John Davis, Speedway Rider, the Documentary

Highlighting John's quest for the 1982 British Final at Coventry.

[@SuzyQ334]

As a rookie journalist and speedway fan, my local team was the Wimbledon Dons. At various stages in my work career I interviewed Dennis Sigalos, John Davis and the Dons captain Roger Johns. They were all great riders and really nice blokes. I don't like being old but I love that I grew up with speedway in the 70s. And got to meet some of its lovely riders.

[@johnshrimpton135]

We'll never have that time again in British speedway , all the tracks closing etc etc such a shame , thanks for uploading this Martyn .

[@SuzyQ334]

It's lovely to watch, isn't it John Shrimpton? Poole seems to be one of the few English towns that still has speedway team. Thank heavens for KZbin. xx

[@davidellis7144]

Fantastic Martyn and thanks for posting. I remember JD riding for Wimbledon, always good to watch. That was when we had a team that could have won the league on a good day. Sadly not to be due to our away form! Great to watch Fred Dinenage reporting. I grew up watching Fred presenting ITV’s ‘How’ and when he used to sit in for Dickie Davies on World of Sport. He still looks the same now but I’ve somehow got a lot older! Heat 4 was simply brilliant; so much talent on show and Chris Morton was pure class. I’ve just finished reading Chris Morton’s book, ‘Until the can ran out’ a fantastic read and highly recommended. The crowd at Coventry reminded me of when speedway was so big and before the rot set in. I do wish we had a speedway track in London but sadly all the tracks have now gone and in the case of my beloved Wimbledon, now demolished and never to return. I was involved with the rebuilding of Stratford station for the 2012 Olympics and remember going around the Olympic site and coming across a shale oval, it was what was left of Hackney stadium, just the track! I heard that Oxford may come back and were seeking planning permission to re-open the Crowley Road Stadium for speedway but that was a couple of years ago and I’ve heard nothing since, I hope they do make it back, I would go every week if they did. I still have my Roger Johns testimonial race jacket I won when Wimbledon raced Oxford. It was signed by all the Wimbledon team and the Oxford team including Simon Wigg, Hans Nielson and Marvyn Cox. I remember Roger taking me for a lap around Plough Lane on the back of his bike as part of the prize during the interval. I asked him if he wanted to buy my clapped out Jawa, he replied ‘No, but did I want to buy his clapped out Weslake’! Thanks for the great memories and keep the posts coming.

[@andyreeves616]

Bringing back so many memories for me seeing John and his father working on the bikes just as I did when I was 15yrs working on my bikes with my dad.. I'm 56 now. I signed for Ellesmere Port at 16 and a week later I was at Belle Vue speedway practice when Eric Boocock asked my father if would sign for then.. Wow-what could have been.. Great times... Never forget them..

[@robpriest9031]

My Dad rode for Belle Vue in the 50's and as soon as I was old enough he took me to see the Speedway......I will never forget the excitement and the smell of Castrol R along with the Belle Vue anthem which was called Tokyo Melody.

[@SuzyQ334]

That's a lovely memory Rob Priest. xx

[@aderiley6592]

Coming home from The Shay covered in grit and dust, and being chucked straight in the bath by my Grandad, to get cleaned up before my Mum realised where I'd been 😂 A special time in my life, and no doubt many, many others.

[@michaelcampin1464]

I still remember my cousin Vic Hardings funeral with all the riders who turned up back in July 1979. JD spoke to everyone and signed autographs for the fans who attended the funeral.

[@jacksonirving4594]

Enjoyed that film ..cheers .

[@nickliveseyphotographingth5050]

Thanks Martyn, I've been looking for this for ages as it was on youtube a few years ago but must have been deleted. Keep up the good work :)

[@aderiley6592]

Thank for posting this! Brings back some memories I can tell you. That was a very special era for British speedway.

[@martynhepworthArchiveSpeedway]

You're very welcome, and thanks for watching.

[@nervo6321]

JD was a lot tougher than he made out like Penhall he had the pretty boy image but he was a lot more than that...the crash at Bristol nearly tore his arm off but he came back as good as ever...nice film this especially the caravan site and interviews with his Dad...didnt see a great deal of John at Hull's Boulevard track but remember the test against the USA there in 1980 ...John was paired with Michael Lee and after the meeting remember him driving out the car park in a fabulous motorhome, he hung out the window and waved to me and my teenage friends shouting all the best...made our night..

[@SuzyQ334]

Nice memory Nervo63. I liked Bruce and John a lot - actually, most of the boys from overseas who propped up British League speedway in its heyday were fabulous. Happy days. xx

[@marko1316]

Fantastic! Thanks for uploading. JD Sounds more Australian here but hat's off to Andy Graham taking the title.

[@SuzyQ334]

As a rookie journalist and speedway fan I interviewed John Davis - and I had no idea he was Australian. God, I feel stupid.

[@marko1316]

@@SuzyQ334 Lol. Maybe he's spent the UK WInter in Oz and the accent does stick a little.

[@TalesFromTheBlahSide]

Dorset accent.

[@cwnapier67]

Those were the days used to go to every speedway meeting at Poole from 1978 - 1981 with my Dad, Bill Napier who was a photographer. Great memories my dad (RIP) would have loved to see these videos

[@TalesFromTheBlahSide]

Great film by Southern TV. Same cameraman Stan Brehault that filmed all Jack Hargreaves's programmes. Interesting to hear Fred Dineage revert to his local accent when talking to Harry.

[@kazikfurtak4298]

I remember him, he was reserve driver of british crew in Poland and he won two hits (big suprise), I don't remember exacttly now what the championship that was. Everybody in my country (Poland) were full of admire that even reserve driver of british team can do this...

[@mauibill7233]

Nice documentary. I deeply understand the disappointment and frustration of the bad night. I'd like to think that the other guys just wanted it more than me and I did my best. Well, sometimes, anyway.

[@Cat-hw1vh]

I think I remember John riding Reading at one point. A good rider if I remember right definitely in the upper level.

[@jacksonirving4594]

Good old days..

[@peterives1041]

How good did the poole track look 👌

[@SuzyQ334]

Nothing in Poole could ever look bad! xxx

[@Steve-gc5nt]

I couldn't stand JD when he was at Reading. Then he came to Swindon and we all loved him 😁 A good character from better times. Very much in the mould of Sheene and James Hunt. A proper bloke. What's not to like about a guy who has a mural of Linda Lusardi on his van 😊

[@jacksonirving4594]

Cribby ..big Andy Reid watching ...

[@tomaszmarkiewicz8102]

John Davis GKS WYBRZEŻE 1991 🇵🇱 👍🙋‍♂️

[@1Sootica]

Fascinating film and one that brings back many memories. Can anyone tell me what year this film was made. 1980 perhaps?

[@martynhepworthArchiveSpeedway]

Think it was 1982

[@davidg5832]

Think this was towards the tail end of my Speedway attending years so had to look this final up. Guess he could have had expectations to have won this and admit was surprised that the Grahame's came first and second. Don't remember Paul Woods, Malcom Holloway so apologies but was this a week year!

[@davidg5832]

Quite prepared for ridicule but is that Bruce Cribb at 21.00

[@garycoward6080]

Hi Martyn, I enjoy watching all your video's big speedway fan , but could tell me what is the music you use for the opening credits please

[@martynhepworthArchiveSpeedway]

It just a stock piece of Adobe music free to download. Fitted the intro well and just kept it.

[@brianmarsh4498]

He should never have got tied up with that weslake ohc motor,

[@jacksonirving4594]

If only they put jawa 2 valve fly wheels in with a alloy rod, shortened the barrell and made the engine into a short stroke.. Sam ermelenko used the push rod weslake at his Bradford World final and got 3rd... Shame weslake gave up on technical improvements on they're overheadcam engine.