auntie doris

Was Reg Luckhurst there?

He said none of the riders liked him at first, believing no rider should have long hair and a beard. He still has long hair in ponytail. 74 now and still playing competitive table tennis. Clive Hitch, just turned 80, and Martin Ashby not in best of health.

Oxford returning with big crowds..very good stadium, although the end of my local team Swindon. Bewley winning British GP. Lambert doing well. Worky, which used to be my local track, on way back.

Yes, he said he guested for the Ammers in 71 after the Lokeren tragedy. Was invited to the West Ham 50th. year reunion at the Speedway Museum this year, Briggo was there. It is great to talk to ex riders. Said Knutson more or less retired after his world title.

That was a problem at Swindon, about 1000 paying and 300/400 not.

Don't really follow speedway so much since Windon folded, but well done to champions Belle Vue and Poole, coincidence both finished 3rd. but thems the rules. Leicester step up a league. Not possible but should be one big league, Oxford and Poole should be in top div. The sport will always survive in one form or other I suppose. It's just run in a strange way. Can't beat the spectacle of two riders passing and re-passing, can't understand why so few peeps attend now compared to 50 years ago. A dying sport like greyhounds perhaps. Good luck for 2023.

What a joke this once massive sport has become. Poole in the second div. no more Swindon, Coventry, Zummerzet, Newcastle etc., 6 team Premier, thousands deserting the sport in last 10 years or so. Sad to see speedway on its arse The only highlight has been return of the Ox. Oh dear.

It's slightly warmer in October, but nearly twice as much rain in October compared to April.

The food isn't brilliant there though

Great news Edinburgh.

Be good if they could race April to September, 6 months, instead of finishing mid-August, missing out on warmer evenings. And introduce pay on gate. Would like to see Bomber there as number 1.

I found the top terrace on bend 3 is good view and you can take a chair in. Don't like watching behind glass grandstand.

I think they were allowed to expand capacity to 3000 for the Pairs event. Great that peeps from parts of London 40-50 miles away can support the venue. Must have same crowd potential as Belle Vue with their huge populations, you wonder how teams such as Berwick, Scunthorpe, and Lynn survive with their smaller populations. Made me laugh at the Pairs, you could only buy a programme with cash!!! Swindon also had decent crowds but had similar problems and they closed.

Agree with you there, on my two trips to the Ox one exciting evening of racing v Glasgow, 2000 there, one borefest the Pairs, 3000 there, both hot evenings. Still think folks should be able to pay cash/card for entry on gate. Plus will fans interest wane if they have another poor season and the novelty wears off. Massive catchment area of millions. Good viewing if you're above air fence line and plenty of seats in grandstand unlike Swindon, which had poor viewing.

That's a small percentage. I can remember a Swindon sponsor saying to me that 300/400 are non-payers. Good luck to Oxford, and all clubs next season.If peeps are able to get off their keyboards and get out and support ya local tracks, then teams such as Newcastle wouldn't be closing. I will make the 35- mile trip up the A420 this year a few times, same as quite a few Robins fans.

My top 15 riders of the year would be...Masters, Douglas, Morris, Harris, Howarth, Lawson, Cook, Barker, Pickering, Riss, R.Worrall, S.Worrall, King, Wright, Basso.

Top 10 riders of the year for me would be....Doyle, Musielak, Masters, Fricke, Kurtz, Zagar, Holder, Klindt, Harris, Douglas.

Used to love the Grand Finals at Swindon when hundreds of away fans turned up, Coventry and Wolves 2007/9. Very few for later finals though.

What were the attendances for both meetings? Certainly a lot more Mancs at Sheffield than Tigers fans at BV.

Sad news for Trevor and his family

Very sad news, such a young age.

Thought Tobi was their best rider over the 2 legs. Always gives 100%. Great rider for Swindon, won 2 titles, 2017/19. Good to see The Aces triumph at last. Simon Stead is a great guy, Sheffield will be back.

Superb speedway..well done Belle Vue, unlucky Sheffield. Massive support from the hundreds of Manchester fans. Great meeting for Swindonian Tom Brennan. A great advert for speedway racing.

Looking forward to the War of the Roses battle, may the best team win.

I remember the 2012 Grand final against Poole...waterlogged track, only went ahead because cameras were there.