IainB Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 I've noticed while watching some of the BSN streams that when they record a track walk/guide well before the start of a meeting, there are people already on the terraces, which was quite a surprise for somebody who likes to roll up at 19:25 for a 19:30 start... What time do you generally get to the track and if you're one of the early birds... what on earth do you do until the racing starts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch958 Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 here's one for the old Boro fans. caught the 36 at 650 on Cargo Fleet Lane, got off at the Blind School around 720 and walked down to the sound of the engines warming up. The old faded Domestos advert on the back of the tote board in view. Got in just in time for the parade and Ron Wilson flicking the 50p into the crowd. Can't see many parents allowing an 11 year old doing that alone these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortythirtyeight Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 In the early 70’s I was there before the turnstiles opened at 6:30. Once opened, bought my programme and ran off to the 1 st floor seating in the Resteraunt/bar area to get our seats opposite the starting gate. Read the programme and then off to the track shop to purchase the Speedway Star and the Mail, check out the away programmes and badges on offer and purchase a favourite riders photograph or even rosette hoping to get it autographed in the bar after the meeting. Now, get to the track earlyish so I can get a cuppa . Oh how times have changed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WembleyLion Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 I generally aim for about 60-90 minutes before start time. The time goes very quickly catching up with others who do the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 I find it wise to build in an extra hour for my journey so often arrive 90 minutes before the start. At some tracks limited parking can also give an 8ncentive to arrive early. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TINYS Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 Usually get to Lynn 3/4 of an hour early 6.45 for 7.30 start but we have to wait for the sun to go down so it,s now an hour before start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 2 hours ago, WembleyLion said: I generally aim for about 60-90 minutes before start time. The time goes very quickly catching up with others who do the same. Me too. When I used to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BL65 Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 In my youth I enjoyed turning up early at the tracks, watching the riders arrive, gathering autographs and generally soaking up the atmosphere. Now in old age I am quite happy to arrive much closer to start time, although taking care to ensure safe parking will be available within reasonable distance. The earliest I have arrived was 2 and a quarter hours before start time at Blackbird Road, Leicester and 2 hours before the start of the 1967 Internationale at Wimbledon. A friend persuaded me that it would be a good idea to travel by train to the Leicester match, which was the re-opening fixture against King's Lynn on 9th April 1968. In order to get there in time for the meeting an early start was required, as we had to change trains twice. We were very early arrivals, even though walking slowly from London Road station to the track. We were first through the turnstiles and within 20 minutes we had been offered three regular jobs each. As we wouldn't be attending regularly we had to decline. It was a very good match, with a large crowd and wonderful atmosphere. The downside was that we didn't get back home until 8.00 a.m. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 Get to the NSS around an hour before the start to get a parking place on the street... Then use the excellent Burger Van outside the stadium on the same street.. Watch the bikes getting warmed up for a while then go in.. Usually get in about 10 mins before start time as always order tickets on line.. Liam Neeson to play me if a movie gets made of my night out at the Speedway escapades... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovalman Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 Most fans at Swindon used to arrive 5-10 minutes before start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Goddard Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 At Wolves I would get there just after 6pm to make sure I'd get a car park space (earlier at bigger meetings) and wait for the turnstiles to open, then grab a programme, queue up for some food, eat and chat to my friends before the parade. At Birmingham I'd be quite a bit earlier as I'd be working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normski Posted July 18, 2022 Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 Arrive at Berwick at 6 pm 2 pints of John Smiths in the Black and Gold then make my way in about 6-50pm. Have a season ticket so bypass any queues at turnstiles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 Going to Oxford I used to stroll round and arrive at about 7-00 to catch up with all the chat...always a full night out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 I used to get to Plough Lane about an hour before the start, and watch the riders arrive, get autographs etc. For World Finals, big meetings at White City etc, I would usually get there a couple of hours early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 My current decision is not whether its 6:30 , 7 or 7:30 but if at all Latest choice is whether to arrive in August.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackett Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 At Arlington we used to get there about an hour before ... Get a seat in Grandstand , kids could go to the pits and then get a cardboard burger. With no local tracks we haven't even been in 2022 yet .... 2 more weeks until the British Final. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted July 20, 2022 Report Share Posted July 20, 2022 Arrive in the car park around 5-30/5.45. Gates open 6.30 so join that queue around 6.20 pm after having a snack/drink in the car, sometimes use the bar and facilities, catch up with the promoter and then I sit in an area of reserved seating so have the chance to catch up with other regulars, read the programme and make any changes to the racecard. I attend with my son, his mate and my granddaughter plus occasionally one other, depending on workshifts etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS50 Posted July 20, 2022 Report Share Posted July 20, 2022 If it's on Eurosport, about 15 minutes after the scheduled start time should be early enough. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted July 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2022 2 hours ago, Skidder1 said: Gates open 6.30 so join that queue around 6.20 pm queue!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted July 20, 2022 Report Share Posted July 20, 2022 (edited) 21 hours ago, iainb said: queue!! Usually big queues at all the entrances! Every week and longer queues in the holidays with all the holiday makers and depending on the standard of the opposition. Edited July 21, 2022 by Skidder1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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