Constancy

[arnieg 3,643]

 

OK I've done a list of the tracks that have operated for most seasons. I have included any track that staged at least one speedway meeting. In some cases these are ACU licensed amateur meetings (e.g. Exeter 1934, Middlesbrough 1953-55) or pirate meetings (e.g. Coventry 1936, Cradley 1959). There are examples (notably Eastbourne and Rye House) where training took place but no actual meetings took place - these have not been included.

nb 2015 included for those tracks who are running this year.

Principal sources: 'Homes of British Speedway' and Speedway Researcher website

I don't claim this list is 100% accurate, and there are some areas open to interpretation (e.g. just how many tracks have there been at Rye House?).

 

So counting down to number one, here we go with the first five:

 

(note: I can find details of meetings for at least 37 seasons at Iwade (Sittingbourne) between the years 1972 and 2013 – but have not included them in the list)

 

20 Mildenhall 39 seasons (1974-2015)

includes training matches staged in 1974

 

19 Stoke, Loomer Road 42 seasons (!973-2015)

only missed 1993 since opening

 

18 Wembley 43 seasons (1929-1981)

nearly half of these consist of just one or two big meetings

 

17 Cradley 43 seasons (1947-1995)

includes 1959 when just one pirate meeting was staged

 

16 Peterborough 46 seasons (1970- 2015)

Unbroken since opening

[norbold 7,109]

Technically there have been three tracks at Rye House, but all within the same overall stadium area.

[arnieg 3,643]

Technically there have been three tracks at Rye House, but all within the same overall stadium area.

I know - I read it in a book somewhere

Edited January 13, 2015 by arnieg

[arnieg 3,643]

and continuing:

 

 

15 Middlesbrough, Cleveland Park 50 seasons(1928-1996)

includes 1953-55 when 7(?) closed to club ACU licensed meetings were staged

 

14 King's Lynn 50 seasons (1965-2015)

does not include one-off charity grass speedway meetings staged in 1952 & 53. Since opening 1996 has been the only year without speedway at Saddlebow Road

 

13 Newcastle, Brough Park 58 seasons (1929-2015)

in no less than eight seperate spells

 

12 Belle Vue, Hyde Road 59 seasons (1929-87)

without interruption including wartime period

[arnieg 3,643]

and the next batch:

 

 

11 Wolverhampton 61 seasons (1928-2015)

includes a single open meeting in 1950

 

10 Exeter 61 seasons (1929-2005)

includes amateur meetings in 1934

 

9 Oxford 62 seasons (1939-2007)

includes 59 consecutive seasons, does not include mixed meetings post 2007 which included a few 'dirt-track' races

 

8 Wimbledon 62 seasons (1928-2005)

The highest placed track no longer operating

[norbold 7,109]

This is getting exciting now....

[arnieg 3,643]

and as we approach the coveted number one spot:

 

 

7 Rye House 63 seasons (1934-2015)

aggregate for all three tracks (the original track was on site of go-cart circuit, but as it was within the curtilage of the same site I have aggregated them). There are some additional seasons when track was used for training, but no meetings were staged.

 

6 Ipswich 63 seasons (1950-2015)

including an unbroken run since 1969

 

5 Swindon 67 seasons (1949-2015)

67 consecutive seasons of league racing

 

4 Poole 68 seasons (1948-2015)

unbroken since opening, with one year of non-league speedway (1957)

[norbold 7,109]

Rye House: The original track was where the present track is. the second track was where the go-kart track is.

[The White Knight 9,039]

and as we approach the coveted number one spot:

 

 

7 Rye House 63 seasons (1934-2015)

aggregate for all three tracks (the original track was on site of go-cart circuit, but as it was within the curtilage of the same site I have aggregated them). There are some additional seasons when track was used for training, but no meetings were staged.

 

6 Ipswich 63 seasons (1950-2015)

including an unbroken run since 1969

 

5 Swindon 67 seasons (1949-2015)

67 consecutive seasons of league racing

 

4 Poole 68 seasons (1948-2015)

unbroken since opening, with one year of non-league speedway (1957)

I'm all a quiver..................................................

 

But I know who is Number One. :party:

[BOBBATH 467]

I reckon #1 will be Coventry

[The White Knight 9,039]

I reckon #1 will be Coventry

I hope not. :shock: :shock:

[arnieg 3,643]

Number one - no surprise - but I think 2 & 3 were less obvious.

 

 

3 Sheffield 69 seasons (1929-2015)

only two blank years since 1960

 

2 Eastbourne 73 seasons (1929-2015)

have included 1940 which is not in the records, but a programme recently appeared on e-bay. There may have been meetings in 1953 but there are no verified details. Seasons where the track was used for training only are not included

 

1 Coventry 76 seasons (1928-2015)

includes unlicensed meetings in 1936; has staged league speedway for 68 seasons in a row

 

[norbold 7,109]

I would have put Coventry and Eastbourne at nos. 1 & 2. That's why I mentioned them earlier. Forgot about Sheffield though. There was a meeting at Eastbourne in 1953, The Championship of Sussex, won by Ron Barrett. It was the size of the crowd for this meeting that encouraged Charlie Dugard to revive Eastbourne in 1954. So, does that make 74 seasons?

 

Anyway, thanks so much for all the research and presenting this Arnie. It's been fascinating, interesting and a very worthwhile project.

[arnieg 3,643]

Yes that would...

 

and I just knew I'd get Rye House wrong!

[BOBBATH 467]

Had totally forgotten about Sheffield-ta for research Arnie