mikael

Amazing pictures. look at the crowds all around the stadium too. Must have been about 4 or 5,000 people there. Great site. Thanks for the 1968-72 memories.

Although I lived in Canterbury, going to Hyde Road remains one of the most memorable experiences. Being pre-silencers in 1969, the noise was something you'd never forget. It was like a roar and the wooden stands just made it more intense and were lots of people who gave the visitor the impression they were immersed in the sport. Plus there was this extra aura about the place knowing about its history and Peter Craven. It should have been given a preservation order, not demolished. I'd also say Waterden Road, but after Graham Miles' accident, it never felt the same to me. But the general quality of the racing and the whole vibe of Friday at 8 and Len Silver did make it pretty special. London without top League speedway is just ridiculous. Isn't Haringey still in existence? Shame Canterbury never went into the top league because the fans really loved their speedway every Saturday night. The racing was really good and after the 1970 Championship win there just seemed a momentum towards the top division.It was cultural vandalism to allow it to close on the say-so of a few zealots and frankly, like so many similar provincial towns, the loss of the speedway left a big void for all -the- family entertainment that''s never been replaced. One I missed and always regretted, was Exeter-Ivan Mauger must have been quite a sight on the banking. and yes, under the modern system, Ivan, Fundin and Briggo would have been even more dominant.