Guest compost Posted September 3, 2019 The book 'Speedway The Pre-war years' lists Broxburn and Kettering as venues where Dirt-track/Speedway was held at. Neither the Researcher (or the Defunct Tracks website) lists these venues so were they Dirt-track/Speedway venues (and worthy of inclusion) or not ? The book does say that Ketterings track was based on ashes and soil but were'nt ashes (cinders ?) used at other venues ? Doesn't sound like a 'grasstrack' to me. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,241 Posted September 3, 2019 (edited) 52 minutes ago, compost said: The book 'Speedway The Pre-war years' lists Broxburn and Kettering as venues where Dirt-track/Speedway was held at. Neither the Researcher (or the Defunct Tracks website) lists these venues so were they Dirt-track/Speedway venues (and worthy of inclusion) or not ? The book does say that Ketterings track was based on ashes and soil but were'nt ashes (cinders ?) used at other venues ? Doesn't sound like a 'grasstrack' to me. Thanks Both venues are listed in the publication 'Homes of British Speedway' Broxburn (1928-29) listed as Training & Trials. Kettering (!928-29) Open License. Edited September 3, 2019 by steve roberts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeW 46 Posted September 3, 2019 The Kettering track was situated at Hannington which is just off the A43 between Kettering and Northampton. It is included on the Speedway Researcher website under "Northampton Hannington". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BL65 655 Posted September 3, 2019 2 hours ago, compost said: The book 'Speedway The Pre-war years' lists Broxburn and Kettering as venues where Dirt-track/Speedway was held at. Neither the Researcher (or the Defunct Tracks website) lists these venues so were they Dirt-track/Speedway venues (and worthy of inclusion) or not ? Quote from the excellent book 'Speedway in Scotland' by Jim Henry and Ian Moultray: 'The pioneer Broxburn track did not even get the length of staging a meeting. This 436-yard track was the pioneer shale track built using waste retorted oil shale used to surface the modern day Scottish venues. In 1929, an impromptu race between Drew McQueen and Sam Reid at a motorcycle club event lasted two laps before Reid fell.' 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BL65 655 Posted September 3, 2019 1 hour ago, JoeW said: The Kettering track was situated at Hannington which is just off the A43 between Kettering and Northampton. It is included on the Speedway Researcher website under "Northampton Hannington". Local newspapers advertised the venue as 'Northampton Speedway, Kettering Road', with the comment that 'all keen motor cyclists should join the Northampton speedway and have the privilege of practising on the Finest Dirt Track and Grass Track in England'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites