25 April 2023
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Nick Clitheroe & Clare LissamanBBC News
Speedway club managers have pledged to find a brand-new location after news they can not remain at their home of 96 years.
Wolverhampton Speedway stated on 17 April they were ravaged their occupancy contract for Monmore Green would not be extended beyond this season.
About 17,000 individuals have actually now signed a petition calling for it to be saved.
But Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten said the "incredible" assistance had actually caused talks with authorities about a brand-new site.
"The fact that this petition has actually been signed and got such a big quantity of support in simply a couple of days is rather impressive and I think that's definitely been the influence and opened the door to these meetings for the club," he said.
Site owner Entain has stated it will focus on greyhound racing however understands fans and the club will be "dissatisfied".
Mr Van Straaten, who took control of running the club from his father in 1986, said speedway was "a vital part of Wolverhampton folklore".
"My energy in the last few days has actually turned to offering a brand-new site where we can develop a Wolverhampton Speedway club and we can be the primary renters," he said.
"I 'd like to produce our own place, I wish to be the main holder of the occupancy and likewise create something that is open 6 days a week to help train motorcyclists; to train youngsters to take them off the streets."
He stated he had actually handled to bring an arena to Redcar and had gained knowledge from that job.
"I 'd like to be in a position where I can bring a speedway arena to the city of Wolverhampton," he said.
The reaction from individuals made him think this was possible.
"The quantity of individuals that signed the petition has actually took my breath away. The assistance for this sport is rather amazing," he said.
Mr Van Straaten stated it would be an "enormous" blow if it didn't occur, however added he was going to be favorable and they had the rest of this year to search for a site.
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