Speedway

I used to go to the speedway during my late teens

I used to know a speedway champ. Not in his speedway days because he was just that bit older than me. He was part of our little mountain biking group though (ordinary pedal mountain bikes).

http://www.cradleyspeedway.co.uk/riders/jedwards.htm

That was interesting Mart - I used to go to watch speedway at Perry Barr Birmingham and usually came  home covered in shale dust and have to wash my hair.

I remember getting covered in dirt as a kid. We had a cycle speedway track near us at Tongham (Hampshire). I was once taken to watch it and wondered why nobody was down near the front where there was a really good view of the riders and bikes.

I soon found out why. It was near a bend and as soon as the riders started around it, the track was kicked up and I got covered from head to foot in cinders. It was like being sand-blasted. I dejectedly made my way back to my Dad's side. I suppose it gave the crowd something to smile at.

Edit: It looks like my cycling friend never rode at Birmingham. If you look at the bottom of the page linked to below, there's a list of places where he did. As you can see from the photo there, he took the sport up again after he retired.

https://www.speedwaybikes.com/rw/ujohn_e.htm

Had quite a life - didn't he.

Can you still remember the smell the methanol fuel ?  I can vividly

He was, as the write-up says, a good bloke.

Yes I can remember the smell ..and the stinging sensation as half the track's gravel hit me in the face.

The rider in that video obviously did not have his engine cut out lanyard attached to his wrist.
I had a couple of trials at Rye House in the early 60's when JAP engines were still the norm but I wasn't good enough to go any further.