Crayford

Defunct Speedway Tracks

Crayford Speedway

1969 Division 2 Crayford Highwaymen

Memories of Crayford

Dave Sandford says: it was a long time ago, but I was a regular at home matches only, being just a youngster.

I can recall one match vs Canterbury, where they had experimental partitions between the riders ( white wood, like a fence section).

I think it was to stop riders looking at the others reactions on the clutch and concentrate purely on the tapes.

Might have been an effort to stop unnecessary tape breaking and also any unfair advantage at the start.

Don't think they lasted very long.

I always wore a red and black knitted jumper in the teams colours that my mum made.

I believe Crayford was one of the smallest tracks in the league.

The only engines used were JAP and JAWA.

They didn't have safety cut offs if the bike went down, like I've seen on recent speedway, when I used to have Sky sport and watch the Elite league.

I remember one incident, can't remember the rider, but his chain snapped and gave him a wicked leg injury.

Ahh, one more, I remember Judd Drew going out to ride his 4 laps, and forgot to put on his metal plate on his left foot!

Not surprisingly he came last.

Enjoyed the warm up races, watching the novices get a ride.

Seen an over-enthusiastic use of the throttle coming out of a bend, causing a flipped wheelie where the rider was flat on his back and his bike landing on top of the outer fencing.

Kept all the programmes for years which I carefully filled out, but alas, when I moved out and got married they were all thrown away.

Don't think I'll ever forget that great smell you got from the fuel emissions.

What was it they used or still use? Methanol?

Still fancy a go at it, even if its just a few laps.

Best motorcycle sport EVER.

1969 Geoff Ambrose

1969 Archie Wilkinson

Crayford v Berwick 13th May 1970

If you can scan any of your pictures, programmes or badges send me an email John

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