Brian Hamilton Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Although i have and always been a Cheetahs fan, I can always rememeber Arthur Forest from Coventry. I think he only rode for the first season I started watching (19590 but he was good and was always immaculate in appearance. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Brian-just before my time-but if you go to Speedway on disc-(one of the people who is on this forum set it up)-you can see racing and pits views from a meeting at Halifax in 1949-against Stoke I think-and Arthur is front and centre. I think he passed away some years ago -but I am sure other forumland people can add more-his brother in law-Jack Hughes was also a rider-I think Arthur reached his peak when he came 3rd in a World Final in the fifties.Thank you for bringing his distinguished name to this forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 (edited) Arthur rode for Halifax, Bradford, Belle Vue and Coventry as far as I know. I think his best World Final night co-incided with Ove's first victory and the "first" closure of Wembley as a League team. He always had highly polished leathers and also appeared at the first of the Golden Oldie meetings at Coventry way back. In one of his seasons he caused a rumpus by entering the World Championship, but not having a team slot in a League side at the time. Edited January 4, 2008 by star ghost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Hamilton Posted January 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Brian-just before my time-but if you go to Speedway on disc-(one of the people who is on this forum set it up)-you can see racing and pits views from a meeting at Halifax in 1949-against Stoke I think-and Arthur is front and centre. I think he passed away some years ago -but I am sure other forumland people can add more-his brother in law-Jack Hughes was also a rider-I think Arthur reached his peak when he came 3rd in a World Final in the fifties.Thank you for bringing his distinguished name to this forum <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Bobbath and Star Ghost many thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Hamilton Posted January 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 I have taken my first look on speedway on disc. It's brilliant Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 To add to the above In that 1956 Final Arthur beat Peter Craven in a run-off for 3rd place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barcroftlad Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 To add to the above In that 1956 Final Arthur beat Peter Craven in a run-off for 3rd place. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Great to see "The Black Prince" featured on here. Arthur Forrest was a real gentleman,always immaculate,ever a star. What might not be generally known on here was his ability with trotting (horses)racers,it might have been a family interest, but he once raced in a demonstration race at The Shay track at Halifax. In my scrapbook from those days,I have a photo and article from a newspaper of Arthur's marriage to Miss Marion Hughes of Mirfield, at Mirfield Parish church. I am so sorry to hear that he passed away. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 That's right-- Marion was Jack Hughes sister-anyone know if they are still around?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 I thought Eddie Rigg had emigrated to Aussie-am I wrong or did he move back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Hamilton Posted January 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Jack Hughes is still arround in Bradford. For many years he ran a successful coach (maintenance I think) company only a few miles from Odsal. I think it has been sold now and he has retired. I believe he has a grandson riding in the conference who he has been helping, Can't remember his name but I think he rode for Buxton last year. I believe Arthur Forrest only ever rode 1 match for Belle Vue, 1956 if my memory seves me well. came in when Peter Craven was injured. In the same match Ron Clarke also came in for Peter Williams, this was for 3 matches. Another Bradford (and Belle Vue) rider Arthur Wright is still going strong in the Huddersfield/Bradford area. I think he is 75 now Yet another Eddie Rigg was still riding motor bikes in the area no so long ago, maybe he still is I don't know. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Is that the Arthur Wright who rode for Oxford around 1959/60. I thought he would be dead by now but if not that is wonderful news! Arthurs bike was always a mess and I remember its engine blowing to pieces one night. There were bits all over the track. Thank you for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Yes it is the same Arthur, he rode for most of the time for Odsal but did have odd spells elsewhere. Arthur also rode in Aussie with Rune Sormander and the five man European Touring team one winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 That's right-- Marion was Jack Hughes sister-anyone know if they are still around?? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi... Jack and arthur are both still looking fit andwell. Can always be found in the pits where ever grandson ben taylor rides. True gentlemen and you can sit all night listening to their escapades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 I believe Arthur Forrest only ever rode 1 match for Belle Vue, 1956 if my memory seves me well. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 1957, actually... Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barcroftlad Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 I thought Eddie Rigg had emigrated to Aussie-am I wrong or did he move back <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Eddie Rigg moved to Aussie in the mid 60's and worked for Qantas ground maintenance section. He was still there in 1978 according to a magazine I have,"Australian Speedway Bikebook" 1978 edition. It is a pretty good read with over 100 pages of stories,photos and interviews,including---- interviews with Graham Warren and Eddie Rigg, who are asked to evaluate the finest riders they faced and to nominate the best Test riders of the last 30 years. That is prior to 1978 of course. Without me waffling on about their choices the teams they nominate are/were. Warren's team. England: Jack Parker (captain) Norman Parker,Split Waterman,Oliver Hart (my personal favourite),Bill Kitchen,Peter Craven,Nigel Boocock,and Peter Collins. Rigg's team. Australia: Aub Lawson (captain),Graham Warren,Vic Duggan,Arthur Payne,Jack Young,Jackie Biggs,Phil Crump,and John Boulger. Of those named, without delving into my box of bits and pieces to check, I know I have the autographs of Oliver Hart, Bill Kitchen,Graham Warren,Vic Duggan, Jackie Biggs, and Eddie Rigg himself who I was lucky to meet on a few occasions.There are some good articles and interviews including a 3 page one on the Johnny Hoskins story--Mr Speedway. Also, to mark the 50th anniversary of English Speedway,they featured four clubs,Belle Vue,Wimbledon,West Ham and Coventry,who were all involved with the birth of the league racing through the Southern and Northern Leagues in 1929 and 1930. Some lovely old photos including the Aces team of 1930. Oliver Langton,Clem Cort,Len Myerscough,Frank Varey,Bob Harrison,Eric Langton, and Herbert "Dusty" Haigh.Also team photos of the Aces teams of 1934 and 1936.Hammers of 1948 ( I saw that team race),the Dons of 1948 (saw them too),and the Bees of 1968. Sorry if I raved on a bit,but there's some good stuff in there to talk about. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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