Belle Vue Memories How Good Was Hyde Rd.?

[moxey63]

Belle Vue's Hyde Road provided the venue, track and, more often than not, the riders that regularly paraded their overtaking skills on the 418 yard oval. You couldn't have imagined Craven, Collins, Morton etc being given as much licence anywhere else to display their lack of gating awareness, but energy for prolific overtaking.

 

Even now, three decades on, Kirky Lane has never replaced it, although you do sometimes get decent racing there. Hyde Road and its rickety old stands remain in ones memory, as do the flash back images of the past - Wilkie and that innocent-looking spill, PC and that grid in '77, Lohmann's life-threatening injuries of 1980...

 

One season - 1984 - was one summer that sticks out, with both track and Aces' line-up filling many a Saturday night with regular thrashings of all visitors, which would normally become tiresome. But the side Stuart Bamforth assembled, mostly poor gaters that utilised the vast open spaces to their advantage, merely added to the occasion. Rarely did any side come away from Hyde Road without bruised egos and slow-looking motors.

 

There was that 64-14 win against Eastbourne, for instance, a possible maximum scoreline over the 13 heats halted only when Kenny McKinna switched bikes for one race, and it wasn't fast enough to falter Eagles' Colin Richardson and his side's only second place all night!

 

Huge wins were mainly secured with plenty of overtaking by the home boys, even against the weakest teams. It was thrilling speedway. It was a feel-good campaign.

 

But let's give the current track its due. We must remember, not alll memories of Kirky Lane are bad ones. The track has given us speedway, which is easy to forget, the last quarter of a century, and it is sometimes too easy for many to belittle the place.

 

It was never going to stand up side-by-side with what Hyde Road offered.

 

But, when the bulldozers moved in at the zoo in November 1987, Kirky was the sport's lifeline.

 

Sometimes it is easy to forget, at least it provided another club from disappearing.

Edited September 15, 2014 by moxey63

[customhouseregular]

I totally agree with you, custom house was the Hyde road of the south. The bends were taken in for jack young's benefit in the mid 1950's. My mum told me this, I was not born at the time!. My first visit to west ham was in May 1970.

Too bad...you came in right at the end and missed Knutsson, Harrfeldt et al.

[cityrebel]

Too bad...you came in right at the end and missed Knutsson, Harrfeldt et al.

i saw a lot of harrfeldt at wembley in 71, lofqvist was the top man at west ham in my era.

[customhouseregular]

If I remember correctly (I was there but it was a long time ago) Christer came out for his first home meeting, came last in his first race then rattled off 3 wins, breaking the track record in the process. I could have my rose-coloured glasses on mind.

[cityrebel]

Ray wilson's track record from Easter Monday 1970 never got beaten. I remember lofqvist winning a race on his debut but I think ronnie Moore beat him twice on his way to a maximum. Anyway back to Hyde road, great track sorely missed!

[customhouseregular]

Ray wilson's track record from Easter Monday 1970 never got beaten. I remember lofqvist winning a race on his debut but I think ronnie Moore beat him twice on his way to a maximum. Anyway back to Hyde road, great track sorely missed!

Funny old thing memory! and yes Hyde Road, Custom House, Plough Lane etc, are sorely missed.

I only saw Ronnie Moore in the twilight of his career but the magic was still there. The same goes for Ove Fundin though I did see him win his 5th. world title.

[OveFundinFan]

I agree, the Hyde Road track was a really good one, but got to say I did see some really boring meetings there and I put that down to lack of track work during the meeting. As a meeting progressed the muck would get shifted to the outside and thus the only racing line appeared to be round the boards, which the braves ones attacked with gusto. Anyone diving for the line, which happened, was like standing still on the base (concrete).

Some really fantastic races - I can remember Peter Craven and Ove Fundin, especially in Golden Helmet races, just inches from each other which was very spectacular due to their completely different riding styles.

Cyril Maidment was very spectacular too, swooping round the outside going into bend 3 on the last lap just to cut underneath coming out of 4. Split Waterman did similar tactics.

Of course the spectacle continued with Soren Sjosten, then Peter Collins and Chris Morton. I was there in 1977 when PC hit that grid with his leg, robbed him of a back to back world championship but what a hero to race the next weekend and do so well.

Anyone remember Anthony Jones - a 2nd half rider (never likely to progress) who was about 6' tall, and fell off so much it caused a competition to be organised - "Mark the Spot" where you thought he was going to fall and which lap. A great laugh.

 

The new stadium - yes probably go, especially if they are modelling on Hyde Road track, but Torun would do as well.

[nw42]

Some great posts in this thread, good memories evoked while reading it. I'm not sure what year I started going with my old man but I was his ticket out on a Saturday night so it was probably around 67/8. My earliest memories are of Soren Sjosten, used to love watching him ride, the fact that he could hardly touch the ground with his feet gave me the impression he was just a youngster like me, at least until I saw him in the pits after a meeting.

 

Like Hells Granny I think my most revisited memory is the Leicester match when it all kicked off on the track, Alan Cowland had stuffed Wilkie on the pit bend, he was never going to get away with that, mayhem ensued.

 

I don't recall Anthony Jones but I do remember some of the 2nd halfers, the Meridiths, Paul Callaghan (his mum had a pub in Mersey Square, the Touchstone I think), Taffy Owen, Steve Waplington. I can remember Lee Edwards poodling round on his little bike for a good few years.. used to go to the training schools as well, I wonder what Ingy is doing these days, he loved having a spin.

 

For me the Reading Cup Final 2nd leg was the best, most exciting occasion I experienced, never seen a race like that run off since, it was pure magic, the celebrations at the end will live with me forever, over 40 years on and I can picture it now, PC the legend.

 

The BLRC was a magical night, every top league club represented both on and off the track, the Scots came in big numbers whether they had a rider to cheer or not, truly great memories, I too feel privileged to have attended Hyde Road on all those big nights.

 

I hope to attend the new place when it's open but I doubt I'll become a regular, love to proved wrong though.

[The White Knight]

Some great posts in this thread, good memories evoked while reading it. I'm not sure what year I started going with my old man but I was his ticket out on a Saturday night so it was probably around 67/8. My earliest memories are of Soren Sjosten, used to love watching him ride, the fact that he could hardly touch the ground with his feet gave me the impression he was just a youngster like me, at least until I saw him in the pits after a meeting.

 

Like Hells Granny I think my most revisited memory is the Leicester match when it all kicked off on the track, Alan Cowland had stuffed Wilkie on the pit bend, he was never going to get away with that, mayhem ensued.

 

I don't recall Anthony Jones but I do remember some of the 2nd halfers, the Meridiths, Paul Callaghan (his mum had a pub in Mersey Square, the Touchstone I think), Taffy Owen, Steve Waplington. I can remember Lee Edwards poodling round on his little bike for a good few years.. used to go to the training schools as well, I wonder what Ingy is doing these days, he loved having a spin.

 

For me the Reading Cup Final 2nd leg was the best, most exciting occasion I experienced, never seen a race like that run off since, it was pure magic, the celebrations at the end will live with me forever, over 40 years on and I can picture it now, PC the legend.

 

The BLRC was a magical night, every top league club represented both on and off the track, the Scots came in big numbers whether they had a rider to cheer or not, truly great memories, I too feel privileged to have attended Hyde Road on all those big nights.

 

I hope to attend the new place when it's open but I doubt I'll become a regular, love to proved wrong though.

Paul rode for Sunderland 'Stars' in 1971.

[nw42]

Paul rode for Sunderland 'Stars' in 1971.

 

Didn't know that, he was quite diminutive but a little battler as I recall.

[stratton]

The Carter wins were memorable meetings for me in the BLRC, also in the 1983 event the track was soaking but still produced some exciting racing.The Mauger meeting was decent also six riders in a race was a site,Nielsen showed me there he could ride Hyde Rd up until then he had looked only reasonable at best at the venue.

[TonyMac]

John Louis was brilliant at Hyde Road.

 

The vital race when he took Bruce Penhall to within an inch of the safety fence on the fourth bend, before beating him to the line to win the 1979 BLRC at the age of 40, was one of the best races I ever saw anywhere, let alone at the old Belle Vue.

 

Mort and PC were simply poetry in motion to watch, tormenting and teasing the opposition before passing them - inside or outside - almost at will. The place was made for them.

 

When I had the pleasure of interviewing Mort for his DVD the other year, it was fascinating to listen to him describe how he rode the Hyde Road track in different ways depending on the situation, and all the different possibilities it offered for passing manoeuvres.

 

He explained that there was a particular patch of grip on the very tight inside line of the (I think it was) 3rd/4th bend but he and PC had an agreement between them that neither would use it unless it was absolutely necessary to pass an opponent - and often they didn't need to use that part of the track at all. But when they did, they both knew that the dirt there was still deep and fresh enough to give them the grip they needed to execute the perfect passing move.

 

Even the visiting riders enjoyed the whole feel of Belle Vue and the zoological gardens. I once accompanied Zenon Plech and his mechanic to a BV v Hackney match in 1976 and before the meeting Plechy disappeared into the funfair to have a blast around on the dodgems - as you do before a league match!

 

Viewing from the pits wasn't the best, though. You'd get covered in dirt and there were only a few fairly shallow steps between the safety fence and the back of the pits viewing area.

 

Announcer Ken Wrench also handled everything very professionally.

 

Some of those BLRC nights, when the Manchester mist drifted in, were very atmospheric and memorable for all different reasons. The sight of all those supporters' coaches parked up around the stadium was special in itself. Happy days.

Edited September 17, 2014 by tmc

[oldace]

 

used to go to the training schools as well, I wonder what Ingy is doing these days, he loved having a spin.

 

 

 

Ingy (Ian Ingleson) sadly died quite a few years ago now

[Penny Cross]

First ever visit to Hyde Road was back in 1968, for the BLRC. I was 13at the time.

Parked up with what seemed like hundreds of coaches. Seemed like more than when I went to Wembley for the 1965 World Final. The fun fair, lights, noise and pure buzz and atmosphere was electric.

A ride on the 'Bobs' gave me my first look at the track and inside the stadium. The impressive stands, big flat track, but hang on, its black not red shale! What the heck? (I hadn't been to Halifax either before this). Oh how I wish tracks would use that stuff now. Never quite the same once they changed to red shale.

Found our seats on the 4^th turn, just above the pits exit. Great view. Then something happened that I had never seen at speedway before. Although the track was lit up by the lights, as the riders came onto the track, they seemed to power the lights up even more. Wonderful,almost magical.

Briggo went on to beat Eric Boocock in a run off. I said to my Dad then that I loved this place. Everything about it. I made sure I visited the place every year at least once and did so until the final BLRC there in 87.

Saw some superb speedway over that time.Mauger, Morton,Collins,Sjosten, all superb, riding seemingly impossible lines. I can only image what it would have been like to watch Peter Craven each week. You lucky people.

Some great fun in the funfair too, with our idols enjoying themselves as well. Chris Pusey trying to get Zenon Plech to stop playing the horse galloping race! Riders taking on fans at the go karts. My only claim to fame was beating PC AND Simmo on the karts. They took the first 2 karts, but as they were concentrating on each other, I slipped through, and despite being rammed and bumped a few times by both, I hung on. My reward was to be booed by those watching as I got in their way!

I recently visited Belle Vue for the meeting v Leicester. So sad to see, no atmosphere, no dirt on the track, sparse support and so far from the racing. Not a patch on when they first went there in 88. To be honest I couldnt get out of there fast enough. The only thing in common was the dulcet tones of Ken Wrench on the microphone.

Hyde Road will always be one of my favourite tracks. There will never be anything like it again.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Penny Cross

[customhouseregular]

Really enjoyed your post Penny...brought back vivid memories of my BLRC visits in the 60's.

[oldace]

First ever visit to Hyde Road was back in 1968, for the BLRC. I was 13at the time.

Parked up with what seemed like hundreds of coaches. Seemed like more than when I went to Wembley for the 1965 World Final. The fun fair, lights, noise and pure buzz and atmosphere was electric.

A ride on the 'Bobs' gave me my first look at the track and inside the stadium. The impressive stands, big flat track, but hang on, its black not red shale! What the heck? (I hadn't been to Halifax either before this). Oh how I wish tracks would use that stuff now. Never quite the same once they changed to red shale.

Found our seats on the 4^th turn, just above the pits exit. Great view. Then something happened that I had never seen at speedway before. Although the track was lit up by the lights, as the riders came onto the track, they seemed to power the lights up even more. Wonderful,almost magical.

Briggo went on to beat Eric Boocock in a run off. I said to my Dad then that I loved this place. Everything about it. I made sure I visited the place every year at least once and did so until the final BLRC there in 87.

Saw some superb speedway over that time.Mauger, Morton,Collins,Sjosten, all superb, riding seemingly impossible lines. I can only image what it would have been like to watch Peter Craven each week. You lucky people.

Some great fun in the funfair too, with our idols enjoying themselves as well. Chris Pusey trying to get Zenon Plech to stop playing the horse galloping race! Riders taking on fans at the go karts. My only claim to fame was beating PC AND Simmo on the karts. They took the first 2 karts, but as they were concentrating on each other, I slipped through, and despite being rammed and bumped a few times by both, I hung on. My reward was to be booed by those watching as I got in their way!

I recently visited Belle Vue for the meeting v Leicester. So sad to see, no atmosphere, no dirt on the track, sparse support and so far from the racing. Not a patch on when they first went there in 88. To be honest I couldnt get out of there fast enough. The only thing in common was the dulcet tones of Ken Wrench on the microphone.

Hyde Road will always be one of my favourite tracks. There will never be anything like it again.

 

 

Good post.

 

I suspect though that you are mixing up the fairground rides. The bobs did't really afford a view inside the stadium but the scenic railway certainly did, it towered over the first bend with its steep climb to the top.

 

That was most likely the ride you were on

[Penny Cross]

 

 

Good post.

 

I suspect though that you are mixing up the fairground rides. The bobs did't really afford a view inside the stadium but the scenic railway certainly did, it towered over the first bend with its steep climb to the top.

 

That was most likely the ride you were on

Fair enough,I always called it the bobs! I can still see the brakeman breaking into a sweat trying to control the speed on the scenic railway. Oh and I only rode the back of that thing once.....after going over one of the drops and leaving my seat and hurting my back. Health and safety would go bonkers today!

 

Good times.

[kbt]

I used to love Belle Vue,like other people have said,it was an all day experience,Zoo,funfair,speedway,and back to the funfair,once they started to close, Belle Vue started to lose its charisma.which was a real shame as it was a great track.It was heartbreaking to watch it become run down and scruffy,once that started happening the end was inevitable really,!!

[stratton]

There was a decent pub just down the road that we used to have a few pints in and a chat with the locals.Cant remember the name but there were some real old timers in there who you could speak to about the past great days.

[OveFundinFan]

Fair enough,I always called it the bobs! I can still see the brakeman breaking into a sweat trying to control the speed on the scenic railway. Oh and I only rode the back of that thing once.....after going over one of the drops and leaving my seat and hurting my back. Health and safety would go bonkers today!

 

Good times.

 

There was a ride at BV called the "Bobs", it was a big open ride, unlike the Scenic Railway which was partly covered to simulate going into a rock face.. The Scenic Railway was the ride next to the track. Pretty sure the Scenic Railway did not have a brake man but the Bobs did. Never plucked up courage to ride the Bobs, and by comparison to today rides like The Big One at Blackpool it would be considered a mild ride, but went on the Scenic Railway a good few times.

I heard that the Bobs was dismantled and taken to the USA when the funfair closed.

 

All though it was the speedway you wen to BV for........ Johnnies marching girls were pretty good too. Someone must remember them.

Edited September 18, 2014 by OveFundinFan