Speedway
Facts Speedway:
Track name: Oernedale track*
Track owner: Frederikshavns Motor Sport/ Saeby Speedway klub (SaeSK)
Track adress: Vanloese Road, DK 9300 Saeby
Length: 390 m.
Track surface: Mix of soil and cinders
Straigth width: 20 m.
Bends width: 20 m.
Opened year/date: 10/6 1956
Closed year/date: Speedway 1995
(*Oernedalen in Danish means a valley with eagles or, if you like, “Glenneagles”)
The town Frederikshavn is located on the eastern coast of region Northern Jutland. It got its name from the Danish king Frederik 6 (Frederik’s harbor). It is known for its natural harbor, fishing and a shipyard. Since there has been a known population in the area since the Stone Age and the Viking period, also many tourists are attracted to the town. The smaller town Saeby is located 6 miles south of Frederikshavn. The place has for more than 1000 years been known as a center for fishing, which still is the main business, supplied with a canning industry. Saeby is now at part of Frederikshavn Municipality.
Frederikshavn’s Motor Sports club (FrMS) origins from 1937. In 1950 the club opened a speedway on the town’s old stadium, capable of 6000 spectators. Meetings were staged there until 1955. By the club member’s voluntary work a speedway opened in 1956 in the beautifully landscape south west of Saeby town near the manor house Saebygaard. Through the years it has been developed to a multifunctional motor sports center for moto cross (opened 1979), speedway, long track and now autocross and quad racing.
The no longer existing speedway was surrounded by a long track with a length of approx. 700 m. (An alternative length of 750 m. is mentioned.)
Satellite view of the Oernedal track 2011. The red oval inserted in the
lower right corner indicates the approximate position of
the speedway from 1956 to 1995.
Songs and speeches: Prior to the inauguration ceremony the Baptist Youth Choir from Saeby entertained with songs. Then the chairman of Frederikshavn Motor Sport, Mr. Valdemar Hansen gave a speech in which he gave thanks, because building of the track was made possible, so people from Northern Jutland no longer needed to travel south to watch motor racing. After a few more speeches, the secretary of the Jutland branch of the Danish Motor Union Mr. Hans Damberg declared, that the track was the most beautiful he had ever seen. (Editor’s note: Through the years several tracks have been declared “The most beautiful track in Denmark”) The superintendant of Saeby Police finally declared the track open, the club’s flag got hoisted and the National Anthem was played.
A total of 36 riders, of which four from Norway and Sweden, joined the meeting. Svend Nissen rode the first 4 lap’s track record in 500 cc special in 1,25,7, min..
Hans J. Pedersen, now located in Australia, has sent us some clips from his parent’s scrap book
from 1956 – 57.
Headline from a newspaper report of the opening meeting
Resultats:
Class:
500 cc. special:
No. Rider Home Aggr. time 2 heats
1. Roger Forsberg Sweden 2,52,2 min.
2. Bengt Brannefors Sweden 2,54,8 min.
3. Svend Nissen Odense 2,54,8 min.
500 cc Std:
Junior A:
1. Chr. Christensen Aalborg 3,23,2 min.
2. Ingvard Jensen Aalborg 3,26,0 min.
Junior B:
1. Jorgen Vincent Aarhus 3,16,3 min.
2. Thomas Thomsen Skive 3,16,8 min.
350 cc Std:
Senior:
1. Harry Hansen Viborg 3,13,1 min.
2. Ib Nielsen Skive 3,13,7 min.
3. Henry Kjaergaard Skive 3,16,4 min.
500 cc Std:
Senior:
1. Soren Juul Viborg 3,06,8 min.
2. Niels Moller Viborg 3,09,0 min.
3. Johannes Jensen Aalborg 3,10,9 min.
Sidecar.
1. Kaj Christensen Aalborg 3,18,5 min.
2. Folmer Olsen Aalborg 3,21,0 min.
3. L. Backmann Skovsen Randers 3,21,1 min.
August 5. 1956: International meeting.
Announcing the second meeting.
A programme cover from a meeting one month after the opening.
The list of riders with many of those days’ famous names
on the most popular makes of motor cycles..
Sensationally Arne Pander lost to a Norwegian rider.
Results:
Class:
Expert 500 cc.:
No. Rider Home Aggr. time 2 heats
1. Aage Hansen Norway 2.43.5 min.
2. Arne Pander Herning 2,43,6 min.
3. Rolf Westerberg Norway 2,47,7 min.
500 cc. special:
1. Bengt Ruden Sweden 2,55,3 min.
2. Kristian Kristiansen Copenhagen 3,01,8 min.
3. Roy Lundgren Sweden 3,02,6 min.
500 cc Std:
Junior A:
1. Aage Langthjem Hjorring 3,04,8 min.
2. Thorkild Thomsen Skive 3,09,6 min.
3. Henry Schmidt Copenhagen 3,12,4 min.
Junior B:
1. Jorgen Vincent Aarhus 3,10,0 min.
2. Max Rasmussen Aarhus 3,13,8 min.
3. Svend Pedersen Aalborg 3,16,4 min.
350 cc. Senior Std:
1. Harry Hansen Viborg 3,13,2 min.
2. John Nielsen Skive 3,18,7 min.
3. Bent Rasmussen Aarhus 3,19,0 min.
500 cc . Senior Std:
1. Arne Svendsen Silkeborg 2,59,5 min.
2. Knud Nielsen Aarhus 2,59,9 min.
3. Niels Møller Viborg 3,02,4 min.
Sidecars:
Senior
1. Harry Pedersen Aarhus 3,13,2 min.
2. L. Backmann Skovsen Randers 3,13,8 min.
3. Borge Thy Copenhagen 3,19,4 min.
Junior:
1. Kaj Christensen Aalborg 3,14,7 min.
2. Poul Jensen Frederikshavn 3,16,9 min.
3. A. Haugaard Pedersen Nykobing M. 3,25,0 min.
Orla Aarup and Torben Olsen preparing the BSA ready for start.
November 1956. Sidecar race at Oernedalen. Gert W. Petersen in front
May 16. 1957, Cimbria meeting:
Cimbria is the Latin name of the northern region of Jutland around the Limfjord. In the Nordic Iron Age a part of the population began a long emigration walk southwards and reached the Roman Empire, where they vanished. This is described a. o. by the Danish author Johannes V. Jensen and the ancient Roman author Plutarch.
The headline in Aalborg Stiftstidende emphasized, that there were good achievements but no new records at the meeting
Between 7000 and 8000 fans watched a lot of good racing. Arne Pander’s track record in special as well as Arne Svendsen’s in 500 cc standard survived attacks from respectively Aksel Müller and Knud Nielsen both from Aarhus. The reporter wrote ecstatic about the sidecar passenger’s acrobatic in the junior class.
Results:
Class 500 cc. Expert:
No. Rider Home Aggr. time/2 heats
1. Göran Norlén Sweden 2.40.5 min.
2. Arne Pander Copenhagen 2,41,8 min.
3. Roger Forsberg Sweden 2,47,7 min.
500 cc. Special:
1. Mogens Jensen Holstebro 2,56,8 min.
2. Ditlev Falk Aalborg 3,01,8 min.
3. Kaj Jensen Viborg 3,00,7 min.
Cimbria race:
500 cc Std. Junior A:
1. Thorvald Obro Odense 3,04,0 min.
2. Erik Petersen Holstebro 3,20,2 min.
3. Jorgen Vincent Aarhus 3,22,6 min.
500 cc Std. Junior B:
1. Thorkild Kirk Aalborg 3,04,9 min.
2. Victor Thygesen Hobro 3,08,2 min.
3. E. Kragelund Holstebro 3,10,4 min.
500 cc Std. Senior:
1. Bent Thomsen Holstebro 3,01,7 min.
2. Johannes Jensen Aalborg 3,02,5 min.
3. Knud Nielsen Aarhus 3,04,5 min.
650 cc. Sidecar Senior:
1. Werner G. Petersen Aalborg 3,07,2 min.
2. Harry Pedersen Aarhus 3,10,4 min.
3. Kaj Christensen Aalborg 3,14,6 min.
650 cc. Sidecar Junior:
1. E. Thomsen Aalborg 3,17,5 min.
2. Leif Andersen Frederikshavn 3,20,2 min.
3. Poul Jensen Frederikshavn 3,26,4 min.
The speedway became home track for the teams from FrMS, who got named after the town’s close connection to the sea and the fishing industry. Therefore the teams had names like the sharks or the plaices etc.
On May 22. 1977 the club celebrated it’s 40th anniversary with an opulent meeting enjoying the participation of Ivan Mauger, Peter Collins, Ole Olsen, Anders Michanek, Steve Hartley, Phil Crump, Dave Morton, Tommy Johansson, Malcolm Simmons, Dave Jessup, Kurt Boegh and the rapidly rising star Hans Nielsen. Further there were championship heats in two car classes
May 28. 1978 STENA CUP meeting:
The ferry company STENA LINE who a. o. operates the ferry line between Frederikshavn and Gothenburg sponsored in 1978 a large meeting called Stena Cup, which deserved greataer attention than the 3.500 who came. One reason could be that bright sunshine lured people to forest and beach.
The track was not so good as it used to be, bumpy and rutted it was a challenge for the riders,
Results:
Ekspert 500 cc.
No. Rider Home Points.
1. Hans Nielsen Denmark 13
2. Dave Jessup England 12
3. Ole Olsen Denmark 11
4. Anders Michanek Sweden 10
Junior special:
1. Casper Christensen Frederikshavn .
2. Lars Aage Nielsen Fjelsted
3. Henrik Ziegler Frederikshavn
Junior sidecar:
1. Sv. Pedersen/Poul E. Christensen Haderslev
2. Kaj Schmidt/Finn Schmidt Odense
3. Steen Christensen/ Willy Hansen Haderslev
May 27. 1979, Stena CUP meeting:
Oops sorry! The club was late with announcing the meeting,
and issued this last minute note instead.
From early morning to late in the evening the meeting was haunted by heavy rain, Nevertheless the meeting got carried trough with a total of 38 heats for motor cycles and cars. 2000 fans stayed patiently until the final heat at 7 pm.
This picture from STENA cup 1979 clearly illustrates the
hopeless conditions for the riders in the rain.
Results:
Expert 500 cc.
No. Rider Home
1. Ole Olsen Vojens
2. Hans Nielsen Brovst
3. Michael Lohmann Frederiksborg
4. Bo Petersen Fjelsted
Junior 500 cc.
1. Keld Hansen Brovst
2. Karl Erik Olsen Frederikshavn
3. Peter Ravn Randers
4. H. J. Tobiasen Esbjerg
August 19. 1985. Sundby Wenbo CUP meeting:
The great north Jutland meat industry Sundby – Wenbo sponsored af large meeting named Sundby – Wenbo Cup on the Oernedale track. The picture below shows the team that won the Bronze medals in the 80 cc. class.
In 1987 FrMS joined the Danish Speedway League which began thi 1986. The club had no team in the 1st Division but one in the 2nd. Division. In 80 cc speedway the club had a team in both 1st and 2nd division. The league campaign payed off in 1988 with silver medals for the club, but ended in 1988 with a second last place in the table.
The picture below shows the winning team from the neighbor club Brovst with flowers after a match in 2. Division 500 cc.
The Speedway section of FrMS got early in 1990 separated from the club, and continued in all divisions and league under the name of Saeby Speedway Club, in short SaeSK. The new club claimed bronze medals in the league same year, but already in 1991 it ended on the 8th place.
The deep dive continued in 1992 with the last place in 1st division group A. The 2nd division team finalized in place 9 out of 10.
Unfortunately things did not go better in 1993 when the results again were the last place in 1st division group A. No team in 2nd Division, and place 6 in 2nd Division 8o cc. 1994 gave 7th place in 1st division 500 cc and 6th place in newly opened 3rd division 500 cc. The 80 cc team ended 8. in 2nd division.
Whether the poor results or lack of money was the reason, we don’t know, but from 1995 on SaeSK did not appear in any of the tournament classes. The Motor Sports Center still exists, now being used for moto cross, autocross and quad racing.
If you posses any information, stories, pictures or other material regarding this track,
you kindly would make available for this website, Please do so by proceeding
to the contact page or by using the e-mail address: sk@speedwaylife.com
Thank you very much in advance.
