WHILE Buxton awaits confirmation from British Speedway league bosses that they will be accepted back into official league racing next year, the Derbyshire club is planning to put on meetings aimed at attracting fans from several much-missed defunct clubs.
With this in mind, Buxton intend to take on the running of the Midland Development League, which was run out of Birmingham this year, with three other teams involved.
This mini league is run and co-ordinated by Buxton promoter Laurence Rogers, who is a long-term advocate of youth development and says this is the main aim of his new club in the Peak District.
Rogers outlined his plans: “I aim to run the MDL mainly out of Buxton with hopes that a few more clubs will join the competition. The plan is to run four sides that give young riders a base from which to get valuable track time.
“I have introduced new names to the sport through my tie-up with the Formula Grass Association, where a large number of youngsters have added speedway to their racing activities. That link will continue with Buxton taking over Birmingham’s sponsor role.”
Rogers intends to preserve the identities of several once successful former clubs who used to be based not too far from Buxton but disappeared from the sport for one reason or another.
He explained: “To hopefully stimulate interest among fans of tracks no longer in existence we will adopt team names in their identity. Subject to our acceptance back into speedway, the teams would carry the familiar nicknames of Potters, Kings and Wolves, with one more to be decided upon.
“Buxton’s application to return has sparked lots of interest and enthusiasm among fans of numerous former clubs, including Stoke, Crewe and Wolverhampton, along with my old team Birmingham, who closed in September. These fans, many starved of regular action for years, have recently expressed their support for the 2026 Buxton revival through online comments and say they are looking forward to paying us a visit. We hope their interest will be further rekindled by re-adopting some famous old names.”
Whether the NL retains the same structure for 2026 is for the governing British promoters (BSPL) to decide in the coming days and weeks – and the new Buxton Ductair Bulls team are very eager to be part of whatever unfolds. But that’s not all Rogers has in store for those visiting the picturesque hillside venue when weekend racing hopefully resumes next season for the first time in seven years.
He continued: “In addition, we will be running 125cc and 250cc races to bring on the youngsters, in readiness for them reaching the age of 15 and moving on to 500cc machines, by staging regular practices for all age groups. Our aim is to promote youth development for the long-term benefit of British speedway and I have a few ideas about how we can incorporate all types of machine engine sizes in our second-halves.”
Meanwhile, extensive track work over the past few weeks means Buxton are ever nearer to holding their first practices under the new regime. The volunteers are busily replacing the fence-posts and then the air fence will be put up and the track will be tested before announcing practice dates.
