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Hackney Hawks
Hackney Hawks speedway opened in 1963 at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road, London and operated until 1983. The team replaced the Hackney Wick Wolves who had raced at the stadium from 1935 to 1939. The Hawks were then themselves replaced by the Hackney Kestrels. Early days Originally opened by Mike Parker, the team joined the Provincial League in 1963.Rogers, Martin (1963) "Hackney Hawks Here to Stay?", ''Speedway Star'', 1 June 1963, p. 16 The team finished 10th in their debut season in the 1963 Provincial Speedway League. The promotion was then sold to Len Silver who was the club's promoter for the next twenty seasons. The riders and track staff marched onto the track to the sound of the theme tune of the film The Magnificent Seven and that tune inspires more memories for Hackney Hawks fans than anything else. The Hawks were closely linked with sister track the Rayleigh Rockets and latterly the Rye House Rockets. In 1971, Hackney won their only major honour when they beat Cra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
British League Knockout Cup
The British League Knockout Cup was a speedway Knockout Cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board (SCB) in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association (BSPA), that was staged between 1965 and 1994. The teams from the top division of league racing, the British League, took part. A similar competition was held for clubs in leagues that succeeded the British League, including the Elite League Knockout Cup and the Premier League Knockout Cup. Rules This competition was run on the knockout principle; teams drawn together race home and away matches, with the aggregate score deciding the result. In the event of the aggregate score being level, the teams again race home and away. Winners * The first leg of the final at Cradley was drawn, and the second leg at Oxford was cancelled due to bad weather. The official result was declared a draw and both teams shared the Knockout Cup that year. See also Knockout Cup (speedway) Knockout ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1973 British League Season
The 1973 British League season was the 39th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the ninth season of the British League. Summary Glasgow Tigers relocated to become Coatbridge Tigers. The Reading Racers won their first title, ending the dominance of Belle Vue Aces who could only finish in sixth place. Swede Anders Michanek was in imperious form, going undefeated at Reading Stadium (which was in its final year as a venue). He finished with an 11.36 average ahead of the four time world champion Ivan Mauger on 11.29. In addition to Michanek the Reading team was boosted by high scoring from Norwegian Dag Lövaas and Australian Geoff Curtis. In a sensational finish to the 1973 Knockout Cup final Reading were beaten by Belle Vue in a run-off for the Cup after an aggregate draw over two legs. Reading's success had a sour note after the season had finished when Geoff Curtis returned to Australia for the Australian season and was killed in a race at the Sydney S ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1972 British League Season
The 1972 British League season was the 38th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the eighth season of the British League. Summary Ipswich Witches moved up from Division Two but London lost two clubs, when the Wembley Lions and West Ham Hammers closed, reducing the league to eighteen teams. Belle Vue Aces won their third consecutive title. Their team was littered with great riders including Ivan Mauger, Sören Sjösten and the young Peter Collins; they were backed up by the consistency of Chris Pusey, Eric Broadbelt, Alan Wilkinson and Ken Eyre, which led to a comfortable title win by a clear 12 points. Oxford Cheetahs had a bizarre season when they were rebranded as Oxford Rebels following a takeover by a new consortium, which included former riders Bob Dugard and Danny Dunton, Dave Lanning and the famous musician Acker Bilk. The team under performed badly finishing 17th from 18 teams despite the new image. To make matters worse they signed a new Nor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1971 British League Season
The 1971 British League season was the 37th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the seventh season known as the British League. Summary Reading Racers moved up from Division 2 and Newcastle Diamonds dropped out. Belle Vue Aces retained their title to become the first team to win the title for the second time. The team included three time world champion Ivan Mauger, Swedish international Sören Sjösten, Tommy Roper, Eric Broadbelt, Chris Pusey and a 17 year old Peter Collins in his debut season. Final table M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points Leading riders British League Knockout Cup The 1971 Speedway Star British League Knockout Cup was the 33rd edition of the Knockout Cup for tier one teams. Hackney were the winners. First round Second round Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final First leg Second leg Hackney Hawks were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 88-68. Teams Belle Vue Aces * * * * * * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1970 British League Season
The 1970 British League season was the 36th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the sixth season known as the British League. Summary Wembley Lions under the promotion of Trevor Redmond and Bernard Cottrel entered the British league having bought the licence - and inherited the riders - from the Coatbridge Monarchs. It was the first time since 1956 that Wembley would compete in the league. Belle Vue Aces secured their first British League title. The Manchester team were once again led by the brilliant Ivan Mauger who would secure a third consecutive world champion title before the end of the season. He topped the averages with 11.18 as the team finished ten points ahead of their nearest rivals Wimbledon Dons. The Dons found some consolation when winning their third consecutive British League Knockout Cup. Final table M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points Leading riders British League Knockout Cup The 1970 Speedway Star Briti ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1969 British League Season
The 1969 British League season was the 35th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the fifth season known as the British League. Summary The 19 competitors were the same as the previous season. Poole Pirates won their first title. The Pirates were extremely consistent and despite their riders not coming in the top 18 league averages they won the league by a clear 6 points. Pete Smith was their top rider with an average of 9.34 but aided by four other riders (Geoff Mudge (9.05), Odd Fossengen (7.73), Bruce Cribb (7.31) and Gordon Guasco (7.26)) they were able to claim the title. Wimbledon Dons had a much better season than the last, finishing third and managed to retain their British League Knockout Cup crown. Belle Vue Aces finished runner-up, mainly due to the performances of their outstanding World champion rider Ivan Mauger; the New Zealander finished with an average of 11.67 and would also seal his second world title before the end of the season. Fina ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1967 British League Season
The 1967 British League season was the 33rd season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the third season known as the British League. Summary The league was made up of the same 19 teams that competed in the previous year. Swindon Robins led by the world champion Barry Briggs won their first top tier league title but were pushed all the way by Coventry Bees and West Ham Hammers. Swindon finished with four riders with averages over eight, Briggs topped the entire league with 11.05 but the contributions from Martin Ashby (8.83), Bob Kilby (8.61) and Mike Broadbank (8.55) were pivotal in the Swindon's success. Coventry Bees gained some consolation for finishing runner-up two seasons running by winning the Knockout Cup. Final table M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points Leading Riders by Average Knockout Cup The cup was won by Coventry Bees. Teams Belle Vue Aces * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Coventry Bees * * * * * * * * * Cra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1966 British League Season
The 1966 British League season was the 32nd season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the second season known as the British League. Halifax Dukes won the league and then secured the league and cup double. Summary The League expanded to 19, with a new team, the King's Lynn Stars. Halifax Dukes won the league after 36 games and finished three points clear of Coventry Bees. The Halifax team success was due to the consistency of their riders, in particular Eric Boocock, Eric Boothroyd, Dave Younghusband and Tommy Roper who all scored heavily throughout the season. Halifax also completed the double winning the British League Knockout Cup. In they final they easily beat Wimbledon Dons. The four times world champion Barry Briggs topped the averages for Swindon Robins during the same season in which he sealed his fourth world title. The dangers of speedway were highlighted once again however when Welshman Ivor Hughes was killed during the league match riding for Cradl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1965 British League Season
The 1965 British League season was the 31st season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom. It was also the first known as the new British League which was formed in 1965, along with the British Speedway Promoters Association (BSPA). The league was an amalgamation of the National League and the Provincial League. Summary Middlesbrough Bears did not join the new league and Norwich Stars had closed for good. Halifax Dukes were new entrants.1929-1977 West Ham Hammers were the first ever British League winners. It was their first league success since 1937. The West Ham team included Scot Ken McKinlay who finished the season third in the averages at 10.72 and the Norwegian champion Sverre Harrfeldt who finished fifth in the averages. They were supported well by British internationals Norman Hunter and Malcolm Simmons. The West Ham team completed the double when winning the British League Knockout Cup. In the final they defeated Exeter Falcons 63-33. The season was not a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1964 Provincial Speedway League
The 1964 Provincial Speedway League was the fifth and final season of the Provincial League in the United Kingdom. Twelve speedway teams took part. A second division of British speedway would not return until 1968. Season summary The 1964 season started in controversy which led to the Provincial League running 'black'. Officially the 1964 Provincial League season did not exist. Wolverhampton Wolves refused to move up to the National League after winning the Provincial League title in 1963. The two leagues could not agree about the situation which led to the Provincial League being outlawed by the Speedway Control Board. All National League riders were forbidden to ride on Provincial League tracks. Provincial League riders were warned by the Speedway Control Board that they were in breach of ACU regulations and could be suspended from all competitive racing. They were also barred from the Speedway World Championship. The Stoke Potters, St Austell Gulls and Rayleigh Rockets all ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Crayford Kestrels
The Crayford Kestrels were a Speedway team which operated from 1968 until their closure in 1983. They were based at Crayford & Bexleyheath Stadium in Crayford. History Crayford were founder members of British League Division Two in 1968 and finished in sixth place in its inaugural season. The team were known as the Crayford Highwaymen from 1968 until 1970 but were disbanded after the 1970 season. Speedway returned to the stadium in 1975 with a team nicknamed the Kestrels. They competed for nine years, with their most successful season being the third place finish during the 1983 National League season The 1983 National League was the second tier of motorcycle speedway racing in the United Kingdom. Summary The winning team was Newcastle Diamonds. After the tragedy of losing a rider the previous season Milton Keynes endured a second loss when ... although they did win the Four-Team Championship in 1980. The team were forced to relocate for the 1984 season as the stadium ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |