Telford’s 25th anniversary ice speedway spectacular early next year will also be the last. And that means an emotional day is in store for the event at Telford’s ice rink on Sunday, February 26.

No more of this – Graham Drury shows the spiked tyres used by ice speedway riders ahead of the 21st anniversary meeting at Telford

Organisers have confirmed the rink will be redeveloped and there will be no provision for the bikes to return.

It’s a massive disappointment for the thousands of fans who have flocked to the Shropshire venue down the years, but promoter Graham Drury admits he has mixed feelings.

“Nothing is forever,” he said. “And perhaps this is as good a time as any to bring the curtain down after such a glittering history at Telford.

“Now my colleague Ian Thomas is no longer with us it will feel strange and maybe this is a good way to end, we intend to go out on a high.

“We plan to invite all the past winners of the British Open to the event and we want to make it a massive send-off.

“This event has outlived all other indoor speedway events and the crowd this February underlined the demand is still there. It’s a great day out and a lot of fans make a weekend of it.

“I must admit I will be fighting back the tears when the chequered flag falls on the last race but as I have said this is possibly a good time to call it a day.

“The new ice rink will have a special fence for the skating which won’t be compatible with the motorbikes so sadly we have been told this is the last ever staging.

“We’ve had some fun along the way, our interval attractions have become legendary. Some have worked and some haven’t but what Ian and myself have always placed high importance on is a good show for the fans and value for money.

“The fact that thousands of fans have enjoyed the event down the years proves that we have been doing something right and we expect a packed house for the last one.”

The event features both afternoon and evening sessions with England Select v Rest of the World at 3pm followed by the British Open at 7.30pm.

Ticket details are:

Standing: Adults £15.50, children £5.50. Reserved seating £17.50 adults, £10.50 children. Credit card hotline 0845 155 9966 ext 0.

Postal applications with cheques payable to Telford Ice: 27 Upper Chirk Bank, Chirk, Wrexham LL14 5EB – include a SAE.

By Malcolm Lee