What about Northampton?

[cowboy cookie returns?]

On 1/26/2026 at 10:34 AM, 40-38 said:

You could argue that any successful sport needs to attract people it didn't before. Look at football, they have huge ethnic followings for what in the 60s and 70s was very much a white working class sport.

While also not driving your existing customers away.

[Derrickn]

On 1/28/2026 at 9:12 PM, Bendover11 said:

That would be the same Bradford in west Yorkshire that has kicked stock cars out of odsal, despite still having a year left on the lease 

More than one year left on the lease.There is more to the Odsal story than we are being told.Someone in the local paper suggested that the stock car people were considering legal action against the rugby club.My.guess is that the rugby club will have to pay compensation to the stock car people,but there will be no more motorsport at Odsal.

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

25 minutes ago, Derrickn said:

My guess is that the rugby club will have to pay compensation to the stock car people,but there will be no more motorsport at Odsal.

Until the rugby goes bust (again)

[Hackett]

Mentioned in the Speedway Star a couple of weeks back that the original potential promoter had fallen through because of the the set-up costs that seem to vary between £130,000 - £200,000. 

So before the SCB could even issue a license it would need work on a pits area, changing rooms for riders, removing obstructions and acquiring a foam safety fence. Although the main suppliers of the foam fence have now gone into liquidation. 

[Youhave2minutes]

Clearly it’s not going to materialise.

[Hamish McRaker]

17 hours ago, Hackett said:

Mentioned in the Speedway Star a couple of weeks back that the original potential promoter had fallen through because of the the set-up costs that seem to vary between £130,000 - £200,000. 

So before the SCB could even issue a license it would need work on a pits area, changing rooms for riders, removing obstructions and acquiring a foam safety fence. Although the main suppliers of the foam fence have now gone into liquidation. 

But one of the ex-directors can supply one (cash only, presumably) 😜🤫

[bringbackHalifax]

I believe it will happen and they will be on track for 2026 season.

[Youhave2minutes]

15 minutes ago, bringbackHalifax said:

I believe it will happen and they will be on track for 2026 season.

Late may start

[Phannan]

On 2/3/2026 at 4:54 PM, Youhave2minutes said:

Late may start

But will he do the four laps and finish?

[Youhave2minutes]

31 minutes ago, Phannan said:

But will he do the four laps and finish?

?

[Phannan]

18 minutes ago, Youhave2minutes said:

?

Thought you were talking about Northampton new number 1 Lenny Late . You said he may start 

[szkocjasid]

With everything happening so late, it would probably make sense for Northampton (if they run) to start in 2027. Have a few open meetings this year in preparation. But obviously they are so desperate for a 6th Prem team, they may be letting their hearts rule their heads?

[Hamish McRaker]

19 minutes ago, szkocjasid said:

With everything happening so late, it would probably make sense for Northampton (if they run) to start in 2027. Have a few open meetings this year in preparation. But obviously they are so desperate for a 6th Prem team, they may be letting their hearts rule their heads?

If the heads are in good working condition, then maybe so. But are they?

[YeOldPitGate]

1 hour ago, szkocjasid said:

With everything happening so late, it would probably make sense for Northampton (if they run) to start in 2027. Have a few open meetings this year in preparation. But obviously they are so desperate for a 6th Prem team, they may be letting their hearts rule their heads?

Spot on its a huge financial risk in an untried area for Speedway support I agree maybe do a few open meetings in 2026 to gauge level of support but as you say its probably going to end being the weakest team out of the six which won't help things and if the supports not there and they get stuffed every week it will just close down at the end of the year with some poor sod 100k lighter.

[Littleze]

I am unsure why anybody would be optimistic about this project, where does a crowd come from to support it?

Any new people to the sport will surely become disinterested once all the normal nonsense kicks in, guests, late rains off & all the other stuff that has been mentioned to death.

Until a complete overhaul is looked at, I fail to see how the Sport is turned around. 

 

[SteveLyric2]

15 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

With everything happening so late, it would probably make sense for Northampton (if they run) to start in 2027. Have a few open meetings this year in preparation. But obviously they are so desperate for a 6th Prem team, they may be letting their hearts rule their heads?

Agree. Especially with Polish league rider restrictions coming in 2027 plus the uncertainty of the league(s) structure in uk for '27!! There's a lot more to consider than just the financial implications.

[mikebv]

1 hour ago, Littleze said:

I am unsure why anybody would be optimistic about this project, where does a crowd come from to support it?

Any new people to the sport will surely become disinterested once all the normal nonsense kicks in, guests, late rains off & all the other stuff that has been mentioned to death.

Until a complete overhaul is looked at, I fail to see how the Sport is turned around. 

 

If they have got a spare £200k, and then some, plus £300k, and then some, for riders,, to launch this venture, then they would be far better off putting that money into marketing the UK version of the sport as a whole...

 

[Hawk127]

Out of interest, has anyone any knowledge of any work being carried out at the venue?
Just a thought but what if it is not Northampton but another former venue where the powers that be have come up with cast iron guarantees over rent etc and then the initial investment for the prospective promoter could be a lot less of an outlay.

The offer of guaranteed income is a reasonable business proposition to consider  and if the owners of a former venue were given strong assurances why not think about it.
The other option for these owners is for the track to remain unused and no potential revenue from a balance sheet asset.
Leaving aside the history and attempts to reintroduce the sport to various venues which have been turned down, how many former tracks could you put an offer to?

[Fromafar]

18 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

With everything happening so late, it would probably make sense for Northampton (if they run) to start in 2027. Have a few open meetings this year in preparation. But obviously they are so desperate for a 6th Prem team, they may be letting their hearts rule their heads?

Someone’s pocket is taking a big hit with Northampton venture is it’s really a goer.IMO.