Mildenhall - Who Decides Who The New Promoter Is?

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

 

While they do pull 10 times the speedway attendances, banger meetings are still held on alternate weekends as Dave Coventry promotes at Dover every fortnight as well as at Mildenhall.

 

 

Could be wrong but didn't we hear earlier in the year that the Dover track was closing...?

 

Wasn't criticising the concrete blocks (I work with many concrete blocks so how could I...!!! ) but was a little surprised that someone would go to all that effort moving these in and out of position just to prevent cars curtting across the centre green..!

[2ndbendpostie]

Not so sure on that one, postie.

 

While they do pull 10 times the speedway attendances, banger meetings are still held on alternate weekends as Dave Coventry promotes at Dover every fortnight as well as at Mildenhall.

 

With speedway running on the off Saturday for bangers, it means he gets rent and food takings every week so it makes financial sense for him to have speedway there. It just comes down to a compromise between what he wants and what a speedway promotion would be prepared to pay.

 

I got told he accepted a rent of £800pw last year, only for the bid to fail because of the court action. Having had dealings with him, with only one exception I have found him to a be a reasonable and pragmatic man who says it how he sees it.

 

I don't rule out Dave being named as promoter himself with volunteers running it on match days.

 

I am very optimistic that speedway will not only return, but that it may stay for seasons to come.

 

 

Not quite so tiger !

 

Dover fixtures for 2011 as on the RDC website are as follows

Dover Raceway

Sunday April 3 1pm National Bangers British and Masters QF, Bangerstox Masters QF, Super Rods Masters QF and Ministox Kent QF

Monday April 25 1pm National Bangers British and Masters QF, Bangerstox Masters QF, Super Rods Masters QF and Reliant Robins World QF

Monday May 2 1pm Big Van Bangers, Bangerstox, Super Rods and Ministox Kent QF

Monday May 30 1pm Rookie Banger Crazy Day inc caravan race and DD, Bangerstox Southern Championship and Super Rods Kent Championship

Sunday June 26 1pm Unlimited Bangers Kent Championship, Bangerstox, Super Rods and Ministox Kent Championship

Sunday July 24 1pm National Bangers Kent Team Championship, Bangerstox Kent Championship and Super Rods Southern Championship

Monday August 29 1pm National Bangers Masters QF and rollover, Bangerstox Masters QF, Super Rods Masters QF and Reliant Robins Masters Championship

Sunday September 24 1pm National Bangers Masters Championship and Trophy Winners Dash, Bangerstox Masters Championship and Super Rods Masters Championship

 

hardly alternate weekends, whilst at Mildenhall, fixtures planned for 2011 don't have many Sundays which is good news, but there are 3 Saturday night meetings planned in each of May,July and August, which given the problems Sat night stocks before Sunday speedway has caused in the past is maybe not such good news. However I hope your optimism triumphs over my pessimistic realism. Maybe I've been reading the EL threads too much recently which have caused this depression.

[Halifaxtiger]

Not quite so tiger !

 

 

hardly alternate weekends, whilst at Mildenhall, fixtures planned for 2011 don't have many Sundays which is good news, but there are 3 Saturday night meetings planned in each of May,July and August, which given the problems Sat night stocks before Sunday speedway has caused in the past is maybe not such good news. However I hope your optimism triumphs over my pessimistic realism. Maybe I've been reading the EL threads too much recently which have caused this depression.

 

To be honest I didn't check his website - I just based it on my experiences of being there early on Sunday morning.

 

I really do believe (and always try to be realistic rather than optimistic or pessimistic) that it is Dave's interests to have speedway at West Row but it comes down to how much he is prepared to accept in rent before it no longer becomes in his interests, if you see what I mean. I thought £1,200 was excessive and sustainable for a club that does not often pull in 500 fans.

 

One thing, though. Dave has made a lot of favourable noises regarding the speedway and he has never struck me as someone who is likely to give anyone a pile of crap with the intention of doing precisely the opposite.

[PhilK]

I wonder if the events of the last fews days may result in another party showing interest in running speedway out of Mildenhall Stadium, Peterborough ?

 

There has been rumours of their interest in previous seasons.

[neil3065]

I wonder if the events of the last fews days may result in another party showing interest in running speedway out of Mildenhall Stadium, Peterborough ?

 

There has been rumours of their interest in previous seasons.

 

An interesting point, mate. It wouldnt be the biggest surprise were that to happen. Stranger things (like Peterborough and Cov apparently being without a league to ride in) have certainly happened.

 

However - I can't help thinking that the very fact that Mildenhall Stadium's future wont be resolved until January at the earliest would make the most likely option, were Mildenhall to run in 2011, be with Dave Coventry as promoter, possibly installing a manager to oversee club matters.

Edited December 2, 2010 by neil3065

[NeilWatson]

An interesting point, mate. It wouldnt be the biggest surprise were that to happen. Stranger things (like Peterborough and Cov apparently being without a league to ride in) have certainly happened.

 

However - I can't help thinking that the very fact that Mildenhall Stadium's future wont be resolved until January at the earliest would make the most likely option, were Mildenhall to run in 2011, be with Dave Coventry as promoter, possibly installing a manager to oversee the day to day running of the club.

 

I can't see how that would benefit Peterborough, it's not a racetrack that they haven't got (as far as we know) it's just a league place!

[neil3065]

I can't see how that would benefit Peterborough, it's not a racetrack that they haven't got (as far as we know) it's just a league place!

 

I think Phil was just thinking aloud about one eventuality, which isnt to say whether or not it is particularly likely.

 

Personally, I'd like to see Peterborough continue at the Showground (even if that is in the NL for 2011). Peterborough is one of the best race tracks around and were a Peterborough team not able to find a place in any league for 2011, then the racing that can be produced there would be a big loss to the sport. I'm sure that those associated with Peterborough will be looking to ensure that the club does run at the Showground in 2011 at whichever level possible.

 

Mildenhall, of course, would appear to have the opposite problem to Peterborough - in that there is a place in its chosen league (NL) for the club if it is able to run, but the future of the stadium is the biggest question mark hanging over it - before any deal with any prospective promoter can even be considered.

 

Hopefully, positive outcomes will be reached in terms of both club's futures and they will be able to take to the track in 2011.

Edited December 2, 2010 by neil3065

[FenTiger666]

An interesting point, mate. It wouldnt be the biggest surprise were that to happen. Stranger things (like Peterborough and Cov apparently being without a league to ride in) have certainly happened.

 

However - I can't help thinking that the very fact that Mildenhall Stadium's future wont be resolved until January at the earliest would make the most likely option, were Mildenhall to run in 2011, be with Dave Coventry as promoter, possibly installing a manager to oversee club matters.

 

You cannot run a professional speedway club, even in the NL, if you wait until January to decide what you are doing.

 

Dave Coventry has been in the press over the last couple of weeks talking about how the next promotion will need to be very professional and I completely agree but waiting until all your competition have spoken to the best riders before you even start is not professional.

 

Also with the club closing mid season, there is a MAJOR piece, of promotion that needs to take place with the local community, in fact it should have started already. If any new promotion think they can pick up the riders that other teams dont want, and start promoting in February they are going to be in for one heck of a shock.

 

And the stadiums future is a smokescreen if they use it for any of the above, Dave Coventry has already said the result is certain, and the person who brought it has left the area anyway.

 

Mildenhall needs to be run by businessmen as a business, not by ex riders who think they can run a club with no business experience.

 

Finally I dont see Peterborough moving, as Neil Watson says, they have a track already.

[SimonB]

If as you say Mildenhall needs to be run as a business by businessmen then the first thing they would say is that it is pointless investing money while such uncertainty exists over the future of the stadium.

 

Just off the top of my head they would have the price of the licence, signing on fees to any riders given a team place, loan fees to the promoters that own those riders, advertising costs maybe to be incurred before they would know if the team could even race. Unfortunately I think whoever takes over will have to hit the ground running!

[SimonB]

I can't see how that would benefit Peterborough, it's not a racetrack that they haven't got (as far as we know) it's just a league place!

On the other hand I can see the benefit to some of the people that run Peterborough if their is otherwise no involvement with the sport. Although of course I hope Peterborough run

[neil3065]

You cannot run a professional speedway club, even in the NL, if you wait until January to decide what you are doing.

 

Dave Coventry has been in the press over the last couple of weeks talking about how the next promotion will need to be very professional and I completely agree but waiting until all your competition have spoken to the best riders before you even start is not professional.

 

Also with the club closing mid season, there is a MAJOR piece, of promotion that needs to take place with the local community, in fact it should have started already. If any new promotion think they can pick up the riders that other teams dont want, and start promoting in February they are going to be in for one heck of a shock.

 

And the stadiums future is a smokescreen if they use it for any of the above, Dave Coventry has already said the result is certain, and the person who brought it has left the area anyway.

 

Mildenhall needs to be run by businessmen as a business, not by ex riders who think they can run a club with no business experience.

 

Finally I dont see Peterborough moving, as Neil Watson says, they have a track already.

 

Interesting post.

 

Of course, ideally, no promotion would wait until January before confirming plans for running a club etc. Ideally, you would have plans to promote and some riders, if not a complete team, signed before Christmas.

 

However, in the context of the court case relating to the future of the stadium - in this instance I dont think anyone interested in running Mildenhall in 2011 would have any choice in the matter. Until the case is resolved, I dont see how anyone can make any firm plans with regards running Speedway at West Row in 2011. Any businessman with any interest in running the club could not do so without knowing what the future of the venue was.

 

In terms of the outcome of the case - until it comes to court, and a ruling is made, it would be very unwise to pre-empt that in any way and I'm sure all involved are very well aware of that.

 

Whether any prospective future promoter should have previous business or Speedway experience is an interesting question. I would certainly say that anyone taking over would be wise to ensure that they or their management team encompasses previous experience in both areas.

 

If the case regarding the future of the stadium has a positive outcome and is able to continue, then in terms of the Speedway, its worth remembering, for 2011 at least, that any Speedway at West Row, even in less than ideal circumstances regarding timescales, would be infinitely better than no Speedway at all.

 

If the club's longer term future beyond 2011 can be assured, then obviously, there would be scope for expecting arrangements to be sorted earlier in the winter.

Edited December 2, 2010 by neil3065

[2ndbendpostie]

Thinking out loud and not even sure if I agree with this idea myself but here goes anyway, Peterborough have a track, Mildenhall have a league place, why don't Mildenhall ride at Peterborough ?, That would give any new promoter, a couple of extra months to sort out things rather than waiting for a court decision on West Row. It would ensure continued speedway at what in my opinion is the best track in the country, then next year, assuming the court case goes well and Peterborough speedway sort out there problems, then both clubs could revert back to their respective homes.

 

As I said this is me thinking out loud, and I am sure there's a 1001 reasons why this is not sensible, but at present I can't actually think of a reason why not.

[suzuki star 882]

 

And the stadiums future is a smokescreen if they use it for any of the above, Dave Coventry has already said the result is certain, and the person who brought it has left the area anyway.

 

 

I presume you mean the resident who keeps complaining. Is it definite they have moved ? and if so why the need for a court case anymore ?

[gibralta]

You cannot run a professional speedway club, even in the NL, if you wait until January to decide what you are doing.

 

Dave Coventry has been in the press over the last couple of weeks talking about how the next promotion will need to be very professional and I completely agree but waiting until all your competition have spoken to the best riders before you even start is not professional.

 

Also with the club closing mid season, there is a MAJOR piece, of promotion that needs to take place with the local community, in fact it should have started already. If any new promotion think they can pick up the riders that other teams dont want, and start promoting in February they are going to be in for one heck of a shock.

 

And the stadiums future is a smokescreen if they use it for any of the above, Dave Coventry has already said the result is certain, and the person who brought it has left the area anyway.

 

Mildenhall needs to be run by businessmen as a business, not by ex riders who think they can run a club with no business experience.

 

Finally I dont see Peterborough moving, as Neil Watson says, they have a track already.

Now here's someone who knows what they're talking about - absolutely spot on. And could justifiably be termed as professional.

[aazzAAZZ0099]

Although it looks like there may be some positive news about Mildenhall I am concerned that it looks like the BSPA have left the decision on who the new promotion may be to Dave Coventry who is a stock car promoter and has no background in speedway !!

 

I thought proposals went to the BSPA (who now own the Mildenhall licence) and they would decide who was "fit and proper" to own the licence to run the Fen Tigers. Then, like other clubs, those people would talk to Mr Coventry, who owns the stadium about rent etc.

 

It seems that in this case, its the other way round and Mr Coventry is deciding who will promote at Mildenhall.

 

That cannot be right surely ?!?

 

One of my major concerns on this is that of self interest. Mr Coventry has stated that he thinks that £1200 rent is acceptable. Well it would be for him but no speedway promotion would pay that in this climate. Just look at the announcement of the rent reduction at Workington.

 

The BSPA seem to be leaving the decision on who will promote at Mildenhall to a man whose only interest is getting the highest rent possible.

 

Finally just to say, this is not a dig at Mr Coventry who I dont know I am just going on what has been published, but it just seems strange to me but then with what has happened to the Elite league at the AGM perhaps nothing should surprise us anymore.

 

Its a shame theres all this red tape and bureaucracy around who promotes at Mildenhall. Its a lovely little track and stadium and all the poor suffering fans want is a team to support and watch each week or so. Anyway all you fans at Mildenhall all the best hope things work out for you all from your neighbouring fans down the A14 at Ipswich.

[FenTiger666]

Its a shame theres all this red tape and bureaucracy around who promotes at Mildenhall. Its a lovely little track and stadium and all the poor suffering fans want is a team to support and watch each week or so. Anyway all you fans at Mildenhall all the best hope things work out for you all from your neighbouring fans down the A14 at Ipswich.

 

To true and Dave Coventrys latest comments don't help.

 

If 3 to 4 businessmen want to have detailed meetings with him then that is a good thing, its called carrying out due diligence to make sure everything is as it should be, and he's complaining about them.

 

I would have thought that having 3 or 4 businessmen in charge of the Fen Tigers would be better then one fan, as with the last promotion, but as businessmen as I would assume they also dont want to pay the totally unwarranted rent demands that Dave Coventry has so that's why he is not willing to back their proposal with the BSPA, which has been with the BSPA since October - yes that's correct Fen Tigers fans, there has been a business proposal to buy the Fen Tigers licence with the BSPA since October and they have done nothing with it !!!!

 

If they have pulled out due to all the delays, and the lack of any response from the BSPA for over 2 months who could blame them.

 

Looks like Dave Coventrys wishes will take precedence over what is best for the Fen Tigers, what's the betting the new promotion will be another ex-rider or manager trying to run the club instead of a business taking it over.

[Damon]

I have said before Dave Coventry has pretty much full control over the Fen Tigers future, as the only place they can race is at his stadium. No matter how much that may upset some people thats the fact. Dave can set the rent at what he desires and if no promoter can make a go of it at those rates then speedway isnt viable at Mildenhall, there are no alternatives that I can think off?

Unless someone can gain a piece of land somewhere close by and gain planning permission and start from scratch again, then Dave is firmly in the driving seat.

I hope that a team can be put together again and run at Mildenhall, but in the current climate, with crowds down at most sports clubs, then I think it will be difficult.

[Halifaxtiger]

To true and Dave Coventrys latest comments don't help.

 

If 3 to 4 businessmen want to have detailed meetings with him then that is a good thing, its called carrying out due diligence to make sure everything is as it should be, and he's complaining about them.

 

I would have thought that having 3 or 4 businessmen in charge of the Fen Tigers would be better then one fan, as with the last promotion, but as businessmen as I would assume they also dont want to pay the totally unwarranted rent demands that Dave Coventry has so that's why he is not willing to back their proposal with the BSPA, which has been with the BSPA since October - yes that's correct Fen Tigers fans, there has been a business proposal to buy the Fen Tigers licence with the BSPA since October and they have done nothing with it !!!!

 

If they have pulled out due to all the delays, and the lack of any response from the BSPA for over 2 months who could blame them.

 

Looks like Dave Coventrys wishes will take precedence over what is best for the Fen Tigers, what's the betting the new promotion will be another ex-rider or manager trying to run the club instead of a business taking it over.

 

If I understand you correctly these 'businessmen' can't come to an agreement with Dave Coventry, so what the hell is the point the BSPA looking at their proposal until they do. Even if the BSPA were all in favour, they'd have nowhere to run their meetings.

 

It is down to Dave who promotes at West Row but it should not be forgotten that it is, at least to a degree, in his interests to have speedway at Mildenhall. After all, he can have someone there paying rent and people eating and drinking on a Sunday afternoon or he can have it empty.

[Hawk127]

Has anyone ever looked at the possibility of talking to the owners the Newmarket go kart circuits, Red lodge or Wildtracks Karting to see if they would be interested in having a speedway track at the venues. I know it is not Mildenhall but it is close and while it is a long shot, for NL racing with limited racing calendar and the location of both tracks they could draw on the Fen Tigers current supporters and noise should not be too much of an issue. It would be a shame to not keep the club going in one form or another and perhaps these type of venues could offer some stability given that they already hold motor sport.

[FenTiger666]

If I understand you correctly these 'businessmen' can't come to an agreement with Dave Coventry, so what the hell is the point the BSPA looking at their proposal until they do. Even if the BSPA were all in favour, they'd have nowhere to run their meetings.

 

It is down to Dave who promotes at West Row but it should not be forgotten that it is, at least to a degree, in his interests to have speedway at Mildenhall. After all, he can have someone there paying rent and people eating and drinking on a Sunday afternoon or he can have it empty.

 

No, Dave Coventry critised these businessmen in the Speedway Star because they wanted a number of meeings with him, and that is the professional way to do business.

 

What the hell is the point of the BSPA giving the licence to someone who doesnt know how to run a business, and if you accept the amount of rent Dave Coventry wants, you are no businessman and you dont need to put the sarcastic ' ' around businessmen, these guys goes know what they are doing.

 

What would you rather have, promoters who know how to run a business (and that includes reaching an agreement on a sensible rent) or someone that Dave Coventry can get to pay £1300, and then for how long - 2 months and then the Fen Tigers disappear again.

 

Maybe the post under yours is the solution, get the licence first and then move the Fen Tigers to another track !!!

 

After all the important thing here is the Fen Tigers, not the stadium.