Ray Stadia

I imagine it's the same for many speedway operations, but the Oxford situation does highlight the fragility of speedway, which in reality, we have probably known for several years, decades even, as, since year dot, speedway tracks have come and gone.

That is good news, 6 years remaining. But will that mean, if the dogs go, the speedway set up will have to cover the whole rent? 🙁

It is still a fact the live streaming company, SIS, has pulled out of both venues. What overall affect that will have on the greyhound operations at both venues, will eventually bubble to the surface.

The problems for Oxford, unless I'm misunderstanding things, seems to be the removal of the greyhounds from the stadium, which has happened at Mildenhall as well. Therefore, Oxford stadium has lost an income stream, which maybe, the speedway side of the total business, is unable to make good. Mildenhall has a strong bangers and stock car part of the total business, so is likely and hopefully, unaffected. I presume the stadium owners are still the venture capital company, who were the problem with running speedway at the stadium a number of years ago. Let's hope this doesn't give them the excuse they are looking for, if I'm right in my thinking. 😳

The Sweet's, 'Fox on the Run' will surely be their signature tune! 🤔

And growing by the day! 🙄 But.......that's another discussion! 😉

If it was in Northampton, both stocks and speedway wouldn't happen, or at least, would be constantly under threat from development. Mind you, my last point didnt help Arena Essex. 😔

Hi TWK. There is a lot of nostalgia speedway stuff on Facebook. There are many forums you can join. From a personal point of view, I find them a bit depressing, as it lets you know what we have lost over the years. 😔

I remember when Newport reopened after being closed for several years, the initial attendance was very good, but it did tail off, I believe, for which Tim was blamed. It was said he managed to pee off the fans somehow and he was running out of funds. Let's hope the promoter(s) do a great local/national marketing job and keep it up! 🤞

As they say, 'between a rock and a hard place'. 🙁

Just a thought, I wonder if he thinks Studley has more of a chance, than keeping the Abbey stadium, so, he maybe hoping if he sides with Studley, Swindon speedway has a better chance of returning? (devil's advocate).

You could say that.....both are a load of balls! 🙄

Regarding Northampton's possible fan base, you may get some banger/stocks fans attending? Much of it will be down to the efforts by the promotion.

Speedway has been a car crash forever, but for the last 10 years, it's been a multiple car crash!

I've been confused and lost with the in's and out's of the Russells, but at the end of the day, RIP Mr T Russell.