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Barrow track - Rossecote, Barrow, UK

Started by HistoricMustang , Jan 27 2009 22:56

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13 replies to this topic

#1 HistoricMustang

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Posted 27 January 2009 - 22:56

Henry

There appears to be a story here if we can dig it out!

The replacement venue for the Sand Pits, , closed when a plan was put forward to dig a new section of the adjoining dock right across where the track was located, But this plan apparently stalled . As Jemima Kerr reports " A lot has happened since Barrow closed down on the 29th October 2006. John Curruthers (and the new owners) agreed to a 2 year lease. Repair was being made on the track due to vandelism and other such things. The track was set to open on the 31st august 2008. Then on the 1st of June ... someone set fire to one of the Salthouse Mill buildings (which partly surround the track). The fire has resulted in asbestos contamination of the track and pits areas and the authorities say that it would not be safe for public access." which seems to have sealed the track's fate as the cost of the clear up and repairs is enormous...how tragic after so much effort had been made to rescue the track.

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#2 fbarrett

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Posted 28 January 2009 - 00:44

Is that Barrow-in-Furness in Lincolnshire, near the Humber River?

Frank

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#3 Terry Walker

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Posted 28 January 2009 - 02:26

Barrow-in-Furness is in the Furness Peninsula in Cumbria, formerly Lancashire. Used to be the shipbuilding centre for the Trident nuclear subs. I've been to Barrow quite a few times, didn't know they had a speedway track there. [ Edit: In fact, I stayed at a cottage in Marsh Street, less than a mile from the track.]

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#4 Pullman99

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Posted 28 January 2009 - 13:43

Just noticed this. Indulging in a lunchtime Forum browse!

Sad to hear of the demise of Roosecote Raceway. I believe competitors nearest venue is now Warton in Lancashire, although a coiuple of meetings were held at Millom over the Duddon in what used to be Cumberland. Salthouse Mills, although somewhat run-down, did seem to offer reasonable facilities for preparation.

I live in nearby Dalton-in-Furness and have been involved with transport preservation, including ships, in Barrow during the last 20 years. Barrow-upon-Humber may be famous as the home of John Harrison of marine chronometer fame, but Barrow-in-Furness can boast the late Emlyn Hughes amongst its famous sons!

And, no, I am not a football fan.

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#5 Rob Lees

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Posted 30 January 2009 - 09:22

I can add a bit of additional info here. Back in the mid 80s, Barrow (in Furness) had a motorcycle speedway team, the Barrow Blackhawks, who raced at Park Road. For some or all of the time they were at that venue, stock cars and bangers raced on the same track, with a post and wire fence. Photos can be added when I have found them......

I can't remember if the speedway team folded before the track closed, or as a result of the closure. Either way, I don't believe they re-formed. The stock car club moved to a sand and gravel quarry at Roosecote and raced there for quite a few years (again, photos can be added when I've rooted through the appropriate cupboard!).

When that track closed, they moved to the track at Salthouse Mills which Henry has shown. This was an asphalt short oval with slightly banked curves, and despite the difficult geographical location (not very close to any major cities, and at the end of a very long cul-de-sac!) it had a spell of real popularity with visiting F2 stock car drivers and banger racers coming from hundreds of miles away. Unfortunately the track's rural location began to take its toll on entry numbers (for the bangers and bangerstox it was very difficult for local drivers to find scrap cars that could be raced), and (as per Henry's post) the venue was closed after the landowners and club couldn't find agreement for it to continue.

As mentioned, Millom also had a short-lived track in a gravel quarry, but not long after it was expanded to a larger oval, it also closed - don't know the reasons behind this closure I'm afraid.

Warton stock car club continue to race at their excellent little asphalt oval down on the shores of Morecambe Bay (right on the shores - meetings have to be worked around very high tides when the pits and track are underwater!) - but that deserves a thread of its own.

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#6 Terry Walker

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Posted 30 January 2009 - 09:44

Warton track, near Carnforth, Lancs. Someone on the track, too!

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#7 simonlewisbooks

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Posted 30 January 2009 - 10:31

Originally posted by HistoricMustang
Henry

There appears to be a story here if we can dig it out!

The replacement venue for the Sand Pits, , closed when a plan was put forward to dig a new section of the adjoining dock right across where the track was located, But this plan apparently stalled . As Jemima Kerr reports " A lot has happened since Barrow closed down on the 29th October 2006. John Curruthers (and the new owners) agreed to a 2 year lease. Repair was being made on the track due to vandelism and other such things. The track was set to open on the 31st august 2008. Then on the 1st of June ... someone set fire to one of the Salthouse Mill buildings (which partly surround the track). The fire has resulted in asbestos contamination of the track and pits areas and the authorities say that it would not be safe for public access." which seems to have sealed the track's fate as the cost of the clear up and repairs is enormous...how tragic after so much effort had been made to rescue the track.

How nice to see a large chunk of my DEFUNCT STOCK CAR TRACKS website (http://www.simonlewis.com/sc5.html) quoted absolutely word for word (even the typos!) without acknowledgement. Thanks.... :wave:

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#8 HistoricMustang

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Posted 30 January 2009 - 11:05

Originally posted by simonlewisbooks

How nice to see a large chunk of my DEFUNCT STOCK CAR TRACKS website (http://www.simonlewis.com/sc5.html) quoted absolutely word for word (even the typos!) without acknowledgement. Thanks....

My apology for lapse on this post. The Motor Sport Fanatic segment has been referenced by myself in several of these track reviews.

Henry :wave:

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#9 Rob Lees

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Posted 30 January 2009 - 12:13

Originally posted by simonlewisbooks

How nice to see a large chunk of my DEFUNCT STOCK CAR TRACKS website (http://www.simonlewis.com/sc5.html) quoted absolutely word for word (even the typos!) without acknowledgement. Thanks....

Thanks for the link, Simon - excellent source of info there. Would you like any photos to add to that page? I've got a few I can scan for you.

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#10 HistoricMustang

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Posted 30 January 2009 - 22:28

Originally posted by Rob Lees

Thanks for the link, Simon - excellent source of info there. Would you like any photos to add to that page? I've got a few I can scan for you.

Simon, sometimes mistakes produce good things. A lot of information going up about the tracks listed and it appears activity headed your way.

Again, my apology. :blush:

Henry

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#11 Rob Lees

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Posted 31 January 2009 - 15:09

Here's a couple of pics I found on the laptop - I'll scan some more next week when I find time.

Saloon stox at Park Road

Posted Image

Bangers at Roosecote sandpit

Posted Image

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#12 simonlewisbooks

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Posted 02 February 2009 - 10:20

Originally posted by Rob Lees

Thanks for the link, Simon - excellent source of info there. Would you like any photos to add to that page? I've got a few I can scan for you.

Hi Rob
Many thanks for your offer. Yes I'd be very interested in anything you could contribute for the web page - 'then' or 'now' photos are always of interest. My direct email is simon@simonlewis.com. If you can send the scans over I will be only too happy to include them .

Cheers

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#13 Tony Lethbridge

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Posted 04 February 2009 - 09:08

The last speedway meeting to be held at Park Road was on Tuesday 23 April 1985. It was the only meeting that year as two previous fixtures were postponed due to inclement weather. The final meeting was a Knockout Cup match between the Blackhawks and the Exeter Falcons. After seven heats with Exeter leading 24-18 it was getting dark so they decided to turn on the floodlights. Sadly the generator refused to start so the referee, the late Will Hunter, had no option but to abandon the meeting. I recall it was a very long drive home to Exeter.

Speedway had previously been staged at Barrow FC's Holker Street stadium in 1930 and between 1972 and 1974 when six times world champion Ivan Mauger was one of the promoters.

Bamford & Jarvis' excellent 'Homes of British Speedway' also list speedway as being staged at Little Park, Roose in 1931. This was an old rugby league ground three miles from the town centre near Leece Lane. The changing rooms were in the Ship Inn which apparently still exists.

I hope this may be of some small interest.