dantodan

When his son gets back to me I will ask him and put the answer on this thread

Charlie Hornby was a guy who rode for Belle Vue speedway and a few other teams pre-war. He took a speedway league to New York but got "asked" to leave by the "Mafia" of the time.... He then rode in South Africa on a Douglas and then rode the length of Africa, again on a Douglas.... He was a boxer, a boxing promoter, pig farmer, road/track racer and then a builder. Can you supply any further info

It has to be an interesting read. Do you know the price

Thanks for the memories!! Yes Tsunami he was South African. I think your photo with Mike Parker on has George standing centre stage with what I described as a halloween mask for a facemask hanging around his neck. I believe he died about 25 years ago. I like the story about the rusty van (had a couple of them myself before I graduated onto rusty old cars lol) and who knows the story might end up on the website

My Newcastle History Website has received a hit from the son of George Glen, who rode at Newcastle in the early 60's. We have decided to do a George Glen chapter/tribute. I would like to hear from anyone who knew George or has any pics of him with Newcastle or other tracks.

I have created a Hayley Stadium page alongside the Somerton Park page. Yes we all expect Newport to come back at Hayley but for now Newport is defunct. If anyone who was close to Tim wants to add a few words then please get in touch with me email jskinner06@btinternet.com

I have had an email via the Newcastle History Site about Graeme as follows: - Graeme Stapleton has been in the wars. Discovering his house was on fire, he sufferred a heart-attack trying to save it. The house was lost but thankfully, Graeme wasnt. He was rushed to Christchurch hospital where he spent the week recovering. Then he was transferred to Darfield hospital, closer to home for another week. He is now staying at friends until insurance sees that his home is rebuilt. The former pig farmer is now into Boxer dogs. He is doing well and anyone that knows 'Stape', will be aware that this wont keep him down for long. Anyone wishing to send him their regards can do so through me raebo_nz@hotmail.com or send them to Graeme Stapleton, c/o V. Ratahi, Davies Road, 1 RD, Glenroy, Canterbury, 7673, New Zealand. Im sure he would love to hear from you. Cheers everyone, Tracy.

[Thanks and I Hope Newport come bouncing back. If anyone better placed than I am would like to do a piece on Tim Stones speedway I would be happy to include it. For now I am concentrating on Newports major "defunct track" Somerton Park. That webpage is coming along nicely and you may want to have a look at it.

I have started a Newport (Somerton Park ) page on the defunct speedway website which has started me to thinking that I could do the currently closed Newport situation as a tribute to Tim Stone. So if you have any Photos, programmes or badges please get in touch

The Belle Vue page of the Defunct Speedway website now has many photos of the stadium and a few pics of the riders. If you are interested I would be happy to hear from you and if you have any photos of teams or action I would be happy to add them to the website. John

I belive this old dirt track bike is a Velocette Velo

Too far for me but I would love to see any photographs taken at the show or of any unusual bikes in general. I have quite a collection of bike pics on the 2 websites

Hi Graham, There are some photos and info on Ashington on the Newcastle History Website www.newcastlespeedwayhistory.co.uk John

Pity about that as Iwade was the only track beginning with the letter I that I had on the website. Yes waiting patiently for Crayford stuff

Hi Parsloes I didn't realise it was the same place. I will remove the page from the website, thanks for assisting

It is strange typing a defunct status along side the name Oxford. One of our senior clubs has now become defunct. I have started a webpage for the cheetahs or whatever else they may have been called. Calling fans do you want to share your pictures, programmes etc via the webpage. Click on the Defunct tracks link below Come back soon Oxford

1970,s Training track Felton in Northumberland now has its own webpage. If you can contribute send me an email jskinner06@btinternet.com

I have received a picture of Iwade 1975 so have created an Iwade webpage on www.defunctspeedway.co.uk if you were part of that scene and have pics or other info please get in touch email send me an email

Looks likely that each promoter would issue a set of racejackets, jumpers or football shirts and that legislation played no part in what the riders wore. Hah! a bit like today! Thanks for some interesting views and I hope your respective teams do well over the bank holiday weekend. Up at newcastle we will settle for the weather being kind

Looking at my old photos I notice that most riders had the club logo on the back of the racejacket, numbers appeared much later on. Does anyone know when the number became the norm on the back

Hi All, Just to let you know, I have been adding a few more photo's to the West Ham page of www.defunctspeedway.co.uk John

I believe the crowd that day was around the 12000 mark. The guys made other visits and enjoyed speedway. What would they say to modern day rules etc? "Another Fine Mess" presumably.

I have been busy with the Bristol (Knowle Stadium) page of the defunct teams website. One of the photos recently put on shows Laurel and Hardy at the track.

Jesper Olsen. His career was dogged by dislocated shoulders. I remember him leading a race at Hull and he tumbled off the bike. His shoulder had dislocated just turning the previous bend. He was a great rider and with a bit of luck he would have achieved more.

Just extended the old bikes section of www.newcastlespeedwayhistory.co.uk to 4 pages. There are lots of pictures of 1928/29 bikes. Douglas, Rudge, AJS, Norton etc as well as the main machine the JAP for 30 years or so.