DaveWayne Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 1 hour ago, Kieran22222 said: Looks the same as most tracks in the UK. Get an air fence and you are ready to go What you can't see on those photos is that the grassed area on the inside of the bends is raised several feet from the track, has steel plate on the track side of it, and there is no longer an inner kerb so the shale goes right up to the plating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAST GATER Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 2 hours ago, FishersGate said: This what I was sent a few days ago. Looks like a reasonable setup to me where there is a will there is a way and the foundations for a track are there not just a field.I'm sure more informed individuals will give a whole raft of issues and problems but IMO for s/way it looks a definite possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kieran22222 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 21 minutes ago, DaveWayne said: What you can't see on those photos is that the grassed area on the inside of the bends is raised several feet from the track, has steel plate on the track side of it, and there is no longer an inner kerb so the shale goes right up to the plating. Just tell them not to ride on the inside, they will be fine. 😅 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haza Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 With the new season 3 weeks away I’d have thought there would be some kind of building work going on at Northampton by now . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 12 hours ago, noaksey said: Or any in the last however many months that he is Chris still retains his love for the sport and is still hurt by entain but he isn’t out there doing the ground work to get wolves back either at monmore or elsewhere, I spoke with him in November about J11 on the M6 but that could be 10 years away, we contacted entain ourselves just before Xmas and also spoke with the manager at monmore and that is literally all that has happened in the last 6 months, I’m sure Chris would help any person/team that tried to get wolves back but doing it himself No, I’ve been helping heathens next generation for the past few months and they are relentless for some land and we have been to look at 4 pieces of land in the last 3 weeks alone and are still trying for the rocky lane site, I just wish someone was doing the same for wolves 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 I think the day we take any notice of what a Holder has to say is probably the day to pack it all in. 3 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 16 minutes ago, Bagpuss said: I think the day we take any notice of what a Holder has to say is probably the day to pack it all in. Correct, & Middlo too if we being sensible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveArena Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Holder better get some vegemite for his Monster cap. Middlo doesnt go north of Watford anyway. Good luck to whoever promotes at Northampton hope it is a success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noaksey Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 55 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said: Chris still retains his love for the sport and is still hurt by entain but he isn’t out there doing the ground work to get wolves back either at monmore or elsewhere, I spoke with him in November about J11 on the M6 but that could be 10 years away, we contacted entain ourselves just before Xmas and also spoke with the manager at monmore and that is literally all that has happened in the last 6 months, I’m sure Chris would help any person/team that tried to get wolves back but doing it himself No, I’ve been helping heathens next generation for the past few months and they are relentless for some land and we have been to look at 4 pieces of land in the last 3 weeks alone and are still trying for the rocky lane site, I just wish someone was doing the same for wolves I don't blame him tbh, he's getting on a bit now and with the general state of the sport you've really got to find somewhere that can sustain a multi facet operation and then pull all those strings together. I look at Coventry and it appears that its mainly being underwritten by people on the stock car side which Wolves of course don't have. If there are any people interested in trying to get Wolves off the ground (anywhere other than Monmore) then I've not come across them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biffa Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Without getting a diary out, in 2006 Redcar we’re putting the tracks clay base down in February, so there is plenty of time for Northampton to be ready for early April. I can’t remember how many facilities Redcar had in place around now, but Northampton is definitely more advanced at the moment than Redcar was. Redcar opened on the 4th April ish I think. There is a more documented state of Redcar’s beginning in another Facebook group but I can’t remember the name of the group🙈 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 13 minutes ago, noaksey said: I don't blame him tbh, he's getting on a bit now and with the general state of the sport you've really got to find somewhere that can sustain a multi facet operation and then pull all those strings together. I look at Coventry and it appears that its mainly being underwritten by people on the stock car side which Wolves of course don't have. If there are any people interested in trying to get Wolves off the ground (anywhere other than Monmore) then I've not come across them I firmly believe the only chance wolves have is a return to monmore, I have my theories about what the problem was/is and where we are today 2 years later and that’s why I said the MP Phillips is the man to speak to entain about this, he is on the board of the greyhound association and is also part of speedway futures Ltd, the problem(whatever it was/is is within entain the company and not the stadium itself who have told us it wasn’t them who kicked wolves out, Entain themselves said 2 years ago that injury to the dogs was the problem, I contacted the anti greyhound people to get the figures to see if the injuries to the dogs dropped after he speedway left, all they said was the greyhound association had the figures but don’t willingly publish them but did say there had been more greyhound deaths in 2024 at all tracks despite less races but they doubted entains claim about monmore and so did the MP pat macfadden in a letter to entain which I have a copy of 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neila Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 5 hours ago, PersonalResponsibility said: Although it is south of the Watford Gap, so he could make home meetings. But he gets a nose bleed any further north than Oxford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeOldPitGate Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Well at least Flagrags comments about deep pockets and big sponsors lined up sounds promising, he did mention the other side of the world re the new owners,can you imagine if the Glazers were getting involved that would please Mike no doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Forget Northampton, use the IOW, track and stadium ready to go, can run on Thursdays, ferry crossings being the major downside but surely something can be worked out, will they get big enough crowd ? Maybe in the summer months but out of season probably not but you’re going to lose a lot less money than Northampton and it’s not going to set you back £200,000 to get it up and running Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 I love IOW but they are stubborn buggers, to be fair i don't blame them. The way they were treated when they advocated change and then moved on to NORA was nothing short of diabolical. They have done a huge amount for British speedway over the years but they know the future isn't stepping in to save the current mess. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prov1man Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 On 2/18/2026 at 6:47 AM, Spidvej said: Problem is, and it's a big problem for not only Ipswich and / or Northampton, but British Speedway as a whole, especially at this extremely late stage, is that Richard Coleman does not have money at his disposal, he always uses other people's money. The guy wants to be Christian Horner, but is very much a "pound shop" version, playing with other's money. A google search regarding the new owners / investors of the "Tech3" MotoGP team reveals the following: Tech3 MotoGP Investors Pierre Gasly and David Blitzer are part of a broader investor group acquiring Tech3 MotoGP, led by Günther Steiner and IKON Capital. Additional investors include Main Street Advisors (led by Paul Wachter), Bolt Ventures (David Blitzer's firm), SLAM/TRAIL (Gasly's group), and others such as ALK Capital, Penman Holdings’ Barry English, Tom Stafford, Charles de Carvalho, and Dolphin Capital’s Richard Cook. Notice the absence of Richard Coleman as an investor? He may be the team principal, but he is basically "just" an employee as things stand. David Blitzer holds stakes across major leagues as co-managing partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), owning the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) and New Jersey Devils (NHL). He has minority ownership in the Cleveland Guardians (MLB, 25% with option for control), Washington Commanders (NFL), and previously Real Salt Lake/Utah Royals (MLS, sold majority in 2025 but retains stake). Blitzer also owns stakes in international soccer clubs via Global Football Holdings, including Crystal Palace (Premier League), FC Augsburg (Bundesliga), Brøndby IF (Denmark), and others like Estoril Praia (Portugal) and ADO Den Haag (Netherlands); additional investments cover Joe Gibbs Racing (NASCAR) and more. Tech3 MotoGP is based in Bormes-les-Mimosas, 65 miles from Marseille, in Provence in the south of France. Also, In the Speedway Star magazine interview dated September 27, 2025, Coleman discussed his new role as FIM Speedway Grand Prix (SGP) promoter from 2026, stating that the budget for the series would be cut compared to previous years, which we now know has cut prize money by around 25% - 30%, with racesuits also falling by the wayside in favour of a return to old style race jackets.. In the article, Coleman highlighted his involvement with the South of France-based Tech3 MotoGP team as Team Principal, noting he would attend some SGP events but not committing to all, amid Mayfield's growing Formula 1 engagements in addition to MotoGP with "Tech3"... While Mayfield Sports Events are viewed by some as saviors for Ipswich Speedway, given the extensive commitments outlined above, how will Coleman manage to fit everything in? He wont - Coleman will rely on SGP hosting tracks and loyal Ipswich staff to operate SGP events and league racing, while prioritising MotoGP. For example, the day after the two SGP events at Belle Vue, there is a round of MotoGP in Hungary, with MotoGP practice happening whilst the SGP is in full flow in Manchester. Wonder where Coleman will be that weekend, and other such clashing weekends? The probable hold up to Mayfield's heavily rumoured takeover at Ipswich? A lack of investment, other's investment funds, as Coleman himself hasnt got the money. The sport will find out he is a Walter Mitty character, who spins a good yarn, but who has as much financial substance as Arthur Daley & Del Boy Trotter ! What a load of nonsense. Coleman could buy Ipswich 10 times over. Honestly, the TV deal is non existent, the lease has been an issue, you would think the SGP promoter would be maybe a good thing for British Speedway. Coleman has always put decent people in place, what do you expect, the other businesses are X million but he has to be in Ipswich every Monday night? as for Cardiff what nonsense again, Mayfield rescued it for WBD after the disaster in 2022 and they got rid of Paul Belamy. Mayfield actually won WBD’s sports promoter of the year award. You can’t make this up. And you wonder why decent promoters run a mile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InTheDeepStuff Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Is it true what I’ve heard that there’s a deadline of the end of this week to confirm if Northampton are running in 2026 or not, not sure if that’s BSPL imposed, Spedeworth or whoever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haza Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 (edited) 15 minutes ago, InTheDeepStuff said: Is it true what I’ve heard that there’s a deadline of the end of this week to confirm if Northampton are running in 2026 or not, not sure if that’s BSPL imposed, Spedeworth or whoever? It really does show what desperate state the Premier league speedway is in that we are 3 weeks away from racing and still not 100% sure if it’s 4 5 or 6 teams racing in 2026- definitely 4 probably 5 but still not 100% on Ipswich and possibly 6 teams if Northampton can get ready for the season - it really is desperate times . Edited February 19 by Haza 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 16 minutes ago, InTheDeepStuff said: Is it true what I’ve heard that there’s a deadline of the end of this week to confirm if Northampton are running in 2026 or not, not sure if that’s BSPL imposed, Spedeworth or whoever? You can not keep five other businesses waiting any longer surely? The four who committed from day one must be seriously peed off that their own businesses impacted due to nothing to do with them... The Speedway Star said that a five team and a six team fixture list are already done... You do feel that this season is going to be a bit "make do and mend" (even more than usual!), and, hopefully, something radical and new will launch in 2027... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 42 minutes ago, mikebv said: You can not keep five other businesses waiting any longer surely? The four who committed from day one must be seriously peed off that their own businesses impacted due to nothing to do with them... The Speedway Star said that a five team and a six team fixture list are already done... You do feel that this season is going to be a bit "make do and mend" (even more than usual!), and, hopefully, something radical and new will launch in 2027... Despite this “wait and see” everything with turn out fine,it is really Pathetic Situation for a Professional Sport.It smacks of total desperation.IMO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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