coventry speedway past riders

The Coventry Bees stopped racing at Brandon Stadium, which is currently derelict, in 2016 after failing to reach a deal to race there. On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Explore! "For a spell in the mid Seventies Mauger rode for the Exeter Falcons at the old County Ground. At 23 I was earning more money out of speedway and I enjoyed the glamour that went with it, but I had a dictum from my future father-in-law, Harry Partridge, who ran Bantam Coaches, that if I wanted to get married to his daughter then I had to get a job. Perhaps not an entirely fair racing tactic. Tributes have been paid to former Coventry City FC director and speedway rider John Reason, who has died at the age of 90. Mr Reason made a meteoric rise to speedway success after his hobby of tinkering with, and riding, old motorbikes made him a natural on the track. For a spell in the mid Seventies Mauger was peerless. The promotion closed after one season so Pratt moved to the Bradford Dukes as team manager. Speaking in 2017, Ole Olsen said British speedway was going downhill and that he feared for its future, criticizing the lack of investment in the sport. Plans to redevelop the stadium and the wider area date back several years. They called him the Galloping Mauger. Those riders marked "**". There is also additional informationregarding some of the riders listed. I have no details of the accident that claimed the lives of spectators William BELL and George Goldsmith. Coventry. The top riders, including those in the GP, should be shunted off to a sort of European Super League, with one or two teams from each of the speedway countries. "We went quite a few times back then, joining the big crowds on the back straight to watch the Falcons take on teams including riders such as Peter Collins and Ole Olsen for the Belle Vue Aces, the Coventry Bees and the White City Rebels. A marshall at a grass-track meeting, Dick was injured on May Bank Holiday Monday, and passed away several days later. Bleak outlook for British speedway, sad to report, An example of the shambles which is UK speedway is tonight's meeting at Kings Lynn, where the Bees had to track two Premier League riders with averages up to 6 points in place of two heat-leaders who were riding for their Danish League teams There have been campaigns to reinstate Speedway but so far they have come to nothing. I do fear for the future of the sport in the area. [3] After his National Service, he returned to the Rye House training track in 1960 and had his first competitive rides, reaching the final of the Whitsun Trophy. He went on to become a director of Coventry City FC, a post he held for 18 years. From 1947 to 2005 there was a place in Exeter where you could watch the Falcons fly. Jack Young - the man who made winning races look effortless. "Class A racing" is sometimes listed as an unofficial (pre-1930) US National Speedway Championship. 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!" Barnett was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives ofriders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. I have been watching The Bees, home & away, continuously since 1971. However, speedway rider Francesca Wright said losing the stadium would be "incredibly sad". while not actually racing "true" speedway, are included as 'board-racing" and "Class A racing" (similar to modern flat-tracking) were the forerunners of speedway in the. 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.. Tributes have been paid to former Coventry City FC director and speedway rider John Reason, who has died at the age of 90. On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Except Nigel didn't retire and came back to ride for another two or three year in British speedway although not with Coventry. The oval even had its own smell - hot dogs and onions, and the sweet tang of speedway bike exhaust fumes. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. JIRECEK, Frantisek (Czech Republic)..May 26, 1947..Plzen, Czech Republic A mechanic, Frantisek was helping a fallen rider when he was struck and killed.KRASNOV, Mikhail (Balakovo & Russia)..November 1979.Russia Mikhail was not racing at the time of his death, but his terminal illness had forced his retirement several months earlier. The Bees continued to have success in the 80's so these were great days not only for Coventry but for British speedway in general. The week was never complete unless you came away from a meeting with a small piece of shale in the corner of an eye and lungs fighting back the negative effects of burnt Nitro-Methanol. Back to the other Ole, Olsen, he stayed with Coventry until his retirement in 1983. Am going senile. 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 bullpointer@yahoo.comFinally, thanks to everyone who has helped me with this project, with a special mention for Jim Henry, Ross Garrigan and Christian Riviere-Ramond. In cases where the passing occurred at a later date, the date of the original crash is indicated after the location. FISCHER, Edward (USA)..Sep 8, 1912Vailsburg Motordrome, Newark, NJ, USA (B-R). The machines themselves were low-saddled and always seemed on the point of racing away on their own. I went to see banger racing there in the early 70's and it was tarmac that long ago! Pratt became co-promoter at the Rye House Rockets with former boss Len Silver in 1979. I think my dad had forgotten it was there and one day I got a call from him saying weve lost the FA Cup. Sorry EISSES, Gerrit (Netherlands)..Oct 11, 1925Sappemeer, Netherlands (G-T). The 1970's speedway track is probably still there but is buried under a few tons of tarmac because like Brandon the infield grass has been covered in tarmac. The current promoters are the Spedeworth organisation. In addition to Johnson. Our facility is clean, and air-conditioned or heated allowing our customers to wait comfortably. This is a perennial problem in Speedway. One night in 1975 Olle Nygren was riding in his last year for King's Lynn. In 2017 Brandon Stadium failed to open, having fallen into the hands of prospective property developers. "That spot by the tapes was the spot at which the riders were at their very fastest on the very fastest track in the country. 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[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. Speedway fans are urging councillors in Rugby to reject plans to turn a stadium into a housing estate. There then developed an arm-wrestling match between Ole/Ochiltree and the SCB. In 1983, he spent a season as team manager at King's Lynn Stars before becoming promoter at Cradley Heath in 1984. . He was killed on his debut, Jacob DEROSIER crashed at the Los Angeles Stadium Motodrome on. 2023 BBC. Mr Elliott said he was most closely involved with Mr Reason in helping the youth team and academy. Brandon Stadium had big crowds and the "Bees" won two championships in 78 and 79, the second being decided by a 42-36 home win for Coventry against Hull in front of a huge crowd. 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. Pictured on the left is recipient Winnie Hill and in the middle Lions president John Reason, John Reason when he became new Coventry Lions president in June 1986, aboard a carefully kept Triumph road bike that served as a reminder of his sporting past, John Reason in his days as a speedway rider for Coventry Bees, John Reason brushing-up his footballing skills at his Binley Industrial Estate haulage company headquarters when he became a Coventry City FC director in December 1985. Alan, no place for Ole Olsen? Whilst great riders like Barry Briggs, Peter Craven, Ronnie Moore, Bruce Penhall, Erik Gundersen, Tony Rickardsson and others, could always, we believed be beaten, but over certain periods there were riders who were very special. I didn't know that Coventry had a dog track even. He built up with three or four more lorries, moving coal about from the pits at Binley, Haunchwood and Birch Coppice, and later managed a haulage firm at Siskin Drive before later operating his own firm from East Street. The site is currently derelict and councillors will consider later a planning application. 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. Riders like Neil Street in the 1950s, triple World Champion Ivan Mauger in the 1970s, and Mark Loram in the 90s thrilled crowds. It appears that this occurred a split-second before the crash, not only causing the crash, but also claiming his life in the process. The reformed Godiva city side, back in the Midland League after four years in the wilderness, have swooped to sign the 27 year old Pietak in the face of stiff competition from rival British clubs. We've had a thread about the Sky Blues, so I thought I'd start one about the Bees Ole! What this means is that the very best riders are stealing the places of other, lesser riders, and this cascades right down the system. Add 4 . Home Help Search Welcome Guest. By now it had been redeveloped and renamed the London Stadium. "Class A racing" is sometimes listed as an unofficial (pre-1930) US National Speedway Championship. 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). Online: Use the secure PayPal facility by clicking the Cart button below. Looking back now it all seems very kitsch. Jacob DEROSIER crashed at the Los Angeles Stadium Motodrome onMarch 12, 1912, but died at home inSpringfield, Massachusetts onFebruary 25, 1913, from complications resulting from continued surgery. In 2004 Mr Reason published an autobiography - Confessions of the Cream Bun Kid - and spoke to the Coventry Telegraph at the time. He was a great ambassador not just for Coventry but for Speedway in general. The Rick Miller testimonial was another favourite, a great day out. MATT MINSHULL XBB04479_MM_002. Read about our approach to external linking. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. These riders invariably participated in both disciplines, as well as road-racing. 3 Tom Farndon - never saw him (obviously!) But I didnt finish the apprenticeship until I was 22 because when I was 18 I started on the speedway which, in those days, was the second biggest spectator sport in England and they used to allow me time off to race. The last phase is due to run until Saturday, May 27. The application, which went before Rugby Borough Council, had been recommended for approval and featured a football pitch and clubhouse as well as homes. First of all you have to be a good waiter then have the nuts to ride faster round the outside, sometimes on difficult tracks. Correction to my previous entry, it was Johnny Reason not Pete Reason. DevonLive looks back at the speedway riders and the glory days of the Exeter Falcons. 6 talking about this. The track still operates at PR1MO International Raceway, prior to that it was Northampton International Raceway, and originally just Brafield Stadium. WIGG, Simon (England).November 15, 2000.Milton Keynes, Bucks, England Former World Long-Track Champion Simon succumbed to a brain tumour which had forced his retirement several years earlier. Greg Hancock - the nicest guy ever to win championships. Alan. At the beginning of every meeting Starting Marshalls, officials, St John's Ambulance people, riders, all marched in step out onto the track to military style music, followed by presentations and then "The Flight of the Bumble Bee" by Rimsky-Korsakov. I later worked as a track scratcher, as being said for about 10/-. He had been racing since 1948, an amazing career of over 25 years at top level Speedway. Greg Downs & Steve Ogrizovic of Coventry celebrate after winning FA cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, John Reason when he became a Coventry City FC director in December 1985, Coventry Lions distributed Christmas cheer and 10 parcels of food throughout Coventry in December 1986. 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. . Post: Send cheque/postal order (payable to Retro Speedway) for 20 (plus 2 P&P in UK) to: Retro Speedway (Memories of Coventry Speedway DVD), 9 Nursery Close, Glossop, SK13 8PQ. Sadly Les ended up with some brain damage and partial paralysis so his career was ended. I seem to remember a "Bees" rider by the name of Jim Lightfoot, anyone else remember the name ? Then there was the rallying Falcon War Cry, 1-3-5-7, hear this roar from Glorious Devon It is not yet known if developers Brandon Estates, who own the land, will appeal the decision. The Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund exists as a charity in order to assist these individuals in their times of need. I think Brandon Speedway opened again just after the war. Quite! John Harrhy got back to riding after a year out, but this accident proved that there are fewer more precarious ways of earning a living than speedway riding. 3 Can British speedway survive? Not only was Ole a great individual rider, he was also brilliant tactically. Mr Reason died on June 7 and his funeral took place at Rainsbrook Crematorium on July 7. A young boy by the last name of Heikkuri was killed when Kauko Jousanen left the track and crashed into a viewing area. 2023 BBC. )Jul 14, 1970.. Barnett was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives of, Dalley was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives of, Fischer was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives of, Retired from motorcycle racing, Ralph died in qualifying practice for the 1948. ANDREWS, Henry (USA).Jul 30, 1913..Lagoon Motordrome, Ludlow, KY, USA (B-R). Speedway Smog can test any vehicle including diesels.. We provide HONEST services at the lowest prices . 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. Ole would then shepherd his partner for the rest of the race, taking care to continue blocking the opposition, to pass the tapes first and second for Coventry. The hare was thought to be steam powered, a Mamod traction engine disguised to look like a rabbit) is only used for training now, apparently. Ron Mountford and Jim Lightfoot were the overtaking stars at Brandon. However, he was forced to retire after he was involved in a road crash near Lokeren in Belgium. GOLDSMITH, George (Australia)Feb 9, 1929Melbourne Motordrome, VIC, Australia (Z-B). Mr Reasons son Robert told CoventryLive of a comical moment in the wake of that famous FA Cup win. Monday was the night to see the Falcons fly, as the TV adverts used to say, Tapes up at 7.30. 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Mr Reason said: We had been riding on this hill and we loved it when it was wet and slippy and I could ride round there and do exactly what they did on the speedway, so I borrowed some leathers and a crash hat and went and had a go. Pratt died on 2 October 2021, at the age of 82 from cancer.[6]. Dalley was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives ofriders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. BAKKER, Gerrit (Netherlands)Oct 11, 1925..Sappemeer, Netherlands (G-T). Warwick Greyhound Stadium, said to have been the oldest in the country (and it looked like it was too. 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. 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. ", "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. 122 of 311 Wed 2nd Jul 2014 9:58pm. Batchelor scored his first podium when he finished second in the Danish Grand Prix at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. Fellow former Coventry City director Joe Elliott led tributes to Mr Reason saying: He was a great guy. He and a pal bought a Dodge lorry each and started as hauliers. Racing career I used to spend most of my time down at Highfield Road where I helped redevelop the ground. Up to six riders would power flat out and anti-clockwise around the track, reaching speeds of up to 70 miles an hour on the straight. the Unlimited Solo title at the Port Pirie circuit in 1961. My Dad was a HUGE Mitch Shirra fan and our Ford Cortina Estate car was covered in Mitch Shirra stickers. Like Ochiltree he has since shown he has organizational ability, setting up a Speedway Centre, and helping to produce subsequent Danish World Champions like Hans Neilsen. These speedway riders are made of tough stuff. Arthur Forrest - The most immaculately turned out rider I ever saw (and good with it!). HOPE, Dick (England).1980Halfpenny Green, Wolverhampton, W. Midlands, England (G-T). Maybe one day, when the time is right, those wild machines may return to Exeter once again. He is still going strong at 90 years old, commuting regularly between the UK and his native Sweden. These riders invariably participated in both disciplines, as well as road-racing. At its peak, thousands of fans filled the ground to watch the world's top riders race for and against the Coventry Bees before it closed falling into disrepair and becoming the target of acts of vandalism. That summed up Olle nicely. You can only begin to imagine what it was like to ride at speed, in the dark. It was extraordinary just to watch and listen after sunset, when the match result hung on the result of the final heat and the crowd went bonkers. Grace (USA)Jul 6, 1912..Wandamere Motordrome, Slt Lake City, Utah, USA (B-R), A spectator, Cunningham died from injuries sustained in the crash in which Harry DAVIS lost his life (Jul 4), DALLEY, Russell (USA)Sep 8, 1912Vailsburg Motordrome, Newark, NJ, USA (B-R). I got on and found it easy and I suppose I impressed straight away and was in the Bees team within six weeks. Tommy Knudsen - perhaps the unluckiest of them all? 2 Col Cottrell - smooth operator who for a short time was quite unbeatable around Brandon and was part of a wonderful opening pair with The Beau - sadly died aged 40 in 1982 A spectator, I have no details of the accident in which Rudolf lost his life. 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. Our thoughts and condolences are with Johns family and friends at this sad time.. Thousands of Coventry people worked for John Reason's haulage firm over the decades, Get Sky Blues transfer latest, team news, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox. The Coventry Bees stopped racing at Brandon Stadium in 2016 after failing to reach a deal to race there. Now based on Siskin Parkway it is still run by members of the family with Mr Reasons grandchildren now in charge of it. The County Ground track was unique in that it had a solid sheet metal safety fence, the dynamics of which, combined with the wind, made it unpopular with some riders. Francesca now lives in Worcestershire and competed for the Eastbourne Seagulls last year, Francesca said she had been prompted to try speedway after her sister recommended it. It is, of course, primarily a greyhound venue, and a thriving one as far as I know. 503. The home ground is Brandon Stadium in Warwickshire. Bakker was one of two thirteen-year old boys (Gerrit Eisses was the other) killed when a riderless bike hit a crowd of spectators at a grass-track meeting. The Falcons roll of honour included cup and league triumphs in in every decade from the 1940s to 2004. 71 were here. He is a national hero in Denmark. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. ), sadly left the sport way too soon It was also, as befits a nimble bird of prey, the fastest speedway track in the UK. I used to get my overalls on and muck in.. without leaving my armchair here in Australia. ). Richard BARTLETT was an all-round motorcyclist, and was a regular competitor in vintage grass-track events. He sustained three broken bones in his neck and was warned by doctors that if he rode again and broke it he would be paralysed. He also had an eight-year spell as the Great Britain team manager (with Eric Boocock). At his farewell meeting 20,000 fans turned up on a wet night to wish him goodbye, remarkable testimony to his popularity. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. We won the FA Youth Cup with the Elliotts name on the shirt in the same year Coventry City won the FA Cup. I was priviliged to watch his team riding with Ole and he was superb at it and I for one did realise he was he was good enough and FAST enough to carry this off and as he says had the NUTS to do it, hats off to you Alan! Those riders marked "**". Richard BARTLETT was an all-round motorcyclist, and was a regular competitor in vintage grass-track events. You need to be signed in to respond to this topic. Ole! Contents show 1 Does Coventry still have a speedway team? ROBERTS, Ernest (Canada).June 22., 1915Leslieville Motordrome, Toronto, Canada (B-R). Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? This list may not reflect recent changes . Eisses was one of two thirteen-year old boys (Gerrit BAKKER was the other) killed when a riderless bike hit a crowd of spectators at a grass-track meeting. [3] He was signed by the Southampton Saints, where he made his National League debut against Oxford. 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One of at least seven spectators burned to death after Odin JOHNSON's fatal accident. Bleak outlook for British speedway, sad to report Apart from the uncertainty regarding the future of Coventry Stadium and the Buildbase Bees, Birmingham speedway is on the verge of closure, due to mounting debts, and the triumvirate promoting at Eastbourne . Mr Reason also revealed the reason behind the title of his book Confessions of the Cream Bun Kid. Read about our approach to external linking. Exeter Falcons V Kings Lynn Heat 4. Read about our approach to external linking. He looked like a bank-manager but he certainly knew how to run a Speedway track. It was the only time Mitch overtook him - not. We saw Ole Olsen's van on the way home one night and my dad hammered the car to overtake him and Ole laughed and laughed. A lot of people had motorbikes at the end of the war when fuel was rationed and people had gone away serving with the armed forces, he said. 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", Ole Olsen and Coventry Bees : The Glory Days. I used to go to matches on a Saturday and sit on the bench, I didnt sit in the stand, but I never got a game unfortunately. He promoted Speedway for 40 years until his death in 1998. Colin George Pratt (10 October 1938 2 October 2021)[1][2] was a British motorcycle speedway rider and later promoter of the Coventry Bees who compete in the British Elite League. They were British League winners in 1974 and Premier League winners in 2000. Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team that was formed in 1928. Guy recalled: "Standing down in the front row of the main grandstand, right next to the tapes, was utterly thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Dont be late. So it would be sad to see another speedway venue disappear.

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