arnieg Posted June 12, 2008 Report Share Posted June 12, 2008 Its that time of the year when speedway authors release their 'labours of love' in advance of Cardiff. I'd never considered writing a book until just over a year ago when I commented to Andy Povey (we were organising the Reading Museum exhibit at the time) that Reading needed a comprehensive club history. He said "well you should write it then.". And now I have! MEDIA RELEASE: "Celebrating Forty Years of Reading Speedway" Next Tuesday (June 17th) sees the 40th anniversary of the opening of Reading speedway. The story of those forty years is chronicled in a new book: “Tears and Glory – The Winged Wheel Story” by Arnie Gibbons. The book tells the story, year by year, of the Reading Racers adventures in the speedway world. Racers fans can relive the heady euphoria of the Tilehurst years, the agony of title near misses in 1977 and 2006, and the joy of five league title winning seasons. On the individual front the highs of World Championship wins for Anders Michanek and Per Jonsson are contrasted by the terrible tragedy of Denny Pyeatt's crash at Hackney. Author Arnie Gibbons, a follower of the Racers since 1970 enthused: “ Although the heart of the book is the chronicle of Reading Racers 40 years on track I have attempted to show how Reading and the wider speedway world have changed over that period, and how those changes have affected the Racers. I have also included the results of my research into speedway in Berkshire before the historic meeting against Nelson on 17 June 1968. As well as wartime speedway at California (near Wokingham) I found evidence of a previously unknown venue east of Bracknell! “I am tremendously grateful to everyone who has helped, particularly the Reading Evening Post for coming up with some excellent photographs to illustrate the book. Above all I would like to thank Malcolm Holloway and Mark Legg because without them the story of Reading speedway would have come to a premature end and we wouldn't be celebrating 40 years of speedway in Reading this week.” The book contains 256 pages, including over 80 photos and 18 pages of statistics. Longtime promoter 'Aunty' Pat Bliss has contributed a foreword to the book. It will be available from Monday - cost £15. It can be purchased from the track shop or online at: http://www.readingspeedway.com/tearsandglory.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted June 12, 2008 Report Share Posted June 12, 2008 I'm quite looking forward to this book in a "Swindon" kind of way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted June 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2008 I'm quite looking forward to this book in a "Swindon" kind of way. Then you'll enjoy the table on page 251 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted June 12, 2008 Report Share Posted June 12, 2008 Way to go Arnieg.. is there anything cooler than being a published author? I dont think so! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted June 14, 2008 Report Share Posted June 14, 2008 Yes, very best of luck Arnieg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyP Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 This book has today been made available to buy online. Please go to: http://www.readingspeedway.com/tearsandglory.html It will also be available to buy from the Reading Track Shop on racenights. Thanks for the complimentary copy on Saturday Arnie - much appreciated. Having had a further look through it this morning I have to say it's clear that a hell of a lot of work has gone into this project. A must buy for any Reading Speedway fan and to be honest, speedway supporters in general. Everything is in there, including a photograph of myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Everything is in there, including a photograph of myself. Wrong book Andy. You were thinking of THIS one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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