Nigel

Naughty , naughty trackman trying to stir things up,

The suggestion that Australian historians are trying to bebunk the Hoskins myth to gain credit is an appaling insult to those who are of unquestionable integrity. Sadly Ian has used this insult on previous occasions. Ian Hoskins should have the good grace to apologise. This attitude of spite does him no credit . Historians are only interesed in the truth. The evidence is there for all to read. How much research has Ian Hoskins done... non I suspect. We are not out to destroy JSH, he was a great showman who did a lot for the sport ...truth is all we are interested in. It is rather sad to see the son of a great showman bitterly sling mud and inaccurate suggestions, instead of rational disscussions based on the written evidence. Correction . sorry Ian wrong again... West Ham was bought by the Wembly management of Sir Athur Elvin who installed Johnnie as manager. Dirt Track racing started in America around the horse trotting tracks, there is literally tons of evidence... any one can find it it they can drag themselves away from the 32 inch plasma screen and the cheap chemical lager. I have evidence of Dirt Track racing around horse trotting tracks in Italy in 1911 A J Hunting did more to pioneer the sport than JSH Englands first Dirt Track/Speedway Rider was racing in the USA on Half mile trotting tracks 1922-23. Wikipedia ...that says it all ..information from the highest and most respected accademics in the world

Hello shazzy.....spelling !! just a typo In answer to your question.. 'John Stark Hoskins for a start'....his son Ian still swears its true and get very indignant if anyone contradicts this view. Just about every mag, book that has a bit of early speedway history in it repeats this myth. If you 'google' Johnnie Hoskins you will find he is credited with this accolade. Just about every speedway website around the world that has a 'how it all started' section will tell you Hoskins started it all at West Maitland Australia .......its historicaly innacurate, to be polite. Australian historians have been banging their heads against a brick wall for years trying to dispel this myth. He played no part in introducing the sport to GB two more myths that need dispelling are those of High Beech and the 'starting gate' er....er.. is the spelling alright..er.. there's no spell checker on this thing

I was at the Coventry test in 64, I was impressed by the fighting spirit of the never say die Russians, Igor feared no one and gave no quarter, he was world class, he could have been World champ, a privelage to have watched a real 'racer'. (I still have the programme) R.I.P. Igor

It seems this trophy was the 'Golden Sash'... Tom won this trophy on the 30th July 1929, in the 5 man Final he beat Ivor Anslow 2nd, Tommy Deadman 3rd, followed by George Milton (Warrington) and George Allbrook. Tom's winning time 90.2 secs 2 Trophies?.....The Golden Sash was again raced for on the 20th of August 1929, this time won by George Allbrook who was a team mate of Toms at Coventry annie I have sent you a personal message.

"You cannot be sued for libel if what you are saying is true". If the author has left something out of the book for the fear of being sued, It is either untrue or hearsay which cannot be proved. I think Bobbath has a point, he percieved the review in a certain light, others may have done the same. Perhaps the wording was ill considered?. It seems the review could be seen as a bad piece of PR or perhaps it could be a marketing ploy to create a greater air of 'mystery' ?............it certainly got the book plenty of publicity on this forum......No such thing as bad publicity ...only publicity. Inevitably books written about controversial charactors and events will unfortunately offend someone, but books have a long way to go to catch up with the Tabloid newspapers, who have no qualms about offending those close to a tragedy.

Thanks Annie, If the letter "D" is a capital, this indicates the year of assay as 1928/29 You probably need an 8x magnifier to make out the marks, which should be a 'lion passant' a 'ships anchor' (B'ham mark) and a makers mark? Regards ..............Nigel

Hi Annie, in the first instance the person to contact is Mark Sawbridge who has written a book on the history of Wolverhampton Speedway. I will contact Mark, I've no doubt he will be very interested and maybe he has the answer. Tom did ride at Wolverhampton in both 1929-30. As of yet I have not found a reference to Tom and this trophy, but my records are incomplete. There were many many Golden trophies .............this one sounds like the 'Golden winged sash' From you description of this trophy it sounds like a quality item. Are you sure the centre is ceramic ..possibility is, that it is enameled silver. Silver items were also Gilded (Gold plated), have you noticed any assay/Hallmarks, not usually obvious. These would give the date of and the manufacturer. Should there be any such marks I would be interested to have a description, as I have an interest in the silversmiths of Birmingham who made many of theses trophies. Regards Nigel

Ivor Brown was a hard rider but never wild. Chris Julian is another rider who was wild, even his team mates were reluctant to ride with him. Ask Olly Nygren about chris, he will raise his eyes to the heavens and groan. Briggo has a cheek, criticising Blewett, seeing how the old hands wanted the young Briggo banned because he was considered to be dangerous. Julians and Millen are 2 riders who would be in my dream team.

clockwise racing .....just a small mistake on the part of the organiser...I mean some people cant tell left from right No crash helmets and a movable safety fence were added novelties

Actually ..Norman ....I agree with you whole heartedly as to the 'second' High Beech meeting being the first 'Proper' Speedway meeting but not the first speedway/dirt track meeting

Camberly had a loose surface and it was not sand One long skid from start to finish said the report Travelled this road before ..I know where the pot holes and trip wires are.

How did anyone get ten out of ten, seeing as the answer to the first question is contetious ..... did not notice the year 1927 among the choices. I dont think any of you were paying the quiz much attention.... own up!.. you were watching the Eurovision song contest

I thought this one had run its course, but I was to lazy to read all 9 pages to find out if anything else was required.

I'm a bit late on this one .....but this may be of use.....According to my information Mockford and Smiths first venture as London Motor sports was to run Motorcycle Gymkhana events around the country. Path racing also became known as Minature TT racing. There are photos of the path racing at C/P in the motorcycle press...one features Gus Kuhn and Roger Frogley I believe open licence events were run between 1936-38 As for track location, can I suggest a trip to the appropriate library and take a look at the 'Ordinance Survey' maps of that period. If the maps were updated in the 1930s the track will most likely be shown.

J.H. is correct....Hunter, Gilbertson, Mauger, Kitchen. lined up in that order at the tapes. Ross Gilbertson was third. Their photo is featured on the front of the 1964 PLRC programme. Wayne Briggs was in the 1962 PLRC final ...Runner up.