Post by PLUSTAR on Jun 5, 2010 17:45:40 GMT 1
« on: January 29, 2010, 03:34:10 PM »
QUESTIONS FROM COOMBES
Q What racing experience did you have in NZ before coming to Glasgow in 1964?
JH None 2 laps of our New Plymouth track, I never intended riding a bike anywhere as I was on a
six month holiday. I could not ride a bike on arrival nor could I ride a bike when I left Scotland
but I had some fun trying.
Q What was your first impression of Glasgow when you arrived, how did it differ from NZ?
JH Old, dark, beautiful buildings, very cold but very nice in the summer. The speedway at White
City was great.
Q You had an "open house" at your flat that you shared with Bruce Ovenden. Who all took
advantage of your generosity by staying there?
JH Terry Stone ( who paid board), Chris Julian, Trevor Redmond, Maury Mattingley, Jean
McFarlane ( Terry’s now wife) and others.
Q What was the snake doing in your flat?
JH Bruce stayed behind at some Southern meet, he purchased a snake at a fair in the Newcastle
area. He arrived home at day break and threw the snake into the bed which had three bodies
in it. We all went out of that in a big hurry.
Q Did you really get a written warning of arriving late at Sheffield even though you weren't due
to be riding?
JH Yes, and a fine. I had never raced and did not know I was a signed rider on the Glasgow
books let alone in the team nobody had told me.
Q What do you remember about Cowdenbeath and riding there?
JH One time when Bruce & Graham Coombes failed to show on time I was in and racing believe
it or not I was wining a race until Dave Gifford stuck me in the fence on the last turn (I tell him
about his bad deed every week). Also I remember a winter practice where I crashed (again)
and Alf Wells took me to the hospital in Edinburgh for a two day stay. I also remember when
Bruce & Graham showed up and I immediately was told by Ian Hoskins that I was no longer
required so I left never to return.
Q Any stories about your time preparing the White City track? You might be interested to know
that the season after you stopped doing the track there were very few times below 80.0
seconds.
JH The track was easy to do providing the weather was good on the days you could go onto the
track around the dog racing and trials. Everything went smoothly until Ian Hoskins would not
pay the five pounds for the roller (a contractor stored it at White City for our use). From then
on I had no gear, the tractor was stuffed in the hydraulics and there was only me to drive the
tractor and the grader, it became impossible and was the main reason I quit. One Thursday
night extra dirt arrived at 7 p.m. I spent most of the night trying to spread it with the tractor and
back blade but I had no roller so on Friday night the track was thick and I got called all sorts of
names but referred everyone to Hossie this night was the beginning of the end.
Q How long did you stay in Scotland? and have you been to any of the Tigers tracks since we
left White City. If so, how do you rate them?
JH I stayed 7 years. I was at Hampden Park ( too Big). Coatbridge when it was the Monarchs
track ( not bad). Jimmy Tannock took us to the current track 2 years ago seems to be ok.
The best of all although it was the Monarchs track was undoubtedly Old Meadowbank.
Q I think quite a few riders borrowed your bike. Who was the main "scrounger"?
JH Trevor Redmond & Graham Coombes
Q Trevor Redmond and Ian Hoskins were real colourful characters . Any stories about them?
JH Many stories unprintable.
QUESTIONS FROM HERBIE
Q It's been a while since you rode for tigers what memories do you have of
your time there?
JH I was on the tail end of everything but enjoyed the difference between New
Zealand and Scotland (motor cycle speedway).
Q Are you still in touch with anyone from the club?
JH Terry Stone, Bruce Ovenden, Bluey Scott, Jimmy McMillan
QUESTIONS FROM GRASSCUTTER
Q What kind of engine did you use when you came over here?
JH I purchased a bike from Teo Teodorowicz who was the Swindon rider who
was tragically killed at West Ham. We rebuilt that bike in our bedroom of our
London flat before moving up to Glasgow on the say so of Trevor Redmond.
Q What were your best racing memories
JH They were all better but I will never forget the first time I was in the team away
at Swindon and in the first race of the night to the left on gate 1 Barry Briggs
to the right on 3 Bob Kilby on 4 Charlie Monk. I made the start , first bend
and a straight and then woosh they all came past and Briggo as usual
underneath.
Q Worst speedway injuries?
JH The night an engine bolt end went into the back of my leg at Stepps Stadium
practice track.
QUESTIONS FROM BERT HARKINS
Q Did you enjoy watching your cine films in the hallway at Eastwood Toll?
JH Yes I did very much, I can remember watching with your very good friend
Dick Barrie.
Q Did you enjoy Mrs. Harkins meals was it mince n tatties or fish n chips?
JH Mince & tatties and yes it was greatly appreciated once I worked out that tea
meant food ( dinner) not a cup of tea so we then showed up at the correct
time. Mince & tatties being a Scottish dish had the compulsory dram for
dessert which made it so much better.