Who Has Ridden At Most Uk Tracks?

[Guest compost]

Note split into 2 postings - Part 1

 

The results are in and Jimmy Squibb top scores with 68. We then have Colin Gooddy on 60 with the rest trailing – Wal Morton 47, Les McGillivray 45, Geoff Pymar 44, Phil Bishop 43 and Jack Parker a surprise distant last with but 38.

 

The tracks they rode on are listed below.

 

A couple of comments. These results are taken from the files on the Speedway Researcher website. Sadly the pre-war results are incomplete so the totals for Parker and Bishop in particular would have been higher had full details been available I suspect.

 

The 3 tracks in Ireland are Not included in the rider totals. Ireland is not in the UK and the initial question was with respect to UK tracks. For info Parker rode at all 3, Pymar & Squibb rode at 2 and Morton at 1.

 

Where a town had more than one track in operation (e.g Newcastle, Birmingham, Stoke etc) I have listed each track separately.

 

I understand that Rye House moved track before entering BL2 in 1974 even though they remained at the same venue. I have listed the post 1973 track as a separate one to the pre 1974 one. Likewise with King’s Lynn I understand the 1953 venue to have been different to the current one. Please let me know if this is incorrect.

 

Note that both Geoff Pymar and Wal Morton rode for Bradford against Neath in 1962. However, the match was held at St Austell and so Neath is not counted in the tracks rode at totals (Jimmy Squibb was the only 1 of the 7 to have actually ridden at Neath).

 

They all rode at the following venues

 

Belle Vue Hyde Rd, Bradford Odsal, Bristol Knowle,Coventry, Cradley Heath, Edinburgh Old Meadowbank, Exeter, Glasgow White City, Hackney, Harringay, Leicester (Stadium), New Cross, Newcastle Brough Park, Norwich, Poole, Sheffield, Southampton, Stoke Hanley, Swindon, Wembley, West Ham, Wimbledon, Yarmouth

Part 2

 

Jack Parker also rode at - Ashfield, Crystal Palace, Hall Green Birmingham, High Beech or King's Oak, Lea Bridge, Liverpool, Nottingham, Perry Barr Birmingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, St Austell, Stamford Bridge, Walthamstow, White City London, Wolverhampton

 

Phil Bishop also rode at - Aldershot, Ashfield, Crystal Palace, Edinburgh Marine Gdns, Fleetwood, Hall Green Birmingham, High Beech or King's Oak, Lea Bridge, Leeds, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Oxford, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Rayleigh, Stamford Bridge, Walthamstow, Weymouth

 

Geoff Pymar also rode at - Ashfield, Bradford Greenfields, Cardiff, Crystal Palace, Eastbourne, Fleetwood, Hall Green Birmingham, Ipswich, Lea Bridge, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Motherwell, Nottingham, Oxford, Perry Barr Birmingham, Plymouth, Rayleigh, St Austell, Walthamstow, Weymouth, Wolverhampton

 

Wal Morton rode at - Aldershot, Belle End, Bradford Greenfields, Crystal Palace, Fleetwood, Halifax, Hall Green Birmingham, Ipswich, King's Lynn 1953, Lea Bridge, Liverpool, Long Eaton, Luton, Middlesbrough, Motherwell, Nottingham, Perry Barr Birmingham, Plymouth,

Rayleigh, St Austell, Walthamstow, Weymouth, Wigan Poolstock, Wolverhampton

 

Les McGillivray rode at - Aldershot, Cardiff, Coatbridge, Dunmore Belfast, Glasgow Hampden, Halifax, Ipswich, King's Lynn 1965 on, Liverpool, Long Eaton, Middlesbrough, Motherwell, Newport, Oxford, Perry Barr Birmingham, Plymouth, Rayleigh, Rye House Stadium, St Austell, Tamworth, Weymouth, Wolverhampton

 

Colin Gooddy rode at – Aldershot, Berwick, Boston, Brafield, Bristol Eastville. California, Canterbury, Coatbridge, Crayford, Eastbourne, Ellesmere Port, Glasgow Blantyne, Glasgow Hampden, Halifax, Hull Boulevard, Ipswich, King's Lynn 1965 on, Long Eaton, Mildenhall, Motherwell, Newport, Oxford, Perry Barr Birmingham, Peterborough, Rayleigh, Reading Smallmead, Reading Tilehurst, Ringwood, Rye House Hoddesdon (73+), Rye House Stadium, Scunthorpe, St Austell, Stoke Loomer Rd, Weymouth, White City London, Wolverhampton, Workington

 

Finally, Jimmy Squibb also rode at – Aldershot, Ashfield, Barrow Holker, Berwick, Boston, Bradford Greenfields, Canterbury, Cardiff, Coatbridge, Crayford, Crewe, Eastbourne, Ellesmere Port, Fleetwood, Glasgow Hampden, Halifax, Hastings, Hull Boulevard, Hull Heddon, Ipswich, King's Lynn 1965 on, Liverpool, Long Eaton, Middlesbrough, Motherwell, Neath, Newport, Oxford, Perry Barr Birmingham, Peterborough, Plymouth, Rayleigh, Reading Tilehurst, Rye House Hoddesdon (73+), Rye House Stadium , Scunthorpe, St Austell, Stoke Loomer Rd, Sunderland, Tamworth, Walthamstow, Weymouth, Wolverhampton, Wombwell, Workington

TMC (will reply via email).

 

A minor correction for you regarding Jimmy Squibb. His career also spanned the 40's (he rode in NL3 in it's first season) and he finished in the mid 70's. As a correlation to the most tracks ridden at by a rider it would be interesting to see what the theoretical maximum number of tracks that could have been ridden at was (hope that makes sense !)

[steve roberts]

Super thread!

[Guest compost]

If anyone is in the least bit interested I have made a quick check on the theoretical maximum number of post-war tracks that a rider could have ridden at (by decade to end of the 2000's. How sad!!!)

 

It comes to

1940's would be 46 tracks

1950's would be 52 tracks but only 59 since the end of the war (so only 13 new tracks opened during this decade compared to the 1940's)

1960's would be 55 tracks and 76 .....

1970's would be 64 tracks and 99 ....

1980's would be 51 tracks and 107 since ....

1990's would be 41 tracks and 116 ...

2000's would be 37 tracks and 122 ...

 

Totals do not include the Southern Irish venues (but does include the Belfast one) as well as training/open tracks (such as Iwade and High Beech)

So Jimmy Squibb's total of 68 ridden on out of around 93 (prior to his retirement) is a pretty impressive figure.

The above is also interesting as it shows the contraction down to the core venues of the sport since the 1970's and also how few, comparitively that is, new venues were opened each decade (after the 1940's of course).

Edited May 24, 2016 by compost

[steve roberts]

Gordon Kennett must also be a strong contender? His British League Division Two career followed by twelve years in the British League and then a further six (?) in the National League?

Edited May 24, 2016 by steve roberts

[daveallan81]

steve roberts, on 24 May 2016 - 7:14 PM, said:

Gordon Kennett must also be a strong contender? His British League Division Two career followed by twelve years in the British League and then a further six (?) in the National League?

 

I have Gordon Kennett at 57 tracks with 2 unconfirmed - Weymouth (Radipole Lane) and Belle Vue (Kirky Lane).

 

TMC, please note that Simmo rode at five Glasgow tracks - White City, Hampden Park (rode in the first meeting), Coatbridge, Craighead Park and Shawfield.

[steve roberts]

 

I have Gordon Kennett at 57 tracks with 2 unconfirmed - Weymouth (Radipole Lane) and Belle Vue (Kirky Lane).

 

TMC, please note that Simmo rode at five Glasgow tracks - White City, Hampden Park (rode in the first meeting), Coatbridge, Craighead Park and Shawfield.

I followed Gordon during his Oxford, White City and part of his Eastbourne British League career. I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't have ridden at Weymouth during his 'Rebels' years...can't recall either team, in any format, ever riding at Radipole Lane. Couldn't be sure about his Eastbourne appearances however.

[Wessex Wanderer]

Most enjoyable thread on this forum for ages.

 

Delighted to see the great Jim Squibb out in front - not many got past him once he did that on the track!

 

One thing I think it proves is that the backbone of our wonderful sport is the "average" riders who make up the bulk of teams. Superstars are also an essential ingredient of course but all those 3rd heat leaders, second strings and reserves are often the unsung heroes.

 

Thanks to those who did all the research.

 

:)

[Guest compost]

 

I have Gordon Kennett at 57 tracks with 2 unconfirmed - Weymouth (Radipole Lane) and Belle Vue (Kirky Lane).

 

TMC, please note that Simmo rode at five Glasgow tracks - White City, Hampden Park (rode in the first meeting), Coatbridge, Craighead Park and Shawfield.

 

Kennett rode for Wolverhampton at Belle Vue in the league on the 15th October 1993 (6-5-1) which would have been at Kirky Lane. I think that is a confirmation for you source S/way Star.

[daveallan81]

Thanks for that update. If Kennett rode at Radipole Lane it was between 1979 and 1984 but it's looking doubtful, in full meetings anyway.

 

Of the league circuits in operation during his career he didn't appear at either Barrow circuit, Glasgow Blantyre, Nelson, Paisley or Scunthorpe (Ashby Ville). Buxton, Iwade/Sittingbourne and Linlithgow ran in a league capacity for the first time in 1994, the year he retired, you could technically add them though there was no chance of him appearing on any of the circuits that year, training sessions excepted.

[daveallan81]

Ran another couple of these looking at the Beaton brothers, Bobby and Jim.

 

Bobby, in a career that spanned 1968-88, managed 52 circuits. He began his career in the British League and remained a top league rider until dropping down to join Newcastle in 1982. This undoubtedly stifled his potential figure, 12 of the 13 tracks he didn't appear at were second division.

 

Jim's career was badly affected by injury and although it spanned 1971-86 he was largely absent for 7 of those seasons. In the end Jim got around 43 circuits, riding almost exclusively in the 2nd division. He only missed out on 5 possible second division tracks which is remarkable when you consider both his absences from racing and the fact that he only rode one away match in 1980, and that was at Edinburgh!

[daveallan81]

Just harking back to the George Hunter post, I concur with the 63 track total. I could also add one more though slightly dubious, a challenge match staged at Dunmore, Belfast in 1968.

[JoeW]

Just harking back to the George Hunter post, I concur with the 63 track total. I could also add one more though slightly dubious, a challenge match staged at Dunmore, Belfast in 1968.

Well spotted. So at the moment it's Jimmy Squibb on 68 from George Hunter on 64 and Colin Gooddy on 60?

[lucifer sam]

I've so far got Rob Hollingworth on 57. I'm pretty sure I've missed some as well. Need to have a more thorough look.

 

His big bonus is 1977, when as well as being an ever-present with Boston, he almost did every meeting with BL Wolves that as well. And, of course, his 2000 to 2005 comeback mops up another set of tracks.

 

All the best

Rob

Edited June 1, 2016 by lucifer sam

[daveallan81]

lucifer sam, on 01 Jun 2016 - 10:57 AM, said:

I've so far got Rob Hollingworth on 57. I'm pretty sure I've missed some as well. Need to have a more thorough look.

 

His big bonus is 1977, when as well as being an ever-present with Boston, he almost did every meeting with BL Wolves that as well. And, of course, his 2000 to 2005 comeback mops up another set of tracks.

 

All the best

Rob

 

Is that 57 including the 2000-onwards tracks?

[BOBBATH]

Great to see the names of Jimmy Squibb, George Hunter and Colin Gooddy at the top. Was privileged to see all three race in 1964-68. Amazing longevity of JS career-always a great entertainer!! BTW- Gooddy is quite an unusual name-was Colin any relation to the Great Train robber of the same name-anyone know??

[steve roberts]

Great to see the names of Jimmy Squibb, George Hunter and Colin Gooddy at the top. Was privileged to see all three race in 1964-68. Amazing longevity of JS career-always a great entertainer!! BTW- Gooddy is quite an unusual name-was Colin any relation to the Great Train robber of the same name-anyone know??

Remember 'Joe' Gooddy riding for Oxford and according to the late Malc Simmons a great guy!

 

Once had a good look at his bike and it appeared to be held together by bits of string and tape but, boy, could he gate when the mood took him!

Edited June 1, 2016 by steve roberts

[lucifer sam]

 

Is that 57 including the 2000-onwards tracks?

 

It does include them, but I'm not confident that I've got every track from this period. Rob Hollingworth has also competed in amateur meetings, and those need to be captured as well.

 

All the best

Rob

[TonyMac]

 

It does include them, but I'm not confident that I've got every track from this period. Rob Hollingworth has also competed in amateur meetings, and those need to be captured as well.

 

All the best

Rob

 

Thanks, Rob, for kindly agreeing to check out Rob Hollingworth's full appearance list, to add to the excellent work Dave Allan has already put in.

 

As well as his spell with Wolverhampton, Robert also rode more than 30 top flight matches for Coventry spread across two seasons, 1980-81.

 

Is Alan Mogridge, who rode for 18 different teams and had a very long career, also a possible contender?

 

I'm going to check out where Ken McKinlay stands in the post-war UK track appearance rankings.

Edited July 13, 2016 by tmc

[TonyMac]

What do you all think about including training tracks in the list?

 

Dave Allan has confirmed that Les Collins rode at Linlithgow when it was just a training venue and we know for sure that Barry Thomas and Malcolm Simmons also both rode at Iwade (Thommo and his brother Ivor built the place!), but these were mere solo practice sessions and not official, licenced meetings.

 

Also, some of those who do feature in the top 25 will possibly have had unofficial laps at other training sites, including the old one in the north-east at Felton.

 

And who can prove which riders had laps at the original, bigger Rye House training track, which was a major training centre in the 40s, 50s and early 60s?

 

For this reason I don't believe they should be included in the definitive list, but mentioned as a footnote.

Ivan Mauger is another whose list needs to be thoroughly checked, because it would be easy for some venues to slip through the net.

 

While it's true that his spell of riding third division for Eastbourne in the late 50s and Newcastle at Provincial League level in 1963 and '64 was brief, Ivan appeared at a number of second tier tracks in the BL2/National League era, riding in match-races and testimonials.

Edited July 13, 2016 by tmc

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

I followed Gordon during his Oxford, White City and part of his Eastbourne British League career. I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't have ridden at Weymouth during his 'Rebels' years...can't recall either team, in any format, ever riding at Radipole Lane. Couldn't be sure about his Eastbourne appearances however.

 

Gordon Kennett appeared the weekend before last at Lydd in the Vets Championship! Another to add to the list!!