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Stars on Track at Redcar
5th June 2008 By Bob Ferry
On the 29th May 2008, the distinctive red and white race jackets of Sunderland Stars were seen on track once again. Redcar Speedway were kind enough to host a second half junior match between Tees Valley Tigers and Sunderland Stars. Representing the Stars were Steven Jones, James McBain, Jade Mudgway and Peter Johnson (son of former Sunderland rider Brian Johnson) In a keenly contested match the "Stars" ran out winners by 16pts to 14pts. Once again Paul Mcllveny provided the Sunderland race jackets, and the win was just the boost that Paul needed before he entered hospital. (Ian, Molly and myself would like to wish Paul all the very best during his stay in hospital, and that the operation is a sucess. We hope he is soon fit and well again).
Former Sunderland rider Brian Havelock.looked after the team on this occasion, and once again we say a big thankyou to Redcar Speedway for the opportunity to fly the red and white body colours....and the big flag!
Tees Valley Tigers
1 Martin Emmerson 1,3,0 = 4
2 Joni Keskinen 3,1,3 = 7
3 Guy Kendrew 0,0 = 0
4 Jitendra Duffill 1,2 = 3
Sunderland Stars
1 Steven Jones 2,3,1* = 6 + 1
2 James McBain 0,1 = 1
3 Jade Mudgway 3,2,2 = 7
4 Peter Johnson 2*,0 = 2 +1
Heat 1: Keskinen,Jones,Emmerson,McBain 4-2 time 56.7
Heat 2: Mudgway,Johnson,Duffill,Kendrew 1-5 5-7 time 58.9
Heat 3: Emmerson,Mudgway,Keskinen,Johnson 4-2 9-9 time 57.9
Heat 4: Jones,Duffill,McBain,Kendrew 2-4 11-13 time 59.0
Heat 5: Keskinen,Mudgway,Jones,Emmerson 3-3 14-16 time 58.7
Final Score: Tees Valley Tigers 14 Sunderland Stars 16
Since closure in 1974, The "Stars" record reads.....won 2, drew 1, lost 1, (by a single point). So a peice of trivia for you....the "Stars" have lost by just a single point in four matches.
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Stars take to the track again!
19th May 2008 By Bob Ferry
Sunderland Stars are to take to the track again. They have been invited to Redcar Speedway on the 29th May, for a second half event at junior level. Once again Paul Mclvenny will be providing the Sunderland race jackets, the ones won in 1971-2, (which in our opinion was the best designed jacket).
We are very grateful to Redcar Speedway for giving us the chance to show our colours on the race track once more. It is hoped that at some time in the future we may be given the chance to race a full 15 heat meeting like the one held at Berwick a few years ago.
Long Eaton Reunion
Former “Stars” rider Pete Wrathall is helping to organise the planned reunion at Long Eaton. It will be held on 14th June at the Bridge Inn, Longmoor Lane, Long Eaton.
Among those attending will hopefully be Ray Wilson, Clive Hitch, Geoff Bouchard and Clive Hitch. A buffet will be provided and a raffle held, and of course there will be lots of memorabilia. So riders and fans alike should be in for a great evening, starting at 7-30 pm. Anyone interested in attending should contact Pete Wrathall on 01332 872187 or mob.07970419170.
In Bandit Country ~ September 2006
Once again the “Stars” take to the track, this time at Berwick. And again it is thanks to Paul Mcllveney, and Peter Waite for holding a full 15 heat meeting at Sheilfield Park. Berwick Bandits and Sunderland Stars…….wow! that takes you back down memory lane!
“We wus robbed” was the feeling at the end of a thriller of a meeting. We lost the Tweed- Wear Trophy by a single point, 47-46. The Stars were managed by former Sunderland no.1 and captain, Russ Dent. Once again it was a ding dong battle all the way. With two heats remaining, we were winning 34-44. Surely it’s in the bag, a win at last. But the Bandits used the double points rule as they pulled a “tactical” in heat 14, alarm bells started to ring. When our top rider fell in heat 15 I could not believe that we had lost the meeting by a single point…..47-46. Heartbreak for the “Stars”
But we enjoyed it, we waved our flag, exchanged “verbals” with Dick Barrie, all in good fun...Dick came up to see us in the stand at the end of the meeting, we thought he was coming to play hell with us for giving him a hard time. Instead he thanked us for a very entertaining evening…….”Come back again, and bring your flag with you.
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Stars on Tour ~ June 2006
When Pete and Chris Wigley decided to make the long journey from their home in Bognor Regis with their caravan to go camping in Northumberland, Pete and June Wrathall decided to join them. Pete hitched up his caravan to sample the outdoor life.
Myself (Bob) and Molly in our wisdom bought a tent to join them. Now at 60 plus years of age you would think that we would know better! (We last went camping about 25 –30 years ago)
Blessed with good weather we were joined by Russ and Pauline Dent along with Ian Martin. It was an eventful get-together, and we took in a visit Berwick Speedway.. Wiggo even sampled the delights of “Craster kippers”. The booze flowed freely and we sampled one of Pete Wigley’s famous barbecues. Good company and good weather, what more could you want!
I seem to remember falling through the tent door one night, got all tangled up in the camp bed which collapsed, and Molly rolling around laughing. I must have had one two many, one or two or three….hic.
The “Stars” win a Trophy
In 2004 Sunderland were invited to contest a three team tournament at Weymouth, (part of the Vic Harding Memorial meeting) The teams were Weymouth, Hackney and Sunderland.. Once again Paul Mc supplied the Sunderland race jackets.
Sunderland’s luck seemed right out when their top two riders (Karlis Ezergailis and Chris Ferguson) both fell in their last races, it seemed our chances of winning were lost. We ended the meeting level on points with Hackney, 25 points apiece with Weymouth third on 20 points……….damn it! ……so near yet so far. Imagine my surprise when Paul Tadman, the organiser, tapped me on the shoulder after the meeting……..here, he said as he thrust the Trophy into my hands. We want you to have to have the Trophy, as Sunderland have the most race wins.
The long journey down to Weymouth made by Bob and Molly, Tommy and Jean Rowe, seemed well worth the effort. Along with the big Sunderland Stars flag which we waved like mad. So it is many thanks to Paul Mcllveny for the use of his race jackets, and to Tommy Rowe for taking us down to Weymouth in his car.
Back on Track !
For the first time in 29 years, Sunderland’s red and white race jackets were seen in action once again (31 year strictly speaking, for that particular jacket design). Thanks to the efforts of Paul Mcllveny and the Newcastle Diamonds, a junior meeting took place on the 20th October 2003. The Tyne-Wear Trophy was contested between the Newcastle Gems and the Sunderland Stars. The result was a draw, 21 points apiece. The match was close fought, and what a thrill it was to see John Branney carry the colours home to win heat two…..and what a cheer he got from Sunderland fans at Brough Park that night.
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