Our first time: Oxford Cheetahs v Scunthorpe Scorpions (Championship) – Wednesday 13th April 2022.
I can still remember my first meeting – The Midland Riders’ Championship Qualifying Round, 8th May 1975 at Cowley, home of the then Oxford Rebels.
The smell, pulsing crowd, scintillating speed and all action entertainment. Not forgetting the follicly challenged chap, nicknamed unsurprisingly ‘Kojak’ who did regular laps of the greyhound track shouting at the top of his voice, “Speedway Star and Mail!” I was instantly hooked!
But some years (ok decades) later would my litmus test of passion be as infectious when I invited along a couple of newbies to my theatre of dreams? I was eleven years old when my late dad, a member of the veteran Dirt Track Riders Association (by way of being a former raker at Long Eaton!), gave me my first experience on the third bend terrace. Although my guests were a little older, they nonetheless fitted the same criteria as the younger me since they also didn’t have much of a clue what lay ahead on a perfect day for speedway at the Cheetahs’ lair.
With the sport competing in a busy leisure sector, and a national yearning for entertainment after the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, my research would also have significant benefit for the British Speedway Promoters Association as they seek to tempt more spectators trackside.
Profiles:
Felicity Bramall.
Age: 27.
Occupation: Senior Lettings Manager.
Current favourite pastime: Spending time with my niece and nephew, or shopping!
Lewis Hester.
Age: 30.
Occupation: Construction Manager.
Current favourite pastime: Watching Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Arriving well early (I was so excited!) the stadium looked pristine and save for the relocated pits this scene was home to me. The Cheetahs had risen phoenix-like from a 15-year exile, and I was buzzing! Rolling my tongue back in and wiping away the dribbles from my mouth I regained my composure and reminded myself that on this historic evening I had invited along Felicity and Lewis and that their collective review would be equally engaging.
A few days after the barnstorming sell-out meeting in which the Cheetahs eventually put the Scorpions to the sword, I asked my pair of newbies to reflect on the experience.
What were you expecting?
Felicity, displaying a somewhat poker face, announced her initial judgment, “My expectations were pretty low in all honesty! Having never been before and not being interested in the motorsport world, I was expecting a quiet evening watching some bikes go round in circles.” Well, that was a no nonsense first-from-the-gate response! Would Lewis be any less forthright?
“To be honest, when you told me the stadium was round the back of an industrial estate, I was expecting an old car park with some temporary buildings, and maybe a burger van and a little dirt track.”
In fairness, I guess all those years ago when I trod the same path, I didn’t have a scooby-do of what to expect, yet was this a first piece of vital intelligence, given that both newcomers were a lot older than I was at the time? Speedway needs to up its game and seek more innovative and cost effective methods to promote arguably the most exciting two-wheeled motorsport in the world.
Thoughts on arrival?
Felicity maintained her frankness, “We arrived at the ground pretty early and having passed only three people I thought my expectations were correct.” On the other hand, was Lewis beginning to thaw a little?
“It was more of an established operation than I was expecting.” I was beginning to sense that the mood was changing, and that the striking outward appearance of the stadium had impressed at least one half of the couple!
What did you think of the stadium facilities?
A smile flickered across Felicity’s face! “I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were fully functional toilets, having braced myself for porta-loos!”
Lewis was also soothed by the speedway sanitation, “I was pretty impressed. It was clean, there was everything you needed – the bar and food outlets – and multiple clean toilets so you weren’t queuing.” The question on my mind now was did the racing flush them with excitement too?
Food & drink provision?
Lewis was the first to step up to the plate, “There were a lot of options, especially drinks, as well as food – all the stuff you would typically expect.”
Felicity continued the fanfare, “I was impressed to see an indoor bar with a large selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The food options were what you would usually anticipate at any sporting event (burgers, hotdogs, chips, etc). I wasn’t expecting Gordon Ramsey style, however I will admit to photographing the hotdog as I wasn’t convinced about the colour! Having said that, it certainly did its job!”
I had to admit that the hotdog looked in need of food first aid but the chicken burger I wolfed down was as sublime as the Scott Nicholls swoop around Scorpions in heat seven!
Atmosphere?
Felicity excitedly exclaimed, “This took me by complete and utter surprise! I mentioned previously that I was expecting a somewhat quiet evening, however as the ground began filling up and the music started playing, I knew that I would have to admit I was actually having a good time!” Time for a blast on my airhorn!
Lewis was just as positive, “I really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was a combination of being the first home meeting for fifteen years and a sell-out crowd. A brilliant atmosphere!” Make that a double blast from me!
Entertainment value (based on £18 admission)?
Both of my guests were very generous in their assertion that the meeting was great value for money with Lewis adding, “Really entertaining – made better because of the weather – and even the food and drink were reasonably priced.”
How easy were the general rules of the sport to grasp?
Felicity was first to the bend, “I was briefed on the basic rules on our journey up and to begin with it was all going over my head. It took me until around three heats to gain more of an understanding and from there it was pretty simple. I did however struggle to keep up with the scorecard in the programme!” Lewis concurred, but both filled in the programmes that they kept safe throughout the evening ─ part of the speedway tradition! Who knows, if only the track shop had been open the couple may have left the stadium with Cheetahs scarves!
Where was the best place to see the action?
Felicity was now in her stride and could easily have joined the Eurosport commentary team, “We started off in the standing zone – terraces ─ from here we had a good view of the whole track. After a few heats we headed inside to the grandstand, but I was quickly disappointed with how much the atmosphere changed!”
“Being outside meant you could really get involved with the crowd, hear the engines, and smell the burning fuel! We then decided to make our way to the start/finish line, and this was a brilliant place to appreciate the sport a bit more. Being up close and seeing how quick the riders reaction times were was impressive! The best place to see the action would be outside.”
Lewis too praised the various viewing locations albeit high in the packed enclosed grandstand prompted these observations, “Up there you have a clearer perception of the speed and who was where, and how close the overtakes were. The speed these guys generate is incredible!”
Positive points?
Felicity flew from the tapes, “Quick service at the bar! The atmosphere was fabulous, and the spectators were friendly.”
Lewis was equally upbeat, “It was really great value for money and very entertaining to watch.”
Not so positive points?
Lewis had an immediate flashback to the horrid hotdog, so I quickly caught Felicity’s eye, “I can’t handle my drink so always stick to shandy. I was disappointed that halfway through they ran out of lemonade! It was also a shame that the souvenir shop wasn’t open!”
I agreed with her on the latter point as I was fully prepared to buy a shed-full of souvenirs, but alas a supply chain issue had left us all bereft of a badge and banner for the car.
Things that made you smile / laugh?
Lewis took me by surprise by tugging at my heart strings – especially as I had held it together when I stood in exactly the same spot as I had forty-seven years ago. “This sounds a little soppy, but what actually made me smile was seeing how into it and passionate you were – explaining it to us – you could see the joy on your face.” Having lifted my spirits spectacularly skyward Lewis managed to steer me back to reality. “What made me laugh though was when you approached one of the riders in the pits before the meeting, announcing you were media, to which he replied, ‘So what? Can’t you see I’m busy?’ That really was funny!”
Admittedly it took me a few days to recover from the glare of Troy Batchelor, although I fully deserved my marching orders on this occasion!
Felicity added. “I really enjoyed being around people that have such a passion for the sport.”
Would you go again?
An unequivocal yes from Felicity with a commitment to attend the British Grand Prix at Cardiff in August!
Lewis beamed, “I would absolutely go again! We have made arrangements to see extended family in Swansea in August when we will also be taking in the Grand Prix at the Principality.”
Who was your favourite rider and why?
Scott Nicholls was Felicity’s selection albeit initially she dodged the reason why. I do however have it on good authority that a later phone call to her mum contained the statement, “He was lush!”
Lewis was in total agreement although for differing reasons, “The man is a maniac on that motorcycle – no fear whatsoever!”
So, having recruited two newbies to the sport it’s over to you to do the same!
A special thank you to the Oxford promotion for making us all feel welcome (and I hope Troy is in a forgiving mood!), especially Shaun Reynolds of Fortitude Communications. I am certainly looking forward to my Wednesday evenings back in Blackbird Leys. Watch out for future reports on my endeavours to spread the words of “No Brakes, No Gears, No Fear!”
© Ian Kirke 2022 & all photographs
@ianjkirke