R87 Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 On 7/2/2025 at 7:45 AM, Bojangles said: Hahahaha, where did you get that utter nonsense from? You're just making up stuff to suit your own agenda. Boothby has a 10-year lease, running to 2032, and there are already talks about extending that. Speedway is a big part of Boothby's plans, mainly because the speedway is still making a healthy profit. The ONLY doubt is whether Oxford run in all three leagues again. Attendances are still extremely good at Championship (1,200 ish) and National League (800+) level, and have only waned slightly at Premiership level (but still at around 1,200) - mainly due to results I would imagine. There is zero doubt about whether Oxford will be running next year - what a totally uninformed thing to say, simply said to scare people without any evidence whatsoever. Those crowd levels will not keep paying it with the rising costs in the sport. I reiterate, there is no money in speedway and this fairy tale of Coventry reopening and now Wimbledon reopening is pie in the sky. Wimbledon was not viable in the 2000s, hence they pulled the plug when the sport was in a far better state than it is now. Brandon will cost multiple millions restore, and the group trying to rescue it don't have that money. They have NO chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojangles Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 5 minutes ago, R87 said: Those crowd levels will not keep paying it with the rising costs in the sport. I reiterate, there is no money in speedway and this fairy tale of Coventry reopening and now Wimbledon reopening is pie in the sky. Wimbledon was not viable in the 2000s, hence they pulled the plug when the sport was in a far better state than it is now. Brandon will cost multiple millions restore, and the group trying to rescue it don't have that money. They have NO chance Funny how those crowd levels do keep paying it for Oxford.... easily. The biggest fairytale of all is your story of Oxford closing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 valve Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 11 minutes ago, R87 said: Those crowd levels will not keep paying it with the rising costs in the sport. I reiterate, there is no money in speedway and this fairy tale of Coventry reopening and now Wimbledon reopening is pie in the sky. Brandon will cost multiple millions restore, and the group trying to rescue it don't have that money. They have NO chance The plan is not to “restore” Brandon but to re-build the facility. Yes it will take millions to do and yes the combined group of interested parties do have the money available to build and run a sustainable operation in both the short & long term. The only challenge facing the group is the intransigence of Brandon Estates, which admittedly is a big challenge but not an impossible one to overcome. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WookieboyDon Posted July 3 Author Report Share Posted July 3 (edited) 31 minutes ago, R87 said: Those crowd levels will not keep paying it with the rising costs in the sport. I reiterate, there is no money in speedway and this fairy tale of Coventry reopening and now Wimbledon reopening is pie in the sky. Wimbledon was not viable in the 2000s, hence they pulled the plug when the sport was in a far better state than it is now. Brandon will cost multiple millions restore, and the group trying to rescue it don't have that money. They have NO chance Well, asking you to cheer up obviously didn’t happen did it? 🤦🏻♂️ The potential for Wimbledon returning is completely different to the situation they faced back in 2005. Also, I find it fascinating that you are fully aware of the finances and backing of the team trying to bring Coventry back. Are you their accountant gone rogue and are here anonymously, as you seem very certain that they “don’t have the money. They have NO chance” ??? Please, enlighten us all of why you are so certain. I’d love to see the proof. 🤷🏻♂️ Edited July 3 by WookieboyDon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sidney Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 1 hour ago, R87 said: Those crowd levels will not keep paying it with the rising costs in the sport. I reiterate, there is no money in speedway and this fairy tale of Coventry reopening and now Wimbledon reopening is pie in the sky. Wimbledon was not viable in the 2000s, hence they pulled the plug when the sport was in a far better state than it is now. Brandon will cost multiple millions restore, and the group trying to rescue it don't have that money. They have NO chance You keep just saying things that are not correct. Wimbledon closed after the 2005 season because the stadium owners would not give them a new lease (because they wanted sports out so they could close the stadium for development) The Wimbledon promoters wanted to move up from the Conference League to the second tier. Yet again, you don't say who 'they' are 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackett Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 Looking at the back page of the Speedway Star a similar set up to Isle of Wight or Workington. Decent race track and minimal facilities that can be added when needed or sponsors allow. The beauty of AFC Wimbledon is that they gain a number of sponsors because of the "Community Club" appreciate that speedway doesn't have the same catchment or fanbase but if they can tap into that goodwill - at least there are possibilities. Fingers Crossed and wish them well. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 If it happens, it could be the 'springboard' speedway desperately needs. Speedway back in London! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R87 Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 8 hours ago, Sir Sidney said: You keep just saying things that are not correct. Wimbledon closed after the 2005 season because the stadium owners would not give them a new lease (because they wanted sports out so they could close the stadium for development) The Wimbledon promoters wanted to move up from the Conference League to the second tier. Yet again, you don't say who 'they' are They would not give them a lease because it wasn't viable! Wimbledon aura had long since vanished, hence they dropped out of the top league in 85, closed in 91 and then struggled after reopening in 02. As for Coventry, the last time I was there was towards the end of 2016 and the place was virtually empty Im very sorry to burst people's bubble, but the facts are that speedway in the UK is not viable financially. No businessman with any credibility would touch it with a bargepole because they will never get it back, no matter how much half a dozen supporters jump up and down. There will never be speedway in Wimbledon again. Ditto Coventry, and the sooner these people accept it and move on with their lives the better. British Speedway needs to prioritise what it has left, not waste time chasing list causes. Harsh yes, but true im afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sidney Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 19 minutes ago, R87 said: They would not give them a lease because it wasn't viable! Wimbledon aura had long since vanished, hence they dropped out of the top league in 85, closed in 91 and then struggled after reopening in 02. As for Coventry, the last time I was there was towards the end of 2016 and the place was virtually empty Im very sorry to burst people's bubble, but the facts are that speedway in the UK is not viable financially. No businessman with any credibility would touch it with a bargepole because they will never get it back, no matter how much half a dozen supporters jump up and down. There will never be speedway in Wimbledon again. Ditto Coventry, and the sooner these people accept it and move on with their lives the better. British Speedway needs to prioritise what it has left, not waste time chasing list causes. Harsh yes, but true im afraid. Absolute nonsense. Assuming by 'they' you mean the owners Risk Capital Partners. The reason they would not give speedway ( or other businesses on the site) a new lease was because they wanted to demolish the stadium and build over 600 flats. It's completely inaccurate to say that speedway was not viable - as the speedway promoters confirmed in the public domain at the time. Your continued attempts to re write history will not wash. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WookieboyDon Posted July 3 Author Report Share Posted July 3 36 minutes ago, R87 said: They would not give them a lease because it wasn't viable! Wimbledon aura had long since vanished, hence they dropped out of the top league in 85, closed in 91 and then struggled after reopening in 02. As for Coventry, the last time I was there was towards the end of 2016 and the place was virtually empty Im very sorry to burst people's bubble, but the facts are that speedway in the UK is not viable financially. No businessman with any credibility would touch it with a bargepole because they will never get it back, no matter how much half a dozen supporters jump up and down. There will never be speedway in Wimbledon again. Ditto Coventry, and the sooner these people accept it and move on with their lives the better. British Speedway needs to prioritise what it has left, not waste time chasing list causes. Harsh yes, but true im afraid. You really are talking utter nonsense. Firstly, Wimbledon weren’t struggling after re-opening in ‘02. Where are you getting that from? Secondly, conveniently you have ignored my question of how you know those behind the proposed return at Coventry have no money. If you are going to make comments, either back it up or don’t make such accusations. Thirdly, as already proved to you, a businessman did touch speedway by bringing back Oxford and making it a success. Just look at the crowds they are getting. Way more than “half a dozen supporters”. It really is a shame that not only are you incredibly negative towards any new venue opening, but actually dead against any form of growth for the sport in the UK. And you’ll make up lies just to try and prove your spurious point. Bizarre. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MattB Posted July 4 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 4 19 hours ago, R87 said: They would not give them a lease because it wasn't viable! Wimbledon aura had long since vanished, hence they dropped out of the top league in 85, closed in 91 and then struggled after reopening in 02. As for Coventry, the last time I was there was towards the end of 2016 and the place was virtually empty Im very sorry to burst people's bubble, but the facts are that speedway in the UK is not viable financially. No businessman with any credibility would touch it with a bargepole because they will never get it back, no matter how much half a dozen supporters jump up and down. There will never be speedway in Wimbledon again. Ditto Coventry, and the sooner these people accept it and move on with their lives the better. British Speedway needs to prioritise what it has left, not waste time chasing list causes. Harsh yes, but true im afraid. The guys involved with Coventry and particularly Jeff Davies have poured huge amounts of time into getting speedway back, and have already confirmed members of the consortium. You are correct that Brandon will need a lot of money to make it usable, but money won't be an issue with the individuals they have got on board - they're issue is getting the site out of the developers hands, but I think their efforts deserve applauding and our support, not constant mocking. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ovalfan Posted July 4 Report Share Posted July 4 On 7/3/2025 at 12:39 PM, R87 said: Those crowd levels will not keep paying it with the rising costs in the sport. I reiterate, there is no money in speedway and this fairy tale of Coventry reopening and now Wimbledon reopening is pie in the sky. Wimbledon was not viable in the 2000s, hence they pulled the plug when the sport was in a far better state than it is now. Brandon will cost multiple millions restore, and the group trying to rescue it don't have that money. They have NO chance I think R87 is a member of Brandon Estates. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R87 Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 15 hours ago, MattB said: The guys involved with Coventry and particularly Jeff Davies have poured huge amounts of time into getting speedway back, and have already confirmed members of the consortium. You are correct that Brandon will need a lot of money to make it usable, but money won't be an issue with the individuals they have got on board - they're issue is getting the site out of the developers hands, but I think their efforts deserve applauding and our support, not constant mocking. Exactly. Time. Not MONEY as there is none. They've got no chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sidney Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 17 minutes ago, R87 said: Exactly. Time. Not MONEY as there is none. They've got no chance As you would know, if you bothered to look at the facts, Coventry has a backer with the finance ready. It's in the public domain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 2 hours ago, R87 said: Exactly. Time. Not MONEY as there is none. They've got no chance What a strange response to a post that actually says, "You are correct that Brandon will need a lot of money to make it usable, but money won't be an issue with the individuals they have got on board." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 Any track could reopen if someone was prepared to throw money at it, problems only arise if you would be looking at it from a self sufficient business point of view. I would love Arena Essex (the venue) to come back but unless someone is willing to give Google 12 million plus for the land, it’s never going to happen. Thurrock Hammers could happen if land was found that was available for a few hundred thousand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 14 minutes ago, marko said: Any track could reopen if someone was prepared to throw money at it, problems only arise if you would be looking at it from a self sufficient business point of view. I would love Arena Essex (the venue) to come back but unless someone is willing to give Google 12 million plus for the land, it’s never going to happen. Thurrock Hammers could happen if land was found that was available for a few hundred thousand. It could happen if Council's were more insistent at enforcing their own local plans that are guided by the National Planning Policy Framework that stipulates sporting clubs cannot be thrown out of their homes without alternative provisions being provided Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noaksey Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 On 6/28/2025 at 11:01 AM, Ray Stadia said: I think, probably, all 3 would happen if there was enough money behind the ventures. All 3 are viable, but trying to do it on a 'shoe string', means it might or may not happen. If there was money in the sport, they never would have closed, even Plough Lane. I'd be amazed if Arena Essex came back at the Raceway even with Jeff Bezos backing them. There's zero interest in speedway from the land owners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 1 hour ago, noaksey said: I'd be amazed if Arena Essex came back at the Raceway even with Jeff Bezos backing them. There's zero interest in speedway from the land owners Google are the land owners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R87 Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 10 hours ago, Sir Sidney said: As you would know, if you bothered to look at the facts, Coventry has a backer with the finance ready. It's in the public domain. But they will not get money back from it. This is what im saying if you bothered to listen. I will confidently say that no speedway tracks will open or reopen in the UK any time in the near future. It. Is. Not. Viable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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