speedyguy

WITW! By the way Jimmy B I did meet the great Anders Michanek several times in the 1970s when I was involved with the old 'Speedway Mail'. I found him most helpful and informative. WITW!

No, it was Gothenburg! WITW!

Jumbo Webb. Raced at California in the late 1950s, may also have moved to Aldershot.

Is the guy who rode in meetings in Paris in the early 1930s?

Not so. Perhaps the OTS poster was wrong and you are correct in regard to Howdy Byford's writings about his time in a Japanese PoW camp. Who knows?

Many thanks for the link. It looks a daunting task and the team squads are not collated but just various names included in the seasonal reviews...but what is needed can and will be done.

This is a message 5444 (October 5 2009) posted on the first site in my signatures It could, of course, be a different set of articles. The OTS message reads: Re: They went to war...1939-45 The Speedway Gazette ran a series of articles on Howdy Byford, written by the champ himself. This was 1951-52. They were very detailed They ran for several weeks.

Any help for the site that appears second in my signatures would be appreciated. What is needed are the Arena Essex teams squads and the leagues/divisions competed in for the seasons between 1991 and 1996. Many thanks for any help.

Are you sure it was the Speedway Star and not the Speedway Gazette (the latter about 1951)?

California Reunion 2009 SENT BY STU TOWNER, 'Friends of Speedway": The Fourth California Reunion Report The morning of 11th October dawned very damp misty and the organisers were worried it may put people off of coming along. It didn't really get a lot better until it was time to clear up and then the sun came out – typical British weather! They had organised a line-up of speedway machines to span the years that the sport had been in existence. This year the ice speedway racing bike was included with an engine. Also something different was a rotary engined grass track machine to compliment the display. Various machines were started during the afternoon so that the assembled throng could savour the different sounds from one era to another and the intoxicating aroma of methanol and Castrol R. By 11am folk had started to drift in and the place began to buzz with people chatting and meeting up with friends both old and new. As always the reunion was organised by Friends of Speedway and very soon their stall was busy with enthusiasts looking for a bargain amongst their goodies on display. They also had a 1970s Jawa speedway bike fitted with a reaction tester which was great fun especially for the children attending to be able to sit on a bike and do a dummy start as if at the tapes. As part of the attractions there was an organised tour of the California Country Park by two of the park wardens. As there used to be a holiday camp there in the past it was called a Hi-Di-Hi Tour. As part of this tour, Bryan Horsnell, who used to sweep the concrete starting grid (and it's still there) told folk about the days of the Poppies as the team was nicknamed then. There was also a small display of riding apparel through the ages from two-piece leathers through to modern day Kevlars and helmets to match. Quite a few riders were in attendance from the 1950s era which included: Jim Gleed, Eric Hockaday, Eric Jolly, Len Glover, Pete Rogers, George Major, Terry Stone, Jim Gregory and Dave Collett. The organisers were very excited when a family arrived and showed not one but five postcards of pre-war speedway racing there. It was good also to meet up with John, the son of Norman Cartlidge who was the Promoter there and who's grandfather Alfred cut the original track out with a horse and plough. Referee, Dave Robinson was another visitor who was in charge of the Elite league final at Swindon the next evening. Terry Stone was doing brisk business selling raffle tickets in aid of the proposed extension of the Speedway Museum at Broxbourne in Hertfordshire. There was also a display of Romford Bombers memorabilia. The organisers wish to thank all those who displayed bikes, some coming considerable distances. The feedback from the wardens was that they were very pleased with the day; so it's roll on next year. Ends. NOTE: An album of about 25 photos from the day can be found under California Reunion 2009 on the site listed first in my signature.

WITW! That's interesting! WITW!

I think Star ghost is reflecting our concerns that once the topic of a revived London Riders Championship was in the public domain, an answer as to what has happened in it being dropped is much overdue. Like your goodself, I am surprised that after all the 'pre-championship hype' the non-staging is seemingly being conveneiently forgotten by Lakeside.

One reason being put out for the end of Lakeside's season is that the stadium will not be available. As I mentioned previously, it seems the stadium will be operational into November. Lakeside first brought up the subject of a 'revived' London Riders Championship. They DO OWE AN EXPLANATION as to why it is being conveneintly forgotten. Not even a line like "plans to stage the London Riders Championship this year have been put on hold" or even "plans to stage the London Riders Championship have been abandoned." As Lakeside first initiated the championship's return, surely they should give their reason for not staging it...when it appears the venue is still available?

Apart from those names - I liked your signature tribute to Jack Winstanley who I featured in VSM some years ago. A really great and loveable personality.

Whoops!! Thanks for the answer.

I know someone can confirm so I won't ask somebody to do so - but did Vic Huxley rider for Wimbledon or Harringay in the 1930 Southern League? I need the informationto confirm that season's line-ups for the second listing in my signature!

Not too my knowledge. When was this?

That appears to be a very unkind and not needed comment about Bryn. I'll say no more!

Then we must hope that many people will turn up for what is always an enjoyable day. Chance is that I'll have to get the train from Waterloo to Wokingham - then a taxi. I once walked that distance - and enjoyed the pubs on the way. That was in the days when Jim Gleed, Ted Pankhurst (later a stock car champion), George Bason, Pete Mould and Gil Goldfinch were in the side - guess it was 1954.

I agree. No LRC - yet it was a much lauded event set for Lakeside earlier in the year. And wasn't there criticisms of those who tended to think it might not take place? Otherwise as these dates confirm, it's business as usual for the "other motorsport" at the same facility - ARENA ESSEX Sunday, 11 October Rookie Bangers plus Ministox Essex Championship & Lightning Rods Supreme Championship Sunday, 18 October 2L.Bangers Olly Moran Memorial plus 1300 Stock Cars Supreme Championship & Super Bangers Essex. Sunday, 25 October @1pm Rookie Bangers plus Group A Hot-Rods Supreme, Outlaw Hot-Rods & Brisca F2 Stock Cars W&Y Sunday, 1 November @ 1. 00pm The Unlimited Open Banger Meeting of the Year plus Gigantic Fireworks Display

I raised this because earlier in the year much was made by Lakeside Hammers of the revival of London Riders Championship, together with a promise (?) it would be held at the end of this season. That time has arrived yet no reason has been given why the sport's oldest individual event is not being brought back (at least in 2009). And why the early end of the Lakeside season at Arena Essex - the other motorsport at Arena Essex has a couple more meetings on its schedule before the end of this year.

That really is an impressive list. I'l crosscheck the names against the original batch sent for this season. Thanks again.

QUOTE (Robbie B @ Oct 8 2009, 09:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 2005 Dons Grant MacDonald Mark Burrows Scott James Matthew Wright Andrew Bargh Peter Collyer Danny Betson James Clement Lee Studwick Rob Smith Karl White That's quick off the mark! Thank you for your help.

Rather embrasssing but I also need the Wimbledon CL team squads for the 2005 season. i had them in a file on laptop, clicked the wrong button and sent them to trash - and my search system cannot retrieve the data. That are needed to complete the Dons line-up for the second file in my signature. Thanks everyone.