Shareholders To Meet To Decide On Next Steps...
The recently-constituted Mildenhall Speedway Supporters Community Interest Company [CIC] is to hold a meeting of all Trust members to hear details of the progress of moves to get the track at West Row ready for the return of Speedway.
Commenting on the latest position regarding meeting the Speedway Control Bureau's [SCB] requirements following the recent track inspection, joint co-ordinator Kieran Phillips said,
"We have been in touch with a lot of companies who we thought may be able to help us with a solution to our fencing issues and have received numerous quotes; and we now believe that we have been able to find a solution that we are happy with from a safety and financial point of view.
"Our plan now is to call a meeting with paid CIC members to explain how we hope to fund this venture, and the implications moving forward. We will take a vote on all aspects discussed, and should we get a 'yes', we will move to the next stages and begin discussions with the SCB and look at funding options."
Phillips went on,
"Our intention is to have a meeting with the SCB track inspector to lay out how we plan to operate on a meeting night and to see if our proposed safety measures comply - this will of course include inspection of the samples of the new fencing we have. Should the Control Bureau give us the go-ahead, this will enable us to gain the track licence."
With over one hundred fans having committed to pay £100 each to establish initial funding for the CIC, the majority of these have become paid-up Trust members, which gives them an equal decision-making share in the decisions to be made. There are still monies due to come in and Phillips emphasised how much help getting these members on board financially and getting still more Trust members will be to the overall cause of getting Speedway back to Mildenhall Stadium,
"Whilst we are happy with the progress we have managed to make, if we are given the go-ahead we are still a way from getting to tapes - we hope fans will join us in getting equipment ready in time so we can get to tapes as soon as possible."
No Trophy Entry In 2025 Season...
The hoped-for comeback season for Mildenhall Speedway will not now include entry into the National Development Trophy [NDT] competition after an announcement today (20th. March) by the sport's governing body, the BSPL.
A deadline of mid-March had been set for the newly-constituted fans' community trust, the Mildenhall Speedway Supporters CIC to satisfy the BSPL that they could enter official tournament racing for this season and with the need to carry out essential track safety works still being pursued that deadline has now passed.
Speaking on behalf of the CIC, co-coordinator Steve Ribbons commented,
"We are disappointed at the official statement from the BSPL regarding Mildenhall Speedway missing the cut off date as stated of 15th March. I remain in very regular contact with BSPL Chairperson Rob Godfrey and he is still incredibly supportive and positive about a Mildenhall revival. However, the BSPL were being pressured by other clubs confirmed in the NDT to finalise their own fixture lists and they (the BSL) could not delay any longer”.
Mr Godfrey is quoted in this week's Speedway Star magazine as saying,
"If Mildenhall want to run six or eight meetings later in the year, we will try and facilitate that, as long as they have met the conditions of the track inspection. There are lots of options if they get the track up to standard. I'm sure the other ND League/Trophy clubs would be keen to take their sides there for Challenge matches - and everything the BSPL and Control Bureau can do to help, we will”.
The Supporters Trust are determined that the campaign goes on, as Ribbons went on to say:
"This is not the end of the Fen Tigers, not even for this season .. yet. As people will know we have had a massive stumbling block thrown at us by the track inspection by the Speedway Control Bureau representative Mr. Mick Bates. The completion of the new Stock Cars fence (being used for the first time in a stadium re-opening Bangers meeting this weekend) took us all aback - not that we had seen any drawings or blueprints of the construction. This then made our existing Speedway safety air fence not fit for purpose. As a consequence, we are faced with a very large bill for a foam block fence on the bends in lieu of the normal air fence; then what are being described as ‘tea cosy’ post protectors to cover the uprights and a foam mattress laid on top of the concrete ‘step’”.