Post by Genghis on Jun 10, 2008 19:51:22 GMT
Here's my list of tracks (in order of date first visited, with dates of first and last visit) - while add a little about each of them sometime over the few days (will probably do a few at a time 
)
1 Oxford ?? - 2007
Good stadium, one of the best racetracks in the country, miss it loads, and hope we're back in 2009.
2 Hull (Boulevard) 1980
My main memory of my only visit to the Boulevard (which came during a holiday to Scarborough while I was 7) is of an elevated track above terrace level and being bombarded by granite. My Nan's first visit to speedway, and she was put off ever returning.
3 White City 1981-1983
Saw some highly memorable meetings at this track, even though the racing was largely poor and the track was a mile away.
4 Exeter (County Ground) 1981-2005
Blew me away at the age of 8 - the track seemed absolutely huge! Unfortunately, bike technology outgrew the track and the last few meetings I saw at the track were very processional.
5 Wembley 1981
Saw one meeting here - the 1981 World Final. Nuff said
6 Bradford 1985-1997
Didn't like it to begin with, but I warmed to Bradford as the years rolled on. Very wide track, could produce sensational racing, when Oxford weren't being stuffed by a large margin.
7 Belle Vue (Hyde Road) 1985-1987
Sadly only three visits. I remember Marvyn Cox being involved in an amazing race with Chris Morton and another Belle Vue rider.
8 Coventry 1985-2008
The scene of my first ever visit to an Oxford away meeting in October 1985 (we got stuffed in the League Cup and chances of a quadruple disappeared). Track was changed in 1998, but racing stays largely processional. Nice stadium though.
9 Poole 1986-2008
Prepared far too slick most of the time. A shame, because I've seen the reshaped circuit produce some stellar racing. Viewing difficult.
10 Reading 1986-2007
The stadium is a dump. Saw some classic Racers v Cheetahs clashes here in the late eighties / nineties. Haven't visited much in recent years, despite it's close proximity.
11 Swindon 1986-2008
The arch enemy. The advent of the lay-down engine has killed good racing at the Abbey. In need of proper terracing. The scene of some very sweet Oxford away wins.
12 Cradley Heath 1986-1995
A venue I really miss. Clashes between Cradley and Oxford had a real spice until Erik's sad injury. Toilets were shocking and the fans were scary.
13 Amsterdam, Holland 1987
Scene of the 1987 World Final - a meeting won by God. Racing was good on the Saturday, but shite on the Sunday afternoon.
14 Wolverhampton 1988-2007
When properly prepared, can produce very good racing. Supporters all crammed into same part of stadium.
15 King's Lynn 1988-2008
Meetings at Saddlebow Road range from great to humdrum. Buster Chapman has completely transformed the stadium - now very look viewing facilities.
16 Ipswich 1988-2007
Largely processional racing, and the stadium is a bit of a dump. The meeting where Oxford clinched the 2001 Elite League was a classic, though.
17 Vojens, Denmark 1988
Watched the 1988 World Final stood in the middle of a puddle. Inadquate facilities - shouldn't be allowed to hold major meetings.
18 Milton Keynes (Groveway) 1988
Only one visit - track seemed quite good.
19 Belle Vue (Kirky Lane) 1988-2006
Not a patch on Hyde Road. Track badly prepared most of the time. Back straight like a bomb site.
20 Munich, Germany 1989
Awful square track around a football pitch. What a stadium, though, and the result of the 1989 World Final was perfect from an Oxford viewpoint.
21 Milton Keynes (Elfield Park) 1991-1992
Basic but unique "stadium" - more like a hole in the ground! Track a bit too tight, racing unpredictable.
22 Wimbledon 1991-2005
One visit in 1991, then went back after CL revival. Super stadium - but the track was horrible!
23 Berwick (Berrington Lough) 1991
Only one visit - recall the track being poor. Went on a hot day - and attacked by midges!
24 Gothenburg, Sweden 1991
The 1991 World Final was not a classic. Nice stadium.
25 Peterborough 1992-2007
After the track was widened, seen some cracking meetings at the Showground. Not planning any visits in the near future though
26 Arena Essex 1992-2008
Viewing facilities in need of an urgent upgrade. Used to hate the track, but it has improved in recent years. Good grub in the cafe.
27 Eastbourne
28 Sheffield
29 Rye House
30 Glasgow (Shawfield)
31 Middlesborough
32 Long Eaton
33 Newcastle
34 Hull (Craven Park)
35 London (Hackney)
36 Stoke
37 Linlithgow
38 Skegness
39 Newport (Queensway Meadows)
40 Edinburgh (Armadale)
41 Berwick (Shielfield Park)
42 Mildenhall
43 St. Austell
44 Buxton
45 Isle Of Wight
46 Workington
47 Glasgow (Ashfield)
48 Somerset
49 Cardiff
50 Slany, Czech Republic
51 Prague, Czech Republic
52 Carmarthen
53 Pardubice, Czech Republic
54 Weymouth
55 Sittingbourne
56 Scunthorpe (Normanby Road)
57 Wroclaw, Poland
58 Leszno, Poland
59 Lonigo, Italy
60 Krsko, Slovenia
61 Gorican, Croatia
62 Bydgoszcz, Poland
63 Gniezno, Poland
64 Plymouth
65 Redcar
66 Birmingham
)1 Oxford ?? - 2007
Good stadium, one of the best racetracks in the country, miss it loads, and hope we're back in 2009.
2 Hull (Boulevard) 1980
My main memory of my only visit to the Boulevard (which came during a holiday to Scarborough while I was 7) is of an elevated track above terrace level and being bombarded by granite. My Nan's first visit to speedway, and she was put off ever returning.
3 White City 1981-1983
Saw some highly memorable meetings at this track, even though the racing was largely poor and the track was a mile away.
4 Exeter (County Ground) 1981-2005
Blew me away at the age of 8 - the track seemed absolutely huge! Unfortunately, bike technology outgrew the track and the last few meetings I saw at the track were very processional.
5 Wembley 1981
Saw one meeting here - the 1981 World Final. Nuff said
6 Bradford 1985-1997
Didn't like it to begin with, but I warmed to Bradford as the years rolled on. Very wide track, could produce sensational racing, when Oxford weren't being stuffed by a large margin.
7 Belle Vue (Hyde Road) 1985-1987
Sadly only three visits. I remember Marvyn Cox being involved in an amazing race with Chris Morton and another Belle Vue rider.
8 Coventry 1985-2008
The scene of my first ever visit to an Oxford away meeting in October 1985 (we got stuffed in the League Cup and chances of a quadruple disappeared). Track was changed in 1998, but racing stays largely processional. Nice stadium though.
9 Poole 1986-2008
Prepared far too slick most of the time. A shame, because I've seen the reshaped circuit produce some stellar racing. Viewing difficult.
10 Reading 1986-2007
The stadium is a dump. Saw some classic Racers v Cheetahs clashes here in the late eighties / nineties. Haven't visited much in recent years, despite it's close proximity.
11 Swindon 1986-2008
The arch enemy. The advent of the lay-down engine has killed good racing at the Abbey. In need of proper terracing. The scene of some very sweet Oxford away wins.
12 Cradley Heath 1986-1995
A venue I really miss. Clashes between Cradley and Oxford had a real spice until Erik's sad injury. Toilets were shocking and the fans were scary.
13 Amsterdam, Holland 1987
Scene of the 1987 World Final - a meeting won by God. Racing was good on the Saturday, but shite on the Sunday afternoon.
14 Wolverhampton 1988-2007
When properly prepared, can produce very good racing. Supporters all crammed into same part of stadium.
15 King's Lynn 1988-2008
Meetings at Saddlebow Road range from great to humdrum. Buster Chapman has completely transformed the stadium - now very look viewing facilities.
16 Ipswich 1988-2007
Largely processional racing, and the stadium is a bit of a dump. The meeting where Oxford clinched the 2001 Elite League was a classic, though.
17 Vojens, Denmark 1988
Watched the 1988 World Final stood in the middle of a puddle. Inadquate facilities - shouldn't be allowed to hold major meetings.
18 Milton Keynes (Groveway) 1988
Only one visit - track seemed quite good.
19 Belle Vue (Kirky Lane) 1988-2006
Not a patch on Hyde Road. Track badly prepared most of the time. Back straight like a bomb site.
20 Munich, Germany 1989
Awful square track around a football pitch. What a stadium, though, and the result of the 1989 World Final was perfect from an Oxford viewpoint.
21 Milton Keynes (Elfield Park) 1991-1992
Basic but unique "stadium" - more like a hole in the ground! Track a bit too tight, racing unpredictable.
22 Wimbledon 1991-2005
One visit in 1991, then went back after CL revival. Super stadium - but the track was horrible!
23 Berwick (Berrington Lough) 1991
Only one visit - recall the track being poor. Went on a hot day - and attacked by midges!
24 Gothenburg, Sweden 1991
The 1991 World Final was not a classic. Nice stadium.
25 Peterborough 1992-2007
After the track was widened, seen some cracking meetings at the Showground. Not planning any visits in the near future though
26 Arena Essex 1992-2008
Viewing facilities in need of an urgent upgrade. Used to hate the track, but it has improved in recent years. Good grub in the cafe.
27 Eastbourne
28 Sheffield
29 Rye House
30 Glasgow (Shawfield)
31 Middlesborough
32 Long Eaton
33 Newcastle
34 Hull (Craven Park)
35 London (Hackney)
36 Stoke
37 Linlithgow
38 Skegness
39 Newport (Queensway Meadows)
40 Edinburgh (Armadale)
41 Berwick (Shielfield Park)
42 Mildenhall
43 St. Austell
44 Buxton
45 Isle Of Wight
46 Workington
47 Glasgow (Ashfield)
48 Somerset
49 Cardiff
50 Slany, Czech Republic
51 Prague, Czech Republic
52 Carmarthen
53 Pardubice, Czech Republic
54 Weymouth
55 Sittingbourne
56 Scunthorpe (Normanby Road)
57 Wroclaw, Poland
58 Leszno, Poland
59 Lonigo, Italy
60 Krsko, Slovenia
61 Gorican, Croatia
62 Bydgoszcz, Poland
63 Gniezno, Poland
64 Plymouth
65 Redcar
66 Birmingham
