THERE is no doubting the popularity of stock car and speedway motor racing here in Thurrock.

After all, something doesn’t tend to last for 40 years if no-one’s interested.

However, times change.

And in the past week there was a very fond and emotional farewell to The Arena-Essex Raceway track near Lakeside shopping centre.

No less than 7,000-plus fans crammed into the sta-dium to say goodbye.

Fans came from across Essex, the UK and beyond. With competitors involved from Holland and Belgium.

There were inevitably tears and a great night was had by all.

So was this the last time this type of racing will be enjoyed in Thurrock?

Well, maybe not.

Assumption and rumour locally has been the track and surrounding area would be sold off to accommodate homes.

After all, this makes perfect sense as Lakeside is all set to become the borough’s latest town.

The proposals, as featured in the Gazette earlier this year, include thousands of homes and a school with the shopping centre becoming the focal point, and new town centre.

However, there may still be a little twist in the tale...and Thurrock may not have seen the last of racing at the Arena.

In the final programme notes it stated Arena-Essex was “not likely to be built over” and “there may be racing here in the future, although Promotasport (PRI) will probably not be involved.”

It concluded: “The only thing I can say is to watch this space...”

Yes, we certainly will, with interest.