speedyguy

Why don't you start in alphabetical order with all riders since 1928? What is the objective of all these queries. Here's one: T Pankhurst http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Like you BobBath, I am mystified at MrP1928's Post. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Just checked the Poole website. George Stanislas rode there in 1958 and 1959 and scored an overall five points. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

As I thought, a southern track i.e Poole. Possibly he was an Australian? http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Know the name as GEORGE Stanislas. That's all at the moment but the old "mental computer" will work on this. Fancy Stanislas may have been with a southern-based track? http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Maurice 'Slant' Payling of Belle Vue. So-called by Johnnie Hoskins in late 1950s - because of the acute slope of Payling's handwriting. After Belle Vue, I recall Payling rode in the Provincial League. Sometime around 1956 I sold him my bike - for £25! Previously owned by pals Maury McDermott, who sold it on to Al Holliday before I bought it (and poodled around the tracks at practice!) http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Where is the link? http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Yes I remember that match well. Bob Warner was forced into action for Young England using borrowed equioment after Leo McAuliffe broke down on the way to the track. As it turned out, dear old Bob was Young England's match winner. And riding for Young Overseas was one Ivan Mauger! http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

I am sure this is very profound but it's a bit above my head What exactly does it mean in regard to the Smiths? http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

I believe that he started out at Southampton before joining Plymouth and also drove Skirrow midget cars for the Dave Hughes group. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

I think that he may also have riddem at SAL level for Ringwood and Eastbourne? Not certain offhand, but the name rings a bell from my links with that league in the late 1950s. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

There was some sort of league operating out of Tri-City Speedway, NJ, as far back as the 1935-37 era. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

This is all getting interesting as we approach the 2008 80th anniversary of High Beech. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

C Smith is probably Col Smith, who was at Coventry - I think offhand - in the early 1960s. There is a File about him on the yahoo history site at http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

I have done a check on this photo. It was signed A Sherlock. It looks as though the way the A runs into the S may have given the impression of being 'Alf'. Positive it is in fact Arthur Sherlock. When was he at Leicester ? - and elsewhere? http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

There has been some debate about this recently on the yahoo site http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway It seems there was some sort of league on the East Coast around 1937. And debate has also taken place about some sort of league/team competition in 1949. The site also gives evidence that plans for an American League - including Australians Bert Spencer and Ernie Evans - was being discussed around the 1934-1935 period.

There's a photo of an ALF Sherlock on this yahoo site: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway It can be found in the Photos album 'Veterans Riders Up to 1939.' Could ALF Sherlock in fact be ARTHUR Sherlock - or vice versa?

Ernie Price anyway was far from part-time. He was a heat leader post-war with Bradford, an England international, and qualifier for the British Riders Championship (immediate post-war substitute event for world championship). Nor, do I think Ernie Appleby was exactly a part-time rider. He rode and scored well for several clubs just after WW2. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

There most certainly is a supermarket on the old Rayleigh speedway site, but I understand there is also a plaque to commemorate that there was once a track. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Yes it was a great day. In 2008, I understand it will be on a weekend day rather than a Friday. That should prove an even greater attraction. Have you seen the album of photos on http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Geoff Hughes - he rode at Wimbledon around mid-1960s. Later switched to midget car racing in 1970s early 1980s. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

PRESS RELEASE BY STUART TOWNER Held Friday October 12 2007 The Second California Reunion Report This event which was organised by Friends of Speedway was blessed with reasonable weather, but not as glorious as the day before which was what was forecast. However, it didn’t stop folk pouring in to the park to meet old friends (a couple said they had met up with people they had not seen for 50 years!) and to make new ones. With next year being the 80th Anniversary of speedway in the UK, the organisers had assembled a line-up of speedway machines from 1928 to the present day. This created an enormous amount of interest, especially when one or two were started up. The local wildfowl were not too impressed and flew off in all directions, but returned when the engines stopped. With people comparing like for like, the 1928 Douglas (the first laydown engine) and the four-valve Rudges (these had four valves in 1925) showed that there was nothing new in this day and age. The organisers, FoS stalwarts George Thompson, Roy Allison and Stuart Towner; had invited as many of the old riders and personalities that they had been able to trace. Others turned up having read about the reunion in the various press reports. Amongst those present were: ex-California riders Eric Hockaday, Jimmy Gleed, Ron Walton, Al Holliday, Bill Pittingale and Ron Fromant. Others ex-riders in attendance were Terry Stone, Malcolm Terry, Bill Holden, Bill Valance, Cecil Bailey and Mike Lawrence. Terry should not be classed as ex as he still rides with the famous Men in Black troupe. California was not only known for the speedway, as one of the attractions was the pavilion which hosted dances on its glass floored ballroom every Sunday evening after the speedway. Roy had managed to trace the bandleader, Bob Potter (who now owns the Lakeside complex) from those far off days to attend also. Heather White came and made herself known saying she was a member of the catering staff there in the mid-50s and that her father-in-law rode there in the 1930s. Cliff Cook arrived to say he used to drive the train and the boat on the lake (these were other attractions too). Incidentally, the boat was an old beach landing craft from WWII. Bryan Horsnell was there to make sure the recently unearthed concrete starting grid was properly swept, he was a member of the track staff and that was his task at the speedway meetings. As the above team are researching what went on there, especially the speedway, people bought their memorabilia to show the organisers and some even entrusted them on loan so that they can be copied. The idea of this is that a book will be started over the winter to compile the complete history of the Country Park at California-in-England. The organisers wish to thank all those who came and shared their memories, for the loan of items, to the people who bought machines and to the staff of the park. It now looks as if this will be an annual event, but the main difference being that it will be held on a week-end date. ADD NOTE: There is an album of 11 photos from the day on: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway They include not only former California riders but ex-Southampton favourites Cecil Bailey, Bill Holden and Jack Vallis. Happy memories of Bannister Court and promoter Charlie Knott.

Just to remind everyone. Jim Gregory will be there with the old time speedway bikes:: PRESS RELEASE WIMBLEDON Speedway fans will be supporting the second California-in-England Speedway Reunion next Friday (October 12, 11am-4pm). The Berkshire track was a training centre for the Dons in the mid-1950s and provided many talented riders to the track. The venue is California Country Park, Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berks, RG40 4HT. Many former riders will attend, and there will also be a display of historic speedway bikes. For more information contact Stuart Towner 020 8397 6599 or email: stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/wimbledonspeedway

Here is a further press release from Stuart Towner regarding the open day at the California-in-England speedway on Friday October 12: PRESS RELEASE The day for the second California-in-England Speedway Reunion on 12th October 2007 is fast approaching and the list of personnel is growing by the minute. 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 where you will be directed to a car parking position, and then there is a short walk to the display area which will include a selection of machines covering 80 years of speedway in Britain. If you have any memorabilia/memories please make your self known to any of the three researchers bearing their name badges. We are also interested in any cine film that could be loaned to be copied. Also on display will be speedway photographs and team body colours including a reproduction California Poppies body colour. Here you will be able to talk with riders (please see their name badges) 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 to bring back memories of those earlier days. Part of the presentation will be guided walks to what remains of the track where you can stand on the recently unearthed concrete start/finish line with marked out starting boxes; for those interested you can walk the racing line (stout footwear recommended). The park offers a wealth of historic interest in itself, plus a cafeteria with toilets. The display will be open between 11am ‘till 4pm. For further information please call Stuart Towner on 0208-397 6599 or HYPERLINK "mailto:stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk" stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Gosh Malcolm! Inaccuracies - I thought you were going to tell me that Keith Harvey was a Canadian! Thanks for clearing up the Rob Hollingworth situation. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway