Swift Saint 186 Posted December 12, 2014 IMPORTANT PRESS RELEASE FROM STOKE SPEEDWAY 2015 SEASON STARTS HERE The last three weeks have been remarkable in the chequered history of Stoke Speedway. They have seen mindless vandals wreak havoc on their Loomer Road Stadium which caused tremendous consternation to the Promotion and the amazing actions of some incredible people have helped point the way forward and although reparations are far from complete in all respects the Club have felt able to declare their intent to run in the National League in 2015 and to start building a side to represent the “Eazy Rider” Potters in what will be beyond doubt a highly competitive and hard fought League. Promoter Dave Tattum was unabashedly close to an emotional response yesterday when he said “Quite honestly although we have worked very hard internally it is members of the public that have come forward and saved this Club and for that I will be eternally grateful. Some of those providing help and support are old friends and supporters that have followed us over the years but others were not known to me at the start and I could never thank them enough for the efforts that they continue to make in bringing us to the point where we are able to declare that we will run next season. The Stock Car world has also stood by us in our hour of need and been enormously helpful in the dreadful situation that we faced. Stock Car Promoter Steve Rees has always said how important the track condition is and has assured us of his support to maintain recent standards. Speedway is not an easy sport to manage when times are hard but the staggering response that is ongoing on our behalf has rekindled my enthusiasm for the sport and lifted me from the most depressing days immediately after the destructive vandalism and sheer human filth that we had to face after the incident. Once again on behalf of all at Loomer Road past present and future I thank those wonderful people most sincerely.” he said. Looking forward to the new season Tattum said “I am delighted to announce that Jon Armstrong will lead the new side and will also be our Club Captain. Jon is a massive part of what we are trying to achieve at Stoke, he is an immense man in all respects leading from the front and always mindful of his own riders and equally those of other teams if they should suffer the misfortune of injury during a match, and he is known throughout the sport for the absolute genuine person that he is. He has told me that he leads the team with pride and this is demonstrated every time he takes to the track, I welcome him back with open arms and the new 36.00 points limit that has been set by the League will almost certainly see Jon ride at No.1 in a re-vamped side. I am in discussions together with Team Manager Malcolm Vasey with a number of riders and expect more news for our supporters in the coming days. These discussions have already stretched geographically all over the United Kingdom and as far away as New Zealand as we attempt to put together a highly competitive team in red and white for next season. “Tattum went on to say “The entertainment on track at Loomer Road last season was of a remarkably high standard due in part to the vast amount of track work carried out in the wake of the rains of last winter. The track will be the same next season and I hope that the public who have demonstrated their affection for the Club will really get behind us and share in what they have helped to provide. I have been in this sport for a long time, we have had our ups and downs, but let’s build bridges now and see where they lead us to. We have plenty of ambition at Stoke but we need support to carry that forward. Come in droves and make it a carnival every week at Loomer Road” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted December 12, 2014 Very informative. Thank you Malcolm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted December 12, 2014 Wasn't Startrax stock car boss Steve Rees the speedway promoter at Stoke in the mid-1990s? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
THE DEAN MACHINE 4,771 Posted December 12, 2014 Wasn't Startrax stock car boss Steve Rees the speedway promoter at Stoke in the mid-1990s?yes the very same one that didn't pay the riders and left the club for dead 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mad Potter 2 109 Posted December 12, 2014 yes the very same one that didn't pay the riders and left the club for dead John Perrin didn't help either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted December 13, 2014 (edited) Wasn't Startrax stock car boss Steve Rees the speedway promoter at Stoke in the mid-1990s? yes the very same one that didn't pay the riders and left the club for dead How come the riders were not paid? I thought promoters had to deposit a financial bonds with the sport's governing authority to esnure this did not happen? I may be wrong, but I also thought that in 1997 Steve Rees was a co-ptomoter at Stoke? Edited December 13, 2014 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
THE DEAN MACHINE 4,771 Posted December 13, 2014 How come the riders were not paid? I thought promoters had to deposit a financial bonds with the sport's governing authority to esnure this did not happen? I may be wrong, but I also thought that in 1997 Steve Rees was a co-ptomoter at Stoke? he basically said there was no money and bounced all our cheques so after the club shut mid season the Bspa paid us and a new lot came in and took it over to complete the season ,I can't believe he is let anywhere near a speedway track but then again look at some others that are still involved Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted December 13, 2014 (edited) he basically said there was no money and bounced all our cheques so after the club shut mid season the Bspa paid us and a new lot came in and took it over to complete the season ,I can't believe he is let anywhere near a speedway track but then again look at some others that are still involved Steve Rees has this message regarding Stoke posted on his Startrax website: ::::: SUPPORT & SAVE OUR STOKE! Following the considerable vandalism suffered at Stoke last month Dave has asked if we could in any way help in putting an extra meeting on to bring revenue in. Dave has been overwhelmed with support from the Banger, Stock Car and Speedway community – Last weeks ‘bucket collection’ at Stoke raised £285.00 – The F1 fans are undertaking an Online Auction and Dave has pledged every penny raised will go back into the stadium – Indeed he has already been out this week getting paint etc ready for working party volunteers in the New Year. Thanks to our Banger drivers a PA system was donated in time for our last event and someone has been in touch re extra speakers – there is still a lot to do. In addition, I want to create even more pit space with work going on in February / March clearing containers and hardcore etc being brought in – We are also pricing a new toilet block nearer to the pits – So every penny is very much need. This ‘extra’ meeting is on SUNDAY 29th JANUARY at 12.30.pm S.O.S. WINTERNATIONAL – Helping Stoke!! 2 Litre [ Non Mondeo / Cougars / Vectras ] NATIONAL BANGERS Junior Bangers – Startrax Hot Rods – Unl Drift Rods – Lady Bangers Edited December 13, 2014 by Guest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted December 13, 2014 How come the riders were not paid? I thought promoters had to deposit a financial bonds with the sport's governing authority to esnure this did not happen? I may be wrong, but I also thought that in 1997 Steve Rees was a co-ptomoter at Stoke? he basically said there was no money and bounced all our cheques so after the club shut mid season the Bspa paid us and a new lot came in and took it over to complete the season ,I can't believe he is let anywhere near a speedway track but then again look at some others that are still involved Surely the payment method used was the correct procedure: the BSPA - I assume - paid the riders from the bond that Steve Rees aka the Stoke promotion - had lodged with them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted December 13, 2014 Wasn't Startrax stock car boss Steve Rees the speedway promoter at Stoke in the mid-1990s? yes the very same one that didn't pay the riders and left the club for dead he basically said there was no money and bounced all our cheques so after the club shut mid season the Bspa paid us and a new lot came in and took it over to complete the season ,I can't believe he is let anywhere near a speedway track but then again look at some others that are still involved Steve Rees has had links for his stock car promotions at various stadiums that also stage speedway for many years. I think he has now been in the current Belle Vue for 16 years, and has been long established at Sheffield, Stoke and Coventry. Steve Rees was also working in conjunction with Tony Mole a while back when efforts were being made to bring both speedway and stcok car racing back to Odsal Stadium at Bradford. That does tend to query Dean;s highlighted summary of Mr Rees. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
