Wolverhampton Speedway Bosses Pledge To Find New Venue

25 April 2023
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Nick Clitheroe & Clare LissamanBBC News


Speedway club employers have actually promised to discover a brand-new location after news they can not remain at their home of 96 years.


Wolverhampton Speedway stated on 17 April they were devastated their tenancy contract for Monmore Green would not be extended beyond this season.


About 17,000 individuals have actually now signed a petition calling for it to be saved.


But Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten stated the "fantastic" support had actually resulted in talks with authorities about a new website.


"The fact that this petition has been signed and got such a huge amount of support in simply a few days is rather remarkable and I believe that's certainly been the impact and opened the door to these meetings for the club," he stated.


Entain has stated it will concentrate on greyhound racing however comprehends fans and the club will be "disappointed".


Mr Van Straaten, who took control of running the club from his daddy in 1986, said speedway was "a vital part of Wolverhampton folklore".


"My energy in the last couple of days has turned to offering a brand-new website where we can develop a Wolverhampton Speedway club and we can be the main occupants," he said.


"I wish to produce our own place, I want to be the main holder of the tenancy and also develop something that is open 6 days a week to assist train motorcyclists; to train youngsters to take them off the streets."


He said he had actually handled to bring an arena to Redcar and had acquired understanding from that task.


"I 'd like to be in a position where I can bring a speedway arena to the city of Wolverhampton," he stated.


The reaction from people made him believe this was possible.


"The amount of individuals that signed the petition has took my breath away. The assistance for this sport is rather remarkable," he said.


Mr Van Straaten stated it would be an "immense" blow if it didn't occur, however added he was going to be favorable and they had the rest of this year to search for a website.


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