Complimentary beverage is also offered! Ole! It was also, as befits a nimble bird of prey, the fastest speedway track in the UK. 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.. SPEEDWAY - 1990 W Whittier Blvd, La Habra, California - Yelp He'd invariably get out of the second bend in front slowing down just enough to allow his less able team-mate to come up on the outside whilst at the same time blocking the opposing heat-leader from getting past. I got on and found it easy and I suppose I impressed straight away and was in the Bees team within six weeks. 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 home ground is Brandon Stadium in Warwickshire. At full speed, the monstrous bikes would roar past an arms length away, flat out as they curved into the first corner. A couple of photos of Exeter and Australia's Roy Eather. Read about our approach to external linking. How Ivan Mauger made the Falcons fly on the fastest track in the country, Man on double rape charge after Boxing Day incident, 17 things you used to be able to do in Exeter which you can't anymore, No new coronavirus deaths reported in Devon or Cornwall hospitals, Glimpse of Flying Scotsman in Exeter ruined for unlucky trainspotters, The unlucky railway fans had to sprint across the footbridge at Exeter St David's, Devon village in uproar over dairy farm plans, They are worried over child safety and for their environment, Punters say goodbye as historic Exeter pub closes forever, Regulars at the Great Western Hotel in Exeter reveal what it means to them to be losing the historic pub which is no longer financially viable to keep going, A coroner has concluded Kyle Tout, 20, died of a drug-related death, Popular Devon pub reopens after unsettled time, Magdalen Road roadworks reaches final phase. 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. I can still hear the noise. Cradley Heath fans were a bit 'colourful' though. I told him we had it there, put it in a Tesco bag and brought it down to Highfield Road.. 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. Archie SHELTON was preparing to ride at Rye House when he suffered a brain hemorrhage in the pits. A marshall at a grass-track meeting, Dick was injured on May Bank Holiday Monday, and passed away several days later. Les, also a local lad was extremely popular. We used to get 20,000 at Coventry and they used to run coaches and double-decker buses to the track.. My Dad was a HUGE Mitch Shirra fan and our Ford Cortina Estate car was covered in Mitch Shirra stickers. 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. What endeared him particularly to the fans was that he was adept at team-riding. Sadly Les ended up with some brain damage and partial paralysis so his career was ended. However the Speedway Control Board had "allocated" him to ride at Hull. Coventry City FC also paid tribute to Mr Reason. The current promoters are the Spedeworth organisation. He is a national hero in Denmark. In one race coming out of the starting gate Olle was determined to hit the first bend in front so he stuck out his left boot in exaggerated fashion to prevent his opponent on his inside from getting into his normal cornering position. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. He was killed on his debut, Jacob DEROSIER crashed at the Los Angeles Stadium Motodrome on. Speedway riders, history and results . Those riders marked "**". "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.". In the early 70's Nigel Boocock ("Little Boy Blue") was still Number One rider at Brandon. Exeter Falcons V Kings Lynn Heat 4. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I'm amazed at the dog track news. Mr Reason also had a large haulage business in the city, J&J Reason and Sons, which more recently became Reason Transport. 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. 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. 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. 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. But it still has die hard fans who continue to offer support. A statement on the club website said: Coventry City are saddened to learn of the death of former vice chairman and director John Reason. 503. The oval even had its own smell - hot dogs and onions, and the sweet tang of speedway bike exhaust fumes. I have no details of the accident that claimed the lives of spectators William BELL and George Goldsmith. 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. The site is currently derelict and councillors will consider later a planning application for 124 homes. Finally, thanks to everyone who has helped me with this project, with a special mention for Jim Henry, Ross Garrigan and Christian Riviere-Ramond. However, speedway rider Francesca Wright said losing the stadium would be "incredibly sad". These speedway riders are made of tough stuff. FOEHNER, Thomas (USA)Sep 8, 1912..Vailsburg Motordrome, Newark, NJ, USA (B-R). Coventry Devlins Newsagents Cycle Speedway team have completed the signing of star Polish rider Konrad Pietak ahead of the new 2012 season. Remember the chant? Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk, 'Nightmare' West Midlands millionaire defies court orders to flatten huge man cave, Motorists face disruption as three sets of HS2 roadworks start this week, Coventry Royal Trail created for coronation weekend for people to explore city's rich history, Police release pictures after Coventry city centre robberies, Bodmin: Tributes paid to kindest and most gentle man killed in stabbing frenzy outside UK nightclub, Kenilworth April news roundup: Shops closing, toilet twinning and pub of the year, AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us', Russia troop deaths hit 20,000 in five months - US, France May Day protests leave dozens of police injured, 'My wife and six children joined Kenya starvation cult', On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. 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. It is, of course, primarily a greyhound venue, and a thriving one as far as I know. ROBERTS, Ernest (Canada).June 22., 1915Leslieville Motordrome, Toronto, Canada (B-R). Heat 3. John, a farmer, was known for his fence-scraping and swashbuckling style. 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. Mr Reason was one of the key players in the 2002 boardroom coup that ousted chairman Bryan Richardson. Skip Navigation. It was the only time Mitch overtook him - not. Brandon Stadium, for so long a mecca of speedway, is now derelict and vandalized. Further to what MR said yesterday, I drove past the Perry Barr track yesterday evening and there is a huge sign next to the road where they display the date and opponents of the next meeting. Mr Reason was synonymous with the city of Coventry on many levels. I knew it was time to call it a day and I did so with a heavy heart.. Coventry Bees were a motorcycle speedway team that existed from 1929 to 2018. Attempts to revive the club have so far come to nothing. This is all super-sad news. Campaigners have won a long-running battle to save a speedway stadium from being turned into housing. Odin JOHNSON crashed into a light-pole while Board Racing. I am sure Nigel Boocock was riding in the mid to late sixties, but I stand to be corrected. Looking back now it all seems very kitsch. Keep up with all of the latest local news with our daily newsletter, John Reason at his Binley Industrial Estate haulage company headquarters when he became a Coventry City FC director in December 1985. Add 4 . By now it had been redeveloped and renamed the London Stadium. He had been racing since 1948, an amazing career of over 25 years at top level Speedway. No mention of Ole Olsen is given. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. SPEEDWAY RIDERS BENEVOLENT FUNDWhile this siteis a grim reminder of the tragedies that have occurred throughout the history of the sport, there have been countless other riders who have been injured, often very seriously. without leaving my armchair here in Australia. HICKMAN, Samuel (USA)May 30, 1913..Luna Park, Cleveland, OH, USA (B-R). 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. It is not yet known if developers Brandon Estates, who own the land, will appeal the decision. [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 also had an eight-year spell as the Great Britain team manager (with Eric Boocock). Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it's the first time I've seen it like that. I started a Saturday job with a greengrocer at age fourteen, which meant that I often missed the start and sometimes the whole meetings. These riders invariably participated in both disciplines, as well as road-racing. Thanks largely to Ole there was a great atmosphere at the Stadium. Sign up for our Exeter newsletter and you'll never miss a big story again. Campaigners gathered outside Rugby Town Hall ahead of the meeting, Fans outside cheered when they heard the decision at the council meeting, Councillors met on Wednesday where they refused the plans. 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. You need to be signed in to respond to this topic. SpeedwayPlus | Ole Olsen and Coventry Bees : The Glory Days but the one rider of all time I wish I had seen - 75 years this year since he died after a track crash Nick VARNER was a noted youth competitor, just eleven years of age, and had been racing in various forms of motorcycle racing for several years.Nigel WASLEY was recuperating well from a broken leg, but died from a pulmonary embolism (blood clot). Lowering was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives of riders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. Remember my old man taking my brother and I up to Brandon in the 70's. Home of the Coventry XL Motor Then the players would come along and watch us at the speedway in the evenings with their families. DevonLive looks back at the speedway riders and the glory days of the Exeter Falcons. 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. Then 73, Mr Reason told how during his 18-year tenure as a Coventry City director he only missed about a dozen games, home and away. I had seen Olle ride for Norwich in the early 60's so that year Olle was already 46 years old. 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. 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 LOGIN - JOIN HERE FOR PRICE Max: 1. That takes skill. The original stock car track was shale and then concrete before getting a tarmac surface some time in the 1960's. "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. We sponsored the youth team for eight years and spent a lot of time going to youth team matches. 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. The Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund exists as a charity in order to assist these individuals in their times of need. From the left, Richard Wolff, (Y), Kevin Doolan (Exeter guest rider) (B) and Andrew Appleton (G) Thisa small list of names who, although not listed above,I feel merit inclusion on this site. I used to go to a youth club in Wyken Grange Road with a couple of friends, Peter Brough and Roy Whitehouse, and we got very interested in motorbikes and used to go round looking at unused bikes and buying them for very little money. 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. Coventry Bees - Latest news, reaction, results, pictures, video Fellow former Coventry City director Joe Elliott led tributes to Mr Reason saying: He was a great guy. Speedway does seem to be struggling. 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. Racing career Tommy Knudsen - perhaps the unluckiest of them all? He also qualified for the final of the Speedway World Championship in 1967. Ochiltree had to pay 30,000 pounds to Hull, but this proved to be the shrewdest investment he ever made, and fortunately for us supporters at the time, Ole brought 7 glory years to Coventry Speedway. Coventry Brandon Stadium saved from becoming housing 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. He was killed on his debutracing on the Isle of Man. Can you imagine Wayne Rooney being allowed to play for Barcelona and Inter Milan - as well as Man U? Mr Reason married his sweetheart Joan after taking a job at GEC in the packing department, and soon after spotted a business opportunity to make use of the new M1. Exeter's Falcons have been grounded since 2005 when the rugby club sold the stadium and moved to the newly built Sandy Park. 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. Speedway fans are urging councillors in Rugby to reject plans to turn a stadium into a housing estate. 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. Is the old Brafield track still there? Now that's SPEEDWAY!!!! Coventry Speedway Programmes For Sale Memorabilia Programme In 1976 Charles Ochiltree tried to lure Ole Olsen from Wolverhampton to ride at Coventry. Retired from motorcycle racing, Ralph died in qualifying practice for the 1948 Indianapolis 500. Historic Coventry Forum: Coventry Speedway My first memories of the Coventry Bees, was going with my dad during the fifties, with the crawl of traffic through Binley Woods. MICHAELS, Mrs William (USA)..Juyl 30, 1913..Lagoon Motordrome, Ludlow, KY, USA (B-R), PATTERSON, William (USA).Jul 30, 1913..Lagoon Motordrome, Ludlow, KY, USA (B-R). 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. Fischer was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives ofriders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. 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. Unsurprisingly the riders wear yellow and black colours. I remember going to a British Final and we were season ticket holders and had to stand in front of the Main Stand. [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. NSSC (@NSSCspeedway) / Twitter the Unlimited Solo title at the Port Pirie circuit in 1961. Please consider making a donation to the SRBF via their website : www.srbf.co.uk LEGEND A-R : Auto Race (Japanese speedway) B-R : Board Racing (a forerunner of speedway in the US) CGH : Czech Golden Helmet F-T : Flat Track Racing He said: I stood down for personal reasons. The former boss of well-known Coventry business Elliotts Car Accessories, he said: Elliotts and myself worked very closely with John. Little more than 18 months later, relations with the club soured and Mr Reason took the decision to step down from his position and the board in October 2003. Alan. What this means is that the very best riders are stealing the places of other, lesser riders, and this cascades right down the system. He said: "He had an easy smile and gave good interviews. Barnett was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives ofriders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. The Coventry Bees stopped racing at Brandon Stadium in 2016 after failing to reach a deal to race there. Troy Batchelor Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. )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. He said: I first started going up to the football club with my uncle in 1936.. 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. Is climate change killing Australian wine? 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. Phone: Call Retro Speedway on 01708 734 502. Thanks for the information, MR. ", Ole Olsen and Coventry Bees : The Glory Days. Pratt died on 2 October 2021, at the age of 82 from cancer.[6]. BAKKER, Gerrit (Netherlands)Oct 11, 1925..Sappemeer, Netherlands (G-T). But worse, it meant Clubs and riders couldn't really establish a rapport with their fans. Sorry Cliff, I called you Alan there didn't I? I think at least part of the problem for British Speedway is the complete lack of coordination with other European Leagues. My first taste of Smiths crisps also comes to mind along with early fireworks at the end of the season. The last Brafield speedway track was set inside the tarmac stock car track and was in use in the early 1970's. ). Richard BARTLETT was an all-round motorcyclist, and was a regular competitor in vintage grass-track events. Highland Riders | La Habra Heights CA - Facebook In 1984 I moved away from Coventry. "For a spell in the mid Seventies Mauger rode for the Exeter Falcons at the old County Ground. My relationship with John was long and enjoyable. Memories of Coventry Speedway Dvd Supporters of the stadium gathered outside Rugby Town Hall ahead of the meeting earlier. Coventry. "@Coventry_City director 1985-2003 & @CoventryBees legend, nicknamed The Cream Bun Kid.. But it coincided with a couple of bad injuries as well.. One of the first meetings of that time was the Brandonapolis, won by the greet Jack Parker, one of the first 'foot forward' riders. A new map reveals where the worst drivers are across the UK - with more than one in 10 drivers in some areas carrying points on their licence. Back to the other Ole, Olsen, he stayed with Coventry until his retirement in 1983. My uncle was a convenor there and pulled a few strings to get me in. Ms Wright now lives in Worcestershire, but grew up around Coventry and said her introduction to speedway was at Brandon, adding it was amazing to race at a stadium where she had watched riders compete since she was a child. Court reporter for DevonLive and SomersetLive, Exeter Falcons V Reading Racers. This list may not reflect recent changes . Ole said if he couldn't ride for Coventry he wouldn't ride anywhere in the UK. 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. Those riders marked "**". In cases where the passing occurred at a later date, the date of the original crash is indicated after the location. Five-year-old Davis was one of at least seven spectators burned to death after Odin JOHNSON's fatal accident. I was eight-years-old and instantly fell in love with the whole thing - the smell, the atmosphere, the crowds, which were big then. 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. The home ground is Brandon Stadium in Warwickshire. Alan, no place for Ole Olsen? HOPE, Dick (England).1980Halfpenny Green, Wolverhampton, W. Midlands, England (G-T). 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). He is still going strong at 90 years old, commuting regularly between the UK and his native Sweden. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. Mr Elliott said he was most closely involved with Mr Reason in helping the youth team and academy. EISSES, Gerrit (Netherlands)..Oct 11, 1925Sappemeer, Netherlands (G-T). 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. While they embarked upon a remarkable run of success their old neighbours simply faded away. Not only was Ole a great individual rider, he was also brilliant tactically. The machines themselves were low-saddled and always seemed on. It is an excellent example of the speedway motorcycles on which dare devil riders thrilled crowds of spectators in the 1930s. 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. "Class A racing" is sometimes listed as an unofficial (pre-1930) US National Speedway Championship. Switzerland, Vlodrome de Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland, Melbourne Motordrome, VIC, Australia (Z-B), Picton Junction, WA, Australia (Air crash), Great Hucklow, Derbyshire, England (Gliding accident), Thebarton Oval, Adelaide, SA, Australia (Feb 1, 1923), Wandamere Motordrome, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA (B-R), Rowley Park, Adelaide, SA, Australia (Nov 3), Springfield, MA, USA (Mar 10, 1912 L.A. Motordrome), Offerton Farm, Hindlip, Worcestershire (G-T), Riverview Motordrome, Chicago, IL, USA (B-R), Copthorne, Sussex, England (Testing G/T sidecar), Pretoria, South Africa (Accident at home), Springbrook Park, South Bend, IN, USA (F-T), Taree, NSW, Australia (Dirt-track racing), Vailsburg Motordrome, Newark, NJ, USA (B-R), Littledean, Gloucs, England (Jun 6) (G-T), Rowley Park, Adelaide, SA, Australia (Midget cars) (Mar 6), Ascot Park, Gardena, CA, USA (F-T) (May 1), Sydney Sportsground, NSW, Australia (Jan 5), Melbourne Exhibition Grounds, VIC, Australia, Sydney Royale, NSW, Australia (Dec 22, 1928), Atlanta Motordrome, Atlanta, GA, USA (B-R), Omaha Motordrome, Council Bluffs, IA, USA (B-R), Arunga Park, Alice Springs, NT, Australia, Zementbahn Hamborn, Duisburg, Germany (Z-B), Zementbahn Berlin-Neukoll, Berlin, Germany (Z-B), Thialf Stadion, Herenveen, Netherlands (I-R), Zementbahn Aachener, Aachen, Germany (Z-B), Melbourne Exhibition Ground, VIC, Australia, Bacchus Marsh Speedway, Melbourne, VC, Australia, Indianapolis, IN, US (Car racing Indy 500) (May 30), Baarlo Sportspark, Netherlands (Jun 30) (G-T), Tuileries Mototdrome,Denver, CO, USA (B-R), Varberg, Gothenburg, Sweden (Miltary race), Rowley Park, Adelaide, SA, Australia (Dec 17), Zementbahn Bamberger, Bamberg, Germany (Z-B), Reichselsdorfer Keller, Nrnberg, Germany (Z-B), Zementbahn Hamborn, Duisberg, Germany (Z-B), East Stroudsburg Fairgrounds, PA, USA (F-T) (Jun 7), Bunbury Showground, WA, Australia (Nov 2), Legion Ascot, Lincoln Heights, CA, USA (F-T), Radrennbahn Grneiche, Breslau, Germany (Z-B), Lakewood Speedway, Atlanta, GA, USA (F-T).