View source for Reading Racers

{{Short description|Former British motorcycle speedway team}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox motorcycle speedway team
|clubname = Reading Racers
|image = [[File:Reading_Racers_speedway_team_logo.png|150px]]
|caption = 
|track = [[Reading Stadium (Oxford Road)|Reading Stadium]] (1968–1973)<br />[[Reading Stadium|Smallmead Stadium]] (1975–2008)
|founded = 1968 (reformed 2016)
|closed = 2008
|manager  =
|captain =
|league =
|website = 
|colours = Blue and White
|tracksize = {{convert|307|m|yd}}
|track record time= 58.1 seconds
|track record date= 12 October 1987
|track record holder= [[Per Jonsson]]
|honour1 = [[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|League champions]]
|year1 = 1973, 1980, 1990, 1992
|honour2 = [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|KO Cup winners]]
|year2= 1990
|honour3 = [[List of United Kingdom Speedway Fours Champions|Fours]] winners (tier 1)
|year3 = 1993
|honour4 = [[Premier League (speedway)|Premier League]] (tier 2)
|year4 = 1997
|honour5 = [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|KO Cup]] (tier 2)
|year5 = 1998
|honour6 = Spring Gold Cup
|year6 = 1972, 1977
|honour7 = SDL champions 
|year7 = 2017, 2018 
}}

'''Reading Racers''' were a British [[motorcycle speedway]] team. Formed in 1968, they won four [[British League]] titles during their history. The club closed in October 2008 after the lease on [[Reading Stadium|Smallmead Stadium]] was sold and the site was demolished. 

== History ==
=== 1960s ===
The club was formed in 1968 and were founder members of [[British League Division Two]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Martin|title=The Illustrated History of Speedway|year=1978|page=129|publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd|isbn=0-904584-45-3}}</ref> Promoted by [[Reg Fearman]], the team were based at the [[Reading Stadium (Oxford Road)]] for their inaugural season and finished 8th out of 10 teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cybermotorcycle.com/archives/exeter-speedway/leagues-64.htm |title=Speedway Teams UK 1964-1969 |website=Cyber Motorcycle |access-date=19 September 2024 }}</ref> 

The first home fixture was held on 17 June after construction of the new track was only just completed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19680601/571/0016 |title=Reading Racers make first signings |website=Reading Evening Post |date=1 June 1968 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 September 2024}}</ref> The following season in 1969, the Racers signed [[Mick Bell]] and [[Richard May (speedway rider)|Richard May]], which transformed the team into a title challenging one but they lost out to [[Belle Vue Colts]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1969record.pdf |title=1969 season |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref>
{{clear}}
=== 1970s ===
{{gallery
|width=160 | height=170
|align=right
|File:Anders Michanek Intercontinental Final.jpg
|Anders Michanek
|File:Dag Lovaas Reading No6.jpg
|Dag Lovaas
}}
[[File:Racer action.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Reading Racers at the Smallmead Stadium in 1975]]
After a quiet 1970, the decision was made to switch league licences with [[Newcastle Diamonds]], which saw the Racers compete in division 1 for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004973/19710106/011/0011 |title=Reading switch |website=Western Daily Press  |date=6 January 1971 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 September 2024}}</ref> The team signed one of the world's leading riders in Swede [[Anders Michanek]] and he was to be backed by Norwegian [[Dag Lövaas]] and Australians [[Geoff Curtis]] and [[Geoff Mudge]]. In 1972, the Racers were denied the league title again by the Manchester club, this time the [[Belle Vue Aces]].

Despite a successful season, news broke that the stadium was to be sold for re-development which sparked protests.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002511/19540923/257/0017 |title=Doomed stadium protests mount |website=Reading Evening Post   |date=20 January 1973 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 September 2024}}</ref> In what would be their final year at the stadium, the Racers won their first British League title.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19731002/318/0018 |title=Racers are acknowledged as champions |website=Reading Evening Post  |date=2 October 1973 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 September 2024}}</ref> Anders Michanek was in imperious form, going undefeated in home fixtures and finishing with a 11.36 average. In addition to Michanek the team was boosted by high scoring from Dag Lövaas and Geoff Curtis and supported by Peter Murray, Richard May, Mick Bell and Bernie Leigh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/historyarchive|title=HISTORY ARCHIVE|website=British Speedway|access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref> In a sensational finish to the 1973 Knockout Cup final Reading were beaten by Belle Vue in a run-off for the Cup after an aggregate draw over two legs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.speedwayplus.com/IH1973.shtml|title=973 - Speedway Ruined My Toffee Apple|website=British Speedway Plus|access-date=28 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/41747/page/23|title=Speedway Star Clark.R p.14 March 2015|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/result-archive/heatdetails/season1973.pdf|title=Season 1973 - Speedwaygb.co.uk|access-date=2 November 2018}}</ref> The end of the year resulted in two items of bad news; the new [[Reading Stadium|Smallmead Stadium]] would not be ready for the 1974 season<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19740227/340/0018 |title=Reading speedway off until 1975 |website=Reading Evening Post  |date=27 February 1974 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 September 2024}}</ref> and Geoff Curtis was killed in race in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19731217/003/0001 |title=Racers' star dies after speedway accident |website=Reading Evening Post  |date=17 December 1973 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 September 2024}}</ref>

The new stadium known as Smallmead was constructed during 1974, near the site of a refuse tip close to Junction 11 of the [[M4 motorway]]. The Racers returned for the 1975 season,<ref>Lawson, K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. {{ISBN|978-0-244-72538-9}}</ref> a crowd of 9,264 witnessed the opening meeting against [[Hull Vikings|Hull]] and Reading won the match by 18 points. The club finished 6th that campaign and had an average crowd of almost 6,500 every meeting. Between 1976 and 1979 the crowd figures remained high, despite a poor 1978 when the club finished 14th out 19 teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/history/leaguetables1965-1990|title=British League Tables - British League Era (1965-1990)|website=Official British Speedway website|access-date=30 August 2021}}</ref> The best finish was third place in 1977 when th eteam was led by [[Dave Jessup]] and [[John Davis (speedway rider)|John Davis]].

=== 1980s ===
The club enjoyed a successful 1980 season under new promoter Dave Lanning and team manager Mick Bell. The Racers won the British League title for a second time and attracted crowds of over 7,000 on a regular basis. Reading's success came down to three strong heat leaders, Swedish champion [[Jan Andersson (speedway rider)|Jan Andersson]], their new American signing [[Bobby Schwartz]] and England international John Davis. All three produced season averages around the 10 mark, which enabled the team to constantly pick up victories.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/historyarchive|title=HISTORY ARCHIVE|website=British Speedway|access-date=3 July 2021}}</ref> However, behind the scenes unrest in the management structure saw major changes at the end of the season with Directors Bill Dore and Frank Higley taking control of the club. 

The club suffered the tragedy of losing their 25-year old American rider [[Denny Pyeatt]], who suffered fatal head injuries during an away match at [[Hackney Hawks]] in July 1982. Despite tracking very competitive looking teams in the mid-1980s the club never achieved the dizzy heights of the start of the decade. They twice finished 4th (1983 and 1984) and were 5th in 1988, with the team's leading rider of the period being Jan Andersson, who was supported well by [[Mitch Shirra]] and [[Per Jonsson]].

=== 1990s ===
In 1990, the team manager was Tim Sugar and the co-promoter was Pat Bliss. The team retained [[Jeremy Doncaster]] (signed in 1989) and brought in Australian signing [[Todd Wiltshire]], to support Jan Andersson and Per Jonsson. The team became champions of Britain for the third time and achieved the double after defeating [[Bradford Dukes]] in the [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|KO Cup final]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Mullett hero of Odsal victory |work=Reading Evening Post |date=15 October 1990 |access-date=27 June 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19901015/306/0017| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Additionally, Per Jonsson was crowned world speedway champion in 1990.

The club won another league title in 1992, with Jonsson averaging 10.04, Doncaster and Andersson still scoring strong and great support from [[Dave Mullett]] and [[Armando Castagna]]. The Racers won the fours in 1993<ref>{{cite news |title=Racers' fab four are hot stuff! |work=Reading Evening Post |date=26 July 1993 |access-date=11 May 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19930726/210/0027 | via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> but disaster struck in 1994, when Per Jonsson suffered terrible injuries in a crash in Poland, and this had an adverse effect on the club and its fortunes. 1995 and 1996 were poor seasons for the club, as crowds dropped and media interest waned.

The 1997 season saw the club drop down to the second tier Premier League for the first time since 1970. The decision not to join the Elite League brought immediate success for the club as they were crowned champions that year, with Dave Mullett proving to be the best rider in the league. The following year in 1998 the team won the Knockout Cup, inspired by [[Lee Richardson (speedway rider)|Lee Richardson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1998fixtures.pdf|title=1998 KO cup final|website=Speedway Researcher|access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref> 

=== 2000s ===
[[File:2007 Oxford v Reading speedway.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Reading versus Oxford in 2007]]
[[File:2007 Oxford v Reading speedway Elite League.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Reading versus Oxford in 2007]]
The period up to 2004 were lean years for the club, which had seen veteran promoter Chris Shears and his son Ivan become part of the promotional and management set up. In 2004, the club showed signs of resurgence with a sponsorship deal with local telecomms company Euphony Communications. This funded the signature of rider [[Danny Bird (speedway rider)|Danny Bird]] and Slovenian [[Matej Žagar]]. Bird and [[Phil Morris (speedway rider)|Phil Morris]] (who replaced an injured Žagar) won the [[Premier League Pairs Championship]] in June of that season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/2004fixtures.pdf |title=2004 fixtures |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=29 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crash.net/speedway/news/100731/1/reading-race-to-pairs-title |title=Reading race to Pairs title |website=Crash.net |access-date=29 May 2023}}</ref>

After a disappointing 2005 season, the promotion sold the club to BSI Speedway in 2006. The new promotion took Reading into the [[Elite League (speedway)|Elite League]] and changed the club name to the Reading Bulldogs. Their first season was a huge success on track, led by American rider [[Greg Hancock]], the Bulldogs narrowly missed out on the title, losing by a single point to [[Peterborough Panthers]] in the play-off final. However, crowds were poor and the club struggled to break even, with blame being directed at the lack of investment into the Smallmead Stadium and the change of nickname from Racers to Bulldogs. The majority of the successful 2006 team were retained for the 2007 season, but crowds dropped again which resulted in BSI putting the club up for sale mid-season. Swindon-based businessman Mark Legg took over and appointed ex-rider Malcolm Holloway as his co-promoter and Tim Sugar returned as team manager.<ref name="BSPA706">{{cite web| title = Reading confirm Elite Season|publisher =British Speedway Promoters' Association| date = 19 June 2007| url = http://www.british-speedway.co.uk/news.php?extend.706| access-date = 27 October 2007 }}</ref> The club also reverted to their original Racers name.<ref name="BSPA708">{{cite web| title = Racers back with new owners|publisher = British Speedway Promoters' Association|date = 20 June 2007| url = http://www.british-speedway.co.uk/news.php?extend.708| access-date = 27 October 2007 }}</ref>

In 2008, the club opted to drop back down to the [[Premier League (speedway)|Premier League]] but the season was a traumatic time on and off track for the club.<ref name="SKY">{{cite web| title = British AGM Upadte  | publisher = [[Sky Sports]]  | date = 1 December 2007| url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12268_2935949,00.html | access-date = 1 December 2007 }}</ref> The season was overshadowed by the news that the Smallmead Stadium lease expired in October 2008 and would not be renewed. A final farewell meeting was held on 19 October 2008 and witnessed by  anear capacity crowd of 3,200.

=== 2016 to present ===
In 2016, a group of supporters got together to bring back the team and in September 2016, the Reading Racers rode in a challenge match against Weymouth Wildcats. In 2017, the team entered the Southern Development League (SDL). The 2017 season was Reading's first back in a League since 2008, although they rode at an adopted home in Eastbourne. The team won the inaugural SDL and continued to race in from 2018 to 2019 (the latter racing at Swindon). In 2020, due to a combination of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and rule changes by the BSPA the team were once again without a home and the team plans were put on hold.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/18251668.wrightside-major-blow-reading-racers-speedway-team/ |title=On the Wrightside: Major blow for Reading Racers Speedway team |website=Reading Chronicle |access-date=24 December 2023}}</ref> The promoter rights currently sit with the Reading Speedway Action Group lead by Emma Stevens, Andy Griffin, Gene Carter, who continue to seek land in the Berkshire area to build a stadium and bring Racers home.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

== Season summary ==
{{collapse top}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!width=350|Year and league
!width=50|Position
!width=350|Notes
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1968 British League Division Two season]] || 8th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1969 British League Division Two season]] ||2nd  || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1970 British League Division Two season]] || 9th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1971 British League season]] || 6th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1972 British League season]] || 2nd || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1973 British League season]] || 1st || [[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|Champions]]
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1975 British League season]] || 6th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1976 British League season]] || 6th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1977 British League season]] || 3rd ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1978 British League season]] || 14th|| 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1979 British League season]] ||7th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1980 British League season]] || 1st || [[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|Champions]]
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1981 British League season]] || 11th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1982 British League season]] || 9th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1983 British League season]] || 4th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1984 British League season]] || 4th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1985 British League season]] ||9th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1986 British League season]] || 7th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1987 British League season]] || 7th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1988 British League season]] || 5th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1989 British League season]] || 7th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1990 British League season]] || 1st ||[[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|Champions]] & [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|Knockout Cup]] winners
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1991 British League season]] || 11th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1992 British League season]] ||1st ||[[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|Champions]]
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1993 British League season]] || 6th || [[List of United Kingdom Speedway Fours Champions|Fours]] winners
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1994 British League season]] || 10th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1995 Premier League speedway season]] || 13th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1996 Premier League speedway season]] || 19th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1997 Premier League speedway season]] || 1st || [[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|Champions]]
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1998 Premier League speedway season]] || 2nd ||[[Knockout Cup (speedway)|Knockout Cup]] winner
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1999 Premier League speedway season]] || 13th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2000 Premier League speedway season]] || 14th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2001 Premier League speedway season]] || 9th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2002 Premier League speedway season]] || 8th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2003 Premier League speedway season]] || 16th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2004 Premier League speedway season]] || 3rd ||Pairs Champions<ref>Oakes, P.(2006). ''Speedway Star Almanac''.  {{ISBN|0-9552376-1-0}}</ref>
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2005 Premier League speedway season]] || 10th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2006 Elite League speedway season]] ||2nd ||rode as the Bulldogs, PO final
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2007 Elite League speedway season]] ||8th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2008 Premier League speedway season]] || 9th ||
|}
{{collapse bottom}}

== Season summary (juniors) ==
{{collapse top}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!width=350|Year and league
!width=50|Position
!width=350|Notes
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1996 Speedway Conference League]] || 11th ||Ravens
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1997 Speedway Conference League]] || 7th || Raven Sprockets (with Swindon)
|}
{{collapse bottom}}

== Notable riders ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*{{player||SWE|[[Jan Andersson (speedway rider)|Jan Andersson]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Mick Bell]]}}
*{{player||ITA|[[Armando Castagna]]}}
*{{player||AUS|[[Geoff Curtis]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[John Davis (speedway rider)|John Davis]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Jeremy Doncaster]]}}
*{{player||USA|[[Greg Hancock]]}}
*{{player||SWE|[[Bengt Jansson]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Dave Jessup]]}}
*{{player||SWE|[[Per Jonsson]]}}
{{col-2}}
*{{player||NOR|[[Dag Lövaas]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Richard May (speedway rider)|Richard May]]}}
*{{player||SWE|[[Anders Michanek]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Dave Mullett]]}}
*{{player||SWE|[[Tony Olsson]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Lee Richardson (speedway rider)|Lee Richardson]]}}
*{{player||USA|[[Bobby Schwartz]]}}
*{{player||NZL|[[Mitch Shirra]]}}
*{{player||AUS|[[Todd Wiltshire]]}}
{{col-end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Defunct speedway teams in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sport in Reading, Berkshire|Racers]]