howling gorgon Posted July 9, 2004 Report Share Posted July 9, 2004 (edited) All of those good points didn't stop it from closing did it Gorgon? (no dis-respect Bradford fans) As far as Wolves trick track is concerned, well what it means is that you have to use your brains and throttle control instead of just keeping the throttle on 'open'. Something for the more intelligent supporter to appreciate I think. which is why you don't! Anyway how would any Coventry fan be able to recognise good racing. If you've never seen it you wouldn't know what it was! Whats up can't you manage to write Howling? You seem to have a very high opinion of your own intelligence, can't think why, for a start you support the dogheads, how bright is that? Bradford closed I believe after being stitched up by the Council/Bulls RL club, so I don't really see your point, (perhaps its beyond me ) The Kennel is & always has been a trick track, I have been many times & have yet to see what I would class as a good meeting. As for Coventry, well I have seen the track shape alter over the years & certainly now you generally get good even close racing (2004 being the exception, but thats more to do with the team). As for bias, well I will hold my hands up Cov is my team, I have been going since 1977 & as far as I am concerned it is THE speedway stadium, just my opinion mind, as previously posted CH was also a favourite & they were the team to beat from our point of view, in fact it was not until they closed, (which is a tragedy) that you lot really got considered as semi serious opposition for us & now we have to make do with you lot, it just is not the same By the way what exactly would you know about brains & throttle control then? Edited July 9, 2004 by howling gorgon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireblade Posted July 10, 2004 Report Share Posted July 10, 2004 I used to film every week at both Odsal and Monmore Green. Both were great tracks, good promotions and meetings at Odsal between the two were often tight. In 1989 the Wolves visit included two of the best races I have ever seen at Bradford between Pfetzing and Ermolenko. As for Havelock not being able to ride anywhere else, ??????? In those days he could ride anywhere. He is one of the best captains I have seen at any club. On balance I would have to say that I preferred Odsal, especially the Northern Trophy matches with Sheffield and Belle Vue. Although the Dudley Wolves trophy was always a good meeting. BTW could any Wolves fans who know Stuart Sargeant pass on my regards, he did the pit interviews when I worked there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beowulf Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 As for bias, well I will hold my hands up Cov is my team, I have been going since 1977 & as far as I am concerned it is THE speedway stadium, just my opinion mind, as previously posted CH was also a favourite & they were the team to beat from our point of view, in fact it was not until they closed, (which is a tragedy) that you lot really got considered as semi serious opposition for us & now we have to make do with you lot, it just is not the same By the way what exactly would you know about brains & throttle control then? I rather think that you've got that the wrong way around, but you're not even semi serious opposition for us. Since Cradley closed we have won the League twice as well as the KO Cup, whilst you have won precisely nothing! Oh and I think we have a chnce this year as well! As for brains, I was referring to the discerning crowd at Monmore who appreciate the fine racing they witness every week. However, as you asked, I do hold a degree. To further press the point about the locals, the University of Wolverhampton is the 5th largest in the country Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceadon Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 Park Road, Barrow & London Road, Crayford. Who said White City and that Wimbledon was a gaters paradise ? Did that person ever go to White City and see the racing ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 Canterbury --------- It was Home on a Saturday Hackney ------------ It was Home on a Friday Rye House ---------- It was HOme on a Sunday Mildenhall Best Onions Rings in the country! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 Coventry and Coventry Stadium of course since my first meeting there in 1960. Others I enjoyed for one reason or another. Leicester Wembley Hackney Halifax and Exeter those banked bends The old Belle Vue (Hyde Rd) Cradley but only for the pork sandwiches Peterborough Kings Lynn But hell there were a lot of others I enjoyed visiting for one reason or another and a few of what I would call trick tracks like Rye House, Bristol (Great crowds) There is a few I didn't like as well the old Somerton Park, The last Milton Keynes track, The Boulevard. OK That'll do for now. Quibell Park was something else as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerblade Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 The Yorkshire tracks have to be some of the best. Old and new alike? Maybe I'm biased but I agree Obviously in my opinion Sheffield is great - people say what about all the wins etc. but any Tigers fan will tell you that we have to work for them! Halifax was the first away track I ever went to, loved the banked bends. I also like Berwick (Shielfield) and Exeter for this reason. This is probably the "old fart" part of me typing, but most of the tracks today seem small, I think that's why riders seem to struggle with Sheffield, when I began watching we were just one of many big tracks. I also liked Leicester the couple of times I went there, and although it wasn't always great racing I always enjoyed going to Shawfield for some reason. Despite my rant about little tracks, I also enjoyed the fast racing at Ashfield on my one trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robyn1972 Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 Did you ever make it down to Hackney Tigerblade? Perhaps I'll make Sheffield one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 Workington (when prepared well). St. Austell / Trelawny was something else. Coventry Swindon Oxford used to be decent too when I was last there in '02 but I've heard it ain't as good now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scooterwolf Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 Think there needs some distinction between track as in racing track and track as in facilities viewing etc. Without doubt Long Eaton was the best reacing track. So many lines loads of passing. Anyone who saw the 1996 cup final first leg Wolves against Peterborough there would agree. Very poor facilities though. Wimbledon probably had the best facilities but never really saw a great meeting there. As for atmosphere and an all round experience. The noise under the big wooden stands at BelleVue Hyde Road was fab. Even if it was still there today those big wooden stands would have been unusable following the Bradford City fire. Shame but oh what memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boywonder Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 Who said White City and that Wimbledon was a gaters paradise ? Did that person ever go to White City and see the racing ? Er, I did. And yes I've been almost everywhere except Workington and Teeside (which I saw from the flyover a few times but never visited) And the Intercontinental Final of 1977 was one of Peter Collins' finest hours, coming from the back in almost every race as I remember. A magic meeting which is sentimental for me as it was the last event my dad took me to before he died. I think Penhall debuted and got 2pts?? I went to both White City and the old Wimbledon but always thought Plough Lane was a special place but good for gaters- ie Ian Gledhill's NLRC win in 1979. I think the same of Coventry too so what do I know?? Hackney was miles better and my dad really rated Custom House as he called it. The only people I saw regularly come from the back at Plough Lane were Dave Pierce, Barry Lee and George Polley. That WAS racing but you might not know what I'm talking about..... Honorable mentions also to Peterborough, Canterbury, the old Weymouth and Berrington Lough to add to my earlier post...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 A part from my own track Sheffield I thought Belle Vue's old track at Hyde Park was brill. I remember John Louis beating Bruce Penhall for the BLRC, and taking him from the back , pure class from Tiger Louis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceadon Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 I went to White City in 1982 & 1983 and the meetings were abysmal. The low point had to be the Embassy Open in 1982 when Dennis Sigalos produced the one pass of the meeting to win £5,000. I'll admit I am biased but I saw everyone come from the back at Wimbledon (everyone that could, that is). The masters were Gordon Kennett, Malcolm Simmons & Roger Johns (in both leagues). If you never went to Park Road, Barrow, you never saw a speedway stadium. Go from Wimbledon to that place, yet the meeting against Exeter held in 1985 is my all time favourite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 Who said White City and that Wimbledon was a gaters paradise ? Did that person ever go to White City and see the racing ? Er, I did. And yes I've been almost everywhere except Workington and Teeside (which I saw from the flyover a few times but never visited) And the Intercontinental Final of 1977 was one of Peter Collins' finest hours, coming from the back in almost every race as I remember. A magic meeting which is sentimental for me as it was the last event my dad took me to before he died. I think Penhall debuted and got 2pts?? I went to both White City and the old Wimbledon but always thought Plough Lane was a special place but good for gaters- ie Ian Gledhill's NLRC win in 1979. I think the same of Coventry too so what do I know?? Hackney was miles better and my dad really rated Custom House as he called it. The only people I saw regularly come from the back at Plough Lane were Dave Pierce, Barry Lee and George Polley. That WAS racing but you might not know what I'm talking about..... Honorable mentions also to Peterborough, Canterbury, the old Weymouth and Berrington Lough to add to my earlier post...... Yeah I remember watching Penhall on telly and scoring 2 points, I remmember him being pants, and wondering what all the fuss was whwn he signed for Cradley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceadon Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 We're going to disagree a bit more here because I never really liked Canterbury or Peterborough. Hackney was good for racing but I first started going not long after Vic Harding had been killed and Steve Weatherley crippled, and not long before Denny Pyeatt was killed. It always put me off although I did see some superb meetings there, especially if Barry Thomas was riding. For racing Hyde Road was hard to beat, along with Swindon and I thoroughly enjoyed the only meetings I saw at Stoke & Newcastle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerblade Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 Yeah I remember watching Penhall on telly and scoring 2 points, I remember him being pants, and wondering what all the fuss was when he signed for Cradley. No doubt then you also remember that Doug Wyer recommended him to Sheffield, and our then promotion held talks with him but decided against it...... Robyn - unfortunately never got to Hackney, which I now regret very much indeed. I am going off the subject a bit here, but did many people ever get to Skegness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrizHeathen Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 (edited) Its the same old story, almost every track has produced great racing at one time or another, personally I've seen some superb races/meetings at both White City and the old Wimbledon. Although I've seen some not so good ones, more so at White City. Even the legendary racers tracks like Hyde Road were poor at times. The question I've got to ask is; Is it best to have a poor meeting on a large track where the riders are spread miles apart or a small track? If the surface is crap I'd go for a small track. Edited July 20, 2004 by BrizHeathen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boywonder Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 Yes, each to their own really. Hopefully people have fond memories of all tracks. Speedway anywhere possible had got to be good and I don't have time for slagging off near neighbours that goes on so much on this forum. Where you're from isn't anyone's fault and they aren't any well less endowed if you don't approve of the shape of their track. I always thought I was really lucky to have a speedway track near to where I lived in any event!! Yes I'd have liked the straights 20yds longer and the 3rd bend sorted out (I'm talking old Mildenhall) but I wasn't a millionaire who could buy the stadium and change it! If I win big money on the lottery I probably would do so, let local kids in for free and put on free buses to get them there. I learnt from enjoyable away jaunts that the most spectacular racing was on 400yd type tracks usually on old athletics tracks (Scunthorpe- Quibell Pk anyone?) and I most envied those who had GRA stadiums with flower beds for the riders to run over in the middle for the facilities and "ambience". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mildenhall fan Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 MILDENHALL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beowulf Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 Park Road, Barrow & London Road, Crayford. Who said White City and that Wimbledon was a gaters paradise ? Did that person ever go to White City and see the racing ? Pardon me if the following is not quite right as time dulls the memory. I did go to White City to watch the Wolves. Prior to going there I wondered why Gordon Kennett did so well on what appered to be a big track when he was really a small track expert. Answer, the track was big in length, but with tight corners. Hence you would see Kennett bomb down the straights, long track style, and then lock it up to get round the bends i.e that bit was like a small track. That's how I remember it, but it was a while ago now................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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