Post by speedyguy on Feb 13, 2019 22:07:58 GMT
Celebration of Speedway 2019 by Bert Harkins
“Sunday 17th February and for Speedway fans, all roads will lead to Paradise Wildlife Park for the annual pre-season, Celebration of Speedway.
What better way to start the season than to mingle with like-minded people, meet visiting riders and hear the sound of unsilenced Speedway bikes being fired up on the hour, every hour.
The WSRA (World Speedway Riders’ Association) National Speedway Museum will be open all day with some new exhibits which include Billy’s Hamill’s “streamlined” Kenny Roberts-sponsored Grand Prix GM Speedway bike, Nigel Boocock’s blue leathers, Grand Prix body colours from Jason Doyle, Tai Woffinden, Greg Hancock and Bartoz Smarzlik plus Ivan Mauger, Simon Wigg and Peter Craven displays plus much, much more including the Museum Shop selling books, model riders, bobble hats, etc.
Another new exhibit is the famous old red and white Wembley tractor (photo above) which carried the top three in the World final on its battered bonnet in the days of the one-off World Finals at Wembley’s Empire Stadium. The tractor has pride of place outside the Speedway Museum where you can have your photo taken pretending that you are the World Champion. The winner of the Speedway Star “Name That Tractor” competition will be announced and the winner will be presented with his prize by Speedway Star journalist, John Chaplin.
As you walk around the Museum, it begins with Cycle Speedway, where many young pedal pushers began and then went on to race motorcycle Speedway. Then the High Beech display showing bikes, Rudge & Douglas, and photos from when Dirt Track racing came to this country in February 1928, hence the date (February) where we gather to celebrate that great occasion.
The large Wedding Marquee will have the ‘Collectors’ Fayre’ with stands selling books, DVDs, and all sorts of Speedway memorabilia. There will be a stage in the Marquee where presenter, Craig Saul will be interviewing various Speedway visitors and a Grand Raffle.
The World Speedway Riders Association will have a table just inside the marquee, so you can join the association on the day (riders and supporters are all welcome) which allows members free entry to Paradise Wildlife Park as often as they like plus the members’ magazine ’ Tapes Up’ which comes out four times per year.
The new WSRA President for 2019 will be Swindon Legend, The Red Devil, Mike Broadbank and his old club, Swindon will be running a coach to the event to support their former skipper. Mike will be presented with his Chain of Office on stage in the afternoon.
Outside in the car park, there are displays of bikes and some of the old ones will be fired up in the “Pits Area” on the hour, every hour, so listen out for that and get you whiff of the Speedway rider’s After Shave,….Castrol ‘R’! There will also be a vintage Wall of Death Indian Scout motorcycle which we also hope may be fired up on the day.
No need to go hungry as there will be a BBQ and bar and there are plenty of food outlets all around the Park. “Safari Sam’s” restaurant will be serving breakfast from early morning onwards.
Entry to the Celebration also allows you into the Wildlife Park with Lions (Wembley or Leicester?). Tigers (Glasgow, Sheffield or Mildenhall?) plus Meerkats, Penquins and hundreds of other animals, so all in all, a great day out.
Paradise Wildlife Park is easy to find, signposted from Junction 25 of the M25 and for non-drivers, there is a Wildlife Park mini bus service from Broxbourne Railway Station, so come along to the Celebration and have a time,……See You There!”
Bert Harkins
WSRA Celebration of Speedway at Paradise Wildlife Park,
White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Herts EN10 7QA
“Sunday 17th February and for Speedway fans, all roads will lead to Paradise Wildlife Park for the annual pre-season, Celebration of Speedway.
What better way to start the season than to mingle with like-minded people, meet visiting riders and hear the sound of unsilenced Speedway bikes being fired up on the hour, every hour.
The WSRA (World Speedway Riders’ Association) National Speedway Museum will be open all day with some new exhibits which include Billy’s Hamill’s “streamlined” Kenny Roberts-sponsored Grand Prix GM Speedway bike, Nigel Boocock’s blue leathers, Grand Prix body colours from Jason Doyle, Tai Woffinden, Greg Hancock and Bartoz Smarzlik plus Ivan Mauger, Simon Wigg and Peter Craven displays plus much, much more including the Museum Shop selling books, model riders, bobble hats, etc.
Another new exhibit is the famous old red and white Wembley tractor (photo above) which carried the top three in the World final on its battered bonnet in the days of the one-off World Finals at Wembley’s Empire Stadium. The tractor has pride of place outside the Speedway Museum where you can have your photo taken pretending that you are the World Champion. The winner of the Speedway Star “Name That Tractor” competition will be announced and the winner will be presented with his prize by Speedway Star journalist, John Chaplin.
As you walk around the Museum, it begins with Cycle Speedway, where many young pedal pushers began and then went on to race motorcycle Speedway. Then the High Beech display showing bikes, Rudge & Douglas, and photos from when Dirt Track racing came to this country in February 1928, hence the date (February) where we gather to celebrate that great occasion.
The large Wedding Marquee will have the ‘Collectors’ Fayre’ with stands selling books, DVDs, and all sorts of Speedway memorabilia. There will be a stage in the Marquee where presenter, Craig Saul will be interviewing various Speedway visitors and a Grand Raffle.
The World Speedway Riders Association will have a table just inside the marquee, so you can join the association on the day (riders and supporters are all welcome) which allows members free entry to Paradise Wildlife Park as often as they like plus the members’ magazine ’ Tapes Up’ which comes out four times per year.
The new WSRA President for 2019 will be Swindon Legend, The Red Devil, Mike Broadbank and his old club, Swindon will be running a coach to the event to support their former skipper. Mike will be presented with his Chain of Office on stage in the afternoon.
Outside in the car park, there are displays of bikes and some of the old ones will be fired up in the “Pits Area” on the hour, every hour, so listen out for that and get you whiff of the Speedway rider’s After Shave,….Castrol ‘R’! There will also be a vintage Wall of Death Indian Scout motorcycle which we also hope may be fired up on the day.
No need to go hungry as there will be a BBQ and bar and there are plenty of food outlets all around the Park. “Safari Sam’s” restaurant will be serving breakfast from early morning onwards.
Entry to the Celebration also allows you into the Wildlife Park with Lions (Wembley or Leicester?). Tigers (Glasgow, Sheffield or Mildenhall?) plus Meerkats, Penquins and hundreds of other animals, so all in all, a great day out.
Paradise Wildlife Park is easy to find, signposted from Junction 25 of the M25 and for non-drivers, there is a Wildlife Park mini bus service from Broxbourne Railway Station, so come along to the Celebration and have a time,……See You There!”
Bert Harkins
WSRA Celebration of Speedway at Paradise Wildlife Park,
White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Herts EN10 7QA