coventry speedway past riders coventry speedway past riders

Even getting there was an adventure, with Coventry Transport providing a fleet of buses from Wheatley Street, and charging 1s 4 1/2d RETURN - no half fares - because, I believe, the stadium was outside the city boundary and they couldn't charge to come back, starting outside the city. losing his life, seven spectators were killed..Rinat MARDANSHIN died after developing a blood clot during a routine operation to remove a metal plate from an injured collar-bone. You can still see stock car racing and banger racing, but you can't sit in the old grandstand because it blew away in a strong wind more than 30 years ago - probably a good thing because subsequent legislation after the Bradford football stadium fire would have made it obsolete anyway. My hero was Graham Warren (later to ride for the Bees). 1 Nigel Boocock - who else but Little Boy Blue - no sponsored vehicle or motor home, just load the bike on the back of a Ford Consul and off to the meeting! He has served several terms on the British Speedway Promoters' Association management committee. I told him we had it there, put it in a Tesco bag and brought it down to Highfield Road.. You need to be signed in to respond to this topic. My wife was then a medical social worker at Coventry hospital so she got to see the downside of Speedway when riders came in to be treated for their injuries. 122 of 311 Wed 2nd Jul 2014 9:58pm. When Mike McGinnity took over the chairmanship he made Mr Reason deputy chairman. I thought that it was just the 'proles' of Leamington and Warwick doing it because they had no Speedway track.. Between 1973 and 1984 I lived in Coventry, not far from Brandon stadium, the home of Coventry "Bees". [citation needed], Pratt was also a full England international and rode in two World Team Cup finals. A statement on the club website said: Coventry City are saddened to learn of the death of former vice chairman and director John Reason. My first taste of Smiths crisps also comes to mind along with early fireworks at the end of the season. 584. Five riders and officials died. . A spectator Hickman was killed when running on to the track to aid a fallen rider. The Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund exists as a charity in order to assist these individuals in their times of need. Something went wrong, please try again later. MATT MINSHULL XBB04479_MM_002. From 1947 to 2005 there was a place in Exeter where you could watch the Falcons fly. A Oliver Allen (speedway rider) Hans Andersen (speedway rider) B Henning Bager David Bargh Ben Barker (speedway rider) Ian Barney Steve Bastable Josh Bates (speedway rider) Mick Bell There are some other that have stood out over the years, Les Owen, Gary Guglielmi, Tommy Knudsen, Greg Hancock, Scott Nicholls to name a few. This is a tribute to those heroes of speedway, long-track, grass-track, and ice speedway, who are no longer with us.The following list includes not only those who paid the ultimate price for their love of speed, but many who lost their livesaway from the track, but during their racing careers. We chatted about this incident after the race with another spectator who said" Ah well that's Olle Nygren for you, he would chop up his own grandmother if necessary!" If you stood at the top of the banking you could look down into the pits where the riders and mechanics tinkered and swore.". Per-Ole Soderman - our biggest loss, who should have done far more. READ MORE: Campaign group signals bid to bring speedway back to Brandon Stadium despite plans for new homes on site. My first memories of the Coventry Bees, was going with my dad during the fifties, with the crawl of traffic through Binley Woods. BARNETT, William (USA).Sep 8, 1912Vailsburg Motordrome, Newark, NJ, USA (B-R). Speaking about his career he said: I left school at 14 and began an apprenticeship as an aero engineer at Whitley aerodrome where the Jaguar is now. The SCB wanted to ensure competitive teams, an entirely laudable aim, except that it meant an annual musical chairs of riders moving from track to track. "To lose a track that I remember going to as a kid, my dad remembers going to as a kid, now being pregnant and knowing I'm not going to be able to have that experience with my own child.". GOLDSMITH, George (Australia)Feb 9, 1929Melbourne Motordrome, VIC, Australia (Z-B). There was a horrific crash in 1973 involving local favourites John Harrhy and Les Owen. Looking back now it all seems very kitsch. Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, Met Gala 2023: Stars celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, Yellen warns US could run out of cash in a month, Photo of Princess Charlotte shared as she turns 8, King Charles to wear golden robes for Coronation, More than 100 police hurt in French May Day protests, The 17 most eye-catching looks at the Met Gala. You're quite right, Philip, and the sport has never really "caught on" with the new generations who have all the alternatives for leisure and pleasure The machines themselves were low-saddled and always seemed on. Unsurprisingly the riders wear yellow and black colours. In addition to Johnson. Brandon Stadium, for so long a mecca of speedway, is now derelict and vandalized. He was a great ambassador not just for Coventry but for Speedway in general. He was local to Coventry and everything he did was in Coventry. However he has done speedway in this country no favours since taking over the GP series & for that reason he is omitted. Campaigners have won a long-running battle to save a speedway stadium from being turned into housing. FOEHNER, Thomas (USA)Sep 8, 1912..Vailsburg Motordrome, Newark, NJ, USA (B-R). Born in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, Pratt lived near to Mike Broadbank from whom he bought his first speedway bike at the age of nineteen, and practised at the nearby Rye House track. My uncle was a convenor there and pulled a few strings to get me in. On the front was Mighty Mitch and the back window had Super Shirra. He added Brandon's demise had been "another nail in the coffin" of speedway, which has seen other tracks close in recent years. Wembley operated every Wednesday with 90,000 people, so it was a massive sport with tracks all over the country. I don't know if there was speedway on the original surface because that is well before my time. He was a great ambassador not just for Coventry but for Speedway in general. Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team that was formed in 1928. This is a perennial problem in Speedway. However the Speedway Control Board had "allocated" him to ride at Hull. Apologies for any omissions or inaccuracies, but if you have any amendments or additions (including additional information for current listings), please do not hesitate to contact me, Steve Brown,at. These riders invariably participated in both disciplines, as well as road-racing. A spectator, I have no details of the accident in which Rudolf lost his life. Dont be late. I later worked as a track scratcher, as being said for about 10/-. One night in 1975 Olle Nygren was riding in his last year for King's Lynn. Coventry. The current promoters are the Spedeworth organisation. ANDREWS, Henry (USA).Jul 30, 1913..Lagoon Motordrome, Ludlow, KY, USA (B-R). Our thoughts and condolences are with Johns family and friends at this sad time.. He also qualified for the final of the Speedway World Championship in 1967. Speedway does seem to be struggling. A young boy by the last name of Heikkuri was killed when Kauko Jousanen left the track and crashed into a viewing area. It was a nickname coined when he was once caught eating a cream bun in a cafe by his speedway pals at the height of his success, and one which stuck. This article was first published on 5th January 2020, "Re your article on Olsen and his less able team mates, you haven't got a clue what it takes to team ride. I seem to remember a "Bees" rider by the name of Jim Lightfoot, anyone else remember the name ? Sebastian ROTH was practicing for the Motorcycle Grand Prix of Switzerland, when he pulled his machine to the edge of the track, and died from a heart attack. The original stock car track was shale and then concrete before getting a tarmac surface some time in the 1960's. I didn't know that Coventry had a dog track even. He and a pal bought a Dodge lorry each and started as hauliers. I'm amazed at the dog track news. A look around the sparse crowds attending UK speedway meetings will reveal that the average age is relatively high, and new supporters and fans are just not appearing in any sort of numbers. 4 Ron Mountford - they say that they had to repaint the kick-boards after each meeting where The Man had left tyre marks in his all-action style As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Please consider making a donation to the SRBF via their website : www.srbf.co.uk, LEGENDA-R : Auto Race (Japanese speedway)B-R : Board Racing (a forerunner of speedway in the US)CGH : Czech Golden HelmetF-T : Flat Track RacingG-T : Grass-TrackI-R : Ice RacingL-T : Long-TrackN-C : Natural CausesR-A : Road AccidentR-R : Road RacingZ-B : Zementbahn (similar to Board Racing, but on concrete tracks). Add 4 . Oakes, Peter (1963) "A Peter Oakes Speedtale on Colin Pratt: Saints Must Regret Their Decision", Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Peterborough Panthers star pays tribute to club promoter Colin Pratt who passed away at the weekend", https://www.worldspeedwayriders.org/rider/40/colin-pratt, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colin_Pratt&oldid=1062499231, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2021, Articles needing additional references from October 2021, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 December 2021, at 21:04. ROBIN ADLINGTON (New Zealand) 1974 GEORGE ALLBROOK (England) 1929-1930 BILL ALLEN (England) 1931 My aunt was the nurse and receptionist for the track doctor (Dr Peter Kenyon Snr) whose practice was in Chace Avenue and we were given complimentary stand tickets, thus starting the addiction which has never gone away. Now based on Siskin Parkway it is still run by members of the family with Mr Reasons grandchildren now in charge of it. Greg Hancock - the nicest guy ever to win championships. HEPBURN, Ralph (USA)May 16, 1948..Indianapolis, IN, USA (Car Racing - Indy 500). Also the first German rider (I believe) at Coventry, Fritz Dirtl, a leg trailer, throttle wide open, bouncing off the fence!!!! Online: Use the secure PayPal facility by clicking the Cart button below. They have a rich history of success with 5 British League titles and 3 Elite League titles not to mention cup wins and other glories. The home ground is Brandon Stadium in Warwickshire. BAKKER, Gerrit (Netherlands)Oct 11, 1925..Sappemeer, Netherlands (G-T). ", "I did not realise there was such animosity from Alan. 5 Tommy Knudsen - the young Dane who made racing look so stylish and so easy (which it never is! A total of around 30 caravans have pitched up at the former home of the Coventry Bees, Tributes paid to 'wonderful' former Coventry GP and Brandon Stadium doctor, The funeral of Dr Peter Kenyon will be held this week, Coventry beekeeper starts new group to educate on the importance of bees, A beekeeper from Coventry, has started to a new group called Bee Friendly to make more access to areas in Coventry where bees can be supported, Coventry Stadium would reopen as motorsport venue under new proposal, Racing at the stadium ended in 2016 when it was purchased by Brandon Estates, Coventry Bees' former home Brandon Stadium saved from becoming housing, A motion to refuse the application was carried unanimously at the meeting of Rugby Borough Council, Coventry Stadium's owners face new court date over alleged security failings, New trial dates come days after the site was the target of yet another alleged arson attack, Campaigners' bid to bring speedway back to Coventry Stadium moves step closer, Save Coventry Speedway and Stox has submitted a masterplan that would return motorsports to the venue, Coventry Bees long-awaited return to the speedway track cancelled, Bees legend Chris Harris was set to return to lead the club in the special challenge match, Coventry Bees speedway team to race for one night only, Bees legend Chris Harris will be back to lead the club in the special challenge match, Coventry Stadium owners issue statement on latest fire at site and redevelopment plans, Brandon Estates Ltd has discussed its maintenance of and designs for the site in Brandon, Crews responded to a fire at the former home of Coventry Bees speedway team, Engines roar no more - the current state of Coventry Stadium, Coventry, or Brandon Stadium, has lain silent and deteriorating for almost 5 years now, Brandon Stadium trial which was set to start this week adjourned, The trial had been due to start on Monday October 11 and was expected to last four days, Brandon Stadium owners submit updated plans for former speedway arena, They say speedway returning is "not a viable use" of the site, Campaign group signals bid to bring speedway back to Brandon Stadium despite plans for new homes on site, Details of the Save Coventry Speedway & Stox Campaign Group masterplan have been included in a newsletter, The trial will start at Birmingham Magistrates' Court, Brandon Stadium trial takes a step closer, Brandon Estates Ltd is accused of failing to keep intruders out of the former arena, once home to the Coventry Bees, Brandon Stadium safety fears as youths spotted on grandstand roof, The stadium was formerly the home of the Coventry Bees speedway team, Scott Nicholls, the Bees treble-winning captain of 2007, will be back in the teams colours, Dramatic drone footage shows sorry state of Brandon Stadium, The former home of the Coventry Bees closed in 2016 following a long-running dispute, Brandon Stadium campaigners tell of 'frustrating waiting game', They are fighting plans to build houses on the site, Campaigners confident development of Brandon Stadium could be thrown out, They are optimistic after the Rugby Local Plan was adopted by the council, Rugby Local Plan boost for Brandon Stadium campaigners, The plan has been given the green light by a government planning inspector, Coventry Bees facing another year without competitive racing, The Bees have not been included in the list of teams competing in the 2019 National League. He has won sixteen major trophies as a manager or promoter. He said: I stood down for personal reasons. "My family's been going to Brandon for three generations," the 32-year-old said. Brafield track was still there a few years ago, but unfortunately it has been tarmac rather than shale for many years now. Alan was our No 2 and he and Ole made umpteen 5-1's so Alan was also one of our best too, It took guts to ride a bike without brakes so Alan well done for all your service to Coventry Bees, The Bees will never be forgotten. I knew it was time to call it a day and I did so with a heavy heart.. and spoke to the Coventry Telegraph at the time. On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. 2023 BBC. Pratt became co-promoter at the Rye House Rockets with former boss Len Silver in 1979. Mr Reasons association with the Sky Blues continued when he joined the forerunner to the vice presidents club, the Pilgrim Club before he was invited onto the board by chairman John Poynton in 1985. Ole Olsen and Coventry Bees : The Glory DaysBy Ian Davey. There's probably no better symbol of Speedway's decline. I worked there as a track raker for ten shillings a night about 1952 but I'm afraid the only names I can recall are Bob Fletcher (captain) and Pete Reason, but the smell of methanol and "Castrol R" will linger forever. I rode for England a few times and raced all over the place, Ireland and France, and was asked to go on many major tours like Australia, South Africa and South America but I thought it was more important to have a job and stick with my apprenticeship.. Everything is going to the dogs.. oops, no, they've gone too.. Everything is going to the dogs.. oops, no, they've gone too.. Riders were often sent to places they didn't want to go to. Thanks for the information, MR. Coventry-kid John was also a legendary rider with the Coventry Bees speedway team and represented England in the sport. [3] He had only second-half rides for Southampton in 1961, and was loaned to Poole Pirates for whom he rode in three matches, Ipswich Witches (two matches), and then Stoke Potters where he started to score well, with paid 15 points against Wolverhampton and a 12-point maximum against Cradley Heath. ", "Ole was a great speedway rider for our Bees but he also bought the World title to Coventry in 1978 which I had the honour to witness at Wembley (with the twin towers) plus many other honours. Warwick Greyhound Stadium, said to have been the oldest in the country (and it looked like it was too. That is now just a shopping centre. That takes skill. In 2017 Brandon Stadium failed to open, having fallen into the hands of prospective property developers. So Coventry Bees, a team that had been in existence since 1928, dropped out of the league. A spectator, I have no details of the accident in which Herbert lost his life. This was ominously blank. HEIKKURI (Finland).1956.Oulu, Finland (I-R). We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. One of the first meetings of that time was the Brandonapolis, won by the greet Jack Parker, one of the first 'foot forward' riders. Archie SHELTON was preparing to ride at Rye House when he suffered a brain hemorrhage in the pits. Very family friendly sport Speedway. Cordon remains in place after multiple stabbings that left one dead, No fairytale ending for Exeter Chiefs' departing stalwarts as La Rochelle triumph in Champions Cup semi-final, Exeter Chiefs were beaten 47-28 by La Rochelle in the semi-final of the 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup. Once the clutch was released it was simply a question of who held on to their seething steeds the longest and got around the track first. BUCHTMAN, Ethel (USA)Jul 30, 1913.Lagoon Motordrome, Ludlow, KY, USA (B-R). COVENTRY A TO Z A TO Z OF BEES RIDERS 1929-2016 KEY RIDER'S NAME (Country of birth) Years rode for Bees Some early records are unclear, so some career records for riders who rode in the 1920s and 1930s are incomplete. For a spell in the mid Seventies Mauger was peerless.