cityrebel 2,960 Posted August 17, 2019 1 hour ago, keepturningleft said: A GP was held there in 1997. Think the crowd was around 10,000. That was the last meeting i went to at Odsal. I remember seeing Arena there on a Tuesday night and the place was deserted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martinmauger 584 Posted August 17, 2019 I recall the '97 GP at Odsal, shame Loram didn't win but some good racing. Both rugby clubs in Hull were happy to accomodate speedway initially, Hull FC were actually sold at one point then re-named Hull FC once more. Hull KR at one point were bankrupt and for sale at £600,000ish, accept £500,000, (bargain if it included the stadium), but once both clubs' serious money troubles were sorted, well some folk have short memories.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teaboy279 1,038 Posted August 18, 2019 With Belle vue set to be demolished this winter, this leaves the brisca stock car community another shale track down. And bradford used to attrack big grids and crowds for all stick car classes and indeed one massive banger event a year So if the two sports can get a cohesive joint proposal together, something may come of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piotr Pyszny 206 Posted August 21, 2019 On 8/16/2019 at 2:02 PM, foamfence said: The (claimed) main reason was stadium development but yes the place was deserted during the last season and it was embarrassing to see riders on parade, waiving to empty terraces. I went to one or two meetings that last season. Often, the nearest spectator was 50 yards away! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted August 24, 2019 (edited) It would be nice for any track to return. But why do we want to revive a failing speedway that couldn't make it pay when it had just won the Elite League? Odsal was too big for domestic activity but could be kept in the background should Cardiff kick it out. In 1997, when Odsal closed, Belle Vue claimed it was them paying the highest rent of about £1400 and all other clubs - including Bradford - had it easy. The current Bradford owners charged the Rugby £78,000 rental per match. Speedway couldn't afford that. Edited August 24, 2019 by moxey63 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foamfence 2,917 Posted August 24, 2019 7 minutes ago, moxey63 said: It would be nice for any track to return. But why do we want to revive a failing speedway that couldn't make it pay when it had just won the Elite League? Odsal was too big for domestic activity but could be kept in the background should Cardiff kick it out. No need for it, we have Belle Vue which is a better track than Odsal ever was. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted August 24, 2019 12 minutes ago, foamfence said: No need for it, we have Belle Vue which is a better track than Odsal ever was. Too right. The new Belle Vue seriously rivals Hyde Road and leaves Odsal, which I thought was just a rev-and-go track, in its wake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gavan 5,049 Posted August 24, 2019 On 8/17/2019 at 7:04 PM, martinmauger said: I recall the '97 GP at Odsal, shame Loram didn't win but some good racing. Both rugby clubs in Hull were happy to accomodate speedway initially, Hull FC were actually sold at one point then re-named Hull FC once more. Hull KR at one point were bankrupt and for sale at £600,000ish, accept £500,000, (bargain if it included the stadium), but once both clubs' serious money troubles were sorted, well some folk have short memories.... I was there Mark simply chose the wrong gate in the final Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topaz325 1,853 Posted August 24, 2019 In the words of a certain Welsh chap... I was there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted August 24, 2019 10 hours ago, moxey63 said: Too right. The new Belle Vue seriously rivals Hyde Road and leaves Odsal, which I thought was just a rev-and-go track, in its wake. West Ham was up there with all of them. Speedways biggest problem is the loss of so many great big city venues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RS50 359 Posted August 24, 2019 2 minutes ago, cityrebel said: West Ham was up there with all of them. Speedways biggest problem is the loss of so many great big city venues. Or the loss of so many fans? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted August 24, 2019 7 minutes ago, RS50 said: Or the loss of so many fans? The two go hand in hand, don't they? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 25, 2019 9 hours ago, cityrebel said: West Ham was up there with all of them. Speedways biggest problem is the loss of so many great big city venues. 9 hours ago, RS50 said: Or the loss of so many fans? 9 hours ago, cityrebel said: The two go hand in hand, don't they? The start is the loss of spectators - probably because they tire of speedway. Then the stadium closes because it is no longer financially viable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted August 25, 2019 13 minutes ago, gustix said: The start is the loss of spectators - probably because they tire of speedway. Then the stadium closes because it is no longer financially viable. Plenty of stadiums were viable, but their land value was far more valuable than their sporting income. Norwich and Southampton were two of the earliest casualties. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted August 25, 2019 37 minutes ago, gustix said: The start is the loss of spectators - probably because they tire of speedway. Then the stadium closes because it is no longer financially viable. 21 minutes ago, cityrebel said: Plenty of stadiums were viable, but their land value was far more valuable than their sporting income. Norwich and Southampton were two of the earliest casualties. Businesswise that appears to be a logical step then for stadium owners cityrebel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
