The Class of 1963
|
Back
in 1963 I was just one of the many starry eyed kids at Rye
House who learnt just how hard speedway riding really was.
Under the watchful eye of headmaster Mike Broadbank and
his father, we soon discovered it was much harder and painful than
it looked!!. In a moment of reflection I thought it may be of
interest to mention some of the names of that class of 1963,some are
present day members of the association.. Star
pupil was Ian Champion who graduated to ride
for Long Eaton and Reading Ian lived nearby and pushed his bike to
the track, Alan and Peter Jackson were
two other locals. Geoff Hughes who later rode for
Wimbledon was greatly envied as he had purchased the immaculate
equipment of Ronnie Moore. Novices came from far and wide , the West
country duo of Harlequin kid Stuart Wallace and
Exeter novice of the year Syd Whately, from Coventry Pete
Gay and Norm Unger and Dave
Battle, Tony Childs, Bill Billman from
Norwich. For sheer spectacle there was teenage leg trailer Ray
Cousins, of whom the pundits said if only he would put his foot
forward he would be a star. Ray just enjoyed his speedway. Then there
was the flamboyant Tyburn Gallows, reputed to
be Pierrepont's assistant hangman! Glyn Chandler, Geoff
Marsh, Mike Coomber, the late John Mills and Bob Varney
all had some of their early rides at Rye. There
was very little Sunday racing then, Rye was a meeting place
for riders to come and try out machines or just to offer friendly advise
and have a yarn. Colin Pratt, Dingle Brown, Tommy Sweetman, Ken
Vale, Jackie Biggs, Bill Wainwright and Norman Hunter would
often be there. A hire bike was available from that wonderful Edmonton
character Robbie Mcleod and Alf Hagons right hand
man Bill Mathieson would always help out with spares I
think my end of term report would say " failed...must pay
attention" ...... but I did learn a greater appreciation of the art
of speedway which I have never forgotten. Thanks for the memory. Tony
Webb Brisbane 2008
|