HertsRacer Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 You are a top man Sir. :approve: I well remember Ross Gilbertson at Sunderland with the 'Bombers'. Went back to Sunderland for the first time in 45 years recently. Didn't recognise any of the town now. Drove out to the stadium and didn't recognise that either. Trying to remember what it used to look like. Remember the main stand, wasn't there a wooden stand on the other side? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 Went back to Sunderland for the first time in 45 years recently. Didn't recognise any of the town now. Drove out to the stadium and didn't recognise that either. Trying to remember what it used to look like. Remember the main stand, wasn't there a wooden stand on the other side? There was indeed - that was pulled down years ago when they enlarged the Dog Track. The Main Stand is nowadays very plush - not like it was when you and I went. The seating upstairs was OK but you could never call it plush. For your interest: http://www.sunderlandspeedway.co.uk/ and http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Sunderland.htm I hope this brings back some happy memories for you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HertsRacer Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 My five are 1. ROMFORD - The decline in speedway started the day they closed. 2 SUNDERLAND - See above. And for purely selfish reasons, three sites within a quarter of an hours drive from me which speedway has been considered in the past 3. WELWYN GARDEN CITY - Even got as far as doing noise tests at the Gosling Stadium in the early 70's. 4 HENLOW - Mentioned as a possible early member of the Conference League 5 BYGRAVE - Old Banger Racing Circuit. Considered to small for speedway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 (edited) Got to have a track in Penge,so gustix can make it without too much bovver A speedway track in Penge, London, SE20 - it can never happen there. The actually Penge area is housing and shops. The nearest possible venue is about half mile away at Crystal Palace park, where the now not used athletics track is based. That was the site of the old speedway and midget car track that was operational between 1928 and 1940. And of course the Palace was from around 1937 until 1972 where big circuit motorcycle and car racing took place. But any hopes of motorsport of any sort taking place in the future can be ruled out. Local residents have been backed by Bromley Council with an effective ban on noise from motorsport for the Palace. However, the fact that there cannot be a speedway in the area where I live does not worry me in the least. Even were there to ever be a track I doubt if I would attend. The last meeting I saw was the closedown at Wimbledon in 2005. I have seen just one event on TV since then...I think it was a GP being staged in Sweden. My own golden era for following speedway as a spectator was from 1946 until 1992. I am still keenly interested in all the historical aspects of speedway but have no enthusiasm towards attending a meeting in these modern times. So no worry about a creating local track to suit me. There is no chance as a previous poster suggested about there being a track for my convenience in Penge. Edited February 24, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 1. Oxford. Perfectly good stadium lying unused whilst greedy venture capitalists hope to cash in. Hope for once the good guys win and we get Speedway back at Cowley. 2. Sunderland. The new owners wish to maximise use of their new facility. 3. Cradley. Someone, somewhere finds the land in the cultural and sporting desert that is Dudley to allow the Heathens home. 4. Bristol. Long since campaigned for, all seems to have gone quiet. However, hope springs eternal that the stars align and the city gets a track back along with the crowds Eastville enjoyed in the late 70's 5. Ballyskeagh. Greyhound track between Belfast and Lisburn, now known as Drumbo Park. An entrepreneur with deep pockets sees the crowds that the Belfast Giants attract in Ice Hockey's Elite League and decide that the great road racing culture in Northern Ireland would support a new motorcycle venture in massive numbers. And it's only down the road from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Downes Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 1) Bristol - maybe they could build it near Cribbs Causeway - difficult to complain about the noise with the shopping mall and motorway nearby 2) Newport 3) Oxford 4) Reading 5) Crayford - purely sentimental reasons but sadly it'll be a cold day in hell before that would be remotely possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruth Reddy Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 1. St Austell 2. Exeter 3. Bristol 4. Gloucester 5. Worcester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 1 California - just down the road from me 2 Brandon - the need is immediate and speedway can not afford to lose existing clubs 3 Oxford - a perfectly good stadium going to waste 4 Wimbledon - or any track in London which would be important for sport's profile 5 Cradley - so we can revive the Dudley/Wolves Trophy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 (edited) Okay, this is meant to be fun, so... 1) Three Cocks, Powys 2) Ugley, Essex 3) Titty Hill, Sussex 4) Willey, Warks Just trying to work out what the team nicknames of these would be? No 4 could be the "Warmers", and No 2 could obviously be the Ugley "F...ers:... 5) Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Gwynedd Forget the team name, I'd love to hear a warcry; "Give us an L..." !!! Steve PS The forum wouldn't let me use one real place name in Dorset... Edited February 22, 2017 by chunky 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest compost Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 (edited) Okay lesson learned. I was interested in seeing where people would like to see the sport (re-) appear so it wasn't a purely come up with anything funny idea. BTW White Knight saying Sunderland 5 times unfortunately only counts once (say in 5th place - just kidding, 4th). I did suggest the new-ish Spedeworth track at Aldershot a couple of years back as with Reading gone and a bone-a-fide motor racing facility that wasn't too far away I thought there might be a chance that a 2nd or 3rd Division outfit could do well but in the current economic and social climates there will be no chance. And to think that when we closed at the end of 1952 we were promised 'proper' League racing again. Sad. Many thanks for the replies though. Forgot to add that Bristol seems the most popular missed venue. Surprised no one has mentioned Norwich (or have I missed that one ?) Edited February 22, 2017 by compost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Okay lesson learned. I was interested in seeing where people would like to see the sport (re-) appear so it wasn't a purely come up with anything funny idea. BTW White Knight saying Sunderland 5 times unfortunately only counts once (say in 5th place - just kidding, 4th). I did suggest the new-ish Spedeworth track at Aldershot a couple of years back as with Reading gone and a bone-a-fide motor racing facility that wasn't too far away I thought there might be a chance that a 2nd or 3rd Division outfit could do well but in the current economic and social climates there will be no chance. And to think that when we closed at the end of 1952 we were promised 'proper' League racing again. Sad. Many thanks for the replies though. Forgot to add that Bristol seems the most popular missed venue. Surprised no one has mentioned Norwich (or have I missed that one ?) Shame that compost. :rofl: I did try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted February 23, 2017 Report Share Posted February 23, 2017 OK OK I know this is supposed to be about the UK-but I would like to see tracks reopen in Welland, Paris and Dundas -all in Ontario. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 23, 2017 Report Share Posted February 23, 2017 (edited) In all seriousness, I don't really care WHERE tracks appear or reappear - as long as they do. Aside from geographical specifics, there are two things I would love to see. Firstly, to see tracks re-emerging in urban areas, and not being forced out into the country away from potential spectators. However, with the modern-day NIMBY population, I can't see that happening. Secondly, as much as I am a small-track fan (Plough Lane was my track, obviously), I would love to see some BIG tracks out there. It was the variety that made speedway so special, and I do long for the old Belle Vue, Halifax, and of course, Exeter. Oh, and West Ham. If we could just get some tracks like that again... Steve Edited February 23, 2017 by chunky 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted February 23, 2017 Report Share Posted February 23, 2017 Okay lesson learned. I was interested in seeing where people would like to see the sport (re-) appear so it wasn't a purely come up with anything funny idea. BTW White Knight saying Sunderland 5 times unfortunately only counts once (say in 5th place - just kidding, 4th). I did suggest the new-ish Spedeworth track at Aldershot a couple of years back as with Reading gone and a bone-a-fide motor racing facility that wasn't too far away I thought there might be a chance that a 2nd or 3rd Division outfit could do well but in the current economic and social climates there will be no chance. And to think that when we closed at the end of 1952 we were promised 'proper' League racing again. Sad. Many thanks for the replies though. Forgot to add that Bristol seems the most popular missed venue. Surprised no one has mentioned Norwich (or have I missed that one ?) See my post re Norwich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Wilko Posted February 23, 2017 Report Share Posted February 23, 2017 Norbiton Islington Morden Battersea Ystrad Mynach 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Got to have a track in Penge,so gustix can make it without too much bovver 1. Oxford 2. York 3. Liverpool 4. Any location in London 5. Norwich A speedway track in Penge, London, SE20 - it can never happen there. The actually Penge area is housing and shops. The nearest possible venue is about half mile away at Crystal Palace park, where the now not used athletics track is based. That was the site of the old speedway and midget car track that was operational between 1928 and 1940. And of course the Palace was from around 1937 until 1972 where big circuit motorcycle and car racing took place. But any hopes of motorsport of any sort taking place in the future can be ruled out. Local residents have been backed by Bromley Council with an effective ban on noise from motorsport for the Palace. However, the fact that there cannot be a speedway in the area where I live does not worry me in the least. Even were there to ever be a track I doubt if I would attend. The last meeting I saw was the closedown at Wimbledon in 2005. I have seen just one event on TV since then...I think it was a GP being staged in Sweden. My own golden era for following speedway as a spectator was from 1946 until 1992. I am still keenly interested in all the historical aspects of speedway but have no enthusiasm towards attending a meeting in these modern times. So no worry about a creating local track to suit me. There is no chance as a previous poster suggested about there being a track for my convenience in Penge. 1 California - just down the road from me 2 Brandon - the need is immediate and speedway can not afford to lose existing clubs 3 Oxford - a perfectly good stadium going to waste 4 Wimbledon - or any track in London which would be important for sport Yes, a track anywhere in London would be welcome BUT NOT IN THE PENGE/CRYSTAL PALACE AREA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Swindon Speedway Car Park. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 (edited) OK OK I know this is supposed to be about the UK-but I would like to see tracks reopen in Welland, Paris and Dundas -all in Ontario. Speedway has really fallen away in Canada in the past three or four years whereas from what I see on FACEBOOK flat track racing is thriving? What is it that flat track offers which is not applicable to Canadian speedway? Edited February 26, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest compost Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 See my post re Norwich My apologies customhouseregular. I think chunky's post number 33 is spot on. It's been a really depressing closed season with no new track rumours just closure ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keef robin Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Bristol Oxford Reading Leeds Southampton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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