In October 1997 a "fourth era" of Speedway ended at Bradfords Odsal Stadium. By far the most successful of the era's, the period 1985-1997 saw Bradford play host to some of the most prestigous meetings the Speedway Racing calender could offer. This included the staging of two World Finals in 1985 and 1990. Indeed the impetus for the return of Speedway to the famous Odsal Stadium was created when Bradfords Metropolitan District Council financed the refurbishment of the decaying ampitheatre to provide a "home" for the FIM World Individual Speedway Championship.

Following the staging of the 1985 World Final, the facilities were put to full use throughout the Speedway season as the Halifax Dukes vacated their delapidated and costly Shay Stadium for the vast open spaces of Odsal. Between 1986-1997 the Bradford Dukes Speedway Team competed at the highest level of domestic racing. Turbulent beginings gave way to the Dukes becoming arguably the Worlds No 1 Speedway Club. Our home page Honours List charts the teams success. Alongside this the Dukes Captain Gary Havelock became the World Individual Champion in 1992. This "fourth era" was undoubtedly the most successful on track for the Club, however the not inconsiderable efforts of the promoters, were not matched with consistentley good levels of support off it.

When a proposal was put forward to redevelop Odsal Stadium on the lines of a "Superdome" the curtain came down on Speedway" to allow the developers in". Very much a "pie in the sky" scheme the Superd-oo-me faltered and the bikes have been silenced ever since. It gained the Dukes the rare distinction of signing off the 1997 season as inaugrual Elite League Champions NEVER to defend their title. There was an early opportunity to keep Speedway alive in 1998 but that was lost and despite Odsal now being unused there seems little prospect of racing returning to Bradford in the forseeable future.

This Is Bradford Speedway exists to provide the link to the PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE of the sport in Bradford. We at TIBS think that things have been too quiet too long and with Speedway showing the green shoots of recovery NOW is the time that Speedway people in Bradford and the wider West Yorkshire area should come together to create a REAL future for the sport in this area.

IF YOU ARE A FORMER PROMOTER, RIDER, SUPPORTER OR FRIEND of Speedway in West Yorkshire then we at TIBS would love to hear your views ?, can you help ? do you know anyone else who could ? or are you just happy to reminise on the great memorys.

Make use of TIBS Interactive features and together we'll see how far we can take this ?..... Ray Allen TIBS

" Lets Not Say We Never Gave It Another Go"