star ghost

I have a vague recollection this is so and he used to report on the Southern Area League some 50+ years ago

That has evened the scores somewhat, hrhbig, rather like a last heat 5-1

Rick Hellsen was always extremely good ............... nuff said

Ove had a business transporting oil around Sweden but had to pack that in as he came to be a Norwich Star. He was also involved in the fur trade as well Ex Norwich, Wombwell and Leicester rider Harwood Pike had a transport business and "Flyer" Wyer, from Sheffield, was one of his drivers Ex Stars rider Derek Strutt was also a lorry driver and would change en-route to be ready for a match, he was often seen driving whjlst wearing his helmet.

Ove Fundin leads the way again, this time by many years

Ernie Steers rode, in the main, for Liverpool. I think his photo appeared in a Stenners Annual at one time and on a team photo of Liverpool in a book.

I think it may be so as I remember it somewhere in his list of credits just after Speedway in East Anglia.

And Steve Regeling is on the right end of the photo just in front of Richard "the racer" Green

I suppose it was done like that to do away with the speedway track. I saw Richard Davy riding there after he had started out at Saddlebow Road

Quite right Rusky. it was an ordinary wooden fence in them days

The one tune I remember above all others is "Old Comrades". This was the march used at the start of meetings at the real "Theatre of Dreams" the Firs Stadium here in Norwich. All the Red Cross & Track Staff marched out to it. No-one was allowed to have a fag on or slouch along with hands in pockets either, my Dad always told me Dick Wise used to put everyone on parade before the meeting started so things got done right. On a Saturday night when I am at home now I play the tune from utube, sit back and close my eyes and watch this spectacle in my dream that "Norwich Speedway is back"

Quite right Chunky - Red with White Tudor Rose

Eric Collins has a grandson living in Australia, I had some correspondence with him last year. Eric Collins qualified for the "Abandoned" 1939 World Final due to be run @ Wembley

Yes, my error. I should have said Charlton, not the Palace. The Palace was looked at on another occasion

Norwich Stars had already ceased to exist at the time of the Shawcross Report. Cyril Crane & Maurice Littlechild did not look into the possibility of Kings Lynn before thay had investigated a continuation in the Norwich area. Kings Lynn were then told they had to run a series of open meetings before getting in a League. I think this caused Cyril & Maurice to get quite heated as Crystal Palace got accepted later though they never had a track or had run any meetings

Jimmy Gleed & Jim Heard both rode for Norwich Stars when the National Trophy was altered to 10-a-side. They were used in the 9 & 10 positions by the Stars for this competition and we reached the Final before going down to Belle Vue Aces. Jimmy Gleed was a regular with the California Poppies in the old beloved Southern Area League whilst Jimmy (Jack?) Heard rode for the Rye House Roosters team in the same competition. Both were popular riders at the time they came to ride for the Norwich Stars.

I thought Leicester was in the Parker Drive / Blackbird Road area

Jerzy taking his victory was a great surprise but the bloke left on his ar$e got there himself so Jerzy doesnt need blaming for a lucky win. The bloke deserved it. A pity there were not more wins like it. Michael Lee in Swaden was another win fully earned (without any favours. He also did ok in the long-track final as well) The present system shows without qualifying rounds can an Aub Lawson type/standard man get into it now let alone take on the top men and get a 3rd place

You are quite right - George Hunter was a superb rider and was unfortunate that the death of Peter Craven was put down to an error of his. It was a racing accident from what I could gather at the time

The sun is shining and it is Quarter to Twelve here in Fundin County (11.45 A M). I am just off to the Pub (Mulbarton Worlds End). You Aussie landers are busy snoring your heads off at nearly midnight. we lead the way as it is halfway through boxing day at this minute in time. All the best to everyone.

Careful there Trackman. You will have Ian H claiming this was in Aussie and the frontman was J S H

Yes I was thinking of Elsa May Smith. I obtained some of her stuff from a shop in Norwich a few years ago & Mike Kemp also obtained some as well, especially about Eric Hockaday, Speedway does owe much to the "unpaid" voluntary workers whho are involved. Even unpaid riders from some accounts nowadays it seems. Ernie Hancock led the way with the teletex system and before him Barney Bamford got Midland tracks some airtime with results and match commentary on the "Midland Home Service" in its day. We used to pick it up here in Norwich on our old wireless, belated thanks Barney if you are still with us

There was also a prolific writer in the "Star" who did Rye House meeting reports but I forget her name now

R I P Roy You were one of Speedways charachters