Belfast, Northern Ireland

[Guest]

Between 1928 and 1969, Belfast had just five seasons of speedway - staged at three different tracks.

​I am especially interested in the 1949 and 1950 seasons and would appreciate any information that BSF members have.

This is the Belfast Link on the ultra-excellent SPEEDWAY RESEARCHER website:

http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/belfast.html

 

There is also a very brief reference to the 1950 venture in Belfast on the DEFUNCT TRACKS website to be found at:

http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Dunmore%20Northern%20Ireland.htm

Edited April 15, 2017 by Guest

[The Doctor...]

Between 1928 and 1969, Belfast had just five seasons of speedway - staged at three different tracks.

​I am especially interested in the 1949 and 1950 seasons and would appreciate any information that BSF members have.

This is the Belfast Link on the ultra-excellent SPEEDWAY RESEARCHER website:

http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/belfast.html

 

There is also a very brief reference to the 1950 venture in Belfast on the DEFUNCT TRACKS website to be found at:

http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Dunmore%20Northern%20Ireland.htm

 

One of those mentioned is Gibson Park, in East Belfast - literally a couple of streets from where i was brought up and family still live.

 

Going back in a few months for the 12th so will make some enquiries,.

 

Tom

[salty]

Between 1928 and 1969, Belfast had just five seasons of speedway - staged at three different tracks.

​I am especially interested in the 1949 and 1950 seasons and would appreciate any information that BSF members have.

This is the Belfast Link on the ultra-excellent SPEEDWAY RESEARCHER website:

http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/belfast.html

 

There is also a very brief reference to the 1950 venture in Belfast on the DEFUNCT TRACKS website to be found at:

http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Dunmore%20Northern%20Ireland.htm

What do you want to know that isn't already contained in the links?

Don't know anything about Gibson Park but Dunmore held dog racing until the end of the last century I think. Hard to imagine Speedway taking place there as it is so residential. Windsor Park is the recently refurbished stadium of Linfield and where Northern Ireland play their international football matches.

Speedway also took place at Ballyskeagh Stadium to the South of Belfast and that still operates for dog racing though it is now known as Drumbo Park.

http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Dunmore%20Greyhound%20Stadium.htm

http://www.drumbopark.com/

[Guest]

What do you want to know that isn't already contained in the links?

Don't know anything about Gibson Park but Dunmore held dog racing until the end of the last century I think. Hard to imagine Speedway taking place there as it is so residential. Windsor Park is the recently refurbished stadium of Linfield and where Northern Ireland play their international football matches.

Speedway also took place at Ballyskeagh Stadium to the South of Belfast and that still operates for dog racing though it is now known as Drumbo Park.

http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Dunmore%20Greyhound%20Stadium.htm

http://www.drumbopark.com/

 

I was thinking more about some memories of the riders who appeared there! Wasn't Ralph Horne a jockey before he started speedway?

There is a Val Morton - didn't he ride for England in Australia? And for years there have been various comments that Wal Morton shared the managerial role at the 1949-50 track with Wally Lloyd.

There have also been items written at various times in regard to Wal that he rode in Ireland in 1950 before joining I think Newcastle. I now tend to doubt that fact and believe those writing these items have confused Wal with Val?

How's that for starters Salty?

Edited April 16, 2017 by Guest

[salty]

Before my time, friend.

[salty]

Further to the original post - and apologies that this focuses more on the venues than the riders, Gustix - but I found this link as well.

http://www.national-speedway-museum.co.uk/belfast-tracks.html

[Guest]

From the Sheffield Speedway Who's Who re Ralph Horne, who rode in Belfast in 1949 and 1950:

HORNE, Ralph - Born: England

An ex jockey who rode in the immediate post war years, most successfully with Coventry in 1948. Had two short spells at Owlerton in 1947 and 1949, scoring a total of 17 league points.

Matches 12 Points 17

Edited April 19, 2017 by Guest

[BL65]

From the Sheffield Speedway Who's Who re Ralph Horne, who rode in Belfast in 1949 and 1950:

HORNE, Ralph - Born: England

An ex jockey who rode in the immediate post war years, most successfully with Coventry in 1948. Had two short spells at Owlerton in 1947 and 1949, scoring a total of 17 league points.

Matches 12 Points 17

Ralph Horne also rode for Belle Vue in 1946, having ridden there in novice meetings in 1945.

[Guest compost]

Ralph Horne also rode for Belle Vue in 1946, having ridden there in novice meetings in 1945.

He also made several appearances for the Aces in 1950 & 1951.

[Guest]

Ralph Horne also rode for Wigan in 1952 according to the Speedway Researcher. Also possibly there in 1953 although the site has no Wigan details as yet for that season.

http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/docs/wigan/1952.pdf

Edited April 19, 2017 by Guest