Coventry Bees Speedway - Brandon Stadium

It's encouraging news, Dreamtime, but a long way to go and many obstacles to overcome More details

Sadly, it would appear that they are in a bit of a "catch 22" situation as the site that has been located is on green belt land. Apparently sports facilities can be built on "green belt" land, but only if the organisers can "show a local need". Unfortunately, until the present stadium is demolished there isn't perceived to be a local need! However, once the old stadium is knocked down, and there is then a need, backers might well have moved on resulting in an opportunity missed. Although not a follower of this activity, I really do hope they can find a solution to this issue. From what I heard on the radio yesterday this proposed "eco" stadium would be something to behold.

From Bees website

Currently on sale on ebay:

In the early 1950s, Coventry Speedway produced a magazine (journal, they called it) entitled "HONEY" I only have one tatty copy from April-May 1950, but I've been able to scan the centre pages, which may interest our more senior members Mmm! Black leathers, black and gold fighting Bee! The good old days

Midland Red, yes I remember that booklet, I also knew about 5/6 of these riders, not well, but had spoken to them on occasions. When I had a trial in Jan 1950 I asked if it was possible to have a shower afterwards, but the showers were in a terrible condition, no one bothered with them, but Ochiltree gave me a mouthful and we had a right barney, so that was it for me, I never went near the place again.

I started work at AWA at Baginton in 1949 and a couple of lads who worked there were Johnny & Pete Reason

I have just had this link sent from abroad, did anybody see this in the Telegraph? Kenni Larsen shot in head

Update: Police are waiting to question critically ill Danish star Kenni Larsen who is battling for his life after being shot. The ex-Newcastle, Coventry and Peterborough racer, 27, is in a coma in intensive care at the University Hospital, close to his family home in the Danish city of Odense after being rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds to his head last Thursday. Larsen's mechanic was initially questioned but investigators are now saying Larsen was alone when the incident with an air gun happened. Larsen has had two major operations to remove a pellet from his brain. Odense police chief Christian Rasmussen confirmed: "Our investigations suggest that the gun went off while he was alone".

Further news: Danish racer Kenni Larsen's parents admit "his life remains in danger", but confirm he has become more responsive as he recovers from surgery on gunshot wounds to the head. The Zielona Gora star was taken to Odense University Hospital last Thursday after a suspected accident with an airgun. He underwent surgery to remove the pellet and a further operation to reduce the pressure on his brain. He remains in an induced coma, with doctors phasing out his medication to wake him. His parents Vivi and Peter admit there have been some improvements in his condition. But in an updated posted on Kenni's Facebook page, they wrote: "Kenni is still in a critical condition and his life remains in danger. "BUT there is some good news: his level of infection is falling and his body reacts with muscle spasms when the nurses change his position in the bed. That's how we know that he is just under the surface. "The doctors will slowly start the phasing-out of some of his meds today (Monday), but it will take about a week before this will have any effect. "We hope and pray that he will wake up. Thank you again for all of your support. Vivi and Peter."

Plenty of positive action been taking place behind the scenes, and now this SAVE COVENTRY SPEEDWAY Brandon Stadium: Notice of Meeting 26 May 2016 We feel it is time to hold another public meeting on the proposed redevelopment of Brandon Stadium and we hope to attract a heathy turnout from the speedway and stock car fraternity as well as local residents. There is lot to catch up on such as the representations we made to the Rugby Local Plan, the potential new stadium proposals, arrangements for the 2017 season, the application made to designate the existing stadium as an asset of community value (ACV). A draft agenda is set out below and if anyone has suggestions to add or amend this please let us know. We hope to see as many of you as possible there but please remember this meeting like our first meeting last July isn't a protest meeting - it is a constructive forum for keeping the fans in touch with what is planned for the future at Brandon and for speedway and stock car racing. Meeting: Save Brandon Stadium, 7.30 to 10pm, Thursday 26 May 2016 Location: Scarman House Lecture Theatre Scarman House Conference Centre University of Warwick CV4 7SH and Conference Park: CV4 7AL This postcode will direct you to Gibbet Hill Road, the main road through the University. When you reach the campus, you'll find signposts for Radcliffe, Scarman and Conference Park (signed Central Campus). Draft Agenda 1. Welcome and introductions. 2. Recap: what has happened to date. 3. Contributions and updates will be invited from Jeremy Heaver (Stadium Manager and Coventry Motofest), Mick Horton (Coventry Speedway), Rugby Borough Council and Binley Woods, Brandon & Bretford Parish Councils and Frampton's. 5. Q&A and open discussion. 6. Summary of key action points.

I am sure that our webmaster Rob for one will be very pleased to read this good news

Great news indeed, Gary and I were best mates through our teenage years, so I hope all his worries are behind him now.

Telegraph report following last night's meeting

Sad news today from Poland: Tarnow rider Krystian Rempa?a has died following the head injuries he suffered in Rybnik last Sunday. The 18-year-old was airlifted to Jastrzebie-Zdroj hospital after an horrific crash, which saw him fall awkwardly following a collision with Rybnik's Kacper Woryna. His helmet was ripped off in the impact and the fall left him with swelling and bleeding on the brain. Despite undergoing surgery last Sunday, Rempa?a succumbed to his head injuries. Son of former rider Jacek Rempa?a, and nephew of Grzegorz, Tomasz and Marcin, Krystian was also well on his way to becoming a star on the shale. He was already a European Junior Team Championship winner with Poland.