E I Addio Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) 45 minutes ago, JohnHyam said: Currently there are running two excellent memory threads on Wimbledon and New Cross. That indicates IMO that perhaps some West Ham memories should also be highlighted? Memory No1 . Briggo winning the last of his six British Championships. I don’t think I’ve ever seem one rider who towered so much above the opposition as Briggs did that night . The No2 gate wasn’t working. Nobody was winning from it Even Mauger came last off of it. Then out comes Briggo with a tapes to flag win and a 15 point maximum. Memory No 2 . England v Sweden , Briggs v Michanek. Michanek gated first , Briggs tried to get through on the inside and was blocked. Tried the outside and was blocked . Then switched back to the inside and cast Michanek aside as if he wasn’t there. Nothing unusual about that you might say ? Well it all happened on the first two bends at Briggs was in front by the time they hit the back straight. Breathtaking stuff. Memory No 3 . Everything about Ken McKinlay. Hurri-Ken’s glittering career went downhill almost overnight towards the end , but I think that was due to a shoulder injury. It was a privilege to see him at his best . A master of track craft who rode with his head, a skill only matched, perhaps by Leigh Adams in more recent years. Memory No4 . Just being at the place . It oozed atmosphere. Edited February 2, 2022 by E I Addio 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 1 minute ago, E I Addio said: Memory No4 . Just being at the place . It oozed atmosphere. Spot on. A PROPER stadium... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 5 minutes ago, E I Addio said: Memory No1 . Briggo winning the last of his six British Championships. I don’t think I’ve ever seem one rider who towered so much above the opposition as Briggs did that night . The No2 gate wasn’t working. Nobody was winning from it Even Mauger came last off of it. Then out comes Briggo with a tapes to flag win and a 15 point maximum. Memory No 2 . England v Sweden , Briggs v Michanek. Michanek gated first , Briggs tried to get through on the inside and was blocked. Tried the outside and was blocked . Then switched back to the inside and cast Michanek aside as if he wasn’t there. Nothing unusual about that you might say ? Well it all happened on the first two bends at Briggs was in front by the time they hit the back straight. Breathtaking stuff. Memory No 3 . Everything about Ken McKinlay. Hurri-Ken’s glittering career went downhill almost overnight towards the end , but I think that was due to a shoulder injury. It was a privilege to see him at his best . A master of track craft who rode with his head, a skill only matched, perhaps by Leigh Adams in more recent years. Memory No4 . Just being at the place . It oozed atmosphere. Lovely post and thank you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 I just had a scary thought. My last visit to West Ham was for the Lokeren Trophy in 1970. I WAS JUST EIGHT YEARS OLD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 I first went to West Ham early in the 1954 season. I have no recollection of the match now. I was there to report on the match for the long gone 'SPEEDWAY GAZETTE'. Does anyone remember the publication? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andout Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Here we go again!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Before my time unless it was still being produced in 1960. If so probably saw the odd copy though I have no recollection of doing so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 5 minutes ago, andout said: Here we go again!!!!! I think you've got the wrong thread; that should be on the Song Title Game!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TINYS Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 1 hour ago, chunky said: I just had a scary thought. My last visit to West Ham was for the Lokeren Trophy in 1970. I WAS JUST EIGHT YEARS OLD! I was 18 when the Lokoren disaster happened Pete Bradshaw was riding for Kings Lynn at the time i believe. Used to do 5 or 6 meetings a week in them days what memories i will never forget. Still go these days but it,s not quite the same somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) What was the measurement of the West Ham track - when at its biggest? I think it was 440 yards. Was it the biggest ever British speedway? Edited February 2, 2022 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 4 minutes ago, TINYS said: I was 18 when the Lokoren disaster happened Pete Bradshaw was riding for Kings Lynn at the time i believe. Used to do 5 or 6 meetings a week in them days what memories i will never forget. Still go these days but it,s not quite the same somehow. Pete rode for Lynn in 1969, and switched to the Hammers in 1970. None of us who were around for that will ever forget it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 6 minutes ago, JohnHyam said: What was the measurement of the West Ham track - when at its biggest? I think it was 440 yards. Was it the biggest ever British speedway? If you look back a page, you will see that it was 440 yards. Nowhere near the biggest ever; that was Crewe at 470 yards. Did you know there was a track at Crewe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotteringAround Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 7 minutes ago, chunky said: Nowhere near the biggest ever; that was Crewe at 470 yards. Did you know there was a track at Crewe? What about Leicester Super? Wasn't that about 100 yards longer than Crewe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 2 minutes ago, PotteringAround said: What about Leicester Super? Wasn't that about 100 yards longer than Crewe? You are correct! I actually had no idea - it was a little before my time! It was 586 yards... Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotteringAround Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 9 minutes ago, chunky said: You are correct! I actually had no idea - it was a little before my time! It was 586 yards... Thanks. There are some details of Leicester Super on this little-known, obscure, and badly-written website https://national-speedway-museum.co.uk/leicester super.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) 3 minutes ago, PotteringAround said: There are some details of Leicester Super on this little-known, obscure, and badly-written website https://national-speedway-museum.co.uk/leicester super.html So, what you are saying in fact, is that SOMEONE should have known that West Ham was not the biggest track? Edited February 2, 2022 by chunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andout Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 1 hour ago, chunky said: Pete rode for Lynn in 1969, and switched to the Hammers in 1970. None of us who were around for that will ever forget it. There are a couple of pictures taken by me at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam of Peter during that fateful trip. You can see them here... https://customhousekid.webs.com/lokeren2.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 4 minutes ago, andout said: There are a couple of pictures taken by me at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam of Peter during that fateful trip. You can see them here... https://customhousekid.webs.com/lokeren2.htm I've still got his autograph upstairs... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 1 hour ago, chunky said: Pete rode for Lynn in 1969, and switched to the Hammers in 1970. None of us who were around for that will ever forget it. I remember Pete Bradshaw well. He had a neat riding style tailor made for West Ham . I really thought he was going to do well in the sport until Lokoren. Martyn Piddock as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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.