British Dirt Track Championship joins cause to save Oxford Stadium
One of Britain’s leading stadium and greyhound racing track, Oxford, is under threat as proposals to convert it into a housing site are underway. The track owners, Capital Risk Partners claim
that keeping the track running is not financially feasible.
Following this announcement there have been campaigns to save the stadium and the newest organisation to join this bandwagon is the British Dirt Track Championship. Round three of the British
Dirt Track Championship will take place at Oxford on July 15 and will be witnessed live by 700 eager fans.
Organiser Paul Oughton said:
We were thrilled to book Oxford Stadium for the third round, after an excellent round here on Good Friday, and while we have heard there is talk of closing the stadium, we very much hope it
stays open”.
The Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) is the body that presently runs the stadium and according to the GRA it will continue racing.
On the other hand, GRA chief Clive Feltham has put down rumours that a committee formed by John Payne will eventually convince GRA to start speedway at the track. He stated that it is not economical
to start speedway at the track.
While speedway might be costly it will have a great impact on the stadium in the long run by bringing about a turnover of £70-80,000. Even without speedway, the GRA earns around £1m a year
due to the betting that takes place during the races at the track.
This is why optimists feel that although the circumstances do make it seem likely, the stadium will not close down especially since it has a great general manager, Maureen Ridley.
The stadium’s problems are not new. Around a year ago Oxford banned light night parties called ‘Bashments’ as neighbours begin to complain of noise late at night. Since the parties had brought
in major income, their ban was the start of financial troubles for the stadium.
Despite all the problems it faces, the track continues to host greyhound racing and other dirt track events. Just last month it hosted the £8000 Betfair Pall Mall which was a phenomenal success
and if this campaign to save the stadium is a success it will continue to host many such events, bringing smiles to the faces of many eager fans.
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