'the Harts Of Coppull'

[speedyguy]

'The Harts of Coppull' by TAG Allison.

 

A new book 'Hot off the Press' featuring the life and times of Oliver Hart and his family.

 

A soft cover book of 40 pages on the last of the great leg trailers. Only £3.50 + 50p p&p.

 

Available from:

 

A Whiff of 'R' Promotions Limited.

117 Church Lane,

Chessington, Surrey KT9 2DP.

Tel: 0208-397 6599

or stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk

Edited March 13, 2008 by speedyguy

[speedyguy]

FROM THE SOUTH LONDON PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2008:::

 

THE HARTS OF COPPULL

TAG Wilson

40 pages, many photos, soft cover

£3.50 plus 50p P&P

A Whiff of 'R' Promotions Ltd,

117 Church Lane,

Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2DP

 

IN 1946, Wimbledon Speedway was mesmerised by the spectacle of legtrail rider Oliver Hart, writes John Hyam.

 

The Lancastrian only stayed one season with the Dons, but when greybeards meet to discuss “who was the greatest thrillmaker the club has ever had?” most times the name of Oliver Hart surfaces.

 

Dennis Gray, a Dons team-mate, remembers: “When Oliver Hart was on the track the other riders would go the pits gate simply to watch him.”

 

In his first home match for Wimbledon on April 22, with seven points from three rides in a National League match against Bradford, Hart was leading heat 11 when he crashed and broke his wrist. He made an exceptionally fast recovery and was back riding by May 6.

 

At the end of the season, Hart was Wimbledon’s second highest scorer, only the experienced England star Norman Parker finished ahead of him.

 

Hart loved Wimbledon - and the Dons’ fans loved him. But he had a problem getting to matches. Early on a Monday Hart, who lived in Coppull, Lancashire, would travel by train from Preston to London, stay overnight, then return home on Tuesday. It meant two days away from the haulage business he ran with his rider-brother Ron.

 

There was a solution, with a triangular transfer at the start of 1947. Bradford rider, Australian Bill Longley who lived in Lewisham, moved to New Cross. They let Les Wotton moved to Wimbledon while Hart replaced Longley.

 

Author TAG Allison first saw speedway at Newcastle in 1946 and it produced a lasting memory of the leg-trailing artistry of Oliver Hart.

 

A highlight of 1948 for him was a holiday in London, which had five tracks, but Harringay was the one he chose to visit because Hart was riding.

 

The book deals with Hart’s career from pre-war days in 1933 until his retirement in 1952. It also includes the career of his twin brother Ron, who rode at northern tracks in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

 

And there is a poignant mention of a third speedway racing Hart - their brother Stan who died after crashing while riding for Belle Vue Merseysiders at Birmingham on August 25 1937.

 

The book also traces speedway history from the mid-1930s to the early 1950s. It is a must for all speedway libraries.

Edited April 14, 2008 by speedyguy