Ray Stadia

Somersham Cycle Speedway track, June 2021

Oh, it's Great Blakenham, I said it was affiliated to Ipswich in an earlier post. I did think it was another club in Ipswich.

It was in use last year. Have a look at their Facebook page, the track looks great!

Kesgrave and Somersham. Somersham is the 4th track I mentioned and I think it's still going and is affiliated to Ipswich Cycle Speedway.

Ipswich has 3 cycle speedway teams and 4 tracks! (I think the 4th track is still going?)

On the 12th November, 2023, Bradford has an event listed as 'Grasstrack Demonstration'. Would this be Grasstrack as we understand it?

With the loss of Long Eaton Speedway and it may have been discussed to death before, but I didn't realise there is a Nottingham Greyhound Stadium and looking at their website, appears to be ripe for a speedway track! However, I'm sure there will be many reasons why it wouldn't be suitable?

Was that him too? The old boy with the gong?

Bob Danvers Walker, he was on 'Take Your Pick' with Michael Miles. He introduced the prizes!

Yes, just looked Steve, 12th April, 1984 (Thursday), KenEx Cup, 34-43. Arena won the Canterbury leg, 35-43. So, Canterbury must have won by 1 point overall?

The 4TT I mentioned, Martin was in the Hammers team.

Hi Steve, I have dug out a programme, dated Thursday 27th September, 1984, their first season. Interleague Four Team Tournement, Essex Radio Hammers, Cradley Heath, Hackney 83 and Oxford. Perhaps the one you went to? Also, Thursday 11th October, 1984, Autumn Triangle, Hammers, Hackney and Rye House.

I wonder if they started on Thursdays, but switched to Fridays, when Hackney closed?

I thought it was Thursdays?

I could be wrong, but is Rye House another stadium which is in 'development suspension'? I have tried to Google the stadium and nothing comes up, showing the current situation?

Good point (and you might be saying something 'tongue in cheek'), but in reality, an 'ex-ref' would have issues with liability insurance, I'm sure!

Exactly! Prince Harry is a perfect example of true 'his version of events'!

Have they built anything yet on the old Arena Essex site? I bet the demise of the stadium, caused Chick Woodroffe to turn in his grave! It was his creation and baby when bangers and stocks were lost, when Rayleigh Stadium was lost!

Maybe a cable channel?

Maybe a Midlands or West news station?

Assuming Radio Oxford are still in operation, I hope they are giving the same support for the new venture!

That is true, but with social media, people have to be looking for speedway to see what is going on in speedway. Unless you mean advertising on something like Facebook, which then costs a lot of money and would be national, perhaps international. A local track should, in my opinion, keep it simple (their track advertising) and make it something that people can see for real and not over the net. I live in Ipswich and I hear nothing locally about the Witches. Very occasionally a tiny snipet on local radio.

I can't see forcing every promoter, to stump up £20,000.00 (might have to be every year), will be music to the ears of promoters, who are likely losing money each season anyway. Marketing, I believe, with a bit of thought, can be achieved without huge expense. For a start, the riders should be prepared to market themselves during the season and without receiving a fee!, i.e. high streets, shopping malls. Make better use of local press, local radio stations, including the internet radio stations. Make use of fans to assist with marketing, such as, bring a friend/family member along for free. Have a track pick-up van with an advert attached to it, with perhaps a bike also on the van, driving around the locality a few days before each meeting. Just ideas!

Maybe we need some R&R, R&R and visit the Beaufort Arms pub!

He said it's the only pub in Hawkesbury Upton (near Tetbury), The Beaufort Arms? Interestingly, a speedway rider, Simon Walker, is from Hawkesbury Upton!