Exeter Falcons
| Exeter Falcons | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club information | |||||||||||||||||
| Track address |
County Ground Stadium Church Road Exeter Devon | ||||||||||||||||
| Country | England | ||||||||||||||||
| Founded | 1929 | ||||||||||||||||
| Closed | 2005 | ||||||||||||||||
| Club facts | |||||||||||||||||
| Colours | Green and white | ||||||||||||||||
| Track size | 396 metres (433 yd) | ||||||||||||||||
| Track record time | 64.3 seconds | ||||||||||||||||
| Track record date | 29 April 1996 | ||||||||||||||||
| Track record holder | Mark Loram | ||||||||||||||||
| Major team honours | |||||||||||||||||
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The Exeter Falcons were a speedway team which operated from 1947 until their closure in 2005 at the County Ground Stadium in Exeter.[1] The track first operated in 1929.
Track
The County Ground track was unique in as much that it had a solid sheet metal safety fence. The fence combined with the high speeds down the narrow track made the track unpopular with many riders, but riders who liked it thrived on it. The club were forced to close at the end of 2005 after the stadium owners, Exeter Rugby Union club, sold the stadium to developers.[2]
Speedway promoter Allen Trump received permission from Teignbridge council officials in 2008 to construct a new track at the Exeter Racecourse, Haldon. The new track was expected to open for the start of the 2009 speedway season, and Trump had applied to the British Speedway Promoters' Association for permission to enter a team for the 2009 Premier League.[3] However, the plans fell through.
Notable Exeter riders
-
Ivan Mauger (World Champion 1969, 1970, 1972) -
Mark Loram (World Champion 2000) -
Scott Autrey - Chris Harris
- Richard Green
- Bob Kilby
- Bob Coles
- Michael Coles
- Nigel Boocock
- Mark Simmonds
- Chris Julian
- Kevin Holden
- Frank Shuter
- Jimmy Squibb
- Len Silver
-
Vaclav Verner - Colin Cook
- Alan Cowland
- Goog Hoskin
- Don Hardy
-
Jack Geran - Cyril Roger
- Neil Street
- Martin Ashby
- Ben Barker
References
- ↑ Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). Homes of British Speedway. ISBN 0-7524-2210-3
- ↑ "Falcons farewell to County Ground". BBC News. 2005-10-10. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- ↑ "Exeter Falcons to fly in 2009". Express & Echo. 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-17.