Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

The Moran Brothers


Guest tigers_chick

Recommended Posts

Guest tigers_chick

My dad goes on about how great the moran brothers were and i was wondering if anyone knew if there was anything i could get him about the moran brothers, so if anyone knows of any books pictures ect can you please let me know thanks :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is a book out at the moment about Shawn & Kelly Moran. This was knicked from the write up off www.sheffieldspeedway.com

 

 

THE MORAN BROTHERS by Brian Burford.

£14.99 (including postage in U.K.) from Brian Burford, 18 Ermin Close, Baydon, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 2JQ

Please make cheques payable to Brian Burford.

 

Shawn and Kelly Moran - American speedway legends, brothers good enough to take on the world at their sport, immensely talented, awe-inspiring to watch zipping around the track, all-round nice guys who knew how to race and how to party - this is their story. Brian Burford's well researched and entertainingly written chronicle of the careers of Shooey and The Jelly Man will have those who saw them race recalling many memories and those that didn't wondering how the Californian siblings could do what they did on and off track.

 

Starting with Shawn and Kelly's formative years on motorcycles in the late 1960s, Brian's book covers their entire careers from the early days finding their speedway feet on the resurgent hotbed of American speedway in California in the early 1970s through to their very successful years in British speedway through the 1980s and 1990s. This book tells it all, and tells it well. Interspersed with many anecdotes and recollections of people such as Billy Hamill, Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs and others, follow not only the Morans' many years in speedway but also the potted history of American speedway in general that runs alongside the main story.

 

Read how Kelly took a while to come to terms with roundabouts, why Shawn was once David East, the truth about the infamous aftermath of the 1990 World Final, why Kelly went back to racing in the States for three years in his prime, how he was tempted back to team up with his little brother at Sheffield and later Belle Vue - not forgetting their success at World level. Kelly making his world final debut while still in his teens and Shawn winning the world longtrack championship whilst riding with a broken leg and even having a crack at being a pop star.

 

Such was Shawn and Kelly's profile and popularity that, years before Team Exide, they enjoyed the groundbreaking STP sponsorship You'll have to read the book for many more tales of just what huge talents the Morans were and their incredible lust for life on and off-track. An essential read about two charismatic Californians who thrilled countless thousands through their careers and blazed the trail later followed by the Hancocks, Hamills, Ermolenkos and Correys. The Morans were unique talents, the likes of which speedway may never see again and their story is one that any speedway fan will find enthralling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is without doubt the Moran brothers were a class pairing. They may have been a bit wild but jes' they were entertaining. Seeing the pair of them around Sheffield was great.

I managed to get a few shots of them riding at Reading back in the late 80's.

And as the book review says they were 'all-round nice guys' plenty of time for the fans.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Could someone correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Kelly Moran's speedway career end when he fell from a ladder back home in America? Big fan of his in the late seventies.

 

Yes I heard that too he apparently fell through some sort of glass door or window ( my memory is a bit vague) I too loved watching the 'jellyman' at Perry Barr. They were the good old days :!: :!:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

I heard that Kelly is not making a comeback, but is running some training schools, on the east caost of the USA. 8)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They were so talented and brilliant to watch especially in the early days when they were on the wild side.

 

Can't remember them ever really calming down. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These two, were probably the most talented Speedway has ever seen. If they werent such free spirits, no telling how far they would have gone. Plus, they were accesible to all. Too bad we dont have more... :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kelly Moran will be riding in the 2003 season in New York !

 

Check out this great USA/Candian web site for more information.

 

I plan on seeing him ride this summer and I hope to post pictures at my small US-NY Speedway picture site which currently has some pictures taken from the 2002 US Open and a video of John 'Cowboy' Cook in action last summer in NY.

 

cheers,

 

Star in Exile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hate to disappoint, but from what I hear only doing traing sessions, however, having said that if he feels good on a bike again who knows? Interesting....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kelly Moran will be riding in the 2003 season in New York !

 

Check out this great USA/Candian web site for more information.

 

I plan on seeing him ride this summer and I hope to post pictures at my small US-NY Speedway picture site which currently has some pictures taken from the 2002 US Open and a video of John 'Cowboy' Cook in action last summer in NY.

 

cheers,

 

Star in Exile

 

This followed;

I heard recently that Kelly was making a racing comeback in the States.

 

I heard that Kelly is not making a comeback, but is running some training schools, on the east caost of the USA. 8)

 

So the latest reports suggest kelly "IS" making a comeback as wwtbp originally stated.

It will be interesting to see how he goes, although the American scene already has plenty of old hats from Kelly's era (Faria, Schwartz, MConnell) the old boys still seem to be able to do the business on the tiny tracks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I spoke with him and there are no plans for a comeback, just training schools,... But hey,... Who knows? :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy