Romsey Grass Track

[RW490]

The results above are for the Victorian Grass Track Championships held on the 02-03-1980.The day of the title I rode a Hagon Frame with a TA125 Twin Yamaha Roadrace motor in it. It was that dusty that on the last lap I passed Ken Speechley on the outside of turn 2 and as we went through the corner there was a rider laying on the track that we did not even see. Talking with Ken after the race I said that I was using the tree line down the backstraight to tell me when to turn onto the short straight at turn 3. He laughed and said he was doing the same thing. This is why we did not see the fallen rider until we passed him. I came in after practice on my 2 Valve Jawa Speedway Bike and Dad said that I was really flying down the back straight into turn 3. I said to him, that would be because of my arm cramps and I couldn`t shut off. 

[35elsinore]

Great story and photos.     

[firko]

on the last lap I passed Ken Speechley

Where's Ken Speechley these days? He rode a bit of vintage motocross on Maicos back in the early to mid 90's. I haven't seen his name anywhere for years.

[SUZUKI311]

Brian Clarke on a CR, wont see that every day !!  great photos of yesteryear.

[RW490]

Ken Speechley would have to be one of the nicest Guys I have ever met racing.
One day at Romsey he got pushed wide on turn one at probably 90-100 Mph by Rob Stafford coming under him on a slider. As he lost it and the bike cartwheeled we all thought it was him flying half way up the trees. This body then jumped up out of the long grass and started waving to us as the bike thudded back down to the ground.

[Slider29]

Great shot of the 125's waiting to go out for practice?
#27 Ray Owen #153 Gary Chasemore #2 Gary Flood all on Bullies
#786 Les Lewis Jnr on Charlie Edwards' Yammy twin? # 68 Rick Wason
Some other familiar riders and numbers but I can't recall
  regards  Mark

[RW490]

Hey Mark
#40 Milton Riley, #41 Peter Worland & #314 Mick Hepburn are also from Wangaratta.
Do you think that #110 is Jamie Walker? Also is #400 Edgcombe?

[RW490]

I tell you, I am not getting any work done. I just checked the program & #400 is Gary Owen - Bendigo and I think that #7 is Brad Lewis - Hartwell Club

[Simo63]

I tell you, I am not getting any work done.

Lol Rick ... this forum can do that to you particularly when you are re-discovering your love for all things vmx 

But keep up the good work, we all appreciate your posts   

Cheers
Craig

[Slider29]

I tell you, I am not getting any work done.
 

[steve7406]

Anybody know who the bloke with the harley club of victoria shirt on is.

[RW490]

Not sure , but I will get Ken Walker to check him out. I think he was originally a sidecar rider.
Rick

[Slider29]

John Heaviside.
  He is still involved with speedway. Owns an 880 JAP among other things. It is MAGNIFICENT

[steve7406]

Thanks Slider29 John Heaviside is a life member of the Harley Club as i am aswell will pm you about photo;s

[RW490]

I started to copy the program today at work and ran out of time. So much work, so little time to have fun. I will add the entire program soon. All the placings were hand written in by my mum.
Also does anyone remember the day Gary Chasemore arrived with the twin Rotax in the hagon. I have never seen anything like it wind up down the back straight at Romsey. Also the TZ350 ? ridden by Johnnie Dewhurst. And the same bike I think ridden by Boocock at Bendigo International Speedway. I am afraid that my age group have seen the best of racing come and go already and the young fella`s will never again get to see the likes of Romsey and the speeds that were obtained.