Action hero who put a smile on the face of Workington speedway
Last updated 12:38, Wednesday, 26 November 2008
In his heyday Carl Stonehewer enjoyed the kind of adulation normally reserved for members of boy bands.
Teenage girls, children and even grandmas adored the Workington Comets star rider and captain, whose charisma, good looks and sex appeal meant his popularity went way beyond the speedway track.
Grown men loved him too for his incredible bravery and his skill which made him the top points scorer in the history of the club.
It takes guts normally associated with jump-jockeys and boxers to ride a bike without brakes round a track at 80mph.
Stoney showed more courage than most as he returned from two injuries which would have ended the careers of lesser mortals.
In 2005 he suffered major tyre burns in a horrific crash at Derwent Park and then two years later broke a bone in his back in another crash.
He’ll also be remembered as the man who was Premier League Riders’ champion, becoming the first Premier League rider to qualify for the Grand Prix series and for being ranked the 12th best rider in the world.
Stoney had it all and he thoroughly deserved all the success, affection and trophies that came his way.
I’ve interviewed him twice and he was one of the nicest and most genuine sportsmen I’ve ever met.
There was no edge to him, he was refreshingly devoid of ego and was happy to answer any question openly, thoughtfully and with that disarming cheeky-chappy smile.
You couldn’t fail but warm to his down-to-earth manner and I can vividly remember the first time I interviewed him over lunch in a packed pub on the outskirts Workington.
It was back in 2000, the year after speedway was reborn in the town, the crowds were flocking back and Stoney-mania was in full flow.
We were constantly interrupted by a stream of youngsters desperate for his autograph and their parents who just wanted to shake his hand.
By the end of the interview, the carpet leading to our table was just about threadbare and yet Stoney was so good-natured about it, he never grumbled once – nor did he let the attention go to his head. He knew it came with the territory of being Comets’ star recruit and he recalled how as a youngster he’d loved the chance to meet his own idols in the sport.
Maybe he also knew that he had to make the most of his time in speedway because one day it would end.
That time came over the weekend when Workington Comets brought an end to his decade-long association with the club.
It’s left fans in shock and some are angry at how this legendary rider been suddenly and dramatically ditched by the club.
Stonehewer has pledged to continue riding and, while no doubt Comets will continue without him, his absence leaves them and Cumbrian sport in general a much poorer place.
