Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2009 14:00:26 GMT
Wednesday October 14, 2009
The death has been announced in Hungary of one of the Newport Wasps most popular former speedway riders. Sandor Levai who was the Wasps club captain and number one in the late 1960s and early 1970s passed away on Monday in his native Hungary aged 74.
Sandor fled to this country during the Hungarian uprising of 1956. He initially rode for the Belle Vue Aces and subsequently for the Ipswich Witches but it was at Newport's former Somerton Park track that he enjoyed the finest years of his speedway career.
Commented Gareth Rogers the club's PRO at their modern Queensway Meadows stadium and former Somerton Park track announcer during part of the the Levai era: 'Everyone who knew Sandor will recall his cheeky disposition and warm smile. However, when the tapes rose he was a tiger whom Wasps fans of that generation will recall had the regular beating of great World Champions Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger on the Newport racing strip. I am sure all Newport Speedway fans will join me in sending our thoughts and condolences to Sandor's family at this time of sorrow'
Club owner Steve Mallett added: 'Sandor was my speedway hero when I was a kid on the terraces at Somerton Park. I am very sad to hear the news. I will arrange that on Sunday's rider parade there will be a minute's silence in tribute to one of the greatest Wasps in the history of the sport in Newport.'
taken from:http://www.british-speedway.co.uk
RIP Sandor, remembered fondly by all at Ipswich.
The death has been announced in Hungary of one of the Newport Wasps most popular former speedway riders. Sandor Levai who was the Wasps club captain and number one in the late 1960s and early 1970s passed away on Monday in his native Hungary aged 74.
Sandor fled to this country during the Hungarian uprising of 1956. He initially rode for the Belle Vue Aces and subsequently for the Ipswich Witches but it was at Newport's former Somerton Park track that he enjoyed the finest years of his speedway career.
Commented Gareth Rogers the club's PRO at their modern Queensway Meadows stadium and former Somerton Park track announcer during part of the the Levai era: 'Everyone who knew Sandor will recall his cheeky disposition and warm smile. However, when the tapes rose he was a tiger whom Wasps fans of that generation will recall had the regular beating of great World Champions Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger on the Newport racing strip. I am sure all Newport Speedway fans will join me in sending our thoughts and condolences to Sandor's family at this time of sorrow'
Club owner Steve Mallett added: 'Sandor was my speedway hero when I was a kid on the terraces at Somerton Park. I am very sad to hear the news. I will arrange that on Sunday's rider parade there will be a minute's silence in tribute to one of the greatest Wasps in the history of the sport in Newport.'
taken from:http://www.british-speedway.co.uk
RIP Sandor, remembered fondly by all at Ipswich.