"I only went to Halifax once, when the wife and I were staying in York, yes I know that's miles away from Halifax, but it's closer than Sidcup in Kent where I live. I remember being awestruck by the high banking, almost like a velodrome it appeared, and the sheer size of the track. It was a nothing meeting some sort of challenge match, but Michael Lee was there that night, and although I was never a Lee fan, I didn't like Carter much either. But once the racing started - wow - the sheer speed and spectacle, particularly between Lee and Carter was tremendous. Lee took the honours on the night and beat Carter in the three races in which they met. Shame they appear to have put a stand on top of where the banked bends were."

"The Shay was awesome, I only saw two matches there, but they were good ones. Halifax v Belle Vue and GB v Denmark. A track sorely missed."

"I went to the Shay quite a few times, mostly for the Dukes v Aces matches. I saw some great racing there, and the banking certainly added to the thrill. I was in the crowd when Eric Boocock parked his bike across the start line because he disagreed with the ref's decision ! Great days."

"I was a Belle Vue fan in the 70s and always looked forward to going to Halifax when Belle Vue were there, the racing was always fantastic."

"Interesting to see Lynne Bardsley (Belle Vue fan) say how good the track was at the Shay, it brought back memories of a league match against Belle Vue when I had a terrific argument with a couple of Aces as to which track came up with the best racing. Obviously, being a Dukes fan I preferred the Shay and they were anxious to point out that I was talking rubbish. As we were getting a hammering at the time I was in no mood to change my opinion, but they were getting smugger as each race passed. We agreed to differ and in proper speedway fashion called it a truce without violence erupting. I also remember the meeting Mick Cast talked about (I think it must have been the same anyway) Michael Lee brought his "gold top" Weslake to try out at the Shay, before the 1983 world final and it was like a rocket ship .K.C. had no answer for once."

"Good to see that the Shay holds happy memories for so many speedway fans the length and breadth of the country. It certainly was a fantastic race track, like it's successor Odsal and it really is a shame that speedway is no longer run at either venue. I can only hope that if a suitable site is identified for a rebirth of the Dukes, the track produces racing as good as that seen at their previous homes."  

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