News and Updates
Future Policy
The Speedway Researcher magazine which can be viewed on the Speedway Researcher web site was set up by Graham Fraser and Jim Henry to promote research into the history of Speedway and Dirt Track Racing. It was intended to help those with an interest in any aspect of the sport and its history to make others aware of what their interests and to encourage others who had similar interests to work together. It provided a vehicle whereby researchers could advise others of what they were doing and make others aware of what they were looking for.
The magazine published articles on a wide range of topics related to speedway and dirt track racing.
The web site came along a good while after the magazine, the idea of the late Ron McNeil who gave us the idea of using this medium to provide a platform for sharing information about speedway meetings held in the UK from 1928 to date. At first the site was funded by income generated by the magazine but since the magazine closed down the funds have become nearly exhausted and it is now largely privately funded. The costs are dictated by the amount space taken to host the information and are currently not unreasonable. The next step up, is, however, a significant leap.
Taking this into account the space available has to be prioritised. The first priority is to ensure the base source of information, meeting details, are fully provided for.
For the foregoing reasons we are going to decline to carry any additional items which are compilations of information drawn from our meeting details. However, in a bid to facilitate networking we intend to continue for the time-
September 5
Just like the myth that is ‘first out of the gate always wins’, so the theory that the Speedway Researcher only looks at the distant past is dismissed this week. There is a new file for Eastbourne 2021 from Mark Aspinell and this is tinged with sadness as the Eagles were forced to close due to financial issues this year. Let’s sincerely hope that this famous old venue, dating back to 1929, is back with us very soon.
New Files
2021 -
Updates
1928 -
1929 -
1930 -
1931 -
1932 -
1936 -
1937 -
1940 -
1945 -
1960 -
1969 -
1970 -
1972 -
1984 -
September 18
We have a couple of new files today with Mark Aspinell submitting Long Eaton 1982 and Rye House 2008. There are some decent updates from pre and post war eras as ever.
The growth of heat details for many tracks before is thanks to a number of folks who send us details to fill the gaps. For this update we would like to say a special thanks to George Carswell who has helped with a wealth of information for our pre-
Thanks a million George for your unstinting contribution, which sometimes unsung, it is, nevertheless, very much appreciated.
New Files
1982 -
2008 -
Updates
1928 -
1929 -
1930 -
1931 -
1932 -
1933 -
1934 -
1936 -
1937 -
1938 -
1939 -
1940 -
1949 -
1950 -
1953 -
1989 -
October 1
I’m getting to the end of the 1931 season file so this should be available in the next couple of weeks or so. As I was working on it yesterday I did a quick calculation and found that there were over 4300 meetings between 1928 and the end of 1931 and, thanks to the fantastic community of researchers we have, over 98% of those meetings have full or partial results. It is a great achievement on the part of everyone who contributes and Jim, Keith and I would like to pass on our thanks again to all who make this possible.
Thanks this week to Mark Aspinell for his latest 2021 addition, Stuart Staite-
New Files
2021 -
Updates
1928 -
1931 -
1932 -
1933 -
1934 -
1935 -
1938 -
1940 -
1941 -
1942 -
1950 -
1951 -
1954 -
1961 -
1962 -
1963 -
1964 -
1965 -
1975 -
October 16
Four new 2021 files from Mark Aspinell and a few updates, mainly from 1939 to update the site with today. Thanks to George Carswell for the 1939 information.
New Files
2021 -
Updates
1929 -
1932 -
1936 -
1938 -
1939 -
1948 -
1949 -
Please be aware that Jim’s new book, about Motherwell Speedway is now available, a link to which can be found here.