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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.

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.

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!

Please please not the Peterborough Stars. I could never join in the S,T,A,R,S, chant

Is that to you or by you ?

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

We gone over this before .last year they brought in a rule of fixed race nights to help stop guests etc ..what did the fans say to that ? well they moaned that they wanted there race nights back ... Swindon etc had the best year in many years for keeping there 1 to 7 intact last year ,but did it help the crowds ? not at all ...Speedway biggest problem is that the standard of rider has dropped, sadly even thou that is quite clear most on here what to lower that Standard even more thinking that 7 crap riders who turn up every week will bring the crowds in

Buster Chapman

I went to a couple of American Football games at Wembley back in the eighties and I have to confess that all the activity off the field bored me and the whole thing went on for what seemed like hours...considering a game is in four quarters each of 15 minutes duration! Personally I don't want to be 'entertained' by fire eaters, jugglers you name it whilst there is a gap in play so that adverts can be accomodated on the TV. Meetings at Cowley during the days of second halves would commnence at 7-45 and end at ten on most occasions...however day time meetings were sometimes another matter but like the sadly missed 'Wiggy' I always prefered watching racing at night under lights.

Yes it was noticeable that during my last ten years or so attending speedway that the people I knew around me on the third bend at Cowley began to diminish during that time to the extent that very few of us remained...and apparently the situation has only got worse around the tracks judging by the many comments on the forum. I'm just glad that I went during the seventies and eighties when crowds were still appreciable although Oxford did attract relatively good crowds right up until I ceased to go (early 2000's) due to relocation. Just glad that my Dad was not around to see the collapse of speedway, and at Cowley in particular, having first gone back in 1949.

Those nights rarely exist these days! Freezing cold October nights, nah haven't experienced one of those lately! And if you have, what a successful year your club has had yayyyy!

Neither do I, but !!!!!!! Second half is free if you want it.

Agree...those that don't wish to stay on after the main event can please themselves. I used to enjoy second halves...certainly during Oxford's tie up with sister clubs Eastbourne and Peterborough. Also when 'The Cheetahs' competeted in the National League it was interesting watching untried new talent. Night out at the speedway was what I enjoyed and a chance to meet up with mates and have a good chat. As long as the whole thing was wrapped up by ten.

Resignation letter from anything to do with Speedway

Recovered and waiting for the next do Witches owned the dancefloor... and all of the wine that was won Ps I’m sure it’s just £2 a pint in Top Tap Maryport

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

Looking at this post, it would be understandable if would be promoters just gave up, knowing their audience was ungrateful supporters. Of course they care for supporters and the advancement of the sport, otherwise we wouldn’t have had Redcar, Leicester or the NSS. Various people have tried to get a site for Bristol, as they have for Cradley and other places. Each attempt costs time, energy and money. They don’t give up because they don’t care about supporters but because there are too many hurdles. In future, someone thinking about Bristol may well look at your post and think all supporters are like you, ungrateful of their efforts, and query why they are bothering.

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.

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.

Is Buster taking Peterborough on as well ?

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

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.

I thought I'd watch this on catch-up after seeing this here. Good luck to Blair. I hope he gets himself sorted out in the rehab that they sent him to. I wonder if this is one of those cases of someone involved in sport desperate to regain the adrenaline rush that they have lost after finishing their careers. I felt very sad for him watching this. He wasn't your typical "Jeremy Kyle" type guest who comes on screaming and shouting, and his family were clearly a bit embarrassed to have to resort to putting him on the show. He looked emotional throughout and seemed to genuinely want help. No way did he come across as a "scum bag". I think he is lucky in that his family clearly care about him. I hope they do some sort of catch-up programme in the future and he is doing well.

As you no doubt already know, yes I was. I opened up Newcastle in 1997, after investing in it in 1994, only to be told the owner didn't want speedway again at his stadium. His accountant had different ideas and bought it off him, and got in touch with our group to invite us back in. Third in our first season, we went on to sign a young Nicki Pedersen followed by Bjarne Pedersen and Kenneth Bjerre and won the PL title in 2001, and runners up on equal points in 2002. I gave my major share in the club away for free in 2003, and retired from promoting, but continued to work with the promotion and established my own free training school(10 years on now) restarting the Gems team which last season produced the NJL 500cc and 125/150 champions and the 2018 BYC 150cc champion. All riders in the current Gems team had never ridden a speedway bike before riding in the training school, so I run the only home bred team in speedway. What part of my failures do you want to concentrate on while your head is a bit fuzzy ?

Went and watched this on catch up after seeing this topic. I remember Blair riding. I genuinely hope he does succeed but I’ll save my sympathy just now for his family. His dad especially. He came across as a lovely man who was broken by what Blair has become. He was given all the advantages in life from what was said on the programme. I just hope he (Blair) will be able to see soon just what he has away from drugs and that it’s enough to make him overcome his demons

I agree. Simply state in the rules that the cut off date is the 31st August for the play off and the league positions at that date stand irrespective of the number of fixtures completed/still to complete. Start the season in April and clubs have five months to complete one home and one away league meeting. Outside those league meetings you can have regional cup (North/South preliminaries and the top of each division meet in a final October to crown regional champions). Those who do not qualify for league play off are put into a shoot out cup meeting. One meeting no home and away. Any team that has a eight point advantage is handicapped in the next race with the highest scoring participant going off 15 metres. It is simply a knockout and the winner goes to the next round and the losers lick their wounds. No second chance. I digress with the above knowing that no one listens but so many on this forum have come up with so many good ideas to make the sport more entertaining with ways to attract new punters etc. yet the collective powers that be think they know what the customer wants. How wrong they are and if by leaving things as they are with no radical changes you believe it’s OK, check your gate receipts next season and let everyone know the percentage fall year on year. With that fall what will you do? Rather than make the product more attractive, you will probably try and reduce the number of meetings further to match the drop in income. No wonder some are on the brink of closure. The BSPA do not deserve the free pool of ideas that are put forward by loyal supporters on here whose loyalty is being tested to breaking point.

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