Coventry Speedway

"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.

Response from the "Save Coventry Speedway and Stox" campaign group

Strange how Horton claimed that it was not viable to run a National League team at Coventry on a Sunday. So now he proposes to run a Coventry National League team at Leicester . . . on a Sunday

Makes one query his motives Envelopes paper brown . . .

I commented on another thread about going back to better days . . .

Coventry Observer article

Speedway Control Bureau statement Following on from a meeting with the members of the Speedway Control Bureau and Mr Mick Horton, it is with great delight that Coventry Speedway have been given the go ahead to run the Coventry Bees in the National Development League at a temporary home at Leicester for the 2018 season. The members of the SCB wish the Coventry Promotion all the best in their endeavours to bring the Bees back to Brandon in the near future.

Coventry Bees have named Jack Parkinson-Blackburn and Jon Armstrong as their first two signings for their National League venture at Leicester. Parkinson-Blackburn joins the club after two successful seasons with Midlands rivals Birmingham, whilst the experienced Armstrong will skipper the Bees some 25 years after a spell at Brandon in the old British League Division One. Promoter Mick Horton said: "I'm delighted to be able to bring in Jack as No.1. He has a big reputation in the sport already, and deservedly so, and I'm confident he will be able to meet the expectations of his role in the team. "To have Jon as captain is also great news for the team. I've been in close contact with him over the winter so far, discussing riders and planning ahead, and this is a move which will also give him a new lease of life in the sport. "After all our troubles off the track, it is with huge satisfaction that both the BSPA and the SCB have given their full support to my quest of keeping the Coventry Bees racing. "I would also like to thank both Damien and Marc Bates for their help in allowing us to race at Leicester this season."

Afternoon all you Bees fans! I remember one of my sisters going regularly in the 60s and loving it. I'm wondering if there was still much going on in the 1980s at Brandon. I ask because I'm doing another Coventry Dirty Stop Outs Book - 1980s - to follow up the 70s one. I would like to include Brandon/Bees if there was something happening during that decade and your memories/pics. Look forward to hearing! Cheers, Ruth

Ron Bagley, who rode for Bees in 1965, has passed away at the age of 80. He is perhaps best remembered for his involvement with Ipswich Witches, as rider and later team manager.