Express & Star

Chris Van Straaten to make call on racing in 2020

Wolverhampton Speedway owner Chris Van Straaten will make a final call on any possible 2020 racing at Monmore next month.

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Van Straaten has revealed how he has had riders making contact keen to do some meetings before the end of October after seeing all league racing scrapped.

But he has to be guided by government rules about fans being allowed back into stadia for elite sport throughout the UK with October suggested as a possibility.

The Parrys International Wolves chief has also sung the praises of his landlords at Monmore Green.

“It’s been a mentally draining and frustrating few months for everyone,” Van Straaten told Speedway Star magazine.

“You turn on the TV or read the news and it’s a real struggle.

“We need to get August out of the way, see what happens over the next few weeks and then I’ll make a decision in September about the potential of some racing at Monmore Green in October.

“Ladbrokes are holding greyhound meetings behind closed doors and are also aiming to re-open to the public in October.

“We’ve got a tremendous working relationship with Ladbrokes and the stadium management and if everything is safe to do so then I’ll sit down and look at the feasibility of some form of racing before the end of the year.”

Meanwhile the Grand Prix series including Wolves assets Tai Woffinden and Freddie Lindgren will start in Poland later this month.

There will be eight rounds over four weekends between August 28 and October 3. UK fans can watch the action on BT Sport and a souvenir UK guide with racecards to follow the action has been produced.

The 2020 World Championship guide can be ordered now from curtis-sport.com for £5 and will be sent out this week in good time for the opening round.

Payment can also be made by cheque. Further details are available from 01922 715083.