Reading Speedway

[The White Knight]

 

But do their attendances justify somebody building a new stadium, which would need to ne used for other events besides speedway, if the backers of the venture are to make a substantial return on their investment.

Apparently the 'Heathens' are very well supported. That is what I have read anyway.

 

Going slightly off track, what are the chances of swindon's proposed new stadium getting built. I've read reports saying that this season will be the last at the abbey.

That one seems to have gone very quiet.

 

I hope everything is progressing favourably.

Edited March 13, 2015 by The White Knight

[Najjer]

Like people have said, the place was a tip yet for some reason was a brilliant place to go and visit as an away fan. When Reading went back into the PL in 2008 it seemed like we were there near enough every other week, and featured in the last ever league meeting now. We had some great meetings there, Doyle getting the 21 point max and Werner holding off Ostergaard from 15 metres back. Good times.

[van wolfswinkel]

Going slightly off track, what are the chances of swindon's proposed new stadium getting built. I've read reports saying that this season will be the last at the abbey.

Supposed to be special grand final meeting with stadium construction starting soon(possibly,)about 50 yards from the present stadium. Local new estate has roads named after Holloway, Kilby and Richardson. Talking about Mad Wellie the last time I went to Smallmead in 2007 he was the Reading boss, was an easy win for Swindon, hundreds of Robins fans made up about half the crowd. Sad to see the remains now, I drive past once a month when working in Reading. Remember them at Tilehurst as well. Had some good crowds at Smallmead. Shows how speedway has become less and less popular.

Edited March 13, 2015 by Mad Moose

[SCB]

Reading was a bit $hit in most ways but for me it epitomised British Speedway. A bit crap but you loved it. Had some great memories, Newport rarely won away but I remember many wins at Reading and I don't think I ever saw Coventry lose there! And Big H on the mic was always a laugh, often abused a few of us personally on the mic

 

I miss the place actually. And it's really frustrating to know that it's been knocked down and nothing has been built in it's place so it could still be there hosting speedway in it's own slightly naff way.

[arnieg]

Reading was a bit $hit in most ways but for me it epitomised British Speedway. A bit crap but you loved it. Had some great memories, Newport rarely won away but I remember many wins at Reading and I don't think I ever saw Coventry lose there! And Big H on the mic was always a laugh, often abused a few of us personally on the mic

 

I miss the place actually. And it's really frustrating to know that it's been knocked down and nothing has been built in it's place so it could still be there hosting speedway in it's own slightly naff way.

Ah memories

 

If only someone had written a book about it

[Gatwick Rocket]

The 'place was a tip but I liked my visits there' comments resonate with me too. For a few years I lived in High Wycombe and used to visit Reading from time to time always wanting the away team to win. I used to visit Oxford too and there I just hoped for good racing regardless of who won. Can't rightly remember what made me want Reading to lose when I was essentially a neutral (my team being Rye House). Anyway, it's a crying shame they let the place go in expectation of a move to something better that never materialised.

 

What about the proposed introduction of speedway at Aldermarston as an out of town site for Reading?

[remembertheracers]

Dont knock Reading, it was built on a rubbish tip that hadn't settled. At least it has about 500 seats under cover, try getting a seat at Swindon!

 

It also saw 3 Division 1 titles 1980, 1990 and 1992, Division 2 title in 1997. World Champion Per Jonsson. The best two announcers in Big H and Bob Radford.

 

SCB saw a new stadium at Newport but after a good start everyone thought it would be good if Tim Stone wasn't running t - and look what happened after his death.

 

As for Swindon dont believe you are getting a new stadium until you see it going up - Clarke Osbourne has form and it isnt good.

[New Science]

Hopefully, the way Cradley Heath are going in the National League, the good folk of Dudley will sit up and take notice. Belle Vue have proved that new Stadia can be built.

 

Here's hoping.

Unfortunately the local council is unwilling to find a piece of land in the area,grant planning permission and put up the cash to build it as with Belle Vue .

[Pinny]

For me despite a few wins at reading over the years one that sticks out for me was a bank holifay monday norning meeting in 1999.

 

I remember watson getting 5-1d by kokko and clews in heat one then reeling off five wins .... Sure that was the day eldridge beat morris in heat 15 as we romped to victory! Great times

[Odds On]

once the stadium at Smallmead was closed down there was never a cat in hells chance of a new stadium being built whilst Stadie UK were/are involved.

[van wolfswinkel]

What about the proposed introduction of speedway at Aldermarston as an out of town site for Reading?

I thought about having a speedway track at the Aldermaston Paices Hill Raceway when I drove past it on Friday. Think it's used for the occasional banger racing event, and other motor sports, has a dirt track, and very few houses around there opposite the massive AWE site.

Edited March 15, 2015 by Mad Moose

[Odds On]

^{you can look and find the ideal piece of land for a stadium but the biggest problem you will have is funding it.}

[Tsunami]

^{you can look and find the ideal piece of land for a stadium but the biggest problem you will have is funding it.}

..and getting Planning Permission for it.

[Great Central]

Reading was a bit $hit in most ways but for me it epitomised British Speedway. A bit crap but you loved it. Had some great memories, Newport rarely won away but I remember many wins at Reading and I don't think I ever saw Coventry lose there! And Big H on the mic was always a laugh, often abused a few of us personally on the mic

 

I miss the place actually. And it's really frustrating to know that it's been knocked down and nothing has been built in it's place so it could still be there hosting speedway in it's own slightly naff way.

It also had something very special these days, which was a fine training track, well run and well placed to any riders in the south of England, the south west and the Midlands. Miss it tremendously and it must be sad to see the whole Smallmead site flattened.

[EnglishRoundabout]

I actually attended the first ever meeting (and the last) at Smallmead as a school boy. It was in my eyes at the time, a brilliant new track, just down the road from swindon where I lived at the time and had exciting kiosks dotted around the stadium selling such things as bottles of coke and such like!

 

The track seemed to be an excellent shape, the crowds in the early days were very good too. The covered back straight and viewing area for the pits made it a stadium I always looked forward to visiting.

 

I didn't go to speedway in the 80's or the 90's but retuned in 2006, where I visited Smallmead again for the first time in 20 odd years. I got the shock of my life! It was a run down ramshackle of a place and within a year or so had been flattened. Very sad. But holds some fond memories for me.

[arnieg]

I actually attended the first ever meeting (and the last) at Smallmead as a school boy. It was in my eyes at the time, a brilliant new track, just down the road from swindon where I lived at the time and had exciting kiosks dotted around the stadium ....

 

..... Very sad. But holds some fond memories for me.

Exciting kiosks! - you get easily excited in Swindon!!!

 

(Whatever happened to Burnt Kiosk our Swedish number one?)

[Grachan]

There were some good kiosks in the early day. Or, at least, as good as kiosks can get!

 

I remember a big shop at the back of the back straight stand.

 

Reading v Swindon was massive. Swindon used to fill the back straight and there wad a real tense atmosphere for those early matches.

 

The stadium was never finished either. The home straight bars were put in as temporary and never got replaced.

 

Went to Smallmead a lot and it became my nearest track when I moved to Newbury.

 

I didn't attend the first match at Reading but was there for the second one, and even did the Reading reports for Speedway Mail for a couple of years.

 

Speedway just isn't the same without Reading and Oxford.

Edited March 17, 2015 by grachan

[Aces51]

I don't think either of these two posters intended to minimise the magnitude of what has been achieved by the Belle Vue promoters or, the tremendous amount of work they have had to put in to get this project to the stage it now is.

 

Your comments did make me laugh though and I do understand who you were getting at.

Edited March 17, 2015 by Aces51

[cityrebel]

I don't think either of these two posters intended to minimise the magnitude of what has been achieved by the Belle Vue promoters or, the tremendous amount of work they have had to put in to get this project to the stage it now is.

Your comments did make me laugh though and I do understand who you were getting at.

good Job someone does. I stand by my comment that it is a miracle that a new speedway stadium is being built in this day and age. Belle vue's achievement is no different to leicester's in my eyes.

[New Science]

 

Well I think its a disgrace, they promised to hold the 2013 SWC and what happened to that?

That's right I heard that the council sorted it all out and then gave Gordon and Mort a bell and asked them if they wouldn't mind running it for them. Talk about landing on your feet eh?

 

Some people are just born lucky.

If you haven't got the money you can have all the grand plans / ideas you want, without someone providing the cash they stay ideas and don't get built .

Edited March 17, 2015 by New Science