STOKE promoter Dave Tattum is looking forward to hosting the Buxton Hitmen and the Crewe Kings in the three-team tournament at Loomer road next Saturday (May 4th)

The Hitmen put their licence on ice for this year and withdrew from league action while the Crewe Kings have not raced in a full meeting since their closure at the old Crewe LMR Stadium in Earle Street, Crewe back in October 1975 an absence of 44 years, although they did run some development meetings (6 heats) at Buxton’s Hi-Edge raceway a few years back.
Potters promoter Dave Tattum commented “Crewe was the first track I watched speedway at and the track was 470 yards (430 metres) and it was extremely quick. The Kings had a great track advantage on their home circuit but regardless it was awesome to watch and see how quick they were especially as you were so close to the track.”

Crewe swept all before them in 1972 doing the league and cup double with Phil Crump also winning the individual league riders’ championship. The Kings were a hotbed for young talent bringing through the likes of Crump, John Jackson, Dave Morton, Chris Turner and Les Collins who joined the Potters after the Kings closure.

Tattum said “Crewe had some great riders they developed and the Kings and Stoke had some great meetings when the Potters opened at Loomer road in 1973 after having a ten-year absence from racing. I know our press officer Derek Turner first saw racing at Crewe also so there are a lot of connections with people that watched both clubs in action as they have done with Buxton recently. It is also a significant year from Crewe this year also with it being the 50th anniversary for the Kings as they opened in 1969 and they still have a very active supporters club and I’m sure they will be looking forward to seeing a Crewe Kings side back on track after a long absence from the sport and I myself am looking forward to seeing them back on track also along with Buxton who very sadly withdrew from league action this year which is very sad and hopefully they will be back in the future. The Hitmen themselves have also produced some very good riders in Jon Armstrong, James Wright, Charles Wright and Great Britain international Craig Cook and have won some honours themselves over the years and is a great tight little circuit which riders learned a lot from.”