Coventry Bees Speedway - Brandon Stadium

Fingers crossed From Cllr Michael Stokes FB: Brandon Stadium Statement Following the issues over the last few days, I again offered to facilitate talks between the interested parties. I am pleased to say that both Mr Sandhu and Mr Horton were both very receptive to holding further discussions and engaged fully. This has been a very difficult and complicated situation and neither Sandhu or Horton own the land and there were some legalities at play around the end of leases. Of course the actions over the last few days have been concerning to local residents and fans and have been widely reported on social media and in the local news outlets. However, after listening fully to both sides, it was seen as a necessary step in order to protect the assets. I am confident this was neither a negotiating tactic or an act of spite. Talks were difficult and went on well into the night. Both Sandhu and Horton have a clear passion for motorsport and Brandon Stadium and through this passion both parties were able to overcome the contractual issues. Therefore, I am very pleased to say I was able to successfully facilitate talks that led to an agreement being reached by both parties. Mr Sandhu has agreed to put the stadium back to an operational state and both Stockcars and The Bees will be racing at the stadium in 2017. I would now call upon all the fans and supporters to rally round your teams and show your support in 2017. This is an exceptional reprieve and an opportunity that should not be wasted.

For information regarding the situation at Brandon, please refer to the "Coventry Stadium" thread here

Statements now on Bees website Looking very encouraging!

Update from today's Cov Telegraph

Oh dear Here we go again Somehow I fear for the future of any motor sport at Rugby Road

Coventry Stadium is a "crime scene" - Coventry Observer report

Very sad events but it looks more like a civil matter, what's in a contract etc, is he entitled to remove these specific items. For speedway to remain in or near Coventry, it's Brandon or nothing, zero chance of finding a replacement stadium, funds and planning being the biggest obstacles. Sad times indeed.

All the fancy words being used to describe the state of Coventry Stadium, there's only one word needed - sabotage - for what ever reason.

The Stock Car fraternity have issued their 2017 fixture list, which includes a full programme of meetings at Brandon Meanwhile, for some reason, the official Bees website has reverted - or has been reverted - back to 30 April 2016

Another report from 'Coventry Observer'

Hi all & Hi MR, Knowing your life-long passion for the Bees, to see the events over recent years must have brought you close to the kitchen knife drawer. It is often the case that facilities in any sphere, only survive where commercial interest coincide. The flashpoints & warfare on our globe are little different, often where greed & self-interest dominate, no matter who suffers. Who knows what is really going to happen at Brandon, but I am sure that all of we "forumites" wish you a happier outcome for your enjoyment as much as anybody else.

Quality comments, Philip, as is the norm. This forum has many members** who used to attend at Rugby Road but no longer do so - sadly, the UK has many lapsed speedway fans, which has led to the closure of tracks and a decline in popularity, meaning it has become a minority sport. (** I recognise that many forumites have emigrated from the area, to Oxfordshire, Cornwall and even further afield) The authorities must take their share of the blame for the state the sport now finds itself in. Like Beesman, MisterD-Di and others, we've seen the loss of special speedway venues like Wimbledon, West Ham and Blackbird Road - the sport has never returned to London and it took many years for a new venue in Leicester to appear. The worry is that, when Rugby Road goes, speedway, and stock-cars (still well supported), will disappear from the area for ever. This is not about my enjoyment, Philip but that of many others.

Memories for me too MR, We used to attend when Johnny Reason was burning up the track. I can smell it now.

Dreamtime, I never saw "The Cream Bun Kid" ride but I see his name virtually every single day as the lorries carrying his company's name pass our house