ARENA ESSEX HAMMERS SPEEDWAY

ARENA ESSEX HAMMERS This site is not an official website for the track shown here and is neither approved or endorsed by the speedway team.
	Arena Essex opened its gates for the first time on the 5th April 1984 in the Thurrock area of Essex . The first meeting was co-promoted by Wally Mawdsley and Chick Woodroffe. The stadium had already been open for about 6 years as a stock car racing venue but by 1984 National League speedway was born. The team operated in British League Division 2 for 7 years, but finally won the championship in 1991, and was promoted to Division 1 for the 1992 season. Indeed, 1991 was to prove a very successful year with Knockout Cup and Four-Team Championship victories as well.

View an early programme
The track length has been a number of distances between 252.5 m and 285 metres throughout its history. Chick Woodroffe, the force that brough Arena-Essex into being, died in 2000 and would be proud of the team that gaduated to the Elite League in 2004 and has held its position ever since. The team has only ever had one nickname 'The Hammers' in its 24 year history. It became famous in 1997 to many soap fans, but why was that?
This section gives a comprehensive picture of the badges produced for the team throughout the ages, but only provides the briefest of glimpses of its history. For those wishing to undertake further research we can recommend a visit to www.lakesidehammers.com and for those wishing to read more widely we recommend a visit to http://astore.amazon.co.uk/wwwgreyhoundd-21 especially Speedway in the Thames Valley (Paperback) by Robert Bamford, Glynn Shails ISBN-10: 0752424084
To view a complete collection of badges choose the relevant link opposite: 1984 - 89
More detailed information is available from "Homes of British Speedway' by Robert Bamford & John Jarvis For all Speedway enthusiasts, John Somerville’s website should always be your first port of call:-https://www.skidmarks1928.com/v/photos/john-somerville-collection or email johnwslusar@gmail.com for inclusion of your comments and photos of speedway on this website.