Rob B Posted August 15, 2019 Report Share Posted August 15, 2019 Going to be unused soon when the Bradford Bulls move out https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/17840618.bradford-bulls-leave-odsal-dewsbury/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25yearfan Posted August 15, 2019 Report Share Posted August 15, 2019 Bradford and Halifax Dukes speedway team. Stock car racing. Bradford Park Avenue Football club. All 3 above sports could be reintroduced to Odsal! - Would be nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSC67 Posted August 15, 2019 Report Share Posted August 15, 2019 Sad to see . It will probably end up like Oxford & Coventry and fall into disrepair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebaron Posted August 15, 2019 Report Share Posted August 15, 2019 (edited) THIS ! represents a perfect opportunity for Speedway Ltd to make a statement. As we know the recent efforts of the "Yorkshire Dukes" enthusiasts to re-introduce Speedway to the area and Odsal specifically floundered. Not for reasons that agreement could not be reached with the Owner -Bradford Council or the Leaseholders - the RFL or the tenants - Bradford Bulls - or the means of the Yorkshire Dukes group. It floundered simply because a viable way of maintaining the Rugby pitch to statutory size whilst running the Speedway track around the perimeter could not be arrived at. In part on a cost effective solution to managing the corners. That was the issue that stalled the Yorkshire Dukes project. So now with the Rugby team departing and Odsal vacant this is a unique opportunity for Speedway to show some faith in itself and collectively understand the importance of returning the sport to one of its most iconic and traditional venues. Time after time after time after time Speedway has surrendered it territory to planners, developers, and environmental lobbiests. So much of Speedway's "infracstructure" has been taken from it relegating it in the public consciousness as nothing more than a "spareland past time" The National Stadium at Belle Vue is a fantastic dedicated venue for Speedway. But if we could show some faith and reclaim Odsal Bradford and Coventry over the coming months - that will represent a significant "fight back" against constant "negativity" surrounding the sport and its future direction. Is it beyond the wit of Speedway GP and British Speedway to sieze upon this great opportunity and to work together to recover both Odsal and Brandon as "National Speedway" venues within "City limits" in the North and Midlands to stage "calendered events". The SGP, The World Cup, shared BSPA events ?. Then work with local groups such as the Yorkshire Dukes and Coventry Bees to establish regular domestic Speedway and Speedway/Motorcycle training centres. How effectively can the SGP show install itself into stadia around the World ? Very effectively. Odsal Stadium is not in the best of shape, but its a long way from being unihabitable v the sparten facilites offered at most tracks around Britain. The World Class Odsal Speedway circuit is still there! albert the shale and perimeter fence has long since disappeared. There is substantial covered seating, and the large hospitality suite overlooks the track and infield. Yes there is some work needed on the Rooley Lane end terrace but that is cosmetic and could be reasonably made good. But it is all there IF IF ! Speedway shows a bit of vision and belief in itself. To me what a brilliant opportunity this is and I would urge Speedway and Motorsport people generally - including Stock Cars, Flat track, MX to grasp this contact Bradford Local Authority and work together to secure the future of the likes Odsal Bradford, Brandon Coventry and Cowley Oxford for the future Speedway generation. If in future I hear those in power bemoaning Speedways in a poor state and not one single one of them explored the opportunity Odsal Bradford presents. Then sorry; which one of us is going to listen or even be bothered about it ?. Edited August 16, 2019 by the outsider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Grachan Posted August 16, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Worth pointing out that the rugby team have moved out due to the high financial cost of playing at Odsal. Would Speedway be financially viable? 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 47 minutes ago, Grachan said: Worth pointing out that the rugby team have moved out due to the high financial cost of playing at Odsal. Would Speedway be financially viable? No it wouldn't, this has been discussed repeatedly in the local press recently and the stadium is to be sold, if anyone has a few million quid spare it might be worth approaching the council, otherwise forget it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 7 hours ago, 25yearfan said: Bradford and Halifax Dukes speedway team. Stock car racing. Bradford Park Avenue Football club. All 3 above sports could be reintroduced to Odsal! - Would be nice! Park Avenue now have a ground and offered to share with the Bulls but the Bulls are intending to build their own much smaller stadium during their two year stay at Dewsbury, there are no plans for speedway in that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 8 hours ago, the outsider said: THIS ! represents a perfect opportunity for Speedway Ltd to make a statement. As we know the recent efforts of the "Yorkshire Dukes" enthusiasts to re-introduce Speedway to the area and Odsal specifically floundered. Not for reasons that agreement could not be reached with the Owner -Bradford Council or the Leaseholders - the RFL or the tenants - Bradford Bulls - or the means of the Yorkshire Dukes group. It floundered simply because a viable way of maintaining the Rugby pitch to statutory size whilst running the Speedway track around the perimeter could not be arrived at. In part on a cost effective solution to managing the corners. That was the issue that stalled the Yorkshire Dukes project. So now with the Rugby team departing and Odsal vacant this is a unique opportunity for Speedway to show some faith in itself and collectively understand the importance of returning the sport to one of its most iconic and traditional venues. Time after time after time after time Speedway has surrendered it territory to planners, developers, and environmental lobbiests. So much of Speedway's "infracstructure" has been taken from it relegating it in the public consciousness as nothing more than a "spareland past time" The National Stadium at Belle Vue is a fantastic dedicated venue for Speedway. But if we could show some faith and reclaim Odsal Bradford and Coventry over the coming months - that will represent a significant "fight back" against constant "negativity" surrounding the sport and its future direction. Is it beyond the wit of Speedway GP and British Speedway to sieze upon this great opportunity and to work together to recover both Odsal and Brandon as "National Speedway" venues within "City limits" in the North and Midlands to stage "calendered events". The SGP, The World Cup, shared BSPA events ?. Then work with local groups such as the Yorkshire Dukes and Coventry Bees to establish regular domestic Speedway and Speedway/Motorcycle training centres. How effectively can the SGP show install itself into stadia around the World ? Very effectively. Odsal Stadium is not in the best of shape, but its a long way from being unihabitable v the sparten facilites offered at most tracks around Britain. The World Class Odsal Speedway circuit is still there! albert the shale and perimeter fence has long since disappeared. There is substantial covered seating, and the large hospitality suite overlooks the track and infield. Yes there is some work needed on the Rooley Lane end terrace but that is cosmetic and could be reasonably made good. But it is all there IF IF ! Speedway shows a bit of vision and belief in itself. To me what a brilliant opportunity this is and I would urge Speedway and Motorsport people generally - including Stock Cars, Flat track, MX to grasp this contact Bradford Local Authority and work together to secure the future of the likes Odsal Bradford, Brandon Coventry and Cowley Oxford for the future Speedway generation. If in future I hear those in power bemoaning Speedways in a poor state and not one single one of them explored the opportunity Odsal Bradford presents. Then sorry; which one of us is going to listen or even be bothered about it ?. Great sentiments and 10 years ago maybe, but the Rugby have moved out because they can't afford it so there's no way Speedway will be able to afford it. I think the ideal use for Odsal will probably be landfill... it's the right shape 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 54 minutes ago, iainb said: Great sentiments and 10 years ago maybe, but the Rugby have moved out because they can't afford it so there's no way Speedway will be able to afford it. I think the ideal use for Odsal will probably be landfill... it's the right shape And there is huge money in that ... I know of a golf club being paid over £1 million to have part of their land used for landfill which will then be converted, at cost to the contractors, into a new driving range . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 With the NSS a mere 40 miles away, i fear that Odsal's horse has long since bolted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWC Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Consigned to history it would be a waste of money. Speedway needs to focus on their existing stadia and seek to improve where possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Didn't a League winning team fail to attract a decent crowd so it closed down? 500 to 1000 people rattling around in a bowl that big would generate no atmosphere at all I am afraid, (even if they only used the Grandstand), as that holds about 5000 doesn't it?.. As has been said. Someone with a few million to burn is needed.. No consortium looking to invest to make money would go anywhere near it unfortunately... British Speedway missed a chance with the old Hyde Rd track to buy it and make the required improvements and use it as a National Stadium and did the same with Brandon. Maybe seeing the costs (even shared amongst themselves) to bring them up to scratch too prohibitive?.. The Sport in Britain has fell unbelievably lucky thanks to Dave Gordon and Chris Morton to have such a World Class track and facility at the NSS.. To bring Odsal up to standard just to race would cost plenty.. And much, much more than any returns I would think.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 27 minutes ago, mikebv said: Didn't a League winning team fail to attract a decent crowd so it closed down? 500 to 1000 people rattling around in a bowl that big would generate no atmosphere at all I am afraid, (even if they only used the Grandstand), as that holds about 5000 doesn't it?.. As has been said. Someone with a few million to burn is needed.. No consortium looking to invest to make money would go anywhere near it unfortunately... British Speedway missed a chance with the old Hyde Rd track to buy it and make the required improvements and use it as a National Stadium and did the same with Brandon. Maybe seeing the costs (even shared amongst themselves) to bring them up to scratch too prohibitive?.. The Sport in Britain has fell unbelievably lucky thanks to Dave Gordon and Chris Morton to have such a World Class track and facility at the NSS.. To bring Odsal up to standard just to race would cost plenty.. And much, much more than any returns I would think.. The (claimed) main reason was stadium development but yes the place was deserted during the last season and it was embarrassing to see riders on parade, waiving to empty terraces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 7 hours ago, foamfence said: Park Avenue now have a ground and offered to share with the Bulls but the Bulls are intending to build their own much smaller stadium during their two year stay at Dewsbury, there are no plans for speedway in that. Why should Bulls be involved with speedway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 3 minutes ago, gustix said: Why should Bulls be involved with speedway? They wouldn't, they made that clear to Tony Mole a few years back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adonis Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 24 minutes ago, gustix said: Why should Bulls be involved with speedway? They would if speedway was in a stadium they wanted to take over , If i won Euromiilions I would build a stadium for the Bulls ,let them move in at cheap rent , then chuck them out mid season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigACE Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 Shame. Used to be described as the best ground in Rugby League. Now its gone a bit scruffy. Team will never get back into Super League. Seen them i think, 3 times this season. Course RL matches are always exciting. But they are nowhere near the SL. I think they are operating with half the squad full-time and the other half, Part-time. Speedway should be taking place in that City. Trouble is, I say that about a lot of places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 wonderful track at the time, but as we all know a wonderful track doesn't bring punters in .. i think anyone brave enough to take speedway there would need to have incredibly deep pockets and not be worried about losing it all 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigACE Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 11 minutes ago, stevehone said: wonderful track at the time, but as we all know a wonderful track doesn't bring punters in .. i think anyone brave enough to take speedway there would need to have incredibly deep pockets and not be worried about losing it all Agree. Hopefully someone with money brings Coventry back. The person who does that will lose nothing. Speedway in Bradford-no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted August 16, 2019 Report Share Posted August 16, 2019 As has been said many times - if you want to make a small fortune out of speedway then start with a large one! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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