waiheke1 Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 These days, dependent on what league. Top tier speedway about 800-1,000. At Naltional League level around 400 probably. Those top tier figures seem low? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 (edited) If anyone was to start out again and make a go of it Bristol would be top of my list god it would be hard but i believe there would be hope.Bristol and Odsal have been bandied about over the years but Odsal i believe would struggle with there crowds i dont believe they would be viable Bristol could be alot though would be decided on where the site was. Edited August 4, 2017 by Sidney the robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 (edited) London is also a massive city. Its nearest tracks are now at Rye House and Lakeside. I think the attendance figures at Rye House just exceed the 1,000 mark. At Lakeside about 400. What do you see as the difference whereby Bristol - with Swindon, Somerset and Plymouth 'in the vicinity' - are going to attract 'vast' attendances. I estimate, for example, the distance between one potential area to mention Reading and Bristol is about 70 miles, with a one-way travel time of at least 90 minutes. Then there's a return journey. And will Swindon-based fans go regularly to support a rival team? When Wimbledon came back 2002-05 with the massive potential of London to attract large attendances, they at best had 500 crowds as I recall. This is speedway in the 2000-plus era not the 1940s. Sorry Sidney the robin I don't share your enthusiasm. If anyone was to start out again and make a go of it Bristol would be top of my list god it would be hard but i believe there would be hope.Bristol and Odsal have been bandied about over the years but Odsal i believe would struggle with there crowds i dont believe they would be viable Bristol could be alot though would be decided on where the cite was. I would like to see a Bristol revival survive and prosper. Although I live in London, I have had an interest in the club since 1947 - remember Fred 'Friar' Tuck, Dick Bradley, Eric Salmon, the Hole brothers (Billy, Graham, John), Mike Beddoe especially well. And as you rightly point out Sidney the robin a successful revival for Bristol would much depend on where the new track site was located. Edited August 4, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastville Bulldog Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 Bristol recorded huge numbers for league matches. Well over 10,000 for the open select match in April '77.Some sources quote 14,000. I can't remember a home match with an attendance less than 8,000.Speedway is/was bigger to Bristolians than it is to the Polish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 If anyone was to start out again and make a go of it Bristol would be top of my list god it would be hard but i believe there would be hope.Bristol and Odsal have been bandied about over the years but Odsal i believe would struggle with there crowds i dont believe they would be viable Bristol could be alot though would be decided on where the site was.if Bristol did return, Somerset would be the losers. How many rebels regulars are ex bulldogs fans. When stoke reopened in 1973 they took half of crewe's crowd with them. The kings only lasted a couple more years. Sunderland's short return to the sport in the 1970's coincided with newcastle's absence. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 if Bristol did return, Somerset would be the losers. How many rebels regulars are ex bulldogs fans. When stoke reopened in 1973 they took half of crewe's crowd with them. The kings only lasted a couple more years. Sunderland's short return to the sport in the 1970's coincided with newcastle's absence. A most fair and valid comment cityrebel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastville Bulldog Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 (edited) if Bristol did return, Somerset would be the losers. How many rebels regulars are ex bulldogs fans. When stoke reopened in 1973 they took half of crewe's crowd with them. The kings only lasted a couple more years. Sunderland's short return to the sport in the 1970's coincided with newcastle's absence. Pop down to Oak tree and you'll see the Bulldog program boards, badges and the occasional scarf (partially hidden of course) lol Edited August 4, 2017 by Eastville Bulldog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 Bristol recorded huge numbers for league matches. Well over 10,000 for the open select match in April '77.Some sources quote 14,000. I can't remember a home match with an attendance less than 8,000.Speedway is/was bigger to Bristolians than it is to the Polish! The attendances you quote were from 40 years ago. The attraction that speedway held for the sporting public in those days has very sadly long evaporated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 4, 2017 Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 (edited) ::: There's also BSF debate on this topic at SPEEDWAY NEWS AND DISCUSSIONS Bristol Bulldogs Edited August 4, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastville Bulldog Posted August 6, 2017 Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 The attendances you quote were from 40 years ago. The attraction that speedway held for the sporting public in those days has very sadly long evaporated. Tell me about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastville Bulldog Posted August 21, 2017 Report Share Posted August 21, 2017 (edited) Who remembers the events held during the break between first and second halves of racing? There was the 'longest wheelie' contest, and the 'fastest flying lap'. I also remember Neil Farnish going round on his grass track bike during the interval. If I remember correctly Steve the heave held the record for the leg trail wheelie contest. There was also the 'lucky ticket holder' who had the chance to go in the pits, meet the team and get all the 'bulldog merchandise' too. Star Wars theme before each race and 10,000 renditions of 'Baker Street' by Gerry Rafferty. The sun setting over 'Tote End' the smell of castol R' and hamburgers. The mandatory face full of shale, God those were the days. Who also remembers Steve Greshams antics at Eastville? Namely with John Davis and Michael Lee? Edited August 21, 2017 by Eastville Bulldog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 Mike Beddoe was a post-WW2 Bristol favourite whose career was sadly affected by a serious foot injury. http://www.speedwayatoz.co.uk/pdfs/beddoe%20mike.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bavarian Posted April 10, 2023 Report Share Posted April 10, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted April 10, 2023 Report Share Posted April 10, 2023 2 hours ago, Bavarian said: Must watch this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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