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Historic Coventry Forum: Coventry Speedway Online: Use the secure PayPal facility by clicking the Cart button below. He said: I first started going up to the football club with my uncle in 1936.. While they embarked upon a remarkable run of success their old neighbours simply faded away. Between 1973 and 1984 I lived in Coventry, not far from Brandon stadium, the home of Coventry "Bees". Years of Operation 1929-1933 1948-2016 Nicknames Bees Tracks Brandon Stadium Track Record Chris Harris, 57.60 (22.05.2009) Thanks for the information, MR. READ MORE: Campaign group signals bid to bring speedway back to Brandon Stadium despite plans for new homes on site. 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 2 Who owns Coventry Speedway stadium? Ole, the "Great Dane", was a world-class rider who had already won the World Championship twice. I do fear for the future of the sport in the area. LOGIN - JOIN HERE FOR PRICE Max: 1. Greg Hancock - the nicest guy ever to win championships. "@Coventry_City director 1985-2003 & @CoventryBees legend, nicknamed The Cream Bun Kid.. 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.. 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. May they never be forgotten. Ole! 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. Our facility is clean, and air-conditioned or heated allowing our customers to wait comfortably. The current promoters are the Spedeworth organisation. Ole Olsen and Coventry Bees : The Glory DaysBy Ian Davey. We sponsored the youth team for eight years and spent a lot of time going to youth team matches. . Racing career BARNETT, William (USA).Sep 8, 1912Vailsburg Motordrome, Newark, NJ, USA (B-R). Speedway riders, history and results . Specialties: Speedway Smog is star certified and specializes in making the smog test experience for the customers as speedy and easy as possible. 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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. coventry speedway past ridersaiken county sc register of deeds coventry speedway past riders Arthur Forrest - The most immaculately turned out rider I ever saw (and good with it!). In 1976 Charles Ochiltree tried to lure Ole Olsen from Wolverhampton to ride at Coventry. Speedway riders, history and results. I can still hear the noise. 238. 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. MATT MINSHULL XBB04479_MM_002. 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. Memories of Coventry Speedway Dvd A spectator, I have no details of the accident in which Rudolf lost his life. There have been campaigns to reinstate Speedway but so far they have come to nothing. Alan. 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!" What endeared him particularly to the fans was that he was adept at team-riding. This is a perennial problem in Speedway. I can watch the "Bees" every week (some of whom actually speak English!) A statement on the club website said: Coventry City are saddened to learn of the death of former vice chairman and director John Reason. In addition to Johnson. Exeter's Falcons have been grounded since 2005 when the rugby club sold the stadium and moved to the newly built Sandy Park. Brafield track was still there a few years ago, but unfortunately it has been tarmac rather than shale for many years now. He was local to Coventry and everything he did was in Coventry. That takes skill. Barnett was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives ofriders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. , from complications resulting from continued surgery. Looking back now it all seems very kitsch. coventry speedway past riders 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). Mr Reasons association with the Sky Blues continued when he joined the forerunner to the vice presidents club, the Pilgrim Club before he was invited onto the board by chairman John Poynton in 1985. "For a spell in the mid Seventies Mauger rode for the Exeter Falcons at the old County Ground. 1 Nigel Boocock - who else but Little Boy Blue - no sponsored vehicle or motor home, just load the bike on the back of a Ford Consul and off to the meeting! Mr Reason was synonymous with the city of Coventry on many levels. I think at least part of the problem for British Speedway is the complete lack of coordination with other European Leagues. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Is the old Brafield track still there? These speedway riders are made of tough stuff. 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. Everything is going to the dogs.. oops, no, they've gone too.. Everything is going to the dogs.. oops, no, they've gone too.. SPEEDWAY: Nothing to show for a memorable Bees year; SO NEAR YET SO FAR It was an arrangement that suited both sports. 584. He and a pal bought a Dodge lorry each and started as hauliers. Then he had the gall to say 'I win the race, it makes my score look better' and that goes for all his ex team so called mates. It is an excellent example of the speedway motorcycles on which dare devil riders thrilled crowds of spectators in the 1930s. 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 one meeting that has stood out from the rest is definetly the Bees v Vikings title showdown, 1981 that was i think. If both Coventry and Birmingham lose their speedway teams then the nearest alternative tracks are Leicester and Wolverhampton. 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. The Coventry Bees stopped racing at Brandon Stadium in 2016 after failing to reach a deal to race there. BRAUNER, Rudolf (Germany)Jul 30, 1933.Grunewald Stadion, Berlin, Germany. Our thoughts and condolences are with Johns family and friends at this sad time.. Supporters of the stadium gathered outside Rugby Town Hall ahead of the meeting earlier. On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. You need to be signed in to respond to this topic. 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. He said: We had a family farm, a smallholding near Brinklow, and for a time the FA Cup was there - on a mantelpiece. It is, of course, primarily a greyhound venue, and a thriving one as far as I know. ", Ole Olsen and Coventry Bees : The Glory Days. It was also, as befits a nimble bird of prey, the fastest speedway track in the UK. Mr Reason died on June 7 and his funeral took place at Rainsbrook Crematorium on July 7. 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. I was already hooked on Speedway, from the age of 8 years old, (See my article on Ove Fundin, "When Ian met Ove"), so it was only natural that my wife and I should become regulars at Brandon. Step by step directions for your drive or walk. Speedway Smog can test any vehicle including diesels.. We provide HONEST services at the lowest prices . Finally, thanks to everyone who has helped me with this project, with a special mention for Jim Henry, Ross Garrigan and Christian Riviere-Ramond. How can playing Call of Duty or Battlefield 1942 possibly compare to a night of Speedway. Complimentary beverage is also offered! 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. Unsurprisingly the riders wear yellow and black colours. In Memoriam - Yola The Rick Miller testimonial was another favourite, a great day out. These riders invariably participated in both disciplines, as well as road-racing. COVENTRY A TO Z - Save Coventry Speedway He was a great ambassador not just for Coventry but for Speedway in general. Having had a successful career in the haulage business, running his own company, John joined the board of directors in December 1985 and was on the board at the time of the Sky Blues FA Cup victory and the clubs time in the Premier League. 5 Do Coventry Bees still exist? Sorry Cliff, I called you Alan there didn't I? 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. 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. He is still going strong at 90 years old, commuting regularly between the UK and his native Sweden. Pratt died on 2 October 2021, at the age of 82 from cancer.[6]. It appears that this occurred a split-second before the crash, not only causing the crash, but also claiming his life in the process. Alan, no place for Ole Olsen? Brandon, England nuneatonspeedwaysupportersclub.co.uk Joined February 2012 549 Following 1,414 Followers Replies Media A speedway rider doesnt need to train a great deal but they need to be physically fit. Naturally the Bees went down heavily whilst many fans stayed away in protest at the reduction in quality of the riders on view. 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. . I later worked as a track scratcher, as being said for about 10/-. Tommy Knudsen - perhaps the unluckiest of them all? I worked there as a track raker for ten shillings a night about 1952 but I'm afraid the only names I can recall are Bob Fletcher (captain) and Pete Reason, but the smell of methanol and "Castrol R" will linger forever. This is your first visit to my website today, thank you! 71 were here. [3] He was signed by the Southampton Saints, where he made his National League debut against Oxford. Brandon Stadium, for so long a mecca of speedway, is now derelict and vandalized. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Historic Coventry Forum: Coventry Speedway Quite! Speedway fans urge Coventry Brandon Stadium rethink - BBC News Speedway does seem to be struggling. 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. I used to go to the old Perry Barr Stadium across the Walsall Road in the 70s when some of the Bees junior riders were on loan at the Brummies, then in the second division. I remember going to a British Final and we were season ticket holders and had to stand in front of the Main Stand. I had thought they were doing OK at Perry Barr. He was old-fashioned. 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! 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. 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. I went to see banger racing there in the early 70's and it was tarmac that long ago! Five-year-old Davis was one of at least seven spectators burned to death after Odin JOHNSON's fatal accident. SPEEDWAY - 1990 W Whittier Blvd, La Habra, California - Yelp He went to Stoke School in Briton Road, which is no longer there, and progressed to John Gulson School, which became Caludon Castle School. 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. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Coventry City FC also paid tribute to Mr Reason. B-R : Board Racing (a forerunner of speedway in the US). They called him the Galloping Mauger. Speedway started in Coventry in 1947 when founding Bees boss Charlie Ochiltree put an advert in the paper inviting people to have a go for 7s 6d. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? BUKAT, Herbert (Germany)..Aug 1, 1933.Grunewald Stadion, Berlin, Germany. 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. 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. [citation needed]. Dalley was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives ofriders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. 2023 BBC. However he has done speedway in this country no favours since taking over the GP series & for that reason he is omitted. 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. He was articulate in his second language, more so than many riders were in their first. You're quite right, Philip, and the sport has never really "caught on" with the new generations who have all the alternatives for leisure and pleasure Ron Mountford and Jim Lightfoot were the overtaking stars at Brandon. 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. Coventry Cycle Speedway | Coventry - Facebook The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Home of the Coventry XL Motor Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, Met Gala 2023: Stars celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, Yellen warns US could run out of cash in a month, Photo of Princess Charlotte shared as she turns 8, King Charles to wear golden robes for Coronation, More than 100 police hurt in French May Day protests, The 17 most eye-catching looks at the Met Gala. "Class A racing" is sometimes listed as an unofficial (pre-1930) US National Speedway Championship. Thisa small list of names who, although not listed above,I feel merit inclusion on this site. Alan. Can you help police find the people in this gallery of shame? The site is currently derelict and councillors will consider later a planning application for 124 homes. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Read More 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. Something went wrong, please try again later. He promoted Speedway for 40 years until his death in 1998. Coventry England 1933 This Rudge speedway motorcycle was built in England in 1933 under licence by Victor Martin for Rudge-Whitworth Ltd of Coventry. Mr Reason was synonymous with the city of Coventry on many levels.. 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. I don't know if there was speedway on the original surface because that is well before my time. We won the FA Youth Cup with the Elliotts name on the shirt in the same year Coventry City won the FA Cup. Lowering was one of six spectators who were killed in the crash that claimed the lives of riders Eddie HASHA and John ALBRIGHT. An accomplished competitor in bothsolos and sidecars, David tragically lost his life while testing his outfit near his Sussex home. The Falcons roll of honour included cup and league triumphs in in every decade from the 1940s to 2004. Please Login or Register. On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. The former boss of well-known Coventry business Elliotts Car Accessories, he said: Elliotts and myself worked very closely with John. 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. 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. 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. Am going senile. Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team that was formed in 1928. Coventry. Speaking about his career he said: I left school at 14 and began an apprenticeship as an aero engineer at Whitley aerodrome where the Jaguar is now. You need to be signed in to respond to this topic. ANDREWS, Henry (USA).Jul 30, 1913..Lagoon Motordrome, Ludlow, KY, USA (B-R). Mauger himself rode the final laps as the lights went out for the last time. [3] He moved on to the Swindon Robins before joining the Hackney Hawks in 1964. Locations are in the UK unless otherwise stated. This was ominously blank. I now live near Poole stadium and watch the Bees when they are the opposition. At his farewell meeting 20,000 fans turned up on a wet night to wish him goodbye, remarkable testimony to his popularity. EISSES, Gerrit (Netherlands)..Oct 11, 1925Sappemeer, Netherlands (G-T). I was born in Birmingham and the Brummies were my team from 1949. The thrill and the noise was intoxicating. If you stood at the top of the banking you could look down into the pits where the riders and mechanics tinkered and swore.". 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. 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. . In the early 70's Nigel Boocock ("Little Boy Blue") was still Number One rider at Brandon. The application, which went before Rugby Borough Council, had been recommended for approval and featured a football pitch and clubhouse as well as homes. This article was first published on 5th January 2020, "Re your article on Olsen and his less able team mates, you haven't got a clue what it takes to team ride. 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.. 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. By now it had been redeveloped and renamed the London Stadium. 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. 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Oakes, Peter (1963) "A Peter Oakes Speedtale on Colin Pratt: Saints Must Regret Their Decision", Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Peterborough Panthers star pays tribute to club promoter Colin Pratt who passed away at the weekend", https://www.worldspeedwayriders.org/rider/40/colin-pratt, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colin_Pratt&oldid=1062499231, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2021, Articles needing additional references from October 2021, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 December 2021, at 21:04. There then developed an arm-wrestling match between Ole/Ochiltree and the SCB. The Coventry Bees stopped racing at Brandon Stadium, which is currently derelict, in 2016 after failing to reach a deal to race there. 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. Mr Reason also had a large haulage business in the city, J&J Reason and Sons, which more recently became Reason Transport. Coventry Bees - Latest news, reaction, results, pictures, video 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. Read about our approach to external linking. It must have been infuriating for the away team, although they must have been aware of what was likely to happen. 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.