The post-war era was British speedway’s golden age. Ten million spectators passed through the turnstiles of a record number of tracks at the sport’s peak. With league gates as high as 80,000, speedway offered a colourful means of escape from the grim austerity of the times.A determinedly clean image, with no betting and rival fans mingling on the terraces, made speedway the family night out of choice. The sport thrived despite punitive taxation and Government threats to close down the speedways as a threat to industrial productivity.A three-division National League stretched from Exeter to Edinburgh and the World Championship Final attracted a capacity audience to Wembley. Test matches against Australia provided yet another international dimension.Even at the height of its popularity, speedway was a sporting edifice built on unstable foundations, which crumbled alarmingly as the 1950s dawned and Britain’s economic and social recovery brought competing attractions like television.

A feast of motorsport nostalgia from North East of England of the most memorable motor sporting events and achievements of the last 100 years.

England and Halifax legend Eric Boocock is remembered by his legions of fans as being the tough-as-teak Tyke who put the Dukes well and truly on the map in the 1960s and 70s. In this book, 'Booey' recalls some of the highs and lows of his 40-year speedway career.

A tragic life story of the young Yorkshire speedway rider who defied several career-threatening injuries and personal family tragedy to become England's No 1 speedway rider in the early-80s. This book examines what led up to the shocking ending at Grey Horse Farm, including the views of those who knew the former England and Halifax captain best.