MajorMauger

I believe the Shay stadium was squared of with new stands a few years ago so it would be very difficult to accommodate a speedway track there now. I was watching Rugby League from Odsal on the Tv the other week. The old track is still there just the shale's been taken of and the Rugby corners just overlaping which they used to before anyway (they would be lifted up for speedway and car meetings). The old pit's area (which were probably the best speedway pit's anywhere) have been built over by a plush looking multi story executive suite. Interesting to note that the suite follows the contours of the old speedway track so the tantilising possibility remains of speedway one day returning to a stadium and track that ranked up there with the best in the world, though a new pit's area would be needed to be built. The problem with Odsal now is the Rugby club have got the lease to it now and do not feel the work involved in preparing for speedway and stock car events are not worth the financial rewards they would get. Such a shame when the perimeter track which the shale track was once on is now doing nothing. Surely rent fron speedway and stock cars events (both of which were staged smoothly alongside Rugby and even football for a short period in the mid 80's at Odsal up to 1997) is better than the present situation of no income arising from the perimeter track? A couple of years back the company that owns Sheffield stadium announced plans to build a similar facility with a spedway track the same size as that at Owlerton in Leed's. I've heard nothing for quite a while now, does anyone know what is happening on this one at present?

Your comments Rod King, make a lot of sense but you are looking at it from a different angle to myself. Yes Berrington Lough is very close to Berwicks current home as is Shawfield to Glasgow. But Berrington Lough would make a good training facility, which Berwick don't have the luxury of at their town centre track, Shielfield Park. Conference League racing on a Saturday afternoon at Berrington Lough (team could be called the Border Raiders like Berwicks old reserve team) before the evenings Premier action at Shielfield Park could work so fans could watch both. Obviously sponsorship would have to be found to cover any possible shortfalls and for the fans to get some discount for watching 2 meetings. Likewise a similar deal could happen at Glasgow on a Sunday with fans watching lunchtime speedway at Shawfield then moving onto Ashfield. I've always thought that stand alone Conference tracks are more viable longer term than reserve teams who double up at meetings with their senior team. Riders develop better, through having a properly run meeting of their own, rather than having to be squeezed in at the end of a Senior league meeting, with a worn track to boot. Riders who ride for stand alone tracks would stand a better chance of sponsorship rather than having senior riders taking every available sponsorship at a doubling up set up. As for Hampden Park being used as a possible Grand prix venue, I'd like in the future for the British Grand prix to be shared around Great Britain/United Kingdom. On a 4 year rota the meeting could go to Cardiff, Hampden Park, The new Wembley? and somewhere in Ireland - Dublin maybe? Hampden Park could draw a respectable crowd once every 4 years surely? I think the Swaffham refusal decision has more to it than just its close proximity to King's Lynn - Perhaps Steve Ribbons lack of suitable funds and promotional staying power judging by his short term ventures at Rye House and Wimbledon (Thanks anyway Steve for reopening these 2 even if you needed bailing out) figures very strongly in the BSPA's refusal decision. For the record Swaffham is a clean, spacious, well equipped venue. With plenty of room inside the stock car track for a speedway track and masses of parking space it would make a very good speedway venue - quite similar to Arena Essex. It certainly puts 2 of the nearest speedway stadiums to it, King's Lynn and Ipswich to shame. It's just a crying shame it wasn't situated further dowm the A47 just outside Norwich cause speedway would of been introduced their many years ago.

Their is quite a few former venues of speedway that still exist and could be suitable places for reopening the sport. Heres a few that would be ideal: Perry Bar greyhound stadium, Birmingham - could stage Elite league. Odsal Stadium Bradford - Though I think the Bulls Rugby club would need a lot of persuading. Ellesmere Port Stadium - Tony Mole had his proposed reopening plans turned down 2 years ago. Great Yarmouh Stadium - Potential for Confernce Laegue, especially coinciding with busy tourist period. Berrington Lough Berwick - Just sitting there decaying but could make great training/ Conference venue. Sunderland Stadium - Rebuilt but could still accomodate speedway as old track space is unused inside dog track. Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium - Old track still inside dog track 50 odd years after speedways demise there though it is tarmaced over. Could be great Elite League venue. Scunthorpe Quibell Park - Stills looks the same as it did 35 years ago, but is clean and more than adequate though prospective promotors I believe are constructing new speedway set up elsewhere in the town. Hampden Park Glasgow - Could be used as a grand prix venue though cost would be prohibitive. Shawfield dog track Glasgow - I believe speedway track still exists - would make a great Conference venue - Paisley Lions maybe? Milton Keynes Groveway - Viable for Conference League? Birmingham wheels project Bordesly Green - Training/ Confernce set up? Brightoon and Hove Greyhound Stadium - 1930's open venue, very plush and would make good feeder track for Eastbourne. Catford Greyhound Stadium - Another 1930's open venue recently closed but could speedway racing save it from redevelopment? I'm sure their is more but these are the most obvious ones that spring to mind!

Cheers "Stansolo" We've already disscussed the huge potential that a Birmingham Brummies revival at the Perry Bar greyhound Stadium has if it ever does come to fruition in the General discussions section in this forum. Speedway racing on a Friday night at Perry Bar (or any other night if the favoured Friday night is unavailable) in what is a busy inner city area would cause no more noise irritation than what is already experienced in the area. Indeed from personal experience would anyone actually be able to hear the speedway bikes over the traffic anyway, especially with the Perry Bar stands keeping in most of the noise? Birmingham remains such an untaped sleeping giant/ speedway hotbed. I'm sure even the ultra expensive Elite League could be viable at Perry Bar just as Britsh League racing was at the old Perry Bar in the early 80's. It seems so criminal to be talking about Birmingham Brummies Speedway in a "years gone by" forum. Just like near rivals Cradley Heath the support and potential is very much alive in readiness for their reawakening.