cityrebel

I was born and bred in south west London. When the local eateries start putting tables and chairs on the pavement you know things are changing. The vast majority of my meetings next season will be at Eastbourne, Kent and the IOW. My trips north of the river will be few and far between.

I know the place you mean. I bet the locals use that club on a regular basis, especially at weekends!

Wouldn't be the first time would it. Exeter, Romford and West Ham were three tracks that had houses surrounding their stadiums. For Romford it proved fatal, but the orher two ran for years without any problems. That was then but this is now. If Swindon do survive long term in the middle of a housing estate. It might give hope to future planning issues at other clubs.

Looking at those photos it's hard to see how speedway in Swindon can survive. Nothing stands in the way of the insatiable need for housing.

Most real Londoners have fled the nest, me included. I still work in the smoke, but i hate the place. Now Rye and Lakeside have gone, ill be there even less. Although i still travel in to watch the gooners, which is more pain than pleasure these days.

The way the sport is heading, most of the tracks will be down to Kent's level in a couple of years. If they survive that is.

Still growing Sid. My most recent addition was a 1973 Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago.

Scary track Steve. Narrow, fast with a concrete 'safety' wall. It frightened me as a spectator!

One man closed Romford speedway down Sid, and moved away soon after. The Bombers were pulling in 6,000 crowds to Brooklands at the time!

To be fair Sid, they probably purchased their houses thinking that the new stadium was going to be built some distance away, not in their back gardens.

The last time i saw Ronnie ride, was in a series of match races against Briggo at Wimbledon in 1974.

Too right he was. I only saw him on his return in 1969, but i grew up with tales from my parents on how good he was in his first spell with the Dons.

What about my man Ronnie Moore. Was Mirac good at the frying pan.

Gordon was brilliant at Wimbledon until he re signed for the Dons in 1984. He just couldn't get around the place, although he was far better there with Eastbourne in the NL era.

I had a look at New Cross with a couple of my mates in 1975. The stadium was in a pretty poor state at that stage, but very easy to gain access and have a look around. I've always regretted not having a camera with me that day, because i believe most of it was demolished soon after. I did something very similar with Manchester White City in the 1980's, but again no photographic evidence!

It's hard to be positive Barry when your local tracks fold. Lakeside, Rye House, Workington & Buxton are the latest casualties, with probably more to follow. I genuinely hope speedway survives these uncertain times. I've been a fan for 51 years, from boy to man, yet every year it gets harder to go. The venues get less and the options are harder. Fingers crossed for a successful season for all tracks, but it could be a bumpy ride.

P & P on old track or new, that is the question.

Too right they did. Knock the throttle off and coast around the bends!

A terminal state. I'd be suprised if all of the tracks that come to tapes survive the season.

I first went to Buxton when the speedway track was inside the stock car stadium. Tight and tricky would be a fair assessment!

Personally I've never bought speedway clothing. Attending the sport is something I'd rather not advertise!

1st week in july!!!

I seem to remember Jonn Louis having a titanic battle with Bruce Penhall at the 1979 BLRC at Hyde Road. The tiger was past his best, but a well deserved winner on the night.

Good luck with your efforts.

I would imagine it will be 'as you were,' like it has been since the last ever meeting at the Abbey all those years ago!.