Post by coombes on Jul 13, 2010 14:47:06 GMT 1
I don't know if the 40th anniversary of the Lokeren tragedy is being marked anywhere in British Speedway - don't suppose the Cardiff GP program had anything about it. West Ham have long since closed, so there is no real "home" although Lakeside may well be the heirs apparent.
Lokeren is for speedway what Munich was for football, but unfortunately West Ham, unlike Manchester United, didn't rise like a phoenix from the ashes.
A West Ham select were returning from a meeting in Amsterdam when their minibus was involved in a terrible accident in Lokeren, Belgium - possibly caused by the driver falling asleep. Peter Bradshaw, Martyn Piddock, junior Mal Carmichael, trip team manager Phil Bishop, and guest Gary Everett were all killed. Colin Pratt, another guest, sustained such serious back and neck injuries that he never rode again. Stan Stevens too was injured but would return to track action the following year.
Extensive use of guests allowed the Hammers to fulfil their remaining league commitments but really the West Ham team , promotion and supporters never really recovered and it was no surprise when the track closed at the end of the following season, with the licence being bought by Ipswich.
Coincidentally, the Tigers were the last visitors to Custom House before the tragedy and , as such, were the last team to race in the lively east end atmosphere for which the track was noted and which dissipated immediately following the tragedy
Fortunately, despite the thousands of miles involved each season, speedway riders continue to have a road safety record second to none.
Lokeren is for speedway what Munich was for football, but unfortunately West Ham, unlike Manchester United, didn't rise like a phoenix from the ashes.
A West Ham select were returning from a meeting in Amsterdam when their minibus was involved in a terrible accident in Lokeren, Belgium - possibly caused by the driver falling asleep. Peter Bradshaw, Martyn Piddock, junior Mal Carmichael, trip team manager Phil Bishop, and guest Gary Everett were all killed. Colin Pratt, another guest, sustained such serious back and neck injuries that he never rode again. Stan Stevens too was injured but would return to track action the following year.
Extensive use of guests allowed the Hammers to fulfil their remaining league commitments but really the West Ham team , promotion and supporters never really recovered and it was no surprise when the track closed at the end of the following season, with the licence being bought by Ipswich.
Coincidentally, the Tigers were the last visitors to Custom House before the tragedy and , as such, were the last team to race in the lively east end atmosphere for which the track was noted and which dissipated immediately following the tragedy
Fortunately, despite the thousands of miles involved each season, speedway riders continue to have a road safety record second to none.