Wessex Wanderer

Seem to remember him riding for Middlesbrough in the PL too. Also rode for a visiting team in a Challenge match at Weymouth (double figures I think) so he was not shy about travelling the length of the country just for a few rides. Typical of the many unsung heroes who never make it to stardom but are just as essential as the superstars.

He certainly did BOBBATH. Rode for the Royals in 1962 and 1963. Took over the captaincy in 63 following the retirement of Buster Brown. Did not ride in the "black" year of 1964 because he remained first and foremost a grass tracker and could not risk losing his licence. In Speedway he is mainly known due to the very successful training schools which he ran for years at Weymouth. Almost all southern riders gained at least some of their early experience under Lew's tutelage. Although his Speedway repuatation does not match that of his grasstrack one (where he is a legend) his contribution to Speedway through his training schools was huge. Although very much a veteran now he still looks very little different to how he did in the 60's and it is always a delight to talk to him and his wife Betty when they visit Weymouth.

Agree with Czechero there Kev - also 99% sure he was Aussie.

I think he was a regular for the Rockets that season. An Australian who was an effective point scorer at NL level. Quick check of my records shows him scoring 11+3 (7 rides) for the Rockets on his only appearance at Weymouth (6 September). Not sure if he returned to the UK in subsequent seasons.

Ian's post reminds me of a "memorable" disagreement at Weymouth in 1974 when Eastbourne were the visitors. Kelvin Mullarkey went inside of Mike Sampson on the then 2nd bend with Mike coming off. On the next lap there was Mike waiting for Kelvin to come past and as he did so he just dragged him from his bike! Kelvin was not one to let a little thing like being dragged from his bike when at full throttle bother him so he immediately "retaliated". They were parted and "escorted" back across the centre green with much shouting and scuffling by the two and their various helpers until they got back to the pits where things really kicked off with a general free for all involving anyone who wanted to join in! From then on Eastbourne were always regarded as "the enemy" at the old Wessex and Mike could always expect a very hot reception from the Weymouth supporters.

Sverre Harrfeldt definitely. Also: Tony George, Steve Taylor, Alan Emmett, Rob Lightfoot, Mac Woolford - all with excellent starts to careers ended much too early by injury. Sadly there must be a lot more in this category.

As well as his league career, Bob was a regular in the Weymouth Royals non league teams from 1962 to 1964. After retiring at the end of the 1974 season Bob was General Manager of Weymouth in 1975 and was responsible for bringing Martin Yeates, Brian Woodward and Vic Harding to the Wessex. He was at one of the public meetings about revival of Weymouth in 2002 but I do not know of his current whereabouts.

Stan was one of the most popular ever Weymouth riders but would not have put any of my 7 out of that team. Now if it were a "personality" team he would be right in there along with the likes of Barry Duke, Geoff Swindells, Kelvin Mullarkey, Richard Evans etc (oh - and Wiggy too of course but then he would be in any team, any time). All these names are making me quite nostalgic.

Hi Trackman I did a "Best Ever Team" for the 50th anniversary programme. It was (in riding order): 1 Martin Yeates, 2 Simon Cross, 3 Simon Wigg, 4 Tony Lomas, 5 Brian Woodward, 6 Steve Schofield, 7 Vic Harding (Capt). Neil Street was Team Manager. Personal opinion only and very difficult to leave out the likes of Danny Kennedy, Malcolm Corradine, Malcolm Shakespeare etc etc etc etc. Great fun drawing up the list and even greater fun "discussing" it over a pint with other Weymouth old timers.

They did indeed. I don't think the 5 5-1's has ever been equalled in this competition. With a comparatively short trip home a great time was had by the Weymouth fans in the bar afterwards. Joined as always by the Middlesbrough fans of the day and a very sporting group from Long Eaton who had been beaten in the Final. I still remember Wally Mawdsley "requesting" me to get back off of his dog track in the lead up to the presentaion.

Martin started Speedway at the Weymouth and Matchams training schools. His early appearances for Poole were probably as an "emergency reserve" (though I stand to be corrected there) and he then joined Stoke before moving on to Eastbourne for a couple of seasons. Bob Hughes signed him for Weymouth in 1975 (along with Brian Woodward and Vic Harding - Bob had a great eye for talent). He moved to Oxford in 1977 and, I think, then had one or two seasons with Poole before Mervyn Stewkesbury brought him "home" to Weymouth in 1980. Apart from a couple of months in early 1984 (with Swindon) he remained a Wildcat until his retirement, moving with the team to Poole in 1985. He is way out on his own as Weymouth's all-time top scorer and won both the Silver Helmet and National League Pairs as a Wildcat. His NL Pairs title with Simon Wigg in 1982 remains the only time a pair has scored 5-1's in all 3 heats and then done the same in both semi-final and final. I notice the track record at Newcastle has been mentioned. I was there that night and seem to remember that the track had been specially prepared that night as the Newcastle number 1 of the time (Rod Hunter or Dave Bargh?) had been getting close to the track record. The Newcastle rider did actually beat that record but not Yeatsy who set a new one (I think some 1- 1.5 seconds faster than the old one!). Wonderful memories. Thank you for starting this thread.

Ken was a regular for the Weymouth Royals non league team from 1962 to 1964. He probably rode in more matches (and scored more points) than any other rider during that time. He was captain in 1964 and won the Wessex Championship in 1963 (beating Charlie Monk and Jon Erskine in the final - terrific race by the way). I think he had previously ridden for John Pilblad at Aldershot. He also rode for Long Eaton and for Johnnie Hoskins' Canterbury amongst others. From memory I think he was skipper of the Crusaders when they won the Division 2 Cup (in 1968?).

I was sitting on the 4th bend as well Tsunami and for some reason I was watching Vitalij - he came wider and wider then just slammed into the fence. Kick boards splintered, fence went down (I seem to remember one of the metal fence supports was bent to a crazy angle) and Vitalij lay tangled up in the whole lot completely motionless. It remains to this day one of the most horrific incidents I have ever seen. I don't think many of us expected him to survive but how good it is to learn that he is still alive and well over 40 years later. Thanks for the news about him Igori.

Was he not a regular for Cradley in Provincial League/early British League days. Speaking totally from memory so I stand to be corrected if the memory box is playing tricks on me! He was a decent middle order scorer. Did he also ride for Sheffield after leaving Cradley?

No. Definitely Geoff Mudge. Ross Gilbertson was the top scorer but was not the captain. Geoff Mudge took over the captaincy from Alan Kidd (I think) in 1961 or 1962. He held it until moving to Reading in the early 1970's.

Totally agree Speedyguy. I always remember him as one of the most entertaining riders in the old Provincial League. Not a big scorer perhaps but ALWAYS worth watching.

He definitely rode for Long Eaton at about that time. I remember him being very entertaining in one particular meeting for the Archers at Poole. Almost certain it was 1964 but I could be a year or two out.

Very sad news. Surely the best Russian rider of all time and must be among the very best (regardless of nationality) of any never to win a World Championship. A true great who mixed it with the likes of Briggs and Fundin and proved their equal. RIP Igor and thanks for the memories.

Weymouth 83-1 is Chris Martin. A New Zealander he was a regular in the Weymouth 1983 team. I think that was the only year in which he rode in the UK. It was definitely the only year in which he rode for Weymouth. A good rider, good team man and a real nice bloke.

He certainly did - at least once! It was in a match against Weymouth (2nd half I think). He got excluded, took exception to the exclusion light and smashed the lot with a rake taken from one of the start gate staff. Great character - never a dull moment when he was in a meeting.

Yes, it was a great shape and produced very good racing (at least for my very occasional visits!). Quite the opposite from Holker Street which had one particularly "square" corner I seem to remember. Maybe Park Road suffered crowd wise by being a bit from being out of town. I also seem to remember it was very scenic to the west. Last promoter there was Chris Roynon (Adam's dad).

So sorry to hear about Igor Plechanov's health. A true great and surely undisputed as the best Russian ever. If World Finals had been held in Eastern Europe at that time we would most likely be describing him as a "former World Champion". The guy to Ove Fundin's left is Boris Somorodov. Another top flight Russian, I think it was on his UK debut (1963 World Final?) that there was nearly an international incident when he was excluded for bringing down an opponent (?Ron How?).

Good to hear that both Richard and Mervyn are better now. Both would be very welcome guests at Weymouth. It is also very good to have Alan Hodder back in the Speedway fold. One of the best administrators Speedway ever had. I went to school in Weymouth with both Richard and Alan (now that really dates the lot of us!).

At 3.00pm the weather is overcast but dry. Forecast is that the cloud will clear later in the afternoon. Should be a fine night with some great racing.

I agree - Chris Blewett is the only contender for this title. Some of the others were very spectacular (Vic Lonsdale and Slant Payling for example) but Chris Blewett was in a whole class of his own. I remember him riding for Glasgow but most of all for Exeter along with Jim Squibb and Chris Julian! Care to upset that team Mr Pedersen? Bill Andrew later became a favourite at Poole and I know he frequently "upset" opposition riders. Good old days!