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Oxford Stadium

Oxford Stadium
Oxford Stadium 2000 executive suites and restaurant.png
Location Sandy Lane, Cowley, Oxfordshire, OX4 6LJ
Coordinates 51°43′35″N 1°12′1″W / 51.72639°N 1.20028°W / 51.72639; -1.20028Coordinates: 51°43′35″N 1°12′1″W / 51.72639°N 1.20028°W / 51.72639; -1.20028
Owner Risk Capital Partners
Operator GRA Ltd.
Surface Sand
Construction
Opened 31 March 1939
Renovated 1986
Expanded 2000
Closed 2012

Oxford Stadium is a former greyhound racing and speedway venue in Oxford, located in Sandy Lane, Cowley.

Races were held every Saturday evening with afternoon BAGS (Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Service) racing on Friday and Sunday. Race evenings also included Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at various times throughout the years.

There was a 350 seater grandstand restaurant overlooking the track, with three executive suites and large general public areas named after Oxford's greatest greyhounds Sandwinder, Security Sam, Self Made and Perth Pat. Conference and business facilities were also available. There is a go-karting track enclosed within the speedway track, which is popular among Oxfordshire residents.

The stadium was constructed in 1938 on the site of a 'flapping' (non regulated) track where owners could turn up and run their greyhounds around an oval on the days selected for racing. The rear wheel of a jacked up motor car was used to drive the lure around the track. The location was on Sandy Lane, in Cowley, Oxfordshire and was a short walk from the famous Oxford motor factories built by Morris Motors.

The back straight was adjacent to the Great Western Railway Thame Branch line (now the BMW freight line). A main grandstand building was erected and the stadium joined the regulatory governing body of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC). The owner of the land at the time was a Mr Johnson, and he agreed a 99-year lease with a Mr Leslie Victor (L.V) Calcutt.

Speedway was an integral part of the stadium and was run every year from 1939 up to 2008. The team known as the Oxford Cheetahs won the United Kingdoms premier competition four times. They were champions in 1985, 1986, 1989 and 2001. The facilities remain intact today.


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