DETAILS have been revealed of what a new venue for Swindon Speedway could look like and how it might operate - if one is found.

Clarke Osbourne is chairman of Gaming International, which is responsible for the former home of Swindon Speedway - Blunsdon's Abbey Stadiuim. 

Alongside Terry Russell, he is also part of the joint venture Swindon Motorsports which was set up to find a new home for the club after the decision that it would no longer be viable in the North Swindon venue was made. 

The search for a new venue in or around Swindon has been ongoing since then, but while giving evidence at a planning inquiry, he did reveal what it might look like when a suitable site is found. 

As well as Speedway, the site could be used for other motorsports including model and stock car racing, Osbourne revealed in comments reported by the Speedway Star. 

The comments were made during Rugby Borough Council's planning inquiry into the future of the unused Coventry Stadium to be demolished.

As part of the inquiry, Mr Osbourne gave evidence to support the stadium's owners, Brandon Estates Limited in their efforts to knock it down which has been opposed by local campaign group Save Coventry Speedway. 

He explained that greyhound racing was significantly more lucrative financially than speedway, and so it wasn't a viable sport for the venues like Coventry Stadium, but was then asked why it was viable for him to be looking for a new venue for Speedway in Swindon. 

In response, Osborne highlighted the multi-use element with a focus on people paying to participate or have experienced. 

"The proposition is basically to provide a motorsports park that can operate for both spectators and participants seven days per week and probably up to a curfew of 10pm. It can have lights so it can operate all year round. 

"At Swindon in particular this would have speedway and oval racing of various descriptions, including stock cars, scrambling, 4x4 - this isn't for competition, this is for participation - potentially even some demonstration facilities, testing facilities, outdoor karting with quite a significant track and even model car racing. 

"Participation is going to be the bedrock of the facility, that is how it pays for itself."

Osbourne added that live motorsport attendance - with the exception of Formula 1 - had been declining for years, which was why the participation would be so important.