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1979 National League Season
The 1979 National League was contested as the second division/tier of Speedway in the United Kingdom. Summary The league was reduced from 20 teams to 19 from the previous season. White City Rebels closure saw their riders move to Eastbourne Eagles who moved up to the British League. Barrow Furness Flyers dropped out and Nottingham Outlaws joined the league. Teesside Tigers changed their name to Middlesbrough Tigers. Scunthorpe Saints changed their name to Scunthorpe Stags. Tom Owen of Newcastle topped the averages for the third consecutive year and Ian Gledhill, riding for Stoke won the Riders' Championship but both Newcastle and Stoke finished well behind Mildenhall Fen Tigers and Rye House Rockets in the league table. In a season that would go down to the last match, Mildenhall won their first title in their history. The consistency of four riders, Ray Bales, Mick Hines, Melvyn Taylor and Robert Henry was the crucial factor to their success. There was a controversial en ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Speedway British League Division Two
The British League Division Two was created in 1968 and was the second tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom until the restructuring of British speedway in 1995. It was renamed the New National League in 1975 and the National League between 1976 and 1990. History After the formation of the British League in 1965, riders wanting to break into teams found it more difficult to do so. The idea of forming a second division was suggested and in 1968 the idea became a reality when ten teams formed the league. The ten teams were: Belle Vue Colts, Berwick Bandits, Canterbury Crusaders, Crayford Highwaymen, Middlesbrough Teessiders, Nelson Admirals, Plymouth Devils, Rayleigh Rockets, Reading Racers and the Weymouth Eagles. The league was renamed the New National League (to avoid confusion with the original National League) in 1975 after promoters of the Division Two tracks decided to form their own league after they became dissatisfied with the way the league was being run by the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
British League
The British League was the main motorcycle speedway league in Britain from its formation in 1965 until 1995 when British speedway was restructured. It initially had a single division, with a second division starting in 1968 (which was renamed the New National League in 1975 and subsequently the National League). The British League was formed in 1965 following the merger of the National League and the Provincial League. Matches were held over a series of races, with two riders from each team taking part in each race. In 1995 it was replaced by the Premier League for two years before the sport was restructured into three tiers with the formation of the Elite League in 1997. The Championship was decided on a league table basis. Champions See also * List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions *List of United Kingdom Speedway League Riders' champions *British League Riders' Championship The British League Riders Championship was an individual motorcycle speedway contest betw ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Berwick Bandits
The Berwick Bandits are a British speedway club, based in Berwick-upon-Tweed. They currently compete in the SGB Championship, racing at Shielfield Park, with home matches usually taking place on Saturday evenings. They also run a second team in the National Development League, known as the Berwick Bullets. History 1968–1981 Berwick have been operational in consecutive seasons from 1968 (as founder members of British League Division Two) through to the present day. From 1968 to 1980 they competed in division 2, either in the British League Division 2, or under the new name of the National League (NL). The team won their first honour during the 1980 National League season after winning the Division 2 Knockout Cup. In 1980, Berwick left Shielfield Park after a disagreement with the landlords Berwick Rangers FC. They raced their remaining fixtures as 'Nomads' including racing the second leg of the KO cup final at Brough Park Newcastle. In 1981 the Bandits were still homeless and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oxford Cheetahs
The Oxford Cheetahs are a British speedway teamLawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. based at Oxford Stadium, in Oxford, England. They were founded in 1939 and are five times champions of Britain, in 1964, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 2001. The club folded in 2007 but in 2021, it was announced that the Oxford Cheetahs will make a long-awaited return to racing, participating in the SGB Championship 2022. Throughout their history they ran under two other names, from 1972 to 1975, they were known as Oxford Rebels and from 2003 to 2005, they were known as Oxford Silver Machine. They also ran junior sides known as the Oxford Cubs, Oxford Silver Machine Academy, Oxford Lions and the Oxford Chargers. History 1939-1948 The Oxford Motorcycle Speedway Club moved to Oxford Stadium in 1939 from a grass circuit in Sandford-on-Thames. The Secretary Ted Mander orchestrated the move and the first individual meeting was held on Easter Saturday 8 April 1939 won by Roy Duke. The club co ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scunthorpe Saints
The Scunthorpe Scorpions are a speedway team in the British SGB Championship. They have raced at various times since 1972, at three different venues. History 1972–1978 The original Scunthorpe side were known as Scunthorpe Saints from 1972 to 1978, when they rode at Quibell Park Stadium on Brumby Wood Lane, the seven years in division 2 were unspectacular finishing in a best position of 13th place. 1979–1985 In 1979, a change of venue and name took place, they were renamed the Scunthorpe Stags and rode at Ashby Ville. The team continued to compete in the second division and continued to produce moderate results. The best placing was a 5th place finish during the 1983 National League season. Following the 1985 season the team were disbanded. 2005–2007 In 2005, speedway returned to Scunthorpe, with the Scunthorpe Scorpions taking their place in division 3 (the 2005 Speedway Conference League). The following season The Scorpions won their first silverware, winning the pla ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bob Garrad
Bobby David Garrad (born 18 January 1960 in Chelmsford, Essex) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. Career Garrad spent most of his career with Rye House Rockets The Rye House Rockets were a speedway team based at Rye House Stadium, Hoddesdon, England. They competed in various British speedway leagues from 1954 to 2018. History Rye House began life in 1934 hosting open meetings. Whilst at Hackney in 1 ... in the National League. Garrad was considered to be one of the best prospects in British speedway in his early days at Rye House after finishing third in the British Under 21 Championship in 1978. He also finished third in the National League Riders Championship in 1982. However he never quite adjusted to the higher level of speedway in the British League.Jacobs, Norman (2007). ''70 Years of Rye House Speedway''. References 1960 births Living people British speedway riders English motorcycle racers Sportspeople from Chelmsford Rye House Rocke ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Karl Fiala
Karl Fiala (born 30 January 1956 in Harlow), is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. Career Silver Helmet Match Race (September 1979) Silver Helmet Match Race (October 1979) Knock-Out Cup Champions Rye House (1979) National League Champions Rye House (1980) Three outstanding performances. (1). On 1 May 1977 winning a World Championship Qualifying round at Rye House with a 15-point maximum. (2) Rye House Rockets were away to Newcastle Diamonds where the Rockets won away 42-36 (25 April, Karl scoring a maximum 12 points). And (3) his proudest moment (quote from Karl), helping Rye House to win against Middlesbrough Bears on 9 October 1980 with a paid 15 point maximum having had to win the last race of the match to win the National League (speedway) Championship. While racing for Rye House RocketsLawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. under the parent club Hackney Hawks, Karl also worked as an engineer for a company that made Life Support and Anaesthetic Eq ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Robert Henry (speedway Rider)
Robert Frank Henry (born 28 June 1954) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England, who rode for Mildenhall Fen Tigers for eleven seasons, later going on to manage the team. Biography Born in Exeter, Henry's first speedway races were in second-half events at Exeter Falcons in 1974.Oakes, Peter & Mauger, Ivan (1976) ''Who's Who of World Speedway'', Studio Publications, , p. 59 In 1975, he moved on to Mildenhall Fen Tigers, and won the Suffolk Junior Open Championship. In 1976 he broke into the Mildenhall team and scored solidly, averaging close to five points per match, with one full maximum score. By 1979 he was established as one of Mildenhall's top riders, averaging close to nine points per match, and maintained consistently high scores for the team until his retirement in 1986. He was part of Mildenhall's National League winning team of 1979. During his career he also had a spell in the top flight British League, with Leicester Lions for whom he rode in nineteen match ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Melvyn Taylor
Melvyn Roy Taylor (born 26 April 1961) is a former speedway rider from England. Speedway career Taylor started his career at Mildenhall Fen Tigers The Mildenhall Fen Tigers are a British speedway team, founded in 1975 and currently riding in the National Development League. History 1971–1989 The original track was built in 1971 on farm land owned by Terry Waters, with chef Bernie Klat ... in 1977 before riding in the top tier of British Speedway for King's Lynn Stars and Reading Racers in 1978. In 1980, he reached the Commonwealth final, which formed part of the 1980 Individual Speedway World Championship. He reached the final of the 1980 British Speedway Championship and the 1981 British Speedway Championship, finishing 9th and 12th respectively. In 1984, he was signed by Oxford Cheetahs who bought him from King's Lynn for £12,000. The Oxford team had returned to the British League and the other signings to start as the top five riders for the season were Hans Niels ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mick Hines
Mick is a masculine given name, usually a short form (hypocorism) of Michael. Because of its popularity in Ireland, it is often used in England as a derogatory term for an Irish person or a person of Irish descent. In Australia the meaning broadened to include any Roman Catholic. People * Mick Abrahams (born 1943), English guitarist and band leader, original guitarist for Jethro Tull * Mick Aston (1946-2013), English archaeologist * Mick Batyske, aka Mick (DJ), American DJ * Mick Brown, half of the British vocal duo Pat and Mick * Mick Coady (born 1958), English footballer * Michael Collins (Irish leader) (1890–1922), Irish revolutionary leader, soldier, and politician * Mick Cronin (basketball) (born 1971), American basketball coach * Mick Fanning (born 1981), Australian professional surfer * Mick Foley (born 1965), American professional wrestler, actor and author * Mick Fleetwood (born 1947), British drummer and founding member of Fleetwood Mac * Mick Gadsby (born 1947), Engli ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ray Bales
Raymond H. Bales (born 11 June 1951) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. Biography Born in Norwich, Bales is the son of former international rider Billy Bales.Oakes, Peter & Mauger, Ivan (1976) ''Who's Who in World Speedway'', Studio Publications, , p. 13 He took up speedway after a successful career in cycle speedway, in which he rode for Tottenham Kangaroos and also represented England. His first speedway experience was at Boston in 1970 and he rode in nine matches for Boston Barracudas in Division Two in 1971. He was a regular member of the Boston team in 1972 and 1973, winning the league and cup double there, and made his Division One debut for King's Lynn Stars in 1972. He rode regularly for King's Lynn in 1973 and made the move full-time in 1974, averaging over 5 points per match in the top flight between 1974 and 1976.Jones, Alan (2010) ''Speedway in Leicester: The Lions Roar'', Automedia, p. 158 In 1977 he moved on to Leicester Lions, where he struggl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scunthorpe Scorpions
The Scunthorpe Scorpions are a speedway team in the British SGB Championship. They have raced at various times since 1972, at three different venues. History 1972–1978 The original Scunthorpe side were known as Scunthorpe Saints from 1972 to 1978, when they rode at Quibell Park Stadium on Brumby Wood Lane, the seven years in division 2 were unspectacular finishing in a best position of 13th place. 1979–1985 In 1979, a change of venue and name took place, they were renamed the Scunthorpe Stags and rode at Ashby Ville. The team continued to compete in the second division and continued to produce moderate results. The best placing was a 5th place finish during the 1983 National League season. Following the 1985 season the team were disbanded. 2005–2007 In 2005, speedway returned to Scunthorpe, with the Scunthorpe Scorpions taking their place in division 3 (the 2005 Speedway Conference League). The following season The Scorpions won their first silverware, winning the pl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
