Saying goodbye to Wimbledon Stadium

Although the final meeting was a sell-out as fans crammed in to bid farewell to the track, not all Wimbledon meetings have enjoyed the same level of support. And as emissions regulations in the city have tightened, it has become increasingly expensive for competitors to drive the diesel transporters carrying their race cars into the capital.

A group of enthusiasts led by Peter Gray, a racer and spectator, have mounted a passionate argument that the stadium should be saved.

“I’ve been around Wimbledon Stadium for my whole life,” says Gray, who lives 20 minutes up the road. “My dad and grandad started racing at Wimbledon in the late 1960s, and my brother and I started competing about 10 years ago. The stadium is a real focal point and gives everyone involved in short oval racing the opportunity to meet up.”

Gray and his fellow campaigners stress Wimbledon’s cultural worth, and they might have a point. Prior to being appointed London’s mayor last year, Sadiq Khan pledged that he would “protect and promote London’s cultural riches”, and “support and protect London’s workspaces and venues threatened by encroaching development”. Yet he hasn’t stood in the way of the plan to flatten the stadium.

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Spedeworth has other tracks on its roster, but Wimbledon was the last survivor of an era of grand old stadiums. It echoed with memories. A parade of champions and replica stock cars from yesteryear was a highlight of the final meeting; immaculate reminders of how much sweat and toil amateur racers have put into their passion through the decades.

The final meeting ended as Wimbledon’s first oval event had begun: with a race for Superstox cars. The last winner was Martyn Coles – or ‘511’ in a sport where a racer’s car number has almost as much equity as his or her name.

The fight isn’t quite over for Gray. A request to afford Grade I listed status to the venue is currently being reviewed by Historic England and, until that has been decided upon, redevelopment cannot proceed.

Gray hopes the officials reviewing the application will look beyond the crumbling facade and see its true value to generations of racers and fans: “It is an important asset, both historically and culturally, especially because of its design.” (It is one of the few remaining sports stadiums of its kind in the country)

The irony that the stadium is being demolished to make way for AFC Wimbledon’s new ground isn’t lost on oval race fans. Once based at Plough Lane just yards from the stadium, the original Wimbledon FC was forced out of its ground and then lost its identity as its owners moved the team to Milton Keynes. Now a reborn and increasingly financially successful AFC Wimbledon is seen as playing the part of the corporate aggressor, depriving the capital of its last grass-roots motor racing venue.