Mr Ore

Stoke v Peterborough Tony Boyle and Phil White had an incident on the back straight. Boyle walking across the centre green back to the pits when Brian Clark runs across it and kicks him in the cobblers with Tony going down like the proverbial sack of spuds.

If we are reminiscing my first visit to Rye House was during a student placement in Birmingham. I'd been looking forward to doing the trip to Rayleigh at the start of the 1974 season but when they closed and moved to Hoddesdon the match was rearranged for just before I returned to Uni. IIRC a Mr Brian Buck took my coach booking at the supporters' hut on 1st/2nd bend .

It was a sensible question Brian. Sorry to have drifted the thread towards Lakeside in responding. My last comment regarding the track still being there also referred to Lakeside. Would be good to have both back

It is only a mile and a half from Lakeside speedway so more applicable there. I always felt the Hammers could have looked at it (they may have and had reasons not to pursue) . It isn’t in Grays, but the former Thurrock (originally Purfleet) FC ground alongside the Best Western next to the M25 opposite the services at “Arena Essex”. So close. Grays have been nomadic for 14 years since their central ground in the town was sold for redevelopment. They currently play in Tilbury. The owner of Thurrock FC, the good guy in it all, was taken seriously ill and put the club up for sale but with no takers and unable to continue, it has been empty since 21st April 2018 when my own team lost there. I am a bit hazy on the actual ownership statuses now, but assume it is a car preparation plant, who now own the freehold as they have been trying to develop the site for around 5 years being denied as it is on green belt and dedicated for sports use. They needed to have a sports club to tie up with but even so, their type of industry was seen as incompatible with the green belt. I am sure a Wolves type speedway track could have been put inside the ground but not around the pitch, but again feel the car company would only have been interested if planning consent to develop their buildings was included. Being so close to junctions 30 and 31 of the M25 it should be a cash cow as a recovery centre for breakdowns and accidents there. Given it is, albeit with acoustic fencing alongside, next to the M25 I imagine the sound insulation at the hotel would have meant no noise issues for speedway. Again, there is land behind the far goal, where a Weymouth noughties style track could have been included but green belt issues and “owner” reluctance would not be in favour now that they have consent and have given Grays FC £500k to develop the existing ground, I would say no chance of any other tenants or development. A shame as the food there was among the best in the Isthmian League. A bigger shame that the “clubhouse” at the speedway has been demolished but the footprint of the tracks is still visible, so could still be in use.

I paid by card for the Tigers win there. Can't remember which, without checking, but I got either Avios or cashback on my bank account when my statement came through. Bonus.

Very pleased with the home win on my first 400 mile round trip of the season, but equally so to see Craig Cook shaking off his demons so effectively Great to see hugs from Steady and others positively encouraging him in the pits after the meeting. I only hope the planting of a sloppy smacker on his cheek, by Peter Shroek, doesn't ruin the good work. Craig appreciated the compliment though.

Second time I have booked a hotel in Plymouth over Easter only to have the speedway cancelled on me (Somerset match several years ago was the first) Disappointed as, in order to be free to attend I had to miss my own team's first two away meetings and it is unlikely I'll be able to get along again this year, owing to other prearranged commitments. That said with alleged knowledge of all the factors (will shy from saying excuses) leading to the postponements, any criticism would be that a far earlier decision could and should have been made.It could also have avoided all the conspiracy theories too. Now it has I look forward to watching Ivybridge v Dartmouth that evening instead as no sense in moaning and moping around, and allowing a few Devon belles to have the pleasure of my company later on. I still have the hotel room ladies. I wish Mark Phillips all the best, as he is clearly dedicated to the cause, but maybe a more empathetic approach to press releases should be looked into.

Southern based Dee Dah here, with Oxford my nearest track now. TBH the food in the grandstand at their first match was of quite appalling quality and value, and no Hendos, so we've taken to going to Posh Fish en route, 150 London Road, OX3 9ED. Not cheap, but no chippies are now, and no Yorkshire fish cakes but portions are really huge and quality excellent Maybe 2-3 miles from the track, near the old Oxford United ground in Headington, but you drive nearby when coming in off M40. Whatever enjoy and let's continue where we left off last year. COYTs.

Unsure if this is acceptable so MODS please remove if not. A friend of mine, who doesn't post on here, has just had major surgery and is unable to travel for several weeks. He has 2 tickets for each day at Inzell, 3rd bend, which he is now unable to use. Face value €140. He does not want payment but would like them to be used if possible. Anyone attending who has yet to buy stadium tickets, who could make use of them, please DM me with Email details, which I can pass to him to send the tickets (printable at home). As he says he would just like someone to get the benefit, so is happy to pass on at no charge, but a nominal donation to SRBF as a gesture, in exchange, would be appreciated.

Hundreds of non league football clubs in England and Wales already successfully use this type of stand. Always thought it would be great to have put a few on the starting straight at Buxton. Need a good foundation but many positives. Various sizes and sponsor opportunities, being a couple.

And mega thanks to the Witches fans who offered me their congratulations after the meeting, which were sincere and humble, in spite of their obvious disappointment. Being able to empathise with my own return trip being even longer gave a joint laugh. Top guys.

First saw him race in Remo dal Bosco's Memorial meeting at the Castiglione Olana track, near Milan and he looked quality, beating Paco's dad from behind who seemed intent on putting all rivals through the fence. He was racing at London Lions 2 nights before his GP debut and needed a lift to the airport early on the Friday. A local speedway celeb offered to put him up and get him to his flight but as I'd driven to Hackney that night we gave him the lift to his lodgings, via my local pub and curry house. Introducing him to the landlord we advised he'd be on the telly on the Saturday so all pub tellies set for the GP. As he lined up for his first race we told the landlord it was our friend from Thursday in red, so the whole bar was cheering Fonzi's victory. The publican was over the moon, telling people the winner was drinking there on Thursday. However he didn't appreciate the etiquette of speedway as he continued with every race telling punters to watch the guy in the red helmet who was there on the Thursday.

I go a couple of times a season, including past Crusaders matches and when an even lower level Crayford raced there, so am used to the facilities. I'll leave it to others to answer, as I may have a bias. However, during one of the grading intervals, I did a rough distant headcount, from my place on the back straight, and got to just over 300. Connor Bailey's win in heat 15 was the best race I've ever seen at the track and Ace Pijper was also unlucky throughout, actually trying to race; his heat 9 exclusion could have gone either way from what I saw but Tom Woolley is an honest guy , so I will accept there was contact. It seems the current promotion are trying to get things right. I was at a FA Cup tie 10 miles away on Saturday and it rained all day, including 3 torrential downpours, so I was surprised the meeting was on, let alone with a track needing regular watering, so well done to all linked to the promotion. Hope they succeed.

Hi. I hope the following link works for you. HALIFAX DUKES BADGES 1949-99 (greyhoundderby.com) If not do a search for Greyhound Derby.com and scroll down the home page to item 14 for British Speedway. Most if not all tracks are included. There are some gaps and unidentified years on some teams pages, but the one you are looking for is shown.

The groundsman at Tottenham is a big (probably huge) speedway fan. He checked in the early stages of the development whether the pitch could be lifted and base accommodate a speedway track. Sadly not, I believe owing to the structure of the base beneath the pitch, but we do have people in high places on our side. Similarly London Stadium/West Ham ownership gave a favourable response to initial enquiries. With the baseball and athletics contracts though I am unsure how speedway could be fitted in at this stage during the football close season. Never say never. When AFC Wimbledon asked for ideas for other uses of the stadium I don't think I was alone in suggesting speedway but never received a response. With complaints that other stadia could be too large this could be too small to justify expend though. I find the main problem with going to the London Stadium is that, when you go to a pub afterwards and they hear an English accent they immediately start talking Cockney and singing "Knees up Mavver Brarn" Being bananaphobic their offer to "'ave a banana" is quite insulting too.