Speedway in the Thames Valley

The Thames Valley region has a long and illustrious history within speedway, and this volume explores the roles that the Oxford, Reading and Swindon clubs have played in the evolution of the sport, from the 1920s until the present day. From its introduction into Britain in the 1920s, speedway racing quickly developed a loyal and devoted following, at times even rivalling football in its popularity. Attendances of between 20,000 and 40,000 were not uncommon at the many tracks around the country, and although speedway no longer enjoys those kinds of crowds, a number of tracks are still thriving. In this evocative and in-depth account, we relive the highs and lows of the three teams; discover the reasons behind the name changes and club takeovers; and learn about their star riders, both from the past (Arne Pander, Bernie Leigh, Bob Jones) and from more recent times (Leigh Adams, Jan Pedersen, Jason Crump).