THE second book recording the history of a sport with strong roots in Gloucestershire has been a labour of love for Dave Stallworthy.

Commentator Dave's 300-page book The Story of Grass-Track Racing 1966-1974, is an important historical reference on oval track racing.

Dave (pictured), who commentates at the annual historic British Bike Bonanza at Horsley, and many grasstrack and speedway meetings, produced the book as a follow-up to his first publication, which covered Grasstrack from 1950 to 1965.

The sport has a good following in and around Gloucestershire. Selwyn Perry, who ran a ran a motorcycle shop in Newent and manufactured Ansel machines features in Dave's book, as does his late brother Tig, who dominated the scene in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

He was the only rider to hold 250cc, 350cc and 500cc titles in the Western and Midland centres at the same time. His son David runs Antig Engineering in St James Street, Gloucester today and another firm, RTS also tunes and manufactures bikes in Eldersfield.

Tewkesbury's Gerald Short, a former British and European champion, also features strongly.

A particular treat for grasstrack aficionados is a shot of the late John Husband, from Gloucester, leading his great friend Malcolm Davis. Scrambles and trials star Davis ran Malcolm Davis Motorcycles in Barton Street, Gloucester, and enjoyed a one-off outing on a grass oval on one of Husband's machines. In the photograph, both bikes carry Husband's famous number 67 plate.

Husband died nearly seven years ago and Davis was tragically killed in a road accident during a trial almost 30 years ago.

Stroud's Adrian Moss, the man behind the British Bike Bonanza, also features.

"It is the largest ever book published on the sport, in fact 144 pages more than the previous book," said Dave, from Yate.

Dave is a fundraiser for Shortwood United FC in Nailsworth, Cotswold Riding for the Disabled and Gloucestershire MS Therapy Centre, where he is also a toastmaster.

"The book is dedicated to the memory of grass track historian John Ogden and famous Motorcycle News and Trials and Motocross News photographer Gordon Francis, who died in December 2008."

The front cover shows the great Peter Collins pictured by former MCN photographer John Hall. Collins was a legend at Belle Vue speedway and went on to win the world speedway title in 1976. Another former MCN photographer Mick Exton supplied photographs, with the late John Ogden and ACU Western Centre president Trevor Hunt also contributing.

The text is well supplemented with more than 100 photographs of riders including Lew Coffin, Chris Pusey, Brian Maxted, Andy Ross, the Baybutt brothers, the Perry brothers, John Britcher, and Julian Wigg.

It is available from Dave and cheques should be made payable to D Stallworthy and sent to D&H Promotions, 68 Glenfall, Yate, South Gloucestershire, BS37 4LY. The book is priced at £19.99 plus £1.99 p&p. For more information call 01454 321 694.