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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 20, 2009 15:54:00 GMT 1
Anybody who remembers or went to the famous Spedeworth track of the late 1960's/early 1970's at Cross In Hand, may be interested to know that there is a nostalgic afternoon planned at the venue this coming Saturday, October 24th. Centred on the Cross In Hand Inn, there will be a display of old stock cars plus photos, memorabilia and a film show.
Midgets were raced at the track too, of course - they were the Spedeworth cars which were later to form part of the basis of the Grand Prix Midgets. They often found the lop-sided concrete track and Armco barriers unforgiving, if my memory serves...
Organised by OLGOR (Oval Legends Go Out Racing), the club are also hoping to make a track walk during the day. Although the track - which is in remarkably good condition despite being abandoned since its enforced closure in 1972 - is still there, it may not be for much longer. The council have apparently been making noises about tearing it up recently, simply to stop anyone getting any funny ideas about re-opening it. So if you want to see it, sooner rather than later would be my advice.
Cross In Hand is on the A267 near Heathfield. Although you can't see the track from the road, you won't be able to miss the Inn, which makes quite a sight with a load of stock cars filling the car park.
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Post by mybigtoe18 on Oct 20, 2009 21:33:38 GMT 1
Who drove midgets at Cross In Hand - probably Tony Stubbs and Brian Spicer among starters? Just a guess on my part.
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 20, 2009 22:31:28 GMT 1
I'm no expert, but I think Stubbs and Spicer were more MARC than Spedeworth - don't quote me on it though! The likes of Rod Tanswell, Frank Boyles and Derek Johnson would have raced at the Cross though.
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 22, 2009 21:42:31 GMT 1
Just to warn any of you thinking of making the trek to Cross In Hand Saturday, that I have just had a 'phone call with the sad news that the local council have carried through their threat to tear up the old circuit and it is no longer there. I don't yet know exactly when this happened, but it sounds as though it was only in the last few days.
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Post by administrator on Oct 22, 2009 21:48:04 GMT 1
If the council has done this, and they also knew about the forthcoming event, it would appear to be a petty action on their part.
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Post by haflinger121 on Oct 23, 2009 0:09:35 GMT 1
"Petty" is one word for it John, yes. But then, that always was the attitude adopted by the powers-that-be in that area. I suppose, to be fair, they may not have known about the event. But equally, I doubt very much that they would have cared if they had known. Taking a really uncharitable view, their timing might have been anything other than coincidental: 'Let's get it torn up so that when they see what's left they'll know it isn't worthwhile coming back'
I have spent most of the evening feeling alternately angry and sad by equal parts, as I always loved the old place in its hey-day. It wasn't doing any harm slumbering there in the forest. They couldn't have just left it alone could they.
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