Signed helmet to crash the party (From Bournemouth Echo)

Signed helmet to crash the party

7:00am Wednesday 21st May 2008 in

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A TOP-of-the-range Arai crash helmet signed by six world champions will be up for grabs at a Speedway Celebration' at New Milton in July.

The event is being staged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Poole Speedway, together with the 80th anniversary of the birth of Southampton speedway and the 80th anniversary of British speedway.

Organiser Andy Scorey is promising "a fun day out for fans and followers of all speedway clubs" at the bash being held next to Sammy Miller's Motorcycle Museum from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, July 20.

Scorey said: "So far, six world champions have signed the helmet, Sam Ermolenko, Jason Crump, Michael Lee, Barry Briggs, Freddie Williams and Nicki Pedersen.

"Ken Middleditch and Norman Strachan have signed it and I'll be asking other heroes of the past.

"All the current Pirates have done it along with all the riders in Poole's Diamond Jubilee meeting field.

"The helmet has been very kindly donated by Max Richards, of Pegasus Speed Needs.

"We're going to raffle it off with tickets on sale on the day, and the winner will go home happy because it's a unique piece of speedway memorabilia."

Lymington-based Scorey, a regular at Poole, Isle of Wight and Weymouth, added: "We're looking to raise £1,000 for the Speedway Riders' Benevolent Fund, to help people like Garry Stead, so if we can all have a fun day and everyone can raise some money, it benefits everyone.

"We have over 50 former riders coming from all clubs, it won't just be old Poole and Southampton men. Everyone will recognise someone there.

"Ex-Saints Dick Bradley, Johnny Hole, Stuart Wallace, Bill Holden, Stan Stevens and Brian Crutcher have been invited, as well as other riders like Ken Middleditch, Norman Strachan, Jack Geran, Don Hardy, George White and Martin Ashby.

"I've located 15 of the surviving 20 Southampton riders and it'll be a chance for them to get together - a very nostalgic day.

"I'd be grateful to hear from those who I haven't already made contact with. They can contact me on 07900 897396.

"The Men in Black, Terry Stone's travelling troupe, will be appearing on bikes going back to 1928 and there will be autographed race jackets and leathers being auctioned off.

"There will also be video shows, memorabilia and old programme stalls, a little bit of something for everyone, with the whole emphasis on speedway.

"It's an open invitation for everyone to come along. It doesn't matter which team you support.

"We had almost 3,000 people in the Avenue Hall in Southampton in 1998 when we celebrated the 70th anniversary of Southampton speedway, so it would be great if we could get a similar number this time."