Plans in pipeline for Odsal
RACING could return to Bradford’s iconic Odsal Stadium next year.
That’s the ambitious plan of multi-track promoter Steve Rees, who has already had fruitful talks with the Rugby Football League, the stadium’s long-term leaseholders.
The stadium, which at one time had a capacity of more than 100,000, has been empty for nearly 10 months since rugby’s Bradford Bulls pulled out and began a two-year groundshare deal with neighbours Dewsbury.
But now they could return along with motorsports after Rees, who runs stock cars at both Belle Vue and Sheffield, presented a detailed business plan to the RFL.
He was given the go-ahead to carry out a site inspection last Thursday and said:
“I am optimistic but the final decision is with the RFL.
“The track would be exactly the same dimensions as in 1997.
“It would need an investment of £300,000, which would include putting in a shale track over the existing tarmac one, stock car safety fencing and all the ancillaries.
“We would be ready to start work in a matter of weeks.”
Rees has brought in Allan Ham, who, along with his brother Bobby, owned the Bradford Dukes between 1990 and 1997, as his speedway consultant
RFL chief operating officer Tony Sutton has said he is open to any proposals that would see the stadium being used as the RFL are liable for all the running costs with no rent coming in.
Rees added: “I’d like to think the odds are 60/40.”
The Yorkshire venue hosted a string of major speedway events, including the 1985 and 1990 World Finals.