100% Unofficial CPD Vikings Hull Speedway Website

The History of Hull Speedway: 1930-1981

by Roger Hulbert

192 pages with photos, £16.99

f you only intend to buy one speedway book, then this is the one to get - for obvious reasons.  I enjoy reading about a whole range of subjects and found this title particularly fascinating as I was present at a great many of the meetings mentioned and remember the people involved.  Starting at the beginning with Hull White City, through Hull Angels to the Hull Vikings at the Boulevard this is a thoroughly researched and comprehensive work on Hull Speedway up to 1981.  The 1995-2004 decade at Craven Park is not included as Roger intends to mark the "Craven Park Years" with volume 2 of speedway's history in Hull incorporating our Premier League Championship success.  As already mentioned, the author has really gone into his subject in a deep, as well as big, way uncovering the story behind the construction of each speedway circuit, the promoters who ran them, the riders who rode on them and what they achieved, both individually and as a team, the various notable incidents which occurred; some exciting, some funny (the Viking who lived in a van!) and some sad.  Each era covered explains the reasons why each venue no sadly longer stages speedway racing and what became of the riders afterwards.  Just about every conceivable fact and figure of each meeting is covered from programmes, a run down of meeting various teams down the years, track record holders and concluding with an A-Z of the riders who wore the blue and yellow and blue and white to represent Hull in the sport of speedway racing.  It is true to say that the research for this web-site would have been a whole lot easier and quicker had the book been available at the time of initial construction.  

So, why should you buy this book? a) How many books are there about Hull Speedway? Exactly, b) To support someone who has produced a book about Hull Speedway, c) So you can see what people are talking about when the say "well, at The Boulevard... d) It's a really good read.  So buy it! 

Hull Speedway Craven Park: The First 10 Years

by

Roger Hulbert

192 pages with photos, £14.99

Well here it is the book you should all have been waiting for; the story of what we do in Wednesday nights and how we came to be here.  First off I'll state that while this book an extremely good read I personally didn't find it quite as engrossing as the first volume mostly because I've been here for all our "Craven Park" years whereas I missed the first 3 years at the Boulevard and all of the Hedon and White City eras obviously.   A personal view but I'm nothing if not objective.  But for those of you who haven't been here since 1995, and even for those who have, it is a fascinating trawl through the recent history of Hull Vikings Speedway to remind yourself of things that have happened over the last decade. A chequered history roger describes of existence of speedway in East Hull and it certainly has been.  From a tremendous opening season to near mediocrity (1997 anyone?) to picking up some trophies to finishing (erm!) bottom of the league and almost closing down for good to climb back up to the top and winning the treble in 2004! Well Roger couldn't have made it up if he had tried.  As with vol.1, all the riders who rode for the Hull Vikings since 1995 are listed but this time the appearance of future Hull Vikings riders is identified thereby tying in how the riders who became Vikings arrived at Hull.  If you see what I mean.  Hulbert sensibly waited until we had the treble sewn-up before finishing his book, as opposed to just bringing it out at the beginning of the season to  commemorate Hull Vikings Speedways' testimonial at Craven Park, and therefore he had the unique opportunity to tell the story of speedway history being made as it happened.

Once again, why should you buy this book? as with vol.1 -  a) How many books are there about Hull Speedway? Exactly, (2 now) b) To read about the last 10 years,  c) It's another really good read! So buy this book too!.

10th Yer Baws!

by Gary Lough

230 pages, £7.00.

10th Yer Baws! is the alternative story of Edinburgh Monarchs' memorable Premier League winning campaign as told by long-term fan Gary Lough (pronounced Lock), who spent the summer of 2003 following, and sometimes travelling with, his beloved Monarchs around the country in pursuit of their first league title.  Gary's sense of humour and enthusiasm for speedway really shine through as he describes his early prophecy, his race-day routines, the people he travelled with, the places he stayed and the tracks he visited guided by "Sophie" (Sat Nav system) in the "Spaceship" (Ford Galaxy).  Also read about Gary's own Sun newspaper/David Beckham story, Fantasy Speedway League tips and the background story of his long admiration of Hull CPD Vikings' Garry Stead.   And what "10th Yer Baws!" is all about.... A few people know that Gary Lough is a mate of mine but I have to critique his book a little and ask: why no pics, dude? Probably to keep cost down but that's the only real black mark as it's another really good read.  Available form most track shops or contact Gary direct: 

Gary Lough, 12 Stenhouse Drive, Edinburgh, E11 3JE.  Add £1 for p&p.                

[email protected]

The Moran Brothers

by Brian Burford

224 pages, £14.99.

The title is self-explanatory really: the story of Kelly and Shawn Moran from early teens to their respective retirements from speedway; Kelly in 1992 and Shawn in 1994.  As well as their Belle Vue Aces, Eastbourne Eagles,  Hull  Vikings, Sheffield Tigers and Swindon Robins years, the infamous David East episode, Kelly finishing 4th in his World Final debut (1979; Ivan Mauger's last win, No.6), Shawn winning the World Long-track Championship in 1983 with a broken leg but being disqualified from his 2nd placing in the 1990 World Final at Bradford, their numerous off-track escapades and many other speedway stories.  If you have any interest in the Morans' careers and/or went to the Boulevard between 1978-1981, then you will definitely enjoy this book.  Available from track shops, bookshops like WH Smiths, W Browns and by post.

Breaking The Limits: The Sam Ermolenko Story

by 

Brian Burford and Sam Ermolenko

238 pages with photos, £14.99

It's been out for what seems like ages but I only just acquired a copy of this title.  I'm being objective when I say that although its is very interesting and informative, this book is not as un-put-down-able as I thought it would be but it's a good read just the same.  Having said that this is a very enlightening look into the life of Sam Ermolenko, on and off the track, and I found the insight into Polish speedway to be particularly fascinating.  Massive crowds attend meetings in Poland and the riders are well-paid but the politics involved makes you wonder why western riders consider it to be worth all the hassle.  Also is the story of confusion surrounding Sam's drugs test at a major meeting and how he spent a fortune on clearing his name with a background to the happenings on the American Speedway scene.  From his early speedway career to his World Championship win in 1993 via Hull Vikings in 1999 (very small mention here), back to the Wolverhampton Wolves, and  his commenting of speedway on Channel 4 and SKYSPORTS the book covers Sam's career to date; 2002 when the book was finished.  Sam currently rides for the Peterborough Panthers and is due to retire at the end of 2005.

 Homes Of British Speedway  

by Robert Bamford and John Jarvis

288 pages with many photos, £17.99

A better title would have been "A - Z Of British Speedway Tracks" as basically that is what you get.  This book details every track, both current and no longer operational, from Aldershot through Hull (Hedon, The Boulevard and Craven Park) to York.  Essentially it is reference work, a book to dip into from time to time rather than read from cover to cover with loads of fascinating track and stadium details and history of the  tracks you have visited, the ones you haven't and the ones you never will as they sadly no longer exist.  A must buy for those with a real interest in speedway tracks and stadia; in other real track anoraks. Available from track shops or by post.

Speedway In East Anglia

by

Norman Jacobs

160 pages with photos, £12.99

Obvious title really covering the history of speedway racing at Ipswich Witches, King's Lynn Stars,  Mildenhall Fen Tigers, Norwich Stars, Peterborough Panthers, Rayleigh Rockets and Yarmouth Bloaters.  Really interesting if you are from the area and supported any of these tracks but maybe not quite so if you aren't.  Features the conception of the tracks and stadia, famous riders (Ove Fundin, Michael Lee, Terry Betts, Dave Jessup, Malcolm Simmons, etc, etc), and programme covers.  Covers the stories of how Ipswich originally left their Foxhall Heath home and returned years later to find it under the tarmac of a stock-car circuit, how Norwich was demolished and became King's Lynn at an empty greyhound stadium and how Mildenhall rose from being just a potato field next to a USAF Air Force base to a speedway stadium.  Another book to dip into and out of, helps if you are a fan of tracks in these areas too.

2004 Premier League Treble Champions

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