Hethersett Hawks Cycle Speedway Club
Cycle-Speedway originated in Hethersett after the Second World War with tracks off the Wong Loke (used to be opposite what is now Lingate Close off New Road) and the Parish Pit. The "Hornets" then were very successful but faded away in the 1950s. The "Hawks" built their own track at the Memorial Playing Field in 1966 and have been there since with 2000 being the most successful season in their history.
Not only has the Club an abundance of junior riders groomed at the Club's unique Tuesday Club Night throughout the summer, but also the Club now possesses some strong Senior riders and even more emerging stars. Phil Howells joined the Club in 2000 after years at Spixworth and a year out. He moved to the village and decided to join his local team. His ability was always known locally but he finally emerged onto the national scene when he captured the coveted British Senior title in August.
He was well supported by Dave Martin, who himself raced in the British Final, and, when home from university, Club Captain Dave Perkins who also acts as Club trainer. 2000 also saw some notable comebacks with the irrepressible Trevor Bunn demonstrating his fast and furious style again and Nick Bedson transferring back to the Club after a spell at Norwich. His performance in Under-19 events in 2000, including a win in the British Junior League Grand Prix series, has earned him the chance to represent Great Britain and England at Youth level in Australia in February 2001.
Of the youngsters, Nick Myhill is a name of the future. Nick also won the British Junior League Grand Prix Series - at U13 level - and was third in the British Championships after taking the Norfolk title. Myhill, Bedson and Dave Alexander won the local Grand Prix Series; the first year all three had been won by Hawks.
Teamwise, with the support of sponsor Kerley Services and Kiddell Transport, the Club has competed at regional and national level. By winning the regional British junior League they went on to finish third in the National Rounds held in Suffolk, Wolverhampton and Exeter. The senior Sunday side won South-East League Division 2 and will be going up a grade to Division 1 in 2001.
Top scorer in Senior racing in 2000 was 16-year-old Leigh Cossey who was also elected sportsman of the year by his colleagues. Best newcomer was Jazz Abbott, most-improved junior Jon Kerley and Club Man of the year Phil Howells.
Some improved temporary floodlighting will be installed in 2001 and the Club looks set to have its busiest year ever and will call heavily on support from key parents Cossey, Kiddell, Myhill and Veness once again as well as the steadying hand of long-serving committee members John Nelson and Mel Perkins.
Contributed by Mel Perkins (Secretary 1966-2001)
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The Successful Junior Hawks Cycle Speedway Team After Winning The Regional Title In The British Junior League 2000
Back: Mike Kiddell, Nick Bedson, Leigh Cossey, Dave Alexander
Middle: Jazz Abbott Marc Veness, Nick Howlett
Front: Josh Ferret, Connor Deegan, Jon Kerley, Nick Myhill