Brian L

Have a look at Keith White in the 1977 Hackney team photo

Been waiting a long time for the Bobby Mac article, one of my favourite Hackney riders. Was disappointed when he quit racing, but fully understand and respect his descision. He says in the article that he felt that he didn't 'fit in' at Hackney, I don't think the supporters felt that way. Good to meet him at the Hackney reunion a few years back.

I'd take Tim Hunt to beat Anders Michanek in a bike race!

I remember a big punch up at a Hackney -v- Stoke match in the late 80's. I think Louis Carr and Gary Tagg were involved in an on-track incident and then all and sundry got involved!

I made a rare excursion into Hackney at the weekend and the whole area is now boarded up and the buildings and warehouses around the track have been flattened. There are signs up saying Waterden Road is due to be closed off in the near future

Hi Shazzy, I have to correct you as there was 1 poster for every year that Hackney ran Speedway including the pre-war years, the only year that wasn't there was 1996. There was also a big 'Hackney Reunion' poster over the stage which had the name of every rider that rode for Hackney: Hawks, Kestrels & Wolves! Although I missed the change-over years 83 - 84 I have to echo Paul's sentiments that it was still Hackney Speedway just a different era. For me the best years were 1976, 1978 (when we finished bottom of BL) and 1988.

Tony, I have a scrapbook of 1976 which has cuttings from the Daily Mirror, some stuff on World Final & World Team Cup, VW Grande Prix etc. You are welcome to borrow it. Brian L

Agree Tony Featherstone was a nice guy who always had time for the supporters, shame it didn't work out for him at Hackney; plays bowls competitively now. The Hackney Gazette would write almost a page + photos twice a week in it's sports section on Speedway; a report on Tuesdays and a review on Fridays. I used to cut them out and stick them into a scrapbook. I also remember Snowy getting everyone to sponsor Keith White when he got to the Intercontinental Final in 1977. The 50 year anniversary was one of the most memorable meetings I have been to, the 75 year one was disappointing in comparison.

...walking up to the entrance at my first meeting (Superama 76) and peering into the window of the Lesney Factory and one of the workers giving me a toy car ...bunking in over the back wall one week when someone had left an old pallet there then trying again next week to find a steward waiting on the other side ...supporters who used to wear home knitted hawks jumpers (how did they get the pattern for them?) and anoraks covered in sew-on patches and hats/scarfs with so many badges on that must have weighed a ton! ...going to Rye House on the double decker buses for the ILKOC matches ...Len's war cries (2,4,6,8 etc.) and having his trousers removed and getting covered in flour at the last meeting of the season ...Thommo's red Iwade leathers ...blowing all my pocket money at the 4th bend kiosk on photos, stickers, badges etc. and having to walk home afterwards cos I'd spent my bus fare as well! ...going to the pits after the meetings and collecting autographs and plastic visors ..."Speedway mail/Kestrel News", "speedway star" and "peanuts" sellers walking amongst the crowd ...Standing on the 4th bend near the white (usually broken) benches and cheering the team on each and every week ...1988 double winning season with a team of very young British riders & Thommo ...The bloke dressed up in the yellow bird suit that used to run around on the centregreen ...Going back to the 1995 GP to an unrecognisable stadium, getting soaked and leaving halfway through the meeting never to return Thommo's Testimonial meeting... taking a penalty on the centre Green at The Orient goalkeeper in a specially erected goal, and scoring... only to miss in the second round badly... blasting over the top The goalkeeper was Mervyn Day who was West Ham's keeper at the time. My sister won the penalty competition and still has the body colour hanging up in her wardrobe!! - I have some photographs of that day.

What about enquiring about the 2 sections of concrete fencing at the Stadium with the Speedway entrance fees on it? See Speedway Plus stadium photos - Sunderland. If this is still there it would be great to save and preserve it as it surely will eventually be knocked down (or fall down).

Another great issue Tony, particularly enjoyed the Tim Hunt & Rob Woffinden features. As for the 'where have all the fans gone' write up I agree that the main reason would be that there is less overtaking today and therefor less excitement, but for me Speedway seems to be left in the past when it comes to presentation and promoting and this will not attract the younger generation or keep them hooked. I like the use of the new photo collection in the colour centre pages, but why are there two identical photographs of Michael Lee on different pages in the same issue??? Looking forward (or is it backwards?) to issue 22 - Brian.

Thommo was at his most entertaining in the British League around 1977, but was still entertaining in his later NL days although he admitted in an interview that he found it harder to pass riders as his career reached it's final stages. So he could feature as a great entertainer in both leagues at the specified era. Spent over 10+ years in the BL. Who remembers his brilliant leg trailing rides at the 1978 Jubilee meeting?

Mick Poole (Peterborough) & Todd Wiltshire (Wimbledon)

Well said Norbold, George & Linda have dedicated their lives to this Museum over the last 2 years or so. Thanks also to Peter who has given his space and a whole lot more to the project and all those who have donated or loaned bikes, leathers, bodycolours etc. I am certain many people will visit once it is officially open and be encouraged to donate more items... there's no point in keeping it in a box in your loft where nobody can see it!

I have looked through my Hackney programmes and Maxine Hill was in the Broadway Centurions (Hackney Junior) team managed by Bryn from the the start of the 1988 season until around halfway through that season when she retired from racing. The ban obviously was lifted early 1988 or late 1987, if anyone has any more precise info I would like to know. Also the match races between Maxine and Lisa Whibberley (Arena Essex) took place at Hackney during The 1988 London Riders Championship, I can vaguely remember this, but did not fill in the programme, so if anyone has the details can they let me know? Also any information on Sarah Cunningham, did she compete in Junior matches? Thanks Brian L

If you want to hook today's youngsters on Speedway then you need a current band and music. With 40,00 people in the stadium I'm sure some of today's young singers or bands could be tempted to perform. You will never please everyone whoever you choose, but let's bring Speedway up-to-date!

Can someone let me know when was the ban on female Speedway riders was put into place and by who? Was the ban in the UK only or worldwide? And when was it officially lifted? Thanks Brian

Thanks Trees, have now written up the profile, can anyone help with some photos preferably from GPs? Cheers Brian

Does anyone has any good photographs of Jason Crump that they could scan and send to me for use on a visual for The Speedway Museum? I will need to credit the photographer and get permission to use it so will need this info as well. Prefer GP pics both action & with trophy in colour scanned in jpg format. Also need a brief profile of Jason so if anyone has one that is up-to-date or if you can tell me where I can get the info from that would help. I will credit the writer of any profile used. Cheers Brian ps. Thanks to those who have helped with the Mike Lee & Per Jonsson visuals.

If anyone has the following could they please scan and send to me: i) Scanned .jpgs of 1990 World Final programme (can't find my one!) and Per Jonsson Benefit Meeting (covers only required) ii) Any good pics of Per from 1990 World Final iii) Per's DOB and place of birth? A brief profile? iii) Any good pics from Per's benefit meeting iv) Scorecard from the Benefit Meeting Please contact me by PM if you can assist with any of the above. Cheers Brian

I am producing some visuals for the Speedway Museum on a number of Riders / Topics I would appreciate help with the following on Michael Lee: i) Photographs with trophies - 76 British Junior, 77 & 78 British Final, 79 Commonwealth & Intercontinental, 81 Longtrack Final. Scanned in .jpg format and name of photographer (colour or B/W) ii) Programme covers from the above meetings and 80 World Final scanned .jpg format iii) information on any other major (British & International) meetings that Michael won other than the above and 77 & 80 World Team Finals Please send me a PM if you can assist with any of the above. Cheers Brian Also require scanned programme covers for 79 pairs final, 83 world final, 77 & 80 WTC finals.

Karl Fiala, Ted Hubbard, Kelvin Mullarkey, Edward Kennett, Jens Rasmussen, Bob Garrad, Steve Boxall Looking forward to the book Norbold

Paul made his official debut for Hackney Kestrels in 1984 (against Mildenhall I think). It might well have been the first meeting of that season. I gave Paul a copy of that meeting on DVD at the Hackney Reunion.

Is he still superstituous about the colour Green? How did his transfer to Hackney come about and did he regret his move up to the BL? Fond memories of his Speedway career? Has he kept any of his bikes, leathers, mementos (some former riders get rid of it all). What's he doing now? Is he still interested in Speedway today and does he attend any meetings? Tony F was a genuine nice bloke who always had time for a chat with the supporters; I look forward to the interview.