BL65

John Roccio rode for Shelbourne Tigers in 1952, along with Ernie. He raced on several British tracks that year, when the team was usually referred to as 'Americans' or 'American Touring Team'. (Shelbourne book is available on Amazon).

An extract from a letter from an eye-witness: I was at the track that night and Graham had won his first two starts from the gate and was riding really well, but was beaten by young Peter Pollitt in his third start. He came out to ride in the first handicap race and was on 150 yards. Boy, did he go! Probably determined to make up for his defeat in the previous race. Well, he took off and on the pit bend was really flying, picked up 50 yards on the back straight and coming into the top bend was 20 yards behind Pinker when Pinker fell. Graham, coming round very fast either touched him with his footrest (he was coming on the inside) or else in trying to avoid Pinker, he lost control. I did not see him hit Pinker’s bike, but the next thing, Graham shot over the handlebars and went sliding along the track for 20 yards on his face and stomach, his arms trailing at his sides just like a wooden soldier, and he just stopped and never moved. I think he was actually “out” before he hit the ground. As far as I can gather, he has concussion at the base of the skull and as yet has not regained his senses. These are the plain facts and I hope I have not upset his fiancée but that’s exactly how things are. The crowd (10,000) had just stood for 2 minutes in memory of Ken (Le Breton) who was the idol of Palmerston North crowds and believe me that same crowd was silent for a long time after the ambulance had left with Graham. I am fully confident he will be ok. Being young and strong, I guess he can take it.

Bat Byrnes beat Merv Harding in the ‘Jetaway Match Race’ over three laps at Ashfield on 30th August 1949. Junior Bainbridge beat Ken Le Breton in the ‘Jetaway Challenge Race’ over two laps at Glasgow White City on 14th September 1949. Bainbridge used a bike fitted with ‘rockets’ with Le Breton on a conventional bike. Presumably Byrnes or Harding used a machine set-up similar to that used by Bainbridge.

James Allen and Cyril Browning were born in England.

Freddy Cooper, J.S. Cummings, Syd Edmonds and George Emsley were all born in England.

The same person - Ron Dirkin.

Thank you very much indeed for the information.

Many thanks for the information, I imagine John obtained the reference to Reg from Tiger Owl.

The famous Irish stuntman Reg Kavanagh is known to have appeared on the speedway track at Leeds in 1932. In his biography it is claimed that he was quite a dirt-track star in Australia in 1927-28 before travelling to England in time to watch the first meeting at High Beech. He is said to have been an associate of Billy Galloway and Col Stewart. I have not yet found any record of Kavanagh racing in Australia. Another claim is that he rode at West Ham in 1928, winning many races. I have found no record of him riding at any track in Britain in 1928, or 1929. West Ham did not open until late July in 1928, so what was Kavanagh doing until then? Next, it is said that Kavanagh was also a big name on tracks in Europe, particularly in Germany, where he won a championship and set records. I have no details regarding these achievements. Back in Ireland he agreed to take over the running of Chapelizod Speedway in 1951 but resigned after a week. Does anyone have any information on the speedway exploits of Reg Kavanagh?

Interesting to see both Charlie and Colin smiling. I vividly remember a long 'conversation' with Charlie in September 1966. He said very little, with a lot of one word answers and comments. He maintained a solemn expression throughout. I had several chats with Colin over the years, when he was still riding, in his promoter's office, when he was sitting watching racing at Wolverhampton in later years, at the local hospital and when he was relaxing at home. He was very studious and not prone to smiling, except at home when he was transformed into a completely different humerous, laughing character. Two fine riders, i had great respect for both of them.

26.04.53 New Cross v BELLE VUE 2 points from 3 rides as reserve (fell twice) 19.08.59 NEW CROSS v Wimbledon 12 from 5 rides (3 wins, lost once to Moore) 26.08.59 NEW CROSS v Southampton 12 from 5 rides (3 wins, lost once to Knutson but won another hear when Bjorn fell) 02.09.59 New Cross v BELLE VUE 12 from 5 rides (two wins) 09.09.59 NEW CROSS v World Stars 9 from 5 rides (2 wins, beat Fundin, lost to Knutson and Moore) 16.09.59 NEW CROSS v Poole 10+1 from 5 rides (2 wins) 23.09.59 Tom Farndon Trophy 15 from 5 rides (beat Briggs, Knutson and Moore) 25.05.60 Southern Riders' CQR (guest) 10 from 5 rides (3 wins) 03.08.60 New Cross v BELLE VUE 13+1 from 6 rides (3 wins, paid win, ef in the other, 2 -1 to Briggs, one of which was the ef) 24.8.60 Tom Farndon Trophy 6 from 4 (withdrew from last ride, won one race, lost to Moore) 07.08.60 ENGLAND v Australasia 5+1 from 6 rides (won one race, lost to Briggs twice and Moore twice) 03.05.61 New Cross v BELLE VUE 8 from 4 rides (2 wins and a second) 10.05.61 London v THE REST 9 from 4 rides (2 wins, beat Moore and Briggs) 07.06.61 New Cross v BELLE VUE 13+1 from 5 rides (3 wins) 26.07.61 ENGLAND v New Zealand v Australia WC Qualifier, 13 from 6 rides (4 wins, lost to Moore, beat Briggs twice) 16.08.61 NEW CROSS v Southampton 8 from 4 rides (one win, lost to Moore twice and Briggs) 23.08.61 NEW CROSS V The Kiwis (8+2 from 5 rides (no race wins, lost to Briggs twice and Moore) 06.09.61 Tom Farndon Trophy 12 from 5 rides (3 wins, lost to Briggs, beat Moore and Knutson)

Don't forget the 1959 Tom Farndon Memorial meeting, when Peter won with 15 points. Briggs got 14, Moore 10 and Knutson 7.

The Moore family moved from Tasmania to New Zealand in 1948 when Ronnie was 14. Les Moore, Ronnie’s father, described his occupation in the late 1940s as ‘showman’, initially with Skulthorpe’s all-Australian rodeo and circus. He travelled around giving displays on his ‘wall of death’. Ronnie also tried and mastered the wall by 1947. As the family stayed in New Zealand, Ronnie opted to represent his adopted country.

It is one of John Chaplin's photo's, from the 1951 test series. It is in The John Somerville Collection and shown as being at Wembley. Probably the first heat, which Norman Parker won, with Moore second and Williams third. Young fell.

I forgot to mention Stanislaw Tkocz, twice World Team Cup winner with Poland in the 1960s and a member of 11 Polish league championship winning teams. He qualifies as a Stan.