MajorMauger

Ditto! I have long thought that Brafield stock car stadium would make a good venue for a CL team. It would already have permission for motorsports and isn't near houses so the old noise thing shouldn't crop up. It is within easy reach of most parts not being far from the M1 in the centre of the Country near Northampton. Tony Mole investigated the situation at Brafield a while back. I think a Northampton 'Brafield Badgers' speedway team running at Brafield stadium could work in the CL. It would act as a nursery track to Midland/East Anglian tracks.

Yes the company proposing to build a new greyhound stadium in Milton Keynes and their is no mention of speedway. But the Council have already stated they wouldn't be against a speedway track being built inside the dog track if there is anyone out there prepared to do it and of course if the stadium owners could be persuaded. - Afterall can't run greyhounds 7 days a week and the extra income from one nights speedway would help improve the viability of the stadium.

Agree totally Deano! Birmingham is big enough to have a Brummies team at Perry Bar (if the dreaded P/P can be overcome) in the senior leagues and another one in the CL elsewhere in the city. While it was still standing Norton Canes dog track was often looked at as late on as the mid 90's where it was considered a good potential venue for CL. Hall Green staged speedway up until the late 30's when local residents complaining about the noise helped to shut it down. This very plush greyhound stadium could be made into a very good speedway stadium but the harsh reality is that if the nimbys helped to shut it down in 1938 in times of much more tolerance towards our sport then the chances of speedway racing at Hall Green now are remote to say the least! I've always thought Hall Green would be a more than acceptable venue for Cradley to move to cause its not to far from Dudley and far enough away from Perry Bar to not effect the Brummies if they come back. - As I remember the vast majoriy of Brummie fans came from the Perry Bar/Great Bar/ Aston areas of Brum. One of the reasons I think that the 'wheels' project failed being in another part of the city. Only chance of Hall Green staging speedway is if some method of noise reduction, such as acoustic covers, new silencers etc came in that helped speedway to gain P/P at stadiums where noise would of been deemed unacceptble. Finding a universal method of noise reduction at speedway tracks that was proven to work, greatly reducing noise leaving stadiums, that was statisically proven to work is neccessary if British speedway is to keep a lot of present tracks and get new venues. - Look at the problem encountered by Tony Moles recent attempts to relaunch the Brummies at Perry Bar.

Yes Iam very well aware of the fact that reopening or opening new tracks is a very difficult process indeed. I was just going through the areas where IF(and it is indeed a very big IF!) a new track could be found a location then I think the areas would have the possibility to do well. Good luck ROG with you and your associates attempts to get Hull back on track. A well run Hull outfit could do well but don't give up to soon cause it may take time for things to materialise. - Could the Boulevard be a possibility? Yes I know their is a 30 mile agreement in place that can effect new tracks. But I think in high population areas this policy is rather irrelevent. Particularly in the case of Birmingham where it would be under 30 miles from both Wolves and Coventry but if things were worked out properly the Brummies return wouldn't effect either. I feel this could be the case as well with Cardiff and Newport if done right. In fact I'd say that like a Birmingham reopening a Cardiff revival would create tremendous rivalry between them and Newport as well as doing much to give speedway more exposure and therefore more fans in the area. In the case of the attempts to establish speedway at Swaffham raceway about 3-4 years ago King's Lynn were right to protest about Swaffham. Swaffham raceways about 14 miles from King's Lynn in an area of sparse population who in the majority wouldn't be as wealthy as those in other areas. The plan was to call Swaffham, Norwich but I don't think enough fans from Norwich would of went to Swaffham regularly enough so the crowds wouldn't of been good enough. To the ex Sunderland fan - I only mentioned areas that I feel could sustain a top 2 League speedway team. I think their is many other areas that sustain CL speedway if done right. These would be: Great Yarmouth, Romford, Brighton, Matchams Park, Yeovil, in or around London area, another South West team, Portsmouth, Long Eaton or Nottingham, Birmingham area, Bradford or Halifax, Cumbria area, Crewe, one or two Scottish teams and last but not least Sunderland! I think the now very plush Boldon Stadium in Sunderland former home of the Stars speedway team there could sustain Conference League racing but is to near to Newcastle and Redcar to attract top 2 Division crowds. When all 3 teams last ran together (for Redcar count Middlesbrough, same thing as far as I'm concerned!) in 1964 Sunderland Saints as they were then known shut mid season. When Sunderland had their last period in speedway 1971-74, Newcastle were dormant. Ironically Newcastle had shut in 1970 then reopened in 1975. - Really don't think it was that ironic that Newcastle and Sunderland closed and reopened without ever running at the same time during this period! I do know that the owners of Sunderland, Boldon stadium would be willing to accomodate a speedway return but would want an excessive rent from it. Also the Newcastle promotion are known to be totally against attempts to reopen Sunderland cause they are worried about the effects on their attendances. But how many of the Brough Park regulars come from Sunderland? - Not many I'd suggest and CL speedway at Sunderland would act as a nursery track to Newcastle and Redcar (maybe more profitable than running the Cleveland Bays out of Redcar?). As Newcastles brief period of running a reserve team in the CL ended cause it was to costly I don't see the Diamonds managements problem. Reopening Sunderland has been looked into on more than one occasion in recent years and I think it could do well. The Sunderland reunions have been very popular even though speedway hasn't been staged there for nearly 32 years!

More teams and tracks are essential for speedway to keep going and improve. Those who say "The present days tracks are struggling to attract crowds without extra teams opening up." - When a track closes the large majority of that tracks support stop going to speedway altogether. I've seen it with my old team the Norwich Stars. So those who think that the possible reopening of Birmingham next year would have a detrimental effect on Coventry and Wolves crowds, I don't think that would be the case. Thats csuse Perry Bar would attract mainly old Brummies fans and new fans from the Birmingham area. For instance Plymouth have said they don't get that many fans from Exeter even though the Falcons are dormant this year (hopefully this year only!). Those who say that the riders aren't about - Riders come out of the woodwork and in the CL there are many frozen out riders. What would happen is that if extra teams came into the EL then the next league down the PL would become watered down slightly in terms of rider strength. The same would hapen if more PL teams were in operation, then the CL would get slightly watered down. I can think of quite a few big population areas that could accomodate top 2 League speedway that currently don't. 2 in London - Wimbledon Dons and one in North London - Hackney or Walthamstow Hawks. Southampton Saints One in Kent - Crusaders Hull Vikings Bristol Bulldogs One in Cornwall though not a big population area always got good crowds. Gulls. Cardiff Dragons Birmingham Brummies (keep fingers crossed for next year!) Cradley Heathens Nottingham/Long Eaton Outlaws or Invaders Leicester Lions Norwich Stars (I just about live in hope!) Bradford/Halifax/Leeds Dukes or Northern or Tykes. Ellesmere Port/Liverpool Gunners or Chads Exeter Falcons (hopefully next year!) Nothing better than seeing new and/or old tracks coming back into the sport!

I thought it was the Council who didn't want it citing parking problems and the noise issues rather than complaints from residents. In fact the public meetings held at the time by Tony Mole were very well attended. Yes I know that Ellesmere Port didn't get huge crowds but looking at how successfull the (at the time seemingly never to return) Workington set up has been since Mr Mole reopened beck in 1999 one wonders if he could of made a good 'fist' of things down Ellesmere Port as well? An Ellesmere Port speedway website has been created in recent months. I believe those involved are trying to gauge the level of interest in speedway in the area and to see if theres anywhere locally that could stage speedway. I think Thornton Road could still be ideal for speedway .

I think your quite correct Rog. But theirs no doubt that a track within walking distance from urban population areas stands a much better chance than a track in the middle of nowhere. King's Lynn you mention, but I know that quite a few KL regulars walk to the stadium from King's Lynn which is only the other side of the Saddlebow roundabout. King's Lynns near neighbouurs Mildenhall I feel suffer from being stuck out in the middle of nowhere. If Mildenhall was right against Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge or even Norwich then crowds would be quite higher I suspect. On the same point I was in Edinburgh the other week and paid a visit to their former home the old but still quite good facility Meadowbank stadium which is right in the City. Now I think that if Edinburgh could get back in at Meadowbank (pleny of room inside athletics track now that no football is played there!) which is in Edinburgh with decent stands rather their present home at Armadale which offers basic facilities 20 miles away from Edinburgh then the Monarchs would get much bigger crowds. Though I'm sure the Monarchs promotion have looked into doing this in the past? With Hull I thought that Craven Park was ideal as it was a very nice place to watch speedway, with only the narrow nature of the track the only down side. But am I right in saying that if the previous promotion would of had the neccessary clout then speedway could of remained at Craven Park because the greyhounds have now gone and the speedway track could have been installed over the old dog track? If you and associates are looking at out of town/City locations then Hulls old track from the late 40's Haldon would be ideal? Yes I think that inner City tracks are going to be nearly extinct in future years. Out of town area maybe the only way for speedway tracks to exist? If Exeter get P/P at the ironicaly called Haldon racecourse then this could lead to othr racecourses looking at installing speedway tracks. Redcar speedway is situated within a designated moto sports park so this is another avenue that could be fruitful for potential new tracks. Hulls near neigbours Scunthorpe have their speedway set up situated in an industrial estate which every town and City has. I think a well run Hull Vikings speedway outfit would be viable. Good luck!

The Southampton outfit of a few years back that ran challenge matches at CL level was run by Dave # Name Removed # who later went onto be part of the Wimbledon promotion and is now team manager of the IoW Islanders. I believe Mr # Name Removed # looked into finding a site in the Southampton area without any joy. I think someone even asked Southampton FC when they were building the St Marys Stadium if speedway could be accommodated. Southampton remains to this day since the closure of Bannister Court in the early 60's an untapped potential hotbed for speedway.

Yes I'd agree that its no an ideal situation but we live in a far from perfect world! Rye House wouldn't be where they are now if it wern't for the efforts of fans who revived the Rockets in 1999 who then rode most of their matches at Mildenhall with a couple at Eastbourne and King's Lynn. - Len Silver probably wouldn't of reopened Hoddesdon to speedway racing but for the efforts of fans in 1999. I'd hazard at a guess and say that the efforts of Steve Harland and associates in running a Middlesbrough Bears outfit at 6 heat 2nd half level helped to maintain a level of interest in Teeside that could of helped Chris Van Stratton and Gareth Rogers to make up their minds and seriously consider reopening a track in the area. Boston nearly managed the same but for the anti speedway atitude of the local council. The very suceessful 'Club Cradley' outfit of a few years back that ran challenge matches at CL level has no doubt at the time helped to keep the Cradley Heathens name alive with some good publicity. Why not call the Newport Mavericks the Cardiff Dragons? - Afterall the team is just run as something of an after thought (Though credit must be given to Newport for running a CL outfit at all). I bet the Mavericks riders struggle to get sponsorship from the Newport area cause any what is there would go to the Wasps team. Calling the team Cardiff would ignite interest in Cardiff and sponsorship and support from the Welsh capital could arise out it. Also I think Cardiff would make a good venue for a League team so the Council could be persuaded to make provisions for a stadium if anyone was about to run a track in Cardiff? - Rather than take away from Newport I think a track in Cardiff would help Newport to become more suceesful.

Couldn't agree more. If a tracks CL or reserve League team was called the name of a nearby defunct track or even a place thats never staged speedway before then it would benefit speedway so much more. This is cause spectators from the places represented by the teams would be enticed to pay entrance money to support them and sponsorship could also come as well. We need more tracks and British speedway would be far more healthy as a result. So in the long term if new tracks were opened due to teams initially running out of other tracks then all the better. I find it so shortsighted and restrictive that 2nd teams share the ame name as the 1st team cause the 1st team get al the benefits while the 2nd team get drips.

A new greyhound stadium is meant to be built near to the site of the old Eldfield Park track cause the Groveway has now been closed and will be developed. I believe this new greyhound stadium will have Council approval for speedway should any promotor wish to reopen the Milton Keynes Knights. While I don't think Milton Keynes speedway would be viable in the top 2 leagues I'm sure that CL racing could be sustainable.

Like a lot of tracks in them days you could stand right against the fence at Romford and almost touch the riders as they went past! Nowadays Romfords fence would of been condemed as solid concrete walls aren't allowed and spectators would of had to stand further away from the fence. Though still to this day tracks in New Zealand and Australia use solid concrete walls that don't move even if cars hit them! Romford were sucessful during their 3 season spell at the now defunct Brooklands stadium. The anti speedway campaign and subsequent closure of Romford was disgusting. I believe that Ipswich Witches legends John 'Tiger' Louis and Tony 'Shrimp' Davey are the joint track record holders, a record that will never be broken! I think Romford Greyhound stadium would be an ideal place to reopen the Romford Bombers speedway team. Though I'm sure obtaining P/P would be difficult I wonder if any promotor has looked into it?

Yes agree totally and utterly! Anyone whos been to grasstrack or 'sandbahns' (we know them as longtracks) in Germany would be amazed at how much better they are than the British at running and supporting events. In Germany people support sports events and turn them into festivals that bring thousands into attend. Football grounds in Germany are also much bigger and crowds are much larger than most in Britain. Trouble with this country is that we've have so much red tape just to do anything these days as well as got to many NIMBY'S and do gooders who don't see the 'big picture', don't undertand what they are complaining about and don't want anything to happen. - The same people then complain about the British yob culture in towns and Cities and wonder why we lag behind in so many different sports! The ignorance and shotsightedness that is rife in all walks of society in this Country is appalling to say the least. For instance look at the ongoing attempts to reopen Birmingham Brummies speedway team at their spiritual home at Perry Bar stadium that got turned down by the local Council planning committee recently who cited noise nuisance. - For christ sakes the sport ran their years ago when the bikes were much more noisier with no problems, over 90% of Brummie residents polled want the speedway back there as do local Perry Bar residents who were asked and only 14 letters of complaint against hundreds in support were handed into Council offices. Anyone whos been to the area where the stadium is would be absolutely bewildered at the claims that 24-28 2 hour speedway meetings a year speedway would be a noise nuisance when their is 2 main roads either side of the stadium and the motorway hums away in the distance! White City was a wonderful venue that would of been suitable for big speedway meetings but league speedway wasn't viable there. Ironically near neighours Queens Park Rangers FC have complained their 19,000 CAP Loftus Road ground is to small for the club to ever progress in and are looking to move to a new bigger venue. If White City would of still been standing today it could of been converted into at least a 40,000 all seater and QPR would of been provided with their bigger arena. It could of also hosted events in the 2012 Olympic games. Leicesters Blackbird Road was similar to my old 'haunt' Norwichs Firs stadium in that they were atmospheric large stadiums which gave pleasure to many thouands, with big following for the speedwy teams, with fabulous tracks that should of never been allowed to of been demolished. Subsequently both Councils in Norwich and Leicester' poor atitude towards speedway has hampered any revival bids for new speedway set ups in the respective areas. Blackbird Road was sold by the Ochiltrees in order to make a quick buck and with the hope that Lions fans would convert to Coventry. They certainly made a quick buck but when a speedway track goes then a large majority of its support stops going to speedway as well. I know that a Leicester speedway supporters club still hold get togethers in the Leicester area quite regularly, so if anyone knows how to find out about these meetings then post on here to inform others that might be interested in going. I'm also led to believe that moves are afoot to relaunch a speedway set up in the area. I've heard this from a source recently and it has been mentioned in the speedway star recently. I'll believe it when it happens not a moment before but wouldn't it be great to not have to talk about Leicester speedway in this 'years gone by' section, instead talk about the Lions on track progress in one of the League sections! I'm sure a reopened Leicester speedway would pull in good crowds!

I'm sure their would be huge interest if Bristol reopened. I'd say probably a reborn Bristol speedway operation ran well would comfortably get the biggest crowds in British speedway just like they did in the late 70's. Apart from seeing a former 'boom' centre reopen which would be a huge boost for speedway a reopened Bristol Bulldogs speedway set up would put more pressure on the Reading promotion to drop their ridiculous renaming of Reading to the Bulldogs and revert them back to their proper name of the Racers! A multi sports venue featuring speedway, greyhounds and others would do well and would ensure the viability of the venture. I think this thread would get more publicity (EG more people would look at it!) ifit was in the general discussion section rather than this section!

Hope you are correct! Bradford and the splendid Odsal stadium would be welcome aditions to the speedway scene! Unfortunately the old 1985-97 pits area is now underneath executive boxes so an alternative area would have tro be found. But didn't the 1970-75 Odsal era have a different pits area? I think the track could be made almost identical to the 1997 version as the area hasn't been developed. Though that last year in 1997 proved that Bradford would have to be promoted right for the venture to be viable. Bradford won the very 1st EL in 97 with a very strong and expensive side but some of the crowds that year were very poor due to running quite a few Odsal meetings on a Tuesday night. Regular Saturday meetings would be the best bet to get good crowds at Odsal!

Odsal stadium featured heavily on yesterdays (Sat April 2nd) edition of grandstand. As I thought the boxes were only built over the splendid 1985-1997 pits area and not over the old 3rd and 4th bend. In fact you could clearly see where the old track used to be as the area has not been utilised and built on as yet. Only the shale and fence were missing from what would of been the 1997 track set up at Odsal. I know the possiblity of staging PL racing at Odsal was investigated 2 years ago. Just a shame the council gave/sold? the right to the grand old stadium to the Bradford Bulls Rugby team who don't want the sport back, even though they would make money fom speedway and stock cars returning. Bradford Northern and Halifax Dukes are 2 old West Yorkshire teams I'd love to see back in the sport though Halifax through the efforts of a supporters club and prospective promotor Mr Hayes seems the only one likely to.

Which Bradford track record was the person referring to? The last time Bradford staged speedway in 1997. The 1970 - 1975 Odsal era when the track was a different length to the 1980's/90s spell? The Greenfields era of the early 1960's? The original Odsal of the late 40's/1950's. I believe that executive boxes were built over the old pits which must of been the best pits area in the world! Aparently the boxes were built so the oval contours of the stadium were kept intact so the area where the track was situated hasn't been built on. Therefore it would be possible for a speedway track to go back in there but the Bradford Bulls Rugby club who now own the stadium are not keen on the idea. I haven't been to the stadium since speedways demise there and wouldn't really want to unless the great sport returns to one of its great homes so could anyone confirm what I just said?

Thats great news for the 'fight' to restore one of speedway famous names the Birmingham Brummies back at one of is spiritual homes Perry Bar stadium! Joe Thurley reopened and ran the Brummies at the old Ladbrokes greyhound arena across the road from the present venue from 1971 till the late 70's when I think he sold the promotion to Dan MCcormick I believe. Speedway crowds at Perry Bar Birmingham in this period were huge some of the best in the Country. The popular with locals Brummies team eventually went 1st division in 1976 after winning divsion 2 two years running. The locals were in overwhelming support of the speedway with no noise issues being raised. All this in a time when speedway bikes were much noisier than present day versions with their 'snazzy' silencers! I trust Mr Thurley will bring up these points when stating how good it would be for speedway to return to Birmingham. THIS SHOULD BE IN THE GENERAL DISCUSSIONS SECTION AS IT WILL BE VIEWED MORE AND IT IS A PRESNT DAY ISSUE!

Find a way of totally eliminating any noise leaving the stadium area was what I meant to say. Ipswich Witches top two heatleaders in 1971 John 'tiger' Louis and Tony 'shrimp' Davey are the now will be forever track record holders of Romfords now defunct and built over Brooklands Stadium circuit!

Yeah a long shot I'd agree but never say never. Though living near the busy Norwich - Liverpool St trainline would surely provide much more of a nuisance than 25, 2 hour speedway meetings a year? I think speedway authorities need to research and find methods/structures/barriers of noise prevention. If a way of totally eliminating noise leving the stadium then a whole load of stadiums would become possibilities to speedway. I think Romford Bombers racing at the dog track would be well supported!

Yeah all these noise issues about speedway really winds me up! Can't see where one 2 hour speedway meeting a week 25 times a year during March to October is really a problem for anyone. I live near a reasonably well attended football club. Yes in my garden I can hear the crowd, PA and see the floodlights, but it isn't a problem. Inside my house I can't hear anything! Now I'm sure my nearest football club stages more football events than any speedwaay track would in a year. What with first team, reserve team, youth team, County cup finals, county games etc! I think that Walthamstow could still be made into a good EL venue. Walthamstow Hawks would be a good name what with the link with the nearby old Hackney outfit. Does anyone know about the rumours about Walthamstow stadium being sold of for redevelopment!

Yes I remember looking at the Romford Bombers website a while back. I remember the circumstances behind their 1971 closure. - One moron who complained enough they shut down the Brooklands stadium speedway and aparently he moved soon after! Tragic when crowds were huge. I've been past the what looks like very smart Romford greyhound stadium many times on the Norwich-London Liverpool St line. I've always wondered if anyones tryed to revive the Bombers team there. Surely being within a stones throw of the busy London - Norwich train line 2.5 hours of speedway once a week wouldn't cause to much of a kerfuffle? Romford Bombers could still be a successfull speedway outfit here!

All the talk over the last year or so is of the grand old stadiumn being sold of to developers by the family that owns it. The old speedway track though tarmaced over with a big podium like brick structure built on it on the home straight still reains to this day nearly 55 years since speedway was last staged there. - I'd imagine it wouldn't be a massive job to reinstate a speedway circuit. I think it would be a good speedway venue (Terry Russell EL exercise though I'm sure he must of lookd at it) but it would be a big gamble for a wealthy person to 'bite the bullet'. And of course how long is it actually going to remain as a stadium?

'Shazzybird' Your atitude towards Iwade is what I was touching on in my earlier post. You sound like you were quite a regular Canterbury supporter so I feel your atitude symtomises how most Kentish speedway fans feel about Iwade - Great training facility yes but bona fide league venue for Kent - No! I do feel if an authentic stadium was built or found that could stage PL or EL level speedway then many dormant and new Kentish supporters would come out of the woodwork and the venue would get sustainable crowds. - I bet your not the only ex Canterbury fan who gos to Eastbourne 'Shazztbird'. - This leads me again to Central Park Sittingbourne. - Great facilities, easy to get to of motorways, sufficient room for track aparently designed with speedway in mind I've been told - This venue would be ideal for a 'Sittingbourne Kent Crusaders' speedway team. - Has anyone looked into trying again at this excellent venue again cause it has ernormous potential for speedway.

Would of been interesting to see how long Canterbury speedway would have lasted if they had managed to open up for the 1988 season. How many more seasons could they of got through? - Shame casuse the stadium was still there until the late 1990's I believe and is just now a piece of waistland Sittingbourne dog track would of been ideal but Terry Rusells half hearted planning application ruined chances there. - Maybe if it could be done better and researched more thoroughly (Tony Mole style) then I feel this is Kents best hope of a bona fide League set up. No disrespect to the merry bunch down at Iwade Messrs Ribbons and Arnold but I don't think the current Kentish CL venue will ever get fully established as a League set up cause of the poor facilities and training track reputation. Though Iwade does a marvellous job as a training facility and non league/amateur venue and may it long continue to do so! I did hear recently that Canterbury Council are still looking for a suitable site where they could put a multi sports stadium possibly speedway included if persons were interested in running the speedway? Can you indulge us anymore 'Shazzytbird'?