Birmingham Speedway

[Bellers101]

Another track gone. Sad and worrying times for the sport in GB. 😭

[mikebv]

4 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

I don’t understand putting this statement out now, even though we all knew it was coming the whole Birmingham set up is on a downer because of results and that statement is only going to add to that. 

Maybe to get a few more punters in between now and closure? 

"Last chance saloon" and all that ..

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

2 minutes ago, mikebv said:

Maybe to get a few more punters in between now and closure? 

"Last chance saloon" and all that ..

Yes that is his thinking, glass half empty and all that 

[mikebv]

"Devastating news to those few hundred people"...

Says it all....

Never more than a tier 2 team at best given their fanbase, yet had to get shoe horned into tier 1...

I hope Nigel gets plenty of punters between now and season end, and it offsets at least some of the tremendous costs he has incurred keeping afloat a sport in a town that not enough people could be bothered to watch..

Should get plenty of away fans for their teams' last meeting ever at Perry Barr.

[noaksey]

45 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

I don’t understand putting this statement out now, even though we all knew it was coming the whole Birmingham set up is on a downer because of results and that statement is only going to add to that. 

Also stops people moaning about the team I'd imagine 

[Manifesto]

Another very sad day for British speedway. Doesn’t feel like it will be long until this happens to my club too. Heartbreaking for the loyal brummies fans 

[LagutaRacingFan]

Birmingham should be going out with a bang.

Bring over Artem Laguta

[therefused]

Just now, LagutaRacingFan said:

Birmingham should be going out with a bang.

Bring over Artem Laguta

For the love of god shut up for once

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

When there is no clubs left in the West Midlands the sport is official in the clink, I banged on about this 15-20 years ago about changes that need to be made both inside and outside the track, I don’t have all the answers or indeed may have non but the writing was on the wall from the late 90s but who am I ? It’s not your money yada yada yada and I took stick from some real tossers from both sides of the fence who are still running the sport into the ground today, angry ? damn right I am, I have lived speedway all my life and it’s really starting to hurt badly now and if I’m honest I think the sport is finished as a professional sport in the uk and I don’t know where we go from here 😢 

[SteelShoe]

Sad news at a time when the sport in the UK could use some good news. Time riders and those running the sport got real. The ever declining fanbase can't support the running costs at many clubs.

[SteelShoe]

11 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

When there is no clubs left in the West Midlands the sport is official in the clink, I banged on about this 15-20 years ago about changes that need to be made both inside and outside the track, I don’t have all the answers or indeed may have non but the writing was on the wall from the late 90s but who am I ? It’s not your money yada yada yada and I took stick from some real tossers from both sides of the fence who are still running the sport into the ground today, angry ? damn right I am, I have lived speedway all my life and it’s really starting to hurt badly now and if I’m honest I think the sport is finished as a professional sport in the uk and I don’t know where we go from here 😢 

Agree. It can't really be called a professional sport any longer .

[stevebrum]

4 hours ago, tyretrax said:

Yes, common knowledge they were moving but not when. Why the question mark, are you asking for confirmation?

It was known last year that the dogs were moving out in the summer and speedway had till end of September.

Maybe, just maybe Tolley and co were hoping another compromise could be reached with the stadium but speedway alone was never going to save the stadium from closing to the sport.

Sad day however it’s not surprising news tho. 

[CheCazzo]

Sad news but expected. Greyhound racing is now a dying sport and the need for housing will always be a priority for any local authority. Speedway will only continue at purpose built tracks soon. 

[tyler42]

9 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

When there is no clubs left in the West Midlands the sport is official in the clink, I banged on about this 15-20 years ago about changes that need to be made both inside and outside the track, I don’t have all the answers or indeed may have non but the writing was on the wall from the late 90s but who am I ? It’s not your money yada yada yada and I took stick from some real tossers from both sides of the fence who are still running the sport into the ground today, angry ? damn right I am, I have lived speedway all my life and it’s really starting to hurt badly now and if I’m honest I think the sport is finished as a professional sport in the uk and I don’t know where we go from here 😢 

Its not just the West Midlands though Dean. Here In London and the South East. Wimbledon, Hackney, Eastbourne, Canterbury, Crayford, Rye House, Arena Essex all gone. Only Iwade left.

The South West. Swindon, Reading, Weymouth, Exeter and Somerset all gone. 

Plymouth, Poole and Oxford are the only three clubs from that region who are still running.

Then you have to travel all the way to Ipswich and Kings Lynn who fortunately  are still running, but Peterborough and Mildenhall have gone. This has all happened since the 80s.

Very sad, but this must prove, as much as we all love the sport that is not far from dying, certainly as a Professional Sport anyway.

[screm]

Obviously its sad news that Birmingham speedway will be no more, but not a complete shock.

Odd timing though as you can bet every rider currently in the Birmingham team will be looking to get their averages down to secure a job for next season, to be honest I`d be surprised if the Brummies win another match this season.

 

[Fromafar]

Best way out for Tolley.He gave it a go but he was going to bankrupt himself at the rate it was going.Just not enough fans turning up.Sad the decline of the sport though.

[HGould]

I concur with those who refer to the complete inevitability of this.

The minute Entain removed Speedway from Monmore to focus on Dogs and Arena / ARC (or whatever the latest Branding is) mooted building a Dog Track on the infoeld on Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton AW Venue with its massive Stand and Hotel, Perry Barr as a venue was doomed.

I have massive respect for Nigel for the money he has put in, money he will never recoup. I have to question his team building and management and his sanity or insanity in terms of investment, but he cannot and must not ever be attacked for his loyalty and commitment. For his own mental health and future prosperity, this decision I suspect will in the longer term be welcome to him.

With no appraent progess for Wolves, delays and no clear path yet for Brandon , there still may be a glimmer of hope for Midland Speedway at the new Knighthead / East Side development that incorporates to old Wheels Site. This now has Government / Local Government and massive American Funding behind it. The big problem is that a 65,000 state of the art stadium, a new Athletics Track , direct access to the City Centre and Airport may not be branding wise logical with a shale oval track with limited use, when you add in Casino , Cinemas, Hotels, and top class Apartments etc. 

If the development goes for major Athletic Events that will require a secondary Athletics Stadium with such world class facilities for Training and Competiton and a new Home for GB Athletics , then may be the current Athletics home at Perry Barr may in 5-6 years time be an option BUT it would require significant funding and Council Support and seriousy what state would British Speedway be in by then.

Several other Tracks seem to be hanging on by the skin of their teeth in the face of planning , development and economic concerns, so we could in 5 years be down to a core of 10 or less.

Sad times and hopefully Nigel gets enough support in the remaining months to at least break even!

 

 

 

 

[Fromafar]

10 minutes ago, HGould said:

I concur with those who refer to the complete inevitability of this.

The minute Entain removed Speedway from Monmore to focus on Dogs and Arena / ARC (or whatever the latest Branding is) mooted building a Dog Track on the infoeld on Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton AW Venue with its massive Stand and Hotel, Perry Barr as a venue was doomed.

I have massive respect for Nigel for the money he has put in, money he will never recoup. I have to question his team building and management and his sanity or insanity in terms of investment, but he cannot and must not ever be attacked for his loyalty and commitment. For his own mental health and future prosperity, this decision I suspect will in the longer term be welcome to him.

With no appraent progess for Wolves, delays and no clear path yet for Brandon , there still may be a glimmer of hope for Midland Speedway at the new Knighthead / East Side development that incorporates to old Wheels Site. This now has Government / Local Government and massive American Funding behind it. The big problem is that a 65,000 state of the art stadium, a new Athletics Track , direct access to the City Centre and Airport may not be branding wise logical with a shale oval track with limited use, when you add in Casino , Cinemas, Hotels, and top class Apartments etc. 

If the development goes for major Athletic Events that will require a secondary Athletics Stadium with such world class facilities for Training and Competiton and a new Home for GB Athletics , then may be the current Athletics home at Perry Barr may in 5-6 years time be an option BUT it would require significant funding and Council Support and seriousy what state would British Speedway be in by then.

Several other Tracks seem to be hanging on by the skin of their teeth in the face of planning , development and economic concerns, so we could in 5 years be down to a core of 10 or less.

Sad times and hopefully Nigel gets enough support in the remaining months to at least break even!

 

 

 

 

I agree with your comments regarding Nigel.

[MattB]

30 minutes ago, HGould said:

I concur with those who refer to the complete inevitability of this.

The minute Entain removed Speedway from Monmore to focus on Dogs and Arena / ARC (or whatever the latest Branding is) mooted building a Dog Track on the infoeld on Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton AW Venue with its massive Stand and Hotel, Perry Barr as a venue was doomed.

I have massive respect for Nigel for the money he has put in, money he will never recoup. I have to question his team building and management and his sanity or insanity in terms of investment, but he cannot and must not ever be attacked for his loyalty and commitment. For his own mental health and future prosperity, this decision I suspect will in the longer term be welcome to him.

With no appraent progess for Wolves, delays and no clear path yet for Brandon , there still may be a glimmer of hope for Midland Speedway at the new Knighthead / East Side development that incorporates to old Wheels Site. This now has Government / Local Government and massive American Funding behind it. The big problem is that a 65,000 state of the art stadium, a new Athletics Track , direct access to the City Centre and Airport may not be branding wise logical with a shale oval track with limited use, when you add in Casino , Cinemas, Hotels, and top class Apartments etc. 

If the development goes for major Athletic Events that will require a secondary Athletics Stadium with such world class facilities for Training and Competiton and a new Home for GB Athletics , then may be the current Athletics home at Perry Barr may in 5-6 years time be an option BUT it would require significant funding and Council Support and seriousy what state would British Speedway be in by then.

Several other Tracks seem to be hanging on by the skin of their teeth in the face of planning , development and economic concerns, so we could in 5 years be down to a core of 10 or less.

Sad times and hopefully Nigel gets enough support in the remaining months to at least break even!

 

 

 

 

Been told by someone in the know that there is zero chance of speedway being included in the plans for the old Wheels Park site.  Knighthead have no interest in any form of motor sport. 

[MattB]

36 minutes ago, HGould said:

I concur with those who refer to the complete inevitability of this.

The minute Entain removed Speedway from Monmore to focus on Dogs and Arena / ARC (or whatever the latest Branding is) mooted building a Dog Track on the infoeld on Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton AW Venue with its massive Stand and Hotel, Perry Barr as a venue was doomed.

I have massive respect for Nigel for the money he has put in, money he will never recoup. I have to question his team building and management and his sanity or insanity in terms of investment, but he cannot and must not ever be attacked for his loyalty and commitment. For his own mental health and future prosperity, this decision I suspect will in the longer term be welcome to him.

With no appraent progess for Wolves, delays and no clear path yet for Brandon , there still may be a glimmer of hope for Midland Speedway at the new Knighthead / East Side development that incorporates to old Wheels Site. This now has Government / Local Government and massive American Funding behind it. The big problem is that a 65,000 state of the art stadium, a new Athletics Track , direct access to the City Centre and Airport may not be branding wise logical with a shale oval track with limited use, when you add in Casino , Cinemas, Hotels, and top class Apartments etc. 

If the development goes for major Athletic Events that will require a secondary Athletics Stadium with such world class facilities for Training and Competiton and a new Home for GB Athletics , then may be the current Athletics home at Perry Barr may in 5-6 years time be an option BUT it would require significant funding and Council Support and seriousy what state would British Speedway be in by then.

Several other Tracks seem to be hanging on by the skin of their teeth in the face of planning , development and economic concerns, so we could in 5 years be down to a core of 10 or less.

Sad times and hopefully Nigel gets enough support in the remaining months to at least break even!

 

 

 

 

Double post

Edited May 17, 2025 by MattB