SPEEDWAY will welcome the famous Coventry Bees name back to competitive action this season.
But the world-famous club will not be competing in the city, or even in the sport’s top tier.
Promoter Mick Horton has been accepted into the National League – speedway’s third tier – to operate Bees at Leicester’s Beaumont Park Stadium, some 28 miles from the club’s traditional Brandon home.
A statement released by the Speedway Control Bureau (SCB) read: “It is with great delight Coventry Speedway have been given the go ahead to run in the National Development League at a temporary home at Leicester for the 2018 season.
“Members of the SCB wish the Coventry Promotion all the best in their endeavours to bring Bees back to Brandon in the near future.”
Reacting to the news many fans – old and new – took to social media stating they will not support Bees while they race at Leicester.
Mr Horton has since gone on record to confirm he has received no funding from Brandon Estates to operate Bees at Leicester.
On Thursday, we asked Brandon Estates to confirm if this is true. We are waiting for their reply.
Team building
Meanwhile Mr Horton has wasted little time in signing his first riders for the upcoming National League campaign.
Former British Youth Champion Jack Parkinson-Blackburn has made the switch from Birmingham to sign up to the No.1 position at Bees while veteran racer Jon Armstrong also joins, and is named as skipper.
Mr Horton confirmed the rest of Bees’ team is in place, and further announcements will be made in the coming weeks.
He said: “I feel it (our team) will be very competitive and the riders are all very keen to make their mark.
“I’m delighted to be able to bring in Jack as No.1. He has a big reputation in the sport already, and deservedly so.
“To have Jon as captain is also great news for the team. I’ve been in close contact with him over the winter so far, discussing riders and planning ahead, and this is a move which will also give him a new lease of life in the sport.”
Horton also touched on the current situation facing Bees off-track.
He said: “Until such time as a satisfactory resolution is found to re-home the Bees in the Rugby/Coventry area, it is important we all come together and support the Bees riders on track.
“The riders representing our club this season are fully aware of the honour to put on a Bees race-jacket and I know they will not let us down.
“I am under no illusions that racing at Leicester will be easy. However, I know we must keep the famous Bees name alive and racing.
“With the fans’ support, we can achieve this.”
Admission prices for the 2018 season have been set at £13 for adults with under-16s free of charge.
