witchnut 0 Posted September 20, 2004 (edited) Many of you serious researchers will have already seen the site, and possibly also the pictures in other publications but for those that haven't there is some interesting material at Evening News24 Witchnut Edited September 20, 2004 by witchnut Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,167 Posted September 21, 2004 Talking of which. I was up in Norwich a couple of weeks ago at the Norfolk Police Gala Day (!) helping out on the Norwich Speedway stand. Amongst the supporters, former riders and those 'in the know' there seemed to be a feeling that plans to reintroduce speedway to Norwich were doomed and that it would never happen. However, there was a lot of optimism about a return to Yarmouth and many were looking to a return as early as next year, either to Conference League or Open Meetings. As I say, there was no definite news, but it was the general 'feeling'. Does anyone have any more definite news? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25yearfan 476 Posted September 25, 2004 From what I've heard, the guys trying to find a site for Norwich are just stabbing in the dark and one of the prospective promotors in particular does not have the necessary funds to run speedway. Yarmouth sounds more promising with current Peterborough promotor Mick Horton applying for planning permission for a track on land at Yarmouth racecourse. - I'm sure Yarmouth if ran from middle of May to start of September the venture would get viable attendances. Must be called the GREAT YARMOUTH BLOATERS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spiegal 294 Posted September 25, 2004 From what I've heard, the guys trying to find a site for Norwich are just stabbing in the dark and one of the prospective promotors in particular does not have the necessary funds to run speedway. Yarmouth sounds more promising with current Peterborough promotor Mick Horton applying for planning permission for a track on land at Yarmouth racecourse. - I'm sure Yarmouth if ran from middle of May to start of September the venture would get viable attendances. Must be called the GREAT YARMOUTH BLOATERS! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spiegal 294 Posted September 25, 2004 From what I've heard, the guys trying to find a site for Norwich are just stabbing in the dark and one of the prospective promotors in particular does not have the necessary funds to run speedway. Yarmouth sounds more promising with current Peterborough promotor Mick Horton applying for planning permission for a track on land at Yarmouth racecourse. - I'm sure Yarmouth if ran from middle of May to start of September the venture would get viable attendances. Must be called the GREAT YARMOUTH BLOATERS! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Apologies I am new to this and pushed the wrong button !! I can tell you that any hope of a Track at the YARMOUTH RACE TRACK is a 100% NONE RUNNER. The Horse Track is next to loads of housing on 2 sides. Add to that a golf course situated in teh centre of the complex. add to that a huge Caravan site on the East side....More chance of teh Ppe being Jewish. The Stock car track runs 3 nights a week with cars..3 nights a week with Dogs. They do NOT want Speedway...How come...I have tried 3 times. Similar to situation in norwich...not a prayer...Again I tried for about 8 years and the best I got was the bums rush outa the door. Sad, but true is that the last person who made noises did immense harm to the cause.... what a shame as it is still a hot bed of interest SPIEGAL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25yearfan 476 Posted October 4, 2004 I hope you are proved wrong Spiegal. I'd have to agree though that after years of rumours and nothing coming to fruition I'll believe any Norwich or Great Yarmouth reopening when I'm actually standing on the terraces watching the completion of heat 15 on opening night! Your right about Cyril Crane. Cyril who was a great promoter for the best part of 20 years upset the apple cart at Norwich council and the BSPA when he ran an unlicensed meeting at Hevingham in early 1976 which was won by a 14 year old Andy Buck as I can recall. A while back one of the Franklin family who runs Yarmouth greyhound Stadium (which is coincidentally currently in the process of replacing the old grandstand with a newer version, not that the old one wasn't plush enough!) posted a message on the internet regarding speedway. He said that they would welcome speedway back to the stadium if a suitable way of laying and taking up a temporary shale track for every speedway meeting on the current concrete stock car circuit could be found. No way are they going to upset the stock car promoters because attendances are very good for the cars, like they could be for speedway racing. On the subject of Hevingham if you care to venture behind the Marsham Arms pub to the land where the 1976 meeting took place on, you will find that the site has not been developed. I'm sure that if any prospective promoter went through the correct channels then this site could still yet make a suitable venue for a Norwich speedway track. It is 5 minutes out of the City on a main road and apart from the pub their is not many houses to close by. I'm like many others in the Norwich area still hoping that one day I'll see speedway return to Norwich and Great Yarmouth would be nice as well! - Stranger things have happened! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spiegal 294 Posted October 5, 2004 I hope you are proved wrong Spiegal. I'd have to agree though that after years of rumours and nothing coming to fruition I'll believe any Norwich or Great Yarmouth reopening when I'm actually standing on the terraces watching the completion of heat 15 on opening night! Your right about Cyril Crane. Cyril who was a great promoter for the best part of 20 years upset the apple cart at Norwich council and the BSPA when he ran an unlicensed meeting at Hevingham in early 1976 which was won by a 14 year old Andy Buck as I can recall. A while back one of the Franklin family who runs Yarmouth greyhound Stadium (which is coincidentally currently in the process of replacing the old grandstand with a newer version, not that the old one wasn't plush enough!) posted a message on the internet regarding speedway. He said that they would welcome speedway back to the stadium if a suitable way of laying and taking up a temporary shale track for every speedway meeting on the current concrete stock car circuit could be found. No way are they going to upset the stock car promoters because attendances are very good for the cars, like they could be for speedway racing. On the subject of Hevingham if you care to venture behind the Marsham Arms pub to the land where the 1976 meeting took place on, you will find that the site has not been developed. I'm sure that if any prospective promoter went through the correct channels then this site could still yet make a suitable venue for a Norwich speedway track. It is 5 minutes out of the City on a main road and apart from the pub their is not many houses to close by. I'm like many others in the Norwich area still hoping that one day I'll see speedway return to Norwich and Great Yarmouth would be nice as well! - Stranger things have happened! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,167 Posted October 5, 2004 You've done it again, spiegel. I've been on tenterhooks all day waiting for the response.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NOBBY 3 Posted October 5, 2004 Come back Spiegal...all is forgiven ! The suspense is killing me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trees 2,814 Posted October 5, 2004 IF Norwich do ever get their speedway back I'm 100% sure it will be a huge success! I cannot believe that there isn't a site near to the airport that would be suitable. I can't believe that there isn't a land owner anywhere near Norwich who has a suitable site. Is there nothing the fans can do??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25yearfan 476 Posted October 5, 2004 The Hevingham site is about 2-3 miles up the road from the airport which in turn is almoost opposite the housing estate where the famous Firs Stadium home of the equally famous Norwich Stars was situated. A supporters organisation would be a help. If everyones energys and ideas can be centralised then maybe things could be done. I would definately join any supporters organisation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trees 2,814 Posted October 5, 2004 The Hevingham site is about 2-3 miles up the road from the airport which in turn is almost opposite the housing estate where the famous Firs Stadium home of the equally famous Norwich Stars was situated. Who owns that piece of land now then, Crane? I know where it is and I think my husband attended the meeting that was held there. You know it was only a few years ago that the Norwich Speedway Supporters Club folded having kept the fire burning for all that time but to no avail. I think everyone knows what piece of land is required, a piece in the ar** end of nowhere with no houses in sight who could possibly make a complaint. Once that has been found no bl**dy councillor would have reason to turn down planning permission surely. You're right about forming the supporters group again, I guess the more noise that is made about the people of Norwich wanting a speedway back the better it would be and perhaps the landowners might listen?? It's a huge ask, even if a site is found the money for the building of the track and stadium has to come from somewhere. But there are businessmen out there who would invest especially if they knew that tv revenue/advertising possibilities would come their way and with the building of a multi purpose stadium. I've convinced myself already, shame I only have pence in me purse and no rich aunts I wonder if I know you already 25yearfan?? Email me on tjcarman@ntlworld.com then we can discuss this further perhaps?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,167 Posted October 6, 2004 (edited) There is still a lot of support in Norwich for speedway, but I think they've all given up hope that's why the supporters' club folded. Supporters in the area do still get together fairly regularly at various events. I don't think it would be too difficult to get them organised in to a formal supporters' organistaion again apart from this feeling of pessimism. I think there have been something like 28 planning applications put in for the return of speedway in and around Norwich since 1965. All of them turned down. Is it any wonder they have given up hope!? If they can have some encouraging news, who knows? Edited October 6, 2004 by norbold Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trees 2,814 Posted October 6, 2004 Yes Norbold, I think you are right about their pessimism and it's totally justified. I didn't realise there had been 28 applications, can you believe that, who are these planning people anyhow who have that right, I know what they need I have this theory that Norwich City Football club pay them off to turn down the applications because they think speedway would affect their business, which it might do a little, sponsorship wise I guess ..................... two sports should be able to exist side by side in Norwich mind you!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spiegal 294 Posted October 6, 2004 Norwich football have really no opinion either way about the speedway. the real problem does in fact eminate from the various "meetings" that dear old Cyril had with the various planning bodies. When Cyril thinks something is a great idea he naturally assumes everyone does as well. when they don't the rattle and the pram become immediately seperated. The names who have tried are endless...Wally Mawdsley/Colin barber/ Roonie Russell...plus assorted idiots who had no money,and no real plans, and they did immense harm. HEVENINGHAM was turned down not beacuse of the location but beacuse of the access onto a relatively main road. Frettenham pits have been mentioned...same applies. there are still people looking around...me being one...and we do have some hopes on a site not too far out...we will see. Nice poeple who ran the supporters club. I visited the Norfolk Showground and was told in an ever so polite way to "Go forth and multiply"...it was so nicely done I was almost charmed !! Believe me it is NOT dead Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
