THE RESCHEDULED return of stock car racing to Bradford's most historic arena has sold out.

Stock car racing last appeared at Odsal Stadium back in 1997, but that is set to change this year thanks to promotion company, Startrax.

The firm - which runs stock car racing events at other venues - is headed by Steve Rees, the man in charge when the much-loved sport was last at the famous bowl.

His vision has been to transform Odsal - which has stood empty since Bradford Bulls left in 2019 - so it is ready to bring back stock car racing in 2021.

Work began in January, with the aim of officially relaunching the sport at the bowl on April 3 - for The BriSCA F1 Stock Cars event.

Tickets - 2,000 in total - quickly sold out, but the Government's roadmap put an end to that.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on February 22 that crowds will only be able to return to sports venues from no earlier than May 17.

Mr Rees is not the sort to be knocked down though and he quickly rearranged the schedule.

The Stan Woods National Banger Celebration will now open Odsal again on May 22 and the 2,000 tickets made available for that event - limited due to the pandemic rules - have now sold out.

Mr Rees said: "I think it didn't come as a shock me.

"It was expected to me, but you have to have a definitive target.

"I'm rather hoping we get more people in."

That will all depend on whether the Government sticks to its current roadmap.

Mr Rees said: "We're waiting for further Government advice in the next couple of weeks whether we can release more tickets."

He hopes to update fans on April 3 that Odsal will be able to house 4,000 people in total per event, on or after May 17, meaning 2,000 more tickets will go on sale for the opening meet.

The focus on site for the last few weeks has been sprucing the stadium up.

This has included landscaping - more than in Bradford city centre, Mr Rees claims - and shock-blasting the steelwork.

Mr Rees said the delay has allowed the team to concentrate on this and leave the material currently on the track to dry out for longer.

The promoter explains a longer drying period is beneficial and then early next month the final delivery of shale (300 tons) will arrive.

This will be added to the track and then graded to finish it off.

Mr Rees said: "It's been a monumental job, everyone has come together.

"I can see the light at the end of the tunnel - we've got to the point now where we know what we're doing."