Picture it, you’re cruising down the open road in a convertible, wind blowing in your hair, the sun glinting off the metal of the car, when all of a sudden, you spot a road chequer signal ahead. You’ve got to speed up or you’re going to miss the light!
That’s what happens when you’re driving on a lonely country road far from any town and there’s no traffic in sight. These are the moments that make you feel alive. That’s what a speedway cafe is – the perfect combination of road trip movie scene and culinary adventure!
What Is A Speedway Cafe?
You might be familiar with the term ‘speedway’, which is used to describe the racing leagues that used to be a feature of the British sporting calendar. These were organized races that would see participants traveling from town to town, racing each other on purpose built race tracks. If you’re not, here’s a brief history of speedway racing in the United Kingdom.
In 1896, the Isle of Wight Steam Packet Company introduced one of the first speedways to the British public. The company built several speedways in the UK, including the famous White City in London. The White City was the home of the first ever World Championships in speedway, which were attended by 60,000 people. In 1927, the Isle of Wight company merged with the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company to form the International Motor Sports Company. Two years later, the company was bought by the larger American firm, International Harvester. The new owners renamed the business the International Harvester Company and continued to run the sport, despite its declining popularity in the UK. During the Second World War, the military use of speedways intensified, resulting in the development of a variety of specialized vehicles to accommodate the longer intervals between races. The war also saw an exodus of racers to continental Europe, where the ban on motor vehicles meant that the open road was always available for professional racing.
After the war, the UK government withdrew support for motor sports, citing concerns over safety and roadworthiness. Despite this, the firm continued to hold races as a form of public entertainment, and even created a trophy for the winners of a national motor cycle speedway championship. With the introduction of the car in the early 1900s and the growth of the middle class, more and more people could afford the expensive and exclusive motor vehicles, which were needed to compete in these leagues. The introduction of safety cars in the 1960s further increased the appeal of motor sports as a pastime, especially for youths. In the 1970s, the last of the large scale speedways in the UK closed its gates for the final time. The firm continued to hold motorcycle speedway events until 1986, when it was forced to close down due to increased health and safety regulations. Since then, nostalgia for the golden era of motor sports in the UK has resulted in a small but thriving cult following of speedway aficionados. Today, modern incarnations of speedway exist in a number of European countries, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. Some of the newer and more traditional styles even attract live crowds, which help to keep the sport alive. However, it is the cars and the stories that they can tell that linger in the minds of many speedway fans.
Why Are They Still Popular?
In the 2010s, nostalgia for the exciting adventures of the ‘good old days’, coupled with a desire to escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, drove a boom in the demand for speedway festivals.
The most dedicated fans will spend months planning their trips to the annual European Speedweek Festival. This is one of the biggest and best-known events of the year, attracting speedway experts and amateurs alike. In New Zealand, the annual Manu Samoa Cycle Bash is considered to be one of the biggest and most significant motorcycle events of the year. The festival draws huge crowds and is a chance for fans to socialize with their favorite racers. Doncaster is also one of the biggest cities in the UK, renowned for its annual music festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of music fans. During the course of one four-day music festival, fans will get to glimpse at least 20 different motorcycle gangs, sporting team colors and patterns, competing for the favor of the crowd. This is one of the main reasons why people continue to follow the sport, despite its dwindling popularity in the UK.
The Appeal Of The Classics
There is a certain je ne sais quoi in driving a car that you know every single detail of. Especially if it’s a classic car, which you know all the best bits and pieces of. I mean, when you’re driving down the road, there isn’t a lot of distractions, is there? You’re basically working the pedals and looking at the road in front of you. Therefore, classic cars are often considered to be the best way to experience driving. There is a degree of satisfaction in knowing that you can put your hands on every part of the vehicle and know exactly how it works. This is in contrast to most modern cars, where, although some of the basic controls may be the same, the layout and the way that everything is integrated together is completely different and more complex. For example, mobile phones became mainstream in the latter half of the 20th century, but even then, some people were still using dials and landlines, which were connected to switchboards and computers, which calculated all of the traffic lights and changed them accordingly. It’s not that technology didn’t exist in those days, it’s just that it wasn’t available to the average person, which is why these types of cars remain so popular today. Knowing how things were back in the day makes you a better driver now, doesn’t it?
The Social Aspects
Although modern vehicles have made motor sports less labor-intensive and safer, there still remain a number of pitfalls that drivers need to be on the lookout for. One of the main dangers comes from distractions, which are almost endless when you’re driving on the open road. Whether it’s checking the text messages on your cell phone or trying to listen to the radio, there are always things that can draw your attention away from the road ahead. In some cases, these distractions can even cause accidents. This is why drivers need to remain constantly vigilant and mindful of their surroundings. When you’re in a car with other people, whether it’s your family or a group of your friends, you’re also required to be extra careful and aware of what’s happening around you. In groups, people sometimes become competitive or even aggressive toward one another, which can easily turn into a conflict. When that happens, distractions are again, a potential cause for concern. These are all things that can easily be avoided if you know what’s what and aren’t distracted by anything or anyone. This is one of the big reasons why classic cars are still so popular today, aside from the thrill of being able to drive such powerful machines and knowing every single detail about them.
The Nostalgia Factor
Even those who have never been interested in motor sports may feel a twinge of emotion at the sight or sound of an old racetrack. These days, it’s not uncommon for people to create blogs and websites dedicated to reporting on and reminiscing about the good old days of motor sports. At some point in their lives, most people will have experienced the appeal of these cars and that desire to drive them can now be found in a whole new group of enthusiasts. As a result, festivals and other similar events dedicated to old school racing continue to grow in popularity, which helps to further perpetuate the appeal of these vehicles. For those who grew up during the golden era of motor sports in the UK, it can be difficult to experience the thrill of competition without being lured back to the ‘tracks’ by the sound of an old timers’ race. For many, simply hearing the drone of an engine can still be enough to get that nostalgic feeling, which can lead to tears of joy or floods of emotion. Even if you’ve never given the sport much thought, it may be time to consider exploring it further, if only to satisfy that nostalgic longing and feel that tingle in your fingertips once more.