Speedway

I was a big fan in the sixties. Even had a part-time job as track raker at Coventry Bees.

This photo turned up amongst my junk. Don’t know the event but that is Nigel Boocock on the right (Coventry and England) Unmistakeable because of the shape of his handlebars and his coloured leathers.

Top marks for anybody who can identify the others

Nerds’ Corner
 
In Speedway there are 4 riders in each 4 lap race. As shown by their racing “Bibs”, here we have 3 Brits and I think 1 Swede. (Oops Its a Norwegian!) So it is not a team event or there would be 2 of each team.
 
I think it is an Individual World Championship Final.
 
I think it was at Wembley as the track helpers and their berets and jumpers look very British. Other finals were generally in Sweden. 
 
Based on my age and interests and the presence of Nigel Boocock, I would guess it is the 1963 or 1965 Final where he came 7th and 8th respectively (The used to cut up some of the Wembley sacred turf to fit the bends in. Did this help us to win the World Cup there in 1966)
 
The bikes had no kick start or starter motor. The men behind would push them to bump start them
 
The bikes are 500cc single cylinder, no brakes, no gears. They run on Methanol which gives a very pleasant after smell. In my day they were vertical JAP engines. Now they are lying down to give a lower centre of gravity and are made by GM (Italy) or JAWA (Czech Rep). They can do 0 – 70 in 3 seconds
 
Observe the helmets. They wear temporary colours – Red, Blue; White and Yellow and black to indicate their lane position. In an individual final they would get a random allocation of each.
 
The tyres look brand new. At a humble league match you would see riders using a hacksaw to sharpen the gripping edges.
 
This looks like their first race of the evening as their leathers look gleaming. Nigel’s would have been blue- hence the nickname Little Boy Blue.
 
I don’t think the Swede is the 5 time World Champion (and still alive!) Ove Fundin. Wrong shape handle bars. There are many other famous Swedish riders! (See above - its a Norwegian)