The final race begins

“I want to go and see the Speedway” says my dad. It was bound to happen sooner or later,  my dad is a massive speedway fan and he religiously watches the race meetings  whenever they’re shown on Sky Sports. In his youth he used to take part in bicycle speedway in his home village of Brinkworth and in the 60′s he used to watch all of the home races at Swindon’s Abbey stadium – his last visit being in 1967, so it was about time that he went back to the home of the Swindon Robins to enjoy the sights and smells of motorcycle speedway one more time.

Before we start, I’d like to add that I know absolutely bugger-all about speedway whereas my dad can reel off statistics from every race this season and name, age and rate every rider for the Swindon Robins team. Me, I know that the bikes go round the track a few times and score points depending on how they finish. But I also knew that last Thursday’s race was the last race of the Elite League season before the play-offs and an opportunity for Swindon to finish top of the table for the first time since 1969, providing they could beat their biggest rivals, the Wolverhampton Wolves.

Which they did! No thanks to me or my dad I must add, but he does now believe that our presence at the Abbey Stadium was a positive omen and that we now have to attend more races next season to ensure that the Robin’s enjoy continued success in the Elite League. I for one agree with him.

I really enjoyed the Speedway, despite the fact we were totally unprepared for the howling winds and sudden changes in temperature. I think I will definitely be going to more races next season. Until then, enjoy some poor attempts at sports photography in the gallery below.