British Youth Championships delayed until October

Following a meeting of the National Speedway Stadium - Safety Advisory Group on August 21, Belle Vue Speedway has taken the decision to move the British Youth Round provisionally planned for Thursday, August 27 to Saturday, October 10. 

The decision to move the date was based on detailed discussions with Manchester City Council, stadium operator GLL and representative members of Greater Manchester police, fire, and ambulance services. 

There is a general recognition that all the relevant Covid-19 planning at the National Speedway Stadium has been completed and we are now in a position to stage some meetings under the risk management controls we have developed. 

However, the continued additional restrictions in place around Greater Manchester means there is an understandable concern about staging the meeting next week with a large number of spectators. 

Adrian Smith, Belle Vue Speedway CEO, said “The decision to move the date is the right one in the current circumstances. 

“All parties involved in yesterday’s Safety Advisory Group meeting are 100 percent committed to seeing a return of Speedway to the National Speedway Stadium in 2020 and we thank them for their support in helping us achieve that goal. 

“However, we also understand the justifiable concerns about staging events with a large number of spectators at this time. 

“We have decided that October 10 would be the next best date to stage the British Youth Championships as want to give our loyal supporters every opportunity to watch as much Speedway as possible, whether that be live on TV or at the Stadium. 

“Also, with the Speedway Grand Prix series running throughout September, we wanted to avoid a clash of fixtures with those events. The new date is subject to final permission from the BSP Ltd Board. 

“In addition to the British Youth Championships and the Speedway of Nations, we are also planning two other race meetings before the end of this 2020 season.” 

“We are plan to put tickets for the British Youth Championships on sale from Friday August 28 and Belle Vue Speedway season ticket holders will be notified directly and given an opportunity to buy tickets in advance of general sales.” 

Picture by Ian Charles