Mr Reason was one of the key players in the 2002 boardroom coup that ousted chairman Bryan Richardson. 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. The original stock car track was shale and then concrete before getting a tarmac surface some time in the 1960's. I think at least part of the problem for British Speedway is the complete lack of coordination with other European Leagues. Its a sad loss but I think myself and many others can look back at the great times we shared with John.. That is now just a shopping centre. 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. May they never be forgotten. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. He was articulate in his second language, more so than many riders were in their first. When Mike McGinnity took over the chairmanship he made Mr Reason deputy chairman. 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. 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. I first went to Coventry Speedway in 1977. BAKKER, Gerrit (Netherlands)Oct 11, 1925..Sappemeer, Netherlands (G-T). It is my go to gas station, and usually has cheap gas (other than Sams, Costco, and Arco). "Our rally jackets got splattered with cinders when we stood too close to the corners, and we got home way too late on a school night.". He said: We had a family farm, a smallholding near Brinklow, and for a time the FA Cup was there - on a mantelpiece. [citation needed], Pratt was also a full England international and rode in two World Team Cup finals. The Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund exists as a charity in order to assist these individuals in their times of need. The heady days for the sport could not last forever. The one meeting that has stood out from the rest is definetly the Bees v Vikings title showdown, 1981 that was i think. Dalley was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives ofriders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. These were the days of black cinders. "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.". The oval even had its own smell - hot dogs and onions, and the sweet tang of speedway bike exhaust fumes. 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. READ MORE: Campaign group signals bid to bring speedway back to Brandon Stadium despite plans for new homes on site. On the front was Mighty Mitch and the back window had Super Shirra. You pronounced his name Major, by the way, not Maw-gerr as one or two commentators did. It is, of course, primarily a greyhound venue, and a thriving one as far as I know. Tributes have been paid to former Coventry City FC director and speedway rider John Reason, who has died at the age of 90. So Coventry Bees, a team that had been in existence since 1928, dropped out of the league. 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 . He was local to Coventry and everything he did was in Coventry. 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. Jack Young - the man who made winning races look effortless. Lowering was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives of riders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. This is your first visit to my website today, thank you! 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 . 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! The machines themselves were low-saddled and always seemed on. 2023 BBC. 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. ROBIN ADLINGTON (New Zealand) 1974 GEORGE ALLBROOK (England) 1929-1930 BILL ALLEN (England) 1931 Tributes have been paid to former Coventry City FC director and speedway rider John Reason, who has died at the age of 90. Not the best team of all-time, but one to pay money to watch every week The sparks ignited Johnson's fuel tank, which caused a large fire. But it still has die hard fans who continue to offer support. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. Supporters of the stadium gathered outside Rugby Town Hall ahead of the meeting earlier. ORDER YOUR DVD NOW . DAVIS, William (USA)..Jul 30, 1913..Lagoon Motordrome, Ludlow, KY, USA (B-R). I was born in Birmingham and the Brummies were my team from 1949. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. He rode for the Hawks for six years until the 1970 season when he moved to the Cradley Heathens. The Coventry Bees stopped racing at Brandon Stadium in 2016 after failing to reach a deal to race there. 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The Coventry Bees stopped racing at Brandon Stadium, which is currently derelict, in 2016 after failing to reach a deal to race there. That summed up Olle nicely. Mr Reason also revealed the reason behind the title of his book Confessions of the Cream Bun Kid. The thrill and the noise was intoxicating. Ole! . coventry speedway past ridersaiken county sc register of deeds coventry speedway past riders 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. 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. "The County Ground was famously quick, with a white solid steel wall all the way round the outside. Olsen was the main man but don't have any memories of the racing itself - just the smell of the fuel and standing near the fence by the track corners in the hope of being covered in shale as the riders went by. By now it had been redeveloped and renamed the London Stadium. [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 was articulate in his second language, more so than many riders were in their first. 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 US. 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. 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. Sorry Cliff, I called you Alan there didn't I? Explore! GOLDSMITH, George (Australia)Feb 9, 1929Melbourne Motordrome, VIC, Australia (Z-B). 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. 5 Do Coventry Bees still exist? If you stood at the top of the banking you could look down into the pits where the riders and mechanics tinkered and swore.". Mr Elliott said he was most closely involved with Mr Reason in helping the youth team and academy. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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!" Odin JOHNSON crashed into a light-pole while Board Racing. 7 Gary Guglielmi - this has to be the young GG who first came to Brandon in 1977, not the later version - watching him try and complete even one lap around Brandon was worth the admission money alone. SEE BELOW TO LOGIN. You need to be signed in to respond to this topic. It was a "Golden Age". Those riders marked "**". Ole, the "Great Dane", was a world-class rider who had already won the World Championship twice. He said in a tweet: Sad to hear of the passing of John Reason recently. It is an excellent example of the speedway motorcycles on which dare devil riders thrilled crowds of spectators in the 1930s. In addition to Johnson. In cases where the passing occurred at a later date, the date of the original crash is indicated after the location. One of at least seven spectators burned to death after Odin JOHNSON's fatal accident. My Dad was a HUGE Mitch Shirra fan and our Ford Cortina Estate car was covered in Mitch Shirra stickers. 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. The stadium first hosted speedway in 1928 and was also home to stock car racing from the 1950s. Back to the other Ole, Olsen, he stayed with Coventry until his retirement in 1983. So thats when I finished with the speedway. I now live near Poole stadium and watch the Bees when they are the opposition. Location: Located on the corner of Beach and Whittier you will find this Speedway gas station. B-R : Board Racing (a forerunner of speedway in the US). The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Court reporter for DevonLive and SomersetLive, Exeter Falcons V Reading Racers. The Rick Miller testimonial was another favourite, a great day out. Pratt died on 2 October 2021, at the age of 82 from cancer.[6]. Greg Hancock - the nicest guy ever to win championships. Clapping and cheering could be heard in the council chamber after the decision to refuse was announced. He and a pal bought a Dodge lorry each and started as hauliers. The County Ground Stadium was a unique arena of a bravery and dirt which was home to the city's speedway team. Can you help police find the people in this gallery of shame? At his farewell meeting 20,000 fans turned up on a wet night to wish him goodbye, remarkable testimony to his popularity. Ron Mountford and Jim Lightfoot were the overtaking stars at Brandon. Our facility is clean, and air-conditioned or heated allowing our customers to wait comfortably. Finally, thanks to everyone who has helped me with this project, with a special mention for Jim Henry, Ross Garrigan and Christian Riviere-Ramond. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Mauger himself rode the final laps as the lights went out for the last time. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. 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Back to the other Ole, Olsen, he stayed with Coventry until his retirement in 1983. Continuing the football analogy, could the Bees eventually be moving to Northampton too? It was the only time Mitch overtook him - not. 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. [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. 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Quite! Coventry England 1933 This Rudge speedway motorcycle was built in England in 1933 under licence by Victor Martin for Rudge-Whitworth Ltd of Coventry. Correction to my previous entry, it was Johnny Reason not Pete Reason. [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. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. A spectator Hickman was killed when running on to the track to aid a fallen rider. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I have no details of the accident that claimed the lives of spectators William BELL and George Goldsmith. The Falcons roll of honour included cup and league triumphs in in every decade from the 1940s to 2004. Speedway Smog can test any vehicle including diesels.. We provide HONEST services at the lowest prices . I don't know if there was speedway on the original surface because that is well before my time. These riders invariably participated in both disciplines, as well as road-racing. This is all super-sad news. The Coventry Bees stopped racing at Brandon Stadium, which is currently derelict, in 2016. 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 Read about our approach to external linking. In recent decades speedway has found it impossible to compete with bigger more glamorous sports and has failed to arrest a long term decline. 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. BELL, William (Australia)Feb 9, 1929Melbourne Motordrome, VIC, Australia (Z-B). He looked like a bank-manager but he certainly knew how to run a Speedway track. 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. 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. 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! A speedway rider doesnt need to train a great deal but they need to be physically fit. I have been watching The Bees, home & away, continuously since 1971. Moderator, : Joined Jan 2010 Total posts:5315. ). Richard BARTLETT was an all-round motorcyclist, and was a regular competitor in vintage grass-track events. Online: Use the secure PayPal facility by clicking the Cart button below. That takes skill. 12/2/2020. Locations are in the UK unless otherwise stated. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. He said: They were still struggling to pay the players wages back then. In 1976 Charles Ochiltree tried to lure Ole Olsen from Wolverhampton to ride at Coventry. 2023 BBC. Sorry 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. 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. A spectator, I have no details of the accident in which Rudolf lost his life. From 1947 to 2005 there was a place in Exeter where you could watch the Falcons fly. Read More 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. Five-year-old Davis was one of at least seven spectators burned to death after Odin JOHNSON's fatal accident. 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. We were packed in, you could not move. Alan. Those riders marked "**". 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). Add 4 . Moderator, : Joined Apr 2010 Total posts:4157. He added Brandon's demise had been "another nail in the coffin" of speedway, which has seen other tracks close in recent years. My first taste of Smiths crisps also comes to mind along with early fireworks at the end of the season. 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. the Unlimited Solo title at the Port Pirie circuit in 1961. He has served several terms on the British Speedway Promoters' Association management committee. 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. There was a horrific crash in 1973 involving local favourites John Harrhy and Les Owen. 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 Please Login or Register. 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. 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.