Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted March 12, 2017 Can remember England v Usa around 1981, a lot of USA banners displayed by English fans. England were behind but a great display by then Robin Stevie Bastable and Lee and Jessup smashed the yanks, who lost the series. Wasnt a big crowd there that night. Biggest I've seen at The Abbey was late 70s, think it was Golden Helmet showdown between Crump and Collins and a league match. The gates were shut, it was said there were 16-17000 inside and hundreds locked out, fantastic atmosphere. Swindon took hundreds to away matches, 500 travelled on the Mad Wellie Express train up to Edinburgh with riders and bikes. Be lucky to get 50 travelling now. But still one of speedways best supported clubs. Went to Edinburgh and there was something layed on for Weymouth in a inter tournament we had the day out and later watched the speedway.Biggest crowds come to mind we're the two tests in 72/73 New Zealand v Sweden the Ashby/Kilby testimonials were big crowds to,Keener for his meeting was unlucky the weather was horrendous.Also when Jansson rode Ashby for the helmet and Crumpie v Penhall and Lee were big crowds the Helmet was so prestige then.I wish we had it now the champion against the away top scorer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A ORLOV 8,628 Posted March 12, 2017 Went to Edinburgh and there was something layed on for Weymouth in a inter tournament we had the day out and later watched the speedway.Biggest crowds come to mind we're the two tests in 72/73 New Zealand v Sweden the Ashby/Kilby testimonials were big crowds to,Keener for his meeting was unlucky the weather was horrendous.Also when Jansson rode Ashby for the helmet and Crumpie v Penhall and Lee were big crowds the Helmet was so prestige then.I wish we had it now the champion against the away top scorer. Remember one of the Golden Helmet races with Phil Crump against someone, and Jason, who would have been about 10 or 12 at the time, was leaping up and down and shouting his head off in the pits entrance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,242 Posted March 12, 2017 Went to Edinburgh and there was something layed on for Weymouth in a inter tournament we had the day out and later watched the speedway.Biggest crowds come to mind we're the two tests in 72/73 New Zealand v Sweden the Ashby/Kilby testimonials were big crowds to,Keener for his meeting was unlucky the weather was horrendous.Also when Jansson rode Ashby for the helmet and Crumpie v Penhall and Lee were big crowds the Helmet was so prestige then.I wish we had it now the champion against the away top scorer. Recall seeing some of the Golden Helmet challenges during the seventies...Louis/Olsen/Jansson/Ashby/Crump. Caught the imagination at the time, 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aces51 2,778 Posted March 12, 2017 (edited) You paid more to sit in the home straight stand at Hyde Road, you didn't pay extra at the dog track and now we pay more to sit in the grandstand at the NSS. We couldn't afford the extra at Hyde Road but fortunately I can now at the NSS and I am more than happy to pay it for the facilities and quality of racing on offer.  The exception at Hyde Road was when the second division was formed and you could sit by the starting gate without paying more. Funnily enough, they now only open the grandstand at the NSS for national league meetings so no extra charge and what excellent value they are. £10, £8 for concessions and under 18's free.  I really hope that work does soon start at Swindon and that you get a brilliant race track. Edited March 12, 2017 by Aces51 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barney Rabbit 725 Posted March 12, 2017 Â Â I may have been incorrect...memory and all that but wasn't it the case during the 70's? Â No, never for Panthers' matches. Â One I can remember paying more to sit in the stand (other than King's Lynn) was Somerset but that was some time ago and for a Cardiff Eve meeting, possibly an individual event. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted March 12, 2017 Â No, never for Panthers' matches. Â One I can remember paying more to sit in the stand (other than King's Lynn) was Somerset but that was some time ago and for a Cardiff Eve meeting, possibly an individual event. The then Premier League 'Pairs' probably. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruno 1,790 Posted March 12, 2017 No your mind is ok. I was very young but do remember that once you had got in you had to pay again to get over to the other side.Hence i was always on the cheap side. Did it change in the late 70s though to being free to get by the starting tapes. I used to stand by the 3rd bend for years but then remember starting to watch just before the tapes. Can't imagine I'd pay extra every week Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted March 12, 2017 Did it change in the late 70s though to being free to get by the starting tapes. I used to stand by the 3rd bend for years but then remember starting to watch just before the tapes. Can't imagine I'd pay extra every week Tight git. :rofl: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruno 1,790 Posted March 12, 2017 You know me twk, when did we meet lol 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted March 12, 2017 We haven't yet - but - you are a man after my own heart. :rofl: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheScotsman 2,482 Posted March 12, 2017 ...or those that didn't pay at all viewing from above the third and fourth bends if i recall. Was it known as Scotsman's Hill or something or other? I resemble that remark! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted March 12, 2017 I think it was called Scotsmans bank. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*JJ 508 Posted March 13, 2017 Scotchmans Hill IIRC! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted March 13, 2017 Ok, I bow to your superior memory! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damosuzuki 696 Posted March 16, 2017 Any news on Clark's big plan? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
