please log in to view this image Six times world champion Ivan Mauger riding for the Hull Vikings at the Boulevard(1978 to 81, then back 84), hard to believe he's 73 now. I still love the smell of methanol(though I have given up drinking it).
It does. The cinder tracks were of finer quality than the sharp nuggets I learned to play football on in me bare feet ! Still have the scars - not a pretty sight. I've been away a long time - Do they still do speedway anywhere in Hull these days ?
The boulevard operation went bust years ago. They resurfaced at Craven Park and did really well(becoming Premier League Champions, holders of the Knock-Out Cup and winners of the Craven Shield, all in 2004), but it didn't stop them from going pop completely in 2005. Shame, I'd love to go and watch it again, though it would probably be disappointing and ruin all the memories I have of going as a kid.
Yeah someone used to take me when I was a kid, a bit earlier than that though, probably around '72-'75 I guess. Don't remember much about it but I think one of my favourite riders was called Bobby Beaton or something like that?
i used to go occasionally as a kid and i always remember the growl sound around Boulevard when we was playing out too !
Gawd! I must be older than I think. I remember cheering Hulls Angels on at Hedon but this must have been in the late 40's early fifties. I remember the captain was Mick Mitchell and a bloke called Dereck Glover but the rest escapes me. It didn't last long.
Oh yes. Indeed it does. What a team Hull Vikings had back in the late 70's. From Barry Briiggs in 1976 season, Ivan Mauger in 1978/79 plus ther likes of the Late Kelly Moran, Shawn Moran, Dennis Sigalos, John Cook, Bobby Beaton, Joe Owen(now sadly in a wheelchair since a track crash in the early 80's), fisherman Frank Auffrett just to name a few. Happy days and times in the first bend bar above the pits.
When the beard came off he kept the tash and he looked like a mexican bandit. One time @ Sheffield speedway they spelled his name in the programme as Boobie Benton. It stuck. Lol.
I remember going as a kid, same Era as Marist Disco with Fat Wally. Anyway, I loved the smell, and seem to remember the Strongbow Cup. I'm sure I saw Selwyn Froggat ( Bill Maynard ) doing some commentary. Also Ivan Maugers " Gold" speedway bike. Ring a bell with anyone else.
The bike was gold plated when he won three world titles in a row, he's still got it in his house in Australia... please log in to view this image
Though it seems my info was slightly out of date, it's no longer at his home in Australia, that picture is from the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Many happy times there vic. Forgot Wally till you said his name. Did his mrs run it too? Or is my memory going
