TeamBouchard

Hi Mike, Is the report and scorecard in the pipeline? If not, is there any chance you could post the times for heats 4 and 11 just so I have a marker for future events. Cheers!

Well said that man!

Thanks for organising the day, Mike (and big thanks as well to all those great people behind the scenes). Thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want to send a truck over, I'll send back the two tons of Loomer Road shale that are baked onto the bike! LOL. Brilliant job that the people at Stoke, Scunthorpe, Leicester etc do to enable wannabe-ish riders like me the chance to ride their tracks and have fun. Many thanks.

Even though I'm a Long Eaton fan, I regard this as one of the best Speedway books published. The detail is outstanding and it is written by fans whose love and support for the long lost team and track shines through. I have read my copy a number of times and have used it for reference on many occasions. A REAL Speedway book which is presented in a clear and easy to read format and I heartliy recommend it. A big WELL DONE to all who were involved in its compilation and publication.

I expect there would be a loophole in the overly complex regulations that would no-doubt be around at the time, to allow them an 8-point facility for Mr Childs!

It really was a very, very good night and the fact that so many people stayed on late into night is testament that it was a very pleasant social occasion. Your commitment - and that of Ian and the other Sunderland fans who have made the long trip - to the event really is appreciated. Well done to you and of course, top marks to Pete and his helpers for organising the 'do'.

Good for you "Grand-daughter" and great that you are providing a link for Norman onto the forum. I've had the privilege of catching up with a number of my Long Eaton heroes (from the 60's/70's/80's) over the past few years and believe you me, it provides a massive "buzz" (for me, not them!)even after all these years. Tell Norman that, sadly, after lying derelict since the end of the 1997 season, the Long Eaton track has finally been redeveloped as a housing estate, but those of us that attended, still have our memories - and they include your Grandad!

The Ivor Brown comment is quite interesting. When Norman dropped into the Second Division half-way through the 1973 season, Ivor was still promoting the Rangers. I'm sure Norman wouldn't have driven up from Poole every Thursday if he didn't get on with Ivor! When he signed, he helped to establish that Long Eaton team as the best (up to that time) in the club's history. He instantly started to hit heat-leader scores to back up Geoff Bouchard, Roger Mills, Phil Bass and the up-n-coming Alan Molyneux. We went on a run of massive home wins (hitting 50+ in around six consecutive meetings (13 heats of course)) and Norman was scoring a hat-full of bonus points as he team rode his partners home. A quality signing, who was very popular with the fans in the short time he rode. Although he retired at the end of 1973, he was tempted to make one more trip up to Station Road and rode in the 1974 Lunn-Poly Open Championship midway through that season, which I guess would have been his final appearance on a bike. Nice guy and pleased to hear he's still well and watching speedway.

You know what, Salty, until you'd just mentioned the three "columns" I hadn't even noticed they were missing. Personally, I reckon this issue was all the better without them. As an occasional feature, they've all got merits, but to have all three in each issue felt a bit like space-filling to me. This latest issue got back to the high standards the magazine set over the early editions and I hope Tony keeps with this style.

Absolutely agree that this was the best issue for some considerable time. Far more 'reading' in this one and a good spread of in-depth interviews across the Years/Divisions. As regards "other riders with tales to tell" I'm putting the finishing touches to the third issue of "Trackin' Down" which is my own little effort featuring interviews with ex-Long Eaton riders. It will be the biggest one yet with 108 pages and features Geoff Bouchard, Phil Whittaker and Paul Evitts. All moneys raised from this issue will be donated to the Long Eaton Branch of the St John's Ambulance Brigade, stalwart supporters of Long Eaton Speedway over many years. Issue three will be launched at the 2011 Annual Long Eaton Reunion on Friday June 17th.

For NW42. I got in touch with Geoff and this was his response. "I think he's been misimformed !!!!! I can remember reading about the incident. You're perfectly right, it certainly wasn't me. I cant see me jumping over the fence to join in , in fact I think I'd probably run the other way!!! I think I had my first ever Div 1 ride at Hyde Rd in 1971 for Cradley. The only other time I might have visited in 1971 would have been to watch the BLRC late on in the season." So there we have it! I recall seeing 'that' photograph and I wonder if it was Graham Plant who was leaping over the fence!

NW42 - thanks for the additional information regarding the Belle Vue incident. Geoff didn't mention it in the interview (though, I didn't ask him about it). I'm in touch with Geoff, so will try and get a definitive answer in the next day or so. Jon was a good lad who didn't have the breaks at the right time. He was in a couple of poor Long Eaton squads and always seemed to be under pressure to perform when he had the odd outing, which was a bit unfair. As I self-publish the Trackin' Down books, they are not on-line. However, if you go to my website at http://trackindown.webs.com/ you will find a number of extracts from the interviews which I'm sure you will find interesting.

Very much doubt Geoff will mention Belle Vue v Leicester as he wasn't riding. That infamous meeting took place in 1971 when Geoff was still at Long Eaton. I had the privilege of interviewing him a few months back for the third issue of "Trackin' Down" (interviews with ex-Long Eaton riders which raises money for injured ex-riders) and he is - as he always was - the complete gentleman. I will look forward to Issue 42 of Backtrack with renewed vigour knowing one of my favourites is in it and I'm sure he'll prove to be a very popular read for many fans. Incidentally, the next "Trackin' Down" (Issue 3) will be launched on June 17th 2011 at the Annual Long Eaton Speedway Reunion and as well as 30+ pages of Geoff's stories, full length interviews with Phil Whittaker and Paul Evitts will also feature.

I realise that the appalling recent weather (together with problems at Royal Mail) may well have put the despatch/delivery of the latest issue of Backtrack back by some days, but just wondered if you can confirm if the issues have been sent out as mine hasn't arrived yet. Thanks.

I saw Rick at Birmingham Speedway a few weeks back. He was going round at the interval assisting with the 'Briggo's Ride' collection. I said "Hello" to him and told him that a few months previously, I'd interviewed Roger Mills (for my Trackin' Down books about Long Eaton riders). I told him that Roger had brought into the conversation how he had been over to see Rick and had purchased an engine (tuned to First Division standards) from him. Roger lived in Willenhall (and still does) so Rick was quite local to him. Rick remembered the sale! With that, he moved on amongst the crowd to continue his collecting and I guess there wouldn't be too many who recognised him after all these years.

Sorry can't add any info re the restaurant. For a few more Long Eaton rider/track memories you may care to have a look at my "Trackin' Down" website which has just been updated with a review of the 3rd Long Eaton Reunion together with a few extracts from the latest issue of the book. Website at: http://trackindown.webs.com

Nice response "Bob"; thanks. I'm currently involved in a little personal "crusade" regarding my team Long Eaton and you might like to have a look at my website to see what I'm up to! It's all about memories.....................! Just type in: trackindown.webs.com Cheers, Ian

First appearance of the yellow and red archer racejacket was April 5th 1966 v Belle Vue in a Challenge fixture at Station Road. The first signs of the possibility of a "change" of colours - and a desperately sought change of luck - was in late June 1965 when the formerly predominantly green programme cover was changed to red. And do you know what, it worked! The first red programme cover saw a totally unexpected KO Cup win over the super-strong Coventry Bees. In addition to the red programme cover, the fact that two Coventry stars, Rick France and Ron Mountford, failed to turn up might also have helped the Archers cause just a bit........................!

Ivan joined Nottingham on loan from Wolves mid-way through the 1980 season and rode in around a dozen meetings before a bad shoulder injury kept him out for the remainder of the season. I have been in touch with Ivan recently and whilst he has plenty of photographs of his times at Wolves and Edinburgh, he hasn't any photographs with him wearing the Outlaws race jacket. He is desperately trying to find photographs and has made enquiries of various photographers who were around at the time, but without success. I wonder if anyone out there has any of the photos he wants. I'm sure he'd be over the moon if anyone could help out. Please post on the forum and I will arrange contact details.

I would just like to pass on my thanks to Peter Wrathall and his hard-working committee for organising another wonderful night of Long Eaton Speedway nostalgia on Saturday, June 21st at the 2nd Annual Re-Union of Archers/Rangers/Outlaws/Invaders riders. Once again, fans had the chance to mix and converse with some great names from the Station Road past, all of whom - just as they were last year - proved to be grand lads with some great stories. It was a privilege to be there. Again, the support of the evening was not confined just to those with Long Eaton associations with ex-riders Russ Dent, Allan Butterfield, Norman Hunter, John Hart and Graham Tattersall together with Ian Martin (and friends - raffle winners extrordinaire!) from the Sunderland Speedway website all enthusiastically involved. Long Eaton riders present (please forgive any omissions - and update the thread as necessary) in no particular order included, Peter Wrathall, Paul Evitts, Chris Pidcock, Ray Wilson, Roger Mills, Dave Harvey, Geoff Bouchard, Steve Waplington, Joe Hughes, Vic White and Keith White. Without doubt, the acquisition of 1980's "Announcer" Ken Walker to act as Master of Ceremonies was a master stroke. His enthusiasm for the role, together with a great working knowledge of speedway and all the riders concerned meant that everyone heard a wonderfully informative "Question and Answer" session with Paul Evitts, John Hart, Vic White and Russ Dent. Clearly the displays of Long Eaton memorabilia which decorated the function room had taken some considerable efforts from those "behind the scenes" but everyone can be satisfied with another super evening. If you're a Long Eaton fan and you've not been to these events (or even the other evenings which have been organised over the Winter by the Group) then you have really missed out. May I suggest that you keep an eye out for future dates; you won't be disappointed. I'm not ashamed to say that the "buzz" or "adrenalin rush" that I experienced from talking about past times to these icons of Long Eaton's speedway history (and my youth!) meant I hardly slept on Saturday night! Wonderful times. Wonderful night. Well done to all concerned.

At Long Eaton’s excellent and successful 1st re-union in June 2008, I was chatting to former “Ranger” Jerry Scott and he regaled me a story about Ken Vale from the 1970 season which may amuse fellow forumites. Canterbury were the opponents and in their ranks was the New Zealander Graeme Smith who was one of the new – and brash – kids on the block. The Crusaders' star had been, shall we say “over robust” in his on-track dealings with one of the Rangers’ riders and Ken had witnessed this as he looked on from the pits. At the end of the race, with Smith victorious in the battle, he and his pit crew were enjoying the moment just a little too extravagantly and vociferously for Ken’s liking. Ken – a normally most placid personality – was sat in his pits spot, puffing on his favourite pipe, contemplating. He took his pipe out – handing it to Jerry with a request to “Hold this for a minute.” He then bent down and undid his steel shoe, slipping it off his boot. With the steel shoe firmly gripped in one hand he ambled slowly over to the Rayleigh side of the pits where Smithy and crew were still enjoying the moment. Smithy had his back to Ken. When Ken reached the appropriate location, having walked up behind the Canterbury star, he tapped him on the shoulder. Graeme turned round to be met by a handily-wielded steel shoe coming purposefully in the opposite direction. Clang! Mission accomplished, Ken returned to his spot in the pits, reclaimed his pipe and sat down, without a care in the world. Wonderful! They don’t make ‘em like that anymore! Have just checked through my programmes to confirm that Graeme was riding for Canterbury in 1970 when Ken was at Long Eaton.

I can only comment on the information I can see on the OS Maps available to me. I know from working with the OS that there has to be evidence on site regarding road names/house names/pub names etc for them to show it on the published map. However, the local knowledge you have makes the situation quite intriguing! It seems quite bizarre that a track - within a couple of miles of the centre of a large provincial city - should have opened, run and closed with so little evidence about its existence, particularly photographs. I'm from "up the road" in Nottingham, and aside from the excellent recent book on Nottingham/Long Eaton speedways, information on the old Trent Lane track was also hard to source, but that did for a much longer period of time. In some respects, the fact that you've actually seen the Pub with your own eyes ought to be better evidence than my simply quoting from map editions. Anybody know who the Landlord was in the 60's/70's..............LOL!

Thanks to Alan’s input – particularly regarding “Lodge Farm” - the location can be confirmed as in my original post. The pub I referred to as “The Fosseway Hotel” in my earlier post, is shown on OS Maps for 1914/1930 as “Edenhurst” which is possibly a – large - private house. On the 1952 edition, the name is changed to “The Speedway Hotel” and it still appears as this in 1962. By the 1971 edition, the name has changed to “The Fosseway Hotel.” The Farm Lodge that Alan refers to is “Thurmaston Lodge” and this occupied a site on the other side of (and set well back from) Melton Road and lay approximately 500 metres North East of the Speedway Hotel. According to the various editions of the map I have checked, the Lodge was demolished sometime between 1962 and 1973. The 1930 edition of the Ordnance Survey shows the Lodge surrounded by many extensive fields but no trace of the actual track location. Incidentally, if you have access to Google Maps on the “net” and the satellite photography, you can see the site of The Lodge. Find the electrical industry building at the junction of Melton Road and Troon Way (East of Melton Road/North of Troon Way) and the site of the Lodge was the wedge shaped piece of open grassed land in the NE corner of the industry site (bordered on its Northern and Eastern boundaries by trees). The former “Speedway Hotel” – now Fosseway Hotel – can be clearly seen on Google Maps again at the junction of Melton Road/Troon Way, but this time South of Troon Way and West of Melton Road. Hope this has been of some help.

I'm sure someone will be able to give the exact location, but, from memory of reading a snippet about it, I think the track was opposite the Fosseway Hotel on Melton Road. The fosseway Hotel is still there, but the field opposite are now covered by a housing estate. I've access to all the old OS Maps for that area but the track was never shown on any, presumably because of its short life. The post code for the Fosseway Hotel is LE4 7SN which might help you to locate it on Googlemaps or something similar. The hotel is not far from the Thurmaston end of Melton Road. Hope that helps ans I'm sure someone wil have more precise details.

Reference is always made to the "Shawcross Report" of 1964/5 when discussing the creation of the original British League in the mid-sixties. Has anyone ever seen a copy of the full report? I've often wondered what exactly it contained and just how bg a volume it was. I wonder if anyone out there is able to shed any light on the matter! Cheers!