Post by Administrator on Sept 3, 2009 20:30:27 GMT
PRESS RELEASE
Friends of Speedway are pleased to announce the fourth California-in-England Speedway Reunion on 11th October 2009.
The full address is: California Country Park , Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham , RG40 4HT . This is situated on the B3430 coming from the A322 junction 3 off the M3. There is a large sign at the entrance to the park and car park; then there is a short walk to the display area which will include a selection of machines covering 80 years of speedway.
If you have any memorabilia/memories please make your self known to any of the three researchers bearing their name badges. We are still searching for any cine film not only of the racing, but of the park in general that could be loaned to be copied.
Also on display will be speedway photographs and team body colours including a reproduction California Poppies one. As an added interest we intend to have a display of riding apparel from the early days up to the present time.
Here you will be able to talk with riders (please see their name badges) from the 1950’s California Poppies team. You are invited to ask questions at any time and all officials will be sporting their name badges.
Machines will be started at various times during the day; you will smell the intoxicating aroma of Castrol R and Methanol to bring back memories of those earlier un-silenced days of speedway.
Part of the presentation will be a guided walk around the park where you can see the original children’s paddling pool from the holiday camp days which has been cleared by Friends of Speedway personnel and part of the railway track that took clay up to the brickworks which is how the lake was formed. You will be able to stand on the concrete start/finish line with marked out starting boxes; for those interested you can walk the racing line (stout footwear recommended) as it is very overgrown.
The park offers a wealth of historic interest in itself, plus a cafeteria with toilets including one for the disabled. As part of our ongoing development of the reunion the café has agreed to operate a BBQ in order to cut down queues for food and to give more variety too.
The display will be open between 11am ‘till 4pm.
For further information please call Stuart Towner on 0208-397 6599 or stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk