Ray Stadia

Assuming Radio Oxford are still in operation, I hope they are giving the same support for the new venture!

That is true, but with social media, people have to be looking for speedway to see what is going on in speedway. Unless you mean advertising on something like Facebook, which then costs a lot of money and would be national, perhaps international. A local track should, in my opinion, keep it simple (their track advertising) and make it something that people can see for real and not over the net. I live in Ipswich and I hear nothing locally about the Witches. Very occasionally a tiny snipet on local radio.

I can't see forcing every promoter, to stump up £20,000.00 (might have to be every year), will be music to the ears of promoters, who are likely losing money each season anyway. Marketing, I believe, with a bit of thought, can be achieved without huge expense. For a start, the riders should be prepared to market themselves during the season and without receiving a fee!, i.e. high streets, shopping malls. Make better use of local press, local radio stations, including the internet radio stations. Make use of fans to assist with marketing, such as, bring a friend/family member along for free. Have a track pick-up van with an advert attached to it, with perhaps a bike also on the van, driving around the locality a few days before each meeting. Just ideas!

Maybe we need some R&R, R&R and visit the Beaufort Arms pub!

He said it's the only pub in Hawkesbury Upton (near Tetbury), The Beaufort Arms? Interestingly, a speedway rider, Simon Walker, is from Hawkesbury Upton!

Where is Gustix when you need him?

I will ask the person on Facebook, the name of the pub.

Well, Bristol and Swindon did in the more modern era, but I'm not sure about when the photo was taken.

Somebody on Facebook is asking whether anyone can identify the riders and track in the attached photograph. The photo is hanging on a pub wall in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. The nearest tracks, looking on a map, seem to be Swindon and Bristol.

In fairness, we all knew Peter's comments, but decent inner town/city, new stadiums are not going to happen, in this over populated, demand for housing country we live in. I have said it before, a 'track in a field' is more likely the future for speedway's survival, along with the sport being more amateurish, although and perhaps, many fans feel the sport is amateurish now.

Maybe a few free pints for the promoter!

That isn't good, but why didn't the promoter sort it? Even if he/she had to dip into their own pocket?

Personally, I don't think it matters whether a promoter owns or rents a stadium. If the promotion is a success, the stadium owner will be happy to co-operate with updating facilities, so long as the promoter is able to assist with the costs, which he/she would be prepared to, if the crowds were good. Even when speedway has had promoters who own stadiums, things haven't always worked out, for one reason or another, Cradley, Coventry, Arena Essex (successful stock cars), Weymouth, Newport, possibly Stoke?, possibly Somerset?. The Duggan family own Eastbourne, but that doesn't seem to be helping speedway to run there.

Credibility, I'm not sure what that means in speedway? The races, surely, aren't rigged? I know there are team member issues, i.e. the over use of guests, is that what you mean?

I have often thought speedway's problem is admission prices, but I have just looked at Sothend United (National League) and it is about the same as speedway admission prices. Southend used to be a regular division 3 team, but have slipped over the years. The facilities in the stadium are not great and it's a tired stadium these days. Not helpful, I know, but I don't know what speedway needs to do to get 'bums on seats'. Southend get around 5,000 fans.

You might want to send a PM to the member, 'White Knight'.

Braai, I believe, is a BBQ! I'm not sure the wokes in the UK would let the advert get away with 'maybe the ladies can bring a salad & a camp chair'!

I think Denzil Kent is their most recent prominent riders. I believe he was quite a character!

Following your posting (1 valve), carrying out a bit of research myself, it seems to relate to overseas entities and as Brandon Estates is Jersey based, beneficial owners are important for money laundering purposes and probably HMRC as well. I would say John Downer simply owns 25%, which is significant, but I would say he doesn't control the company. Being an offshore enity, I'm sure it makes Brandon Estates more of a tangled web!

I think the Companies House listing, says John Downer is a 25% beneficial owner (not sure what beneficial owner is, unless it's another term for shareholder), so I wonder who the remaining 75% are?

Looks like it, both born October 1967!

I think you are right, it looks like I have mis-interpreted an article. I found the following: https://companycheck.co.uk/company/00320157/MIDLAND-SPORTS-STADIUMS-LIMITED/companies-house-data#google_vignette

That's the stadium, that was! Would have made a great speedway track, in my opinion.

There is an article dated 2nd May, 2018, which does suggest Avtar Sandhu sold the land to Brandon Estates. I don't think he is still involved. Although I mentioned the Ochiltrees in an earlier post, looking at the background of the stadium's ownership, I think the family were promoters only, not owners. I'm sure I will be corrected if that's wrong.

Certainly a different appearance, compared to when the Ochiltrees handed the stadium over to Sandu! Nuff said!