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Post by kiwikid34 on Oct 9, 2009 8:37:53 GMT 1
There's been comment on another site that Dave Hughes' Skirrows raced at California in about 1952 or 1953. I bet they had problems on what was really a basic dirt and sand track. However is more known of this. I believe there's a reunion of sorts at the place this Sunday but it's just for the bike people I think. But who knows there might be someone there who remembers the midgets so I might go along, it's not far from my place at Sandhurst (not the royal place).
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 9, 2009 9:18:38 GMT 1
Great minds think alike kiwikid! I have been meaning to go and look at the site of the old track for years now and have just never got around to it. I too have decided that Sunday looks like the ideal opportunity, as it isn't too far from us either. Homes of British Speedway says midget racing took place in 1951 incidentally, so once again, bound to be Dave Hughes inspired and organised. How will I know you if you're there?
The following info. about the event originally appeared on the oldtime speedway website, penned by our very own administrator I believe.
Friends of Speedway are pleased to announce the fourth California-in-England Speedway Reunion on 11th October 2009.
The full address is: California Country Park , Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham , RG40 4HT . This is situated on the B3430 coming from the A322 junction 3 off the M3. There is a large sign at the entrance to the park and car park; then there is a short walk to the display area which will include a selection of machines covering 80 years of speedway.
If you have any memorabilia/memories please make your self known to any of the three researchers bearing their name badges. We are still searching for any cine film not only of the racing, but of the park in general that could be loaned to be copied.
Also on display will be speedway photographs and team body colours including a reproduction California Poppies one. As an added interest we intend to have a display of riding apparel from the early days up to the present time.
Here you will be able to talk with riders (please see their name badges) from the 1950's California Poppies team. You are invited to ask questions at any time and all officials will be sporting their name badges.
Machines will be started at various times during the day; you will smell the intoxicating aroma of Castrol R and Methanol to bring back memories of those earlier un-silenced days of speedway.
Part of the presentation will be a guided walk around the park where you can see the original children's paddling pool from the holiday camp days which has been cleared by Friends of Speedway personnel and part of the railway track that took clay up to the brickworks which is how the lake was formed. You will be able to stand on the concrete start/finish line with marked out starting boxes; for those interested you can walk the racing line (stout footwear recommended) as it is very overgrown.
The park offers a wealth of historic interest in itself, plus a cafeteria with toilets including one for the disabled. As part of our ongoing development of the reunion the café has agreed to operate a BBQ in order to cut down queues for food and to give more variety too.
The display will be open between 11am `till 4pm.
For further information please call Stuart Towner on 0208-397 6599 or stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 11, 2009 23:33:11 GMT 1
Some pics of the Longmoor track at California earlier today, 11/10/09. This is the concrete speedway starting grid (supposedly the last complete example left in the UK, and remarkably well preserved now it's been reclaimed from nature) looking towards turn one. As you can see, the track is now seriously overgrown. Well, why wouldn't it be after over half a century of neglect? Although I forced my way through, determined to walk the track, those wet gorse bushes didn't make it exactly fun!
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 11, 2009 23:35:44 GMT 1
This is the remains of the speedway starting gate. It has been cut off almost at ground level with a cutting torch a long time ago.
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 11, 2009 23:37:33 GMT 1
Some posts which formed part of the safety fence remain - this is looking towards turn one.
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 11, 2009 23:50:52 GMT 1
Looking the other way back from the start grid, this time towards what would have been turn four. Once again, it is possible to get through and "walk" the track, providing you can step over/around some mean brambles.
Away from this area, what was the infield and back straight are remarkably unencroached by nature, but I have to thank California enthusiast Bryan Horsnell for pointing out these other features. Without his knowledge, I would have thought I was just looking at a slight clearing in the woods covered in grass and ferns.
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Post by thirdturn on Oct 15, 2009 18:25:09 GMT 1
There's been comment on another site that Dave Hughes' Skirrows raced at California in about 1952 or 1953. I bet they had problems on what was really a basic dirt and sand track. However is more known of this. I believe there's a reunion of sorts at the place this Sunday but it's just for the bike people I think. But who knows there might be someone there who remembers the midgets so I might go along, it's not far from my place at Sandhurst (not the royal place). It's more likely the Skirrows raced at the Longmoor/California speedway in 1950 or 1951.
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 15, 2009 20:16:47 GMT 1
Homes of British Speedway says midget racing took place in 1951 - from my earlier post.
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Post by tobyhalter on Oct 15, 2009 21:46:29 GMT 1
Sadly it could be a case of just one meeting, not reported in the local press, and no real midget car enthusiasts went along so no records were kept, just casual people gone to watch something different?
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 15, 2009 23:34:54 GMT 1
I have no actual proof that it ever took place at all Toby, other than that comment in the Bamford & Jarvis book. I have never seen any photos and certainly not a programme. I didn't speak to anyone at the re-union that saw it happen or remembered it. My guess is that you're dead right - probably just one meeting, and maybe then just a second half 'fill in' at a speedway event.
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Post by stockcar54 on Dec 4, 2009 20:36:59 GMT 1
I do have a 1957 programme with California Speedway on the cover but unfortunately it was at the time when the speedway team had transferred meetings to Aldershot Stadium. It featured speedway,sidecars & 4 midget races. I don't have any further info on 1951
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Post by haflinger121 on Dec 5, 2009 19:50:03 GMT 1
Never mind Trevor, that's still excellent news that you have proof it happened at all! The programme you have (which I envy you, naturally!) is obviously from one of the last ever meetings held there. The last speedway meeting was August 5th '57 - what date is your midget car prog?
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Post by tobyhalter on Dec 5, 2009 21:12:15 GMT 1
Any names for drivers at the 1957 midget car races - possibly Percy Brine and Charles Batson among them? I have a hunch they were not Skirrows...nor were they Mike Parker's brand of rear-engine midget cars.
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Post by tobyhalter on May 24, 2011 22:08:40 GMT 1
Did anyone ever sort out of the midgets raced at California-in-England in 1951 or thereabouts. They raced at quite a few odd tracks that summer and I cannot see why they should have done so. I think the local paper there is based in Wokingham. If anyone has its address I don't mind sending a letter but I also think there is a historian specialising in the place and its racing but cannot remember his name now.
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Post by tobyhalter on May 24, 2011 22:11:28 GMT 1
I do have a 1957 programme with California Speedway on the cover but unfortunately it was at the time when the speedway team had transferred meetings to Aldershot Stadium. It featured speedway,sidecars & 4 midget races. I don't have any further info on 1951 Can you give the names of the midget car drivers at this 1957 meeting and the actual date please?
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