Defunct Speedway Tracks

 
 
York Long Track
(Nun Monkton)
 

York Stadium, Pool Lane, Green Hammerton, Nr York, North Yorkshire.  The venue was better known as a Trotting Track of 880 yards although it was covered in shale by Auto 66 club for longtrack racing in the 1980s.


I have started this webpage to show the following items sent to me by John Mather, so over to you Mr Mather: -
John Mather says: The track was in Nun Monkton, near York. Two long track meetings held in 1981 at the York Stadium, Nun Monkton, about 8 miles from York. Programmes for May 17th and July 19th show some well known names amongst the competitors. A third meeting was scheduled for October 25th 1981 and, according to the programme notes there was a try-out meeting for the track in 1980.
 
John Skinner says: The first racing here took place on 14th September 1980 and was won by Trevor Banks.  The final event was on 19th July 1981 and amongst the competitors were Ivan and son Kym Mauger.  Ivan won the meeting, don't know where Kym finished
 

 
 


 
John Mather says: I think this cover photograph is of Peter Collins

 
John Skinner says: It is very interesting to see the names of the bikes each rider used. Some of the bikes had unfamiliar names to speedway fans.  Steve Schofield aboard a BRM, Martin Goodwin on a Palmer GR (would the GR stand for Godden Racing?), Alan Williams on a Renwick, Rob Homer aboard a Sigma, Frank Smith on a Barber.  I would have enjoyed a look around the pits.
John Mather says: I believe that the track is now the York Harness Raceway, Pool Lane, Nun Monkton. Shown below in 2002.
Mark Pitcher says: Hi, I raced in the national event, in 2 of these meetings, would love to find pics from these events, I have emailed auto66 a few times but got no reply. Keep up the good work.

John Skinner says: Hi Mark if anyone gets in touch with photos I will put them on this page.  Have you tried the archive in York's local library or newspaper? why not have a browse on their websites and see what they can offer.
 
 
 

 
 
Rob Lidgate's Photos
 
Hi John, I found it very interesting to see the programmes you have found.  I can remember the one meeting I raced at but not the second, not having raced speedway I found the fence posts quite intimidating but soon forgotten once used to them, regards photos (see attachments) I was sent 2 of them by Deryk Wylde who puts on line 100’s of photos from the past via ORRe, Off road review, the colour ones were taken by my mechanic. I see Mark Pitcher was looking for some photos it may be worth him contacting Deryk via Face book.
Regards, Rob
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John says:  Thank you Rob for the 5 photos.  Such a pity that there were not very many longtracks.  I have never witnessed the spectacle of the sport.
 
More From
Rob Lidgate
 
Rob says: Hi John,The higher speed was not so much of a problem once you got used to the 4” x 4” posts flashing pass your ear, it was perfectly smooth so not the same as fields we were more used to.  It was a shame that tracks of this type could not have been used a lot more, it may have been possibly to get the USA style flat track bikes going over here with a proper series of meetings. I have attached a photo of the bike we produced in 1978/9 which we sent to the USA after the demise of BSA and Triumph, because the Yanks wanted to use British bikes rather than letting the Japanese take over,which they now have done.
 
Courtesy of Rob Lidgate
Rob Lidgate says, This is Dave Singleton at Charlotte Raceway North Carolina testing our British Bike.

Rob Lidgate says: Hi John, The engine was a 750 Nourish engine with a reworked head, a Bewley 2 speed gearbox, frame designed by Ken Sprayson, fiberglass made by Steve Spencer, other parts were sent from the USA, project needed more coverage but that would require more cash, maybe a well known rider, definitely an opportunity lost, but you can’t turn back the clock, hind sight is a wonderful thing!! 

Do you know of any more photos from Monkton or Chasewater, I have this one (see above), on the Triumphs with Chippy Moore, Paul Pinfold, Me, Malc Corridine, Barry Robinson, a completely different riding style required plus the frame dimensions needed changing which I believe Chippy did, again an opportunity missed. 

Thanks for your interest, having spoken to several riders from that era, we certainly had the best days with so many meeting to choose from and large numbers of entries compared to the present, all I know for certain is I had 10 seasons of great fun and enjoyed every moment of it. Kind regards, Rob.
PS Check my spellings on names please.  

John says:  If Rob or any of his competitors can supply any more pics or memories of speedway related motor cycle racing I would be pleased to add them to my website
 
 

 
 

If you can scan any pictures, programmes or badges send me an email John

 

The contents of the site are © and should not be reproduced elsewhere for financial gain. The contributors to this site gave the pictures and information on that understanding.  If anyone has any issue or objections to any items on the site please e-mail and I will amend or remove the item.  Where possible credit has been given to the owner of each item.


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