A page for small items & news about ASRA members welfare, happenings and requests.
Sorry, not for Buying & Selling Items.
Contact Bill Powell or John Walker for small news items and member welfare reports..
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Dave Gifford, a New Zealand and International Solo rider in the 1960s etc has created his own Facebook page for New Zealand Speedway content - please have a look and maybe add some NZ history etc.
it is "The Speed and The Glory" https://www.facebook.com/groups/588419760174848/
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Congratulations John.
At the ASRA Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 23rd November 2024
at Sandringham NSW it was endorsed unopposed the appointment of John Titman as ASRA Patron.
Please find below the initial nomination request.
Dear Committee and Fellow ASRA Members.
With the recent sad passing of our beloved ASRA Patron Trevor Harding,
it is now the solemn time to appoint an ASRA Member as Patron.
I hereby am nominating and proposing John Titman to fill that prestigious role.
I feel John is the worthiest recipient for this position.
John is one of Australia's and Queensland's greatest ever international speedway riders.
He competed in the British Top League from 1972 until1984.
He has won the Queensland State Solo Title seven times, and in 1977 was crowned
Australian Solo Champion. John captained Australia in numerous International Test Matches.
In 1978 and 1979 was a World Solo Finalist. In 1983 - 1984 he was a World Long Track Finalist.
John was the first Australian to ever qualify for the World Long Track Finals.
On a local note, he was the winner of the Ambassador for Tourism in Qld Award, for his services
to the sport on the global stage.
In 2022 he was inducted into the Australian Speedway Hall of Fame.
John has experienced an incredible speedway career.
He may have retired from racing many years ago but has continued to be involved in the speedway movement. John today continues to coach and advise Junior riders. Regularly attending Queensland speedway meetings and show days. He has been a sincere loyal member of the ASRA for years, during which time he has assisted the club in every possible way.
John was a regular attendee at the Annual Reunion Dinners, always providing framed speedway portraits for sale or auction, to assist with ASRA finances. John attended last year's Maitland Centenary of Speedway, once again donating items for auction.
His generosity has always been spontaneous.
John's commitment and motivation to the Vintage/Classic and
modern speedway scene deserves the highest of accolades.
Thanking you.
Bill Powell - ASRA
Welfare Officer.
Our New Patron - Mr. John Titman
Dear ASRA Members and Friends
The ASRA has received the following news from Kevin's beloved wife Chris that Kevin is currently in a Care Facility due to declining health.
Details are: John Wesley Gardens
Residential Care
19 Halsmere St
Geebung Queensland 4034
Reception Telephone: 1800 448 448
Kevin would appreciate visitors and correspondence from his many friends and supporters. Unfortunately, at this time telephone contact is unavailable.
The lovely and memorable photo ( left ) is of gentleman Kevin and his beautiful Middlesborough (UK) born wife Chris in England March 1965.
Our thoughts and best wishes are with Chris and family at this time.
Kind Thoughts
Bill Powell
ASRA
Welfare Officer.
TRIBUTE TO CHUM TAYLOR
By BILL POWELL
It is with deep sadness and regret that I have to inform you of the passing of former ASRA President and Life Member Edwin Vernon "Chum" Taylor.
Chum aged 98, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning 19th April 2025 at Juniper Ella Williams Residential Aged Care facility. Noranda WA following a long illness.
Chum was a long-time member of the VSRA/ASRA serving as President in 2004/05.
He was a true gentleman, a regular attendee at our annual Reunion dinners and was always keen and passionate towards our Association, which he eagerly supported.
Chum was a fan favourite.
On the track he was known for his daring rides from the back mark in handicap events at Claremount Speedway in Perth WA. At times he raced off the 240-yards handicap mark in an
8-bike field. The racing was high energy, brave racing. He was one of the greatest solo racers in WA's history. A fine racer who asked or gave no quarter.
The Western Australian solo legend and former Australian Champion Edwin Vernon "Chum" Taylor, survived a 25-year racing career in Australia and overseas. His name has gone into the record books as one of the greatest Australian speedway riders of all time.
Chum began his speedway racing career at Perth's Claremont Speedway during the 1948/49 season astride a Rudge machine. He later went on to international success, when in 1960 he represented Australia in the World Final at England's Wembley Stadium.
Another of Chum's remarkable achievements was claiming the 1965/66 Australian Solo Championship crown at Rowley Park Speedway South Australia.
Chum retired from racing at 46 years of age in 1973. In his retirement years Chum became an advocate for senior citizens' rights and care - fighting for a better deal for pensioners.
His determination and hard work in this field placed him in high esteem within the WA Community.
He became well respected both at a local and national level amongst all of the political parties.
He has been paid many tributes for his input and participation in speedway and motorcycling in Australia, some of those being:-
In November 2013 he was inducted into Motorcycling WA Hall of Fame.
In June 2023 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the
King's Birthday Honours list. The citation was for his service to motor sport in recognition of
Chum's brilliant speedway career.
In June 2024 he was inducted into Speedway Australia Hall of Fame in
Melbourne. Unable to travel because of ill health the Late Trevor Harding received the award on Chum's behalf.
The Chum Taylor Cup is contested annually in his honour at the Pinjar Park Speedway
outside of Perth.
On a personal note, I feel both lucky and honoured that I knew Chum as well as I did.
Chum stayed with me at my residence in the lead up and following days around the ASRA annual dinner periods. Those days were spent catching up with fellow members and/or enjoying good socialising. This is where I learnt so much of Chum's high personal standards of honesty and integrity in everything he did. I have many happy thoughts and memories of Chum, and they are
ones that will stay with me forever.
I received a text from Chum's long time good friend Con Migro that I feel sums up Chum's life.
"That Chum lived a Dangerous Life but well lived." A Dangerous Life refers to the title of the book about Chum’s life written and published in 1986 by Geoffrey Miller QC.
A good kind and wonderful friend to us all who will be sorely missed.
Deepest sympathy is extended to Chum's family and many friends at this sad time. With heart felt gratitude and appreciation, I especially thank Chum's granddaughter Melanie, for her constant care and support of Chum during his period of illness and for her regular news updates to the ASRA regarding Chum.
RIP CHUM
Kind thoughts
Bill Powell
ASRA Welfare Officer
.
The Funeral Service for the Late Chum Taylor will be held on
Wednesday 14th May 2025 at 2 pm (WA time).
The location is Karrakatta Cemetery.
Railway Road
Karrakatta W.A. 6010
Please Note: The Service will be "Live Streamed".
To view, visit the Website of Purslowe & Chipper Funerals.
Click on "Upcoming Funerals", then "search" and type in Edwin Taylor.
Kind thoughts
Bill Powell
ASRA
Welfare Officer.
