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West Ham Speedway Closes 1972


BOBBATH

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2 hours ago, E I Addio said:

.Hackney never really had the same atmosphere to my mind though.

Have to agree there. Custom House was much more imposing, and not only looked like a proper stadium (concrete and corrugated iron), it FELT like a proper stadium...

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6 hours ago, E I Addio said:

The stands on the back straight were demolished after a fire. Some oily rags had been dumped under the stand and somehow caught fire. It really was a great shame because on a summer evening there was no better place to be. From the stands on the home straight you could see the ships funnels all lit up in the King George V Dock, less than half a mile away . It all looked fantastic and added to the atmosphere.

I think part of, the problem was that the stadium was probably thrown up in a bit of a hurry when the sort came here in 1928 when money was short and no thought given to long term plans so was life expired 40 years later. It was a great stadium though. Coventry always reminded me of it in a way and that sadly is no more. Hackney never really had the same atmosphere to my mind though.

 

Those days I was working for a shipping company called The Blue Star Line. I thought that when I went to watch speedway at West Ham I could forget about work but I had to spend the whole evening looking at a ship's funnel from   ... yes you've guested it ... The Blue Star Line.

Edited by Split
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21 hours ago, E I Addio said:

The stands on the back straight were demolished after a fire. Some oily rags had been dumped under the stand and somehow caught fire. It really was a great shame because on a summer evening there was no better place to be. From the stands on the home straight you could see the ships funnels all lit up in the King George V Dock, less than half a mile away . It all looked fantastic and added to the atmosphere.

I think part of, the problem was that the stadium was probably thrown up in a bit of a hurry when the sort came here in 1928 when money was short and no thought given to long term plans so was life expired 40 years later. It was a great stadium though. Coventry always reminded me of it in a way and that sadly is no more. Hackney never really had the same atmosphere to my mind though.

 

As far as I recall Custom House was designed by Archibald Leitch who was the foremost Stadium designer of the day. Responsible for stands at grounds such as Ibrox, Roker Park and Goodison amongst many others. The trademark lattice design of the metalwork on the double decker stands at West Ham was similar to the ones at the other stadiums mentioned. 

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2 hours ago, salty said:

As far as I recall Custom House was designed by Archibald Leitch who was the foremost Stadium designer of the day. Responsible for stands at grounds such as Ibrox, Roker Park and Goodison amongst many others. The trademark lattice design of the metalwork on the double decker stands at West Ham was similar to the ones at the other stadiums mentioned. 

Archibald Leach (Leitch?) was the real name of the old time actor Cary Grant. Maybe the stadium designer went on to  make a career for himself in Hollywood under an assumed name :o

Edited by Split
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  • 3 weeks later...

I went to the last ever meeting at West Ham. The last race was won by Kevin Holden. I used to have a multi signed programme with autographs i got on the night. I was only a youngster, but it was an emotional experience for me. It remains my all time favourite track to this day.

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Unfortunately I never got to Custom House as they closed during my first year going to speedway but I do have "History of West Ham Speedway" DVD which makes for fascinating viewing!

Edited by steve roberts
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59 minutes ago, cityrebel said:

I went to the last ever meeting at West Ham. The last race was won by Kevin Holden. I used to have a multi signed programme with autographs i got on the night. I was only a youngster, but it was an emotional experience for me. It remains my all time favourite track to this day.

I have some great memories of the place. Just scary to think that it's nearly 50 years ago...

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He's certainly up there with Fundin, Mauger, Briggo, Moore, Craven, Olsen, Michanek, Collins, Nielsen, Gundersen etc.,

Edited by auntie doris
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On 10/6/2021 at 1:20 PM, auntie doris said:

My only memory is watching Bjorn Knutson at the stadium after New Cross closed. It was a far bigger track than the Pan.

415 yards but originally 440 yards. Made for nice long heats. We got our money’s worth at West Ham.

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3 hours ago, auntie doris said:

He's certainly up there with Fundin, Mauger, Briggo, Moore, Craven, Olsen, Michanek, Collins, Nielsen, Gundersen etc.,

1965 was my first WF too. Saw all the Wembley finals after that.

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Bjorn was class, Sverre was excitement. Custom House was the place for be mid/late 60’s. I can’t believe it has been 50 years either.

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  • 2 weeks later...
On ‎10‎/‎6‎/‎2021 at 3:45 PM, BOBBATH said:

Why ever did Bjorn retire so early? He became World Champ at the first WF I ever attended.

I think that sadly, Björn simply became disenchanted with the sport. He was undoubtedly a rider of world class but nerves often seemed to get the better of him on the big occasion. I honestly believe that it was only when becoming world champion wasn't so important to him anymore  (I actually remember seeing him yawning at the pre-meeting parade at that world final) that he could just concentrate on winning races and put his mental issues behind him.  

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  • 3 months later...
On 10/16/2021 at 8:57 PM, Split said:

I think that sadly, Björn simply became disenchanted with the sport. He was undoubtedly a rider of world class but nerves often seemed to get the better of him on the big occasion. I honestly believe that it was only when becoming world champion wasn't so important to him anymore  (I actually remember seeing him yawning at the pre-meeting parade at that world final) that he could just concentrate on winning races and put his mental issues behind him.  

As someone else said it seems business interests took over rather than disenchantment , in an era where riders generally needed outside briskness interests and didn’t make the sort of money world class riders get today. I think he had a car dealership  but still did some longtrack atbweekends 

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