Speedway's initial Boom was over. By the end of the twenties, more than sixty tracks had opened, but as the novelty wore off, many, including Exeter had fallen by the wayside. When Mockford and Smith had closed down, no other Promoter appeared interested in taking over. Thus the County Ground track lay unused for two and a half years.

Friday, 6th April 1934 sees the Exeter Motor Club stage a trial amateur meeting that attracts a crowd of between 2-3,000 people. Considering it was pouring with rain and that the track was in bad need of renovation, the racing was good.

Riding that night was "Bronco" Slade who was to appear after the War in league racing.

Pictured from that opening night in 1934: From Left to Right: Gordon taylor, Unknown, Bronco Slade, Freddie Hawken is kneeling, Reg Beer against Post, Bill Knowles and Arthur Millett.

Such was the interest that it was decided to run such meetings fortnightly and with the track restored, May 4th sees a crowd of 4,000 spectators turn up. There was little to chose between the local riders that night with Freddie Hawkin, Tom Whitton and Dingo Davey being the three Heat winners with Hawken narrowly beating Whitton in the final. Topping the bill were the "Four Star" match races that was eventually won by Bill Clibbett after Ted Bravery had pulled out with engine problems.

The next meeting which took place a fortnight later was equally as exciting, but an ominous cloud hung over the proceedings by the much reduced crowd size that was way down on previous meetings.

The rapid decline of Speedway brings about a premature end to the 1934 season on Friday June 1st when a team match between devon and Cornwall attracted less than 800 people. Devon won the meeting 9-8 whensadly it was announced that no more meetings would be staged. The doors on Exeter were to remain closed for 13 years as the bikes fell silent.

Elsewhere in 1934

At the start of 1934, only four major areas were staging Speedway. With the withdrawal of Sheffield, Coventry and Nottingham, only London, Manchester, Birmingham and Plymouth were in existence.

However, Tom Bradbury moved his Clapton team to a re-opened Harringay and set up shop again at Hall Green, Birmingham. To further inject life into the sport, Tom also started a second Division League in which nearly all First Division Teams entered a reserve side.

Pictured Left is the 1934 New Cross Team who finished third in the National League staged in that Year.

The season was to be another one dominated by Belle Vue who carried off the league and Cup double as they had done the previous year, and added the ACU Cup in for good measure. Wembley finished runners up in the league just 2 points behind the "Aces" with new comers New Cross in third spot. New Cross were in fact the old Crystal Palace side and were led by Tom Farndon, who went on to win the British Championship and the London Riders Championship.

Provincial side Plymouth were struggling, and became the first team to bring in Continental assistance in the shape of Austrian Leopold Kilmeyer. Jack parker won the Star Championship ahead of Eric langton and Ginger Lees in third