born_2b_mad Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 I'm currently trying to get my head around a new project, but need the help of fellow forum members. What in your own opinion would you class as the best racing venue ever in Britain. Please think about the surrounding facilities as well as track. All venues considered from Stamford Bridge (anyone here remember them :roll: ) up to the present day Trelawny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 I'm biased but it has to be Belle Vue's Hyde Road. For me it was the home of British Speedway. Here's why: * Purpose-built for speedway * Never closed during the War * Some of speedway's greatest names donned the ace of clubs - Parker, Craven, Mauger, Fundin, Collins * Great, great race track It had the heritage, the glamour and fantastic racing. I'd go as far to say that its demise was probably British speedway's biggest loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Turner Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 I can't imagine anywhere being able to beat Hyde Road, certainly not in my lifetime anyway. What a place ! The added attraction being the fair for me when I was a kid. My Dad used to drive the coach up there everytime either Coventry or Leicester(I think) raced there, I always went with him and he used to let me drive it round the massive car park when I was about 8 !!! But inside the stadium the sound was incredible, and it was amazing walking up the outside of the track-fence so close to the high-speed riders. What I'd give to have all that again ??????!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekker Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 Bradford was a great place to watch like in the 90 world final, maybe katowice might have been good in the 70s with 100K fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 Hyde Road for permanent track, but nothing can beat that magical night in 1981 at Wembley. 80,000 screaming fans. and those wonderful friday nights at a packed Waterden Road, with probably the fairest racing strip in the country, will always stick in my mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofdiamonds Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 The old Belle Vue track was ccertainly the best, for older posters I'm sure the memory of Peter Craven blasting round the boards will bring back memories. Later of course there was Peter Collins and Chris Morton. And the funfair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevH Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 I must agree with the above postings and say Hyde Road had more going for it than anywhere - the tradition and atmoshere alone could never be equalled at a domestic venue. Having said that, Wimbledon has been the scene of some excellent racing in it's time, also has a great tradition and it can rub shoulders with anyone where facilities are concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight_Lady Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 I also loved Hyde Road but Bradford was pretty good too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madbiker Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Have to agree with Hyde Road, fantastic atmosphere super track and the fun fair made the whole experience unforgetable, can anyone remember "shoot the rapids" the most incredible fairground ride EVER ? Other great TRACKS, the shay, Blackbird Road, Exeter and Kings Lynn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jungle Jake Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 for the best ever venue I can't really see past Brough Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Hyde Road would probably be my answer too, but as it's getting too predictable now I'll go with Exeter for excitement. Never forget looking straight into Ivan Mauger's eyes as he came flying past me down the home straight me once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogH Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Hyde Road does take some beating. For track only, Cradley Heath was pretty good. Perry Barr at Birmingham was good, decent venue too. Modern day, Trelawny, Somerset, Glasgow for racing Millennium Stadium and Wimbledon for stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepturningleft Posted March 21, 2003 Report Share Posted March 21, 2003 I can only agree with almost everybody else. Hyde Road was the most magical place on earth for a speedway fan. The meetings which stick in my mind the most are the run of British League Riders Championships from '65 to '70 which were all won by Barry Briggs. Anyone on the forum old enough to remember these meetings? The atmosphere, quality of racing, and sheer spectacle have been imprinted on my mind for 30 odd years now. I've seen a few world finals but BLRC night was uniquely special and thrilling. I can nearly break down in tears when I think of the loss of this legendary venue. Someone pass me a hankie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Witch Posted March 21, 2003 Report Share Posted March 21, 2003 I have to agree with Hyde Road. I also used to like going to The Shay, Halifax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted March 21, 2003 Report Share Posted March 21, 2003 I think its pretty unanimous that Hyde Road was no1. But there are a few others that will always be a bit special to me: The Shay - it was a bit scruffy, but had a great atmosphere Owlerton - 2nd only to Hyde Raod in terms of the track and the smells of the bakery on the way to the stadium - mmm, mmm Brandon and Plough Lane - Very tidy venues that really give you a sense of occasion when you go there County Ground - not to everyone's taste, but with the speed of the place, close racing there is absolutely breathtaking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian H Posted March 21, 2003 Report Share Posted March 21, 2003 Definitely Hyde Road. Aaaah. Other great racing tracks were Old Meadowbank, Wimbledon and Hackney. Best of today's lot are probably Exeter and Kings Lynn. One common factor (except Wimbledon) - no dog track. In my opinion tracks inside doggie circuits tend to have too (Two) tight bends. :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted March 22, 2003 Report Share Posted March 22, 2003 There's a dog track at Exeter.... and the bends are not really that tight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted March 22, 2003 Report Share Posted March 22, 2003 There's a dog track at Exeter.... and the bends are not really that tight That's cheating!! Swindon has fairly lengthy bends and a dog track as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom House Kid Posted March 22, 2003 Report Share Posted March 22, 2003 Custom House had a Dog Track Wouldn’t call that tight! I only saw the stadium in the 60s and 70s in 66 the old timber stand on the first bend was unsafe and the old pits where moved to the third bend. Then the back straight stand demolished! (I stood there ). I should imagine in its day hard to beat the size and atmosphere at Custom House! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian H Posted March 22, 2003 Report Share Posted March 22, 2003 OK a bit of a generalisation but I can only go by some tracks I have been to where the straights are (were) definitely too close together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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