Defunct Speedway Tracks


 
 
Iwade Speedway (Sittingbourne)
 
The Old Gun Site, Old Ferry Rd., Iwade, Sittingbourne Kent ME9 8SP
 
John says, scratching my head re this track!  Speedway took place off and on between 1971-2006 2008 around a 250 metre circuit.  They teams were known as the Colts and the Crusaders.  The track pops up now and again and stages odd meetings, I am told, but I think it belongs on the Defunct Speedway website as it is closed more often than open!
 
Sherri Joyce's Photos
 
 

 
 
Adam Sheppard says:  Sittingbourne (Iwade) is still running, but stopped league racing in 2008, not 2006, as it says on your website for defunct speedway tracks. They regularly run Dragons Amateur Speedway & Southern Track Riders meetings, which are both amateur speedway clubs and hold regular practices which see a turn out of strong National League riders, such as Lewis Blackbird, the Baseby Brothers, James Cockle and many others.
 
 

 
 
Iwade
Comeback
10th April 2022
 
Si Kellow says: Hi John,  As of sunday 10th April 2022 - Iwade has an SCB licence again, and the Kent Royals are racing in the National Development League, the Sittingbourne Crusaders are in the Midland and Southern Development League too. Kind regards, Si Kellow, The new Kent Promoter
 
 

 
 
 
Action From 1972
 
Courtesy of Ian Dearing
 

Ian Dearing says: Hi John, I attach a photograph. Sorry about the quality. This was taken in 1972 just after Iwade had opened as a training track. It was originally run by Barry Thomas (Hackney) and his brother Ivor usually every Sunday. Apart from us amateurs junior riders from both Canterbury and Rayleigh would attend. In addition Bob Hoskins (Canterbury promoter) son would talent spot.  I'm in the white helmet and Ivor is standing on the inside of the corner.

 
 

 
 
 
Iwade Colts 1975
 
 
 
The Kent Crusaders
 
 
 

 
 
Iwade / Sittingbourne Badges
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
     
A fine collection of badges from the training track, congratulations to whomever designed them and also to whom put the money up to produce them, your efforts are appreciated.
 
 

 
 
 
Sherri Joyce's Photos
1978 - 1981
 
Pic 1
Suzuki multicoloured leathers is Graham Joyce and the black leathers is Richard Newnham.
 
Pic 2
Suzuki multicoloured leathers is Graham Joyce
 
Pic 3
Suzuki multicoloured leathers is Graham Joyce and the black leathers is Richard Newnham.
 
Pic 4
Suzuki multicoloured leathers is Graham Joyce
 
Pic 5
Graham Joyce
 
Pic 6
Graham Joyce
 
Pic 7
 Sherri Joyce says Dunno if these 7 photos are any good to you, they are from Iwade training days from 78 to 81. Pic  7 I know is Andy Galvin in blue overalls, Lionel Crossley with pipe, Ivor Thomas grey trousers and Chris Galvin far left.

Sherri continues: Hi John, I do know the story behind the no.7 pic with the broken fence as I was there that day. Andy Galvin, Richard Newnham, Paul Whittakers brother who's name escapes me and Graham Joyce where doing end of the day practice starts and first turns. This was the last one where Andy went from the inside, Richard gate 2, Graham gate 3 and Whittaker off 4. They broke evenly, Andy moved Richard over who then took Graham's leg out sending him on a wall of death exploit into the fence taking 4 panels out while poor Whittaker, to avoid went straight through the now massive hole in the fence doing an Eddie Kidd jump into the next field. How they both walked away with just bruises is anyone's guess, I know Graham's bike was hardly damaged despite the first hit fence panel being split in two. Barry Thomas even congratulated them for a most spectacular crash with no injuries other than bruises and pride.  I have a very grainy copy of Chris Galvin's video of the 1981 Lionel Crossley meeting which was won by Richard, 2nd Andy and 3rd Graham. Camera was a not working right and the early commentary and filming by Canterbury rider Rob Tilbury. Rob Tilbury's Iwade Video

As to the rest of the pics, the Suzuki multicoloured leathers is said Graham Joyce and the black leathers is Richard Newnham. Best regards Sherri

 
Pic 8
Graham Joyce
 
Pic 9
Suzuki multicoloured leathers is Graham Joyce and the black leathers is Richard Newnham.
 
 
 

 
 
1994 The Eddie James' Trophy
 
6th March 1994
 
 
 

 
 
David Pipes' Items
 
David says: Here are 3 panoramic photos of the first public meeting at Iwade/Sittingbourne Speedway on 1 June 2003 (Festival of Speed) – since the previous public meeting on 13 October 1996.
 
 
David says: The above photo is the start of Heat 1 – left to right : Yellow - Nathan Irwin (Lydd)  Blue – Ben Warburton (Norwich) Green – Lance Stott (Lydd) Red - B Gilbertson (Norwich).  This heat was won by Nathan Irwin in a time of 63.1 secs.  The other two photos are panoramic shots of the track taken at the same meeting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
David Pipes' Programmes
 
1996 and 2003
 
2003
 
2004
 
2005 and 2006
 
2007
 
2008 and 2015
 
 
David Pipes' Photos
(1st June 2003)
 
 
 
 
 
John says:  My thanks to David Pipes for supplying most of the items on this page
 

 
 
2005 Crusader
 
 
Steve Baker says: Mark Baseby leading , I think, Dan Blake, both of Sittingbourne, 2005
John says:  Steve isn't 100% on these novice riders, can you assist and/or if you know lots about Sittingbourne's speedway history please email me John
 
 

 
 
Iwade
Comeback
10th April 2022
 
Si Kellow says: Hi John,  As of sunday 10th April 2022 - Iwade has an SCB licence again, and the Kent Royals are racing in the National Development League, the Sittingbourne Crusaders are in the Midland and Southern Development League too. Kind regards, Si Kellow, The new Kent Promoter
 

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