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Favourite Closed Tracks


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Did you actually see many meetings at California ? Cant imagine many others apart from locals attending southern league racing in Wokingham..

 

I did indeed Tom. I was also an unsuccessful trainee rider there - guided by former Southampton captain (1947) George Bason, Jimmy Gleed, Al Sparrey, Gil Goldfinch and Stan Tebby (Jim's rider-father) and several others.

As a spectator I saw all their Southern Area League matches (except when there was a fixture clash with Eastbourne), then followed the side when they moved into Aldershot.

There was a unique atmosphere about going to California and its memories are carried on each year with a late autumn Reunion event organised by Stu Towner of 'Friends of Speedway'.

When I didn't get a lift to the track I used to travel by train from Waterloo to Wokingham, then walk the couple of miles to the track.

I wish that I could give you more specific details of my fond memories of the old California 'Poppies'.

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I did indeed. I was also an unsuccessful trainee rider there - guided by former Southampton captain (1947) George Bason, Jimmy Gleed, Al Sparrey, Gil Goldfinch and Stan Tebby (Jim's rider-father) and several others.

As a spectator I saw all their Southern Area League matches (except when there was a fixture clash with Eastbourne), then followed the side when they moved into Aldershot.

There was a unique atmosphere about going to California and its memories are carried on each year with a late autumn Reunion event organised by Stu Towner of 'Friends of Speedway'.

When I didn't get a lift to the track I used to travel by train from Waterloo to Wokingham, then walk the couple of miles to the track.

I wish that I could give you more specific details of my fond memories of the old California 'Poppies'.

 

Nope, not interested sorry. Was just inquisitive if you actually visited my home town, or was just plucking a random old time speedway venue out of the air. Probably about a 4 mile walk from the station up to the park by the way.

No more specifics needed. Am aware of the history and reunions etc.

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Nope, not interested sorry. Was just inquisitive if you actually visited my home town, or was just plucking a random old time speedway venue out of the air. Probably about a 4 mile walk from the station up to the park by the way.

No more specifics needed. Am aware of the history and reunions etc.

It was indeed a long walk from Wokingham to the track. But there are plenty of pubs on the route - and I usually managed to get a lift back into London. I am pleased to say that the only part of Wokingham that I can remember is the railway station.

I bet you would have loved to prove I was only fooling about my knowledge of and visits to California Speedway?

Happy speedway memories for me of 60 years ago.

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It was indeed a long walk from Wokingham to the track. But there are plenty of pubs on the route - and I usually managed to get a lift back into London. I am pleased to say that the only part of Wokingham that I can remember is the railway station.

I bet you would have loved to prove I was only fooling about my knowledge of and visits to California Speedway?

Happy speedway memories for me of 60 years ago.

 

Yikes...a slur on Wokingham. Whatever will i do ? It's certainly a far nicer place than the area which you and i now live very close to eachother in John. Very close.

 

Edit: the topic is deviating, and i have work to go.

 

Back to topic, and seeing as it was the scene of my first and biggest memory in the sport to this day, courtesy of the 1990 world final, Bradford will always remain my favourite closed track, even ahead from Smallmead i think.

Edited by The Doctor...
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Same reason as Star Lady regarding Boston 20 minute drive mushy peas and seafood bar.

 

Went to all Boston home meetings from 1970 - 1986 and most away meetings aswell as going to Kings Lynn on Saturday night and most of the Stars away meetings.

 

To be quite honest cannot remember to many classic meetings with close racing in that time just the odd one or two per season.

 

Just had a thought who misses Crewe stadium. :D

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Wimbledon,Hackney,Oxford + Reading.Didn't really visit all the other closed tracks that i have been to enough to call them favourites,or tracks like White City that i did visit quite often wasn't really a favourite.Just easy to get to

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Not at all Peasepud my old mate BUT don't want to get too involved in this topic for, thinking about it and doing some brief research, I'm horrified to realise that I'll never see speedway again at: Birmingham (Ladbrokes stadium), Birmingham (Wheels), Bradford, Canterbury, Castleford, Coatbridge, Cradley Heath, Crayford, Crewe, Doncaster, Edinburgh (Powderhall), Ellesmere Port, Exeter (County Ground), Felton, Glasgow (Blantyre), Glasgow (Craighead Park), Glasgow (Shawfield), Glasgow (Hampden Park), Hackney, Halifax (The Shay), Hull (New Craven Park), Hull (The Boulevard)..... Jeez that's enough (and I can think of many more on 'my' list!) as, with the IOW's Smallbrook stadium about to join the list, it's getting me feeling well and truly miserable BUT, thinking positively, with luck and good fortune I WILL see speedway again at Sandy Lane!

 

What a sad list. So many great names. I may be wrong (and there will be some ready to confirm this!) but the only venue still staging any form of motor sport could be Birmingham Wheels (part of the Spedeworth motor sport empire).

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All of them but most of all Crayford, Hackney, West Ham and Cradley for the pork sarnies like everyone else! And, alas, I fear the Isle of Wight are about to join the extensive list of speedway tracks sadly no longer with us! :cry:

I have to agree with Bryn, Saturdays without the 'Wood in the March through 'til October still hurt. Although, the New 'Wood on Tuesdays is making up for it since 2010!!!!!!

Edited by berniev123
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