RobMcCaffery Posted August 10, 2006 Report Share Posted August 10, 2006 Hang on a minute Rob, 13 and 60 add up to 73?, they didnt start til 1948!! glad to hear you are still about old chap. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Let us know where the 60 comes from Ken ;-) Found the Weir in 1971 at the age of 13, and it closed Oct 20th 1973 the day after my 16th. Actually I'm 85 but I lie about my age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY POPPS Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 I never went to Rayliegh but started following the Rockets on there 1st meeting at Rye. Ray Rocket,I remember Red Ott very well,he was so exciting to watch,was gutted when he moved to Crewe,and he ended up at the tiny Crayford track which was never going to suit him! RMC,how come we never see you at Rye anymore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 RMC,how come we never see you at Rye anymore? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Because of the way the 1999 relaunch team were treated the following year. I live over 100 miles away now and the only meeting I've been to at Rye House since the 1993 close was to show support for Steve Ribbons after he had been forced out. We all wanted Rye House to reopen but the way it was done behind the scenes was totally unacceptable to me. Len has achieved some great things in speedway but some of the people around him I did not want in my life in the slightest way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB1 Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 There is plenty of action from Rayligh on the Days Gone By series, see T2TV link below. One great memory I have is listening to Elton Johns "Rocket Man" playing one Bank Holiday morning, Eastbourne won 31-47 but it was a great day, then went off to Westham in the Afternoon and onto Wimbledon in the evening! Those were the days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 One great memory I have is listening to Elton Johns "Rocket Man" playing one Bank Holiday morning, Eastbourne won 31-47 but it was a great day, <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It was still a great day after a big away win? My goodness, the greed of these Eagles I remember the great Terry Ripo (a, b, c you at speedway...) announcing he'd had a record delivered from London by some guy called Elton John - and we HAD to hear it. As you can guess it was Rocket Man. It struck such a chord that I used it as the farewell music at every Rockets meeting at Rye House once I in turn became the team's announcer. Another little catch-phrase dwelled in the programme column contributed by the Southend/Basildon Evening Echo's Paul Deal ..."I'm only here for the Weir, well it IS Rayleigh Speedway" (Younger readers - ask your dad or grandad about "I'm only here for the beer... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted August 15, 2006 Report Share Posted August 15, 2006 I e-mailed Terry to let him know he'd had a mention on the Forum. This is his reply: "I think that I still have that Elton John 45 in my loft, It was given to me to play by Paul Deal who was the P.R. man for Rayleigh at the time, Elton had cut the disc as a demo I think at Paul had got a copy hot of the presses and brought it to the track for us to play, which needless to say I did frequently." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 I e-mailed Terry to let him know he'd had a mention on the Forum. This is his reply: "I think that I still have that Elton John 45 in my loft, It was given to me to play by Paul Deal who was the P.R. man for Rayleigh at the time, Elton had cut the disc as a demo I think at Paul had got a copy hot of the presses and brought it to the track for us to play, which needless to say I did frequently." <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well it would be good for Terry and Paul to know that their influence was still being felt on the Rockets 20 years later. They both played a large part in getting me hooked on this sport through their announcing and writing. Little did I know as a 13 year old in 1971 I might one day be following in their footsteps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witchnut Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Earlier in this thread there was reference to a CreweChelmsfordRayleigh team. I'd really like to know what the Chelmsford connection was, I've lived close by for best part of 20 years and watched my speedway at Hackney and Ipswich with occasional trips to Arena but sadly never to Rayleigh while it was in operation. Witchnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 (edited) Earlier in this thread there was reference to a CreweChelmsfordRayleigh team. I'd really like to know what the Chelmsford connection was, I've lived close by for best part of 20 years and watched my speedway at Hackney and Ipswich with occasional trips to Arena but sadly never to Rayleigh while it was in operation. Witchnut <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That was in the list of meetings on a historic DVD and had me confused - it must have been a typo because the closest I remember Chelmsford ever getting to speedway came about as follows: About the time Rayleigh's number was coming up there were proposals to run speedway at the Essex Showground at Great Leighs near Chelmsford. Despite being in a remote location there were noise objections. Edited August 29, 2006 by rmc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 That was in the list of meetings on a historic DVD and had me confused - it must have been a typo because the closest I remember Chelmsford ever getting to speedway came about as follows: About the time Rayleigh's number was coming up there were proposals to run speedway at the Essex Showground at Great Leighs near Chelmsford. Despite being in a remote location there were noise objections. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Now Young Robert, I can correct you on this, because there was indeed a track, it was owned by a former Rayleigh rider and used as a training track, when it was found out they made them close it, Footage is on the Days Gone By DVD. (see link below). terry Stone gave me all the details on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Now Young Robert, I can correct you on this, because there was indeed a track, it was owned by a former Rayleigh rider and used as a training track, when it was found out they made them close it, Footage is on the Days Gone By DVD. (see link below). terry Stone gave me all the details on it. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks, I am delighted to learn something. That was one that never made it into the public domain. Was it at the Great Leighs site? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB1 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Thanks, I am delighted to learn something. That was one that never made it into the public domain. Was it at the Great Leighs site? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> No it was a track on a farm, I will have to look at the dvd to see who it was practicing on it. But obviously it is rare footage, as is my Portsmouth footage from the 30's.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the brick Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 No it was a track on a farm, I will have to look at the dvd to see who it was practicing on it. But obviously it is rare footage, as is my Portsmouth footage from the 30's.. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i think the track was built by johnny guilfoyle for his son laurie guilfoyle to practise on.laurie raced second halfs at rayleigh and i think he may of made a few apperances for the rockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 i think the track was built by johnny guilfoyle for his son laurie guilfoyle to practise on.laurie raced second halfs at rayleigh and i think he may of made a few apperances for the rockets. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sadly I sold my speedway records and programme collection after leaving Rye House so I don't have anything but memory to go on but I'm pretty sure Laurie had outings at Rayleigh and Hackney at least. Okay Ken, as soon as I can rub a few fivers together you have a sale That reminds me, I must order some of my own programmes from the Tape 2 Tape video vault - I have very few copies ironically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 i think the track was built by johnny guilfoyle for his son laurie guilfoyle to practise on.laurie raced second halfs at rayleigh and i think he may of made a few apperances for the rockets. It was indeed Laurie and Johnny G. It's amzing whats still out there, had some sent over from teh USA, so more work to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 (edited) as is my Portsmouth footage from the 30's.. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> About as rare as your footage on Canterbury as well Ken Has anyone got the correct website address for Re-run videos please? Edited September 1, 2006 by shazzybird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tape2tapevideo Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Dont think he has one anymore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shippy22 Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 tape2tapevideo Posted Yesterday, 08:42 AM i think the track was built by johnny guilfoyle for his son laurie guilfoyle to practise on.laurie raced second halfs at rayleigh and i think he may of made a few apperances for the rockets. The track was actually in Little Waltham, which is about 4 miles from Chelmsford. It was only a few hundred yards from my house, and as a 10 year old, spent most Saturdays watching the riders training, Johnny Guilfoyle, actually let us ride our pedal cycles round the track a few times. Rayleigh Rockets held their practice session at the track one year, and I also remember Japanes rider Jimmy Ogisu, arriving late one night, and having a practice on the track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB1 Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 tape2tapevideo Posted Yesterday, 08:42 AM i think the track was built by johnny guilfoyle for his son laurie guilfoyle to practise on.laurie raced second halfs at rayleigh and i think he may of made a few apperances for the rockets. The track was actually in Little Waltham, which is about 4 miles from Chelmsford. It was only a few hundred yards from my house, and as a 10 year old, spent most Saturdays watching the riders training, Johnny Guilfoyle, actually let us ride our pedal cycles round the track a few times. Rayleigh Rockets held their practice session at the track one year, and I also remember Japanes rider Jimmy Ogisu, arriving late one night, and having a practice on the track. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The footage also has some youngsters on pedal bikes only a few seconds but could be you?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Dont think he has one anymore! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Damn as I know they would have some for sale, never mind maybe see them at Arena at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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