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Post by stockcar54 on May 25, 2011 19:42:37 GMT 1
Meeting date is 20.07.57. Unfortunately there are just blank grids in the programme, neither is there a list of drivers programmed to race or any narrative about the meeting at all. Only competitors listed are for the speedway heats.
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Post by stockcar54 on Nov 28, 2011 0:40:11 GMT 1
This topic has been driving me mad. Graham Brown said I had proof of a meeting running in 1951 somewhere else on the forum. He was right I have now found it....filed under W for Wokingham so as not to confuse with USA. Anyway this photo is all I have, not the programme, but it does prove that a meeting ran there in 1951. I can't remember the source of the photo either. Attachments:
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Post by tobyhalter on Nov 28, 2011 9:14:14 GMT 1
I have just been on the Speedway Researcher site and looked up the California Speedway results for 1957 but this date 20.07.57 isn't there. In fact, only one meeting which took place in August that year is recorded.
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Post by tobyhalter on Nov 28, 2011 9:21:09 GMT 1
This topic has been driving me mad. Graham Brown said I had proof of a meeting running in 1951 somewhere else on the forum. He was right I have now found it....filed under W for Wokingham so as not to confuse with USA. Anyway this photo is all I have, not the programme, but it does prove that a meeting ran there in 1951. I can't remember the source of the photo either. I have had another look at Speedway Reseracher site and this 1951 meeting isn't recorded. The only results given for July 1951 was on the 15th which was all speedway.
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Post by tobyhalter on Nov 28, 2011 13:30:37 GMT 1
My guess is that the 1951 meeting at California was the Dave Hughes Skirrow Group while the 1957 group most likely was Charles Batson's midgets with his main drivers 'Darkie' Wright and Percy Brine.
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Post by haflinger121 on Nov 29, 2011 1:46:32 GMT 1
Trevor, I think you're just trying to prove that your memory is getting worse than mine - an unlikely proposition! Seriously though, glad you found that and that I wasn't just talking tosh.
It would be nice to acquire a copy of that prog but seeing it is the next best thing.
Toby, I'm sure you're right about it having been Dave Hughes in '51. You may well be right about the Batson connection in '57 too. I'm pretty sure I've seen reference to his cars being tested at Aldershot, not very far from California at all, and of course, the two tracks had many speedway links as well.
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Post by arnieg on Jul 1, 2012 15:46:36 GMT 1
There was also a car meeting on Sunday 12 October 1952 at California (briefly reported in the Wokingham times 17.10.52)
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Post by tobyhalter on Jul 1, 2012 17:28:14 GMT 1
There was also a car meeting on Sunday 12 October 1952 at California (briefly reported in the Wokingham times 17.10.52) Any names of drivers please and did the Wokingham Times give any result details? Many thanks.
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Post by kiwikid34 on Jul 29, 2012 10:51:24 GMT 1
I've not seen anything about a California gathering for this year but expect there will be and was just wondering if a Skirrow could be shown there as they do have links with the place from the 1950s? Maybe a few photos too? But PLEASE don't ask me to organise it as I'm just an ideas man...and too lazy as well to run things. I think a guy in Chessington Surrey is the organiser of these annual shows.
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Post by kiwikid34 on Jul 29, 2012 10:54:15 GMT 1
This topic has been driving me mad. Graham Brown said I had proof of a meeting running in 1951 somewhere else on the forum. He was right I have now found it....filed under W for Wokingham so as not to confuse with USA. Anyway this photo is all I have, not the programme, but it does prove that a meeting ran there in 1951. I can't remember the source of the photo either. I wonder if this was Dave Hughes Skirrows in action as his meeting programmes usually had a drawing of a car on them? But he was active at various tracks around this time so who knows?
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Post by administrator on Sept 16, 2012 16:51:40 GMT 1
The Seventh California-in-England Reunion, Wokingham, Berks This will take place on 7th October 2012 at the Country Park where the speedway took place. The organisers are still looking for any cine film that was taken there especially of the racing. INFORMATION ON MIDGET CAR RACING THERE APPRECIATED. Everyone welcome, details from Stuart Towner. Phone 020 8397 6599 or stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk
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Post by administrator on Sept 21, 2012 8:36:18 GMT 1
PRESS RELEASE That time of the year is fast approaching for the Friends of Speedway organised Seventh California-in-England Speedway Reunion on 7th October 2012. 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 a pay and display car park; then there is a short walk to the display area which will include a selection of machines covering over 80 years of speedway. If you have any memorabilia/memories please make your self known to any of the Friends of Speedway members 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. It is a never-ending search for items of interest of all the different activities that that went on in the park; not only speedway. Also on display will be speedway photographs and team body colours including a reproduction California Poppies one. Here you will be able to talk with riders 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. Also we are hopeful of a celebrity guest of international fame and are keeping our fingers crossed that he will be able to attend. Also attending will be the family of Poppies Captain, Ron Sharp and Neil Roberts junior. At the time of going to press the organisers are waiting confirmation from one or two new personalities whether they can attend or not. Part of the presentation will be a guided walk 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 (the only surviving one that we know of); where a member of the original track staff will give a short talk of his duties there. 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. 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 administrator on Sept 21, 2012 8:54:23 GMT 1
Information on midget car racing is also welcome for this event. PRESS RELEASE That time of the year is fast approaching for the Friends of Speedway organised Seventh California-in-England Speedway Reunion on 7th October 2012. 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 a pay and display car park; then there is a short walk to the display area which will include a selection of machines covering over 80 years of speedway. The park offers a wealth of historic interest in itself, plus a cafeteria with toilets including one for the disabled. 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 thirdturn on Nov 4, 2012 13:14:40 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? I am confused - were midgets at the Wokingham track in both 1951 and 1957 or is there a mistake in the last digit and it was only one of these two years? Did anyone go to the recent reunion and was there any midget car stuff.
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Post by administrator on May 13, 2013 17:14:28 GMT 1
The Eighth California-in-England Reunion. This will take place on 6th October 2013 at the Country Park, Nine Mile Ride, near Wokingham, Berks, where the speedway took place. The organisers are still looking for any cine film that was taken there, especially of the racing. Everyone is welcome - details from Stuart Towner on: 020 8397 6599 or stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk Note: any information on midget car racing suitable for the reunion would be appreciated.
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