Summerlee plays host to vintage speedway event

Coatbridge petrol heads of all ages got up close to a fantastic selection of classic bikes and riders at Summerlee’s recent vintage speedway extravaganza.

Hundreds of Monklands speedway fans relived their memories of the 60s and 70s, with a host of professional riders descending on the town.

Racing officiandos Bobby Beaton, Jimmy Culvert and Tom Blackwood, of the Glasgow Tigers and Edinburgh Monarchs, who raced at the Cliftonhill track, offered advice to today’s young bikers.

The community event, which was organised by ex- rider Tom and local enthusiast John Houston, saw bike fans coming from near and far for a chance to meet their sporting heroes.

John told the Advertiser: “It was a terrific event. Between four and five hundred people of all ages turned up on the day, with over a dozen professional riders, including two world champions.

“All day more and more people came long, even though we had to bring it inside due to the weather.”

Scottish speedway world champion Brian Collins, who achieved two international caps for his country at the Cliftonhill track and raced for both the Tigers and Monarchs during a career which spanned two decades, retold his racing tales.

Memorabilia from the sport was on display, and a film featuring classic Cliftonhill races was shown, with fans having the chance to meet Glasgow’s Tigers and Cyclones Cycles teams.

Kids recreated classic half-time tug-ofwar and old-school egg and spoon races, and youngsters from the Applebox film club were thrilled to meet their heroes, of both past and present.