OLDEST TRACK DEBATE CONTINUES - posted 7 July 2010

Claims to be cycle speedway's oldest continuously used track intensify.

Reader Phil Widdas told us that although he does not have any documented evidence, he has it from reliable sources, mainly Archie Wilkinson and Bob Prince, that the Birmingham track at Perry Hall was opened in 1962 so Phil would put Perry Hall forward as the oldest track still in use.

Meanwhile a couple of readers have contested Garry Pearce's suggestion that the Stoke track was opened in May 1963.  Andy Franks reckons the picture was taken in 1967.  Former Shelton Tigers manager Brian Massey agrees.

"I'm afraid Garry Pearce is out by a few years.  The meeting actually took place on 15th October, 1967.  It was a challenge match between Shelton 'Tigers' and Offerton 'Devils', with Offerton running out winners by 50 pts to 45 pts. I attach a photo showing the riders Bill Pennington (Shelton), Angus McKenzie (Offerton), Tom Colclough (Shelton) and Dave Berrisford (Offerton).  This race was heat three, and was won by Tom Colclough with Bill Pennington second, Dave Berrisford was third and Angus McKenzie was excluded.

"Scorers in the meeting were as follows:-
Shelton Tigers 45
Dave McCue 9, Tom Colclough 9, Henry Jones 7, Doug Davis 6, Bill Pennington 5, Paul Edwards 4, Dave Foster 4, Adrian Shaw 1
Offerton Devils 50
Dereke Garnett 13, Vic Hinchcliffe 11, Tony Hardy 9, Dave Berrisford 7, Tom Lawton 3, Paul Smith 3, Pete Collister 3, Angus McKenzie 1
(3,2,1,0 scoring!)

But when it comes to the prize for the oldest continously used track it has to be Hellingly.

"Just to let all your readers know Hellingly was formed in 1947 and have been based at their current home the Lower Dicker since 1952" said reader Neil Hollebon.

So Hellingly have it - unless of course you know better!

STOKE CLAIM - posted 11 June 2010 

Please find attached a picture from the very first meeting at Compton Street Playing fields in Stoke the year is 1963 (I think it's the month of May), the home up until last season to Stoke Whiterock.  The track is still being used today for training sessions and the club are hopeful of putting a team in the Northern League
racing from that track next season.

Garry Pearce





ASHMORE PARK TRACK ONE OF THE OLDEST - posted 10 June 2010

Wednesfield's Ashmore Park track is right up there as one of the oldest continuously used tracks in the country.  Following our recent artilce about Hethersett's claim, Wednesfield supremo paul Bodley got in touch.

"I was interested to see Mel's article about Hethersett" said Paul.  "Little did I realise that Ashmore Park must also be one of the oldest tracks still being  used.  Built in the
summer of 1965 by Wednesfield Urban District Council, I think we may also be one of the first council built facilities.

"I can well remember well lobbying the local council as far back as 1963 but in early 1965 I was summoned to the Council Architects office to be shown a CCPR handbook which had a diagram and instructions on how to build a Cycle Speedway track.  We agreed a site on Ashmore Park, work began in June of 1965 and by September it was completed amazingly with a paling fence around the perimeter.

I have several photos that were given to me in 1997 by the bulldozer driver who marked the track out all those years before.  My contender for the oldest track would be Birminghams Perry Hall or Hellingly.  I look forward with interest in finding out who claims this worthwhile accolade" added Paul.

IS HETHERSETT THE ONE? - posted 9 June 2010

Hethersett's track at the Memorial Playing Field could be the oldest track in continuous use - unless you know different! The circuit has been used for league racing every year since 1966 although Hethersett also had a track in the late 1940s.  the present track is the third one built in the village.

Club founder Mel Perkins reflected on other tracks in Norfolk.

"Spixworth were going before us but they have had three tracks and were at  their second one Quaker Lane when we started.  Eaton Park was going before us as I rode for Eaton Tudors there in 1965.  Think it was built in 1964 but it did fall out of use for sometime, so has not been used continuously like ours.
 
"I think Harford was bullt late Sixties when Tuckswood Stars started but that was out of  use much longer than Eaton Park" recalled Mel.

BASILDON REMEMBERED - posted 6 May 2010

Here are a couple of photos taken today in Basildon.  The first one is the wonderful Basildon 'bowl' that housed many fine matches over the years and is now an overspill car park for the sports ground it stands in at Gloucester Park.  The second is the Basildon Orkans track at Little Lullaway Road, the track they used before the Gloucester Park ground became available.  As you can see all remaining is the starting grid.

Dave Tulloch