speedyguy

Getting confused (I am very old!!!!) - can anyone set out in chronological order Jim Tebby's tracks from Harringay 1952 to Newport 1975. Oxford has now been mentioned. Again, thanks to all who can help me in this atter. And if Jim was at Harringay in 1952, where and when did he start? How old - about 15 years?

That would be 60s, 70s, 80s and very early 90s?

Here's another long-server, the Canadian rider Mike Tams. He was at Eastbourne in 1947, rode in Ireland after that, then was at Newcastle, Southampton and Ringwood. Returned to Canada, riding there for many years, as well as on the USA's East Coast circuit. He retired sometime in the early 1980s when into his early sixties. That gives him a five decade span - 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Sadly, now 89 years old, Mike is seriously ill in a Toronto Hospital.

Here's two namess to furrow the brow! Stan Tebby and George Bason: Stan Tebby - started at California-in-England in 1939 and was still riding on tracks in France at the beginning of the 1970s. Only ever raced speedway on junior tracks. George Bason - started at California-in-England in mid-1930s, also rode pre-war rode at Oxford and Crystal Palace. Post-war several league clubs including being captain at Southampton for a while in 1947. He spend the late 1950s riding in Germany and France and continued in France until late into the 1960s, may even have done a few meetings there in the early 1970s. So, that makes Stan Tebby five decades and Bason certainly four with a query over an extension into the 1970s. Does anyone else remember either rider? Stan's last bike is on show at the London Motorcycle Museum in Greenford, Middlesex.

I am certain that Cyril Brine started riding on junior tracks about 1938 - against brother Percy and brother-in-law Dick Geary. Did he go through until the 1970s? Not certain offhand but I don't think so, so that would be four decades for Briney - 30s.40s. 50s, 60s.

I am looking for details on Jim Tebby: when did he move from Wimbledon to Newport. I believe it was an acrimonious departure from Plough Lane after he invested in new equipment for the season and was only told at the pre-season practice he was no longer wanted by the Dons. Was his father Stan his mechanic when he rode for Newport - and when did Stan die? Also, I know this asking a lot - aprt from Harringay to Wimbledon then Newport - did Jim ride for any other tracks (excluding California-in-England). Many thanks indeed for any comments.

Quite right."Wandering Wal' started at Coventry in 1932 - after retiring from boxing!

Beat me to it - Wal Morton of course in the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. And in teams with all-time greats like Vic Huxley, Bluey Wilkinson, Vic Duggan, Jack Young, Ove Fundin - to name just a few.

Wasn't Graham Miles the tallest rider?

This the last Post on the Speedway Espanae site, made in February 2008. Has anything happened since then? Russ returns to the UK and finally gets to start work full time, this will pay dividends not only financially but also from a self worth perspective for him having been technically out of work for over two and a half years and relying on Claire for an income. Hilario tries repeatedly to contact Bartolome again to no avail, we find this very strange as it was him that expressed the interest in helping us! The month comes and goes and absolutely no progress is made. Hilario is given times to ring the office when Bartolome is due in but it never materializes and our frustration grows. We find it unbelievable that a Government Department can be so innept as to be so far behind with processing applications and despite being some four months behind back in October when we presented our project, still, some five months later we are no nearer having ours looked at by the engineer and then it taking its place up on the wall of the building before finally being signed off in Malaga. The problem we face now is that as time ticks by and another month is wasted our window of opportunity is beginning to close. Our target, paperwork permitting was to open in late May or even early June but as the situation is now and considering the abuse and grief we took following the cancellation back in May last year, we are not prepared to take anymore gambles after being let down so badly before. We have all agreed that no decision will be taken until we are in possession of the very last piece of paperwork and unfortunately come September, two of our already secured permissions expire due to only being valid for twelve months. This would mean that if we took the decision to go ahead with the project we would have to reapply for those permissions and potentially run the risk of more delays or even a possible complete change of heart. March is now an extremely critical month for us as if there is to be the tinyest of possibilities for us to open, we must make some progress in the next four or so weeks. And now we are into June.

Usual key - try to get a photo of him where his name is shown on the back mudguard. That settled a lot of queries for me in regard to Mick MacKeon, Mick McKeon, Mick Mackeon and Mick Mckeon. Trouble is - I now forget which is correct!

I am certain the new magazine 'Classic Speedway' will prove as popular and successful as the one it succeeds - 'Vintage Speedway Magazine'.

Eric Hockaday was in fine form when I saw him at last October's 'California Speedway' reunion in Berkshire. And when he phoned me in February. Eric was as chatty as ever.

This is a similar thought to my own. The concept of the venture was blazoned everywhere a couple of years ago - when it goes a@$e upwards and you try to find out why, there's a stunning silence. Or you get criticised by raising the mater. If the attempt to 'revive'/start speedway in Spain has collapsed, then those involved should admit the fact. We were told that a meeting set for early April between themselves and the town officials would decide the venture's future. Why no follow-up? It was nearly seven weeks ago that the meeting was scheduled to take place. Even Spanish officialdom does not move that slowly.

Hi there Norbold! Fat finger on my keyboard to blame. Well spotted. Original message corrected. Over and out!

Could Dunphy had been an endearment for Dunton (dear old Danny)?

Last request for information was May 9 2008 - regarding a possible meeting between Russell Paine and the local authorities in Soain re his application for sanction to open his track. This was set for the early part of April. We are now looking towards the end of May. Again I ask 'did a meeting take place and what was the outcome?' Will there be speedway in Spain soon?

Ted Howell was still alive towards the end of last year. I believe he is in his eighties now. There was feature article about his involvement with speedcars (500cc midget cars) in 'Short Circuit' magazine about six years ago.

Besides his speedway career, Cecil Bailey was also a competent motor sport photographer. It would be interesting to know if he still has his original negatives. They would be quite valuable.

Cecil Bailey was certainly alive last October (2007). He was among guests at the California-in-England speedway reunion in Berkshire. Also there were Bill Holden and Jack Vallis.

Frank Bettis lives in Hastings. Harold MacNaughton is dead. Lionel Levy is dead. Ron Sharp is dead.

Well said, Sir!

Why should I have money tied up in a Spanish speedway promotion? Or want to if this venture is any indication of the way things are organised. Nor would I plan a holiday to visit the area at the present time or any time - for what. My part of Spain is the area around Malaga. I have no 'spokesman in Spain' but members of the Spanish side of my family one of whom told me about a possible car track in the Ronda area. Where my relatives live is many miles from where the Russell Paine venture IS/WAS planned for. I am not on Steve Ribbons' back. He just made a strong attack on me because I asked what other Posters have agreed was a justified query. ie "Is there any follow up from the meeting on April 8 between Paine and his local mayor's office in Spain.' I wondered about this project because I have taken an interest in speedway in Spain for many years. Yes, there was speedway in Spain long before Mr Paine and Mr Ribbons arrived on the scene there.

Thank you. It is good to see the voice of reason prevailing. Obviously, somewhere in his brief "Wimbledon stay" I trod on Steve Ribbons toes in some way. All I want to know is 'will there be a speedway track in Spain?'

My sentiments exactly. The venture in Spain came in with a blaze of publicity - now it is suggested what is happening should be kept secret. With this mentaility backing it, is there really any hope for it? The date April 8 was given as when Russell Paine would meet local councillors in Spain and know what was happening in regard to his project. So far, we have heard nothing - and somehow I don't think we are going to. But I would love to be proved wrong and see speedway in Spain - AGAIN!