Swift Saint 186 Posted April 12, 2014 URGENT PRESS RELEASE FROM STOKE SPEEDWAY STOKE V BUXTON – Sunday 13th April 2014 Stoke Speedway regret to announce that because they have been unable to complete remedial work on their track in time they have had to cancel the match scheduled for tomorrow (13th April) against Buxton. The Club regard this as a most disappointing step to have to take but have done so in order to ensure the safety of riders who would have been put at unfair level of risk had the meeting gone ahead. It is not entirely clear what is the root cause of what has become a continuous problem over the last few weeks. It is partly an environmental issue resulting from the winter rain and the Club will now use outside expert assistance to try and provide a cure for the problem. The situation has arisen from extreme damp under sections of the track on the Main Stand side of the circuit. The worst of these is an area of about 15 square metres close to the white line at the entrance to the first turn. The area is soft and unusable given the traction of a speedway bike driving into the first bend. Extensive attempts have been made to improve this area since before the Press Day cancellations but these have so far been unsuccessful. Just below the track surface there is a deep layer of very wet earth and despite the application of aggregates and concrete beneath the racing level it has not been possible to bind these in a satisfactory way because of the level of dampness contained within the sub soil. This means that when top dressing is applied the dampness seeps upwards leaving a surface that is too soft and dangerous on which to expect riders to race on motor cycles. The Club have engaged external assistance to resolve the problem and further renovations will be attempted next week. “We will attempt to trace exactly where the severe damp is coming from if necessary examine the drainage but above all we must safely unite the under soil the aggregate base and the top surface in a way that makes it safe to race on. said Promoter Dave Tattum. “I cannot in all conscience ask riders to risk their limbs and their equipment on the present surface in the two affected areas and I attribute the problem to some residual heavy damp or a rise in the water table below the track surface. We have tried and tried to dig out the damp and refill with dry material and suitably prepared aggregate and top dressing. Ultimately the surface reverts to the soft spongy state that is unfit for racing. I am absolutely disappointed both for our supporters, our riders my track staff and everyone but I am not prepared to risk the lives of young men until the track is correct. I hope people will understand that we have made extensive efforts to rectify this problem but have had to admit failure. added Dave Tatum. Team Manager Malcolm Vasey expressed his concern about the situation. “It is desperately disappointing the one thing my riders need is racing. Our match at Plymouth next Saturday has been cancelled due to a planning issue and we desperately need some competitive speedway. If anyone wants a challenge match or would bring a fixture forward we would love to hear from them. he said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heathen1984 139 Posted April 12, 2014 Only at Stoke! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FAST GATER 855 Posted April 12, 2014 (edited) It could worse it could have been cancelled due to lack of interest !!!! Edited April 12, 2014 by FAST GATER Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrss 694 Posted April 12, 2014 Its about time stoke were closed down. They are an embarresment to speedway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Smith 5,713 Posted April 12, 2014 Its about time stoke were closed down. They are an embarresment to speedway. That's well harsh. Stoke needs new investors, nobody wants to see any club lost 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vog 200 Posted April 12, 2014 That's well harsh. Stoke needs new investors, nobody wants to see any club lost Stoke will never get investment. Unfortunately, the current owners have made their feelings on that perfectly clear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stokielee 30 Posted April 12, 2014 (edited) Altogether now: "You don't know what you're doing!" Edited April 12, 2014 by Stokielee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldy 69 Posted April 12, 2014 Only at Stoke! Incisive comments again Heathen. The track is not fit to be raced on and Malcolm and Dave have given the reasons why. This problem is a major problem not soley down to current weather conditions but to underlining problems with the track base and to ask riders to race on it would be dangerous in the extreme and anybody who has the safety of the riders at heart will be frustrated with the situation that racing cannot take place but would understand the reasons behind it. This could happen at any track and I really question if you have the sport at heart. Its about time stoke were closed down. They are an embarresment to speedway. That would solve the problem of not enough teams....how? Stoke need to make big strides in getting back in with the speedway world but to close would just hammer in the last nail and it would be a brave/stupid team of promoters to re-start it up again. For all the exiled supporters say; there is not enough support to financial support a premier side in the area regardless who takes over. Perhaps Cradley would like to move up and make it their own circuit as that would bring the required level of support, They have been looking for a while and will never find one back in their area. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophykid 32 Posted April 12, 2014 After reading Malcolm's comments its seems to me more extensive remedial work is needed. I'm no expert on Track prep so I hope this can be resolved swiftly and safely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westhamboy66 599 Posted April 12, 2014 Only at Stoke! Shocking comment from someone who follows a team without a track. They have given their reasons with rider safety of paramount importance. At least they cancelled the day before without letting people in as was seen at another midland club, so no your comment of "only at Stoke" isn't correct is it? I wish Malcolm Vasey all the luck in keeping the track alive 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heathen1984 139 Posted April 12, 2014 What as cradley having no track of their own have to do with my comment. Yep NOTHING. Happens all too much at Stoke and even majority of Stoke fans will agree. It's a joke club! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldy 69 Posted April 12, 2014 What as cradley having no track of their own have to do with my comment. Yep NOTHING. Happens all too much at Stoke and even majority of Stoke fans will agree. It's a joke club! Really am disappointed with your comments Heathen. The whole speedway world were behind the efforts to get Cradley going again, and all were delighted that the club was up and running again. Stoke have problems; may be not the same type as Cradley had but problems all the same and all your comments about Stoke are negative in the extreme. What about putting forward ideas that may help Stoke, old followers of the track have suggested new promoters etc but I doubt that this will happen due to the major outlay on the surroundings and track. Lets not forget that Stoke had in many peoples eyes; one one the best prepared and race-able tracks, a few years ago I admit but excellent racing. Due to whatever reasons the track is now a poor race track. I say again that this problem at present is a major problem and is one that could not of been forecast. Stoke may not be in the same condition financially or run as your club at present and may never be but having seen the wonderful rise of the Cradley set-up to where it is now and to constantly kick another club when it is down is hard to take from a fan of that great club. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredbogge 40 Posted April 12, 2014 (edited) Sounds to me that the sub-soil requires stabalizing. This is a very specialised civil engineering process and can also a very expensive one. It may need that part or all of the track requires removing and the sub-soil injected with lime / cement/ fly ash.This can only be checked by qualified civil engineers So I hope Stoke promotion have deep pockets Look up soil-stabalizing on search engines for information on this subject Edited April 12, 2014 by fredbogge 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craftman 26 Posted April 12, 2014 Yet again my arrangements for the weekend buggered ! It really isn't good enough Stoke, and the escalating excuses are further embarrassing to the few fans who are wiling to part with their cash to watch very limited speedway . God help this dying club ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 15 Posted April 12, 2014 Lets not forget that Coventry have been in a similar situation this season. So it can happen to anyone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
