Wolverhampton Speedway Bosses Pledge To Discover New Venue

25 April 2023
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Nick Clitheroe & Clare LissamanBBC News


Speedway club bosses have actually pledged to find a new venue after news they can not remain at their home of 96 years.


Wolverhampton Speedway said on 17 April they were ravaged their occupancy arrangement for Green would not be extended beyond this season.


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


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


"The reality that this petition has been signed and got such a big quantity of support in simply a few days is quite impressive and I believe that's definitely been the influence and unlocked to these conferences for the club," he stated.


Site owner Entain has stated it will focus on greyhound racing however understands fans and the club will be "disappointed".


Mr Van Straaten, who took over running the club from his father in 1986, stated speedway was "an essential part of Wolverhampton folklore".


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


"I wish to create our own location, I 'd like to be the primary holder of the tenancy and also create something that is open six days a week to assist train motorcyclists; to train youngsters to take them off the streets."


He stated he had actually managed to bring an arena to Redcar and had actually acquired understanding from that job.


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


The response from individuals made him believe this was possible.


"The quantity of people that signed the petition has took my breath away. The support for this sport is rather incredible," he said.


Mr Van Straaten stated it would be an "enormous" blow if it didn't happen, but included he was going to be favorable and they had the rest of this year to try to find a website.


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