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Full details of the meeting content:- THE Save Coventry Speedway & Stox Campaign Group held a hugely successful Public Meeting at the Mercure Brandon Hall Hotel on Tuesday. Over 300 speedway and stock car fans, and local residents, packed in to hear the latest updates on the battle against the plans to demolish the iconic Brandon Stadium and replace it with a housing estate – with no provision for any replacement. The meeting was also supported by speedway riders including former British Champions Chris Harris and Danny King, stock car drivers and as many as five local Councillors. There was live coverage on BBC Midlands Today in their early-evening programme and a further follow-up in the late bulletin, as well as coverage and interviews on local radio stations BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and Touch FM/Rugby FM. The meeting opened with brief speeches from the leader of Rugby Borough Council, Michael Stokes, and the MP for Rugby, Mark Pawsey. Cllr Stokes, whilst naturally having to declare impartiality in the case of an ongoing planning application, did confirm that in all of his time on the Council – over a decade – there has been no other local issue which has provoked a reaction on this scale. Following our submission earlier in the day of our reaction to the Framptons ‘Needs Analysis’ document – seeking to make the case that Brandon Stadium is surplus to requirements in line with National Planning Policy, as other ‘alternative’ stadiums exist in the Midlands – Cllr Stokes was able to deliver an encouraging update. He stated that due to the volume of material and the clear discrepancies between the submissions of the developers and ourselves, the Council will appoint an independent party to fully scrutinise both and seek expert advice in order to provide an informed conclusion to the Planning Officer. We welcome this news, and having subsequently heard our assessment of the Turley (viability) and Framptons (needs assessment) documents, we are sure all those present at the meeting will share that opinion. Cllr Stokes also confirmed the Planning Application will not be heard until after the Local Plan is finalised. Mr Pawsey grew up in Binley Woods so has a full affinity with the area and the stadium itself, and he has always offered ongoing support to the Campaign. He spoke as passionately as ever on the issues and his continued engagement, both locally and in Westminster, is of huge value to us. The meeting presentation took the form of a descriptive slideshow which first briefly summarised events leading up to the previous Public Meeting in October 2016. We then updated the events of the last year, including the further inadequacies of security at the stadium prior to the settlement of the Council’s Community Protection Order, the submission of planning documents and public reaction, the Local Plan hearings, media coverage, and other events/meetings attended. There was then a discussion of the Local Plan process, why we sought to strengthen it in terms of protecting facilities such as Brandon, and what the Government-appointed inspector said following the hearings. We then provided a selection of material produced either by or on behalf of the developers seeking to prove the stadium was disused and unviable with no interest forthcoming for re-opening – and then their subsequent, recent submissions stating there was no ongoing need for Brandon due to an apparent range of ‘alternative’ venues elsewhere in the Midlands. Whereas much of the developers’ information was based on misinformation and untruths, we were able to provide clear, indisputable evidence to disprove their claims. We also discussed the ongoing Brandon & Bretford Neighbourhood Plan, and following a brief Q&A session we ended with the following conclusions and recommendations: This meeting: 1. Endorses the ongoing activities of the Save Coventry & Stox Campaign Group including its representations on the Rugby Local Plan, Brandon Estates’ planning application for residential redevelopment on the site of Brandon Stadium, and the Brandon & Bretford Neighbourhood Plan; 2. Calls on Rugby Borough Council to a) reject Brandon Estates’ Planning Application and b) support reinstatement of Brandon Stadium for Speedway and Stock Car Racing at the earliest opportunity. 3. Confirms that the Coventry/Brandon Bees should race in the Rugby/Coventry area and that the relocation of the team to Leicester Speedway is not a realistic solution. But the most important part of the evening was the reaction and turnout from the sporting and local communities. To fill a room with over 300 people on a midweek evening was further proof of just what this issue means to everyone, even though there has been no racing for over two years – something the developers will never understand. Campaign Group Spokesman Jeff Davies said: “From our perspective, the meeting could not have gone better. The media coverage with local radio stations and BBC Midlands Today present throughout was brilliant and the messages of support, both directly and via a massive social media response is incredible. “People who attended the meeting are now better informed about the situation, understand what the issues are and why the process is taking so long. “We have put an immense amount of time and effort into this fight and to see so many passionate people supporting the campaign makes all that effort worthwhile. “Speaking on behalf of all the members of the Campaign Group, I promise speedway fans, stock car fans and local residents, we will fight this to the very end and will not give up. “Despite being up against wealthy developers, with their PR people, their solicitors and their consultants, it's a battle we've always believed we can win and eventually bring the sports 'home' for future generations to enjoy.” *WE have had various requests to make the slides from the presentation available to view online. We have respectfully decided that would not be appropriate, due to the fact that taken in isolation they could cause confusion – we ran the meeting with the slides complementing the narration, and they by no means provide a full record of what was said. However, we are more than willing to engage with anyone who contacts the Campaign Group, and are happy to take them through any of the issues discussed in as much detail as they wish.

I see there is more in Speedway Star this week with regards to Sweden taking Thursdays. Surely... SURELY!... British speedway needs to take this night as its second fixed night before Sweden (quite justifiably) take it off them. That would leave British speedway with just one priority night instead of two because of being voted down by lower teams. This should not be allowed to happen! The top league should take Thursday as a fixed race night immediately, or else they will lose it.

My sole purpose in buying a season ticket is so that my money is made available to the club in advance of the season commencing and help to provide funds with which the owners can begin their planning. If I could I would do more to help but unfortunately it is not possible. A small loss is anticipated due to illness and holidays but to me this is not a problem.

Great idea let us move away from a facility already in place, try and get planning permission which would never happen and go to the expense of building a new track. I sat at a public meeting in 1981 at Chirnside, when speedway were offered land there for a new track and as we know never happened.

I think the definition of "crap" is largely important here as middle tier second strings are entirely different to riders just starting out. The problem with standard at present is that the gulf between riders is too vast. The GP's provide good racing and entertainment because the riders are of a similar level. Put on a match where all the riders average in min 4 and max 6 you will see a close entertaining meeting. Put on the current show where a 9+ point man goes to the tapes with a 2-3 point rider and wonder why we are served dull from the gate racing.

If Lynn come to the Showground, they would be kicked out very quickly. The Panthers ultras would not stand for this.

Why would stadiums be empty on GP nights? I watch very few things “live” at transmission time and much prefer to record and watch on delay. This allows me to skip past Adverts , replays and endless studio chats. I’m sure a lot of people feel the same way

Jack and diet coke, (full can no supermarket rubbish at 1.80 a pint from a 50p 2 litre bottle at another bar that will remain nameless) and a pInk gin and lemonade £4.....4 quid !!! No hangover here though

At certain times of the season standing on the bends at Blunsdon while the riders muck about or the ref has multiple restarts from the tapes or other forms of wasting time and a meeting takes 2 hr 30 mins in the cold wind that Blunsdon gets, many do want to get away and some leave before the end of the meeting.

Must admit I can't understand the mentality of folks on here who go to speedway, who are looking to get away from the meeting as soon as possible. At the end of the day it's a night out, and as long as the meeting is progressing at a decent pace, what's there to complain about. What's wrong with grading, unless it is long winded, after the grading the track should be better to then maintain a similar standard to keep to decent racing. At Newcastle we always aim to have 6 races( 125 and 500 3 races each) after every meeting with invited riders, that is when we do not have an NJL meeting which takes up about 6 or 7 second halfs in the season.

Possibly now the emphasis should be on the sport in general and the fans for greater consideration.

Dont think the riders want any changes most double up and get plenty of guest rides. The majority make good money and wouldn't want less meetings.

In this week's SS there seems to be a trend towards making the Premiership stronger - both in terms of number of teams and a bigger points limit - and the Championship 'weaker' to make more of a difference between SGBP and SGBC.

Time the Championship was made an amateur league, riders riding speedway as a hobby and not a job,much smaller point money covering their costs. Will probably be just as entertaining, cannot get worse anyway.

Phew welcome Mr Lawson

I think the top League should take Friday and Saturday nights, especially now with minimal impact from the GP's

For me it's not about wanting to get away early or the length of the meeting, it's whether you have have been entertained over the period of the evening. You are quite right it is a night out but the customer has a right to be entertained for his hard earned money. I have been to 2.5 hours meetings where I have been bored but equally been to 3.5 hour meetings where there has been plenty going on like rider interviews, decent PA announcements and music etc and I have thoroughly enjoyed the evening. We have to accept that speedway is not like most sports involving a ball where it is wall to wall action, this is motorsport and will be periods of inactivity. I regularly go to MotoGP and BSB meetings for a whole day and its not boring because there is plenty going on so speedway should really have no problem keeping customers happy for 2 to 3 hours!

I like nothing better than standing around for about 3 hours on a cold wet night in October.

Correct, but George has already said Newcastle can't afford to run in a single league, as the more affluent teams will force up the expensive costs of all teams. Newcastle won't be the only ones as well. Difficulty is the more teams don't return, the higher chance of a single league.

I wouldn't judge any rider on one performance. I am amazed at the number of times I see fans claiming we should sign or drop a rider based on one good or bad performance at the NSS. Over the season Tungate did a good job for us and as Halifax Tiger said, provided some brilliant entertainment.

Tungate - based upon Premiership matches last season - actually averaged over 6 away from home (not including bonus points), two rubbish performances at King's Lynn putting a major dent in that figure. Could be better for a third heat leader, but most certainly not 'very poor' or a 'liability'. He's a big scorer at the NSS and, what's more, is hugely entertaining.

Excellent turn out at the Brandon Hall Hotel tonight for a presentation by the S.C.S. Group detailing the continuing fight against Brandon Estates. Over 300 people attended, standing room only, to hear how the group are to counter the 'ahem' *inaccuracies* in the developers claims about viability and alternative sites. Almost a two hour presentation with no-one calling for a refreshments break, such was the interest in the well prepared (and delivered) presentation.

Why would Buster scrap speedway at the AFA when he owns the place, and rent a track for speedway.

Shielfields fine, its an owner we need no a stadium guys.

Eh??? Sorry but you've got the wrong impression from the speculation and rumour on here, the pattern is in his acquisition of Leicester from David Hemsley and subsequent transactions that put the Bates family in. Securing Peterborough opens up more options for Speedway and then licencing out the rights or putting a Co-Promoter in to run it keeps the venue operating. If indeed it is Keith, just because he hasn't been wholly successful as Chairman doesn't mean he makes all the wrong decisions. Let's be honest when everybody was burying Alex Harkess and his Management Committee they all wanted Keith and or Rob to run the sport. They got what they wished for in a horrible political climate and now the BSPA could do no worse than pull together all of the commentators who contributed to today's Speedway Star articles, lock them in a room and not let them out until the job is sorted. One thing that is absolutely clear from today's issue is that all the problems are known but there is still passion and enthusiasm from all those people. If we can send rockets to the moon and make all this communication from three little oblong holes on the wall those guys can eventually fix the sport, it can't be beyond the wit of man, can it?

I think you have a point but there have been times in the past when the gap between riders was bigger. In the 60s and 70s there were quite regularly riders averaging above 10 and sometimes over 11 and yet that period is seen as a golden age for the sport. Maybe we need to look at the formula to protect the weaker riders, as was the case back in the day when the reserve rode in heats 4 and 8 programmed with second strings.

Cut it was worth it though surely. I dont expect the up coming AGM to cure all of speedway`s ills but what I hope for is at least a start or more probably at least to stop the slide that we see currently.

Promoters can't win, what happened to the 'we want continuity' shout from the fans. If Belle Vue hadn't had terrible luck with injuries they may have won the league in 2018 imo!

You are correct regarding planning permission, and if the bandits fold, should someone take it on in the future they wont get planning permission.

Is that to you or by you ?

Jon Cook's had a Promoters Licence for as long as I can remember. Apparantly the 'deal' is already in place with the RH owners to run in the Championship.

Good to see diplomacy and the caring society alive and well in Suffolk.

Last time I called in at Cowley earlier this year it was looking very sorry for itself. Personally, despite all the good intentions, I can't see speedway returning there...which is very sad as I enjoyed 32 years following the 'Rebels' and 'Cheetahs' and it holds so many great memories!

A good night by the sound of it

Hey End of season do at The Railway Club in Workington I weighed over a £20 pound note for four pints of "Amber Nectar" and got £10:20 change. When I looked at the cash in my hand the Steward said "is there a problem" I said "I think you have robbed your good self Marra as I got 4 pints there" (in my poshest Geordie accent) and the guy said "no Marra its as cheap as chips in here" so departing with a beaming smile I said "you better find a wheelbarrow for later as I will end up legless at these prices" and it got better as the night went on 2 pints of larger and 2 Gin and Slimline Tonics £9 quid. That's Nine English Pounds!!!! Honestly it was a duty to make a pig of myself. Who needs to go to Spain for cheap drink when there is the Costa Del Cumbria. £80:00 kitty all spent up and a few extras to boot, Hic!!! Needless to say I am just waiting for my application to become a full member of the The Railway Club in Workington to arrive. By the way what a great night the end of season bash was and I appreciate we usually end up rattling around the Trades Hall and due to the success the club has experienced this season the evening was a sell out with the venue (which was rather tight to say the least) being packed out however this just added to the night. (plus the cheap drink to boot which was an added bonus)Brilliant!!! If I had one complaint it was the two bottles of wine I won in the raffle being requisitioned by "The Witches of Workington" in a magic act which resulted in the contents of the said bottles disappearing; totally!!! Although I did see some of the wine later in the back of the Taxi on the way home when Worky Worky adorned with a carrier bag hooked by the handles over each ear started shouting for some Scottish bloke called "Hughie" in the bottom of the bag. Doh!!! Last of the big time drinkers eh!!!! Finally for the benefit of Byker Biker and Tsunami, yes I was rather "Thick Headed" the following morning or should I say Thicker Headed than the usual norm but a couple of pints at lunchtime sorted that laal problem out... Yeah.... Regards THJ

The club can always run these meetings after the main meeting, and any fans that want to get away early can leave after the main meeting. This is what used to happen, after the main meeting a few races for juniors or any riders that wanted to test out bikes etc, or the club checking out a new rider.

Only way forward. The same old, same old, league structure with a handful of "the top boys" popping up here there and merrily everywhere in team winning photos is doomed to crumble further. Managed decline continues.

Likely to be able to score about the same as Simon Lambert, even at 59. One good gate in four ( or five ) and Bingo a very similar average. Coax Michael Lee back and you have a good basis for a team at Championship level.

As someone who got addicted to Speedway with the Bulldogs in 77, I fear we will never see or hear the roar of a speedway bike in Bristol again. I have so many fond memories...it's under my skin and I keep logging back into this forum to keep up to date. However...after the demise of the Bulldogs and then following Swindon, Newport and Somerset around the Country...I'm left in despair. I haven't watched one single meeting this past season...either live or on TV. I'm so depressed with how this sport is run. I can't give it my time or effort...it's a complete farce. However...it feels like a son or daughter who has strayed...and you are still thir for them. You can't help the love...but you know deep down it's totally screwed. So sad...yet so simple to resolve. The sooner the old school promoter dies the better...bunch of clowns that only have the interest of their pockets. The sooner Speedway riders realise they aren't like any other Motorsport...the better. Apart from Poland...they are a Garden Shed product...yet they want to portray an F1 type status. It's total bullrubbish...smoke and mirrors. Speedway is followed by Lower working class people with very little disposable income...said with respect...it's run by Promoters that are no better than second hand car salesman, Circus Clowns, found out by TV and sponsorship. It's a total shambles. I just feel for the kid I was at 12yo age....who got addicted and wanted to ride a bike and have fun. And then got a bunch of speedway politics thrown at me. Same for riders....same for public....it's all complete bullrubbish...yet it's totally ingrained in our lives and hard to ignore. Totally punch drunk with the whole affair.

I would guess Peterborough Greyhounds is an absolute gold mine. Well in the millions. They created a perfect business model. Several years ago they moved away from the usual bookmaker / punter flapping track. Built an an amazing glass fronted stadium, with restaurant, bars, excellent viewing in the warm. It is packed out 3 nights a week. Need to get there early if you want a seat - it’s a big stadium. They very often advertise 1p entrance , that includes a beer, a £1 bet, program and scampi / chicken and chips. Then take all your money on the Tote, because you like the dogs name or it’s just had a dump.

Thats terrible This year Ipswich didnt run the 16 Lapper which was due as part of the season ticket A pro rata refund cheque was sent within a couple of weeks of the confirmation the season was finished with a letter apologising for the meeting not happening and thanking the fan for their valuable support

LionsMan66- Plans are well advanced for 2019 just need the official confirmation from AGM on League structure and limits then final bits of jigsaw can be finished. One of the first priorities will be confirming the clubs number 1 and they can then build around that

team manager? Dale to Peterborough?

As Premiership looks doomed with only a handful wishing to stay on board the sinking ship, it looks like a Championship level league of 18 clubs and a CL limit at 42.5 should be about right with the amount of NL riders required. If it is one league, the tracks coming in from the Premiership would be cutting back but as doubling up will be out the window, some riders will be moving on at most tracks. Glasgow I think will want Cook to lead them and think Tungate may be moved out. Now lies the question, which averages do they use. Dan Bewley for example had a PL average of 7.23 which converted is 9.23 but he has a CL average of just 6.79 which is obviously lower than his real ability possibly due to bonus points not being included in a tight team. Dan Bewley, Steve Worrall, Jye Etheridge, Kyle Bickley (protected number seven NL reserve) and maybe Max Fricke as their number one should form the backbone of a decent team.

With respect, I struggle to see what good - for the rider and the team - having Kyle Bickley in a Premiership team would be. He has failed to reach his 2 point Championship starting average and really needs to substantially exceed that before moving up. I’m not knocking him in any way - in my view, he arrived with too much hype and needs to gain more experience, and points, before thinking about moving up. The bravest thing for him to do would be to say no to the top league until he has become a Championship top scorer.

Yes so long as have different promoters

The answer isn't scrapping the playoffs it's ensuring teams get their fixtures scheduled and run well before the cut off date, which should be the end of August, and if they don't there should be serious consequences.

So, is it to be mixed gender toilets for Beaumont Park?

Well done the "Save Coventry Speedway" group. It will be a major achievement to turn over "Big Business" and there is still a long way to go, but if anyone can do it, then this group can. I wish them every success - and I really hope that Coventry supporters who have vowed not to support their team at Leicester, will think again.