DAVE LANNING R.I.P.

POOLE SPEEDWAY is saddened to learn of the death of Dave Lanning, known affectionately as the original 'Voice of Speedway'.

The former writer, TV darts and speedway commentator passed away at the age of 78 after a short illness.

Lanning commentated on the first ever nine-dart TV 501 by John Lowe in 1984 and covered 50 successive speedway world finals for ITV.

Dave attended the first meeting at Poole Speedway in 1948 and was presenter at Wimborne Road in the late fifties and also in 1979.

He enjoyed plenty of speedway success whilst promoting at West Ham, Eastbourne and Reading.

On learning the news of his death Poole promoter Matt Ford said "This is a very sad day. I had never met Dave until I took over the club here at Poole Speedway but knew him instantly just by his voice because of all the commentating he had done on the sport. He has always been extremely supportive of Poole in particular and the sport as a whole. I think speedway should reflect on the great legacy that he has left the sport."

He is survived by wife Leona, his three children and seven grandchildren, to whom the Poole Speedway management send their wholehearted condolences.