Newcastle and District Cycle Speedway Club was born around 1965 in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne. It's parents were a few local kids including Keith Dyer, George Taylor, the late Bruce Hiscock and George Grant. They had strong links with Newcastle Speedway and battled on for years to build up the club and get somewhere.

There were some fantastically memorable performances by the team and its individual riders from 1965 up until 1992 which was its final year of existence.

Below, Jason (left) outside of team mate Alan Patterson at Newcastle and underneath, John (left) races long-time ally of the Newcastle club Andy Schofield from Hull, again at the Newcastle track.

Here's a few piccies of Mick Hoult's fantastic beast - it weighs about 18 pounds all-up and no carbon fibre in sight! Mountain Bikers eat your heart out!

Little Beaut - I wish (well, maybe not) 

they don't come any slimmer than this  a beastie 

nice chainstays  Lush Track Ends 

Super-clean cockpit

For those who don't know, a cycle speedway bike is a frame, wheels, pedals, seat and handlebars. No Gears, No Brakes. Brave souls compete.

FUTURE?

There's absolutely no way the Club will ever re-emerge now especially with the Sport nationally in a bit of a state but there is a hint of fresh (?) activity thanks to a certain pair of ex-Fawdon Flyers. Mick and Ash are the culprits this time around, and it all stems from the latter taking part in the British Veterans Championship last year. That encouraged Mick to buy a bike to take part in the commtb this year and he was joined by Terry the Fool.

I can't give you any news yet on the chances of another Reunion this year but one or two different views have been expressed and in the light of the tragic loss of Bruce Hiscock there may be stronger support for not waiting until next year for another one.

We just about exhausted my own supply of material at the last bash so another theme needs to be found unless you're all happy sitting in front of a glass all night. That was never my scene, as you know, so I may try and come up with another distraction. Could be that if enough people turn up who missed the first get together we could have maybe a shortened version of the video and presentation. Any ideas would be welcome. One that has been offered is a quiz on Cycle Speedway. That could be a laugh, so start reading now!

Here's a few silly vidz: - John v Terry  Andy v Jason  John slides  Terry's attempt

More Old News

On Wednesday gone (20th July) we had a massive turnout - Ashie, Mick, Ant, Keith, Jason, John and Terry practising on the "old" track. I say "old" because it was actually the middle of a newly-surfaced 11-a-side footy pitch, as one concerned resident came over to point out to us. Crumbs, it's about 40 years since I was last told to get my bike off somebody's grass. Anyway, that's why Ashie located a new venue for us (see above).

We had the usual mixture of one, two, three and four lap "races" and again a rash of false starts. There were also crashes for Ashie, Mick and Terry (all on Ashie's bike!) which brought back the memories (and pain) of the distant past. More daft video clips here:-  John Wins Dirty Jason

Even More Old News

There were only four of us on Friday night, 22nd July when we christened Ashie's "new track" - Ant, Ashie, Jason and Terry. We stayed about an hour and a half, long enough for a few scares with a fence either side for the first time and a couple of falls, Jason's being the worst. He also put his manhood at risk with a collapsing seat. Terry literally ate sh*t, bits being sprayed up by Jason's back tyre yet again (see Thursday's ride). More good practice for the upcoming match at Hull. (yes, the racing AND the sh*t eating!)

MORE!!!

Possibly Newcastle's fastest gater ever (dispute, dispute) Phil Robson is due to climb aboard again on Friday 29th for our last practice before Hull. Not only that, but one of our best ever round-the-boards riders, Andy Murray, also looks set to make an appearance soon. And maybe even fastest gater ever (again dispute, dispute) super-starting Stuart Craig,  boards-blaster Brian Mills and inside line expert Paul Marshall could be tempted by Phil and Andys' comebacks! These five were part of Golly's Greatest during the Eighties and all stopped racing well before reaching their peaks. Shame. Better stop now, I'm feeling all nostalgic. Sob.

I'm gonna put some old action shots on here soon...

Had a call from Jeff Layden at Heckmondwike before the Hull meeting - offering their track for us to practice on if we race for them against Hull on Sunday!!! Commiserations to Jeff on the sad loss of his wife last September - she was a great supporter of the Sport and fiercely proud of her very successful racing sons. One of them broke my wrist at Newcastle around 1987, but I'm not bitter. (aaarrrgghh!!!)

Final practice before Ashie, Mick and Terry attempt the Veterans Cycle Speedway Individual Championship at Wednesfield, Wolverhampton on Saturday 13th August was on Wednesday 4th. Ashie, Mick, Jason, John and Terry present. Most of the night was spent talking of future activities - yes, you heard that right! Keep watching this space for updates.

HERE'S THE RESULT OF A FANTASTIC MATCH AT HULL!!! Thank You Andy Schofield and all of his Blackbell Electrical Hull squad for the hospitality and the sporting match we had.

Here's the super Hull programme.     Here's the Full Story

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