| Oxford Stadium | |
|---|---|
Speedway in 1981 |
|
| Location | Sandy Lane, Cowley, Oxfordshire, OX4 6LJ |
| Opened | 31 March 1939 |
| Renovated | 1986 |
| Expanded | 2000 |
| Owner | GRA Ltd. |
| Operator | GRA Ltd. |
| Surface | Sand |
Oxford Stadium is a greyhound racing venue[1] and speedway in Oxford, located in Sandy Lane, Cowley.
Races are held every Thursday and Saturday evening with afternoon BAGS (Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service) racing on Friday and Sunday.
Contents |
The stadium was built in 1938 on the site of a 'flapping' (non regulated) track where owners could turn up and run their greyhounds around an oval on the days selected for racing. The rear wheel of a jacked up motor car was used to drive the lure around the track. A main grandstand building was erected and the stadium joined the regulatory governing body of the NGRC (National Greyhound Racing Club). The inaugural race night was on 31 March 1939 and was officially opened by Lord Denham.[2]
The greyhound racing has been held every year since 1939 with the exception of occasional breaks for bad weather and twice in 1976 and 1977 following a successful local petition against the council who wanted to sell the land for housing.
In 1986 a huge expansion took place with a multi million pound rebuild. A further facelift in the year 2000 resulted in an extension to the restaurant to seat 350 customers and three executive suites with private facilities for 24 customers per suite.
The circumference of the track is 395 metres, with race distances of 250, 450, 595, 645 and 845 metres. Most races are run over 450 metres and the run to the first bend is around 110 metres with the sectional time at 55 metres.
There is a 350 seater grandstand restaurant overlooking the track, with three executive suites and large general public areas named after Oxfords greatest greyhounds. Conference and business facilities are also available.
During the year there are five main greyhound events held at Oxford, they are -
The Two Year Old Produce Stakes was discontinued in 1975.
The speedway had been run every year from 1939 up to 2008 and the team were known as the Oxford Cheetahs. The facilities remain intact.