Coventry Bees Speedway - Brandon Stadium

Remember the Bunty's buses to Wembley for the World Championships Finals? My sister (back row, second from the left) and I think this is from 1963, when the Bees were represented by Nigel Boocock, Jim Lightfoot, Olle Soderman and Ron Mountford was reserve. Ove Fundin won it from Bjorn Knutsson and Barry Briggs. Anyone recognise themselves? I'm back row, on the right.

Mention of Olle Soderman, JW His time with Bees was too early for me (1956-58) but how I wish I'd seen him in his debut season. Per Olaf Soederman first appeared in black & gold on 11 August 1956, scoring a 15 point maximum at home to Oxford. By the time of his last appearance that season, on 15 September, when he scored another 15 point maximum at home to Swindon, he had featured in 42 races, of which he had won 39, and been beaten only three times, by Alby Golden at Southampton, and Ken McKinlay (Leicester) and Jack Biggs (Poole) at Brandon. His calculated average for those eight meetings was 11.71 (out of 12). He started off 1957 in a similar vein with a paid and a full maximum from his first two meetings, followed by a 13 point return in the following meeting. Double figure scores featured largely throughout the season, apart from three disastrous meetings. When Bees lost at home to Oxford 43-53, Olle returned only a five point score, with a 2 minute exclusion, a tapes exclusion and a retirement in his five races. At Birmingham, Bees lost 29-67, Olle failed to win a race, with two seconds, three thirds and a last place giving him seven points from six races. Even worse for Bees was a 24-72 defeat at Southampton, and Olle's return was two seconds, two thirds and two retirements, for six points. He didn't appear for Bees in 1958 until 12 July, when he recorded 13 points from 5 rides. Next meeting he returned only a paid five score from five rides, then he reeled off a series of double points scores - 12, 14, 14, 15 - before his scores dropped off alarmingly, with retuns of 5, 7+1, 6+1, 7 and 7, each from five rides. That was the end of his Bees career, having featured in 8 meetings in 1956, 14 in 1957 and only 11 in 1958. He reached four World Championship Finals. 1956, not surprisingly, given his Bees form, was his best, when, after a pointless first ride, he finished with 10 points, for sixth place behind champion Ove Fundin. The following year he appeared again at The Empire Stadium, returning a seven point score for 9th place. In the 1963 final, which Johnnie Walker refers to, he finished 12th with five points (Nigel Boocock was 7th with eight, Jim Lightfoot 14th with four, Ron Mountford (reserve) did not ride). When the 1966 final was held at Ullevi, Gothenburg, it was a miserable night for Olle, with just one point to show and last place.

Plans unveiled for 250 houses - Telegraph article

Security failure prompts council to issue Coventry Stadium owners formal notice - report

The Save Coventry Campaign Group would like to invite all supporters and local residents to a meeting on Monday October 9. This meeting will take place in association with the NSSC at the Brandon Club, starting at 8pm. The purpose of the meeting is to update everyone on the latest position in the efforts to bring speedway and stock car racing back to Coventry, as we approach one year since Brandon last staged racing. There have been several developments over recent months, not all of which have been accurately reported, and we will be looking to set the record straight on a number of issues and hopefully give supporters a clearer understanding of the current position. All speedway and stock car supporters, and local residents concerned by the possibility of housing, are more than welcome to attend. Venue: Brandon Club, Main Street, Brandon, Coventry CV8 3HW

Local survey results

Brandon Estates Ltd held a public exhibition on 19 October at the Brandon Hall Hotel to show their plans for housing development on the stadium site Residents, fans and the press, including television, were in attendance The "Save Coventry Speedway & Stox" campaign group have now published their reaction to the exhibition, and this can be read on their website here Perhaps those forum members with an interest in or who support the return of Coventry Stadium as a motor sports venue will back the campaign - please refer to the last three paragraphs in the campaign group's reaction on how to express such support

Shocking state of Coventry Stadium

Campaign goes to Westminster

"Memories of Coventry Speedway" DVD now on sale

Former Bee Henryk Zyto celebrated his 81st birthday on 1 November - however I understand that he is not in good health and there are financial problems too Here is the Pole in happier times

It is reported today that former Bees rider Antonin Kasper has passed away at the age of 85 Nicknamed "Buzz", the Czechoslovakian international rode for Coventry in 1968 and 1969, followed by a season at West Ham

Very sad to hear of the death of Antonin Kasper. I remember the Bees signing him in 1968 as a replacement for the badly injured Ron Mountford. Prior to this signing Bees had fielded an all British team for several years. RIP Buzz.

He was a tough guy! Early in his Bees career, he fell at Brandon and was taken to hospital with a damaged shoulder. As I spoke a bit of Czech and "Polish Mick" - his usual interpreter - wasn't available, Charles despatched me (working on the track staff that night) along with Kasper in the ambulance. Once the leathers were peeled off, he took complete control of the situation. He told them through me that he'd broken his collar bone before, knew exactly what was needed, and then proceeded to show the hospital doctors how he wanted it strapped up. Needless to say, he was racing again very soon!

From the SGB website: Leicester Speedway can confirm they have been approached by Coventry Bees promoter Mick Horton with a view to hosting meetings at Beaumont Park in 2018. The proposal is for National League racing to take place with the Bees in action on Sunday afternoons and this will have no impact on the Watling JCB Lions at Premiership level. Any agreement is subject to terms and conditions being met by Mr Horton, paperwork being completed and Coventry successfully gaining entry into the National Development League. Leicester Speedway remain deeply saddened by the loss of Brandon Stadium for the Bees but see this as an opportunity for the club to gain valuable income which will help underpin Beaumont Park as a successful sporting facility. Any agreement is for one season only with an option for either party to discuss further in 12 months time. We must emphasise this is not a track share, contrary to a newspaper report, and that Mick Horton will be renting the stadium from Leicester Speedway to host Coventry meetings. A further update will be issued once the arrangement is formally concluded and more news updates from the Watling JCB Lions will be issued as and when riders are signed for the new Premiership season. This is the Coventry Telegraph article.