25yearfan Posted November 19, 2023 Report Share Posted November 19, 2023 On 10/29/2023 at 7:22 PM, HertsRacer said: I agree. In the 60 years I've followed the sport we've had the Panthers, Northern, Barons and Dukes, none of whom drew good crowds, even in the 70's boom years. Not sure why things would change now. Bradford Northern drew very big crowds for a couple of seasons but these soon tailed of after the novelty factor wore out. Biggest cock up in that part of the World where speedway was concerned was losing Halifax Dukes speedway at the Shay which was always well supported and I think would still get viable crowds in modern times. Yes shame this new track mentioned by Phil Morris didn't materialise, how close was this to actually happening? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 I wonder if Sunderland would be a possibility as the stadium is still there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 1 hour ago, steve roberts said: I wonder if Sunderland would be a possibility as the stadium is still there? No. ARC own Sunderland and, seeing as they made it quite clear they didn't want speedway at Brough Park, speedway at Sunderland ain't gonna happen any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 28 minutes ago, StevePark said: No. ARC own Sunderland and, seeing as they made it quite clear they didn't want speedway at Brough Park, speedway at Sunderland ain't gonna happen any time soon. That's a shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 29 minutes ago, StevePark said: No. ARC own Sunderland and, seeing as they made it quite clear they didn't want speedway at Brough Park, speedway at Sunderland ain't gonna happen any time soon. That's a shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wembleyfan Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 I know it was raised a few years ago and dismissed because King's Lynn (Buster) thought it was too close, but Swaffham Raceway has just had a makeover and the owner is looking for new opportunities. With Peterborough closing and Mildenhall withdrawing from regular league speedway, it may be an opportunity. It may draw new punters from Swaffham, Dereham, Watton,Fakenham, even Norwich etc as well as the Mildenhall faithful. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HertsRacer Posted November 26, 2023 Report Share Posted November 26, 2023 (edited) 20 hours ago, Wembleyfan said: I know it was raised a few years ago and dismissed because King's Lynn (Buster) thought it was too close, but Swaffham Raceway has just had a makeover and the owner is looking for new opportunities. With Peterborough closing and Mildenhall withdrawing from regular league speedway, it may be an opportunity. It may draw new punters from Swaffham, Dereham, Watton,Fakenham, even Norwich etc as well as the Mildenhall faithful. Isn't the track tarmac or concrete ? Edited November 26, 2023 by HertsRacer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25yearfan Posted November 26, 2023 Report Share Posted November 26, 2023 The biggest problem with Swaffham is that its too far away from Norwich and too close to King's Lynn in a rural area. Even the popular stock cars and bangers have struggled to make it pay there. I've always thought Swaffham raceways an Arena Essex clone apart from the old raceway Tavern that used to be on the 1st bend at Arena. Ronnie Russell looked at it years ago but I think the only way it would work is if a NL team was run from there in conjunction with King's Lynn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bald Bloke Posted November 26, 2023 Report Share Posted November 26, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, HertsRacer said: Isn't the track tarmac or concrete ? Tarmac.370 yards. Edited November 26, 2023 by Bald Bloke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted November 26, 2023 Report Share Posted November 26, 2023 I don't know what the rules and regs are regarding speedway tracks opening close to others but there is little doubt in my mind that unless the two clubs worked together to avoid running meetings too in the same week then either or both would really struggle. There just aren't enough interested people locally to support two venues IMO although I'd love to be proved wrong. As a venue though I think Swaffham could work, it's in a good location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorwichTownFan Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 On 11/26/2023 at 10:32 PM, Bagpuss said: I don't know what the rules and regs are regarding speedway tracks opening close to others but there is little doubt in my mind that unless the two clubs worked together to avoid running meetings too in the same week then either or both would really struggle. There just aren't enough interested people locally to support two venues IMO although I'd love to be proved wrong. As a venue though I think Swaffham could work, it's in a good location. Speedway was talked about at Swaffham Raceway about 15 years ago, Mr Chapman of Kings Lynn Speedway soon had his say, and nothing came of it, I believe he even objected to the reopening of Speedway in Norwich at the showground in Norwich maybe 10 or so years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 valve Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 35 minutes ago, NorwichTownFan said: Speedway was talked about at Swaffham Raceway about 15 years ago, Mr Chapman of Kings Lynn Speedway soon had his say, and nothing came of it, I believe he even objected to the reopening of Speedway in Norwich at the showground in Norwich maybe 10 or so years ago. Actually, Jonathan Chapman said at the time he would not object to speedway returning to Norwich at the showground but would not agree to the name "Stars" returning to Norwich. The showground did say at the time that racing would only be allowed on Saturdays with practice possible on Wednesdays. After that it al seemed to go very quiet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted December 3, 2023 Report Share Posted December 3, 2023 Just seen an advert on the telly for the... Hackney Diamonds... Is this the new track? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocket007 Posted December 4, 2023 Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 I thought when Hackney closed and they demolished most of the buildings in and around Waterden Road for the 2012 Olympic site, that a Speedway Track was to be incorporated somewhere within that site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toady Posted December 4, 2023 Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 6 hours ago, rocket007 said: I thought when Hackney closed and they demolished most of the buildings in and around Waterden Road for the 2012 Olympic site, that a Speedway Track was to be incorporated somewhere within that site. Or did they just go into exile on Main Street ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted December 4, 2023 Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 19 hours ago, mikebv said: Just seen an advert on the telly for the... Hackney Diamonds... Is this the new track? They messed it up, messed it up, messed it up! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toady Posted December 4, 2023 Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 8 hours ago, rocket007 said: I thought when Hackney closed and they demolished most of the buildings in and around Waterden Road for the 2012 Olympic site, that a Speedway Track was to be incorporated somewhere within that site. But you can’t always get what you want ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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