MOTORSPORT in the borough is set to continue for up to three years after Coventry Bees were offered a one-year lease at Brandon racetrack by its owners.
The lease – which will allow speedway and stock car racing to continue – will run for one year from January 1 2017, with the possibility of a further two-year extension.
Rugby Borough Council leader Coun Michael Stokes announced the news on his official Facebook page on Monday afternoon after he opened talks between the Bees and agents acting for the land owners.
But the announcement does not secure the long-term future of the club, who must now continue searching for a new site.
Last month, it was announced a new stadium was at least five years away. The most recent site being discussed was 13 miles from Coventry city centre near Nuneaton.
Speaking exclusively to The Observer, Coun Stokes praised the work of Coventry Bees promoter Mick Horton and fans of the club for their passion and dedication to the Save Coventry Speedway campaign.
He said: “I’m very pleased with the outcome – it is a compromise but it’s positive and the best we could get.
“We have to look at this as a reprieve and keep the pressure on to secure a new site where speedway and stock car racing can take place.
I’m confident we can work to the conditions to ensure it can continue for a further three years.
“Mick Horton as the lease holder has a big job now, he has been key to securing this deal and not just talked about the Bees throughout the negotiation process but spoke on behalf of other motorsports at the venue too – the outcome is a credit to him.”
The deal comes following months of meetings and negotiations – something Coun Stokes described as an awful lot of work.
However the Council leader revealed that having a neutral party involved in negotiations helped tremendously – and the passion of speedway and stock car fans convinced Coun Stokes to work for the best possible outcome.
He added: “I was extremely swayed by the passion of the speedway and stock car fans – I saw a petition with 6,000 signatures on, I met hundreds of fans at the public meeting held last month – it was then I realised this situation isn’t about pulling a fast one.
“The land owners do not know about the history of the stadium and I was able to translate the passion of the fans across to the owners.”
Speaking on behalf of the stadium owners, David Hargreaves of FHP Property Consultants said there is no doubt the deal would not have been possible without the involvement of the borough council.
He added: “The pragmatic approach taken by Coun Stokes convinced the owners that a further period of time should be provided for the speedway team to find an alternative venue.”
Coventry Bees promoter Mick Horton meanwhile said the lease offered has given the Bees some security in the short-term.
He added: “Our next home fixtures against Leicester, Lakeside and Kings Lynn had looked like being our last.
“Now, however, our fans can support the team knowing that there is an offer on the table that will allow another full season at Brandon Stadium.”
