Bees boss: No Brandon return

THE owner of Coventry Bees has said there is no chance that the speedway team will ever return to race at Brandon.

Mick Horton told the Telegraph focus had now shifted to creating a new home for the Bees and land had been identified for a new track, which could be built by 2019.

He added that the team would also have to drop down the leagues and secure a track sharing agreement next season, if the Bees were to survive.

Mr Horton said the Bees had been informed “indirectly” that there was no hope of a return to Brandon under land owners Brandon Estates.

He said: “Brandon is a definite no go. We are not going to be returning to Brandon, which is unfortunate.”

He added: “I was really hopeful that Brandon Estates would allow us back, even for a couple of years, but that’s not to be and we have to keep moving on.”

Mr Horton said a new track could be created in time for the team to race there in 2019.

“We are now working with Rugby Borough Council and Coventry City Council and there is a piece of land which has been identified. It’s in Rugby Borough.

“But it’s early days on that. There’s a will there. Rugby council, in particular, have been very proactive.”

He added: “If this piece of land is accepted, we have a realistic chance for the 2019 season.”

Mr Horton said the Bees must race next season if the team is to survive and said a track share agreement, with the team racing at a lower level, was likely.

He told the Telegraph: “We need to get on track somewhere for 2018 or it will be lost forever.

“If we are to run in 2018, we would need to drop down the leagues because we would not be racing at a home track.

“We would need to be sensible.”

The stadium owners declined to comment when asked by the Telegraph about the situation with the stadium, whether there was any hope of motorsport returning to the site and if there was any ongoing legal action hanging over the venue.

Brandon Estates insisted in May that civil action would be taken against former stadium owner Avtar Sandhu over claims fixtures and fittings were unlawfully removed

by

him from the stadium before he handed over the keys to Brandon Estates. Mr Sandhu maintains he legally owns the fixtures and fittings.

But there has been no public signs of progress in relation to any civil claim.

Those campaigning for Coventry Bees to return racing recently expressed their frustration over the situation.

A statement from the group said: “Thousands of supporters of both speedway and stock car racing have, after a miserable winter of recriminations, had their sports scandalously taken away from them, putting a halt to decades of history at one of the most famous oval venues in the country.

“We must place on record the fact that throughout our numerous discussions and meetings with various local authorities, all have been fully accommodating, understanding of the issues, and have stated their willingness to help.

“We do also have to add, however, that at this stage there is not total unanimity amongst those authorities as to the best way of resolving the issues, and in the near future we will be seeking to bring things together in this respect.

“Our top priority as a Group is for the return of racing to the Coventry area as soon as possible, and for it to have a sustainable, long-term future.” Warwickshire Police became involved on the back of a long-running and complex dispute.

Bees’ current owner Mick Horton had secured a head lease with new stadium owners Brandon Estates to race for up to three more years but also needed a deal with former Mr Sandhu’s Coventry Racing Club, who wanted to continue running stock cars there and laid claim to the assets.

According to the Bees that deal came too late – and remained unsigned – and Mr Horton handed back the lease to Brandon Estates when he realised he would be unable to operate at the venue without undertaking repair work beyond his means. The figures quoted have been contested. Mr Sandhu had stated he would return the assets that were removed in time for the start of the season, but was unable to enter the stadium in January as Brandon Estates had reported their removal to the police.

Warwickshire Police have now dropped the case, but Brandon Estates insisted it would pursue civil action.

As a result of the stadium issues, Bees dropped out of the league for this season.