hammer1969

It says on Lakeside twitter " Tickets from tonight are valid for all future meetings, alternatively refunds are available by sending tickets along with your name and address to the Speedway Office (address can be found in the Our Details section on the Hammers site) Problem I see there is once we part with out tickets we have no proof of payment so I would suggest sending them by recorded delivery, and if possible keep a photocopy, surely it would have been much better to re-open the payment kiosks and let people get refunds on the night, I know the queues would probably have been quite long and it was pouring down but it would have been our choice whether we wanted to queue and get wet or apply for a refund by post.

And the weather is against Lakeside as well at the moment its chucking it down and very windy

Definitely check again as I'm 7 miles as the crow flies from Lakeside and its hammering down again at the moment.

For years now that land has been earmarked for more housing and I for one think it's awful that we have to keep losing Speedway and Motorsports tracks. I know people have to live somewhere but these people also need places of entertainment its about time that where developments are planned existing entertainments should be built into the plans ie Arena Essex should stay (as should Swindon? and Coventry). People moving into the area should be made fully aware of the arena and not have the right to start complaining about noise etc after they've moved there.

I do hope Lakeside can continue but it's all over the BBC and local news items that the stadium will close after the last event there on 4th November. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-45044933

Probably because we are true Speedway supporters and the track is within travelling distance of where we live and unfortunately we do not have various tracks in the area as we did years ago ie West Ham, Hackney, Wimbledon, etc to name but a few. It is far from the best way to see speedway but I'd rather be at Arena Essex that watch no Speedway at all considering we now don't even have Rye House.

All Hammers fans and any other Speedway fans within travelling distance because as you say we need to show whoever that we enjoy Speedway and want it to continue and not be allowed to just die a death.

Part of statement from Jon Cooks on Hammers webside 2nd August - "Following this statement, if fans would like to talk with Jon Cook further, he will be situated in front of The Raceway Tavern after the first heat against the Witches on Friday " Perhaps you could have another chat with him if your there tonight. Problems arise though when land appears to be suitable but Councils wont give planning permissions etc. I am sure some people think we all want to spend our time shopping or going to the cinema etc. but I'm not one of them I enjoy my Speedway its better than being stuck inside a shopping mall or cinema.

It is good to watch Speedway on TV if you are unable to get to meetings but without fans through the turnstiles there will be no Speedway to broadcast on TV.

I don't think 6 will need to be forced to close by the way things are going at present 6 may well be gone shortly, Rye have gone Lakeside are going Swindon is looking decidedly dodgy, Matt Ford said he will be looking at his options at the end of the season, this year is just going from bad to worse for Speedway.

The less tracks there are the less new supporters can be encouraged to watch the sport, people in Essex who have never watched Speedway are hardly likely to venture across the Dartford crossing at rush hour to give watching Speedway at Kent a try. Even if tracks run at National League level what is needed are more local tracks and local derbys. My nearest tracks will now be Kent which will probably be out of the question due to the Dartford crossing and Ipswich which will be a 90 minute drive each way which will also mean leaving home early to negotiate the rush hour on the A12 and A14. Luckily I'm retired so will make occasional trips to Ipswich but regular speedway watching is now out of the question.

Article on BBC news about Arena Essex so now it seems I and many others will no longer be able to watch on a regular basis the sport we love, I usually went to Rye House now today's depressing news. Perhaps Lakeside could rent the track from Rye House at least we could get to watch some speedway in the Essex/Herts area. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-45044933

Couple of articles in Speedway Star July 14th edition re Rye House one of them being a full page from Steve Jenson. I hope speedway does continue at Rye but I'll only be going if it's a team riding in one of the leagues, preferably Championship.

My understanding is Len Silver had a 99 year lease which he then sold on to BMR but the actual freehold of the land is owned by Lea Valley Park so they would have the final say in any change of use. As another poster said the stadium has always been designated for motorsports so personally I hope that continues and Rye Speedway returns but having said that with the Local Councils and the Government passing plans for housing/flats on every spare bit grass they can get their hands on who knows what the future holds.

Article from Neil Middleditch in Bournemouth Daily Echo re Rye House. I tend to agree with him about Motorcross mud on the centre green and while I appreciate Warren Scott is a business man I can't help wondering how much the mud pile cost and is that making him a profit as I haven't seen any events advertised for it yet and as a Speedway fan it certainly spoilt my views of the racing. http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/16345710.middleditch-saddened-by-rye-house-demise/

Perhaps Bomber should have a word with Scott Nicholls solicitors re being deprived of making a living !

https://www.phoenixfm.com/2018/07/05/lakeside-speedway-jon-cook-speaks/

Obviously the racing won't be league but whatever form it takes us fans need to try to get behind Rye House and try to help them to take the sport forward

You could be right there.

As I understand it BMR/Warren Scott is the promoter and bought the lease off Len Silver Steve Jenson is named as co promoter. Depending on how finances are set up it could be that a Bank may be owed money therefore they could take over the assets ie the leasehold. Goodness knows how a this saga is going to end up.

Wonder what will happen to the KTM dealership that's supposedly opened/opening within the stadium?

Agreed. Let's just hope someone has the sense to secure the stadium and that it doesn't end up in the same state as Brandon.

Not the news we wanted we just have to now hope a way is found for Rye to come back next year with racing on Saturday nights in the Championship.

The fish and chips are no longer a selling point. As for the stadium being dilapidated yes it does need major improvement to bring it into the 21st century but so do many other speedway stadiums. What Rye does have (or maybe did) is loyal fans who want to see speedway at Rye and elsewhere survive. To say just "put it out of its misery" is an insult to all of us who loyally support the team and speedway (even though we do have our moans and groans along the way).

Well I think the BSPA all live in fantasy land anyway. If that idea was even being considered it has to be the daftest one they've come up with yet. I think every supporter in the country knows that won't work. If it's considered for next year it would be a good idea.