Coventry Bees Speedway - Brandon Stadium

Recognise the guy in the centre? This is the exciting young Polish rider - Henryk Zyto - who was a Bees favourite in the 1960 season, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Doesn't time fly!! After his racing career, Henryk was honoured for his coaching, and his son Piotr (left) continues the tradition.

BELOW is a press release issued by Brandon Estates Ltd on November 3, 2016: Coventry Bees have signed a new lease on Brandon Stadium, following discussions earlier this year coordinated by Rugby Borough Council. The Coventry Bees speedway team had been facing their last season at the stadium after it had been sold for development. But after Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, opened talks between the Bees and Agents acting for the new landowners, Brandon Estates Ltd, the Bees have signed a new lease to allow the team to continue competing next season while they search for a new long-term venue. Brandon Estates has also agreed to sponsor the Bees next season. The new lease runs for one year from 1 January 2017 until October 2017, with the possibility of a further two years, subject to conditions. The lease would allow Coventry Bees and junior race meetings. Additional events would be subject to individual agreement. Darren English, spokesman for the stadium owners, Brandon Estates Ltd, said: "After concluding our discussions and negotiations we very pleased that the Bees will continue at Brandon until October 2017 with the possibility of a further two years, subject to the long-term redevelopment of the site being settled. "This will give the Bees security for the next 12 months, and possibly longer, allowing the team more time to find an alternative venue. We are also delighted to be sponsoring the Bees next season. "I would like to thank the Council for playing such a key role in these discussions and helping to broker an agreement that takes all parties forward in a positive and practical way." Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: "It is clear that the situation the Bees and the other stadium users find themselves in is not ideal, but the lease that has been offered to them is a good compromise that will allow speedway and stock car racing to continue at Brandon for at least another year. "After meeting fans groups earlier this year and hearing their concerns first hand, I am delighted to have been able to bring all of the interested parties together to allow an offer to be made." Mick Horton of Coventry Speedway, said: "We have signed the new lease to give the speedway team security for the next year at least, while we continue to investigate the options for the team's long-term future. We would like to thank the new owners for offering us the new lease and new sponsorship money, which will certainly help our finances over the next 12 months. "We hope that all our fans will join me in thanking the Council and the new owners now that we will have another full season at Brandon Stadium in 2017."

Coventry Speedway have appointed Jim Lynch as their new team manager going into the 2017 SGB Premiership season. Lynch takes over from Gary Havelock, who left the Buildbase Bees last month after four years in charge to front up a new consortium in charge of Championship club Berwick - full story.

Coventry Bees take their place in a revamped league for 2017, with Rye House and Somerset joining the Elite League teams - Lakeside having previously withdrawn - to form a new Premier League. A Knock-out Cup also returns to the calendar. BSPA press release

Rye House have added the signing of British star Chris Harris as they gear up for their first season in the SGB Premiership. The Rockets, who announced former Belle Vue skipper Scott Nicholls on Monday, will now also include Harris who announced at the end of the season that he was seeking a move from his long-time club Coventry.

Coventry Bees have named their first two signings for 2017 in Danny King and Kenneth Bjerre - report

Cogentry Bees have announced two more riders for the 2017 season - with Lasse Bjerre and Josh Bates having signed for the club - report.

Former World No.2 Krzysztof Kasprzak will resume his Poole career in the 2017 SGP Premiership campaign. The Polish star, who last rode for the Pirates in 2012, returns to Wimborne Road on an 11.07 average after being with Coventry this year.

Rumours abound here and on other sites that all is NOT well regarding the future of Coventry Stadium and the speedway and stock car racing It is suggested that more will be known on Monday - it may all be a false alarm created by some adding two and two together and getting the wrong answer, but . . . so far there has been no official comment either way

In spite of the various rumours casting some doubt on the club's future, Coventry Speedway have announced their final three signings for the 2017 season. Returning to Bees are Jason Garrity and James Sarjeant, who are joined by former King's Lynn and Lakeside rider Lewis Kerr Let's hope that the rumours prove to be unfounded

More photos on the link in the previous post show seats removed from the stand and air conditioning "ripped out" How all this stacks up with the announcement of the 2017 team is a BIG mystery

Apparently Mick Horton doesn't quite know what's been going on - his statement

New pictures on here - not looking good

Someone's telling porkies - Stox press release

Coventry Observer report