Deano

Yes speedway was at the Old Alexander Stadium, (not to be confused with the New Alexander Athletics Stadium in Perry Barr Park further up the Walsall road). It was here at the Old Alexander Stadium, where they raced in the fifties on the old running track ( I know this because my mom used to run round on the old cinders when she ran for Birchfield Harriers) it was on this sight that they built the current dog track. The old Ladbrooks dog track was across the road, directly opposite the current dog track but is now the On Stop shopping precinct. When going to the speedway at Perry Barr in the seventies you could see the old derelict stadium across the road, which still had a bar and was used for private functions, but no athletics as this had moved up the road. So in effect if the Speedway if did go back to Perry barr, it would literally be going home. The grandstand I think is still the original but completely renovated and moderised.

I think Speedway should be made compulsory and drummed into kids from a very early age. Then the council would have to 'compulsory purchase' land and property in order to build new tracks to fuel the huge demand from the masses.

The stock car circuit is the one Dan McCormick had built for the speedway when they moved from Perry Barr. They only raced for two years in the National League and closed down. Incarace bought the track from the wheels consortium in the early nineties and refuse point blank to share it with speedway. So another plot was sort within the complex and this has dragged on for a couple of years now. Ever since the speedway closed down like many other towns and cities there has always been a small amount of people drumming at the council to find land. Surprise surprise (sounding familiar) nothing happens, you find land, you can't get permission, you find land its not big enough, you find land its too expensive. We will come back one day, just like Cradley and Leicester will (clutching straws I know but I have faith).

I understand planning permission still exists to operate speedway at Perry Barr dog track, but and its a big but, its only for Friday nights. Apparently a promoter came forward and a deal just needed a signature when the guy running the place decided (at the last minute) he wanted the greyhounds to run that day. So, until he is convinced (which he isn't, and he allegedly is not an amicable man) there is more money in speedway it just isn't going to happen I'm affraid. The only other opportunity is speedway going back to the wheels, not on the old circuit but a new one but, I think that has fallen through as well.

Don't know about the pub thing, I thought I heard Simon Cross announce at Wolverhampton once that he is now a Painter and Decorator.

With global warming, rain may cease to exist. But they would have to use power boatsm with the rising seas.

Well it just goes to prove our opinions do get heard.... Well done Neil you have your nations backing.

I am racking my brains here, but I seem to recall an article in the speedway star many years ago when the idea of covering the track first appeared. They found that the covered areas of track had sweated and turned into a slimey clay. To avoid the sweating they used a kind of wooden crate underneath the covers to allow the track to breath. This though was too expensive so they could only cover the bends. This created another problem as there was in effect two different racing surfaces and it was deemed to dangerous to race on what was described as a patchy inconsistant base. This must have been about ten years ago, so it could be well out of date as materials have moved on since the article. I do hope they come up with something as there is nothing more irritating than travelling and having that "looked forward to meeting" called off.

A rule change in the form of enabling conferance league teams to sell their produce, would be of benefit. This would create greater financial stability for clubs who do not get good attendance figures, a small BSPA 'tax' on this fee could enable money to be distributed to help start up new conferance league venues. The BSPA would of course have a financial interest in a new club if this was to happen.

I seem to recall Canterbury beating Birmingham at the wheels one year (of the two we existed there), a certain Dave Mullet springs to mind as well.

"BIG" Arthur Browning

Yes I will back you up on that one, come back Greg.

Parlez vous Polish I feel inspirated, its rubbing off, excellent stuff.

Not putting any cats amongst the pigeons, but Cradley is built on disused mine shafts and Barretts are still keen. Did the London Lions get much support? I never actually went for a league meeting. Seems strange really I'm pretty sure the support would be just as big as Wimbledon's potential.

What your zimmer mis-firing again......

The Conferance league has expanded so much since its birth, I'm pretty sure other clubs would run teams if their stadiums/councillors allowed. It wouldn't surpise me if in another five years if speedway continues to grow at its current rate that there will be as many teams in the conferance as in the Premier. Speedway thrives on variety, look at the success of the premier league. Lets hope stability comes before gamble.

I remember watching Alan Grahame struggling around Cradley probably collecting three points max and getting relegated to reserve, I really felt for the guy. Such a shame for a rider that gave the sport so much. It was nice to see him rekindle some form when he moved to Hull towards the end of his speedway career. Its still good to know he is still actively involved in motocross, presumably still trying to get the racing bug out of his system.

Eric Gunderson, many excellent riders come from Denmark, but I believe he is one the best.

Salty, are you originally from Belfast? If so it will be interesting to know how you found interest in speedway. Maybe if there were a Dublin team and also a Belfast team it would capture the interest of the locals. Unfortunately it is very expensive to travel to Ireland by ferry, could be a tough nut to crack, but once the seeds are laid who knows. Like a previous posting, if the Isle of Wight can do it?

I agree Sandman, there are plenty of riders in the GP's who would relish in the the deep wide open spaces some of the GP tracks offer. The dirt was out there in the Bozy$%&* blah blah (can't spell) Polish GP last year, and it was a good meeting. Minimum dirt depth I say, which will enable the riders to show the world what a wonderful sport we have.

Didn't someone try and get conference league racing set up at Swansea a few years ago? Planning permission I believe was turned down. Norton Canes (North of Wolverhampton) is another one, but to get speedway there I believe the access road needs widening, a similar situation at Boston. I think someone is trying to stirr some life into Sunderland as there is now a website. I think the Newcastle promotion have looked into it several times in the past when Brough Park's future looked bleak. Not sure if planning permission was ever granted. Nottingham looks ideal as it is in an industrial estate.

MAP Looks a little too close to houses to me. If I have the right place, but best of luck all the same.

Could someone correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Kelly Moran's speedway career end when he fell from a ladder back home in America? Big fan of his in the late seventies.

Excellent website, a lot of research and hard work well done. Nice to see the Brummies in the '71 league table and results page.