coventry speedway past riders coventry speedway past riders

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. HOW TO ORDER. But it coincided with a couple of bad injuries as well.. He is still going strong at 90 years old, commuting regularly between the UK and his native Sweden. Brandon Stadium, for so long a mecca of speedway, is now derelict and vandalized. There is also additional informationregarding some of the riders listed. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. These riders invariably participated in both disciplines, as well as road-racing. I think my dad had forgotten it was there and one day I got a call from him saying weve lost the FA Cup. How Coventry Bees managed to surrender a 14-point aggregate lead in the final of the 2003 KO Cup will be debated and dissected for decades to come. 5 Tommy Knudsen - the young Dane who made racing look so stylish and so easy (which it never is! [3] In 1962 he scored 177 points from 34 matches for the Potters, and improved further in 1963, scoring 141 points in his first 12 matches and winning all five races to win the Gerry Hussey Memorial Trophy at Rye House, breaking the track record during the meeting. Jim Lightfoot lived in Binley Woods. The track still operates at PR1MO International Raceway, prior to that it was Northampton International Raceway, and originally just Brafield Stadium. 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. Anybody remember 'Crusty Pye', it was alleged he came off every lap!!! Unsurprisingly the riders wear yellow and black colours. Mauger himself rode the final laps as the lights went out for the last time. With brakeless abandon the riders threw their machines around the track, striking elegant and contorted poses as they slid around the bend, always on the point of glory or disaster. 4 Why did Coventry lose their stadium? From the left, Richard Wolff, (Y), Kevin Doolan (Exeter guest rider) (B) and Andrew Appleton (G) I seem to remember a "Bees" rider by the name of Jim Lightfoot, anyone else remember the name ? He said: I stood down for personal reasons. So Coventry Bees, a team that had been in existence since 1928, dropped out of the league. Mr Reasons son Robert told CoventryLive of a comical moment in the wake of that famous FA Cup win. Les, also a local lad was extremely popular. We are an independent speedway supporters club who, with help from; riders, referees, promoters and the media, raise funds to support the GB Young Lions. ROBIN ADLINGTON (New Zealand) 1974 GEORGE ALLBROOK (England) 1929-1930 BILL ALLEN (England) 1931 Lowering was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives of riders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. [3] He was signed by the Southampton Saints, where he made his National League debut against Oxford. He has won sixteen major trophies as a manager or promoter. DevonLive looks back at the speedway riders and the glory days of the Exeter Falcons. Campaigners have won a long-running battle to save a speedway stadium from being turned into housing. The current promoters are the Spedeworth organisation. It is not yet known if developers Brandon Estates, who own the land, will appeal the decision. If both Coventry and Birmingham lose their speedway teams then the nearest alternative tracks are Leicester and Wolverhampton. "The County Ground was famously quick, with a white solid steel wall all the way round the outside. Barnett was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives ofriders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. BRAUNER, Rudolf (Germany)Jul 30, 1933.Grunewald Stadion, Berlin, Germany. In cases where the passing occurred at a later date, the date of the original crash is indicated after the location. Attempts to revive the club have so far come to nothing. The site is currently derelict and councillors will consider later a planning application for 124 homes. In 1998, the opportunity arose to join the Coventry Bees as promoter and Pratt has been there ever since in promoter/co-promoter and team manager roles. 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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. [citation needed]. The heady days for the sport could not last forever. But we managed to rustle it up and used an old air raid shelter as a workshop to mess about with the engines and we eventually had about 30 bikes in there.. Nigel Boocock - the greatest trier of them all. 6 talking about this. The original stock car track was shale and then concrete before getting a tarmac surface some time in the 1960's. It was also, as befits a nimble bird of prey, the fastest speedway track in the UK. ", Ole Olsen and Coventry Bees : The Glory Days. Mr Elliott said he was most closely involved with Mr Reason in helping the youth team and academy. 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). La Habra, CA. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it's the first time I've seen it like that. The thrill and the noise was intoxicating. Is climate change killing Australian wine? LOGIN - JOIN HERE FOR PRICE Max: 1. 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. Jim MASTERS suffered a heart attack and passed away after suffering a massive heart attack on returning to the Costa Mesa pits after a race. 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. Easily add multiple stops, see live traffic and road conditions. In 1983, he spent a season as team manager at King's Lynn Stars before becoming promoter at Cradley Heath in 1984. A young boy by the last name of Heikkuri was killed when Kauko Jousanen left the track and crashed into a viewing area. Those riders marked "**". Everything is going to the dogs.. oops, no, they've gone too.. Everything is going to the dogs.. oops, no, they've gone too.. Finally, thanks to everyone who has helped me with this project, with a special mention for Jim Henry, Ross Garrigan and Christian Riviere-Ramond. He promoted Speedway for 40 years until his death in 1998. My favourite rider of all time is Nigel Boocock. ). Richard BARTLETT was an all-round motorcyclist, and was a regular competitor in vintage grass-track events. He said: "He had an easy smile and gave good interviews. Read More But it still has die hard fans who continue to offer support. He was a great ambassador not just for Coventry but for Speedway in general. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. BOTTOMS, Alf (England).May 3, 1951Luxembourg (Car Racing - Luxembourg GP), Retired from speedway, former Wembley star Alf died while practicing for the Luxembourg GP). In his first full-time run at the World Championship, he finished in 9th place with 91 points scored. 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. ", "I did not realise there was such animosity from Alan. However he has done speedway in this country no favours since taking over the GP series & for that reason he is omitted. John, who passed away last month at the age of 90, was a director of Coventry City from 1985 to 2003 and served as vice chairman from 2002 to 2003, having first went to watch the Sky Blues as a six-year-old. Archie SHELTON was preparing to ride at Rye House when he suffered a brain hemorrhage in the pits. Naturally the Bees went down heavily whilst many fans stayed away in protest at the reduction in quality of the riders on view. Scott Nicholls, who captained the Bees to five trophies in three seasons between 2004 and 2007, told BBC CWR the stadium should be retained within the wider redevelopment. 12/2/2020. Please Login or Register. He had a hugely successful transport company, his connection as a rider at Coventry speedway then got involved in Coventry City FC where he very much had the role of the caring director from Coventry.. FOEHNER, Thomas (USA)Sep 8, 1912..Vailsburg Motordrome, Newark, NJ, USA (B-R). At full speed, the monstrous bikes would roar past an arms length away, flat out as they curved into the first corner. B-R : Board Racing (a forerunner of speedway in the US). He was articulate in his second language, more so than many riders were in their first. A spectator Hickman was killed when running on to the track to aid a fallen rider. Ron Mountford and Jim Lightfoot were the overtaking stars at Brandon. 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. These riders invariably participated in both disciplines, as well as road-racing. BISHOP, Phil (England)Jul 14, 1970..Lokeren, Belgium (R/A) Although long retired from racing, Phil (nicknamed "The King of Crash") lost his life in the Lokeren tragedy along with several active riders. A couple of photos of Exeter and Australia's Roy Eather. Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team that was formed in 1928. Is the old Brafield track still there? Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. However the Speedway Control Board had "allocated" him to ride at Hull. Very family friendly sport Speedway. "Class A racing" is sometimes listed as an unofficial (pre-1930) US National Speedway Championship. Except Nigel didn't retire and came back to ride for another two or three year in British speedway although not with Coventry. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. When Did Coventry Speedway Close? You need to be signed in to respond to this topic. Moderator, : Joined Apr 2010 Total posts:4157. Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team that was formed in 1928. If Rimsky could have been a time-traveller and fast-forwarded himself to the West Midlands I'm sure he would have been astounded,not just by Speedway, but by music from one of his operas being used at such an event! From the left Troy Batchelor, Pavel Ondrasik and Oliver Allen MATT MINSHULL XBB04361_MM_010, Exeter Falcons in 1977, with Ivan Mauger on the motorbike, Exeter Falcons V Kings Lynn GV of speedway at the County Ground MATT MINSHULL XBB04361_MM_013. You pronounced his name Major, by the way, not Maw-gerr as one or two commentators did. Now that's SPEEDWAY!!!! My relationship with John was long and enjoyable. Home Help Search Welcome Guest. SEE BELOW TO LOGIN. In 1976 Charles Ochiltree tried to lure Ole Olsen from Wolverhampton to ride at Coventry. My first memories of the Coventry Bees, was going with my dad during the fifties, with the crawl of traffic through Binley Woods. Batchelor scored his first podium when he finished second in the Danish Grand Prix at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. 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. LOEFRING, James (USA)..Sep 8, 1912..Vailsburg Motordrome, Newark, NJ, USA (B-R). . You need to be signed in to respond to this topic. [4] Pratt was riding as a guest for the West Ham Hammers against a Danish select side in the Netherlands (in which he gained a five ride maximum). In cases where the passing occurred at a later date, the date of the original crash is indicated after the location. Thanks for the information, MR. MALEK, Vlastimil (Czech Republic).June 22, 1958.Podebrady, Czech Republic Just 14 years of age, spectator Vlastimil was killed when Josef Ruzicka's machine went into the crowd. If Coventry lose their speedway team there is no alternative track. "For a spell in the mid Seventies Mauger rode for the Exeter Falcons at the old County Ground. "@Coventry_City director 1985-2003 & @CoventryBees legend, nicknamed The Cream Bun Kid.. Brafield track was still there a few years ago, but unfortunately it has been tarmac rather than shale for many years now. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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. Now based on Siskin Parkway it is still run by members of the family with Mr Reasons grandchildren now in charge of it. If you stood at the top of the banking you could look down into the pits where the riders and mechanics tinkered and swore.". A 'Save Our Speedway' campaign has been started by supporters of the Coventry Bees speedway team, in the face of news that outline planning permission is. Sign up for our Exeter newsletter and you'll never miss a big story again. 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. 238. Add 4 . 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. Born at 21 Raleigh Road, off the Binley Road, on October 29, 1930, Mr Reason first went to watch the Sky Blues as a six-year-old. Five riders and officials died. Our thoughts and condolences are with Johns family and friends at this sad time.. I think Brandon Speedway opened again just after the war. 6 Les Owen - the late great Muscles, Coventry kid so seriously injured in 1973 in a track-crash from which he never fully recovered, tragically killed on the railway at Canley crossing - RIP Les I used to spend most of my time down at Highfield Road where I helped redevelop the ground. CARTER, James (USA)..Jul 30, 1913..Lagoon Motordrome, Ludlow, KY, USA (B-R), CUNNINGHAM. The Falcons roll of honour included cup and league triumphs in in every decade from the 1940s to 2004. He had been racing since 1948, an amazing career of over 25 years at top level Speedway. He and a pal bought a Dodge lorry each and started as hauliers. 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. [5] It was as a Hackney rider that he won the London Riders' Championship in 1967 and again in 1968. [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. One of the first meetings of that time was the Brandonapolis, won by the greet Jack Parker, one of the first 'foot forward' riders. We sponsored the youth team for eight years and spent a lot of time going to youth team matches. Home of the Coventry XL Motor I first went to Brandon in 1952, so next year, it will be exactly sixty years - frightening! He stayed at Cradley until 1996 where he became co-promoter of the ill-fated London Lions, based at the Hawks' previous stadium, Hackney Wick. Explore! 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. Tommy Knudsen - perhaps the unluckiest of them all? No mention of Ole Olsen is given. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. Jack Young - the man who made winning races look effortless.