Name The Rider

I get pictures and questions sent to me where the sender doesn't know the name of the rider or wants information concerning our past and I don't have the answers! Any help is appreciated because it would be wrong not to include historical items just because we have no idea what the subject is about!

Can you name these tracks, year and rider's? send me an email if you can supply an answer or want to make any points. John When a rider has been named the picture will be transferred to the appropriate team page along with your name and comment.

Hello,
I am trying to find the name of the attached speedway rider, and if possible what club he rode for, and wondered if you could possibly help? or
suggest another source. There seems to be some form of emblem on his helmet, but I can't identify it. He must have rode for one of the London clubs, as the picture was given to my mother in law who lived in Clapham Common at the time, and other than public transport, she didn't travel much. I guess the picture was taken in the early 60's, and we think his name was Alexander, but was known as "Mac"
Many thanks,
Alan

I know its Petula Clark on the back but who is the rider John
John Somerville tells me it is Bob Oakley. (Southampton , Wembley,) He came 3rd in the 1952 World Final.

The owner of this badge is Patrick Bibby. Patrick and I would like to know more about the badge. If you can help please email me here John
Col Greenwell says: Its obviously a car badge. Remember the days when people had an RAC/AA badge attached to the car grille.

Scan of my badge. (Only 1" across) There is a larger version of my badge in gilt. The gilt one has a bar with Pioneer on it..( I don't have that badge.) I understand the badges were to issued veteran speedway riders. (Dirt track Riders as they were first known)......I think they are now known as the Veteran Speedway Riders Association.
Terry Stone says: Hi john, re veteran badge as Col Greenwell says this is a car badge. it is from 1961 to 1984 some time. it from 1959 to 1960 the association was. pioneer dirt track riders association.1961 to 1984 veteran dirt track riders association.1984 to 2007 veteran speedway riders association.2007 world speedway riders association. the association had a rider by the name of Jack Bibby. I think he was at Rayleigh some time?? 1948-9. Hope this is of help Terry. keep the wheels turning and the plugs sparking

Steve Brown says: Back row : Bob Hughes, Jon Erskine, Dick Bradley, Alby Golden.
Front row : Jack Biggs, Peter Vandenberg, Geoff Penniket.

Steve Brown says: This was actually held on June 5th, 1973, and was the first of a three-match series. Scotland won 3-0, by scores of 60-48 (Berwick), 70-38 (Sunderland), and 66-42 (Teesside). From L to R Young England : Peter Reading, Frank Auffret, Bruce Forrester, Mitch Graham, Graham Jones, Geoff Davies, Dave Gatenby. Scotland : Doug Templeton, Wattie Robertson, John Wilson, Andy Meldrum, Mick Beaton, Jimmy Gallacher, Willie Templeton, Ken McKinlay.
John Wilson (pictured) says: Wattie is between Andy and Jimmy G
Grant Crawford says: I daresay you have already been given corrected detains of the photo but in case you have not the rider next to Dougie Templeton (2nd left) is Ally Brady. His son Ross rode for Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kings Lynn & Peterboro' a few years back until injuries took their toll. Love the site Regards, Grant

Can you help with names please John
Reg Fearman says: Back Row. Peter Jarman, Ron Hoare, Mike Wood, Jimmy Squibb, ?,?,?, Les Wotten, Reg Fearman, Bill Gilbert, ?.?.?.?. Dickie Howard, Tiger Stevenson, ?.Front Row. Charlie May, ?,?,?,?, Lew Coffin, Maury Mattingly, Vic Butcher, Roy Craighead, ?, Norman Strachan, ?.
Chris Roper says: Can add one to the VRSA at Poole Front Row 3rd from the left - Alby Golden
Ian Cox Says: I happened to recognise one of the fellows in the above mentioned photo cause I just met him on the island of Vava'u in Tonga (south Pacific) He is 5th from the left in the back row and his name is Bruce Ovenden. He rode in England for a few teams during the early sixties. He's in his seventies now but is still as sharp as a new pin and is just an all round good guy.
Bob Andrews says: Hi John, Just going through the "Name the Riders" on the 1979 VRSA at Poole 2nd. from the left front is Charlie Cheshire he was at Little California ( Woking ) 1954 with me Regards, Bob

Can anyone help with names for this please John
Reg Fearman says: From the outside. Aub Lawson, Dent Oliver, Bill Longley, ?
Mike Kemp says: the rider on the inside is Jack Parker

Can anyone help with names for this please John
John White says: I think the Oxford riders are Ronnie Genz far right with Colin "Joe" Gooddy outside him. Not sure of the Swindon riders but good to see four Japs in a race.
Chris Roper says: Reference the picture Oxford v Swindon 60's. I believe the Swindon riders are Bob Kilby (White) and Mike Keen (Yellow and Black)

Can anyone help with names for this please John
Col Greenwell says: Southampton rider......Dick Bradley.
Mike Kemp says: Dick Bradley and Ken McKinlay

Can anyone help with name for this rider please John
Nick Short says: I have a fancy that the rider is Ron How, although not certain.
John White says: I think Nick is right and it is Ron How pictured at the Cowley Stadium Oxford. However Norwich Stars rode with a similar pattern race jacket and maybe only distinguishable in colour. Something about the way the knees are positioned and the nose over the race scarf has a bit of Ove Fundin about it. What do others think.
Mike Kemp Says: the photo is for sure John Debbage of Norwich stars
Bob Andrews says: Hi John The "Wimbledon Rider" I agree with Mike Kemp. It's John Debbage. It's Wimbledon's track but rider has Norwich jacket. and Away helmet cover.Bob

What does the D stand for? and what team jacket is he wearing. I assume it wasn't solid white as per this photo? John
Nick Short says: The D in D crane is I believe David, I haven't got a clue why Body colour is white unless he was riding mainly second half’s (remember them) at the time.
Lee Dunton says: D Crane is David Crane ex Boston & Kings Lynn, relative of Cyril Crane think it must be late 70's early 80's. I think he also had outing's for Oxford but not 100% sure on that.
Col Greenwell says: I found this in the book Owlerton Legends by Matthew Jackson & Paul Rickett. I would think this could be the guy in your photograph.

Cov Security says: Think you will find photo taken at Hackney in 1963 when David had rides for the Hawks aged 16

Courtesy of Reg Fearman

Amsterdam 1953 can you name anyone in the line up? John

I can see Brian Brett, Mike Broadbanks, Nigel Boocock, Ken McKinley and Barry Briggs wearing the union flag so that is 4 to name John When I look at the old Japs with Cow Horn handlebars I wonder about modern bikes and their short bars. Why did they change? Bring back the old bars on modern bikes, I suspect the racing would be more spectacular. I will ask a couple of riders from the 60's about this.
Ian Jaycocks says: Dick Fisher, Brian Brett, Ron How, Ron Mountford, Tommy Price, Mike Broadbanks, Nigel Boocock, and the wonderful Ken Mckinlay, Barry Briggs on bike, looks like Kens bike, Briggo never had a JAP that was that good looking.
Ivan Mauger says: Hi John. The Bars were big on the JAPS as there was a lot of dirt on the tracks those days going into the corners. Now not so much, Briggo called me Spouts in 1958 as I had my bars low. It has taken the modern riders 50 years to catch up with me! Cheers Ivan
Nick Short Says: L to R – Dick Fisher, Brian Brett, Ron How, Barry Briggs on bike, Ron Mountford, Tommy Price (manager), Mike Broadbanks, Nigel Boocock, Ken McKinley.
Lee Dunton says: Dick Fisher (Belle Vue), Brian Brett (Swindon), Ron How (Wimbledon/Oxford), Ron Mountford (Coventry), Tommy Price, Mike Broadbanks (Swindon), Nigel Boocock (Coventry), Ken McKinlay (West Ham), Barry Briggs (Southampton/Swindon) on bike, only a guess where they were riding at that time.
Lee Dunton says: My feel on the handlebars was that Renthal made some shorter straighter bars for the longer tracks, less wind resistant, they took off in Aussieland then everyone bought them. this was around the early mid seventies. Personally it made identifying riders harder, when they had their own distictive shaped bars when coming to the tapes you didn't need a programme to know who was lining up where.

We called them "The Russians" officially USSR or as they called themselves CCCP. Whatever the name they were a fantastic touring side in the cold war era that was the 1960's. I can identify Gab Kadirov and Igor Plechanov the rest are a mystery to me so help me please with their names and the track John

Lee Dunton says: The Russians,2nd from the left I think is Gennady Kurilenko, (forgive the spelling) 4th from the left is definitely Boris Samorodov.

Nick Short says: Gabdrakhman Kadirov, Gennady Kurilenko, Anayoly Gruzintsev, Boris Samorodov, Yuri Chekranov, Igor Plechanov.

Aussie Steve Magro sends this picture of GB versus USSR, asking :- Is this Ivan on the left? Nigel Booey on right.
John says: I think so Steve. I would say yes to Nigel Boocock on the right but Ivan on left? just a maybe. I am amazed that I cannot be definite about Ivan. He was my childhood hero at Newcastle. The handlebars made speedway bikes what they were in the 60's. Perhaps modern day bikes need to revert to these old style bars to make our sport more attractive to spectators.
So can you confirm the 2 GB riders as Ivan and Nige, if so send me an email here John
Dave Gifford says: Hi John mate. The photo of Booey and Ivan. I would say it is definitely not Ivan and that it could be Brian Brett. good to see the Toon back in business. giffy
John says: Thanks Giffy. Yes I can see that this could be Brian (Pommy) Brett. You and I should be able to spot Brian. Anyone else want to comment? Yes the Toon are doing well, both Toons are, Speedway and Football. The Diamonds riding high and Newcastle United back in the Premiership, winning 6-0 last week John
Lee Dunton says: Hi, came across the photo on the website and it's definitely Booey but I think the other English rider is Trevor Hedge, however, could be wrong....
Great website. Lee

Can you add any comment for this photo. I doubt it, but you never know? Which track and who are the riders and what was the year?
Mike Willis says: Hi John. The rider on the left I think is Ivor Brown who always rode in a white jersey. Ivor moved from Yarmouth to Cradley Heath when Yarmouth closed and did not ride for any other club. His race jacket looks like the green and white Cradley heath CH and his helmet cover looks like white so the track won't be Dudley Wood (Cradley's home until 1995). Regards, Mike.

Graham Brodie says: The first picture under the 1928 heading is a Getty Images photograph. It is titled ' J.S.Sykes and W.Pinner dirt track racing at Wimbledon' I have heard of neither.
Alan Goodman says: could these two riders be Eric Langton and Frank Varey?
Webmaster John says: What an excellent photo! the bikes may reveal the answer on the left is what looks like a Rudge and the right hand bike is so much lower either a Douglas or possibly a Scot in which case Frank Varey is very likely.

Courtesy of Adrian Pavey

John Skinner says: This is Fred Fearnley aboard his Dirt Track Douglas. Can anyone say which track(s) Fred rode for John

This is Jack Winstanley. What team race jacket is this and what year? John
Colin Jewes says: The picture of Jack Winstanley, is of him in the Sheffield Tigers race jacket of 1961 & '62. They were the only team with numbers on the front of their race jackets
David Beecroft says: Reference the photograph of Jack Winstanley under "Name the Team" in the "Name the Rider" section. Colin Jewes says it is Sheffield as they were the only team with numbers on the front of their jackets. This is not true as Bradford Panthers also rode sometimes like this and other times in yellow and blue quarters. In fact I have never seen a photograph of them wearing the jackets always on the front of their programmes with a panthers head. Did these jackets actually exist? Also Jack Winstanley rode for Panthers in their open season of 1961 although he started it at Sheffield and was back there in 1962. The plot thickens.
Regards
Dave
Well Dave, We hope for further clarification. If anyone else can help send me an email John

Courtesy of Colin Greenwell
and more numbers on the front.
Looks like at least two teams had race-jackets showing numbers on the front. Sheffield and Bradford

Another picture featuring Jack Winstanley but which is he, who are the others and which teams/year are represented John

Is this Jack Winstanley? Can you say if it is or maybe it is another rider. Coventry or Newport John I believe the military looking guys were the St John Ambulance men from years gone by.
George says: yes, my dad, Jack was a bee, for a short spell, in the late 40's.

I received this photo from my friend Reg Fearman. We didn't know what to do with the picture as Kelly looked so ill from Emphysema. After a great deal of thought. I (John) decided after reading on teletext, that his condition was improving, to publish it on the site. I feel that Kelly would want it to be shown to reach out to his many fans world wide. So the "Name the Rider" page is read by more fans than any other page on the site. It is the best place to show the photo.

Come on Kelly you are at the starting gate of your most important race ever. You can do it!

If you want to leave your best wishes for Kelly send me an email John and perhaps put names to the faces of Kelly's visitors at the JFK hospital in California.

Tony Webb says: ON KELLY'S LEFT SHAWN MORAN. BOBBY SCHWARTZ FAR RIGHT
John Coombs says: The guy to the right of Kelly is, of course, Bruce Penhall. In the back row you have Ron Preston (left) and (I think) Dennis Sigalos. I believe from memory that the lady shown is the boys mother??

Messages
Hang in there Kelly, there are thousands of fans around the world cheering for you in this tough race.
My memories of you are of a rainy night at Hackney when you hung on every word of encourage that the great Ivan Mauger gave you, you thrilled the fans that night as you found the fastest line around the Wick and won the hearts of many East Enders
Tony Webb Shaleway speedway products.

John Fray says: By the way yours is a great website found today as a result of a Californian speedway fan telling me where to find the picture of Kelly Moran in his hospital bed. Hope Kelly's soon well enough to get out of hospital

Best wishes Kelly, wishing all the very best. So many memories of you and Shawn racing at many tracks up and down the country. They don't make 'em like you guys any more!!!! True Legends. Get well soon. Regards Phil Harding (Ellesmere Port Gunners supporter)

Kelly, hang on in there man, the world of Speedway needs you. You are just as much admired, & loved, now, as you have always been. Please, get well soon, I pray for you, Dave Robinson, Sheffield, England

Courtesy of Anne Richmond

Kelly looking much better in two pictures with brother Shawn

Courtesy of Anne Richmond

---------------------------------

Kelly Moran died in Huntington Beach, California on April 4, 2010 from complications of emphysema

Current (2009), WSRA President Terry Stone sent me this picture, of the best looking West Ham rider ever to don their race jacket

I hope Terry will enlighten us but if you know the identity of the "rider" and the year, then please let me know! John
Bryan Horsnell says: Just been looking at your site and I can confirm that the WSRA Presidential Picture is of:-
The lovely young lady is HONOR BLACKMAN who made her name in THE AVENGERS in the 1960's and was a real film, stage and TV star from the 1960's onwards.. She still appears in films and TV plays to this day and will be 85 years 'young' later this year.
My guess is that the picture, in her Hammers race jacket was taken around 1950.
Regards, Bryan Horsnell (Member of the California Track Staff 1955 and 1956)
Terry Stone says: Yes it's Honor Blackman but can you name the film?
I would guess that she was in "Once a Jolly Swagman". Is that correct Terry?
Robert Rogers says: I seem to remember a copy of the Speedway Post back in the mid 1960`s showing a photo of if I remember rightly Honor actually in Action, being shown how to ride the West Ham track by Howdy Byford (?), I also seem to remember at the time saying she showed prospects of becoming a very good rider.

I know one of these riders is Jack Winstanley and think he is leading. Can you confirm the riders, the year and the team John

Another pic featuring Jack Winstanley this time against a Rayleigh Rocket can you advise the riders, teams and year please John

Reg thinks this was the Tamworth team he says Ivor Davies is next to the mascot with Eric Boothroyd on the other side with the helmet on. Can you help with this photo? John
Col Greenwell says: I agree that is Eric Boothroyd. Eric rode for Tamworth...1950...I think the guy second from the right in the back row is Dick Tolley. (with the receding hairline)
Bob Bath says: John-definitely Ivor Davies on other side of mascot from Eric Boothroyd-Cheers Bob
George Wallett says: One to add to your list - the rider on the left at the front is Brian Wilson

Courtesy of George Winstanley who thinks his dad Jack will be one of the riders John
John Coombs: says this is Wigan and George says it is 1947

Can you name the rider? John
Mike Ford (Wasps and Wolves Programme Quiz-setter) says: This is Graham Clifton (Canterbury) who was briefly signed as a No8 in 1976.

Can you name the track? John
Alan Goodman Says: John - The mystery pits could well be Sheffield. A lot of the other photos are from there and the buildings look like those behind the main stand at Owlerton.
Tom Marriott says: It is most definitely Sheffield . Other than the speedway office at the end being different was just like the photo during the 60’s when I spent hours looking over that fence at my racing hero’s. Sheffield always had the fence side for their bikes

Colin Geenwell says: Hi John Coventry rider....I would say Jack Gordon..1949.(Jack was a Boro Bear beginning of 1946 season.) here is some info on Jack:-

Jim Henry says: An interesting item about this photo is that the Bee on the race jacket has straight arms. This was amended in 1950 and the Bee's arms became more boxer like. The Bee is known as Benny The Fighting Bee.

Paul Burton says: Hi John. Colin Greenwell is right. This is Jack Gordon in a Coventry race jacket. Born 21st January 1912 – Bolton. Full Name James Alan Gordon (Jack). He started his career with Middlesbrough in 1946 and continued with them at the start of 1947, before moving on to Wigan later in the season as their captain. He struggled to make an impact for the team when they moved to Fleetwood the following year and eventually lost his place. He was then loaned to Bristol in 1948 where he dislocated his shoulder without opening his points scoring account. He then had a spell with Coventry in 1949 and then with Sheffield in 1950, but both were unconvincing. He hung up his leathers at the end of the 1950 season. Sadly Jack passed away in February 2000.
Regards Paul Burton

Can you name the riders and say the year, I think one will be Jack Winstanley in 1948 John
Alan Goodman says: the two numbered riders were from Sheffield in 1962 - not 1948. Note the crash helmet style and face masks.

Jack Winstanley v a Russian in I think 1964 can you name the Russian John
Steve Brown says: I don't know where that information came from, but there is no way that photo is from 1964; the leathers and boots are a real giveaway. Unless Jack Winstanley made a comeback, I think you'll find that is someone else! The Russians toured BL tracks in 1976, and I'm pretty sure that this picture will be from Belle Vue on Wednesday, June 9. The Aces won 53 - 25, and the scorers were:
Belle Vue 53 (Peter Collins 12, Chris Morton 9, Kristian Praestbro 9, Paul Tyrer 8, Alan Wilkinson 6, Russ Hodgson 5, Geoff Pusey 4)
Soviet Union 25 (Valeri Gordeev 7, Grigori Chlynovski 7, Viktor Trofimov 4, Vladimir Gordeev 2, Viktor Kuznetsov 2, Nikolai Kornev 1, Vladimir
Paznikov 1, Mikhail Starostin 1)
I'm still not sure who the Russian would be, but it's Kristian Praestbro in action for Belle Vue.

Can you name the riders and year John
Alan Goodman says: The photo with two Ipswich riders was 1952. J. Winstanley is the Long Eaton rider.
Bob Andrews says: The two Ipswich riders are Len Silver in front and Nobby Stock on outside. with Jack Winstanley behind.

Bill Elliot says: As I wasn't a fan of the club (I'm Glasgow/Paisley) not 100% sure, but I think the rider on the right of the first picture (on Terry Stone's left) is Pete Reading, formerly of Middlesborough/Teeside Tigers, circa late 60's/70's. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the old Paisley pictures-brought back a lot of memories.
Phil Masters says: The ex rider on the right with Terry Stone is former Crayford star Laurie Etheridge, don't know who the other one is.
Steve Brown agrees he says: The rider on Terry's left is not Pete Reading, but Laurie Etheridge.
Tony Webb says: left to right, Rod Laudrum, Terry Stone and Laurie Etheridge

Phil Masters says: I can name a few in the WRSA line up,Stan Stevens,Bert Harkins, Terry Stone. On the bike is Bob Andrews.
Sunderland's Ian Martin says: The chap in the WHITE short sleeved shirt wearing Dark Glasses is Vic White. He is the WSRA Secretary/Treasurer
Reg Fearman Says: 2009 Line Up at a WSRA function :- two more names Ernie Baker on the right of Bert Harkins and Tom O'Connor is the second from the right which leaves just two to go.
Bob Andrews says: Just looking at the unamed riders, the 2009 Lunch with me on the bike has Alan Jackson far right of photo
Bob Andrews says: That photo of me on the bike, at Bulphan. with the group, the last rider to be named is Des Lukehurst. about 3 or 4 in from Alan Jackson who is on the far right.

Stoke V Long Eaton I think can you name any riders and work out the track and year John
Terry Stone says: this is Sheffield not Long Eaton at the left end Colin Pratt Eric Hockaday with back to us. Ron Sharp. ? ?? Guy Allott. Jack Winstanley. Clive Featherby . ?
Well done Terry
Mike Kemp agrees with Terry, he says: Sheffield 1962 v Stoke riders far left is Colin Pratt, Eric Hockaday and Ron Sharp - all Stoke --- Sheffield riders 2nd right is Clive Featherby and 4th right G Allott ---
Colin Jewes says: In the Sheffield No.1 race jacket is Ronnie Rolfe.
Tom Marriott says: John, been looking long and hard at this photo and the track is definitely Owlerton…. And the riders as they line up on the track (not left to right in the photo) Colin Pratt, Eric Hockaday (turned away) Ron Sharpe, Rider with helmet on and obscured may be Ken Adams? All of Stoke. The Sheffield number 7 may bePeter Atkins or Bernard Mcarthur???? The next rider looking away is Stuart Hickman, next is Guy Allott, then Jack Winstanly of course! Clive Featherby and Ronnie Rolf. And for my bonus point the guy on the extreme right in the white boiler suit is current Sheffield starting marshall Lou Charlesworth! LOL The year is either 60 or 61. The Sheffield #7 is the real hard one but I know it isn’t one of the Jays, or doesn’t look like Derrol Melbin or Col Smith.
Colin Jewes says: The Year has to be 1961. (Ronnie Rolfe wasn't at Sheffield in 1960, he was the Cradley captain that year, and come 1962 Stuart Hickman wasn't with Sheffield.)

I know Jack Winstanley is on the left, can you name the other rider John
Terry Stone says: rider with Jack Winstanley is Ronnie Rolfe.

I know one of the riders is Jack Winstanley, can you say which one and name the other 3 John
Alan Goodman says: The picture- Long Eaton - the leading rider is Wilf Plant
Jim Henry says: L-R Bill Osborne Jack Winstanley Wilf Plant Archie Windmill opening heat Long Eaton V Aldershot 1952 League Match

I know one of the riders is Jack Winstanley, can you say which one and name the other 3 John
Chris Roper says: I know the rider leading is Bert Roger and I think Jack is on the outside. The other Plymouth rider may be Maury Mattingley or Ivor Toms
Alan Goodman says: Long Eaton v Plymouth. this was taken in 1951-2. the rider in front is George Wall. Bert Roger only had a brief spell at Plymouth in 1962 and Long Eaton had yet to re-open.

The race jackets say this is Wimbledon for the Internationale and I know the year is 1968. Can you name the riders John
Phil Masters says: I recognised the photo of the 1968 Internationale as soon as I saw it, I recall seeing it in either Speedway Star or Speedway Post. Have every issue from about 1965 and have just been up in the attic to see if I could find it. Was right, it was in the August issue of Speedway Post 1968.The photo was credited to Trevor Meeks and the riders are named as left Antonin Kasper and right Bengt Jansson.

I can see Dave Younghusband, Eric Boothroyd, Colin McKee and Eric Boocock. Help please with the rest John
Phil Masters (Weymouth) says: Dave Younghusband,Les Sharpe, Eric Boothroyd team manager,Alan Jay,Terry Lee,Colin McKee,Greg Kentwell,on bike Eric Boocock,captain.

I know this is Hackney v Cradley in 1963 and Colin McKee is one of the riders. Can you help please John
Update: Steve Remington says: don't know who the Oxford riders were ( Nah incorrect Steve It's CH v Hackney) but I think the Cradley riders are Eric Hockaday and Ken Wakefield at the back
Chris Roper says: The Hawks are Les McGillivary and Colin Mckee
Colin Jewes says: The 2 CH riders are Alan Totney and John Belcher, (who always wore a green shirt.) (from a Cradley supporter of the 1960s,)
Alan Garner says: Agree with identification of the Hackney riders McGillivray and Mckee. However as McGillivray was not a Hackney rider in 63 (he sat out the early part of 63 season and signed for Rayleigh about May and stayed till season end) he rode for Hackney from 64 until he retired. I am of the opinion this is photo was taken in 64 (20th May or 29th July)
Colin Jewes says: John Belcher didn't ride for Cradley in '64 (nor anywhere ?), only at the very end of '62 and throughout '63. Record books don't show McGillivray and McKee together at Hackney, so I doubt L.McG: I can recognise McKee, so its 1963, but who is outside on the left?

Hello John: I recently came across your site when I was searching for info on my father who used to race grasstrack in the 30s. He is now long deceased (not during racing) and I'm trying to get information on him during his racing days and would appreciate any suggestions of where I might try for info. His name was Edgar Walter Pratt but he also used to race under two pseudonyms, V E Baker and C A Lewis which were used to circumnavigate some kind of registration problems, or (as we were told as kids), because he used to win too many races and was therefore 'deterred' from entering!!! He raced I think in the Kent area, where he lived at that time, and also at Kings Oak speedway at High Beech (I attach a picture from 11/5/30 and another showing some trophies with the original picture in the background).

As a kid I used to go with him each Tuesday to West Ham Speedway and saw the likes of Peter Craven, Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs, Brian Crutcher, Jack young and Gerry Hussey et al. My father was friends with Howdy Byford, Tiger Stevenson and Colin Watson.......just a few of those that I knew of.

If you can help with any suggestions, I would be most grateful.
Regards
Eric Pratt
So does anyone know anything about Edgar Walter Pratt John

The rider at front left appears to be Jack Winstanley can you name any of the others John
Dave Gifford says: I think the rider on the left is Mick Handley, centre rear looks like Maury Robinson and the next to the right at the back is Paul Sharples, Ken's boy
Brenda Robinson (Maury's wife) says: Centre back is Maury - front right Milton Caisley and behind him - Brian Oliver.

Courtesy of George Winstanley
Can you name any of the guys pictured John
Terry Stone says: Photos from George Winstanley are from Denmark 1952 Left to Right Howdy Byford 5th Phil Bishop 10th Bill Kitchen

Courtesy of George Winstanley
Can you name any of the guys pictured John
Terry Stone says: Bill Kitchen on Mike

This is Long Eaton in 1957, Jack Winstanley is far left at the back. Can you name the rest John
Colin Greenwell says: Chap on the bike looks like Frank Malouf and the guy near him wearing specs looks like Ernest Palmer......Just guessing from pics I have seen. Was this a reunion or something as I don't think Long Eaton were running in 1957...
Update: Chris Stockwell says: Long Eaton Dinner and Dance in 1951. This photo of the riders are Back Row Unknown. Russell Davy, Freddie Siggins, Ernest 'Pedlar' Palmer,Johnny Jones. Next three Unknown. Front row Unknown, Archie Wainwright, not sure if Archie tried his hand at rideing. I believe he was a mechanic. Next two Unknown. Rider on bike Frank Malouf, next Unknown, finally Bob Ibbotson
Ron Johnston says: Louis Lawson backrow second from the right

George has been back in touch with another photo of the same event. George says the back of this photo is dated 1951 which is more like it. I think we can assume both photos were taken at Long Eaton in 1951. Does anyone care to guess the names of anyone on these photos John My best guess is a young Margaret Thatcher peeping from behind the beauty queen. No? well let us hear your guesses.
Jack Winstanley receiving the trophy
George Winstanley says: a young girl (teenager) left a comment on his youtube slide show, saying the beauty queen presenting my dad with a trophy at Long Eaton, is called Heather. she is Heathers grand daughter!!! (my giddy aunt)
Yes I feel old too George, but 1951 was a year before I was born. Glad tidings to Heather if she is still with us.
Philip Dalling says: The very tall man who appears in both pics (far right in the first pic and left in the second one) is Frank Exton.
Frank, who was from Derby like many Long Eaton fans (a survey in the 1950s found there were many more from Derby than from Nottingham) was the pits marshall at Station Road in the 1960s and I believe the chairman of the Supporters Club. In 1954 he was involved in the running of the unlicensed speedway meetings at Long Eaton, with Paddy Mills, formerly of Norwich and Tom Beattie, who leased the stadium from a local brewery and ran the greyhound racing and (later) the stock cars.

This picture was taken at Sheffield in 1961. Jack Winstanley is far right. Can you name the rest John
Update: Colin Greenwell says: The more I look the more I think it is Don Wilkinson and the guy on the left Maurice Morley.....maybe you are too young to remember ...but Don was on loan from Newcastle when Middlesbrough opened on April 6th 1961....He left when Newcastle opened ...May 22nd....
Update: Hello John -- The Sheffield 1961 pic -- The rider on the right look like Peter Atkins and Jack Winstanley on the far left !! -- I'm sure Peter rode at Sheffield about this time !! --- Mike
Well Mike, Jack Winstanley's son George says his dad is far right (unless he was referring to Jack's political leaning) I think far right is Jack
Update: Colin Greenwell says: I think the guy in the centre with the bandana and large gloves is Don Wilkinson
Update: Tom Marriott says: In my humble opinion the rider on the far left is Stuart Hickman senior
Update: Colin Greewell says: Still waiting for the names on the 1961 Sheffield pic. The only guy someone has not had a guess at is third from the left. I'm going for Clive Hitch....Its the best guess so far!!!
You could be right Colin. It is the best guess, as it is the only guess, so far!
Ian Tewson says: Sheffield v Middlesbrough heat with the Bears Riders being Don Wilkinson and VIC LONSDALE
Colin Jewes says:Some disagreement here. No one has addressed the fundamental aspect. Although a b/w picture we can fortunately identify M'boro riders from Sheffield riders by the reversed quarters . The 2 M'boro riders are central, and the 2 Sheffield riders are outer. The M'boro riders are wearing dark helmet colours, ie R & B, and the 2 Sheffield riders light colours, ie W & Yllw. So the meeting is at M'BORO !As to individuals, gent in civies on the extreme Rt, agreed, is Maurie Morley; Jack Winstanley always wore a long leather face mask: - he is on the far RIGHT, (- the rider far left wears a scarf!) Clive Hitch I agree with, he's readily recognisable; Don Wilkinson: though I couldn't have named him without a prompt, I can now 'see' him, for his face is uncovered.

Alan Goodman says:Hi John In the name the rider section Picture 44, (the one below JS receiving a trophy), I agree with Tom Marriott that the rider next to M.Morley is Stuart Hickman senior.

Update Jim Henry says: It's the Leningrad Neva team - probably the one that visited Belle Vue sometime in the 1960s/1970s is the best I can do. The race jacket motif is the give away.
I asked Dave Gifford for his views on the men and machines in this great photo.
Update: Giffy says: When we first used Jawas in 1968 they had a rear mudguard with a valance on the right side. An Giffy's Eso with oil tank on rear mudguard

Giffy's Eso with oil tank on rear mudguard

oil tank was mounted on the valance. The rear downtube of the frame diamond was 30 mill same as the other tubes. About 1969 or 70 they did away with the valanced guard and the oil tank and put the oil in the frame and increased the size of the downtube, if you look at most Jawas they have an oil filler cap on the frame above the fuel tank. I have a picture of an Eso which also had an oil tank. I have been told by a reliable source that 80% of the Jawa production went to the Soviet Union. Now if this is the case I have a little bit of doubt about the date of the picture being 1971as there are no filler caps on the frames and I think they would have wrecked all the old type frames by 1971! The bikes also have Lucas magnetos which were used on the earlier model. I do have an early model Jawa awaiting restoration, my next project. Giffy
Maybe the Soviets had older bikes and equipment in 1971?
Update: Bob Andrews says: The masked men photo was Team Leningrad, taken in 1971 at Belle Vue
So can anyone name the riders?
Update: Alan Charles says: Here are scans from the match programme which was 1968 not 1971

Steve Brown says: It seems that the rider who was taking a tumble at Rayleigh in 1968 was Terry Stone. The picture was in the 1969 Speedway Star Annual.

Miss Poole, Miss Sheffield, Miss Wolverhampton and Miss Newcastle. Can you name any of the girls, say what the competition was called and provide the year John
Update: Alan Bristow says: Possible clue is in the number cards; the ballroom at Belle Vue was called the "New Elizabethan Ballroom". Memory is a bit faded now but I have a vague recollection of a "Miss Speedway competition" taking place in the sixties with a contestant from each team. I think the judging took place in the ballroom in the afternoon and the contestants (probably these are the first 4) paraded at the evening speedway meeting. I believe it was done at a PLRC or more probably BLRC meeting
Update: Colin Jewes says: Agree this is Belle Vue. I went to the PLRCs and BLRCs in the '60s, and my recollection is that there wasn't one at the first in 1962 but that they started in '63, or maybe '64. I recall one if not the first in the ballroom following a raining mtg, so did they plan the first for the centre green, revert by force to the ballroom, and thereafter go to the Ballroom, (i.e wouldn't have Elizabethan cards the first time in there, as it was by default.) If so - a lot of there speculation here - , but I'm going for 1964 ! Definitely a PLRC not a BLRC

Who are these 1930's riders in Argentina
One is Frank Varey can you name the others John

Update: Terry Stone says: 13 on top of car Eric Langton 3on wing Frank Varey, 2 on other side ? is it sprouts elder. Yes 3 out of 3 Terry

Sprouts Elder in Argentina. Do you have any info on Argentina speedway. Can you name any Argentinean riders John

Courtesy John Hunter via Dave Rowland
Oliver Hart: Can anyone say the team and the year John

Courtesy John Hunter via Dave Rowland
Ron Johnson: Can anyone say the team and the year John

Update: Bob Andrews says: This is Ron Johnson coming into the pits at New Cross 1947-49

Can anyone supply any info and the year. Appears to have been taken at a grass track named High Post? John

Can you say what year this is from? Also David says: I wonder if you can help me, do you know how I can contact Jon Erskine ex of Newport as I would like to speak to him about his father who was also a speedway rider
So if you can supply contact details for Jon Erskine please send me an email John
Update: Colin Greenwell says: Looking in one of my books. Mike Erskine rode for Wimbledon 1946/51, so pic could be from this era.

This appears to be the Russian national side of 1966. I would have said: all mounted on identical ESO machines but the rider 4th from right has his handlebars mounted like western riders. Reg and I say Plechanov Samaradov Kadirov and Kurelenko will be in this line up. I expect Victor Trovimof too. Can you name them all, confirm the year as 1966 and possibly advise the scorers from the match (easy if you have the programme)
Update: Bryan Tungate says: Just a thought about the USSR team across the Plough Lane track. Is it the first test 1965 and not 1966. The rider with "English" handlebars is Gabdrachman Kadirov who was given the name Beatle due to his hairstyle. G B won the match 71-36 with Briggs 17. N Boocock 16+1, Monk 14 and McKinley 10+3 as top scorers. For U S S R the scorers were Vladimer Sokolov 13, Igor Plechanov 10, Gabdrachman Kadirov 8 Gennardy Kurilenko 3+1, Yuri Chekramov 2+1 Vladimere Kornev (reserve) 0 Boris Samoradov 0 (crashed in his first ride then replaced by the reserve) and Valentine Moiseyev (reserve) did not ride I seem to remember the matches listed as "Great Britain" v "Soviet Russia" and this was the first year of the British League. At the same time the Tests were going on a "Gornik - Poland" team were also here in England on tour. Besides the Tests U S S R also rode against West of England & a team representing Scotland

1956 Swedish touring side, visiting England. Reg says: Fundin Nygren Forsberg are in there. I agree but can you name the rest? John
Update: Bryan Tungate says: The Sweden International line-up is the first time Sweden sent a test team to ride in England, (taken at Wembley) Back - Birger Forsberg, Ove Fundin, Rune Sormander, Olle Nygren, E Grandin (Manager) Front - Bernt Nillson, Lasse Petersen, Danny Forsberg, Kjell Carlsson.
This photo was from the first match @ Wembley, (Sweden 59-49).In the second match @ Wimbledon Kjell had a crash and I don't recall him riding again, I suppose when recovered, he then went into retirement and I think he has now passed on. After the third match @ The Firs, Norwich, (England won by 66-42), Sweden won the series 2-1 overall. This was helped by the last heat result at Plough Lane when Birger finished alone to give Sweden a 53-52 win.

Sweden scorers - Rune 11, 11+3, 8. Lasse 3(reserve), 10+1, 2+1. Olle 10+1, 12, 11. Danny 6+1, 1, 3. Ove 18, 11, 15. Kjell 4, 3+1, n/s. Berrnt 6+1, 0 (reserve), 2 (reserve). Birger 1 (reserve), 5+1 (reserve), 1 (reserve).

The England Manager job was shared by the tracks, Alec Jackson, Ronnie Green e & Gordon Parkins.

Update Bruno Jervfors says: I'm a 68 years old speedway fan from Sweden. I've been looking at your website about speedway. Under the line Name The Rider, there's a photo of the Swedish Team from 1956. I will correct the name of the front line. From left to right are the names: Lasse Pettersson, Berndt Nilsson, Dan Forsberg and Kjell Carlsson. Watch the spelling.

Swedish league team visiting the UK. Vikingarna. This could be difficult, I don't recognise anyone and neither does Reg, Perhaps you will recognise the fence and the "forest" and let us know which track they were appearing at? John
Update: Bryan Tungate says: The team photo of the league line-up was taken in Sweden, not England (all the tracks in Sweden seem to be in forests)
Bruno Jervfors says:Vikingarnas Speedwaylag Div. 3 Tidigt 70-tal. Från vänster: Ingemar Thellander, Brian Runesson, Lars-Göran Deldebring, Lars Jennerfors, Leif Mellberg.The Swedish Speedway Team Vikingarna from Örebro, driving in the 3rd league at that time. Photo from the early seventies. Standing left to right: Lars-Göran Deldebring and Leif Mellberg: Sitting on the bike: Brian Runesson. On knee left to right: Ingemar Thellander and Lars Jennerfors
The track is Örebro Motorstadion (= Motor Stadium)

Courtesy George Winstanley
Can you identify, the riders, the track and the year John

I am told this is at Newcastle in the 1960's. Halifax's Dave Younghusband is at far right, please name the rest John

Update: Jack Hides says: Hi John, 2 guys on the left are Bluey Scott (Glasgow) & Dick Fisher ( Belle Vue) that's all I know for sure. The guy mid right looks like he is wearing an Oxford race jacket, I thought at first it might have been Morrie Robinson I'm not sure about the guy in the middle.
Reg Fearman also thinks the guy 2nd from the right is Maury Robinson
Giffy says: Hi mate, picture of Bluey Scott, Dick Fisher, Jack Winstanley Maury Robinson and Dave Younghusband. Pretty sure that's Jack in the middle, probably around 66, 67 and I think he was still doing the odd second half at Brough Park at that time. Giffy
Not sure if Jack had that pointy a nose but otherwise it does look like him especially as the photo came from George Winstanley, Jacks' son. Matter closed the riders are named.
Brenda Robinson (Maury's wife) says: Jack Winstanley is looking at Maury Robinson and it's not an Oxford Jacket - Maury is holding his polka-dot neck scarf ! Trendy !!!
Another mystery solved, polka dots not cheetah spots, thanks Brenda

Picture Courtesy of Mike Kemp
Can you identify, the rider, the track and the year John
Jim Henry says: If you look at the back mudguard you'll see the guy's name on the plate - looks like Bill James to me
I cannot make the name out on the mudguard John

Picture Courtesy of Mike Kemp
Can you identify, the rider, the track and the year John

Alan Goodman says: This is Dick Geary. Note the moustache. The track is Walthamstow as can be seen by the Walthamstow race jacket in front of the distinctive pointed tower.
So Alan Dick Geary had a distinctive moustache did he?

Picture Courtesy of Mike Kemp
Can you identify, the rider, the track and the year John

Picture Courtesy of Mike Kemp
Can you identify, the riders, the track and the year John

John White says: The track in this picture is Oxford fairly early on as a bar/clubroom complex was built on this site. Also there is no evidence of the huge Blackbird Leys estate in the background which at this time was the sewage farm, POOH!! This in turn was demolished in about 1985 to make way for the current excellent facility which sadly sees no speedway. We live in hope!!

Can you identify, the rider, the track and the year John
Update: Steve Brown says: The rider sitting on the bike (below the WCQR action photo from Oxford) is Ron Tuck. Sorry, can't name the year or the track, though.

Picture Courtesy of Mike Kemp
Can you identify, the rider, the track and the year John

Picture Courtesy of Mike Kemp
Can you identify, the rider, the track and the year John

Picture Courtesy of Mike Kemp
Can you identify, the rider, the track and the year John

All I know about the above picture is that the rider had been a Middlesbrough Bear and a Newcastle Diamond. Can you identify, the rider, the track and the year John
Ex Halifax rider Alan Jay says: I think it is Tommy Bateman because he was a friend of my father's (Wilf Jay) but not sure of track and year.

Custom House, West Ham: Can you say what year this picture was taken and also name the riders John

Terry Stone says: This is Team Canada, Eric Chitty is pictured with his little girl Carol. Can anyone say the year and name the other riders. I guess it's a test of your memory of Canadian riders names:
Bryan Tungate says: This photo I was informed was a line-up posed by Johnnie Hoskins for a publicity stunt. It was taken early 1938 at the Custom House, West Ham, track but this is not the Canada team that rode at Norwich or Sheffield at the time. (At Norwich the Canada team included 2 riders from Northern England in the 8 who represented them). Eric Chitty and his daughter are those on the left of the photo and this photo was included in an early edition of the Vintage Speedway Magazine
Reg Fearman says: Canadian Photo :- West Ham 1937 Eric Chitty with Carol Ann on the machine. All sitting on their machines are L/R Goldie Restall, Bob Sparks, Jimmy Gibb, Eddie Barker, Elwood Stilwell, George Pepper, Bruce Venier. The two standing at the back without crash helmets on the left is Englishman Butch Williams who raced at Dagenham at that time and for the West Ham Hawks, after the war he was in the West Ham workshop as a mechanic with Alec Mosely as supervisor and was Malcolm Craven's mechanic in particular, the one on the right is unknown to me. Cheers, Reg
Tom Marriott says: Looking at a better resolution photo of this I believe Reg has the first two riders mixed up the first is not Restall but Sparks and the second rider is Restall not Sparks.

Reg Fearman says: This is the same Canadian team as the one on the Machines. L/R Back Row. Goldie Restall, Eddie Barker, Bob Sparks, Elwood Stilwell, Bruce Venier. L/R Front Row. George Pepper, Johnnie Hoskins, Eric Chitty with Carol Ann, Jimmy Gibb.

Do you know the venue, the riders and the year John
Bob Andrews says: The photo from Archie Cooper on un-named riders was taken first bend at Harringay about 1950 and I would put money on Vic Duggan outside and Steve Ison inside. Bob Andrews.( I was a supporter of Harringay. there every week.)

Ron Johnson falling in the 1933 Star Championship, behind an unknown rider, do you know who is leading in this photograph John
VSM says: The rider in front was Bobby Blake
Anyone know the track

Can you name the rider and say what year it is? He appears to be on a Rudge John
Update: John Chaplin says: This is Wally Lloyd
Anyone care to pinpoint the year and say what track he was associated with?

This sender of this scan has had the photo for years despite not knowing who the riders are, the track or the year. I would guess it is 1931-1933 and possibly foreign? Please email if you can help John
Update: John, would you think foreign as in the USA ? I would almost guess that it appears to be my grandfather Miny Waln by his riding style and the bike (the rider in front). I just posted some pictures form his scrapbook and a few other items on the Jockey Journal website and here is the link. Jockey Journal I have one of his old helmets and an engine from way back. Let me know what you think. Thanks Bob Fricker

Can anyone say what model and year this engine is John
Update: Terry Stone says the engine is a 4b what about the year rough guess will do.

No need for goggles or face mask for this Douglas rider. Do you know who he is John

Dave Gifford says: Hi John mate, the Douglas rider with no goggles or face mask looks very much like Sprouts Elder to me but I wouldn't put money on it unless it was yours! Not only is he riding without the aforementioned items but I bet he doesn't have four helmets painted different colours and a flunky to follow him around the pits with a hand held fan between races! I also suspect he wouldn't have had a pit crew of four to put fuel and oil in the bike, and if a race didn't go as planned he would have probably said "I screwed up" not, " we missed the setup!!" As for airbag safety fences? The shame would have killed him!

Hello John I have found some information about this picture. This rider is named Jack Wood .Picture taken in 1929 in Denmark (Copenhagen)
Greetings Sebastian Sojka

Action from Fleetwood. Does anyone know the year and riders involved? John
Jeff Crawford says: It's Cyril Cooper going round the outside, I think Don Potter in the centre
Jim Blanchard says: The rider going around the boards in this shot is almost certainly Peter Craven. He rode for Liverpool in 1951 and 1952. I am not sure if the track is Fleetwood or Liverpool as I am not familiar with either of them to be fair so it could be Fleetwood.
I can see why you think the guy on the outside is the spectacular Peter Craven. The heat appears to be a home 5-1 so maybe it is at Liverpool and not Fleetwood. Will we ever know for certain?
Reg Fearman says:- The track is not Liverpool as Liverpool had a chain link fence and I am sure that it is not Peter Craven on the outside.
Update Jim Blanchard has been back in touch saying:

I noticed that in 'your name the rider' section Reg Fearman does not think that the rider on the outside at Fleetwood is Peter Craven. I recently came across this photo which is definitely Peter Craven at Hyde Road. If you look at all the various reference points; The size of the rider, helmet, scarf, size and shape of the handlebars, leathers etc its very much similar to the rider in question.

What race jacket PC has on in this shot though is difficult to ascertain as its clearly Hyde Road - so it must be Belle Vue he is riding for.

So any other bids on whether this is PC or not. Reg is very knowledgeable but not infallible (who is)

Alan Jay has been in touch, he says: I believe that the rider who you believe to be Peter Craven at Fleetwood on the outside is actually my father Wilf Jay, due to riding style.
Cannot disagree with you Alan. Your dad had a spectacular riding style as did Peter
Alan Goodman says: also more on the Peter Craven picture. I think it is PC riding for Fleetwood. The home colours of red and green looked plain in black and white photography. The track is Fleetwood - I went there once and I think the opposition was Sheffield as the rider on the inside looks very much like Len Williams.

At a guess this photo is pre war, don't know who it is or the team/track can you help? John
Update: Terry Stone says this leg trailer is Phil Bishop anyone care to guess the year. What is very noticeable is the larger diameter wheels. I believe they were 22 inch until the 1950's when 18 inch wheels became the rule. Does anyone know the score as far as wheel sizes go?
Reg Fearman says: Phil Bishop it is at West Ham circa 1946/47. Rear wheels - they were 22 inch post war and the tyre most favoured was the Leapahead of which Fred Mockford the New Cross promoter had the patent, the Leapahead walls would shred and cause a puncture which was common. To overcome this many riders would cut an old inner tube and wrap it around the inner tube so protecting it. The other tyre in use was the John Bull but the rubber was very hard and the depth of tread much less. I believe it was not until 1954 that the 19 inch wheel was introduced and the tyre everyone went for was the Dunlop Trials Universal, one would spend hours cutting slots in the tread and cutting the leading edge straight after a meeting for extra grip. During this period at one time a narrow tyre was introduced with very little tread. I raced on it but have forgotten the detail as it was only in use for a short time
Reg has been in touch again re tyres and has supplied the following image which explains the tyre situation

The bottom photo shows Yarmouth's Reg Morgan and (on the inside) Norwich's Jack Freeman, can you name any of the other riders shown above John

Jami from Finland has been in touch, he owns this speedway fuel tank and would like to know which make of speedway bike it is from. So would I, so email me if you know John

John Fray says: Not sure about the one pictured, but the old JAP bikes ridden at the late 50's to mid sixties to my knowledge had a rather ugly square shaped oil tank attached towards the rear wheel. I know that a more stylish rounded tear drop or pear shaped tank started to appear on the side of rear wheel guard where the previous square tank was situated. The tank was made from a fly press die pressed out of mild sheet steel, brazed together with a back plate and screw top to produce a really good looking tank. There must be some still about as many were made. I believe they were made to order and sold by Oxford's greatest Arne Pander as he went to meetings at other tracks and riders admired and wanted one. They had a good pedigree since they were manufactured in Cowley where the BMW Mini is still made

Can anyone put a year to this line up, Wimbledon League Team! Billy Lamont, Len Parker, Jim Kempster, Dick Forster? Dicky Case, Ray Tauser, cannot make out the guy's name at far right help please John
Bryan Tungate has been in touch he says:-

I think this one goes back to the 1930 season. Del (not Dick) Forster is the chap in the middle and he rode for Cardiff in 1929. I think the guy in the suit could be Mr Cearns. The rider on the right is Mart Seiffert. He was there about 1929/30 time. Jim Kempster (Smiling Jim) was the England captain in the first 1930 test match v Australia when they started. in 1931 they had Vic Huxley and he is not on this photo so it is before then. Hope this is some good to you

Thanks Bryan, I follow your reasoning, the photo appears to be 1930
Update: Norman Jacobs says the year is definitely 1930

Not so much name the rider. They are Split Waterman and Derek Close it is impossible to make out Derek's race jacket so my question is who was he riding for if this is Wembley Split's home track. John
Derek rode for Newcastle for a while. Did Newcastle ever ride at Wembley?
Reg Fearman says: Waterman and Close it is certainly not Wembley - too untidy. Derek's body jacket could be red, blue, white or yellow. If a rider turned up without his race jacket which was common the staging track would " kit " him out.

Six riders all mounted on Douglas machines so this could be as early as 1928 or possibly 1929. I don't know any of the riders or the venue, can you help John
Update: Terry Stone says No 14 is Jim Kempster
Update: Valerie Davey says: The track is Stamford Bridge.

I believe the track is Norwich and I know it's a Rudge outside and a Douglas inside so the year is likely to be 1929 or 30. I don't know the riders can you help?
Update Norman Jacobs says: The photo of the two unknown riders at Norwich can't be 1929 as Norwich didn't open until August 1930.

Where did speedway start? Most of us say it was in Australia in 1923. However a school of thought suggests the Americans were racing their bikes around oval dirt tracks well before 1923. Here we have a picture of a dirt bike attached to a side car at the time the picture was taken and this was around 1910. An American friend says this about the photo: -

Well Christine the sidecar and the lights don't really qualify this bike as a solo dirt track racing machine as we know them from around 1928. Who is to say that your excellent photo from around 1910 is not that of a racing machine? I now turn the matter over to visitors of my website who may possess more knowledge than I do of the old bikes.

Neale Gentner (USA) says: The bike and sidecar featured is definitely not a dirt bike or a racing bike of any kind.
It is many years later than 1910. Both machine and sidecar are Harley-Davidson products, probably dating from 1925 or later. Visible features appear to be: Electric lights and horn, "streamline" style fuel tank (1925 and later), no front brake lever denotes pre 1928 model. Normal road transport machine, circa 1925-1927, though photo could have been taken later.

The rider pictured above is Reg West. His daughter has been in touch as follows: - Would someone be able to help us find out anything more on Reginald Aldgate West. He was born in Tasmania but the family moved from there to Melbourne. He travelled all over Australia racing he was also known to have done some wrestling in his time.
I have a Photo of him having won a race on his motorbike wearing his winners sash.
He was my father-in-law. We know very little of his racing career.

He travelled over to the UK with the Australian team to race at the Isle of Man/Wight in the early 1930's. We believe he raced all over the UK. He never went back to Australia. Seems he stopped racing at the start of the war. Could have been from serious injury?

Any info would be great.

Update: Bryan Tungate has been in touch he has "found" a Reg West in a 1939 Norwich programme

This is Bristol Knowle Street in the 1950's. Can anyone name the riders. A tough question eh? John

I have enlarged the section with the riders on and I think the rider on the inside is wearing the winged wheel of the Harringay Racers. It doesn't help much, does it? John
Update: Terry Stone suggests the rider in white is Harringay's Vic Duggan and the rider on the white line could be Geoff Pymar as Geoff was partnered with Vic for a while.
The riders in Red and Blue must be Bristol riders so come on Bristol and Harringay fans your help is required.
Reg Fearman says: Vic Duggan on the white line and in the middle either Jimmy Grant or Frank Dolan.
Lee Dunton says: Hi John, Re the Bristol v Harringay photo, after looking through many of my Harringay photo's and what with the handlebar clamps of the rider in white and the style I hazard a guess that it is my father Danny Dunton in white, he did indeed partner Vic Duggan for a great part of the time in 1949 & 1950, however, in this instance it looks to me that it's Split Waterman on the inside, of course I could be wrong....

Lee Dunton also says: Hi John, As promised a photo from the Harringay programme 1950, as you can see it definitely is Nobby Stock and Vic Duggan in your photo.

Lee Dunton has sent this photo of his dad Danny Dunton so with one name start, can you name all four riders John

Lee says one of these riders is his dad Danny Dunton. Can you name him and the other rider, team mates at Harringay I would say
Bob Andrews says: Photo from Lee Dunton has Danny Dunton and Lloyd Goffe ( leg trailing.)

Picture from Mick Alexander taken around 1930. The bike could be a Velocette KTT. Can you supply any information John

Michael Kemp has named all 4: Tommy Allott, Syd Littlewood, Len Williams and Bert Spencer. Great action shot the cameraman must have been very close to the action

The above photo is from the Sunderland V Middlesbrough Programme 19th May 1964. I can only name 2 of the riders. Mike Watkin and Russ Dent, can you help with the others? John

Update: Dave Gifford has been in touch and has the following to say about the above photo:
Hi John mate, the Sunderland Middlesbrough photo 1964. I would say its Maury Robinson on the right.
Thanks Dave but there are still 3 names to find.
Brenda Robinson says: 1st left is mechanic (we think to Mike Watkin) 2nd left is Derek Greaves - far right is Maury Robinson (next to Derek is Brough Park's track marshall !)

Not sure about the above photo. Is it genuine or trick photography? John
Update: Terry Stone says this is Alex Jackson of Wembley

Vets race at Rye House 75 years anniversary of speedway in this country on March 1st 2003. Scunthorpe manager Kenny Smith is in the Nelson Jacket who are the rest John

Update: Kenny has been in touch, he says the riders in this photo are: -
Kenny Smith (Rudge JAP Nelson Jacket) Jonathon Clarke (Douglas Wimbledon) John Taylor (Rudge BelleVue) Tom Richardson (Rudge New Cross) Peter Clarke (Rudge Southampton)

Thanks Kenny and if you have any more photos like this one send them in John