Wolverhampton Speedway Bosses Pledge To Discover New Venue

25 April 2023
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Nick Clitheroe & Clare LissamanBBC News


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


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


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


But Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten stated the "incredible" assistance had caused talks with authorities about a new site.


"The reality that this petition has actually been signed and got such a substantial quantity of assistance in just a few days is quite remarkable and I think that's certainly been the influence and unlocked to these meetings for the club," he stated.


Site owner Entain has said it will focus on greyhound racing however fans and the club will be "dissatisfied".


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


"My energy in the last couple of days has turned to supplying a brand-new site where we can establish a Wolverhampton Speedway club and we can be the primary renters," he stated.


"I want to create our own location, I 'd like to be the primary holder of the tenancy and likewise develop something that is open 6 days a week to assist train motorcyclists; to train children to take them off the streets."


He stated he had actually managed to bring an arena to Redcar and had actually gotten 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 reaction 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 quite fantastic," he said.


Mr Van Straaten said it would be an "enormous" blow if it didn't take place, but included he was going to be positive and they had the rest of this year to search for a site.


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