Birmingham Speedway

[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 12 hours ago by MattB

[MattB]

39 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!

 

 

 

 

Property Development remains the great nemesis that speedway faces im afraid.  OK there was huge issues over the viability of Birmingham, but you couldn't suggest Coventry was not viable (albeit supported by stock car racing) but that didn't stop Brandon Estates buying the site and kicking both of them out.  Likewise at Wolves, where a viable operation was removed simply because the owner no longer wanted us there.

Doesn't matter how many fans you get through the gates.  A speedway club in the UK is only secure as their next lease date. 

[mikebv]

5 hours ago, MattB said:

Property Development remains the great nemesis that speedway faces im afraid.  OK there was huge issues over the viability of Birmingham, but you couldn't suggest Coventry was not viable (albeit supported by stock car racing) but that didn't stop Brandon Estates buying the site and kicking both of them out.  Likewise at Wolves, where a viable operation was removed simply because the owner no longer wanted us there.

Doesn't matter how many fans you get through the gates.  A speedway club in the UK is only secure as their next lease date. 

True, but...

If the landowner was getting £20k a night rent, 20 times a year, then, I would suggest, they would be more likely to keep their tenants on..

If Speedway had been able to keep hold of it's fan base, rather than losing tens of thousands of followers, then a 3,000 crowd would deliver around £70k a night, therefore paying a £20k rent would be a possibility...

The harsh reality is developers know hardly anyone will miss their local speedway track disappearing, nor, for many, even notice it was there, never mind gone..

[Pauldoveyspeedway]

7 hours ago, Fromafar said:

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.

Mr.Tolley did give it a good shot and uve got to give him that .Sadly there wasnt enough support for Speedway in that area.  Well done for trying....

[MattB]

49 minutes ago, mikebv said:

True, but...

If the landowner was getting £20k a night rent, 20 times a year, then, I would suggest, they would be more likely to keep their tenants on..

If Speedway had been able to keep hold of it's fan base, rather than losing tens of thousands of followers, then a 3,000 crowd would deliver around £70k a night, therefore paying a £20k rent would be a possibility...

The harsh reality is developers know hardly anyone will miss their local speedway track disappearing, nor, for many, even notice it was there, never mind gone..

I'd go further and say that if these landlords were allowed to open their betting stalls at speedway meetings then it would change their thoughts.

Had Entain had this option, they'd likely have been sticking a contract under CVS's nose rather than an eviction. notice.

[MattB]

43 minutes ago, Pauldoveyspeedway said:

Mr.Tolley did give it a good shot and uve got to give him that .Sadly there wasnt enough support for Speedway in that area.  Well done for trying....

They gambled that Wolves closing would bolster their crowds.  Some Wolves fans have gone there but you couldn't claim masses of them have.

[GiveusaB]

On 5/15/2025 at 6:44 PM, Wolfie456 said:

 

The person I feel a deep sadness for is the legend Brian Buck...it's easy to throw money at something when you're a millionaire...but to campaign tirelessly as much as Brian did to get the club back on track (no pun intended) was an incredible achievement! Thanks Brian

Edited 5 hours ago by GiveusaB

[kitten2502]

One thing I find a little puzzling is the programme note "watch this space next week for some big news I have to tell you" which gives the impression of it being a positive - I wonder if Nigel believed he had sorted something and it has since fallen through.

Regardless, I add my thanks to Nigel & the rest of the consortium for having the balls to give it a go.

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

2 hours ago, kitten2502 said:

One thing I find a little puzzling is the programme note "watch this space next week for some big news I have to tell you" which gives the impression of it being a positive - I wonder if Nigel believed he had sorted something and it has since fallen through.

Regardless, I add my thanks to Nigel & the rest of the consortium for having the balls to give it a go.

He was due to tell the fans in his programme notes v belle vue but it got rained off