Ernie had a theatrical agency and i think he was behind the speedway resuts on Tel Tex. at one time he promoted at Rye House We owe a great debt to these dedicated volunteers who barely get a mention when histories are compiled. It is also to be remembered that these guys did not have the advantages of emails, mobile phones pc's and digital cameras Tony.

Bob, I was given some 1967 Speedway Stars this week and there is an article about Dorothy. Apparently she petitioned the Australian speedway authorities to get recognition for Garry Middleton in the Australian test team. To have a lady like DCB go into bat for an Aussie character like Garry is remarkable, he must have been impressed. still searching for more about this incredible lady. Tony

Have to agree with you TMC, your comments on the balmy evenings of the long hot summer of "76 brought back fond memories for me. This was the era when Citroen Safaris became the mode of transport and Afro hairstyles were fashionable among riders and speedway folk. Do you remember Peter Thorogood, John Louis , Kevin Bowen, the late Vic Harding and Peter Wigely all among the trendsetters!!Silencers, catapult tyres and Sportac leathers were other talking points Not forgetting the Speedway Mail, Eddie Toogood and who was the other Speedway Star seller at Hackney and Rye, a rather large character? Regards Tony

As the originator of this thread I want to thank every one of the 49 replys for their positive input. From the input we have established these facts. 1 Over 35 girls have ridden with a success rate that most guys would be proud of. 2 They have ridden at Telford, Conference league and many secondhalves. 3 Sabrina Borgh was European Junior Finalist in 2001 4 There have been some famous names represented Fundin, Cross, Bastable, Collins, Cunningham, Bogh and Mattingley. Good on you, you have made a bigger presence in speedway then I realised. Tony

Ipswich 1975. Six years of hard work paid off for John Berry when the Witches home grown team, yes I include Billy Sanders as a son of Suffolk, won every home League match using the same eight riders, and took out the League title and the Anglia shield. John Louis was third in the World final, British champion, Pride of the East, Champion of Champions and Golden helmet holder. Billy Sanders was in the Inter Continental final and Tony Davey reached the British final. Witches fans have never stood prouder, the pundits said Ipswich was a lost cause in 1969, JB, the late Joe Thurley and Ron Bagely took on the establishment and 1975 was their year of glory. I support Ipswich by the way!! Tony

Sadly Gil Goldfinch passed away a few years back. Cannot help with Geoff but believe he is still living in the south of England. Tony

Hackney would be my choice, not a lock up speedway but one with lots of activities, a vibrant supporters club. a famous training school, a well prepared track where everyone had a fair go, a good location geographically, Len Silver ...the best promoter since Johnny Hoskins and more charcters than you could poke a stick at.....but I am a one eyed Hawk.

For the un initiated what is the FSP ? In Australia we say what is the SP? meanig whats the starting price, ...... so enlighten a Bannalander Tony

This is a very good thread as I believe that the survival of speedway in the sixties and seventies was due to the work of dedicated backroom prople like Dorothy and they have largely gone unrecognised by reaerchers and historians. Threads like this can address that those gaps in speedway history. Dorothy was actually born in Shropshire 2/11/1909. she married at Morden Surrey 24/3/1949 and passed away 22 Jan 1987 at Merton. It is ironic that this was the time that the Dons dropped down from the British league into the National league so it was the end of an era in more ways than one Tony

i certainly knew of her as she was a great supporter of Wimbledon speedway and a benefactor of many of the riders. I have a feeling that she passed away some years ago. iiwill look through my records and see what I can find. she was as you say a character out of the mold of what one would expect a speedway supporter to be, and indeed was a very dignified and articulate person. Tony

Welcome to Australia Bryn, I thought it was Arthur Malm, anyway Bluey Scott who lives up here in queensland and knew him in Scotland, told me he used to sign his autograph "Arthur Malm, full of charm!" He did arrive in England in a blaze of publicity and had a reall battle living up to the expectations.

You are quite correct speedway guy, the likes of Lew Coffin and Fred Parkins rode in events that came under grasstrack/speedway and were not part of the Victor/ClaUde Boston troupe. Arhur Westwood was another promoter in the 1950 era. I will amend my list and limit it to the boston troupe and post it when i get more names. Tony

thank you for that update Star Ghost, here is a few more to the list but no Norfolk boys? Les Spilsbury 1959 Australian Maury Conway 1959 Australian Noel Conway 1959 Australian Fred Parkins 1959 Poole rider Geoff Harris 1959 Ray Woodstock England Ken Green England 1960 Ken Mellor England 1960 southampton rider. colin beeby england 1960 Lew Coffin England Alberto Sirvan Spain 1959 Little is known to me about Green, Beeby, Woodstock and Harris.

Here is a start Stan Tebby Jim Tebby Claude Boston 1961 Ray Liston Australia 1961 French champion Randall Brighton Australia 1961 Ray Cousins 1962 Charles Bellisant 1948 champion Pete Rogers Gunther fFeud Austria 1961 Mick Jenkins UK 1961 Ted Spittles Phil Bishop George Bason Keith Morrison 1958 french champion Pete Gay Reg Duval 1950 Bill Thatcher NZ 1950 Al Collins Wee bill McGregor Ted Connor 1957 french champion Bert Edwards not Ipswich Bert

My view is that it is all about committment and determination. a single minded approach. i concede that we will never see a woman in the grand prix series, but if there had not been a ban on women for 40 years who knows the sucess Fay Taylour may have acheived. A little known fact is she was the first freelance uk rider to visit Australia, that showed grit and determination. this was the era when there were woman aviators setting air records and racing cars. There was a will to win and prove equality. I do not think it is a question of gendre, race or colour. You could say there has never been an Aboriginal, African or Asian speedway rider, [ with the exception of Antonio Lindback] but it is a question of wether they wanted to do it , not the ability.