BOBBATH Posted March 6, 2008 Report Share Posted March 6, 2008 Having read the wonderful memories of Waterden Road-my track was Somerton Park. I realise it was not a popular track but I have many happy recollections of the meetings there and the enthusiatic crowds -particularly in 1964 and 1965-and it was a great place then-anybody out in forumland have similar memories.I recall Alby Golden(RIP) breaking the track record; the guy we all loved to hate(Ivor Brown-God bless him); and the tremendous fan base in Waspland; Ron How of Oxford being unbeatable there ditto Jimmy Gooch and how excited we all were when he joined the Wasps. I recall when I lived in Champaign, Illinois, USA(hi chunky in Kahokia) trying to explain to my girlfriend -from Oklahoma-about the Newport Wasps. She thought it was hilarious because in the US,WASPS is short hand for White, Anglo-Saxon Protestants.It would have been like having a team called Reading RC's. I recall drinking Whitbread Trophy beer in the bar behind the stand opposite the starting gate-you had to join the Newport County F.C. Supportes Club to get in. By the way what happened to Whitbread Trophy and Watney's Red Barrel-was in UK recently and you can't buy it anymore.Happy days I wish I could bring them back-anyone out there have Somerton Park memories like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted March 6, 2008 Report Share Posted March 6, 2008 Thanks for the mention, Bobbath, although Cahokia is spelled with a 'C'! I do have to admit that Newport was one track I never ever managed to get to, but he story I remember most was when Simmo refused to ride at Somerton Park for one of his Grand Prix qualifiers in 1976. I do have some fond memories of great riders though, like Torbjorn Harrysson, Sandor Levai, and of course my dear departed old friend, Jim Tebby. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 I used to get along to Somerton Park most Fridays when I was working in Bristol in the early 70s. My main recollection is of how square the track was. As soon as the meeting finished I used to dash back to Bristol for a swift curry before starting work at midnight. I always thought there was something better about weekend speedway than midweek, but I suppose that's personal preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Only went there once.Back in 75.I think it was the year Street was starting out with the 4 valve.Anyway Street and Crump Herne,Gresham even Tom Owen maybe gave the Dons a right thumping.Briggo and Tommy Jansson just didn't get into it.Don't really remember much apart from it seemed a dark and cold place.Maybe the feeling was exagerated because the supporters club had stopped off on the way for the Oxford -Coventry meeting in the afternoon which from memory was a total contrast.Plus it doesn't matter if you watch another team get thumped.Wimbledon always seemed to take a beating away from Plough Lane back then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Not being able to get Watneys Red Barrel nowadays is a definite PLUS point. The only drink worse than that was Watneys Starlight. As far as Newport goes I always looked forward to seeing them as they had the great Sandor Levai in the team when they came to Kings Lynn. One of my favourite riders for sure. The track was round the football pitch and it always looked a peculiar place to ride. Lynn didn't do too well there most times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Only went there once.Back in 75.I think it was the year Street was starting out with the 4 valve.Anyway Street and Crump Herne,Gresham even Tom Owen maybe gave the Dons a right thumping.Briggo and Tommy Jansson just didn't get into it.Don't really remember much apart from it seemed a dark and cold place.Maybe the feeling was exagerated because the supporters club had stopped off on the way for the Oxford -Coventry meeting in the afternoon which from memory was a total contrast.Plus it doesn't matter if you watch another team get thumped.Wimbledon always seemed to take a beating away from Plough Lane back then i also went on that coach trip on good friday 1975. from memory i think the scores were oxford, 59 coventry, 19 and newport, 54 wimbledon, 24. two really close meetings!. that was also my only visit to somerton park for speedway, although i did go to a football match there a few years later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmberCelt Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 The track was round the football pitch and it always looked a peculiar place to ride. Lynn didn't do too well there most times Apart from winning 54-24 in '72 The corners of the the pitch were actually coconut matting so they could be removed to accommodate the Wasps after the County had played their home games.Many moans from Fourth Division players about dodgy corners(not for the last time at Newport!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted March 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 As I figured, judging by the number of posts not too many folks have as fond memories of Somerton as they do of Waterden Road or The Firs, or Custom House.I would have been better to have titled the item "gay riders at Somerton" or even better who was the tallest gay rider to appear at Somerton(not Graham Miles tho')!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdons Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 I remember going to Somerton Park in 73 or 74 with Wimbledon - seem to remember Sandor Levai, Phil Crump, Neil Street and Bob Coles riding for Newport. My abiding memory is that the town seemed to shut while the speedway was going on and afterwards, there was nowhere to go. The pubs all seemed to have shut and it was a bit eerie. Eventually the coach drove round and round and found a late night chippie open. The owner must have thought all his Christmases had come at once to get 52 hungry customers at that time of night! I also remember Peter Collins admitting in one of his books that he had feigned illness in May 1976 to avoid riding there, as he had been spooked by Tommy Jansson's death earlier that month and PC had always disliked the square shape of the Somerton Park track. However, as we all know, your home club is your home club and undoubtedly, many riders learned to perfect the circuit and do well there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Not at Somerton,but i will never forget Ray Harris riding at Old Meadowbank with a big stripey jersey looking like a real wasp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted March 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Yes that was Ray's trade mark-as you probably recall he got somewhat portly towards the end of his career!!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodneyparade Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Regarding the Somerton Park track, in the late 1960s/early 1970s when Newport were the perennial wooden spoonists nobody complained about the track. When we assembled a potential league winning team with three solid heatleaders Crump/Eide/Herne, that's when messrs. Collins and Simmons started complaining. As Barry Briggs once stated 'Good riders can ride any track'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhamboy66 Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Only went there once the night that PC chose not to ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted June 10, 2008 Report Share Posted June 10, 2008 I am looking for details on Jim Tebby: when did he move from Wimbledon to Newport. I believe it was an acrimonious departure from Plough Lane after he invested in new equipment for the season and was only told at the pre-season practice he was no longer wanted by the Dons. Was his father Stan his mechanic when he rode for Newport - and when did Stan die? Also, I know this asking a lot - aprt from Harringay to Wimbledon then Newport - did Jim ride for any other tracks (excluding California-in-England). Many thanks indeed for any comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted June 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Jim has passed away hasn't he-didn't he die quite young, Stan has been dead many years I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dietbowers Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 (edited) I think he joined Newport in either 73 or 74,and the last time i saw him was at Phil Crumps Testimonial in 83. I know he has passed on,but can`t remember what year. Edited June 11, 2008 by Dietbowers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodneyparade Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 'Slim' Jim rode 94 matches for Newport from 1973 - 75 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesterdaysman Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Also, I know this asking a lot - aprt from Harringay to Wimbledon then Newport - did Jim ride for any other tracks (excluding California-in-England). Many thanks indeed for any comments. Oxford '61 ...ish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Oxford '61 ...ish Getting confused (I am very old!!!!) - can anyone set out in chronological order Jim Tebby's tracks from Harringay 1952 to Newport 1975. Oxford has now been mentioned. Again, thanks to all who can help me in this atter. And if Jim was at Harringay in 1952, where and when did he start? How old - about 15 years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Jim was apparently relegated to the Wimbledon second half in 73 by Cyril Maidment,but i guess took umbrage at that and never appeared.Guess he must have signed for Newport a week or so into the season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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