Islander15 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 I've just noticed IOW start with a challenge against Sittingbourne. From the press release: 'Meanwhile the Islanders opening meeting will be on Tuesday 19th April, a challenge fixture against a Sittingbourne Crusaders side'. I haven't really been keeping tabs on the Crusaders' situation, so.... Any idea on a team? Is there a viable promoter waiting in the wings? And how likely is it for 2012?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bavarian Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 I've just noticed IOW start with a challenge against Sittingbourne. From the press release: 'Meanwhile the Islanders opening meeting will be on Tuesday 19th April, a challenge fixture against a Sittingbourne Crusaders side'. I haven't really been keeping tabs on the Crusaders' situation, so.... Any idea on a team? Is there a viable promoter waiting in the wings? And how likely is it for 2012?? Quite interesting. Sittingbiourne could run a few open meetings later this year. I really begin to enjoy the National League. It's good entertainment on a level that reminds me of the 1970's National League. There are famous clubs like Belle Vue, Hackney and teh Heathens, and the team have British riders, not some Poles Danes or Czechs as in the EL and PL. And admission fees are more reasonable. I am all for the NL from now on. No scandals either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimmo Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 Yes Bavarian, I wish that more people would realise what a SUPERB product National League racing is. Trouble is that most of them won't even give it a try, so how will they ever know. People mistakenly seem to think that at the non stand alone clubs such as Belle Vue, King's Lynn etc., that it would be like watching a reserve football match, which of course couldn't be further from the truth. At King's Lynn this year, we are staging Elite & National League meetings on alternate(ish) weeks, and I just pray for the riders and promoters sakes, that the Stars supporters don't cold shoulder the Young Stars meetings, because they and everyone else will be the losers. Every year I seem to bang this drum, and it's always to no avail......BUT......I won't stop doing it, because it's worthy of the publics support. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 (edited) Quite interesting. Sittingbiourne could run a few open meetings later this year. I really begin to enjoy the National League. It's good entertainment on a level that reminds me of the 1970's National League. There are famous clubs like Belle Vue, Hackney and teh Heathens, and the team have British riders, not some Poles Danes or Czechs as in the EL and PL. And admission fees are more reasonable. I am all for the NL from now on. No scandals either! I hope you're not, like many, confusing the existing entity that IS Sittingbourne Speedway with another completely separate one that MAY stage speedway in future. The track at Iwade IS Sittingbourne Speedway and the management there are putting together a side to travel to the Isle of Wight for the season's opener at Smallbrook. Then there is the Greyhound Stadium - http://sittingbournegreyhounds.co.uk at Central Park which MIGHT be a future venue for our sport but not this year I feel sure. Edited March 26, 2011 by Bryn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bavarian Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 I hope you're not, like many, confusing the existing entity that IS Sittingbourne Speedway with another separate one that MAY stage speedway in future. The track at Iwade IS Sittingbourne Speedway and the management there are putting together a side to travel to the Isle of Wight for the season's opener at Smallbrook. Then there is the Greyhound Stadium - http://sittingbournegreyhounds.co.uk at Central Park which MIGHT be a future venue for our sport but not this year I feel sure. Thanks Bryn for putting this right. Yes I was of the opinion that the Sittingburne team refered to in this thread is that of the new venue at the Greyhound Stadium, not the Iwade training track. By the way, I read that "Sittingbourne" hosts a round of the new British Youth (u16) Championship later this year. I thought this would be on the new venue, but from what You write, it will more likely be at the Iwade track. Is that correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 Thanks Bryn for putting this right. Yes I was of the opinion that the Sittingburne team refered to in this thread is that of the new venue at the Greyhound Stadium, not the Iwade training track. By the way, I read that "Sittingbourne" hosts a round of the new British Youth (u16) Championship later this year. I thought this would be on the new venue, but from what You write, it will more likely be at the Iwade track. Is that correct? Yes indeed that is correct! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueherb777 Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 I hope you're not, like many, confusing the existing entity that IS Sittingbourne Speedway with another completely separate one that MAY stage speedway in future. The track at Iwade IS Sittingbourne Speedway and the management there are putting together a side to travel to the Isle of Wight for the season's opener at Smallbrook. Then there is the Greyhound Stadium - http://sittingbournegreyhounds.co.uk at Central Park which MIGHT be a future venue for our sport but not this year I feel sure. I thought that Mr Cearns said there may well be some Open meetings/Challenge? this year at some time - or did I get the wrong idea ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 I thought that Mr Cearns said there may well be some Open meetings/Challenge? this year at some time - or did I get the wrong idea ? That's what Parsloes indicated. Over to Mr P for further clarification please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 That's what Parsloes indicated. Over to Mr P for further clarification please! As Roger Cearns himself was recently quoted in the Star, the plan is still to hold open meetings at Central Park later this year. Whether logistically this will end up being possible (covenant issue, which he did also refer to in Peter Oakes small article and of course building the sound barrier etc.)I couldn't rightly say. In terms of club and track names, Bryn is correct that the name 'Sittingbourne Speedway club' belongs to Mr. Arnold at Iwade. There's been much debate on this on the BSF but I can tell you that those planning Speedway at Central Park have NO intention of calling that new club 'Sittingbourne'. 'Kent' is a far likelier name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 As Roger Cearns himself was recently quoted in the Star, the plan is still to hold open meetings at Central Park later this year. Whether logistically this will end up being possible (covenant issue, which he did also refer to in Peter Oakes small article and of course building the sound barrier etc.)I couldn't rightly say. In terms of club and track names, Bryn is correct that the name 'Sittingbourne Speedway club' belongs to Mr. Arnold at Iwade. There's been much debate on this on the BSF but I can tell you that those planning Speedway at Central Park have NO intention of calling that new club 'Sittingbourne'. 'Kent' is a far likelier name. Certainly it will be possible to hold speedway at the venue and maybe even this year but, as Parsnips has said above, whether or not it proves feasible remains to be seen although I'm sure everyone would love to see more venues open up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25yearfan Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 Having been to Central Park I know how good a venue for speedway that place could be but since talk of speedway opening there has been going on for the best part of 10 years I'll not build up my hopes until it actually happens particularly since this episode with Roger Cairns has been going for quite a while now! But I've said it before on here and I'll say it again now, if speedway does start up at Central Park in the middle of Sittingbourne and they won't be called "Sittingbourne speedway" while Iwade (which will never be nothing more than a training track with basic facilities which struggles to stage viable 3rd Division level speedway) a few miles out of town is called "Sittingbourne speedway" that will be a ludicrous state of affairs that will not help either venue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonsDen Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 But I've said it before on here and I'll say it again now, if speedway does start up at Central Park in the middle of Sittingbourne and they won't be called "Sittingbourne speedway" while Iwade (which will never be nothing more than a training track with basic facilities which struggles to stage viable 3rd Division level speedway) a few miles out of town is called "Sittingbourne speedway" that will be a ludicrous state of affairs that will not help either venue! Ouch! not a fan of Iwade then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 Having been to Central Park I know how good a venue for speedway that place could be but since talk of speedway opening there has been going on for the best part of 10 years I'll not build up my hopes until it actually happens particularly since this episode with Roger Cairns has been going for quite a while now! But I've said it before on here and I'll say it again now, if speedway does start up at Central Park in the middle of Sittingbourne and they won't be called "Sittingbourne speedway" while Iwade (which will never be nothing more than a training track with basic facilities which struggles to stage viable 3rd Division level speedway) a few miles out of town is called "Sittingbourne speedway" that will be a ludicrous state of affairs that will not help either venue! Hmm, a few comments to make. 1) yes, the promise of Speedway opening at Central Park has been there for some years but let's not forget now there is Planning Permission and Mr. Cearns has gone through a long and expensive planning legal battle to get such consent. This wouldn't - I humbly suggest - be something he'd have gone through only to see the plans falter. I remain very optimistic that we'll soon (even if by soon, we mean late 2011 or indeed 2012...) see the sport opening at what is, as you know, a simply top class venue... 2) yes, the circuit and set-up at Iwade isn't of course in the same class as Central Park but I totally disagree that the facilities at the OGS are so basic as to "struggle to stage viable 3rd Division level speedway" - CL Speedway was run there perfectly successfully in my book. It's a tragedy it didn't continue and I believe personally that there was no good reason it couldn't have continued and be continuing to this day... 3) And yes, you HAVE said this before about the name and I honestly think this debate needs to let go of... Mr. Cearns does not WANT to call the new track Sittingbourne...: he wants the 'bigger' name of Kent - to get county-wide support and not to be associated with the former league operation at Iwade... And on that I 100% agree with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonsDen Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 Hmm, a few comments to make. 1) yes, the promise of Speedway opening at Central Park has been there for some years but let's not forget now there is Planning Permission and Mr. Cearns has gone through a long and expensive planning legal battle to get such consent. This wouldn't - I humbly suggest - be something he'd have gone through only to see the plans falter. I remain very optimistic that we'll soon (even if by soon, we mean late 2011 or indeed 2012...) see the sport opening at what is, as you know, a simply top class venue... 2) yes, the circuit and set-up at Iwade isn't of course in the same class as Central Park but I totally disagree that the facilities at the OGS are so basic as to "struggle to stage viable 3rd Division level speedway" - CL Speedway was run there perfectly successfully in my book. It's a tragedy it didn't continue and I believe personally that there was no good reason it couldn't have continued and be continuing to this day... 3) And yes, you HAVE said this before about the name and I honestly think this debate needs to let go of... Mr. Cearns does not WANT to call the new track Sittingbourne...: he wants the 'bigger' name of Kent - to get county-wide support and not to be associated with the former league operation at Iwade... And on that I 100% agree with him. Need to go lie down now - find myself 100% in agreement with DB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 Hmm, a few comments to make. 1) yes, the promise of Speedway opening at Central Park has been there for some years but let's not forget now there is Planning Permission and Mr. Cearns has gone through a long and expensive planning legal battle to get such consent. This wouldn't - I humbly suggest - be something he'd have gone through only to see the plans falter. I remain very optimistic that we'll soon (even if by soon, we mean late 2011 or indeed 2012...) see the sport opening at what is, as you know, a simply top class venue... Let's hope it does come about BUT what about the reported time restrictions? If those are correct surely it will be ultra difficult to make it viable? 2) yes, the circuit and set-up at Iwade isn't of course in the same class as Central Park but I totally disagree that the facilities at the OGS are so basic as to "struggle to stage viable 3rd Division level speedway" - CL Speedway was run there perfectly successfully in my book. It's a tragedy it didn't continue and I believe personally that there was no good reason it couldn't have continued and be continuing to this day... Depends what you mean by "was run there perfectly successfully." The venue can most certainly stage it BUT, is it viable to do so? 3) And yes, you HAVE said this before about the name and I honestly think this debate needs to let go of... Mr. Cearns does not WANT to call the new track Sittingbourne...: he wants the 'bigger' name of Kent - to get county-wide support and not to be associated with the former league operation at Iwade... And on that I 100% agree with him. Fair comment BUT what if, unlikely as it probably is, a venue for the sport becomes available at say Dover or Maidstone or, dare I say it near Crayford? Using the proposed embracing "Kent Speedway" tag would have to be changed possibly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 1) Let's hope it does come about BUT what about the reported time restrictions? If those are correct surely it will be ultra difficult to make it viable? 2) Depends what you mean by "was run there perfectly successfully." The venue can most certainly stage it BUT, is it viable to do so? 3) Fair comment BUT what if, unlikely as it probably is, a venue for the sport becomes available at say Dover or Maidstone or, dare I say it near Crayford? Using the proposed embracing "Kent Speedway" tag would have to be changed possibly? 1) Yes it's true that the approval contains a curfew of 8.30pm - it should be noted btw, that this was NOT a restriction put on the planning consent by Swale Council but was in the application: on the advice of Environmental Health experts. I think too much is made of this - it could be viable to start Speedway at 7pm IMHO.. 2) "Viable" is the concept debated here too re. Iwade. There will be conflicting views but I personally could see no reason why viability was in doubt coming into 2009, when there were individuals prepared to back the side and some top class riders prepared to appear for the Crusaders, before the club decided instead to revert to training alone. That decision is entirely their right of course; but doesn't stop a LOT of us out here regretting losing the league side we supported and for us it seems such a waste.. The mere fact that the likes of the Baseby bros are without a club in 2011 ( ) and there's a Crusaders' side appearing in a challenge match at the IoW in a couple of weeks time, puts this into greater focus... 3) Crickey, let's not run before we can walk! Sides in Maidstone, Dover and Bexley would be bloody marvellous but ATM we have no league side in the county, so I'd welcome a 'Kent' team frankly anywhere!! Big shout out for Lydd btw, with an excellent programme of events planned for 2011.. http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=61738&pid=1895279&st=0entry1895279 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentish dragon Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 As a Dyed in the wool Crusaders (and now Islanders)fan, I have just heard that the Crusaders are going to be at full strength! And it's going to be a team that Graham Arnold has assembled from Crusaders regulars from our last league season in 2009. just to clarify, Graham has registered with the BSPA the name Sittingbourne.It has nothing to do with any other promotion, There is only ONE! Sittingbourne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 As a Dyed in the wool Crusaders (and now Islanders)fan, I have just heard that the Crusaders are going to be at full strength! And it's going to be a team that Graham Arnold has assembled from Crusaders regulars from our last league season in 2009. just to clarify, Graham has registered with the BSPA the name Sittingbourne.It has nothing to do with any other promotion, There is only ONE! Sittingbourne. See you there on a rare 'overseas' trip then KD...!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentish dragon Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 See you there on a rare 'overseas' trip then KD...!! Yeah!! From what I have been told the Crusaders team is stronger than we ever managed to put out in a conference league match! It will be great all meeting up again! Anyone else going?(Les ,Dick, Ian etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 Yeah!! From what I have been told the Crusaders team is stronger than we ever managed to put out in a conference league match! It will be great all meeting up again! Anyone else going?(Les ,Dick, Ian etc.) Am always surprised if I go ANYWHERE and don't see the boys Drury, Jarvis and fellow traveller Burrows (no not Buzz, Jonathon!) Shall we go together - am happy to drive...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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