SOCCER stadium bosses are working hard to stop their car parks being turned into race circuits every month. On Wednesday night 1,000 high-powered sports cars headed for the Reebok Stadium as part of a mass unofficial rally. It was the fourth time in recent months that the drivers had descended on the football ground, for a rally which, it is believed is organised by a national magazine.

But attempts by the speed merchants to invade the privately owned land were, in the main, thwarted by Reebok security staff.

Stadium chiefs say only about 50 cars managed to make their way on to car park D, and hundreds more were turned away from the site.

A Reebok spokesman said that Wanderers bosses were working closely with police chiefs to bring an end to the rallies.

Barriers

He added: "We have taken steps to restrict access by erecting barriers which can be removed on match days. During the summer we will be looking at introducing more permanent measures which will keep these people off what is private land. We simply do not want these people there."

Police from Lancashire and GMP were called in to monitor the rally, which is organised via the Internet, for the last Wednesday in each month.

It is understood drivers from as far away as Bristol and the North-east made their way to Bolton, only to be refused entry.

The Reebok spokesman added: "From what we have learned the stadium has apparently become the place to be for these rallies."

The convoy created traffic jam headaches when it descended on the stadium via the M61 just after 8pm. Police said no arrests were made.

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