speedyguy Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 (edited) I only made a handful of visits to Plough Lane, the first in the late 80's... My abiding memories are the horrendous journey from my North London home and Rye House always getting a beating, except the one visit I made in National League days when we actually won! I always used to think the start and finish lines in seperate places was pretty weird, never had it explained why it was like that. Also, sitting down indoors to watch speedway seemed odd and the stadium being 3/4 empty! There was indeed start and finish lines in separate places at Plough Lane many years ago. I think it went back to the days when Ronnie Greene was the promoter but off the top my head I can't think why it was introduced. Maybe somebody will jump on this comment now? Anything to stoke up my stress level is what I need at the moment. Better still, maybe I should shut down all the links to the forums I am on and get a real life? That could be the answer? Edited May 5, 2012 by speedyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 There was indeed start and finish lines in separate places at Plough Lane many years ago. I think it went back to the days when Ronnie Greene was the promoter but off the top my head I can't think why it was introduced. Maybe somebody will jump on this comment now? Anything to stoke up my stress level is what I need at the moment. Better still, maybe I should shut down all the links to the forums I am on and get a real life? That could be the answer? Tongue firmly in cheek. I believe 'The News of the World' has vaccancies... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Tongue firmly in cheek. I believe 'The News of the World' has vaccancies... Not before I get a job on the Titanic watching for icebergs! But banter doesn't answer why there were the different places for the start and finish of races at Wimbledon at one-time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Don't know WHY the unique different position for start and finish line was brought in but I do know WHEN. It was for the start of the 1968 season. It meant of course that no longer could the track size really be described properly as a one lap measurement but as a four lap one and this was 1,239 yards (considered therefore 327 yards a ‘lap’): and so a fairly significant reduction on the old length of 355 yards. The only time after that right up to closure in '91 this arrangement of a different starting and finishing position wasn't utilised was in June 1983 at a World Team Cup qualifier. Coz this was an FIM meeting that arrangement wasn't allowed apparently. Which is a little odd coz the Internationale was an FIM meeting too and it was allowed at that meeting for decades! I remember vividly my first meeting at a packed and magical Plough Lane at the 1974 Wills Internationale - the first time ever the sixty-second mark was beaten around the track! By my all-time favourite rider, Peter Collins!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Never knew that about the 1983 Wtc meeting. A quick rummage in the attic for the programme confirms that there were a couple of sub 57 second heats, but the track record of 57.4 held by Siggy was still the official mark afterwards so you're spot on. I can only surmise that the tapes were pulled back towards the 4th bend after the new track layout was introduced at the start of the 1968 season so as to give the riders a decent run to the first turn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdons Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Amazing. Haven't been on this site for about 4 years and came on today after the sad news about Lee Richardson. Sincere condolences to Colin and the rest of the family. Dave G, the Russell you're referring to is Russell Turner who lived in Raynes Park. Terry of Terry and Lee fame did work at the stadium on meeting nights but it wasn't his main job. He and Lee had boy/girl twins in 1979. I remember the Halifax/Belle Vue weekend in 1978 and also the Halifax football/ Halifax speedway trip. I was at both events. As I recall, the latter was in 1979 and Peter Sutcliffe had just murdered a Halifax girl, so there was a lot of fear in the town that day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdons Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Hi Dave, I've sent you a PM with more detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keef Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Memories for me were around 66/67 sat on top of empty terrace above 3/4th. bend with Dad and bruv watching Nygren, Hedge, and Luckhurst racing. Saw Briggo easily win a British semi around that time from the grandstand. Seemed a massive stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeandaway Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Hi guys, haven`t been on here for a couple of years or so. Anyway, had dug out an old video today of the Peterborough v Wimbledon match in which the event-filled racing was eventually won by the Dons (46 to 47). But I`ve actually forgotten whether or not we won the league that year? I know we were heavily in contention, as the emphasis was on winning that match at all costs. Also, any latest news about the old Stadium? John (aka `HomeAndAway)...Don`s fan from 1969 onwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevH Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 Don't know WHY the unique different position for start and finish line was brought in The reason for it was quite simple. Back in the day there was a minimum and maximum distance for a speedway race and four laps of Plough Lane fell a few yards short........these missing yards were made up by positioning the finish line 'x amount' past the start line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinkox Posted August 31, 2012 Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 The reason for it was quite simple. Back in the day there was a minimum and maximum distance for a speedway race and four laps of Plough Lane fell a few yards short........these missing yards were made up by positioning the finish line 'x amount' past the start line. According to the web - New Cross was smaller than Wimbledon - just 262 yards. Did that rule come in after it closed?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted August 31, 2012 Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 The reason for it was quite simple. Back in the day there was a minimum and maximum distance for a speedway race and four laps of Plough Lane fell a few yards short........these missing yards were made up by positioning the finish line 'x amount' past the start line. Perhaps an FIM ruling..? The Internationale staged annually at Plough Lane from the early '60s was an FIM meeting... Not a rule in GB Speedway generally... Or at least not that I'd heard of.. btw, I've no idea why this is coming out as crossed out either!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chadster Posted August 31, 2012 Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 My understanding was that it was to give the riders a longer run in to the first bend 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveG Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 No idea but havn't said much for a while of the above comments given that were other tracks that fell shorter than Wimbledon oh and still do I think Chadster's comments on longer run ins has some substance to it. I remember going to a 4 TT at Mildenhall late 70's ( 76,77,78? In which Wimbledon were represented ( Why would that have been ? Answers appreciated from anyone who was there ?) and gating was undertaken with left leg prepared! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 I tend to think it was a mix of KevH + Parsloes answers.Talk of New Cross etc don't apply as they closed before this came in or at least Wimbledon made the change.Could be something in the fact that FIM have specifications to be met.Can't remember New Cross ever hosting an FIM meeting anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sotonian Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 Can't remember New Cross ever hosting an FIM meeting anyway 26.7.61, a World Team Cup QR. Eng 44, NZ 38, Aus 26. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 3, 2012 Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 My understanding was that it was to give the riders a longer run in to the first bend you are right, that was the reason. i worked at wimbledon in a official capacity for 22 years including the WTC meeting in 1983 when the start and finish line was moved to satisfy the FIM. a similar set up to give the riders a better run to the first bend is still used at sittingbourne today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinkox Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 i worked at wimbledon in a official capacity for 22 years Sent you a PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 you are right, that was the reason. i worked at wimbledon in a official capacity for 22 years including the WTC meeting in 1983 when the start and finish line was moved to satisfy the FIM. a similar set up to give the riders a better run to the first bend is still used at sittingbourne today. Yes, that's very true! Would be nice if Iwade were to stage an FIM meeting one day but can't think that'll ever happen!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 5, 2012 Report Share Posted September 5, 2012 Yes, that's very true! Would be nice if Iwade were to stage an FIM meeting one day but can't think that'll ever happen!!! never say never derek! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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