FANS of the Coventry Bees will have to travel an additional 29 miles from the club’s current track, as SpeedwayGB confirmed the Bees will start the 2017 season at Leicester Speedway.
The news comes nine days after an ‘absolute final’ deadline was set by the sport’s governing body – British Speedway Promoters Association (BSPA) – who have worked tirelessly to try and keep the Bees on track for the 2017 season.
It has been rumoured in the past seven days that the Bees could make a possible move to Beaumont Park, and an Observer poll earlier this week – which attracted more than 1,200 correspondents – revealed 80 per cent of Bees fans were against the idea of moving the club to Leicester Speedway.
Promoter Mick Horton has been involved in a bitter off-season dispute with Coventry Stadium owners Brandon Estates Ltd.
Fans have been assured on two occasions that speedway is safe in the city – in July last year is was confirmed a one-year lease was agreed to keep the Bees on track for 2017, with the possibility of extending the lease to three years.
However a further fallout led to CoventryStox – the organisation which promotes stock car racing – removing various stadium assets, including shale, grandstand seats and wiring.
Fans were promised work would start in the new year to restore the Brandon venue back to its original state, however this has not happened.
The Leicester deal means the Bees will compete on track in 2017 in the upcoming SGB Premiership, with the first fixture scheduled for April 7 against Kings Lynn Stars.
A statement from the BSPA read: “The British Speedway Promoters’ Association are pleased to finally confirm Coventry Bees will be racing in the 2017 SGB Premiership.
“We have accepted proposals for the team to race on a temporary basis at Leicester’s Beaumont Park for the opening weeks of the season with the ultimate aim of moving back to Coventry during the campaign.
“For the avoidance of doubt, both Coventry and Leicester will be racing as separate teams and this is in no way an amalgamation of the two clubs.
“The move has been made to keep Coventry on track in very trying circumstances with their former Brandon Stadium home currently unavailable.
“However, strenuous efforts will continue to be made to take the team back to the famous site.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Avtar Sandhu of Coventry Racing Club Ltd for supporting this venture, Leicester Speedway, Councillor Stokes and Mick Horton, Coventry Bees promoter.
“As an association we have tried to give every opportunity for Coventry, a world famous club with a rich heritage, to remain in action at the highest level of British Speedway.
“Our best wishes go to both Leicester Lions and Coventry Bees for a successful 2017 season and we look forward to seeing the Bees move back home at the earliest possible time during the season.”
