FANS MUST K THURROCK

FANS have been urged to join the fight to save speedway at Lakeside/ Arena-Essex – and action needs to be taken before next Monday (November 4).

Buoyed by the success of campaigners at both Coventry and Peterborough, where plans to build houses at Brandon Stadium and the East of England Showground have been turned down, Thurrock Hammers Limited (THL) have appealed to fans to add their voices to influence the site owners, Google, to include speedway in their redevelopment plans for the area.

THL, formed by three longtime fans and club officials – Mark Sexton, Ian Smalley and Russell Keetch – was incorporated with a mission to restore speedway to the Thurrock area following the sale of the Arena-Essex Raceway for housing.

Director Sexton said: “We have been working hard to save speedway in Thurrock since 2019 and occasionally we need the help from fans and now have an urgent call for action.

“Our campaign is based on local and national policies for the protection of sporting facilities at risk from development. Policies have been successful in defeating applications to develop Coventry Stadium and Peterborough’s track at the East of England Showground.”

Global Infrastructure UK, a subsidiary of Google, splashed out £47 million last year to buy the 129 acres Arena-Essex site from previous owners London Strategic Land (LSL Partners) and want to build a Google Data Centre on the unoccupied land that has lain idle since the end of 2018.

Under the guidance of Chick Woodroffe, the former landfill site had been turned into a stock-car arena in 1978 and six years later Chick joined forces with multi-track promoter Wally Mawdsley to also run ArenaEssex Hammers speedway there.

The track closed down towards the end of 2018 after the late Woodroffe’s daughter and Hammers’ landlord, Lesley Wootten, sold the site to LSL Partners, who intended to build 2,500 homes there before abandoning its plans and agreeing to sell on to Google.

“We cannot avoid the conclusion that our detailed objections to the 2,500 homes scheme had a part to play in the decision to abandon it,” added Sexton.

A consultation process, which ends next Monday, is already underway and they are asking what people want to see on the land.

Planning advisor Brian Connolly, who has also been working with campaigners at Coventry, Peterborough and Rye House, said: “We need to tell them but we don’t have much time. We welcome this opportunity but to save speedway in Thurrock, it is vital that as many people as possible take an active part to make their wishes clear.”

One contentious feature of Google’s description of the Arena-Essex site is that it is described as ‘a former chalk quarry’ without any reference to its speedway or stock-car use and its history as an important motorsports venue for 40 years.

Connolly explained the urgent need for fans to rally round the club at this time: “Without speedway’s voice being heard, it will forever be argued that speedway should be removed from the site and, if it is, that no replacement facilities should be constructed.”

Thurrock Hammers Limited has submitted a comprehensive response to the consultation and have appealed to Hammers fans and all speedway followers to complete Google’s questionnaire either by mail (no stamp needed) to Thurrock Data Centre, FREEPOST SEC Newgate UK LOCAL or the form can be completed online: www.thurrockdatacentre.co.uk and click on the online questionnaire link.

Connolly went on: “Importantly, just saying ‘we want a track’ won’t work, so it is vital that a proper planning and policy basis is set out for retaining speedway.

“Planning and policy points must be included in responses so, to simplify the process, we have prepared a short version which we urge supporters to copy and adapt.

“The most important part is the answer to question one. This is, in effect, the first step in the planning process and it is vital that proper planning reasons are given to justify speedway at Arena Essex.

“This will make the process easier and should take no more than 15 minutes.

“Fans should include details of their own experience, how they feel about the loss of speedway in Thurrock and work with us to save speedway in the area.

“Anyone wanting further information or guidance should contact us at: mark@thurrockhammers.com.

THURROCK Hammers Limited are offering fans guidance in how they can help their fight to ensure speedway can return by completing the detailed questionnaire about the future of the Arena-Essex site.

They are fighting on various fronts, especially on the basis of the following questions posed by the developers:

Question One: Do you have any comments on our early proposals for Thurrock Data Centre, including the potential design and layout?

Question Two: Do you have any information about the local area and local environment which you suggest we consider?

Question Three: Do you have any ideas you would like to share about how we could support local community initiatives?

Question Four: Do you have any thoughts on how our proposals could deliver recreation and amenity improvements in the areas around the lake?

Question Five: Are you aware of any local organisations or schools that might be interested in partnering with Google?

Lakeside Hammers, who raced at all three levels over the years, had a proud record of integrating with the local community after the speedway club appointed a community liaison manager in 2009 and Thurrock Hammers Limited insist they are interested in partnering with Google to carry on its community work and to deliver new added community value.

Question Six: Please leave any further comments or suggestions you have here.

Thurrock Hammers’ website – www.thurrockhammers.com – provides an easy-to-follow guide to answering the questions as well as important information responses with a link to the Thurrock Data Centre consultation pages.

Mark Sexton, who went on local radio to talk about the matter on Friday, confirmed: “We need our fans, and speedway supporters from all over the country, to respond and help us continue our fight to see racing return to the area.”

Report: PETER OAKES

Cairns agrees a Polish deal WILL CAIRNS, the most sought-after teenager in British speedway, has not yet confirmed where he will be racing in the UK after he turns 16 on June 29 next year.

But the youngster, who impressed for Belle Vue Colts at National League level – he was bosses Steve Williams and Graham Goodwin’s rider of the year (pictured right) – and on numerous guest appearances in 2024, has decided where he will begin his career in Poland.

Zielona Gora last week announced the signing of Cairns for their Under24 Ekstraliga side.

November 2, 2024 speedway star 3