THE pungent smell of petrol fumes pervaded through the air.

It was all part of the build up to, the excitement of, and the thrilling anticipation of seeing the riders straddle their metal machines and showcase their skills - at speed.

Bradford's Odsal Stadium was the perfect platform for the riders to perform - fans would flock to watch what was for many a spectacular sight and many of the riders became famous through their sport, the likes of the late Arthur Forrest - fondly christened 'The Black Prince' because of his immaculate black leathers.

The history of speedway in Bradford is well documented, but 'Backtracking' a book of speedway nostalgia for fans of the 70s, 80s and 90s - the Best of Backtrack Magazine Volume 2 - dedicates a full chapter to the important part Bradford played in promoting what was once the golden era of the sport.

"It may well have been the ugly duckling of World Final venues but it was arguably the best race track in the country when it closed 13 years ago after being revamped to FIM specifications to stage the 1985 and 1990 finals," writes Richard Bott.

The legacy of the city's speedway heyday lives on in fans' memories - and through books such as 'Backtracking' where they can see black and white images of the capacity crowds in the immediate post-war boom period.

According to Richard's writings, plans to transform Odsal Stadium into a 21st century 'Superdrome' didn't materialise and the building of the corporate hospitality complex on the former pits bend, for the Bradford Bulls rugby league club, he says, 'effectively read the 'last rites' to speedway at Odsal Top. It also put pay to many fans' dreams of Odsal becoming the 'Wembley of the North.'

"It is, and always has been, unique. The sheer magnitude of the place (it once attracted a crowd of 102,578 to a rugby league challenge Cup Final relay) can take your breath away when you come through the turnstiles at the top of the 'volcano' and look down into this man-made amphitheatre," writes Richard.

He recalls the '85 final took a while to get going as it had been raining and the track needed to dry out, but he recalls how it grew to a 'dramatic, nerve-shredding climax.'

Denmark's Erik Gundersen outwitted his fellow countryman Hans Nielsen and America's Sam Ermolenko in the first three-man-run-off since 1960, to retain his title.

"It was a huge gamble staging the '85 final at Odsal but where else in England could it go at the time?" asks Richard.

He recalls how it took the foresight and determination of Bradford Metropolitan Council to seize the nettle of opportunity. He explains although speedway had prospered at Odsal in the post-war boom years and, again briefly in the early 70s, it had withered and died again.

Richard refers to an emotional article written by Peter Royston, of the Bradford Telegraph and Argus for Speedway Star's World Final preview issue in August 1985.

Peter, he says, had a 'genuine love for the sport' writing: "This was to be the year Bradford finally found a place on the sporting map."

"Bradford City were in the second division for the first time for 48 years and after decades of neglect, Odsal was being given an expensive facelift in preparation for its biggest occasion for years - the World Speedway Final."

Recollections in the book include Peter's first speedway meeting when Johnnie Hoskins opened the track in 1945. Back then spectators watched from the primitive wooden sleepered terracing cheering on riders such as Alec Statham, Ron Clarke and Oliver Hart.

The 1990 final was, according to Richard, 'hailed as a classic, giving Odsal the ultimate seal of approval.'

But, of course, the track's high profile was down to the talented riders who performed there; the likes of Bobby and Allan Ham, at the helm in the early 90s.

The Halifax Dukes, who had moved out of their previous home at The Shay, were on a roll at Odsal winning seven team trophies and producing the 1992 World Champion, Gary Havelock, who triumphed at Wroclaw in Poland.

Other top English riders sporting Dukes' colours who apparently 'revelled on the best track in the country' included Kelvin Tatum, Mark Loram, Simon Wigg and Joe Screen.

During the mid-70s, riders including Alan Knapkin, Dave Baugh, Robin Adlington and the late Gary Peterson were luring five-figure crowds to the stadium for the first time since the early post-war years.

Although the Stadium is no longer a platform for speedway, the legacy of speedway will always live on through the fans; the riders and the many memories they have to cherish from the sport's glory days in Bradford.

'Backtracking' Volume 2 is available at the special price of £16 each (p&p free in the UK) from publishers Retro Speedway. Call 01708 734 502 or visit retro-speedway.com. You can also send a cheque or postal order (payable to Retro Speedway) to: Retro Speedway, 103 Douglas Road, Hornchurch, RM11 1AW.

The photos have been kindly loaned by The John Somerville Collection and Retro Speedway.