speedyguy

Re: CALIFORNIA-IN-ENGLAND 2010 « Reply #1 on Sept 16, 2010, 8:35am » Friends of Speedway are pleased to announce the fifth California-in-England Speedway Reunion on 17th October 2010. The full address is: California Country Park , Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham , RG40 4HT . This is situated on the B3430 coming from the A322 junction 3 off the M3. There is a large sign at the entrance to the park and car park; then there is a short walk to the display area which will include a selection of machines covering over 80 years of speedway. If you have any memorabilia/memories please make your self known to any of the Friends of Speedway members bearing their name badges. We are still searching for any cine film not only of the racing, but of the park in general that could be loaned to be copied. Also on display will be speedway photographs and team body colours including a reproduction California Poppies one. Here you will be able to talk with riders from the 1950’s California Poppies team. You are invited to ask questions at any time and all officials will be sporting their name badges. Machines will be started at various times during the day; you will smell the intoxicating aroma of Castrol R and Methanol to bring back memories of those earlier un-silenced days of speedway. Part of the presentation will be a guided walk around the park where you can see the original children’s paddling pool from the holiday camp days which has been cleared by Friends of Speedway personnel and part of the railway track that took clay up to the brickworks which is how the lake was formed. You will be able to stand on the concrete start/finish line with marked out starting boxes; for those interested you can walk the racing line (stout footwear recommended) as it is very overgrown. The park offers a wealth of historic interest in itself, plus a cafeteria with toilets including one for the disabled. The display will be open between 11am ‘till 4pm. For further information please call Stuart Towner on 0208-397 6599 or stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk

And where is this 'crock of gold'?

PITW! A list of all London cycle speedway clubs and league tables etc from the post-war start of the sport, compiled by cycle speedway historian Robin Richardson, can be found on http://londonspeedways.proboards.com/index.cgi You just click on the site to read its data - only need to register to Post messages. PITW!

Good old 'Wandering Wal of the Raceways' as he was known for his many tracks over a 32 year racing career.

I thought he may have rode for Ipswich as well. Obviously I was wrong.

Didn't Wal Morton - then 54 years old - ride in one Metropolitan League match?

FROM oldtimespeedway::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: --- In oldtimespeedway@yahoogroups.com, "John" <diabloxrojo@...> wrote: > > The Tom Farndon memorial event took place yesterday (Monday August 30 2010), the 75th anniverary of his death. Almost 100 people were at the cemetery in Foleshill, Coventry to mark the occasion. Five generations - 20 relatives - of the Farndon family were there including the youngest, four=week-old Beth. > Former rider Col Smith brought along a JAP replica of the famous Ove Fundin Norich Track Spare No.2 which was started after the ceremony. Mike Lawrence brought along a 1940s Exelsior and a 1928 Dirt-Track Douglas. the weather was kind and the ceremony was conducted by WSRA Honorary Chaplain the Rev Mike Whawell.

Pat Flanagan (real name RONALD Flangan) was originally a Harringay junior, then rode for Aldershot, Rayleigh, Weymouth, Newcastle, Canterbury. He also raced in Ireland, Denmark and Germany. At one-time he worked as a porter at London's Covent Garden.

Jack Adams was also one of the pioneer stock car drivers when the sport ca,e to the UK in 1954. Back in 1929 I am fairly certain that he rode for England in a test match against Wales.

JOHN CHAPLIN WRITES::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > The Tom Farndon memorial event is certainly still going ahead. In fact I was with he Rev Mike Whawell only yesterday working out a brief running order. I have also sent out lots of invitations to many former Coventry riders and am awaiting their response before being able to commit to numbers. I will be at Coventry speedway on the 20th to do publicity on the track mic and there will be details in the programme nearer the time thanks to the help of David Rowe. I have alerted the local media who are taking an interest so I am keeping my fingers crossed. But no matter how many and how few decide to turn up (it is a Bank Holiday after all) I will be there with some members of the Farndon family. I am hoping Colin Pratt can persuade some of the team to be there, but in any event we will have a JAP bike there to make a bit of noise. Also Miss Lorraine Tedds, the young lady who claims to have seen Tom's ghost in the cemetery on the anniversary of his death - the day we are holding the event - will be there. > So roll up. See you all there. > John Chaplin >

"Speedway Tonight" The Story of Davies Park. Speedway by Tony Webb ISBN 978 1 921555 50 3 This 140 page soft cover publication just released by Boolarong Press, Queensland Historical publishers, of Brisbane, traces the history of speedway racing at Davies Park, Brisbane 1927-1932. This well researched book by Tony Webb includes a study of the legendary promoter A.J. Hunting, commentary on the Australian riders corresponding seasons in England, details of company structures, Council decisions and social connections. There are over 60 rare photographs, many from private collections, riders statistics, a list of Davies Park riders, bibliography, interviews with speedway personalities, endnotes and index. Separate chapters have been devoted to A. J. Hunting, the late Jack Arnott and speedway riders who became aviators. Also included are biographies on all the members of the original Australian party to England The book has the approval of the A.J. Hunting family who granted the author a rare interview with access to family documents. The author's objectives were to firmly state the part that Brisbane played in the export of the concept of speedway racing to the world and to claim its place in the heritage of speedway racing. Recognition is also given to the late Jack Arnott of New Zealand who was the sole fatality at Davies Park. Many little known facts were uncovered during the author's many hours of research through city and State archives, old progammes, magazines and over fifty personal interviews which add up to make interesting reading. Reg Fearman, former rider, and chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Association, a man who has a close connection with speedway worldwide, wrote the foreword. Price is $29.95 [approx. £17] Available now from the author at 15 Tranquil Street, Sunnybank Hills, QLD 4109 phone 61 7 3711 5885 binbooks@iinet.net.au From the publisher Boolarong Press PO Box 308 Moorrooka QLD 4107. 1/655 Toohey Road, Salisbury, QLD. 4107 61 7 3373-7855 Email publish@boolarongpress.com.au. www.boolarongpress.com.au and on the net www.abebooks.com www.bibliOZ.com The book will also be available on the speedway bookstand at Vintage Speedcar Spectacular at Brisbane Ekka on September 11 2010 Reviews. "A well researched look at a forgotten period of speedway history." Mark Robertson former Brisbane promoter "Tony Webb has excelled again with his in depth research on Australian speedway history. A worthy addition to my speedway library." Lester Naumann Toowoomba Queensland "This is an amazing book on Davies Park, a speedway circuit that has definitely been ignored in the written history of speedway racing. As a boy fan, rider and promoter I had heard of Davies Park but read almost nothing about it. Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and the Ekka always jumped to mind when discussing speedway tracks. Thank you Tony for opening this window on the past." Reg Fearman France

PITW! Mind the lamp-post! Jack Adams has been discussed frequently on http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway over the past three years. He had strong links with the California Speedway. Southampton, Staines, as well as West Ham and also rode for England in an unofficial test match in 1929. The site also has some photos. You need to register to gain access. Then go to messages search and the references will appear. Mind the lamp-post! PITW!

A member of the history site that 'must not be me mentioned' PITW has found a link to the Spanish speedway rider Maximiliano Berardinelli (correct). It can be found at http://pdf.diariohoy.net/2001/04/19/pdf/c12.pdf

In the 2002 Argentine season, one of the starters in the International Argentinian Championship was Maximiliano Berrardinelli of Spain. He didn't do very well managing just 0.5 points in the final. However, is more known about his possible speedway activity in Europe or was he a Spaniard then living in Argentina who took up speedway there? I ask because Berrardinelli is the subject of debate on a history site which I won't mention as it usually gets one BSF member annoyed. PITW.

John Chaplin writes::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I am planning to hold a commemorative event for Tom Farndon at his graveside on the 75th anniversary of his death at 3pm on Monday, August 30th. As you know, Tom was an icon at New Cross, and was the longest reigning British Champion when he died following a track crash at New Cross on the eve of the 1935 Star Final at Wembley, for which he was favourite to win for a second time. , His headstone in Foleshill cemetery, Coventry, where he was born, is a unique listed monument, a speeding motorcyclist in art deco black marble. I have permission to stage the event at the graveside. It will be conducted by the Rev Mike Whawell, official chaplain to the World Speedway Riders Association, and the only vicar to my knowledge who owns a speedway bike, with a steel shoe to go with it. I am hoping that at least one or two of the Coventry team will be there - those who are not riding in Poland the previous day. Other speedway personalities have been invited, principally double World Champion Fred Williams and past presidents of the WSRA, Bert Harkins and Terry Stone. In my book on the life and racing career of the hugely popular speedway star, Tom Farndon: The Greatest Speedway Rider Of Them All, he is likened to the David Beckham of his day. There is also a report that his ghost has been seen in the cemetery on the anniversary of his death - but we don't want that to put people off. For those who would like to be there on the day, direction details are as follows: St Pauls Cemetery Lodge Holbrook Lane Coventry West Midlands CV6 4BY http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&sou....ls+cem&gs_rfai=

I had links with John Davis in the 1980s - my wife who is Spanish used to translate material from Argentina for him at one stage. I also had contacts with Argentine rider Juan Carlos Curzio at one-time. I do not remember john Davis ever winning the Argentine Speedway Championship.

Canl we match the Danes in this sphere at Cardiff?

Simply magic stuff!

This will take place on Sunday, October 17, 2010, at the Country Park (Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham, Berks) where the speedway took place. The organisers are still looking for any cine film that was taken there - especially of the racing. Everyone welcome. More details from Stuart Towner 020 8397 6599.

Re: HONOURS LIST The email links appear broken in the Post below. Hopefully this second try will give them in full. stephanie.legg@culture.gsi.gov.uk Angela.Bardo@Wales.gsi.gov.uk > > From Stu Towner, 'Friends of Speedway": > > A short time ago Neil Machin appealed in Speedway Star for fans support for the achievements of ex-world champion Mark Loram to be recognised via our Honours system. Shortly after John Chaplin put the case for the 1950's double world champion Freddie Williams. Fans supporting these proposals should, for Mark, write to Honours Team, 2- 4 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5DH or e-mail stephanie.legg@culture.gsi.gov.uk > However, as these matters have now been devolved fans supporting the case for Freddie should write to Miss Angelo Bardo, Honours Secretary, Welsh Assembly, Room 1-001, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ or e-mail HYPERLINK "mailto:Angela.Bardo@..." Angela.Bardo@Wales.gsi.gov.uk >

COPIES OF THE BOOK ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM RAY LAMBERT::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ‘KEEP TURNING LEFT’ by Ray Lambert ISBN 978-0-9544519-5-0 £6.99 plus £1 p&p Please make cheques/POs for £7.99p (single copy) payable to: ‘RAYL Publishing’ and send to: RAYL Publishing, 13 Weedswood Road, Chatham, Kent, ME5 OQR Print clearly your full name, address and postcode. Anecdotes and little known facts from speedway’s very beginning and right up to date. Read about ‘the man that started it all’, Johnnie Hoskins. Tough men in a tough sport but their humour and friendliness shows through. • •• Please send me _________ copy(s) of ‘Keep Turning Left’ on publication. I enclose a cheque for £ __________ (Orders on plain paper acceptable) KEEP TURNING LEFT Name: Address: Postcode: Ray Lambert

It is the columns of so-called bumf now being written that in 50 years (if there's still speedway!) that will be quoted by speedway historians. Don't decry Darrell Mason (he's not thingy - show some respect). The present in the future will be the past. Darrell Mason has played a role in helping to achieve history by his writings of the 1970s.

A few years ago, Malaysia was hailed as the new take-off country for speedway, with results carried in Speedway Star. Ricky Wells was the top visiting star but some locals also had some positive results. From what I gather, it lasted just the one season despite some good attendances at meetings. What went wrong? Why the sudden demise for the sport in Malaysia?

120,000 for one meeting. How does that equate to the overall attendances throughout the season in the UK? Does it get anywhere near that - how many do attend during the season in the UK?

SUNDAY APRIL 11 2010: DETAILS BELOW::: > This event is a motor cycle day with speedway connections. > Runs from 0.900hr-16.00hrs. > Speedway Colin,Nigel Gabbitas will be in attendance with a display of bikes. > Whitewebbs Museum, Whitewebbs Roads..Enfield. > Hope this is of interest to you. > All the best Terry Stone