Ronnie Russell and his fellow directors at Arena Essex Speedway are contemplating a step up to the Elite League after a season of considerable financial losses despite an entertaining season of racing.

Management decided to end the season prematurely, bringing down the curtain at the beginning of October rather than at the traditional end of the month.

Co-promoter Ronnie Russell said: "We believed that rounding off the season with meaningless fixtures and individual events would have cost the club money which frankly we can ill-afford.

"We need to look closely at the costings of running this club. We've lost money running in the Premier League - considerable money - yet the product was excellent although Arena didn't win anything.

"Maybe the fact that on the track we weren't successful had something to do with the crowds progressively falling away."

Russell admitted that the club were looking at the option of racing in the top league.

"Interestingly, there was a poll recently taken amongst our supporters asking them whether they would prefer Premier League or Elite League racing.

"We had a terrific response and the opinion finally came down in favour of remaining in the Premier.

"But then when we rode our final meeting of the season against Elite League team Eastbourne, there was a very significant increase in the attendance.

"So I'm left with the dilemma of considering whether to go Elite and maybe upset a few supporters who prefer the Premier. "

Published Monday October 21, 2002

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