Terrible Speedway Accident - Zbigniew Raniszewski

[Ben91]

Presumably, if there is footage of the crash, there must be more from the meeting floating around, the 6 second clip is over in a flash and it is hard to draw any conclusions from it, if Bishop is right and it was a first bend incident, then it would be interesting to see this and work out from that if his views were correct.

[Custom House Kid]

I would not rely to much on Phil's recollection in the 1965 Post.

 

It was 9 years on and on viewing the footage I can see little grass between the riders and the stairs and I can see no evidence of him climbing back on his machine?

 

On reading the Polish reports with no knowledge of polish, my best guess is that Zbigniew clipped Phil's back wheel whilst changing line on the corner turned into the line of the rider outside of him, that may well have been the other pole. It looks as if Zbigniew was trying to get off the bike but clashed with the other rider which sent him into the stairs. The other rider was seriously lucky not to hit the stairs.

 

As for the Poles being told to win or Kill yourself, I think this a little far fetched but made good copy! From what I have read the poles did not like the conditions at the stadium and nearly pulled out.

Edited January 26, 2010 by Custom House Kid

[Deano]

CHK, I found this which seems to back your theory up:

 

http://www.speedway.hg.pl/zawodnicy/Biogra...KI_Zbigniew.htm

 

Seidl is the other rider in the clip and Bishop was in the race. It also makes some claim that Raniszewski was riding with an injury and that he only decided to ride as a world qualifier was to be held in Vienna later and he wished to learn the track.

Edited January 26, 2010 by Deano

[Bavarian]

15. bieg. Sczepił się z Bishopem i wjechał w betonowe schody - tor nie miał bandy!

 

[frigbo]

The article was attributed to a Pole called Stefan Kubiak (from Warsaw), it states:

 

"We have received sad news from Vienna.

 

During the speedway match with Austri on April 19, two Polish speedway riders, Raniszewski and Krzesinski were involved in serious accidents. Raniszewski did not recover consciousness and died within a short time. Krzesinksi was taken to hospital but his injuries are not serious.

 

The Vienns speedway track was unusually difficult. The hard surface of the track, the sharp bends and the cement columns by the outer wall of the track made riding dangerous.

 

The leaders of the Polish team were unwilling to agree that the match should take place under such conditions. But after the organisers had confirmed that the Vienna track was approved by the International Motor Cycle Federation they agreed to ride. The decision to take part was also strengthened by the fact that the World Championship Competition would take place on the same track.

 

Nevertheless, the Polish riders were advised to ride quietly and carefully. The members of our team conformed to this recommendation. They rode with sportsmanship but quietly against the strong opposing Austrian team which was reinforced with riders from the German Federal Republic.

 

After the interval, when the Austrian team began to lead, the Polish team became nervous. At the 13th heat the score was 45-38. St this stage the tragedy occurred.

 

In the next lap, Krzesinski overturned and suffered serious contusions. At the same time Raniszewski and Kapala from the Polish team and Bishop and Sidlo from the Austrian team were starting off. Kapala reached the first bend with Bishop close alongside. Behind them and a little in front of Raniszewski was Sidlo. Coming into the straight, Sidlo fell in front of Raniszewski, who was thrown against the wall of the track".

 

 

As has been said, it does sound like a garbled mixture of both incidents.

Edited January 26, 2010 by frigbo

[Deano]

15. bieg. Sczepił się z Bishopem i wjechał w betonowe schody - tor nie miał bandy!

 

Google won't translate that for me.

 

[Custom House Kid]

CHK, I found this which seems to back your theory up:

 

http://www.speedway.hg.pl/zawodnicy/Biogra...KI_Zbigniew.htm

 

Seidl is the other rider in the clip and Bishop was in the race. It also makes some claim that Raniszewski was riding with an injury and that he only decided to ride as a world qualifier was to be held in Vienna later and he wished to learn the track.

 

Deano to some extent that is where I got my theory from mate!

 

I posted the link earlier http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl...KI_Zbigniew.htm

 

 

[frigbo]

Can anyone translate the witness notes on the Raniszewski webpage??

 

Some of these seem to imply it was Hans Sidlo involved

 

http://www.raniszewski.com.pl/

Edited January 26, 2010 by frigbo

[Deano]

Some of these seem to imply it was Hans Sidlo involved

 

Sidlo was in the race previous.. heat 14, this is where we think there is some confusion over the two incidents. The link both myself and CHK put up mentions Sidlo too, I assumed they meant seidl. There are too many names that are similar, even I got Raniszewski and Krzeszinski mixed up in a previous post and they don't even look the same.

 

Edited January 26, 2010 by Deano

[speedyguy]

The article was attributed to a Pole called Stefan Kubiak (from Warsaw), it states:

 

"We have received sad news from Vienna.

 

During the speedway match with Austri on April 19, two Polish speedway riders, Raniszewski and Krzesinski were involved in serious accidents. Raniszewski did not recover consciousness and died within a short time. Krzesinksi was taken to hospital but his injuries are not serious.

 

The Vienns speedway track was unusually difficult. The hard surface of the track, the sharp bends and the cement columns by the outer wall of the track made riding dangerous.

 

The leaders of the Polish team were unwilling to agree that the match should take place under such conditions. But after the organisers had confirmed that the Vienna track was approved by the International Motor Cycle Federation they agreed to ride. The decision to take part was also strengthened by the fact that the World Championship Competition would take place on the same track.

 

Nevertheless, the Polish riders were advised to ride quietly and carefully. The members of our team conformed to this recommendation. They rode with sportsmanship but quietly against the strong opposing Austrian team which was reinforced with riders from the German Federal Republic.

 

After the interval, when the Austrian team began to lead, the Polish team became nervous. At the 13th heat the score was 45-38. St this stage the tragedy occurred.

 

In the next lap, Krzesinski overturned and suffered serious contusions. At the same time Raniszewski and Kapala from the Polish team and Bishop and Sidlo from the Austrian team were starting off. Kapala reached the first bend with Bishop close alongside. Behind them and a little in front of Raniszewski was Sidlo. Coming into the straight, Sidlo fell in front of Raniszewski, who was thrown against the wall of the track".

 

 

As has been said, it does sound like a garbled mixture of both incidents.

 

Stefan Kubiak was a respected Polish speedway journalist and also a TV commentator. He was also a sub-editor on a Polish magazine specialising in speedway called "Motorowa." Kubiak played a major part in the introduction of the World Team Cup in the 1960s.

 

Regarding this report: I doubt if he was in Vienna but got the information from someone in the group after the team had returned to Poland. His reports were written in Polish and sent on to the Speedway Star. The error has probably come about in its translation into English for the Speedway Star. These translations were made by a Pole resident in England who had no knowledge of speedway racing.

[frigbo]

The witness letter from Sidlo implies some involvement in the incident. Roughly translated it says

 

"I attended the races in question, but also in the unfortunate round. I drove a 4-you completely on the right side. On the left of me riding Pole. When I turned in the south wiraz, felt the impact of the rear near my machine. I let the machine immediately crashed to the ground. Wlecialem by up to forward the grating, which in the south-vertex wirazu envision, namely com clock for football matches. My-deprived driver's machine went on and fell under the stairs, which have there, there were the but, in any case not reached until the racetrack. I found myself in the grating at a distance of approximately 4m from the stairs. Pole went to his machine on and it fell into the place where my machine was lying. this is the place popup about 3m. It is separated from the outer edge of race track and so is the up outside.

 

Straw bag was at the beginning of the bars mentioned by me, but not when or under critical concrete stairs. by polak tem away before he met with a ride-on 2 Nd Biskop position, that he could not tell, because I have not noticed. in question was running races for the rest of Austria. After the break race for intensified in August, as I recall-before the present unfortunate accident were to place two further cases, however, without mortal consequences.

 

or Pole already by collision with me injured, I do not know. Pole certainly went full throttle, the Pole did not want in asc but was on his machine".

 

 

I've also roughly translated Kamper's witness statement and that also implies Sidlo was involved in the accident. It looks to me like Sidlo had replaced Seidl in the race and was involved in the crash.

Edited January 26, 2010 by frigbo

[DK Rides Again]

I've seen a slightly longer version of this film (I can't find it now, it was possibly on the tbkflame site, which has been dead for some time) and, crucially, it starts a few frames earlier.

 

It didn't show the start of the accident, but it seemed to bear out the theory that Raniszewski cut across the rider behind him, causing that rider to lose control; you can't tell what caused the touch, but it looks consistent with Raniszewski either running very wide or straightening up, then he winds on the throttle to try and gather it all up and runs out of room.

 

The other thing that becomes clearer is that the stairs aren't on the track, they're on some sort of perimeter area, although it doesn't seem to be very wide; perhaps the change of surface didn't help, as it looks to be concrete or tarmac.

 

 

[Bavarian]

That Polish website is phantastic, they have mow uploaded all the official documents of that Test Match in Vienna, even with eye witness statements. But it's in Polish language and someone would have to come up with a decent English translation.

 

http://www.raniszewski.com.pl/

 

From what I see now (race results, heat 15), it was definitely Hans Sidlo, an Austrian, who collided with Raniszewski. Bishop was in that race, but not in the crash. There are several eye witness reports, inclusive one of Hans Sidlo, which would be most interesting.

[Bavarian]

I must say, that this Polish website is really very good. It has lots of interesting and touching pics of Raniszewski's racing life, his private life and his funeral in the FlashGalery.

[Grachan]

I must say, that this Polish website is really very good. It has lots of interesting and touching pics of Raniszewski's racing life, his private life and his funeral in the FlashGalery.

 

I agree. Really adds so much to what could just have been a short, shocking clip. I would guess it is being done by his family, some of whom have also made comments on the Youtube page to say that they never expected to ever see this footage.

[speedyguy]

tigerowl

 Jan 26 2010, 04:26 PM

 

Phil Bishop serialised his life story in the Speedway Post in 1965 and he mentions the crash but I think he might have got some of the incidents confused. The story says:

 

"I rode in an International team in Vienna against the first Polish team to leave their native country - a team that was told: ride to win, even if you kill yourself. It was the Poles' first International. They had spent thousands on machines and training and reckoned they were going to beat the world. They expected to meet a weak team of Austrians in Vienna...instead they met a composite side that included Josef Hofmeister, Albert Siedl, Josef Kamper, Fritz Dirtl and myself.

By the halfway stage the Poles were behind by 12 points. They held an emergency meeting and told their riders: go faster, at any cost. In the first race after the interval one of the riders crashed, received severe facial injuries and died in hospital. I was in the next race.

Both the Poles tried to chop me up going into the first turn. I kept going, one rammed my back wheel, lost control, knocked his partner off, climbed back on the careering machine, opened the throttle wide.

There was no safety fence. Just 30 metres of grass then stairs leading up to the stands. The Pole crashed at full tilt into these stairs. The impact ripped his head right off. They've put up a safety fence in Vienna now"

 

Speedway Post - August 1965.

 

 

frigbo

 Jan 26 2010, 08:44 PM

Post #45



The article was attributed to a Pole called Stefan Kubiak (from Warsaw):

 

"We have received sad news from Vienna.

 

During the speedway match with Austri on April 19, two Polish speedway riders, Raniszewski and Krzesinski were involved in serious accidents. Raniszewski did not recover consciousness and died within a short time. Krzesinksi was taken to hospital but his injuries are not serious.

 

The Vienns speedway track was unusually difficult. The hard surface of the track, the sharp bends and the cement columns by the outer wall of the track made riding dangerous.

 

The leaders of the Polish team were unwilling to agree that the match should take place under such conditions. But after the organisers had confirmed that the Vienna track was approved by the International Motor Cycle Federation they agreed to ride. The decision to take part was also strengthened by the fact that the World Championship Competition would take place on the same track.

 

Nevertheless, the Polish riders were advised to ride quietly and carefully. The members of our team conformed to this recommendation. They rode with sportsmanship but quietly against the strong opposing Austrian team which was reinforced with riders from the German Federal Republic.

 

Speedway Star, May, 1956.

 

 

speedyguy writes: These are two conflicting opinions on the meeting in Vienna. One by Phil Bishop many years after the meeting, the other an opinion from a respected Polish journalist Stefan Kubiak (not at the meeting) but reporting on news taken back to him in Poland. I tend to accept Kubiak's version of the Poles attitude to the meeting rather than Bishop's which was given some 10 years later. Bishop's comments are more akin to the way that myths are created and perpetuated in speedway.

 

 

[kennylane]

tigerowl

 Jan 26 2010, 04:26 PM

 

Phil Bishop serialised his life story in the Speedway Post in 1965 and he mentions the crash but I think he might have got some of the incidents confused. The story says:

 

"I rode in an International team in Vienna against the first Polish team to leave their native country - a team that was told: ride to win, even if you kill yourself. It was the Poles' first International. They had spent thousands on machines and training and reckoned they were going to beat the world. They expected to meet a weak team of Austrians in Vienna...instead they met a composite side that included Josef Hofmeister, Albert Siedl, Josef Kamper, Fritz Dirtl and myself.

By the halfway stage the Poles were behind by 12 points. They held an emergency meeting and told their riders: go faster, at any cost. In the first race after the interval one of the riders crashed, received severe facial injuries and died in hospital. I was in the next race.

Both the Poles tried to chop me up going into the first turn. I kept going, one rammed my back wheel, lost control, knocked his partner off, climbed back on the careering machine, opened the throttle wide.

There was no safety fence. Just 30 metres of grass then stairs leading up to the stands. The Pole crashed at full tilt into these stairs. The impact ripped his head right off. They've put up a safety fence in Vienna now"

 

Speedway Post - August 1965.

 

 

frigbo

 Jan 26 2010, 08:44 PM

Post #45



The article was attributed to a Pole called Stefan Kubiak (from Warsaw):

 

"We have received sad news from Vienna.

 

During the speedway match with Austri on April 19, two Polish speedway riders, Raniszewski and Krzesinski were involved in serious accidents. Raniszewski did not recover consciousness and died within a short time. Krzesinksi was taken to hospital but his injuries are not serious.

 

The Vienns speedway track was unusually difficult. The hard surface of the track, the sharp bends and the cement columns by the outer wall of the track made riding dangerous.

 

The leaders of the Polish team were unwilling to agree that the match should take place under such conditions. But after the organisers had confirmed that the Vienna track was approved by the International Motor Cycle Federation they agreed to ride. The decision to take part was also strengthened by the fact that the World Championship Competition would take place on the same track.

 

Nevertheless, the Polish riders were advised to ride quietly and carefully. The members of our team conformed to this recommendation. They rode with sportsmanship but quietly against the strong opposing Austrian team which was reinforced with riders from the German Federal Republic.

 

Speedway Star, May, 1956.

 

 

speedyguy writes: These are two conflicting opinions on the meeting in Vienna. One by Phil Bishop many years after the meeting, the other an opinion from a respected Polish journalist Stefan Kubiak (not at the meeting) but reporting on news taken back to him in Poland. I tend to accept Kubiak's version of the Poles attitude to the meeting rather than Bishop's which was given some 10 years later. Bishop's comments are more akin to the way that myths are created and perpetuated in speedway.

 

 

As your such a big expert on this matter can you sort out Stefan Kubiak's comments on the fatal crash. Obviously a mess up was made in the translation and some confusion also seems likely over the two riders hurt in the successive heats as their surnames are similar.

[speedyguy]

As your such a big expert on this matter can you sort out Stefan Kubiak's comments on the fatal crash. Obviously a mess up was made in the translation and some confusion also seems likely over the two riders hurt in the successive heats as their surnames are similar.

 

Bavarian

 

This only shows the inaccuracy of the contemporary report in the Speedway Star. The reporter mixed the happenings of two accidents of heats 14 and 15 into one.

 

The truth is that in Heat 14, another Polish rider, Krzesinski, had a heavy crash and was taken to hospital. In this race (Heat 14) were Kamper and Sidlo for Austria, and Kaiser and Krzesinski for Poland. Kamper and Kaiser were out in front when Sidlo fell in front of Krzesinski. This race was later re-run without Krzesinski.

 

In the next race, heat 15, the fatal accident of Raniszewski happened, and that race of course was never re-run, the match being abandoned. Riding in heat 15 for the Austrian team was Josef Seidl and Phil Bishop, and for the Poles it was Kapala and Raniszewski.

 

speedyguy

 

STEFAN KUBIAK WROTE FOR SPEEDWAY STAR (Now edited):

At the 13th heat the score was 45-38. In the next race, heat 14, Krzesinski overturned and suffered serious contusions (head injuries).

 

In heat 15, Raniszewski and Kapala from the Polish team and Bishop and Sidlo from the Austrian team were the starters. Kapala reached the first bend with Bishop close alongside. Behind them and a little in front of Raniszewski was Sidlo. Coming into the straight, Sidlo fell in front of Raniszewski, who was thrown against the wall of the track (ie the staircase).

 

Note: Further evidence is that Sidlo replaced Seidl in this race.

Edited January 29, 2010 by speedyguy

[kennylane]

Bavarian

 

This only shows the inaccuracy of the contemporary report in the Speedway Star. The reporter mixed the happenings of two accidents of heats 14 and 15 into one.

 

The truth is that in Heat 14, another Polish rider, Krzesinski, had a heavy crash and was taken to hospital. In this race (Heat 14) were Kamper and Sidlo for Austria, and Kaiser and Krzesinski for Poland. Kamper and Kaiser were out in front when Sidlo fell in front of Krzesinski. This race was later re-run without Krzesinski.

 

In the next race, heat 15, the fatal accident of Raniszewski happened, and that race of course was never re-run, the match being abandoned. Riding in heat 15 for the Austrian team was Josef Seidl and Phil Bishop, and for the Poles it was Kapala and Raniszewski.

 

speedyguy

 

STEFAN KUBIAK WROTE FOR SPEEDWAY STAR (Now edited):

At the 13th heat the score was 45-38. In the next race, heat 14, Krzesinski overturned and suffered serious contusions (head injuries).

 

In heat 15, Raniszewski and Kapala from the Polish team and Bishop and Sidlo from the Austrian team were the starters. Kapala reached the first bend with Bishop close alongside. Behind them and a little in front of Raniszewski was Sidlo. Coming into the straight, Sidlo fell in front of Raniszewski, who was thrown against the wall of the track (ie the staircase).

 

Note: Further evidence is that Sidlo replaced Seidl in this race.

 

 

Rather late - 54 years or so - some sense is being made of the report in the Speedway Star but did Sidlo come out in consecutive races.

[DK Rides Again]

STEFAN KUBIAK WROTE FOR SPEEDWAY STAR (Now edited):

At the 13th heat the score was 45-38. In the next race, heat 14, Krzesinski overturned and suffered serious contusions (head injuries).

 

In heat 15, Raniszewski and Kapala from the Polish team and Bishop and Sidlo from the Austrian team were the starters. Kapala reached the first bend with Bishop close alongside. Behind them and a little in front of Raniszewski was Sidlo. Coming into the straight, Sidlo fell in front of Raniszewski, who was thrown against the wall of the track (ie the staircase).

 

Note: Further evidence is that Sidlo replaced Seidl in this race.

 

Regardless of who was riding, none of that statement appears to be true, going by the video evidence.

 

The film shows that the other rider involved was behind Raniszewski at every point and that, far from being 'thrown against the wall', Raniszewski went into it under power, which is the strangest part for me.

 

At no point does he attempt any kind of evasive action, he even ducks his head at the very last moment, almost as if he didn't realise what was happening.

 

I'm wondering if he was so preoccupied with trying to control his bike, that he totally lost his orientation with the track; could his throttle have stuck open?