Reading Racers

Reading Racers
Club information
Track addressReading Stadium (1968–1973)
Smallmead Stadium (1975–2008)
Founded1968 (reformed 2016)
Closed2008
Club facts
ColoursBlue and White
Track size307 metres (336 yd)
Track record time58.1 seconds
Track record date12 October 1987
Track record holderPer Jonsson
Major team honours
League champions1973, 1980, 1990, 1992
KO Cup winners1990
Fours winners (tier 1)1993
Premier League (tier 2)1997
KO Cup (tier 2)1998
Spring Gold Cup1972, 1977
SDL champions2017, 2018

Reading Racers were a British motorcycle speedway team. Formed in 1968, they won four British League titles during their history. The club closed in October 2008 after the lease on Smallmead Stadium was sold and the site was demolished.

History

1960s

The club was formed in 1968 and were founder members of British League Division Two.[1] Promoted by Reg Fearman, the team were based at the Reading Stadium (Oxford Road) for their inaugural season and finished 8th out of 10 teams.[2]

The first home fixture was held on 17 June after construction of the new track was only just completed.[3] The following season in 1969, the Racers signed Mick Bell and Richard May, which transformed the team into a title challenging one but they lost out to Belle Vue Colts.[4]

1970s

  • Anders Michanek
    Anders Michanek
  • Dag Lovaas
    Dag Lovaas
Reading Racers at the Smallmead Stadium in 1975

After a quiet 1970, the decision was made to switch league licences with Newcastle Diamonds, which saw the Racers compete in division 1 for the first time.[5] The team signed one of the world's leading riders in Swede Anders Michanek and he was to be backed by Norwegian Dag Lövaas and Australians Geoff Curtis and Geoff Mudge. In 1972, the Racers were denied the league title again by the Manchester club, this time the Belle Vue Aces.

Despite a successful season, news broke that the stadium was to be sold for re-development which sparked protests.[6] In what would be their final year at the stadium, the Racers won their first British League title.[7] Anders Michanek was in imperious form, going undefeated in home fixtures and finishing with a 11.36 average. In addition to Michanek the team was boosted by high scoring from Dag Lövaas and Geoff Curtis and supported by Peter Murray, Richard May, Mick Bell and Bernie Leigh.[8] In a sensational finish to the 1973 Knockout Cup final Reading were beaten by Belle Vue in a run-off for the Cup after an aggregate draw over two legs.[9][10][11] The end of the year resulted in two items of bad news; the new Smallmead Stadium would not be ready for the 1974 season[12] and Geoff Curtis was killed in race in Australia.[13]

The new stadium known as Smallmead was constructed during 1974, near the site of a refuse tip close to Junction 11 of the M4 motorway. The Racers returned for the 1975 season,[14] a crowd of 9,264 witnessed the opening meeting against Hull and Reading won the match by 18 points. The club finished 6th that campaign and had an average crowd of almost 6,500 every meeting. Between 1976 and 1979 the crowd figures remained high, despite a poor 1978 when the club finished 14th out 19 teams.[15] The best finish was third place in 1977 when th eteam was led by Dave Jessup and John Davis.

1980s

The club enjoyed a successful 1980 season under new promoter Dave Lanning and team manager Mick Bell. The Racers won the British League title for a second time and attracted crowds of over 7,000 on a regular basis. Reading's success came down to three strong heat leaders, Swedish champion Jan Andersson, their new American signing Bobby Schwartz and England international John Davis. All three produced season averages around the 10 mark, which enabled the team to constantly pick up victories.[16] However, behind the scenes unrest in the management structure saw major changes at the end of the season with Directors Bill Dore and Frank Higley taking control of the club.

The club suffered the tragedy of losing their 25-year old American rider Denny Pyeatt, who suffered fatal head injuries during an away match at Hackney Hawks in July 1982. Despite tracking very competitive looking teams in the mid-1980s the club never achieved the dizzy heights of the start of the decade. They twice finished 4th (1983 and 1984) and were 5th in 1988, with the team's leading rider of the period being Jan Andersson, who was supported well by Mitch Shirra and Per Jonsson.

1990s

In 1990, the team manager was Tim Sugar and the co-promoter was Pat Bliss. The team retained Jeremy Doncaster (signed in 1989) and brought in Australian signing Todd Wiltshire, to support Jan Andersson and Per Jonsson. The team became champions of Britain for the third time and achieved the double after defeating Bradford Dukes in the KO Cup final.[17] Additionally, Per Jonsson was crowned world speedway champion in 1990.

The club won another league title in 1992, with Jonsson averaging 10.04, Doncaster and Andersson still scoring strong and great support from Dave Mullett and Armando Castagna. The Racers won the fours in 1993[18] but disaster struck in 1994, when Per Jonsson suffered terrible injuries in a crash in Poland, and this had an adverse effect on the club and its fortunes. 1995 and 1996 were poor seasons for the club, as crowds dropped and media interest waned.

The 1997 season saw the club drop down to the second tier Premier League for the first time since 1970. The decision not to join the Elite League brought immediate success for the club as they were crowned champions that year, with Dave Mullett proving to be the best rider in the league. The following year in 1998 the team won the Knockout Cup, inspired by Lee Richardson.[19]

2000s

Reading versus Oxford in 2007
Reading versus Oxford in 2007

The period up to 2004 were lean years for the club, which had seen veteran promoter Chris Shears and his son Ivan become part of the promotional and management set up. In 2004, the club showed signs of resurgence with a sponsorship deal with local telecomms company Euphony Communications. This funded the signature of rider Danny Bird and Slovenian Matej Žagar. Bird and Phil Morris (who replaced an injured Žagar) won the Premier League Pairs Championship in June of that season.[20][21]

After a disappointing 2005 season, the promotion sold the club to BSI Speedway in 2006. The new promotion took Reading into the Elite League and changed the club name to the Reading Bulldogs. Their first season was a huge success on track, led by American rider Greg Hancock, the Bulldogs narrowly missed out on the title, losing by a single point to Peterborough Panthers in the play-off final. However, crowds were poor and the club struggled to break even, with blame being directed at the lack of investment into the Smallmead Stadium and the change of nickname from Racers to Bulldogs. The majority of the successful 2006 team were retained for the 2007 season, but crowds dropped again which resulted in BSI putting the club up for sale mid-season. Swindon-based businessman Mark Legg took over and appointed ex-rider Malcolm Holloway as his co-promoter and Tim Sugar returned as team manager.[22] The club also reverted to their original Racers name.[23]

In 2008, the club opted to drop back down to the Premier League but the season was a traumatic time on and off track for the club.[24] The season was overshadowed by the news that the Smallmead Stadium lease expired in October 2008 and would not be renewed. A final farewell meeting was held on 19 October 2008 and witnessed by anear capacity crowd of 3,200.

2016 to present

In 2016, a group of supporters got together to bring back the team and in September 2016, the Reading Racers rode in a challenge match against Weymouth Wildcats. In 2017, the team entered the Southern Development League (SDL). The 2017 season was Reading's first back in a League since 2008, although they rode at an adopted home in Eastbourne. The team won the inaugural SDL and continued to race in from 2018 to 2019 (the latter racing at Swindon). In 2020, due to a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and rule changes by the BSPA the team were once again without a home and the team plans were put on hold.[25] The promoter rights currently sit with the Reading Speedway Action Group lead by Emma Stevens, Andy Griffin, Gene Carter, who continue to seek land in the Berkshire area to build a stadium and bring Racers home.[citation needed]

Season summary

Extended content
Year and league Position Notes
1968 British League Division Two season 8th
1969 British League Division Two season 2nd
1970 British League Division Two season 9th
1971 British League season 6th
1972 British League season 2nd
1973 British League season 1st Champions
1975 British League season 6th
1976 British League season 6th
1977 British League season 3rd
1978 British League season 14th
1979 British League season 7th
1980 British League season 1st Champions
1981 British League season 11th
1982 British League season 9th
1983 British League season 4th
1984 British League season 4th
1985 British League season 9th
1986 British League season 7th
1987 British League season 7th
1988 British League season 5th
1989 British League season 7th
1990 British League season 1st Champions & Knockout Cup winners
1991 British League season 11th
1992 British League season 1st Champions
1993 British League season 6th Fours winners
1994 British League season 10th
1995 Premier League speedway season 13th
1996 Premier League speedway season 19th
1997 Premier League speedway season 1st Champions
1998 Premier League speedway season 2nd Knockout Cup winner
1999 Premier League speedway season 13th
2000 Premier League speedway season 14th
2001 Premier League speedway season 9th
2002 Premier League speedway season 8th
2003 Premier League speedway season 16th
2004 Premier League speedway season 3rd Pairs Champions[26]
2005 Premier League speedway season 10th
2006 Elite League speedway season 2nd rode as the Bulldogs, PO final
2007 Elite League speedway season 8th
2008 Premier League speedway season 9th

Season summary (juniors)

Extended content
Year and league Position Notes
1996 Speedway Conference League 11th Ravens
1997 Speedway Conference League 7th Raven Sprockets (with Swindon)

Notable riders

References

  1. ^ Rogers, Martin (1978). The Illustrated History of Speedway. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 129. ISBN 0-904584-45-3.
  2. ^ "Speedway Teams UK 1964-1969". Cyber Motorcycle. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Reading Racers make first signings". Reading Evening Post. 1 June 1968. Retrieved 19 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "1969 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Reading switch". Western Daily Press. 6 January 1971. Retrieved 19 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Doomed stadium protests mount". Reading Evening Post. 20 January 1973. Retrieved 19 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Racers are acknowledged as champions". Reading Evening Post. 2 October 1973. Retrieved 19 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "HISTORY ARCHIVE". British Speedway. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  9. ^ "973 - Speedway Ruined My Toffee Apple". British Speedway Plus. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Speedway Star Clark.R p.14 March 2015". Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Season 1973 - Speedwaygb.co.uk" (PDF). Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Reading speedway off until 1975". Reading Evening Post. 27 February 1974. Retrieved 19 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. ^ "Racers' star dies after speedway accident". Reading Evening Post. 17 December 1973. Retrieved 19 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ^ Lawson, K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9
  15. ^ "British League Tables - British League Era (1965-1990)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  16. ^ "HISTORY ARCHIVE". British Speedway. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Mullett hero of Odsal victory". Reading Evening Post. 15 October 1990. Retrieved 27 June 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  18. ^ "Racers' fab four are hot stuff!". Reading Evening Post. 26 July 1993. Retrieved 11 May 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ "1998 KO cup final" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  20. ^ "2004 fixtures" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Reading race to Pairs title". Crash.net. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  22. ^ "Reading confirm Elite Season". British Speedway Promoters' Association. 19 June 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2007.
  23. ^ "Racers back with new owners". British Speedway Promoters' Association. 20 June 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2007.
  24. ^ "British AGM Upadte". Sky Sports. 1 December 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2007.
  25. ^ "On the Wrightside: Major blow for Reading Racers Speedway team". Reading Chronicle. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  26. ^ Oakes, P.(2006). Speedway Star Almanac. ISBN 0-9552376-1-0

Read other articles:

ناتالي أن

هذه المقالة يتيمة إذ تصل إليها مقالات أخرى قليلة جدًا. فضلًا، ساعد بإضافة وصلة إليها في مقالات متعلقة بها. (أبريل 2019) ناتالي أن معلومات شخصية الميلاد سنة 1957 (العمر 66–67 سنة)  مواطنة الولايات المتحدة  عضوة في الأكاديمية الوطنية للعلوم[1]،  والأكاديمية الأمريكية ل...

 

Dietrich I dari Lorraine

Dietrich I (skt. 965 – di antara 11 April 1026 dan 12 Januari 1027) merupakan seorang Comte Bar dan adipati Lorraine dari tahun 978 sampai kematiannya. Ia adalah putra dan penerus Friedrich I dan Beatrice,[1] putri Hugues yang Agung, Comte de Paris, dan saudari Raja Prancis Hugues Capet. Ibundanya adalah Wali penguasa sampai tahun 987. Pada tahun 985, ia bergabung dengan para lord Lorraine lainnya, termasuk sepupunya Godfried I dari Verdun, berupaya untuk mengusir invasi Raja Lotha...

 

serangan jantung

Bedakan dengan henti jantung dan gagal jantung, kondisi medis yang sama sekali berbeda Artikel ini memberikan informasi dasar tentang topik kesehatan. Informasi dalam artikel ini hanya boleh digunakan untuk penjelasan ilmiah; bukan untuk diagnosis diri dan tidak dapat menggantikan diagnosis medis. Wikipedia tidak memberikan konsultasi medis. Jika Anda perlu bantuan atau hendak berobat, berkonsultasilah dengan tenaga kesehatan profesional. Serangan jantungJantungInformasi umumSpesialisasiKardi...

Hackney South (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1885–1955 For the present constituency, see Hackney South and Shoreditch (UK Parliament constituency). Hackney SouthFormer Borough constituencyfor the House of Commons1885–1955SeatsoneCreated fromHackneyReplaced byBethnal Green and Hackney Central Hackney South was a parliamentary constituency in The Metropolis (later the County of London). It was represented by nine Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the Un...

 

Katedral Bathurst

Katedral BathurstKatedral Hati KudusInggris: Sacred Heart CathedralKatedral Bathurst47°37′04″N 65°39′19″W / 47.6178°N 65.6554°W / 47.6178; -65.6554Koordinat: 47°37′04″N 65°39′19″W / 47.6178°N 65.6554°W / 47.6178; -65.6554LokasiBathurst, New BrunswickNegaraKanadaDenominasiGereja Katolik RomaArsitekturStatusKatedralStatus fungsionalAktifTipe arsitekturNorman-GothicAdministrasiKeuskupanKeuskupan Bathurst di Kanada Katedr...

 

جوليا فيليبس

جوليا فيليبس (بالإنجليزية: Julia Phillips)‏  معلومات شخصية اسم الولادة (بالإنجليزية: Julia Miller)‏  الميلاد 7 أبريل 1944 [1]  نيويورك  الوفاة 1 يناير 2002 (57 سنة) [1]  ويست هوليوود  سبب الوفاة سرطان  مكان الدفن مقبرة هيلسايد ميموريال بارك  مواطنة الولايات المتحدة...

Venice (film)

2014 film VeniceFilm posterSpanish: VeneciaDirected byKiki ÁlvarezWritten byClaudia MuñizStarringClaudia MuñizCinematographyNicolas OrdoñezRelease date 7 September 2014 (2014-09-07) (TIFF) Running time74 minutesCountryCubaLanguageSpanish Venice (Spanish: Venecia) is a 2014 Cuban drama film directed by Kiki Álvarez. It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.[1] Cast Claudia Muñiz as Violeta Jazz Vil...

 

Ivo van Hove

Ivo van Hove Ivo van Hove (Heist-op-den-Berg, 28 ottobre 1958) è un regista teatrale e direttore artistico belga. Indice 1 Biografia 2 Teatrografia (parziale) 2.1 Opere di prosa e musical 2.2 Opere liriche 3 Onorificenze 4 Note 5 Altri progetti 6 Collegamenti esterni Biografia È stato il direttore artistico del Toneelgroep Amsterdam di Amsterdam e ha diretto opere teatrali andate in scena a Londra, Broadway, alla Biennale di Venezia e all'Edinburgh Fringe. Particolarmente apprezzato è stat...

 

Методологія

Методологія (грец. μεθοδολογία — вчення про метод) — сукупність прийомів дослідження, що застосовуються в науці; вчення про методи пізнання та перетворення дійсності[1]. Основу методології складає мислення та світогляд, як операційне середовище самодисципліни та...

Thailand

Country in Southeast Asia Siam redirects here. For other uses, see Siam (disambiguation). Kingdom of Thailandราชอาณาจักรไทย (Thai)Ratcha-anachak Thai Flag Emblem Anthem: เพลงชาติไทยPhleng Chat ThaiThai National AnthemRoyal anthem: สรรเสริญพระบารมีSansoen Phra BaramiGlorify His PrestigeShow globeShow map of ASEANLocation of Thailand (green)– in Asia (dark grey & grey)...

 

Yudha Pratomo

Artikel ini memiliki beberapa masalah. Tolong bantu memperbaikinya atau diskusikan masalah-masalah ini di halaman pembicaraannya. (Pelajari bagaimana dan kapan saat yang tepat untuk menghapus templat pesan ini) Artikel ini membutuhkan rujukan tambahan agar kualitasnya dapat dipastikan. Mohon bantu kami mengembangkan artikel ini dengan cara menambahkan rujukan ke sumber tepercaya. Pernyataan tak bersumber bisa saja dipertentangkan dan dihapus.Cari sumber: Yudha Pratomo – berit...

 

Ukrainian Sea Guard

Coast guard of Ukraine Some of this article's listed sources may not be reliable. Please help improve this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. Unreliable citations may be challenged and removed. (May 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Law enforcement agency Sea Guard of the State Border Guard Service of UkraineМорська охорона Державної прикордонної служби УкраїниEmblemRacing stripeEnsignPennantJurisdictional stru...

الدولة القاجارية

الدولة القاجارية ممالك إيران المحروسة(ممالک محروسه ایران)دولة إيران العلية(دولت عَلیّهٔ ایران) ↓ 1785 – 1925     الدولة القاجاريةالعلم (1906–1925) الدولة القاجاريةالشعار (1907–1925) النشيد : سلام شاه(1873–1909)سلامتی دولت علیه ایران(1909–1925) خريطة إيران في العهد القاجاري خلا�...

 

Balance des revenus

Pour les articles homonymes, voir balance. Cet article est une ébauche concernant l’économie. Vous pouvez partager vos connaissances en l’améliorant (comment ?) selon les recommandations des projets correspondants. Si ce bandeau n'est plus pertinent, retirez-le. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus. Cet article ne cite pas suffisamment ses sources (octobre 2016). Si vous disposez d'ouvrages ou d'articles de référence ou si vous connaissez des sites web de qualité traitant du thème...

 

Nokia 3650

Nokia 3650Nhà sản xuấtNokiaMạng di động GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz[1][2] GSM 850/1800/1900 MHz[1]Có mặt tại quốc giaReleased: February 2003 [3][1]Sản phẩm trướcNokia 7650 Nokia 3410Sản phẩm sauNokia 3230 (3650/3660 only)Có liên hệ vớiNokia 3510iDạng máyBlock/CandybarKích thước130 x 57 x 26 mm,[1] 139 cm3[2]Khối lượng130 g[1][2]Bộ nhớ4 MB[2] 3.4 MB available to...

Ōgimachi

ŌgimachiKaisar JepangŌgimachiBerkuasa1557–1586PendahuluGo-NaraPenerusGo-YōzeiKelahiran18 Juni 1517Kematian6 Februari 1593 (usia 75)PemakamanFukakusa no kita no Misasagi (Kyoto) Kaisar Ōgimachi (正親町天皇 Ōgimachi-tennō) (18 Juni 1517 – 6 Februari 1593) adalah kaisar Jepang ke-106. Genealogi Ōgimachi adalah putra pertama dari Kaisar Go-Nara _________? Putra tertua: Pangeran Kekaisaran Masahito (誠仁親王code: ja is deprecated , Masahito-shinnō, 1552–1586), dikenal juga s...

 

Louis VIII of France

King of France from 1223 to 1226 Louis VIII and Louis of England redirect here. For other rulers, see Louis VIII (disambiguation). For the youngest son of William, Prince of Wales, see Prince Louis of Wales. Louis VIII15th-century miniature of Louis VIII at the Siege of Avignon, c. 10 June – 9 September 1226King of France (more…) Reign14 July 1223 – 8 November 1226Coronation6 August 1223, Reims CathedralPredecessorPhilip IISuccessorLouis IXKing of England (disputed)Reign2 June 121...

 

Gathering Day

Welsh festival of the summer solstice Gathering Day is a Welsh festival of the summer solstice, so called because it was the time when druids gathered mistletoe and other plants for use in winter.[1][better source needed] The energy of plants harvested at Midsummer was believed to be very potent, hence herbs were collected then for medicinal use; these herbs included mugwort and vervain. This festival marks the first of the three harvests of the year and the time for...

Everybody Hollerin' Goat

1998 studio album by Othar TurnerEverybody Hollerin' GoatStudio album by Othar TurnerReleased1998GenreHill country blues,[1] fife and drum bluesLabelBirdman[2]ProducerLuther DickinsonOthar Turner chronology Mississippi Blues in Memphis Vol. 1(1993) Everybody Hollerin' Goat(1998) From Senegal to Senatobia(1999) Everybody Hollerin' Goat is an album by the American musician Othar Turner, released in 1998.[3][4] He is credited with the Rising Star Fife and ...

 

Phillipsite

Minerals in the zeolite group PhillipsiteGeneralCategoryZeolitesFormula(repeating unit)(Ca,Na2,K2)3Al6Si10O32·12H2OStrunz classification9.GC.10Crystal systemMonoclinicCrystal classPrismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol)Space groupP21/mIdentificationColorWhiteMohs scale hardness4 – 4.5LusterVitreousStreakWhiteSpecific gravity2.2Optical propertiesBiaxial (+/−)Refractive indexnα = 1.483 – 1.505 nβ = 1.484 – 1.511 nγ = 1.486 – 1.514Birefringenceδ = 0.003 – 0.0092V angle60 to 90° m...