Post by PLUSTAR on Jun 5, 2010 17:02:51 GMT 1
Post by: grasscutter on January 15, 2010, 05:02:40 PM QUESTIONS FRO DEREK SMITH
Q WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU START RACING AND HOW LONG DID YOUR
SPEEDWAY CAREER RUN
WB. I first went to a training track at Felton in Northumberland when I was nearly 16 in 1992, and
progressed to second half’s and the junior team at Middlesbrough’s (now defunct)
Cleveland Park. I knew absolutely nothing to start with I used to put my riding gear in a
fertilizer sack, and had a home made steel shoe that looked more like a surf board stuck to
the bottom of my boot it was so big. I practiced all the following winter at Sheffield’s training
track and was offered a team place the following season it was a bad move as the main
race track was to fast for my equipment. I spent the next 3 years in the conference league
with Berwick Bandits and won the division twice. after that I got my big break from Neil
Macfarlane at Glasgow where I spent the next 3 (and my best) years at Glasgow. Then I
moved to Newcastle Edinburgh and Stoke and retired mid 2003
Q WHICH RIDERS WERE THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER AND IN WHAT
WAY
WB Paul Bentley was always a big help as he was the nearest rider to where I live so I always
phoned him if I had troubles. Mick Powell, Peter Carr and Paul Pickering all helped me a lot
with my engines too which I will always be very thankful for, but every team I rode in all the
riders were always very good to me.
Q WHEN YOU WERE APPOINTED AS GLASGOW TEAM CAPTAIN AGED 20 DID YOU
FEEL IT ADDED PRESSURE TO YOU OR AFFECT YOU IN ANY WAY
WB. NO it gave me great confidence to be made captain of the team I’d started at 2 seasons
earlier as a reserve especially with experienced riders such as Les Collins and Paul Bentley
in the same team.
Q WE HEAR THESE DAYS THAT YOUR A FATHER AND A SINGER TELL US MORE
ABOUT EACH PLEASE
WB. I’ve got a daughter now called Beau she’s just started school which makes me feel old,
(lol). When I retired I went to music college and learned to play guitar and also did singing
lessons and exams and practiced like crazy till 2 years ago I got an agent who gets me 2 to
3 gigs a week anywhere from Coldingham in Scotland to Carlisle.
Q HOW PROUD WERE YOU TO REPRESENT THE TIGERS WITH SEAN COURTNEY IN
THE PL PAIRS FINAL AT NEWPORT
WB Yeah it was a proud moment I think for both of us.
Q WITH THE EVENTS AND RAMIFICATIONS OF THAT DAY, HOW MUCH DID THAT
EXPERIENCE DAMPEN YOUR ENTHUSIASM THAT DAY.
WB. I’ve always given everything I do 100% so nothing has ever really dampened my
enthusiasm for anything I love.
Q GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY HAVE YOU EVER BEEN BACK AT NEWPORT
WB Yes many times and spoke to Tim Stone, he even let me use the workshop at the track to
do my bike on an away tour, I was sorry to read of his death,
QUESTION BY CRAIG MCURDY
Q YOU RODE ASHFIELD REALLY WELL WHAT DID YOU PARTICULARLY LIKE ABOUT
THE PLACE
WB I actually liked Shawfield much better as I could dive under people. But the move to
Ashfield taught me to ride the dirt on the outside which made me a better rider.
Q YOU AND MIKE POWELL WERE QUITE A POTENT OPENING PAIRING, WHO IN YOUR
CAREER DID YOU ENJOY BEING PARTERNED
WB I think we had a great team spirit in all the 3 years I rode at Glasgow so I liked riding with
anyone I was quite proud that I got most bonus point trophy every season I rode for the
club.
Q IN YOUR CAREER WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK
WB Stoke’s Loomer Road
Q WHAT WAS YOUR ALL-TIME I-7 TEAM
WB Mark Courtney, Jim Burdfield, Martin Dixon, Gary Havelock, Steve Wilcock
Roland Tebbs, Glen Hornby
The Middlesbrough tigers team of 1986 when my dad 1st took me to watch speedway they
were my hero’s.
Q WHAT MADE YOU GIVE UPTHE SPORT
WB I woke up one morning and decided I wanted to be a musician.
Q MYSELF AND BRIAN MULDOON, AT THE B-C VIDEOS USED TO GIVE YOU A WEE BIT
OF SPONSORSHIP WHAT DOES A RIDER LOOK FOR IN SPONSORSHIP AND HOW
IMPORTANT IS IT TO A RIDER.
WB Yeah thanks for that Craig I’ve still got all the video’s A rider looks for anything they can get
and I was very lucky at Glasgow I had you, Charlie Kerr of C and M Kerr sweet shop, and
Peter Copland of PMC Security Services who I am still very good friends with today Peter
and the family carried on sponsoring me up until I retired even though I did not ride for the
tigers anymore. Its something I was very grateful for, we still meet up 3 or 4 times a year.
Q WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW AND DO YOU STILL GET A CHANCE TO FOLLOW THE
SPORT.
WB I’ve been a postman for the past 10 years but I’ve cut my hours so I just work 2 days a week
as I am getting quite busy with the gigs. I still get old speedway stars off Peter (Copland) so
I can keep an eye on what’s going on, but I’ve never been for a lot of years now.
Q WOULD YOU CONSIDER ATTENDING A MEETING AT ASHFIELD DURING THE
COMING SEASON
WB That would be great, be good to catch up with everyone again,
QUESTIONS FROM GRASSCUTTER
Q BEST PROMOTION RACED UNDER
WB Mike and Evette Hope at Berwick.
Q WORST SPEEDWAY INJURIES
WB I got my arm cut up pretty bad in the back wheel racing in USA on ice.
Q WORST AWAY TRACK YOU RACED ON
WB Sheffield
Q BEST TEAM MANAGER RACED UNDER
WB Ian Steel
Q BIGGEST ACHIVEMENT IN YOUR CAREER
WB. Making it to heat leader for the tiger’s and getting a maximum against Sheffield in 1999.
Q BEST TEAM PARTNER YOU RACED WITH
WB Sean Courtney
Q WHAT WAS YOU HAPPIEST TIMES IN YOUR RACING CAREER
WB There’s no middle ground in speedway so any of the times I was riding well for my club.
SO maybe not all the time lol, but on the whole I would not change what I did for anything.
Q WHERE DO YOU DO ALL YOUR GIGS
WB I play in clubs and pubs round the area where I live and holiday parks.
A BIG THANKS TO WILL FOR TAKING TIME TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
AND ET MEMBERS FOR TAKING PART
Title: Re:Will Beverage Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 15, 2010, 05:09:13 PM i dont believe mcurdy spending money ;D
Title: Re:Will Beverage Q & A
Post by: Jim on January 15, 2010, 05:36:58 PM It would be great to see Will come back for a visit. Let's hope that he can find the time. Thanks for the answers Will.
Title: Re:Will Beverage Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 15, 2010, 06:02:49 PM sorrey for the spelling its will beveridge
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 16, 2010, 11:51:26 AM remember that middlesbourgh team well wilcocks was you man
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: maggie may on January 18, 2010, 02:05:36 PM excellent q-a will hope you do well with the singing
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: moviecafe on January 18, 2010, 08:18:03 PM Dear, Will hope you will read this lost your address and as I don't go to speedway mutch now, but would like to get in touch or meet with you if possible.
I hope that all the family are fine and are your mum and dad still farming?
thanks for all the good times you gave us while at Glasgow.
Charlie Kerr and Family
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: herbie on January 18, 2010, 10:29:25 PM Noted the reference to Coldingham as a singing gig. Have a caravan just up the road from there so if Will gets any more bookings there will try to catch them, now I know the singing Will Beveridge is THAT Will Beveridge!
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 19, 2010, 03:38:08 PM did steve lawson beat steve wilcock in a silver helmet match race who remembers
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: mervjankefanclub on January 19, 2010, 03:44:15 PM Of course he did, GC ;D..............both men were nominated to contest the helmet at the start of the 1982 season, after the winter holder Mark Courtney had stepped up to the BL with Leicester. They both won their home legs and Super Steve beat Wilcock 2 - 0 in the decider at Scunny, he then went on to defend the helmet for the whole season.
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: Nagy#1 on January 19, 2010, 10:45:26 PM I really like the q&a's!! I think there should be a standard set of qu's favourite/ least favourite track, best 7 tigers, best 7 ever etc etc then let people ask the more rider specific questions.
Just a thought to see what everyone thinks??
Thought they were getting there own place on the forum too!!
Regardless keep up the good work and thanks to the effort that goes in from all parties concerned!!!
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: ted on January 20, 2010, 12:42:10 PM Grasscutter, I seem to remember spending money back in........ erm...........let me think..........no..need to get back to you!!
Sorry....
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on April 4, 2010, 08:06:40 AM mjfc who was the youngest captain that raced with tigers will or derek richardson i canny remember dereks age when he captained tigers
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: mervjankefanclub on April 4, 2010, 10:22:27 AM Big Derek was only 19 when he skippered the Stripes in 1978, GC.
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on April 13, 2010, 07:59:29 AM
Grasscutter, I seem to remember spending money back in........ erm...........let me think..........no..need to get back to you!!
Sorry....
Q WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU START RACING AND HOW LONG DID YOUR
SPEEDWAY CAREER RUN
WB. I first went to a training track at Felton in Northumberland when I was nearly 16 in 1992, and
progressed to second half’s and the junior team at Middlesbrough’s (now defunct)
Cleveland Park. I knew absolutely nothing to start with I used to put my riding gear in a
fertilizer sack, and had a home made steel shoe that looked more like a surf board stuck to
the bottom of my boot it was so big. I practiced all the following winter at Sheffield’s training
track and was offered a team place the following season it was a bad move as the main
race track was to fast for my equipment. I spent the next 3 years in the conference league
with Berwick Bandits and won the division twice. after that I got my big break from Neil
Macfarlane at Glasgow where I spent the next 3 (and my best) years at Glasgow. Then I
moved to Newcastle Edinburgh and Stoke and retired mid 2003
Q WHICH RIDERS WERE THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER AND IN WHAT
WAY
WB Paul Bentley was always a big help as he was the nearest rider to where I live so I always
phoned him if I had troubles. Mick Powell, Peter Carr and Paul Pickering all helped me a lot
with my engines too which I will always be very thankful for, but every team I rode in all the
riders were always very good to me.
Q WHEN YOU WERE APPOINTED AS GLASGOW TEAM CAPTAIN AGED 20 DID YOU
FEEL IT ADDED PRESSURE TO YOU OR AFFECT YOU IN ANY WAY
WB. NO it gave me great confidence to be made captain of the team I’d started at 2 seasons
earlier as a reserve especially with experienced riders such as Les Collins and Paul Bentley
in the same team.
Q WE HEAR THESE DAYS THAT YOUR A FATHER AND A SINGER TELL US MORE
ABOUT EACH PLEASE
WB. I’ve got a daughter now called Beau she’s just started school which makes me feel old,
(lol). When I retired I went to music college and learned to play guitar and also did singing
lessons and exams and practiced like crazy till 2 years ago I got an agent who gets me 2 to
3 gigs a week anywhere from Coldingham in Scotland to Carlisle.
Q HOW PROUD WERE YOU TO REPRESENT THE TIGERS WITH SEAN COURTNEY IN
THE PL PAIRS FINAL AT NEWPORT
WB Yeah it was a proud moment I think for both of us.
Q WITH THE EVENTS AND RAMIFICATIONS OF THAT DAY, HOW MUCH DID THAT
EXPERIENCE DAMPEN YOUR ENTHUSIASM THAT DAY.
WB. I’ve always given everything I do 100% so nothing has ever really dampened my
enthusiasm for anything I love.
Q GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY HAVE YOU EVER BEEN BACK AT NEWPORT
WB Yes many times and spoke to Tim Stone, he even let me use the workshop at the track to
do my bike on an away tour, I was sorry to read of his death,
QUESTION BY CRAIG MCURDY
Q YOU RODE ASHFIELD REALLY WELL WHAT DID YOU PARTICULARLY LIKE ABOUT
THE PLACE
WB I actually liked Shawfield much better as I could dive under people. But the move to
Ashfield taught me to ride the dirt on the outside which made me a better rider.
Q YOU AND MIKE POWELL WERE QUITE A POTENT OPENING PAIRING, WHO IN YOUR
CAREER DID YOU ENJOY BEING PARTERNED
WB I think we had a great team spirit in all the 3 years I rode at Glasgow so I liked riding with
anyone I was quite proud that I got most bonus point trophy every season I rode for the
club.
Q IN YOUR CAREER WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK
WB Stoke’s Loomer Road
Q WHAT WAS YOUR ALL-TIME I-7 TEAM
WB Mark Courtney, Jim Burdfield, Martin Dixon, Gary Havelock, Steve Wilcock
Roland Tebbs, Glen Hornby
The Middlesbrough tigers team of 1986 when my dad 1st took me to watch speedway they
were my hero’s.
Q WHAT MADE YOU GIVE UPTHE SPORT
WB I woke up one morning and decided I wanted to be a musician.
Q MYSELF AND BRIAN MULDOON, AT THE B-C VIDEOS USED TO GIVE YOU A WEE BIT
OF SPONSORSHIP WHAT DOES A RIDER LOOK FOR IN SPONSORSHIP AND HOW
IMPORTANT IS IT TO A RIDER.
WB Yeah thanks for that Craig I’ve still got all the video’s A rider looks for anything they can get
and I was very lucky at Glasgow I had you, Charlie Kerr of C and M Kerr sweet shop, and
Peter Copland of PMC Security Services who I am still very good friends with today Peter
and the family carried on sponsoring me up until I retired even though I did not ride for the
tigers anymore. Its something I was very grateful for, we still meet up 3 or 4 times a year.
Q WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW AND DO YOU STILL GET A CHANCE TO FOLLOW THE
SPORT.
WB I’ve been a postman for the past 10 years but I’ve cut my hours so I just work 2 days a week
as I am getting quite busy with the gigs. I still get old speedway stars off Peter (Copland) so
I can keep an eye on what’s going on, but I’ve never been for a lot of years now.
Q WOULD YOU CONSIDER ATTENDING A MEETING AT ASHFIELD DURING THE
COMING SEASON
WB That would be great, be good to catch up with everyone again,
QUESTIONS FROM GRASSCUTTER
Q BEST PROMOTION RACED UNDER
WB Mike and Evette Hope at Berwick.
Q WORST SPEEDWAY INJURIES
WB I got my arm cut up pretty bad in the back wheel racing in USA on ice.
Q WORST AWAY TRACK YOU RACED ON
WB Sheffield
Q BEST TEAM MANAGER RACED UNDER
WB Ian Steel
Q BIGGEST ACHIVEMENT IN YOUR CAREER
WB. Making it to heat leader for the tiger’s and getting a maximum against Sheffield in 1999.
Q BEST TEAM PARTNER YOU RACED WITH
WB Sean Courtney
Q WHAT WAS YOU HAPPIEST TIMES IN YOUR RACING CAREER
WB There’s no middle ground in speedway so any of the times I was riding well for my club.
SO maybe not all the time lol, but on the whole I would not change what I did for anything.
Q WHERE DO YOU DO ALL YOUR GIGS
WB I play in clubs and pubs round the area where I live and holiday parks.
A BIG THANKS TO WILL FOR TAKING TIME TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
AND ET MEMBERS FOR TAKING PART
Title: Re:Will Beverage Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 15, 2010, 05:09:13 PM i dont believe mcurdy spending money ;D
Title: Re:Will Beverage Q & A
Post by: Jim on January 15, 2010, 05:36:58 PM It would be great to see Will come back for a visit. Let's hope that he can find the time. Thanks for the answers Will.
Title: Re:Will Beverage Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 15, 2010, 06:02:49 PM sorrey for the spelling its will beveridge
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 16, 2010, 11:51:26 AM remember that middlesbourgh team well wilcocks was you man
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: maggie may on January 18, 2010, 02:05:36 PM excellent q-a will hope you do well with the singing
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: moviecafe on January 18, 2010, 08:18:03 PM Dear, Will hope you will read this lost your address and as I don't go to speedway mutch now, but would like to get in touch or meet with you if possible.
I hope that all the family are fine and are your mum and dad still farming?
thanks for all the good times you gave us while at Glasgow.
Charlie Kerr and Family
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: herbie on January 18, 2010, 10:29:25 PM Noted the reference to Coldingham as a singing gig. Have a caravan just up the road from there so if Will gets any more bookings there will try to catch them, now I know the singing Will Beveridge is THAT Will Beveridge!
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 19, 2010, 03:38:08 PM did steve lawson beat steve wilcock in a silver helmet match race who remembers
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: mervjankefanclub on January 19, 2010, 03:44:15 PM Of course he did, GC ;D..............both men were nominated to contest the helmet at the start of the 1982 season, after the winter holder Mark Courtney had stepped up to the BL with Leicester. They both won their home legs and Super Steve beat Wilcock 2 - 0 in the decider at Scunny, he then went on to defend the helmet for the whole season.
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: Nagy#1 on January 19, 2010, 10:45:26 PM I really like the q&a's!! I think there should be a standard set of qu's favourite/ least favourite track, best 7 tigers, best 7 ever etc etc then let people ask the more rider specific questions.
Just a thought to see what everyone thinks??
Thought they were getting there own place on the forum too!!
Regardless keep up the good work and thanks to the effort that goes in from all parties concerned!!!
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: ted on January 20, 2010, 12:42:10 PM Grasscutter, I seem to remember spending money back in........ erm...........let me think..........no..need to get back to you!!
Sorry....
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on April 4, 2010, 08:06:40 AM mjfc who was the youngest captain that raced with tigers will or derek richardson i canny remember dereks age when he captained tigers
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: mervjankefanclub on April 4, 2010, 10:22:27 AM Big Derek was only 19 when he skippered the Stripes in 1978, GC.
Title: Re:Will Beveridge Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on April 13, 2010, 07:59:29 AM
Craig said:
Grasscutter, I seem to remember spending money back in........ erm...........let me think..........no..need to get back to you!!
Sorry....