Rayleigh Rockets

[KevH]

Does anyone know the track record, holder and date set for the Rayleigh Weir track, when it shut at the end of 1973 please?

 

And am I right in thinking there is now a supermarket on the site?

[speedyguy]

Does anyone know the track record, holder and date set for the Rayleigh Weir track, when it shut at the end of 1973 please?

 

And am I right in thinking there is now a supermarket on the site?

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There most certainly is a supermarket on the old Rayleigh speedway site, but I understand there is also a plaque to commemorate that there was once a track.

 

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Edited October 16, 2007 by speedyguy

[KevH]

There most certainly is a supermarket on the old Rayleigh speedway site, but I understand there is also a plaque to commemorate that there was once a track.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

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That reminds me that I read somewhere that the BBC building that now stands on the site of the old White City Stadium, has an inscription on the floor indicating where the start line was.................. so sad!!!

[Mimmo]

Does anyone know the track record, holder and date set for the Rayleigh Weir track, when it shut at the end of 1973 please?

 

And am I right in thinking there is now a supermarket on the site?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Bob Young held the track record at the time of their closure, recording a time of 68.4 sometime in 1972. Sorry I don't know the exact date.

[KevH]

Bob Young held the track record at the time of their closure, recording a time of 68.4 sometime in 1972.  Sorry I don't know the exact date.

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That's brilliant Mimmo, thanks very much.

[KevH]

Just bringing this back to the top in the hope that someone can supply the date Bob Young set the record which Mimmo gave me?

[Ian]

I'm afraid I can be of no assistence to you in this matter Kev.

 

Just one question, though. Why do you want to know?

[KevH]

I'm afraid I can be of no assistence to you in this matter Kev.

 

Just one question, though. Why do you want to know?

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Quite simply because I'm compiling a list of all tracks, past and present, and that is one of the missing details.

[Cliv Clav]

There most certainly is a supermarket on the old Rayleigh speedway site, but I understand there is also a plaque to commemorate that there was once a track.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

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There used to be a plaque to commemorate the Speedway club. It has now been removed. I live a stone's throw from the site, and it's lovely to see a big square grey building with Sainbury's across it, rather than a stadium that provided entertainment & pleasure for the locals(!). There is also a huge Tesco in one direction and a huge Asda in the opposite direction!

[BOBBATH]

The stadium was called "The Weir" right-wasn't it sort of out in the country in the early 60's??

[Ray Rocket]

The stadium was called "The Weir" right-wasn't it sort of out in the country in the early 60's??

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Hi Bob,

 

It was called the Weir Stadium and it stood near to the Arterial Road, the A127.

 

The reason it was called the Weir Stadium, is because there is an underground weir nearby. In fact, there used to be a roundabout, on the A127, known as the weir roundabout, which you had to go round, to get into the stadium. The roundabout is now an underpass.

 

Yes, I had noticed the plaque had gone, it went a few years back. The Friends of Speedway arranged it to be placed there. However, it wasn't only Sainsbury's that developed on the area, a number of other outlets did also. Really, the track should have relocated, within the area.

 

Happy days!

[speedyguy]

Does anyone remember Roy Uden, one of the Rye House riders when the track first opened in the late 1940s? He had a car dealership near the stadium. When stock cars came to Rayleigh in the mid 1950s, Roy was among the more successful drivers.

 

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

[Laser558]

Does anyone remember Roy Uden, one of the Rye House riders when the track first opened in the late 1940s? He had a car dealership near the stadium. When stock cars came to Rayleigh in the mid 1950s, Roy was among the more successful drivers.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

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I might be wrong but the garage that use to be just before Rayleigh weir roundabout was owned by Roy Uden. I think it also sold Jet petrol. I remember him driving at Rayleigh but it was before my time as a rider at Rye House

[Ray Rocket]

I might be wrong but the garage that use to be just before Rayleigh weir roundabout was owned by Roy Uden. I think it also sold Jet petrol. I remember him driving at Rayleigh but it was before my time as a rider at Rye House

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Hi Laser558 (I used to like Laser558 Radio Station, pirate I believe)

 

He did have a garage on the Arterial Road, very near the track. I think it was a 'National' garage. He sold cars and repaired cars as well.

[speedyguy]

I might be wrong but the garage that use to be just before Rayleigh weir roundabout was owned by Roy Uden. I think it also sold Jet petrol. I remember him driving at Rayleigh but it was before my time as a rider at Rye House

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Error by me Roy Uden rode at Rye House during the war years, then rode for Rayleigh in their first two seasons in the late 1940s. I meant to ask if any Rayleigh fans remembered him on two wheels. Now the subject has been raised - does anyone also remember in the Rye House wartime seasons?

 

I believe that Roy, prior to getting in at Rayleigh, may have been linked to Plymouth in the 1947-48 era.

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

[Laser558]

Does anyone know the track record, holder and date set for the Rayleigh Weir track, when it shut at the end of 1973 please?

 

And am I right in thinking there is now a supermarket on the site?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Bob Young broke the track record in heat 9 of the match with Peterborough which Rayleigh won 45-33. He was up against John Davies (2nd) and Richard Greer (last) Allen Emmett was the other rider.

 

Prior to this the record of 68.6 was held jointly by Tommy Jansson (19/6/71) and Hugh Saunders (7/8/71).

 

The record stood until the track closed. The last meeting was the end of season challenge against Eastbourne held on the 20th October 1973. Rayleigh won 48-47 (this was 16 heat match).

 

The following season they moved to Rye House and the opening meeting was the Johnnie Hoskins Birthday Cup. Rye beat Canterbury 41-36 and the fastest times of this opening meeting were in heats 6 and 11 when a time of 63.6 was recorded. The joint record holders from the first meeting were Roger Johns and Steve Clarke.

 

I hope this helps. I have a few programmes from 1969 through to 1973 for Rayleigh, then Rye House as well as Hackney and latterly Arena Essex when it opened. I also have some programmes for Rayleigh for away meetings. If you need any more let me know and I will see if I can help.

[dantodan]

Calling any Rayleigh fan: - If you have photographs and/or programmes from Rayleigh please email if you want to help create a special webpage on the Defunct Tracks website

 

Email Dantodan

Edited January 4, 2008 by dantodan

[speedyguy]

Error by me Roy Uden rode at Rye House during the war years, then rode for Rayleigh in their first two seasons in the late 1940s. I meant to ask if any Rayleigh fans remembered him on two wheels. Now the subject has been raised - does anyone also remember in the Rye House wartime seasons?

 

I believe that Roy, prior to getting in at Rayleigh, may have been linked to Plymouth in the 1947-48 era.

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

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I also understand that at some time during World War Two that Roy Uden may have served in the RAF. Also that he introduced the legendary Jack Unstead to the club.

 

 

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

Edited January 4, 2008 by speedyguy

[RobMcCaffery]

I also understand that at some time during World War Two that Roy Uden may have served in the RAF. Also that he introduced the legendary Jack Unstead to the club.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway

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In the mid eighties I was sent to commentate on a series of pro-celebrity bowls matches for Screensport at the first British-style bowling green in Spain, at Estepona, just outside Malaga.

 

During a break in proceedings we were asked if we were the crew that covered speedway and were told that a former rider who'd retired out there would like to meet us.

 

As someone whose original speedway love was Rayleigh I was amazed and delighted to be introduced to Roy Uden.

 

It wasn't just the roundabout that was called the Weir. Like the neighbouring Fortune of War roundabout on the A127 it was named after a large roadhouse pub called the Weir Hotel, a useful stopping point for coach trippers visiting nearby Southend.

 

I remember being in tears as a 15 year old reading in the local paper that my newly-discovered passion of Rayleigh Speedway was to close. In the end our fixtures were published for 1974 before the heart-breaking news that the closure was finally scheduled for the very ironic date of March 15th. The team actually raced for one last time as Rayleigh at Boston. By the time of the second meeting, away to Canterbury the change to Rye House had been made.

 

At the time Rye House was a surprise since after early hopes for a new stadium at Rawreth, to the north of Rayleigh, and latterly at Basildon it seemed we were set to move into Crayford.

 

Yes we nearly had the Crayford Rockets.

 

The following year the Kestrels opened with most of the Rayleigh riders transferring along with many of our supporters who weren't impressed with the trip to Hertfordshire for daylight racing.

 

With the Kestrels regularly taking heavy wins in those early days against the Rockets I think even Bryn and Parsloes would understand why it was so satisfying to turn the tables a few years later.

 

Rayleigh was a primarily a greyhound stadium and also saw us give up occasional Saturday nights for Stock Cars, promoted by Chick Woodroffe who went on to found Arena Essex as a replacement. So, had things happened a little earlier at Purfleet we could today be watching a team called the Lakeside Rockets.

 

I lost the Weir before I'd really got to know it properly but even now, 34 years since the final meeting I still mourn my club. Rye House was never the same.

 

Rob McCaffery.

[Laser558]

In the mid eighties I was sent to commentate on a series of pro-celebrity bowls matches for Screensport at the first British-style bowling green in Spain, at Estepona, just outside Malaga.

 

During a break in proceedings we were asked if we were the crew that covered speedway and were told that a former rider who'd retired out there would like to meet us.

 

As someone whose original speedway love was Rayleigh I was amazed and delighted to be introduced to Roy Uden.

 

It wasn't just the roundabout that was called the Weir. Like the neighbouring Fortune of War roundabout on the A127 it was named after a large roadhouse pub called the Weir Hotel, a useful stopping point for coach trippers visiting nearby Southend.

 

I remember being in tears as a 15 year old reading in the local paper that my newly-discovered passion of Rayleigh Speedway was to close. In the end our fixtures were published for 1974 before the heart-breaking news that the closure was finally scheduled for the very ironic date of March 15th. The team actually raced for one last time as Rayleigh at Boston. By the time of the second meeting, away to Canterbury the change to Rye House had been made.

 

At the time Rye House was a surprise since after early hopes for a new stadium at Rawreth, to the north of Rayleigh, and latterly at Basildon it seemed we were set to move into Crayford.

 

Yes we nearly had the Crayford Rockets.

 

The following year the Kestrels opened with most of the Rayleigh riders transferring along with many of our supporters who weren't impressed with the trip to Hertfordshire for daylight racing.

 

With the Kestrels regularly taking heavy wins in those early days against the Rockets I think even Bryn and Parsloes would understand why it was so satisfying to turn the tables a few years later.

 

Rayleigh was a primarily a greyhound stadium and also saw us give up occasional Saturday nights for Stock Cars, promoted by Chick Woodroffe who went on to found Arena Essex as a replacement. So, had things happened a little earlier at Purfleet we could today be watching a team called the Lakeside Rockets.

 

I lost the Weir before I'd really got to know it properly but even now, 34 years since the final meeting I still mourn my club. Rye House was never the same.

 

Rob McCaffery.

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Rob, I seem to recall that they also looked at the possibility of opening at the greyhound stadium in Prittlewell. Rawreth however did appear to be the best bet at that time. I agree, although a speedway fan nothing has since matched a saturday night at the weir with a local derby against Romford in the Essex Gold Cup. Friday Night at Hackney and the odd trip to Crayford. Oh happy days. I also seem to recall that the riders all met up at the blinking owl cafe after the meetings.

Looking at the last programmes i have they showed both the speedway and stock car meetings. Bank holidays use to be great. Speedway on the bank holiday monday morning and stock cars at 3.00pm in the afternoon. As a kid i use to hide after the speedway so as not having to pay to get into the stock cars.