50p to get in on a Wednesday? night for kids or wait until they opened the Airlie Street gates near the wood yard at about half time for the kids as they did for the rugby too,
The smell, the grit and wearing the goggles stick out the most.
Bobby Beeton was my favourite rider and i remember Vikings having Egon Muller the current world champion at the time,
He was always announced at the beginning of every meeting but i can't remember him actually being there or ever riding.

i think one Owen used to ride for Hull and another for Newcastle

Egon Muller rode for the Vikings in 1976 he was the world long track champion at the time, He did go on to be world speedway champion at a later date.
Joe Owen rode for the vikings as a signed rider ,His brother Tom (Taffy ) Owen used to guest ride for the Vikings.
ethanol was the fuel used that creates that wonderfull smell. Happy days indeed.

You got the team right..Newport, the rider that ended up in threepenney stand was Phil Herne...i know this because i was sat on the steps were his bike ended up....still dont know to this day how it missed me