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Favourite Closed Tracks


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No question for me – Exeter, especially in the Mauger/Autrey/Verner years. I was living in Bristol at the time and, although Swindon was much closer, I preferred to go to Exeter. It didn't matter if the racing was often poor – you were so close to the action it was simply breathtaking. My favourite spot was coming off bend 4 just by the steps to the upstairs bar. Seeing Ivan Mauger (and many more of the world's greatest riders) stop right in front of me to do a practice start, often less than an arm's length away will always remain amongst my greatest speedway memories.

 

The track was so fast and the bends so narrow that overtaking was rare and only for the brave, but watching the home riders setting up and making a 4th bend outside pass was a real treat. Just a shame it didn't happen more often.

 

A County Ground memory of a different sort was a Bank Holiday Monday meeting circa 1977, Exeter v Reading I think. It was a hot day and the place was packed (how times have changed.....) with loads of well-dressed families standing three and four deep on the bends. When the dust cleared after the first race there were a lot of brown, coughing people looking for spaces on the straights. I guess they hadn't been to the County Ground before.............

Second that,went for the first time in 74/ 75 in the Mauger/Autrey era how exciting it was so fast felt part of everything.Went to there last ever meeting,think Adams won the final? Mauger had a blast and Scott Autrey made an appearance which was great such a shame it has gone now.
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My top 3 tracks are in order are

 

1 Station Road Long Eaton

2 The County Ground Exeter

3 Elfield Park Milton Keynes

 

Hastings stadium the former home of the Saxon's was pretty good but I never saw any speedway there, it closed about 35 years before my visit to watch a football game, but you could still see 95% of the track. I suppose I should of put London stadium in my top 3 but the glass just killed any atmosphere.

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Can anyone guess & have a stab in the dark @ my favourite closed track??

 

New Cross? That is a joke of course - not the track but my comment. I used to follow - through the speedway press not by visiting - Cradley Heath's doings in the days of Ray and Les Beaumont, Phil Malpass, Geoff Bennett, Jimmy Wright, Jimmy Coy & Co. Great speedway days indeed - some 60 years ago.

Edited by Guest
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I am surprised that there does not seem to be any mention of Norwich (or have I missed it). A great track for racing, viewing good from any part of the stadium, good cafe, and 2 excellent club rooms which were always full after the meeting with most riders in attendance. Also if you arrived early it was often possible to see cycle speedway meetings.

 

 

 

 

Yes but seeing as it closed 50 years ago this year you would have to be pushing 70 to have many memories of the Firs!!!!!!!

 

Guess who does have memories of visits to The Firs in the 1950s? A great track, great racing, great personality riders. A wonderful place to watch speedway at.

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My fave was Wimbledon, memories from the 60s of Briggo, Mooro, Nygren, Hedge, Luckhurst, Tebby, Cowland, Dugard, Everett, Maidment etc.,.

Also liked West Ham, Hackney and White City, and fond memories of the first speedway meeting I attended as a 7-year-old Peckham nipper at The Frying Pan of New Cross v. Hackney 1963. Was right next door to Millwall's old Den S.E.14. Wembley stadium in 63 was my first world final won by Ove Fundin, from Knutsson and Briggo. Craven and Nigel Boocock, Harrfeldt, Nordin and Samorodov also rode.

Edited by Mad Moose
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My fave was Wimbledon, memories from the 60s of Briggo, Mooro, Nygren, Hedge, Luckhurst, Tebby, Cowland, Dugard, Everett, Maidment etc.,.Also liked West Ham, Hackney and White City, and fond memories of the first speedway meeting I attended as a 7-year-old Peckham nipper at The Frying Pan of New Cross v. Hackney 1963. Was right next door to Millwall's old Den S.E.14. Wembley stadium in 63 was my first world final won by Ove Fundin, from Knutsson and Briggo. Craven and Nigel Boocock, Harrfeldt, Nordin and Samorodov also rode.

The frying pan moose! i thought that was Crayford ? i went there only once when Paul Woods was the star was New Cross that small? moose.! Edited by sidney
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The frying pan moose! i thought that was Crayford ? i went there only once when Paul Woods was the star was New Cross that small? moose.!

 

Historians will claim New Cross was the 'frying pan' and times move on so Crayford may later have also been called that because of its size.

At its start in 1934 New Cross was just 262 yards but was larger when it closed in 1963 - but not by much! It was then 278 yards.

I think Crayford was 265 yards.

Edited by Guest
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Historians will claim New Cross was the 'frying pan' and times move on so Crayford may later have also been called that because of its size.

At its start in 1934 New Cross was just 262 yards but was larger when it closed in 1963 - but not my much! It was then 278 yards.

Really surprising Gustix'' that Briggs learned his craft at the small Wimbledon and New Cross venues,as his reputation and standing on the big tracks was outstanding.His record at the big Abbey stadium and the big pacey Hyde Rd ( 6 BLRC) was awesome but he did say he crashed alot at Wimbledon but this spell must have acted as his apprenticeship.Wimbledon when i have been there, there was something SPECIAL about the place when you got there it looked so professional had nice viewing facilities and the track when prepared was smooth and i have seen some excellent racing there ie) Spring Classic. Edited by sidney
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Historians will claim New Cross was the 'frying pan' and times move on so Crayford may later have also been called that because of its size.

At its start in 1934 New Cross was just 262 yards but was larger when it closed in 1963 - but not by much! It was then 278 yards.

I think Crayford was 265 yards.

 

 

Really surprising Gustix'' that Briggs learned his craft at the small Wimbledon and New Cross venues,as his reputation and standing on the big tracks was outstanding.His record at the big Abbey stadium and the big pacey Hyde Rd ( 6 BLRC) was awesome but he did say he crashed alot at Wimbledon but this spell must have acted as his apprenticeship.Wimbledon when i have been there, there was something SPECIAL about the place when you got there it looked so professional had nice viewing facilities and the track when prepared was smooth and i have seen some excellent racing there ie) Spring Classic.

 

Barry Briggs started his UK career at Wimbledon in the 1950s, then accepted as being 355 yards, while his spell at New Cross was circa 1959-early 1960s when it was the 278 yards.

I endorse your comments about Wimbledon Stadium - and in the Ronnie Greene promotional period from the late 1930s and into the early 1960s it was probably the sport's premier venue aside from Wembley. What a sad sight it is these days!

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Barry Briggs started his UK career at Wimbledon in the 1950s, then accepted as being 355 yards, while his spell at New Cross was circa 1959-early 1960s when it was the 278 yards.

I endorse your comments about Wimbledon Stadium - and in the Ronnie Greene promotional period from the late 1930s and into the early 1960s it was probably the sport's premier venue aside from Wembley. What a sad sight it is these days!

I just wish Parsloes or Chunky had millions to get the Stadium up and running again as i know both of them loved Wimbledon i certainly did.Hackney also on a Friday night was a great night out i remember a vintage Thommo coming from the back there he was certainly one of the most exciting riders i have ever seen great bloke as well.
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I think it was New Cross that featured in the 1948(ish) film Once a Jolly Swag Man with Dirk Bogarde and 'Compo' Bill Owen . I think its on Youtube - can't check at the moment though due to work access restrictions.

 

Just a short clip on YouTube (2mins 33 secs). Full film available on www.fulltv.tv apparently! You can buy the film on DVD as well.

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