Kent Kings 2020?

[TotallyHonestJohn]

1 hour ago, racers and royals said:

Whilst i agree 99.99% of what you have said, it should  be noted that they did close Folkstone racecourse.

Yep... might be worth Uncle Len having a chat with the Newcastle and Birmingham promotions too...

Regards 

THJ

[Justgotmecpc]

2 hours ago, TotallyHonestJohn said:

Yep... might be worth Uncle Len having a chat with the Newcastle and Birmingham promotions too...

Regards 

THJ

Supposed to be a wee tad ruthless people so the grapevine says

[cityrebel]

3 hours ago, East End Fan said:

That is a very pessimistic point of view. An optimist would say that a major company with huge resources as stadium owners is beneficial.

For the past 30 or more years, stadium after stadium has been lost to us because the value of the land for development was higher than

any income that could be derived.   It seems that this company are in the business of operating stadiums for gambling, not for development.

 

With Roger Cearns being the promoter and stadium owner, the Kings have probably run rent free from day one. The implications of having new landlords, could be huge for speedway at central park.

[ruffdiamond]

8 hours ago, TotallyHonestJohn said:

Honestly...

Welcome to our world... unfortunately I don't think you are wrong...

Regards 

THJ 

 

6 hours ago, TotallyHonestJohn said:

Yep... might be worth Uncle Len having a chat with the Newcastle and Birmingham promotions too...

Regards 

THJ

Yeah, might be a good time to get some hoop jumping practice in.  

[HGould]

Since ARC took over Perry Barr not seen anything much different other than evidence of some sections of Grandstand being closed down to Speedway and rumours of increased rent and less access time.

It's more than likely that there will be more Dog Racing at Central Park in future as that increases revenue for Stadium via Betting levy and probably means Kent will soon find that Speedway is limited to one set day per week or like somewhere like Monmore (not ARC) a Dog meeting on an afternoon before Speedway on a night.

The other issue is that Len is approaching 90, Cearns has always been mega supportive and there is the issue of the loss of Silver Ski in administration.

Doesn't look great long term unless Len has a succession plan for his son or another Promoter to follow in his footsteps. The failure to secure Friday or Saturday night Speedway looks even less likely now.

May be Kent can have one season in Championship and then revert back to standalone NDL with less costs and profit every season as Len has always claimed.

[Sings4Speedway]

2 hours ago, HGould said:

Since ARC took over Perry Barr not seen anything much different other than evidence of some sections of Grandstand being closed down to Speedway and rumours of increased rent and less access time.

It's more than likely that there will be more Dog Racing at Central Park in future as that increases revenue for Stadium via Betting levy and probably means Kent will soon find that Speedway is limited to one set day per week or like somewhere like Monmore (not ARC) a Dog meeting on an afternoon before Speedway on a night.

The other issue is that Len is approaching 90, Cearns has always been mega supportive and there is the issue of the loss of Silver Ski in administration.

Doesn't look great long term unless Len has a succession plan for his son or another Promoter to follow in his footsteps. The failure to secure Friday or Saturday night Speedway looks even less likely now.

May be Kent can have one season in Championship and then revert back to standalone NDL with less costs and profit every season as Len has always claimed.

Sadly rent increases seem likely and access to the stadia which Len has always enjoyed quite freely to prepare the track could also be reduced. In the short term there may be no affect but as you state a longer term forced change of available race night may dictate which league the Kent side(s) are able to run in.

Roger Cearns has provided great backing for the teams over the years but he is still a businessman and his involvement will remain as long as the ventures are still making money, Len has nothing but vision for the club but all dynasties need succession plans and there are limited numbers of crazy people out there willing to throw money into Speedway clubs that are not already doing so.   

[East End Fan]

4 hours ago, HGould said:

Since ARC took over Perry Barr not seen anything much different other than evidence of some sections of Grandstand being closed down to Speedway and rumours of increased rent and less access time.

It's more than likely that there will be more Dog Racing at Central Park in future as that increases revenue for Stadium via Betting levy and probably means Kent will soon find that Speedway is limited to one set day per week or like somewhere like Monmore (not ARC) a Dog meeting on an afternoon before Speedway on a night.

The other issue is that Len is approaching 90, Cearns has always been mega supportive and there is the issue of the loss of Silver Ski in administration.

Doesn't look great long term unless Len has a succession plan for his son or another Promoter to follow in his footsteps. The failure to secure Friday or Saturday night Speedway looks even less likely now.

May be Kent can have one season in Championship and then revert back to standalone NDL with less costs and profit every season as Len has always claimed.

Mention of more dog racing likely with the new owners.  This is in doubt as dogs are run every day except Saturday at Central Park and Speedway meetings

have been run for quite some time after a dog meeting in the earlier part of the day.  So where would they fit in more meetings ?

[noaksey]

5 hours ago, HGould said:

Since ARC took over Perry Barr not seen anything much different other than evidence of some sections of Grandstand being closed down to Speedway and rumours of increased rent and less access time.

It's more than likely that there will be more Dog Racing at Central Park in future as that increases revenue for Stadium via Betting levy and probably means Kent will soon find that Speedway is limited to one set day per week or like somewhere like Monmore (not ARC) a Dog meeting on an afternoon before Speedway on a night.

The other issue is that Len is approaching 90, Cearns has always been mega supportive and there is the issue of the loss of Silver Ski in administration.

Doesn't look great long term unless Len has a succession plan for his son or another Promoter to follow in his footsteps. The failure to secure Friday or Saturday night Speedway looks even less likely now.

May be Kent can have one season in Championship and then revert back to standalone NDL with less costs and profit every season as Len has always claimed.

Silver Ski gone?

[NeilWatson]

6 minutes ago, noaksey said:

Silver Ski gone?

 

[noaksey]

25 minutes ago, NeilWatson said:

 

Thanks Neil

Shame but understandable given the current situation I guess.

[East End Fan]

3 hours ago, NeilWatson said:

 

A pal of mine is a schoolteacher and always went every year on a ski trip with the school.  He tells me that all ski companies have not operated

this Winter and no ski resorts have been open.

[Rebel1]

On 4/15/2021 at 7:40 PM, East End Fan said:

That is a very pessimistic point of view. An optimist would say that a major company with huge resources as stadium owners is beneficial.

For the past 30 or more years, stadium after stadium has been lost to us because the value of the land for development was higher than

any income that could be derived.   It seems that this company are in the business of operating stadiums for gambling, not for development.

 

Not so much being pessimistic, just that they will place a levy for speedway which may be greater than that in place between Roger and Len. Bear in mind that Roger has personal links to speedway, ARC are a Company in business to make money. Think back to why Wimbledon bit the dust. If ARC are only purchasing the rights to run the dogs ,ok. If they are taking control of the stadium then and only then would I see things being different.

[East End Fan]

On 4/18/2021 at 7:23 PM, Rebel1 said:

Not so much being pessimistic, just that they will place a levy for speedway which may be greater than that in place between Roger and Len. Bear in mind that Roger has personal links to speedway, ARC are a Company in business to make money. Think back to why Wimbledon bit the dust. If ARC are only purchasing the rights to run the dogs ,ok. If they are taking control of the stadium then and only then would I see things being different.

I do not understand the reference to Wimbledon.  Did ARC own Plough Lane ?  I always thought that it was owned by the GRA ( in its more recent years anyway).  Like

many stadiums it stood on land that was more valuable than the income  derived from sport, so it was lost. A story repeated a thousand times all over the country.

I do not see Arena Racing Company buying the lease to Central Park in an effort to develop it one day. So, a great stadium saved for both Speedway and dogs.

All the news items coming from Kent are positive.  We hear that work is going on with the track itself and other stuff like that. Just a month to go !

[East End Fan]

I was looking at some old stuff this morning and came across some news about the new Rising Star scheme. Must say, it all seems quite strange

to me.  How does a rider become a "Rising Star"in the first place ?  Is there. a panel who decide ? And what are the benefits of being a Rising Star ?

I think that every team has to have at least one Rising Star. ( or is it two ?).  Can anybody explain the whole scheme to me in words of one syllable ?

[brianbuck]

Very grateful thanks to the lads at Iwade Garage who along with many supporters from rival clubs, have made generous donations to the fund set up to try to help Birmingham overcome the disgusting spate of vandalism which has taken place at Perry Barr last weekend.

This is really appreciated - thank you so much.

The very best of luck to your team for the forthcoming season.

[East End Fan]

15 hours ago, brianbuck said:

Very grateful thanks to the lads at Iwade Garage who along with many supporters from rival clubs, have made generous donations to the fund set up to try to help Birmingham overcome the disgusting spate of vandalism which has taken place at Perry Barr last weekend.

This is really appreciated - thank you so much.

The very best of luck to your team for the forthcoming season.

Iwade Garage are the sponsors of our National League team, the Royals. NIce to learn that we have such generous people behind our team.

[old bob at herne bay]

Surely Speedway race nights and times at Kent are dictated by the local council planning authority?

The NDL admission charge is the most expensive in the country, so IF as suggested the speedway has been running “rent free “ under Roger Cearns’ ownership, I would say that NDL racing at Sittingbourne will become untenable.

I think much will depend on the profitability of CL speedway in 2021 . If not successful maybe dogs will take over every evening ..... I am sure the locals will prefer barking greyhounds every night rather than revving motorcycles. 

[East End Fan]

12 minutes ago, old bob at herne bay said:

Surely Speedway race nights and times at Kent are dictated by the local council planning authority?

The NDL admission charge is the most expensive in the country, so IF as suggested the speedway has been running “rent free “ under Roger Cearns’ ownership, I would say that NDL racing at Sittingbourne will become untenable.

I think much will depend on the profitability of CL speedway in 2021 . If not successful maybe dogs will take over every evening ..... I am sure the locals will prefer barking greyhounds every night rather than revving motorcycles. 

I am pretty sure that the 8.30pm curfew...which is by miles the toughest in the whole country so far as I know, is set by the local council. I don't think there

can be much doubt that this curfew is damaging and stops people who get home from work after 6 from attending.  Less people equals less income.

It's simple really. Does Old Bob want to lose Speedway in Kent ?   Having lost my own club at Arena Essex, I don't want to lose my newly adopted club. I 

like my one day a week Speedway fix. I have no knowledge of the rental arrangements with Roger Cearns. ( I'd be surprised if anyone outside of the club

knows either) and I don't know what it will be with the new owners.  And so long as Speedway stays in place, whatever rent is paid is nothing to do with me.

[BrizHeathen]

Any news regarding the opening fixture against Leicester on 18th May? 

What is the stadium capacity under normal circumstances?

[flipper11]

6 hours ago, BrizHeathen said:

Any news regarding the opening fixture against Leicester on 18th May? 

What is the stadium capacity under normal circumstances?

News on tickets & stadium attendance allowed etc is due any day now. The stadium was built with a capacity around 6000 but bends 3 & 4 are not able to be used. The main stand has around 2000 seats. When speedway starts in May only the main stand & bends 1 & 2 will be used, but how many spectators the local council will allow in is anybody guess at the moment.