BOBBATH Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 The tracks of yesteryear thread got me thinking .I left UK in 1968-of the tracks then operating, that are still today operating there are only 3 I never visited-Newcastle, Wolves and Kings Lynn. On occasion I have thought I should come back and try and see them all-what puts me off is my suspicion that in 68 I imagined them full of spectators , great racing and lots of enthusiasm. I think they may now be shells of their former glory, with reduced capacity, poor facilities, small crowds etc. and that I may be better to let them live in my memory-perhaps I should just let them live in my memory(altho I understand KL may be better than when it opened)-what do forumlanders reckon-better to let them live in my imagination maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skid Sprocket Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 The tracks of yesteryear thread got me thinking .I left UK in 1968-of the tracks then operating, that are still today operating there are only 3 I never visited-Newcastle, Wolves and Kings Lynn. On occasion I have thought I should come back and try and see them all-what puts me off is my suspicion that in 68 I imagined them full of spectators , great racing and lots of enthusiasm. I think they may now be shells of their former glory, with reduced capacity, poor facilities, small crowds etc. and that I may be better to let them live in my memory-perhaps I should just let them live in my memory(altho I understand KL may be better than when it opened)-what do forumlanders reckon-better to let them live in my imagination maybe? Maybe you should add a 4th track as in 1968 the track on Teeside would be Cleveland Park. Since 2006 it has been a new purpose built track at the South Tees Motor Sports Park and the team renamed the Redcar Bears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Hammer Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 The tracks of yesteryear thread got me thinking .I left UK in 1968-of the tracks then operating, that are still today operating there are only 3 I never visited-Newcastle, Wolves and Kings Lynn. On occasion I have thought I should come back and try and see them all-what puts me off is my suspicion that in 68 I imagined them full of spectators , great racing and lots of enthusiasm. I think they may now be shells of their former glory, with reduced capacity, poor facilities, small crowds etc. and that I may be better to let them live in my memory-perhaps I should just let them live in my memory(altho I understand KL may be better than when it opened)-what do forumlanders reckon-better to let them live in my imagination maybe? Atmosphere definitely not the same, but racing is still fantastic - Pity those who are missing out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 The tracks of yesteryear thread got me thinking .I left UK in 1968-of the tracks then operating, that are still today operating there are only 3 I never visited-Newcastle, Wolves and Kings Lynn. On occasion I have thought I should come back and try and see them all-what puts me off is my suspicion that in 68 I imagined them full of spectators , great racing and lots of enthusiasm. I think they may now be shells of their former glory, with reduced capacity, poor facilities, small crowds etc. and that I may be better to let them live in my memory-perhaps I should just let them live in my memory(altho I understand KL may be better than when it opened)-what do forumlanders reckon-better to let them live in my imagination maybe? Just live with, and keep your memories BOBBATH. Times, and Speedway were better then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted December 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2014 Hi Skid -thanx for posting and comments re Redcar- but am thinking of the actual tracks that were around in operation in 68 thus Cleveland Park would have to still be around like say Brough Park for me to include it on my list. Also Whiteknight-think I agree with you e.g. re Brough Park I think of the 1964 Diamonds with guys like Ken Sharples, Mauger, Bill Andrew , Pete Kelly, Mike Watkin etc etc. Ditto Monmore Green with Pete jarman, Tom sweetman, james Bond, Cyril francis, Dave hemus etc etc.-maybe its better just to let the venues live on in my memory and imagination!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 They do say "You should never go back". Enjoy your memories as I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted January 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 Ta customhouse regular. I did visit West Ham several times and always enjoyed it , in fact I went there to my last ever speedway meeting before I left England-Tuesday August 6th 1968. It was a European Semi-Final of the World Championship. Looking at the programme I see Barry Briggs got only 6 pts. and did not qualify as one of the eight who got thru-although as you probably know due to other riders' sickness/injuries he still got to ride in the World Final and finished 2nd to Ivan Mauger. Many years later, on a visit to London, long after West Ham had closed and the stadium been demolished , for old times sake I caught the tube to Plaistow and did the walk to the stadium location just as I used to, Greengate Street, Prince Regent Lane etc.-wintry damp evening not many people about just a couple of feral looking teenagers drinking canned lager. Didn't seem like the old East End I remembered- and found it depressing-so maybe you are right "never go back". BTW what happened to all the old east end families who lived there??-moved out I guess because it seemed like an alien culture and population has moved in.( no non PC comment intended-officer)!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted January 4, 2015 Report Share Posted January 4, 2015 Ta customhouse regular. I did visit West Ham several times and always enjoyed it , in fact I went there to my last ever speedway meeting before I left England-Tuesday August 6th 1968. It was a European Semi-Final of the World Championship. Looking at the programme I see Barry Briggs got only 6 pts. and did not qualify as one of the eight who got thru-although as you probably know due to other riders' sickness/injuries he still got to ride in the World Final and finished 2nd to Ivan Mauger. Many years later, on a visit to London, long after West Ham had closed and the stadium been demolished , for old times sake I caught the tube to Plaistow and did the walk to the stadium location just as I used to, Greengate Street, Prince Regent Lane etc.-wintry damp evening not many people about just a couple of feral looking teenagers drinking canned lager. Didn't seem like the old East End I remembered- and found it depressing-so maybe you are right "never go back". BTW what happened to all the old east end families who lived there??-moved out I guess because it seemed like an alien culture and population has moved in.( no non PC comment intended-officer)!!! They all moved to Basildon or Canvey Island! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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