FromBendThree

No. Been gone a few years now.

Anyone seen a statement from stadium owners as to why speedway is persona non grata? Read elsewhere that stocks/bangers will continue. Guess the logical thing now is to tarmac speedway track. So where in Sussex for speedway? Eastbourne - no chance. East Grinstead, Crawley, Gatwick would be perfect with a Sussex, Surrey, Kent, south London and south Essex would be perfect,

Still owned by Dugards. Eric not as keen as Bob was and I had that from Bob himself

That’s it then.All over for speedway at Arlington, according to consortium hoping to revive Eagles. Stadium not available for speedway. Hunt begins for new venue. As I’ve said before, look at banger track near Gatwick off A23. Statement on Facebook

Absolutely

Championship had RS for one year but said early on they would not repeat - and they didn’t. Now a bigger gap is emerging between PL and CL, it would be a good idea to revisit the idea for CL. Not sure the glamour, trophy hunting teams would wish to see this but it’s a good way for CL to get something of a grip on costs and encourage homegrown talents

Guess so. It doesn’t have a roof.

Didn’t see that coming, great decision by PL. feels like a chasm opening up between Premiership and Championship. The CL looks and feels very much like Div 2. I know why Poole run in CL but surely their fans must be wishing they were in top league now.

Seems like a big ask for the Eagles. In truth there is not that much time to be ready for 2024. It seems these days that promoters make all the big decisions in August and that the AGM just rubber stamps things in November. On that basis the consortium have seven months. One can only wish them the best of luck and that someone will come along with enough money to make the project viable. The money needed seems to be beyond the scope of that which can be raised by fans. Of course, getting speedway going in 2024 is only half the battle. The fight then will be to get a constant level of support and to be able to run profitably, at least sufficient to ensure they can go to tapes in the following season. That would be a realistic prospect in the NDL but that's off the table. I can but guess but I suspect it is a long time since the Eagles made a profit when running in the top two divisions. Bob always said speedway was his hobby and that's why he filled the gap between revenue and costs. And we know what happened with the last effort in the second tier. Good luck Eagles consortium.

Says on FB a statement will be issued.

No. Too long a haul for me. Would go often to watch racing but not worth it for a forum, although I can see why people nearer at hand would go and enjoy, which from what I have read onFB they did.

Wasn’t lunch but breakfast….Jeremy Doncaster in Amsterdam

Sad to think in the period 2020-2023 that there will have been only around ten matches at Arlington. Ten matches in four seasons… unless the consortium can pull off a miracle and do some open meetings in the coming summer. Forum for fans this Sunday but mood music on Facebook is not good, although a hard core of fans remains enthusiastic. You have to wonder whether Eastbourne should rebrand as Crawley and find a new site near Gatwick. Huge population in 45 mins drive. South of England show ground at Ardingly?

Love to see your list when you have time

I was told Eastbourne crowd was down by more than 100 when they ran against GP on the tele. Also meant teams visited without top rider. All academic now as all the signs are pointing towards no more speedway at Arlington.

Promoters in those days realised they were in entertainment business. Well remember Cyril Crane pantomimes with refs. Storming up to the box, the crowd roaring as they watched Cyril jumping up and down and wagging finger while talking to ref. Pure entertainment. Cyril was never fined but then he never swore at ref while he asked the ref if he wanted sugar with his tea and would he like a bar of choccy. Of course, we on terraces could only see Cyril and not hear him. If only we had known

Made for entertaining finals - riders shared prize money equally

Not surprised. Like so many stadiums. When I worked in Wisbech there was huge shock when a child (?) died after a wheel went into the crowd

Used to work in Wisbech. Does it still operate?

Obviously have a big set up. I did not know who ran cars at places you have listed. Thanks for the update.

So same cOmpany that runs the cars at Eastbourne.

Thanks

What’s the problem at Mildenhall?

It is not solely a speedway issue. There are thousands of examples of businesses closing every year and those that run them walking away from their debts and responsibilities.

If Lakeside were to come back, it would be an entirely different company which has no responsibility whatsoever for the debts of the previous company which ran Lakeside. That’s how company law works in UK. In other words, the scenario is not a speedway issue but one that sadly many UK workers have faced and will face. UK workers see firms taken over without the new owner taking over pension funds. They are shafted just as riders have been. Laws need to change.