Most liked posts in thread: Speedway back at Odsal ?

@Storck I'd expect the following stock car meetings to be just as popular. The tickets were snapped up by mainly die-hard fans.
In a COVID free world then I would expect circa 10,000 for that first meeting.
That's a combination of UK based stock car fans, fans from mainland Europe and those people who used to go but lost touch with the sport when the track closed back in the 90's.
Every time someone finds out I'm into stock car racing they never fail to ask if they still race at Odsal. There's a huge potential to attract the kinds of crowds that stock car racing got at Odsal before it closed.
For big race events you can expect about 3,000 fans to travel from mainland Europe with upto 30/40 drivers travelling to. Given the special place Odsal holds from fans across Europe I'd fully expect an invasion from across the North Sea. But that's only going to happen once we get rid of this bloody virus.
@Rogered Tart Banger events can attract 10,000+ crowds

 

I think the stock cars would work,as it looks like Belle Vue will be lost as a venue,but the state speedway is in at the moment,it would be a brave man to take on the promotion.However,best of luck to anyone prepared to give it a go,it would be great to have speedway back in the area.

 

Tickets now on sale for the first 2 stock car and banger racing meetings in April

 

I mean, it’s not as if Odsal is the most cutting edge of stadia either. Although, it’s brilliant for watching the motorsport, as I remember it.

 

It's a bit more than a 'standard' meeting at roughly £18 for an adult, but this is Odsal and it holds a special place in stock car fans hearts. There's been speculation about a return for years. So most fans would be happy to pay that. The fact that the initial 2,000 tickets sold out in less than an hour is testiment to the place.
Whilst it isn't upto the standard of say VP it's still way better than most stock car tracks.
I hated watching City up there in the 80's but it's the perfect ampitheatre for motorsport

 

@Bronco there's a grading system in stock car racing.
Drivers gain points depending on where they finish in a race. This forms a league table (to put in football terms). Within this league drivers are graded and assigned a roof colour.
White roof drivers are the lowest scoring (league 2) followed by yellow roof (league 1) then blue roof (championship) and finally red roof (premier league). Within the red roof drivers the top 10 drivers are assigned 'superstar'status and as well as sporting a red roof they also have flashing roof lights.
Unlike most other motor sports the better you are the further to the back of the grid you go. So the top drivers have to work hard but it's a contact sport. They can push drivers in front out of the way or give them a hard hit and punt the opposition into the fence.
Banger racing works on a simple premise of deliberate wrecking. It's basically motorised warfare with no holes barred when it comes to destroying other cars.
There's a bit of snobbery between stock car and banger fans. Stock car fans look down on banger racing as not a proper motorsport whereas banger fans point out that their form of racing often gets massive crowds so is therefore giving joe public what they want.
No news re speedway. I think the stock car promoter is looking for a speedway promoter to come forward to raise a team.
From today's T&A
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/19029535.stock-car-racing-legend-frankie-wainman-relishes-odsal-return/#gallery18

 

All racing has been pushed back until 17 May, following the Government announcement on Monday
http://startrax.info/News/2021/02/Startrax-Statement-and-Important-Update

 

I remember going to the Shay to watch the Dukes in the late 60's and early 70's. Riders from that era that spring to mind that rode for the Dukes were Eric Boocock, Dave Younghusband and Dennis Gavros.

I believe the attendances for the Dukes in that era were larger than what Halifax Town were getting?

My family seemed to lose interest in the sport, and being too young to travel over by myself, I never renewed my interest when they moved to Odsal in the 80's

 

It was a bottle of pop and crisps for me back then Bronco!

 

I remember Ray from his time at Greenfield,and he rode for the Dukes in their first match back at the Shay in 65,replacing Bryan Elliott,who i think was injured.Lovely bloke,but never a prolific scorer.

 

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18512416.promoter-says-speedway-return-april-odsal-visit/

 

Found the Speedway a bit boring TBH but the Stock cars were great, They offered to put a huge amount of money in to Odsal in return for half the lease for security, Typically Bradford Norther turned it down even though the council were in favour and maybe a sweetener.

 

Is John Lund still racing?

 

Used to love bank holiday meetings.
Lund wainman Willie harrison Stu Smith

 

Remember taking my young nephew for the first time and when they set off for the first race he burst in to tears and we were very close to coming home.Managed to calm him down and he loved it from then on.I used to live near Craven Heifer so was a 5 minute walk.
Not been or seen any for a lot of years.

Remember sitting in main stand for a world final in the eighties I think.

 

If spectators are allowed by then.

 

Since my last post there's been a lot of activity up at Odsal. The steel plated safety fence has nearly been completed and works seems to be progressing at a good speed. There's lots of photos on this forum thread: https://forum.stoxnet.com/topic/33734-odsal-startrax-updates/

 

How popular is this banger racing or whatever it is they do? How many meetings are they proposing to have at Odsal? I remember speedway died a death cos no one watched it.

 

yep will be interesting to see if tickets sell as well for the third or fourth event. First one was always going to be popular but is it just a one time thing?