Cycle Speedway Teams Down the Ages
Suffolk: Leiston Aces(1970s)
About the team
This team was a completely new one that was formed in 1974, when the new track was built at the Leiston Town Athletic Association(LTAA) Sports Ground in Victory Road, Leiston.
The track was officially opened by John Louis of Ipswich Speedway on Sunday 4th April 1976. The opening was attended by more than 500 spectators. Dave Hunting, the close season signing from Grundisburgh and the reigning Suffolk Individual Champion, was introduced to the supporters, together with Kenny Jessup, Steve Potter, John Fisher, John Chiverton and Dave Lacey(all ex Grundisburgh riders).
Length of track: 70 yards. Width: 16ft straights/18ft bends.
Club Colours: Red/White/Black breast plates, with Red shirts & White socks.
A Team Emblem - Ace of Clubs prominent with three Aces. B Team Emblem - Ace of Clubs.
Club President: Mr Brian Finch.
Club Vice Presidents: Mr B. Cooper; Mr E. Nunn; Mr G. Silbert.
Club Chairman: Mr A.M. Cooper.
Club Chairman: Mr L. Hunter(1977).
Club Secretary: Mr Mike Leek(1976).
Club Secretary: Ray Newstead, 5 Urban Road, Leiston(1978).
Team Manager "A" Team: Tony Watling(1976-78).
Team Manager "B" Team: Eric Cracknell/Mr I. Goold(1976-78).
The Club closed down in 1986.
Individual Honours.
1976 Dave Hunting(20) won the East Anglian Veterans Final at Norwich, runner up was Clive Hurrell(19) and 3rd was Mike Parkins(17).
1976 Dave Hunting(20) won the Brian Finch Open Individual at Leiston.
Riders
- S. Adams
- Robert Adams
- John Anderson
- Steven Ayers
- Colin Baggott
- C. Barber
- Andrew Barker
- Dean Barker
- Derek "Punch" Barker
- Raymond Barker
- Pete Bolderstone
- Paul Booker
- Micky Bugg
- John Chiverton
- Paul Clarke
- Steven Cooper
- Malcolm Cordron
- Peter Coull
- Richard Coull
- Eric "The Shout" Cracknell
- Mark Cracknell
- Shane Cracknell
- Ian Davidson
- Kevin Donnerly
- Phil Dunnett
- Matthew Dye
- Simon Dye
- David Emeny
- Paul Emsden
- John Fisher
- Ricky Foreman
- Dean Freeman(capt)
- Lance Freeman
- Gary French
- Ricky French
- Kevin George
- Ian Gould
- Mark Gunton
- Dave Hunting(1976)
- Kenny Jessup(1976)
- Dave Lacey
- Kelvin Lambert
- Ian Leach
- B. Lee
- Dave Lee
- Paul "Kipper" Lee
- Kevin Leek
- Mike Leek
- Paul Levermoor
- Terry Linsell
- Steve O'Kane
- Nigel Marjoram
- Ray Olding
- Mike Patrick
- Trevor Pearce
- Steve Potter
- Bryan Quinton
- Stephen Ruffell
- Kevin Saunders
- David Sawer
- Tim Saxby
- Tim Snook(1977-78)
- A. Southorn
- R. Stephenson
- A. Stewart
- P. Taylor
- Robin Torkington
- I. Walker
- Tony "Skid" Watling
- John Whiting
- Mark Williams
- Trevor Williams
- Mike Woodcock
- D. Wright
- Gary Wright
1976 Dave Hunting making the club draw w...
1976 Dave Hunting with his wife Lucy, an...
1976 Aces. L/R: Tony Cooper-Eric Crackne...
1977 Aces. L/R: ?-Dean Freeman-Trevor Wi...
1977 Trevor Williams(front) and Tim Snoo...
1977 Tim Snook talks to Tim Saxby. Eric ...
1977. Tim Snook leads Kevin Saunders at ...
"Skid" Watling in luxury starting marsha...
1978 Team. L/R: Lennie Hunter(starter)-R...
1978 Aces. Standing L/R: Robin Torkingto...
1978 Aces. Back L/R: Eric Cracknell(man)...
1978 Robin Torkington leading - Mike Lee...
1978 Trevor Williams leads with Eric Cra...
1978 Trevor Williams leads the pack - Mi...
1978 Aces v Scorpians. Bikes on parade. ...
1978 Mick Turner refs match Leiston v Br...
1978 Aces v Scorpians. L/R: Mark Crackne...
1978 Robin Torkington chases a Scorpian.
1978 Leiston v Brandon - Riders at gate.
1978 Aces v Scorpians.
1978 Micky Bugg(aces) leads Andy Poulson...
1978 Leiston v Brandon.
1978 John Chiverton leads the two Scorpi...
1978 Aces v Scorpians.
1978 Dean Freeman chases a Scorpian.
1979 Suffolk Minors Final. L/R: Shane Fr...
Leiston Programme Cover.
Leiston Aces Programme Cover.
At Great Blakenham. Chris Askew & Max Ba...
At Great Blakenham.
At Great Blakenham. John Feaviour(GB). I...
At Great Blakenham. Max Bannister & Trev...
Fun Day at Leiston. Trevor Williams lead...
Fun Day at Leiston. Mark Cracknell outsi...
Fun Day at Leiston with Ray Olding on th...
Fun Day at Leiston. Skid Watling on the ...
Fun Day at Leiston. Ray Olding leads a n...
Ray Olding at Leiston.
Fun Day at Leiston. Note the large crowd...
Under Starters Orders at Leiston.
Leiston Individual. L/R: Andy Poulson-Mi...
Under Starters Orders on the grass. Eric...
Rearside view at Leiston!!