SIR – Thank you to Rhys Thomas and his article relating to the availability of a new DVD (T&A, July 24), ensuring some speedway tracks – though closed – will not be forgotten. The biggest sadness being Bradford was included.

Not every venue labelled “defunct” acquired such status through dwindling support. Cradley Heath, West Midlands, keeps its supporter base to this day but could do nothing to prevent the family-owned Dudley Wood site being sold to a building company when the bid reached almost “Godfather” proportions.

Closer to home, the aftermath of the terrible fire at Valley Parade led to the loss of Belle Vue’s famous Zoological Gardens stadium – without extensive investment to replace the wooden grandstands the Aces’ public safety certificate was void.

How sadly ironic the loss of Wembley for speedway mirrors the fate of Odsal? The Football Association’s increasing influence for exclusivity of use left Bruce Penhall as the winner of the last ever meeting there, and Erik Gundersen forever the track record holder.

Bradford Council were wonderful in producing a venue suitable to host the 1985 and 1990 World Speedway Finals, but I am now at a loss to make sense of how they appear to have no enthusiasm for Odsal to be used for anything other than Rugby League.

John Murphy, Cooper Lane, Bradford