motospeedway-espana Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Dear All As of lunchtime today we have just been dropped the bombshell from our local town hall that the Mayor has revoked our permission to open on the 19th May 2007. We have been informed that due to the fact that the local Mayoral elections take place 4 days after our opening meeting, the Mayor has been advised to revoke our permission on the grounds that should there be any problems or such like this could have a negative reflection on him. We are lost for words at this decision and we are so sorry to have to break this news so close to the meeting date but we have only just been told this news ourselves and this situation is completely out of our control. As many of you are aware, we have had to contend with Spanish red tape for the past two and a half years and just when we were told we had cleared it all, this its what happens. This opening meeting was our lifeline is getting the project back on schedule and now again the future of our track is hanging in the balance. We are so sorry for all the inconvenience that this will cause to everyone that has booked to attend the meeting, we can't put into words how devasted we are at what has happened today. Regards Russ and Claire Motospeedway-Espana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Dear All As of lunchtime today we have just been dropped the bombshell from our local town hall that the Mayor has revoked our permission to open on the 19th May 2007. We have been informed that due to the fact that the local Mayoral elections take place 4 days after our opening meeting, the Mayor has been advised to revoke our permission on the grounds that should there be any problems or such like this could have a negative reflection on him. We are lost for words at this decision and we are so sorry to have to break this news so close to the meeting date but we have only just been told this news ourselves and this situation is completely out of our control. As many of you are aware, we have had to contend with Spanish red tape for the past two and a half years and just when we were told we had cleared it all, this its what happens. This opening meeting was our lifeline is getting the project back on schedule and now again the future of our track is hanging in the balance. We are so sorry for all the inconvenience that this will cause to everyone that has booked to attend the meeting, we can't put into words how devasted we are at what has happened today. Regards Russ and Claire Motospeedway-Espana <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Russ: This really is awful news and I know you've had more than your fair share of knock-backs like this... The boy Ribbons has told me about all your hard work setting up the track; and I read with great interest in particular about the opening event and with Ove Fundin & Split Waterman going to be there, I was really jealous that I was going to be in sunny Sittingbourne rather than sweltering Spain that weekend. All of us at Sittingbourne wish you all the very best for your track and I'm sure despite this hic-cup things will be up and running soon. And to think we complain about our elected Councillours and Planning Officers in this country..!? All the best, Derek Barclay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Words absolutely & utterly fail me, they really do! Knowing just how much of your lives of late both you (Russ) and Claire have devoted to this exciting prospect I know it goes without saying that you must be absolutely devastated by this bombshell especially given the proximity to the scheduled opening date. My own personal thoughts, and those of the entire British Speedway family I'm sure, are with you two at this time. Bryn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sward Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 This is unbelievable, what else can they throw at you? I know it's been said a million times but keep plugging away guys, everyone is 100% behind you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sjl Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Sorry to hear this have been following your progress. Please keep us all updated Im hoping to make the trip out in the not too distant future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbieoldboy Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Hope the Mayor looses the Bl**dy election Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 I was thinking exactly the same as you there about th elections. Keep on plugging Russ and Claire, you've stuck it out this long surely the tide will turn for you soon. Best Wishes Shazzybird x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sjl Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Hope the Mayor looses the Bl**dy election <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This rarely happens! I was out in Spain in 2004 and had an existing plot converted into a bar which is on a minute scale compared to the new speedway track further along the coast but the red tape involved and attitudes from some of the Spanish beggared belief. However with determination and a thick skin it can be done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat Posted May 12, 2007 Report Share Posted May 12, 2007 I don't believe it. Must all be good news from now on. All the very best for future meetings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bavarian Posted May 12, 2007 Report Share Posted May 12, 2007 Reading it, I can hardly believe it. Surely You guys must have had some kind of agreement to got as far as announce and promote this opening meeting. Now when the authorities refuse permission at such a late stage, and with such an obscure reason given, they should be held reponsible to make a financial compensation to cover Your already spent money. Surely if they had originally given You the go-ahead, they should ! (Of course, this may cause bad blood and only harm any hopes that You can get Your track going in the future) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 (edited) This rarely happens! I was out in Spain in 2004 and had an existing plot converted into a bar which is on a minute scale compared to the new speedway track further along the coast but the red tape involved and attitudes from some of the Spanish beggared belief. However with determination and a thick skin it can be done <{POST_SNAPBACK}> How dare the Spanish object to something they may not like in their own country! Seriously, this is not the first time that efforts to establish speedway in Spain have faltered. Both in the 1930s and in post-1945 years. Even Wally Mawdsley could not get it established in Madrid in the 1980s. How can Russell Paine's venture at an outpost on the coast, despite efforts to make a go of things, expect to suceed? Local Spanish beauracrcay takes a lot to contend with. And there is, of course, the dreaded 'land grab' law in some parts where councils can decide they want some of the land you own for building purposes. Local councils can also put in high costs for the work needed to keep the infrastructure of nearby roads to a good standard. And if you really upset the local administration....well Edited May 13, 2007 by speedyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagonshocker Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 (edited) How dare the Spanish object to something they may not like in their own country! Seriously, this is not the first time that efforts to establish speedway in Spain have faltered. Both in the 1930s and in post-1945 years. Even Wally Mawdsley could not get it established in Madrid in the 1980s. How can Russell Paine's venture at an outpost on the coast, despite efforts to make a go of things, expect to suceed? Local Spanish beauracrcay takes a lot to contend with. And there is, of course, the dreaded 'land grab' law in some parts where councils can decide they want some of the land you own for building purposes. Local councils can also put in high costs for the work needed to keep the infrastructure of nearby roads to a good standard. And if you really upset the local administration....well <{POST_SNAPBACK}> wow nothing like a post to boost to russ and claire eh?! Edited May 15, 2007 by hagonshocker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolves_2005 Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 (edited) wow nothing like a post to boost to russ and claire eh?! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Truth Hurts huh? Don't say too much though, I have got flights and a car booked for this weekend's meeting, despite lots of people telling me not to bother as it won't happen anyway. Ah Well, what £550 for a weekend in spain for 2 Edited May 16, 2007 by wolves_2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 At least you'll hopefully get to go and see the track first hand and can come back and give a spectators point of view across as to what it looks like. Enjoy your weekend anyway, I'm sure Russell and Claire will be pleased to see you made the trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolves_2005 Posted May 20, 2007 Report Share Posted May 20, 2007 What can I say then, well, not a lot really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted May 21, 2007 Report Share Posted May 21, 2007 Well try ....... just a little bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acef Posted May 21, 2007 Report Share Posted May 21, 2007 Well, I lived out in Spain for about 4 years and, believe me, its darn difficult to get through the red tape over there. Some of the regulations they have are beyond words. Ive been following your progress for some time russ and I very nearly came up to the track about a year ago just before I left, I only lived along the coast in Malaga. Ive been on your website many times and it looks like a great venture, but also a very difficult one. Speedway in Spain is more or less unheard of and trying to swing around the local public will never be easy, but keep going, Im sure everyone over here is 100% behind you. All the best, guys. Acef. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maneacat Posted May 22, 2007 Report Share Posted May 22, 2007 for anyone interested this is currently being featured on BBC2's "Living in the sun" until 3pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Star Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 for anyone interested this is currently being featured on BBC2's "Living in the sun" until 3pm. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I watched the programme yesterday and it gave an interesting insight into all the hurdles Russ and Claire face - and that was even before the latest setback! It seems like a huge financial gamble trying to establish a new speedway venture in a country like Spain but I hope it pays off eventually. On a personal note it was nice to see a few shots of Russ riding around the Norfolk Arena. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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