bill94d 105 Posted April 17, 2021 Has anyone any information on the snippet I saw in the press about the Hancocks selling land by the Oak Tree that would (or might) render a return of speedway there nigh on impossible? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noaksey 345 Posted April 17, 2021 Judging by the reaction of the owner/promoter to the questions posed by the speedway star reporter I'd say there's every right to be very concerned indeed 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Catalan 717 Posted April 17, 2021 2 hours ago, bill94d said: Has anyone any information on the snippet I saw in the press about the Hancocks selling land by the Oak Tree that would (or might) render a return of speedway there nigh on impossible? Why would it mean the end of speedway? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSL84 541 Posted April 17, 2021 4 hours ago, sugarray said: Why would it mean the end of speedway? Maybe bill can make alot more money selling the land instead of losing money running speedway. Having known the family for a long time, I say good luck to them which ever way they go. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesHarris 390 Posted April 17, 2021 I was in the area on Thursday and went to have a nosey. I drove past and saw the land around the arena was being ripped up. The arena is still there but if speedway was to continue i don't know where the parking would be. Also sign's for the clubhouse have been taken down. I think this is the end for Somerset speedway and the reason of the uncertainty of covid was just a cover. Saying that if you were in the Hancocks shoes and offered big bucks for the land what would you do? 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noaksey 345 Posted April 17, 2021 4 minutes ago, JamesHarris said: I was in the area on Thursday and went to have a nosey. I drove past and saw the land around the arena was being ripped up. The arena is still there but if speedway was to continue i don't know where the parking would be. Also sign's for the clubhouse have been taken down. I think this is the end for Somerset speedway and the reason of the uncertainty of covid was just a cover. Saying that if you were in the Hancocks shoes and offered big bucks for the land what would you do? Looks likely to me Hopefully an announcement will be forthcoming shortly as the Somerset fans deserve that at the very least 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flagrag 704 Posted April 17, 2021 If the reports of Travelodge, Fast Food restaurant and Costa Coffee being added to the site that could be good for Speedway but not so sure about how the car dealership and offices will fit in. It has to remembered that quite a few stadiums are in industrial areas with Leicester,Scunthorpe, Redcar and Wolverhampton being prime examples Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Catalan 717 Posted April 17, 2021 Travel lodge is already there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bill94d 105 Posted April 17, 2021 1 hour ago, JamesHarris said: I was in the area on Thursday and went to have a nosey. I drove past and saw the land around the arena was being ripped up. The arena is still there but if speedway was to continue i don't know where the parking would be. Also sign's for the clubhouse have been taken down. I think this is the end for Somerset speedway and the reason of the uncertainty of covid was just a cover. Saying that if you were in the Hancocks shoes and offered big bucks for the land what would you do? So, contrary to some, I am right to question the future of the Rebels? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bellevueace 913 Posted April 18, 2021 It has been stated the clubhouse has been sold and the new owners operate a different kind of business, losing that corporate facility within the stadium would make it very difficult to accommodate potential sponsors on race day, it does appear businesses are closing in on the Oak Tree Arena, i really hope the speedway can continue, great track and i always enjoy my visits there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunner85 603 Posted April 18, 2021 Any Speedway track closing is another nail in the coffin. It is even more tragic when the track produces high quality racing as does Somerset. I used to go on the the pairs evening before Cardiff... then went home as after a few visits, Cardiff did not have enough appeal for me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noaksey 345 Posted April 18, 2021 3 days now and no sign of an announcement from the management. If there's nothing to worry about why not issue a simple statement 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skidder1 7,637 Posted April 18, 2021 8 minutes ago, noaksey said: 3 days now and no sign of an announcement from the management. If there's nothing to worry about why not issue a simple statement Surely they don't need to make any statement until the 2021 AGM requires all clubs to give their intention to run in 2022?! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noaksey 345 Posted April 18, 2021 9 minutes ago, Skidder1 said: Surely they don't need to make any statement until the 2021 AGM requires all clubs to give their intention to run in 2022?! Of course not but given the nature of the article in the speedway star I'd have thought a simple statement saying "the speedway is unaffected by the recent changes at and around the OTA and we very much hope to be back racing in 2022" would be good PR unless of course.... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ghosty 500 Posted April 18, 2021 4 minutes ago, Skidder1 said: Surely they don't need to make any statement until the 2021 AGM requires all clubs to give their intention to run in 2022?! It would be good manners towards the Rebels faithful, the Oaktree is a fantastic track, the facilities "clubhouse" & toilets were better than most, car parking brilliant & the team always competitive. I think the Hancocks are good people but are lacking in P.R. skills. I beginning to think no news is bad news? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites