Speedway Life: Twitter & scuttlebutt – December 2011
04/01/2014
1st December
Nicolai Klindt*
“just woke up.. times 8.00 in the morning. going for a radio/tv interview later and then practice from 5.00-8.00 tonight #theresnolimit oh……and not to forget the beach!”
Chris Holder*
“heaps of sharks over that side of aus! #sketchy”
Dakota North*
“yeah work is shit, I’d rather be riding right now”
Ben Hopwood*
“Still winning my eBay bid #goingforgold”
Joseph Screen*
“Ooow up before the 7 o’clock alarm machine goes waaaaaaarrrrrrhhhhhh”
Hans Andersen
“It’s no secret Peterborough was my first choice, but the only thing that favoured them was that my house is over there. Otherwise there’s no big difference between the clubs.”
Graham Drury
“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 plan to invite all the past winners of the British Open to the event and we want to make it a massive send-off.”
Paul Burbidge*
“Speedway’s sleeping Twitter giant Nicki Pedersen has woken up. Four tweets in the last 24 hours. He’d only ever tweeted once before that!”
Rory Schlein*
“In hong kong traveling with 2 kids is harder than any heat 15 iv Eva been in”
Kenneth Hansen*
“I have a new engine ,and I need a name for it.. Please come up with some ideas”
Casper Wortmann*
“Casper. Casper the ghost”
Chris Neath*
“Don’t ya just hate it when ur shouting at someone u ent seen for years and it turns out it not even them. Yea I just did it! In fact I didn’t just shout at him, I tapped him on the back and called him fatty! No wonder he looked like he was gonna eat me!”
Chris Neath*
“spoke to Len and he reckons there’s snow comin tomorrow! We r gonna be on it Batch!”
Joseph Screen*
“Just stood watching my daughter on her horse lesson thinking #itsabitchilli”
Gary Patchett*
“7 days ago I thought we were up shit creek without a paddle. How times change! A good days work by Rosco and me”
Alun John Rossiter*
“welcome to twitter patch lots of fun on here but don’t take it to serious #RobinsNo1in2012”
Joseph Screen* [at 19.30]
“Arrrr wine o’clock time #loveit”
Jan Staechmann*
“Been interviewed today for a book. Really interesting reliving many happy (and a few not so happy) moments”
Kenneth Hansen*
“i Will donate my golden helmet race jacket from 2007 to my follower no. 1000 . Only 500 to go 😉 #spreadtheword #fun”
Mads Korneliussen*
“what’s the go with people who ask for more followers all the time, i hate it #NotCool #getALife”
2nd December
Mark Lemon*
“Visited my late Granmothers grave with my Dad, I was doing alright until he said, you wanna see your sisters grave #choked-up”
Joseph Screen*
“Let’s see if my bins get emptied today! #oraretheystillonstrike”
Jitendra Duffill*
“Porridge for breakfast, its bloody awful, why the hell would anyone eat this mush voluntarily?”
Chris Van Straaten
“It wasn’t the best environment for him to be in a struggling team at Swindon last season but [Nicolai Klindt] still rode extremely well and was their rider of the year which is great credit to the lad.”
Gary Patchett*
“Thx [Nicolai]. You were a star for us. Shame u can’t be back but must respect parent club rights. Unlike some!”
Joseph Screen*
“Harvester with the family for tea #itsafriday”
Mads Korneliussen*
“Why do it have to make me so sad #badTimes”
Dakota North*
“In mildura today, going to catch up with mr Adams, will be good to see him and his family”
Ben Hopwood*
“Looks like i need a team place for 2012 #notgoodtimes”
Gary Patchett*
“I hear there’s a team manager vacancy at Cov…. I won’t be getting up early to find out who it is”
3rd December
Matt Ford
“I appreciate that Darcy has some personal issues at the moment”
Dakota North*
“was good to see the champ, and good to see what his doing, he amazes me, making awesome recovery really happy for him”
Ben Hopwood
“I do a bit for UPS as a loader.”
Eric Boocock
“I’m still full of enthusiasm for the sport, as much as ever, but I have my own reasons for leaving Sheffield which the management, Neil Machin and David Hoggart, are aware of. There have been issues since the end of the season which have been addressed and I just feel the time is right to move on.”
Nicolai Klindt*
“cricket is fucking boring to watch”
Graham Drury
“I must admit I will be fighting back the tears when the chequered flag falls on the last [Telford Ice Speedway] race”
Nicki Pedersen*
“Enjoying The Holiday In Dubai with family”
Nigel Pearson*
“nice to see you tweeting mate!! Enjoy the break, we love it there!”
Hans Andersen
“I haven’t set myself a goal really. But the only thing I can tell you is that I’ve got a very good feeling in my stomach. I’ve got a voice in the back of my head, telling me that I’m going to show people what I can do.”
Niels Kristian Iversen*
“Tesco on a saturday is just a bad idea. #grrrr”
Rob Armstrong
“When we acquired the promoter of the world speedway series, we had an understanding with the FIM we wanted to take it outside Europe.”
Troy Batchelor*
“Rosco we need a new theme tube song at Swindon no rockin robins please ;)”
Alun John Rossiter*
“will work on it son lots of good vibes today mate #fansarebuzzin”
Gary Patchett*
“on the case mate #toocorny”
Alun John Rossiter*
“things happening at 100 mile a hour bring it on”
Jeff Scott*
“isn’t it Bees fans who buzz? (& Robins fans would chirrup?)”
Gary Spiller
“I took a large number of under-strength sides away with me and that’s what Mike gave us to travel with. It’s like being sat at a poker table and being dealt cards you can do very little with.”
Mike Bowden
“It was unfortunate [Gary Spiller] learned about it that way, but I had sent him a letter and also tried to contact him by ‘phone. I was away fro four days attending the annual meeting of the BSPA and then things happened very quickly when Seemond agreed to take the position following my return from the Midlands.”
Seemond Stephens
“I have spoken to Mike about the situation and while I will have some input, it is down to him to make sure that the business is viable, so final decisions will always be down to the promoter.”
Len Silver
“It was not long after I started [at Hackney] that Terry [Russell] started to appear in the stadium on race-days in the early afternoon. He was probably trying to bunk in for free, so it did not take me long to find him some work and he regularly used to help me to water the track.”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Some people will point to issues Troy had with the club when he left last time, but I get on great with him and I know Gary Patchett is equally excited about bringing him back.”
Rory Schlein
“No disrespect to Bjarne (Pedersen), he’s qualified in his own right and earned his spot, but when you look at the end of his season, you wonder how he qualified because he had a terrible run going into the play-offs and abroad, so how did he make it?”
Plymouth Herald
“Not only one of the UK’s outstanding young speedway riders, he’s also a born leader. No detail is too small for Barker to concern himself with when it comes to looking after his team-mates, to whom he is unswervingly loyal. Even when Barker was seriously hurt – a metal rod holding together an old injury threatened to poke up through his skin – Baker had an operation to repair the damage and was back with his team-mates within a matter of days. The fans love him, not surprisingly as he gives everything for the team. But the affection goes both ways, as Barker had tee-shirts made for fans who supported him at Sheffield, where he represented Plymouth in the Premier League Championship.”
Gary Patchett
“We were stone last in 2011 and both Alun and I want to bring the good times back to Blunsdon”
Nigel Pearson
“We are working with another party to realise something special and at no time during my talks with Dudley Council have they ever said that they don’t want speedway. In fact, we’ve made a massive impact in what we have done. We can’t say what the chances are. We can’t say the timescale. But we’re working on a project and if it’s viable to us, we’ll take it forward.”
Rob Godfrey
“I have had an email from Josh confirming that he’s a man of his word and he will be lining up for Scunthorpe in 2012. I think all of this was designed to unsettle him and us but we all stayed firm, we all knew what we’d done was correct, we’re honourable people. The same as Josh, and when we agree a deal, it’s a deal. To say I was shocked and stunned to be accused of ‘ignoring protocol’ by Sheffield is a huge understatement, so we’ll just leave it at that.”
Len Silver
“Jason [Garrity] demonstrates a winner’s attitude, and in one so young, that is very refreshing. I believe this boy can go all the way and I expect that we at Rye House will play a big part in his future development.”
Rory Schlein
“I said of Darcy and I’ve said it to his face, I think he’s a bit of a freak! The things he does on the bike are unbelievable so there are not going to be too many riders like Darcy Ward. Look at Emil, he burst on the scene exactly the same and he’s had a few crashes and, all of a sudden, he’s slowed down.”
Jon Cook
“We’ve got an ever-improving working relationship with our landlords and the only good thing about the recession is that the venue itself is probably safer than it has ever been in terms of the development in the region because that Regional Development body is one of the quangos that have been dissolved.”
Brian Havelock
“It’s totally wrecked our plans but I can’t run the club into the ground for the sake of one rider. I want speedway here in 2013, 2014 and after…If I want a good team next year I can certainly get one by throwing every penny we’ve got at them, but I probably won’t be running the year after.”
Matt Ford
“Darcy certainly has another point in him and Chris possibly another half a point. It’s difficult when you are top of the tree. Freddie Lindgren has been there for donkey’s years. These guys don’t change much. They stick pretty much to the average they have, so the additional points will have to come from other guys in the team.”
Ben Hopwood
“I am really superstitious and don’t like to change my routines. We go to the local petrol station to fill up on race-day and I have to go to pump three. It’s got to be pump three, no matter how big the queue there. I have the same spot in some dressing rooms and the other thing I must do is put my right boot on first.”
Rob Godfrey [after Edinburgh track of the year]
“I couldn’t believe it. I don’t know how that happened. The criteria must have changed. I was pretty shocked because we put a lot of effort into that and it’s an award we always want to win. If you put the effort in, you expect the rewards. We were second two years ago, we won it last year and now we’re second again, but I’m not too happy with that because I believe we should have won it.”
Len Silver
“[Tyson’s] not just a one-trick pony, he can really ride a motorbike in whatever discipline you like to put him.”
Marcus Williams
“I still find it hard to understand why the BSPA won’t help out. The only help we get from any British promoter is Gordon Pairman. Every year he deposits money into our account and none of the riders last year were his club’s assets.”
4th December
Paul Burbidge*
“The pictures and sound are a bit out of synch on the FIM Gala coverage”
Paul Burbidge*
“Great moment. Rickardsson hands Greg Hancock his FIM World Championship medal. Herbie is two months older and still going strong”
5th December
Fredrik Lindgren*
“On my way to Magnus my Physio at Rehab Centrum in Orebro for a check up on my back injury. Still not 100% but making progress”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Jovial monk tonight first time back in front of Swindon fans so far all been very positive”
Dave Tattum
“We always attempt to give the riders a good racing surface and we look to provide the supporters with some good racing as well as a winning team, and this award obviously shows we must be doing something right. It is a credit to former rider and ex-team manager Nigel Crabtree and the rest of the track staff who put in many hours of work behind the scenes in order to provide a good track, and this award is for them. They thoroughly deserve the recognition they have got this year.”
Mike Bennett
“I think even I would struggle to encourage our fans to cheer for ‘The Fish’”
Troy Batchelor*
“Man you gotta laugh at some stuff that gets written on the Internet it’s like Chinese whispers”
Nigel Pearson*
“Having a chuckle at a website with stories so badly worded and spelt, wannabe journos!!!”
Gary Patchett*
“Happens 365 days of the year mate ;-)”
Bjarne Bramming
“I see it as a challenge, to work for such a professional team with Nicki, and of course I hope that our working together will bring results and get back to the top where Nicki belongs. I’ve always been interested in engines and mechanics, and I am very thorough. It’s all about doing things correct the first time. Previously I have helped other riders, and my experience goes all the way back to the playground of speedway, the Danish micro speedway category, and as an example I was working for Michael Jepsen Jensen in 2011”
Jim Lynch
“My understanding of the situation was that it was a simple carbon copy of football and that if one team won both titles, the cup runners-up would go forward. I fully expected this to happen and it would have given us a deserved flying start to next season. I am disappointed and dismayed that the dates for Wolverhampton to meet Poole were registered without any consultation. I find it astonishing….I would like to know how this decision was taken. Wolverhampton did nothing in the league or the cup last season to justify this decision and Belle Vue did.”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Tried a bit of a new route in this evenings running session. Pretty long but easy pace distance 12,64km / 7,85 miles”
Lee Richardson*
“Just been running in all my new Nike gear!! Lucky I bought it all as bloody freezing #Needtogetintoshape”
Peterborough website
PETERBOROUGH Speedway has reacted angrily to the weekend news that Troy Batchelor has joined Swindon on loan for the 2012 campaign.
The Wiltshire club issued a press release on Saturday morning naming the Australian star in their team, but Panthers bosses are adamant that an illegal approach has been made as the Robins haven’t been given permission to talk to their asset.
Batchelor was left out of the revamped Panthers side that was named last week, but only after club owner and promoter Rick Frost had tried several times without success to contact the rider. Originally they had hoped to include him in their own team plans, but eventually decided to look at other options when they became concerned about his availability for next season.
Rick Frost said: “Swindon Speedway have not made direct contact with the promoters of Peterborough to request permission to speak to any of our riders.
The promoters of Swindon contacted our team manager Trevor Swales and he in turn contacted our co-promoter Julie Mahoney to request permission for them to speak to three riders in particular. They were never given permission to speak to all the riders we weren’t using and they did not request permission to speak to Troy Batchelor. In fact they informed Trevor they intended to go with Hans Andersen and an asset of another Elite League club. They appear to have decided that permission to speak to those three particular riders gave them the right to speak to all of our riders. With the exception of Swindon, all Elite League club promoters have behaved impeccably regarding our rider assets and have followed the correct protocol. This illegal move has been reported to the BSPA Management Committee and we will rigorously defend our rights over our rider asset. In fact we would have liked to have included Troy in our own 2012 team plans and I discussed this with him at the end of the season and offered him a team place for 2012. He initially informed me he was undecided about riding in the UK as he was looking at riding in Poland, Sweden and Russia and was unsure if he could fit in the UK as well. He also stated that if he did ride in the UK it would only be for Peterborough. I asked him to keep me informed and having heard nothing I sent him a text message on November 11 asking him to let me know as soon as possible. I have not to this day received a reply. Troy later contacted Trevor and told him he had signed for a Russian League team and was committed to a minimum of six meetings. Trevor informed Troy we would not get a facility if his meetings in Russia clashed with any Peterborough fixtures and we would have to rely on a Premier League guest instead. In addition to that the BSPA Management Committee had imposed a £2,000 fine on the club and a 28-day ban on Troy (dated from March 26, 2012), for his non appearance at the Elite League Riders Championship staged at Swindon in October. This was because he accepted a Russian race booking instead of the ELRC which was also in breach of his contract with Peterborough. Taking all of this into consideration it became clear that we could not include him in our 2012 team plans. Troy has done a fantastic job for us and we would have been delighted to have him back this year. In fact we had a number of permutations including him in the team, but when we considered everything we decided we had to go with a different formation and structure (strength in depth). I did again try to contact Troy to explain the position we were in and to discuss the possibility of a proposed scheme that would still allow him to do some meetings for Peterborough in 2012. I was, however, unable to reach him on either his UK or Polish numbers, but left messages on each asking for him to call me. Trevor also sent Troy two text messages asking him to call me, but we heard nothing. We therefore finalised our team without Troy and, having still not heard from him, we made the decision to announce the full 2012 team last Tuesday. We are very disappointed that Troy chose not to return my calls and has now signed for a club who did not have permission to speak to him. He does, however, remain our asset and we would like to wish him all the best for the new season.”
Gary Patchett*
“Pots, kettles etc. Hypocritical to say the least considering previous. All above board from our side. #isitcosoursidelooksbeterthanyours?”
Gary Patchett*
“Just like to confirm that we spoke to Simon Stead’s parent club before we signed him. #canyouadamandeveit”
Cory Gathercole*
“Looking forward to being a Wasp next year, looks like a great team so bring on the 2012 season an lets win some trophys.”
6th December
Mads Korneliussen*
“It’s 3am and i still can’t sleep #why”
Linus Sundstrom*
“Its nice to be important but its more important to be nice, right?”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Nah that’s bullshit”
David Hoggart
“Some of the stuff people write on the internet is a disgrace and very ill-informed. People should know better. These posts are unsettling are our riders… Forums and social networking sites have positive parts to play in the sport, but not all the time. In this instance, it is negative and has only served to unsettle a couple of riders.”
Graham Drury
“I’m very pleased to have Ben on board, he has plenty of ambition and is a firm favourite with the crowd at Perry Barr. I would like to thank Jon Cook and John Campbell who are the fixture compilers, I gave them early notice of Ben’s potential fixture clashes and as things stand he will be available for us in all our meetings.”
Alun John Rossiter
“Simon [Stead] was told we couldn’t guarantee him a place in the team a fortnight ago and to be fair to the lad he was gutted. Our team building took an unexpected but pleasant twist when Troy Batchelor became available and this allowed us to bring Simon back into the equation. We’re really pleased.”
Alan Dick
“It would appear that [Josh Grajczonek] has recovered totally from his injury as recent results have proved, and if that is the case then it will be on a personal level a great battle between Josh and Joe Screen to see who finishes the season as No.1 – in fact, I expect Josh to be one of the big hitters in the league this coming year.”
Jason Attwood
“Simon [Lambert] contacted me at the weekend and was keen to come to Leicester. I was impressed by him last season at Sheffield and how he improved his average by over two points.”
Nigel Pearson*
“Delighted to help two aspiring young journalists with their media coursework last week. Good luck guys”
Ben Barker
“I go on the forums and they say doubling up shows a lack of ambition. I just want one of these people to go to Andreas Jonsson, who is now No.2 in the world, and say ‘you’ve got no ambition, you’re riding in the second league in Sweden….It’s not about me lacking ambition. I want to be No.1 in the world. I’m just in a situation where I need to be racing every day of the week. It’s so hard. I haven’t got anything big on the continent. I’m not in Poland or Sweden. That’s where the money is. I have to fill my calendar up and pay the bills. But a lot of it is not about the money to be honest. It’s about time on the bike.”
Niall Strudwick*
“bored of not being able to ride :(. Training going well and still thinking positive #gameon”
Kenneth Hansen*
“Just read on a British fans forum that it would take a VERY Big offer for me to go to Premier league! What a jerk would write that! Don’t Know the man/woman who put it on there!! #bullshit”
Shane Parker*
“Lovin life! This retirement from racing is great. Till March when it’s time I should be getting bikes ready! #oldschoolrules”
Adam Roynon*
“Its pissing down and I’m so bored its unreal! ..mayaswell go to the gym!!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Need to be in 4 places at once next summer – Darts, Speedway GP, Elite League, Euro 2012. Life is never simple!”
Rene Bach*
“done 3 seasons now! 1 month for peterborugh in 2009 and came to Newcastle in june that year and been there since!… But you might aswell take last season away Cos only did 1 month in march and then 1month in august”
Jan Staechmann*
“Absolutely. Perfect time to come back with a vengeance”
Martin Neal*
“Apparently I’m a contributor to Jeff Scott’s new Twitter-related #speedway book. Wonder if this tweet will get in the 2012 edition?”
Bryn Williams*
“You too Martin???”
Kenneth Hansen*
“Hey You all.. I wonder what your top give All Star team is? Here is mine! T.richardsson, H.nielsen, Ole.O, Kurt.Hansen, B.Penhall”
Paul Shackleton*
“is looking forward to reading Jeff Scott’s new book. Especially all the stuff from Weymouth Speedway :)”
Mike Bennett*
“I honestly have NO idea about team line ups for King’s Lynn Stars next season but the #speedway forum is full of various suggestions!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Delighted to welcome Byron Bekker to the Heathens for 2011. Much better than a 6.55 rider”
David Rowe*
“He’s gonna do a great job for you Nige! #bargainaverage”
Dick Barrie
“pray tell — if it is only Twitter quotes, how can I have contributed, since I absolutely refuse to join any form of social network?”
Derek Barclay
“Hmm, so Mr. Scott makes profit from this and just this small amount to the Ben Fund…Easy money for a book ‘written’ by others and accessed by him for free..
Though at least we’ve saved (for now..) another massive tome of the same old. same old Jeffrey nonsense…”
Jo Lowry*
“Had a good chat with Mr Horton tonight so fingers crossed I’ll be back for the 2012 season! Just need to make sure Kenni Larsen and co tell the bosses I’m a much needed member of the team!!”
Alan Boon*
“Oh! I’m in the new book by Jeff Scott! Wonder which pearl of wisdom he’s quoted :/”
7th December
Nicolai Klindt*
“is going to try this skydiving out”
Olly Allen*
“Gym time….bring it on! Rocking some nickelback tunes to get me going”
Olly Allen*
“Back in the day I used to love a road trip with Rosco and frankie cox! We always had the big tunes rocking and plenty of banter!”
Alun John Rossiter*
“I can vouch for that and Frankie’s arse”
Joseph Screen*
“I’m back alive again after one manic weekend! Cheers to everyone who took part #notasyoungasiusetobe”
Sam Masters
“I wrote a Facebook comment that I shouldn’t have. That won’t happen again and I have learned my lesson. I should worry about racing instead of writing on Facebook. It was a bit of a learning curve and it was not good to write what I did. I copped it on the chin and now I have just got to move on and learn from it.”
Phil Hine
“There was no permission asked or granted to use content from British Speedway Forum so I would expect nothing to appear in the book from here. Must have taken ages to ask permission from all the twitter account users and verify with them the names are correct.”
Joseph Screen*
“Might go for a new colour speedway design for 2012”
Nicki Pedersen*
“Have just signed The contract for Gdansk In Poland #wellhappy”
Coventry speedway
A TEAM of Speedway Referees including Jim Lawrence, Chris Durno, Dave Watters and Tony Steele were the winners of the Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club Christmas Quiz last night.
Nicki Pedersen*
“Will deside tomorrow !!! if im going to ride In uk or not In 2012 #letmethinkguys”
Joseph Screen*
“Just got my first meeting booked! Shane parkers farewell”
Chris Durno
“My votes (and you can only go on what you see) were for Peterborough in the EL, Newport – who used to be the worst but since they added the shale the best – in the PL and, because you have to rule out the double up tracks, Mildenhall in the NL.”
Alan Boon*
“Can’t believe some idiots are talking copyright infringement over Jeff Scott using their forum posts and tweets in his new book”
Alan Boon*
“I guess he could have. Awful lot of work for a toilet book, though. Don’t tweet it/post it if you don’t want it read!”
Alan Boon*
“I’m not sure there’s an awful lot of profit to be made – plus every copy sold is £5 to the BenFund. Phil is too precious”
Alan Boon*
“1 or 2 individuals. Phil was the first to mention copyright. Thing is, no-one’s buying it for what nobody fans say :)”
8th December
Ernie Battey
“Please note that the [Radipole Lane] land to which you refer has not been used as a builders’ dumping ground. Any waste and rubble etc on there was already present and is being cleared from the site not stored on it.”
David Hoggart
“I have a series of text messages on my phone between myself and Simon [Lambert] which proves we’ve been in dialogue.”
Jonathan Barber*
“Cant wait for witches announcement. .”
Mads Korneliussen*
“I just can’t work out a washing machine, why can’t it just be simple #nothappy”
Linus Sundstrom*
“Picking up the new van today #2012”
Troy Batchelor*
“you got 2 much money”
Casper Wortmann*
“bigspender eh?;-) looking good mate”
Linus Sundstrom*
“Van is not new, its a couple of years old! my pockets isnt deep enough to buy a brand new one..”
9th December
Troy Batchelor*
“Feels like I have some sort of broken back”
Nicki Pedersen*
“Thanks for all the interrest guys !!! Still waiting for the Club to come back to Mé #haveaniceday”
Mike Bellerby
“The first two years of the 100 Club have made a real difference to the club. The 100 Club funds enabled us to buy Joonas Kylmakorpi from Lakeside and the 2011 funds have been used to purchase a new air-fence for the pits bend.”
Niels Kristian Iversen*
“Up and about again this morning. Need to make my mind up about bike design for 2012”
Kevin Long*
“welcome to Ipswich Speedway Dakota, l look forward to working with you (if I’m re-signed of course!)”
Paul Burbidge*
“I can’t believe no-one has picked up Kacper Gomolski yet. 3.90 is a bargain for me. He was dynamite at Gniezno in WU21 Final. Real prospect”
Shawn Moran*
“At the Peugeot dealer, gettin Sab’s Turbo checked out, again. Dont that diesel power feelin. Gotta have some UMPH n that puppy. Haul-Booty”
Alan Boon*
“BSPA apply their own rules correctly and Sam Masters is on a 4.51. It shouldn’t be news when speedway does some properly, should it?”
Alan Boon*
“only because Peterborough put in a complaint. Otherwise the fans would have been ignored :)”
Alun John Rossiter*
“pretty good nearly there u riding still ?”
Gary Havelock*
“be rude not too”
Alun John Rossiter*
“excellent how is your proto shay branny ??”
Gary Havelock*
“WTF ???”
Alun John Rossiter*
“young Branford he says your his mentor”
Gary Havelock*
“Oh you mean Branflake!!!!! Not spoke to him mate since he went back. Good kid tho. funny as well!!!!!”
Alun John Rossiter*
“yes I like him to I call him branny”
Gary Havelock*
“I thought you were on about those brothers from mara land!!!”
Nigel Pearson*
“commentators. Don’t listen to them. Especially speedway !! Lol!”
David Rowe*
“too right, most of us are screaming imbeciles!”
Nigel Pearson*
“I’ve been called worse – but never to my face! #losers”
Alun John Rossiter*
“ESP u Pearson your so biased with that tatum bloke”
Nigel Pearson*
“yeah man so biased to whatever team is doing well ! Call it as I see it yawn !”
Paul Burbidge*
“Jury is out on Kling for me. Still not totally convinced about him, but capable of a 5pt average if Poole get him going”
Paul Burbidge*
“What’s this about Sam Masters average going up from 4.03 to 4.51? Surely rules should say which figure it is from the outset”
Alan Boon*
“The rule, such as it was, didn’t make sense. For once common sense has prevailed. Not just Masters caught up in it.”
Paul Burbidge*
“I think the right decision has been made too. It just annoys me that the rules aren’t clear enough”
Alan Boon*
“Oh, you’re preaching to the converted! Rules need to be simplified, big style. And perhaps an independent rubber stamper :)”
Matt Ford
“Whilst it is an inconvenience as I have already had talks
with one or two riders who will not now be able to be accommodated given Sam’s higher figure, I do understand the decision made by the Management Committee.”
10th December
Bob Tasker*
“Hey, I think Parseholes might suspect you of having hacked NOTW style into his talks to move the ‘ackney ‘awks into the Olympic Stadium!”
Joonas Kylmakorpi
“If you look at my record throughout the domestic leagues this year I am among the top 16 riders in the world. I desperately want to be part of the Speedway Grand Prix and that is my big goal at the moment.”
Nigel Pearson*
“Heathens Speedway Xmas party tonight – driving so best behaviour from me. Still time to change mind and take a cab I guess!”
Kevin Doolan
“I have an Ashley Jones wrist band that I never take off. Ashley was always by my side and the way I see it, he still is. We grew up together, went through juniors and seniors and I helped get him the team place at King’s Lynn. We had a spell at number three and four and to come out of turn two and look over and see my best mate alongside me, it just doesn’t get any better.”
Nicki Pedersen*
“Sorry to dissapoint all my KL Stars fans I tryed to see if i could Work something out. It wont fit in to my busy schedule. #stillmissyouall”
Keith McGhie
“There is, however, a frequent tendency for an imbalance in sound levels between the quietly spoken Mort and the harsher tones of interviewer Tony MacDonald to have you regularly reaching for the volume on the remote control.”
Bryn Williams
“I tell you one to look out for on Twitter is that Paul Burbidge. He’s a young journalist who’s making his way in his speedway journalistic career but is not afraid to ask questions”
Adam Roynon*
“Guy sitting opposite me has eaten a apple to its core like a normal person.. Then he sticks the core in his mouth and eats that too! #weird”
Eric Boocock
“I’d still like to be involved but it would have to suit me, there are some places I wouldn’t go although I’m not going to say where or why.”
Peter Oakes
“A rider’s nationality will be the first criteria used…and then it will be judged on how long he has been at each club.”
Chris Neath*
“Mental note to myself – dont leave all ya washing till you have no clothes left next time…”
Kevin Doolan
“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved on little reserves.”
Niall Strudwick*
“looking for sponsors to help support me for next season, any takers?”
Peter Oakes
“If, as expected, Elite League bosses give the go-ahead to a squad system at their January council meeting.”
Chris Neath*
“Never go to the Swan at Whitington, the food was shit, the waiter was rude and it costs a fortune #ripoff”
Richard Frost
‘[David Gordon] has a separate in-tray marked ‘Schlein’ as he has made the opening approach to Coventry to make the Aussie into a full time Belle class=”MsoNormal”>Nicolai Klindt*
the loudest one in the club is the weakest one in the club”
Chris Holder
“I live in Poole. I have a house there. I can’t see why I would want to leave unless Matt Ford or Neil Middleditch left and I would have to think about it.”
Chris Neath
“It’s a tricky track [Rye House] because it’s actually an easy one to ride but it’s a hard one to go quick on.”
11th December
Josh Garjczonek*
“Good job vodafone, awesome updates full reception to none at my joint. Just wat u need wen ur tryin to sort out team #2 #fukkvodaphone”
Rob Lyon
“We are going for strength in depth similar in similar style to Eastbourne who finished Elite League runners-up last season”
Ben Hopwood*
“Still no job for next season #britishspeedwayisanumbersgame :(“
Cory Gathercole*
“Had an awsome night at Gillman last night, finally won the South Aussie Titles. Taken a while but got there in the end”
Paul Burbidge*
“Interesting to hear Wolves dropped Ludvig Lindgren for 2012. His 3.84 ave is good value. He’s a better bet than Sowka”
Alan Boon*
“Can only imagine Sowka not doubling up made the difference”
Tyson Nelson*
“I love work #notreally”
12th December
Darcy Ward*
“Hope the sun sticks around”
Nicolai Klindt*
“my phone is going out of the window or into the wall very soon. been turning it self on and off for the last 16 hours….”
John Campbell
“Having a chance of winning the league in 2012 is all about finishing in the top six in the regular part of the season, and getting to the top six is all about winning home matches.”
David Hoggart
“I have a lot of experience in business, dealing with various people, and I can honestly say the call I had to make to Ricky was one of the hardest I have ever made. He’s a great lad and I regard him as a pal. Speedway is a numbers game when it comes to team building and sometimes people are unlucky. We will be doing everything we possibly can to try and help Ricky [Ashworth] get fixed up elsewhere.”
Dakota North*
“mechanic wanted for 2012, around ipswich tweet me if you know a screw driver from a spanner”
Alan Boon*
“No offence to James Holder but I’m kinda glad a 4.00 PL Australian in his mid-20s doesn’t have a team place for 2012 #backthebrits”
Olly Allen*
“2 sets of 2011 Kevlar racesuits for sale, made by Maliniak. Contact me if you’re interested”
Nigel Pearson*
“speedway review show first showing new year’s eve at 3pm – Dec 31!! Sky Sports 3 – reminded me of the great season we had”
Alan Boon*
“Newport for the New Year Classic. South Wales in early January? Do I really want to do that? #coldwetandwales”
Nigel Pearson*
“Back at opticians for consultation tomorrow 19 days after laser surgery. Still blurred in right eye at night. Not good in my job”
Jo Lowry*
“Can’t believe I’ve never noticed that Adam Roynon looks like ‘Bruno’! Obviously I’m going to be hated now…but he really does!”
Tai Woffinden*
“Soz havent been on fb or twitter better get back into it all again! happy speedway is over for a bit good to have a break been riding mx heaps and a bit of fishing got a house rebuilt it top to bottom hope to be in it for new year just in nandos! :)”
13th December
Mark Lemon*
“Bit fresh in Melbourne, might have to slip the jumper on!”
Ian Adam*
“Mark Lemon well done on the new job Australia is the national team for Scottish speedway fans”
Gary Havelock*
“well you wouldn’t be supporting England would you??”
Ian Adam*
“we would if it was a northern team instead of those southern softies is it team GB or England”
Darcy Ward*
“Pretty lucky for 2012 .the 3 best clubs in 3 countrys !!! Poole pirates , unibax torun , dackarna malilla ……”
Ricky Ashworth
“Sadly my Sheffield days are over for now at least. It’s been a memorable 10 years. I’ve had loads of fun along the way but I feel absolutely gutted.”
Nigel Pearson*
“You will never catch me criticising fellow broadcasters in public. It’s just not on. Unprofessional”
Roman Chyla
“Earlier this year (2011), Gorzow, the home track of Tomasz Gollob and Nicki Pedersen was staging one of the rounds of the Speedway Grand Prix.
It has been revealed in the Polish media (sportowefakty. pl) that the contract signed with the BSI is now being questioned by the Gorzow City councilors.
At the last Monday’s Gorzow City Council’s session, the Councilors have asked the Town Treasurer what was the actual cost of staging the final round of the 2011 SGP in their town.
They were told that on 25 March 2011, the city treasury transferred to the BSI account about 200 thousand UK Pounds. The second tranche was paid on June 17 2011, amounting to – about 212 thousand UK Pounds. The Gorzow speedway club, Stal, itself have paid 112.5 thousand Pounds.
So the total cost of staging SGP round this year at Gorzow amounted to around 525 thousand.Pounds – said treasurer.”
Nigel Pearson*
“speedway fans – the Elite League fixtures could well be out before Xmas. Keep checking their website and twitter”
Nicki Pedersen
“There was a chance that I could have come back to King’s Lynn in the British Elite League. The carrot if you will, was the track. It is my favourite track, and doing a deal with the promotion was no problem either, because they would very much have liked me back in the team. Another advantage was naturally the chance to get some competitive racing under my belt before going to New Zealand late March. The problem was the calendar. There are simply too many meetings in the Elite League, and we finally had to realise that it just wasn’t possible, considering the many engagements I already have for 2012”.
14th December
Dakota North*
“when are you announcing me?”
Alun John Rossiter*
“don’t jest I will get in trouble how’s going working for a living”
Dakota North*
“work is fucked, I’m never complaining about washing a bike again!”
Alun John Rossiter*
“it’s the best job u travel the world ride bikes get paid for it but your a long time finished quick take it with both hands !”
Jonathan Chapman*
“Dakota I hear you want to talk to me, send a dm”
David Howe*
“months aussie ban and 2k fine for mr masters”
Sam Masters*
“makes me sick mate can’t believe it!!! No wonder why no1 likes to ride out here ay #aussiespeedway”
Paul Burbidge*
“Shame to see riders like Nicki Pedersen forced out of EL by fixture list. 1 home, 1 away is enough. Clubs are losing money. Less is more”
Niels Kristian Iversen*
“i agree, its a shame that top riders are missing out. But to dó the GB Leagues it takes a full setup. You need fixtures to cover it. Abroard you Can do a few Leagues on the same gear. So sadly i Think to Cut the fixtures will make force even more riders to miss out.”
Paul Burbidge*
“You make some very good points. Many Aussies and Brits also rely on British speedway to make a living. I think a squad system is the answer. Those who want to do all 28 meetings can. Those who don’t can share with another rider.”
Josh Gudgeon*
“So Ekstraliga clubs can only have one GP rider but Division One clubs could have as many as they like? That makes sense…”
David Howe*
“61kgs that’ll do!”
15th December
Darcy Ward*
“Who does websites ????”
David Howe*
“speedway365 does mine”
Paul Burbidge*
“It would be a laughable state of affairs if world No.7 Kenneth Bjerre has to race in the Polish First Division. Ridiculous Polish rules”
Niall Strudwick*
“writing out christmas cards :), anyone want me to send you one email me :)”
Paul Burbidge*
“Bjarne Pedersen quitting Sweden to stay in Britain is a big call. An expensive move, but one which may help his SGP chances”
Michael Lee
“It is absolutely ludicrous. We knew we had a promotional fee to pay which had been deferred and we were willing to pay, but this new cost is just ridiculous. We are fully intent on running next year and we have everything lined up, but we can’t afford the sort of money they are demanding. They are trying to rob speedway and rob youngsters from getting involved in the sport. After all the work we have put in we are absolutely dumbfounded.”
16th December
Mike Bowden
“Ricky’s been there 10 years and he felt he needed a change. He’s delighted to come to Plymouth. I rang Sheffield as a matter of courtesy to ask their permission and they were very helpful, so we’ve done the deal….Ricky [Ashworth] will be a great signing for us – when he rode against us last season he won two races and came second, winning eight points. He loves the track. I would think he’s going to race at number five, because we need a second heat leader.”
Mildenhall
“THE Promotional team at Mildenhall are currently in dispute with the BSPA over an entry fee that has been levied to join the National League.
It is very disappointing to have this additional cost put upon us in order to continue with our project at Mildenhall. There is no doubt that the Fen Tigers were the big success story in British Speedway in 2011, and it is very disappointing not to receive support from the association.
To pay the additional fees would leave the club with a cash flow problem. When you consider that not a single penny was taken from the club this year to ensure that we could invest heavily in year two to get the academy up and running, with equipment for 12-18 year olds to come and have a ride, this news was devastating.
We will be working very hard to convince the association that our project is worth supporting for the good of youth development in this country, and hope that some sort of compromise can be reached. We are four ex professional riders still very much committed to the Mildenhall project, and will do all we can to ensure that it continues.”
BSPA
MARTIN Smolinski, the man labelled ‘Mr Telford’ by ice speedway organisers, will appear in the last ever event at the Shropshire rink on February 26.
Paul Burbidge*
“I’ve just written a letter calling on West Dorset Council to block plans to turn Weymouth’s Wessex Stadium speedway into a storage facility”
Lee Richardson*
“Did 5 km in 25 mins”
17th December
Chris Harris
“I’m one of the ones who probably felt Eddie should have had a bigger ban, but he got the ban he got, served it and that’s it.”
Kenni Larsen*
“Just finished my first 8 km run this year #sweatinglikeafatgirlinthedisco”
Nicolai Klindt*
“run bitch run”
Ben Barker
“I felt a pop. It was like bubble wrap – that sort of noise. It was my leg. It popped open, there was pus and blood everywhere and I had to go in and have three more operations.”
Adam Roynon*
“Pissed up at my sponsors Christmas party! Loving it!!”
Mick Horton
“I feel like a little kid with a bag of toys”
Jon Cook
“Whilst we would have expected greater support for a sole [NL] team, we can’t escape the fact that, even with a reduced rent and funds from our Training Schools, our half season last year still ran up a loss of over £8,500. In its current structure for teams with a professional league first team, the National League is clearly better suited to teams that have reduced costs by owning their own stadia and are able to get the benefits of the other outlets such as food and bar takings”
George English
“While we are very sad to see Derek [Sneddon] go, we fully understand the reasons for the decision he came to as no way could we match the fantastic offer Ediburgh made him. Quite rightly, in the current economic climate, Derek could not afford to turn it down.”
Steve Mallett
“To be perfectly honest, there is only a small circle of riders to call upon [for New Year Classic]”
Max Gregoric
“My studies are now close to an end – in September I passed my last exam and now I’m writing the thesis on the financial history of the district where I live”
Stuart Parnaby
“There are a lot of [NL] teams out there now buying riders who just want to win a trophy. Without doubt, we won the league last year with the cheapest team out there. I can’t think of another team out there which would have been as cheap as ours. We did it the way the league is meant to be, we developed a team and that team won the league.”
Nick Mallett
“It was partly my own fault and by the way the [PL] league situation worked against us whereby we lost so many home meetings….because of the lack of home [NL] fixtures, the crowd disappeared and at the same time the confidence of our riders seemed to disappear as well.”
19th December
Dakota North*
“All 3 team and deals sorted for twenty twelve guys! #happydays”
Lakeside
Work will shortly commence on our very own Academy Training Track on land just behind the Lakeside GoKarting track, with a major announcement on that project to follow in the New Year.
Speedway Star*
Former World Champion Gary Havelock will go into his 28th season in the sport having agreed to continue as captain of Redcar next year
Shane Parker*
“Only would you see it on a trip to Wales, a bloke stuck under a bus and a train that had ran into a Lorry! Can it get anymore exciting?”
20th December
British Dirt Track press release
“2012 the year of Dirt”
Nigel Pearson*
“Killing time in hotel – how did we ever manage without twitter? Bored.com”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Oi oi, they have started quoting my tweets at The Sun! How to tackle this?!?”
Nigel Pearson*
“Great to hear of harmony and goodwill amongst all speedway promoters”
Gary Patchett*
“We were told 40 y o Mark Robinson would be a 9 in the NL. Asked before he guested at end of season. Last ave applies we’re told”
Alan Boon*
“That’s ridiculous! Not surprising, just ridiculous :)”
David Howe*
“Got guards, pick engine plates up in morning, got engines from swr, need D-Star Racewear to get his thumb out his ass now 😉 #sexyspeedway”
Shane Parker*
“David it’s the off season relax mate!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Kurtz Armo Johnson Franklin D Stoneman + 2 – good team”
21st December
Jon Cook
“This is the earliest I can remember us issuing the fixture list in years, and everyone is delighted that it is available before the festive period.”
Mads Korneliussen*
“i love liveing in this old farmhouse, but i hate mice #BadCombo”
Lakeside
Santa arrives early for Hammers fans, with entire 2012 Hammers team announced tomorrow morning (thurs) at 9am
Gary Havelock*
“Wtf????? Who takes a bull terrier to the match???”
22nd December
BSPA
TEENAGER Brandon Freemantle could miss the entire 2012 season after suffering a broken femur in a road accident. Freemantle, who was set to join the Isle of Wight in the National League, was involved in a collision with a car when on his moped, and has now had his femur pinned and screwed.”
Paul Burbidge*
“Take a bow Jon Cook and Stuart Douglas. I thought Lakeside would be strong, but they are title contenders for 2012 with Rico, Watt and PK”
Alan Boon*
“Lakeside team looks okay but you have to remember it includes Watt away from Poole and Karlsson away from Wolves #droppingaverages”
Alan Boon*
“Cook continues where Ford left off, conveniently awarding Robert Mear a discount on his average to make his team fit #rottenbspa”
Peter Johns*
“The write up in the ‘star was ok. If I made that many mistakes in my work I would not be in business too long! I did ask to read it first!!!”
23rd December
Paul Burbidge*
“I’m pleased Harris has a job in the Ekstraliga. He could really be a hero for Czestochowa if he hits his stride. Shame Bjerre out of work”
Jem Dicken
“I strongly oppose this [change of use] application. The owners of this [Radipole Lane] land have taken away one of Weymouth’s amenities which has been used by local people and tourists alike. This land has been designated for leisure purposes for years and planning should not be changed.”
Chris Louis
“I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m happy at the outcome. There has been some miscommunication and it is tinged with disappointment that the BSPA persisted with the entry fee, which shouldn’t have been necessary. But we were faced with it and this conclusion will help our cash flow and allow us to carry on the good work from last season. It would have been ridiculous had we not have been able to carry on, and we couldn’t let that happen.”
Alan Boon*
“King’s Lynn Stars have 5 double-up riders when only 4 are allowed. Why hasn’t anyone noticed? Howe/Smith/North/Sitera/Palm Toft”
Philip Rising
“I THINK the work of [illustrator] Bob Hoare is brilliant. They are caricatures (definition: a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect) not portraits and if you cannot recognise Greg Hancock [Xmas Speedway Star cover] then I’m sorry but no doubt many will”
24th December
Lee Richardson*
“I just put my sons flat peak monster cap on and he couldn’t stop laughing! You’re too old to wear that !! #makesmefeelold #thinkhesright”
Chris Louis
“For a World Champion, as Michael was – okay, he’s not everybody’s ideal role model, I tend to not side with that, I tend to think actually he’s a very, very good role model for someone who’s been able to turn around what he’s done – and myself and Kevin, who’ve had great careers, although I’m not naïve, but I would have liked to have thought that perhaps the promotional rights fee would have been waivered in respect of what we’d achieved and what we wanted to achieve. We can accept that it wasn’t waivered, because that’s the deal we entered into when we first got involved, but to have it doubled was almost a kick in the teeth.”
Jem Dicken
“At the moment, there are only nine letters in there. one of them is from me. Only two of those were from Weymouth”
John Resch
“I’m not superstitious but one thing I always do is get the bikes out of the van as soon as we get to a meeting.”
Paul Burbidge
“Scott’s hatred of all things BSI and SGP is well documented.”
Neil Middleditch
“[The World Cup] is a business though. They have to do what think is best for the business”
Danny Warwick
“I had always had my hair shaved until 2004, but people were always telling me to grow it so I did and I put it into dreads in 2005. I decided if I was going to grow it, then it would have to go in dreads and that I’d be the ‘Rasta Rocket’.”
Philip Rising
“Is the current Elite League points limit a good thing or not? Is it having the desired effect of equalising the strengths of all 10 teams when they line-up next March? It would appear that many teams are scratching around to fill their lower order not with riders that they would prefer but those who literally fit the bill. As a consequence many riders who are plainly not of Elite League standard, especially when at the tapes alongside some who are obviously far superior both in terms of ability and equipment, are being promoted beyond their true level.Would a higher limit actually allow teams to have more strength-in-depth and a better balance and as a result produce superior entertainment?”
25th December
Chris Neath*
“8 years ago today I lost a brother. I know your celebrating with us in the sky dude orv peace”
26th December
Derek Barclay
“Hmm, appropriate for a season when they’re traditionally roasted on the fire, we have this old chestnut yet again! One that is regularly trotted out without any regard to the facts… If more than 5% of the contents of this week’s issue [of Speedway Star] is available anywhere readily on the Internet I’d be astonished…”
Lewis Bridger
“I have 3months to lose 6kg #letshaveit #nobooze #nojunkfood loads & loads of training !”
27th December
David Hoggart
“We needed a clean sweep and that’s what we’ve done. There have been critics, but we’re confident that the 2012 [Sheffield] team has balance and plenty of potential. If they all do what we expect them to do, we’ll be up there again.”
Lewis Bridger*
“Running a hot bath with some scent oil’s 😉 looking forward to gym later”
Roman Chyla
“For a few years now, the highest level of competition in Polish speedway (the Ekstraliga) has been managed by a company established by its own clubs. Under the management of the Polish Speedway Ekstraliga Ltd., speedway in Poland has changed its image from a provincial sport into a national player on an advertising market. A sport that employs celebrities from around the world of speedway and attracts thousands of spectators on the terraces and even more on television.
Using the argument of having full stadiums and world class riders, the Polish Speedway Ekstraliga managed to reserve for itself the television’s prime Sunday’s viewing time by showing live two league’s matches on a state satellite channel TVP Sport. Such a media rarity presented the benefits also to the clubs. They managed to attract a large local businesses. In Leszno and Gorzow, clubs began to target well-known entrepreneurs in the cities. In Torun, the Polish stock exchange mogul, Mr Roman Karkosik, became the owner of the local speedway team.
His club, Unibax, as far back as in 2007 had a budget of 5.5 million PLN. This year the budget has exceeded 8 million PLN, and it was not the league’s largest. The clubs – once managed by amateurs – have become real businesses.”
Lewis Bridger*
“Well that takes the complete p*ss, got all pumped for the gym, jog down there & there still closed”
28th December
Nick Mallett
“The track staff have worked so hard relaying the track with tons and tons of new dirt down and packed in and it should produce some great racing.”
Nicki Pedersen
“I didn’t want to shoot myself in the foot. It would have been nice to start in Britain, but it would have been too hectic halfway through the season. You have to remember there are 12 rounds in the Grand Prix. You have to be focused on all of them and not too tired halfway through the season. We looked at it and tried to see if we could fit Britain in to start off with. We were just looking at doing a couple of months. It wasn’t down to money. I knew I wasn’t going to make money. I just wanted to start off earlier. They wanted me to do more meetings and I could see I was going to be too busy from July onwards. I’d have also needed a couple more guys (mechanics), bikes and vans. It wouldn’t have been ideal.”
Iain J Davies*
“speedway rarely does things logically, if they could build squads above the points limit but track only to 40 it would allow”
Nigel Pearson*
“I mentioned it several times on Sky Sportslast season but it didn’t go down well I’m told. If EL clubs were allowed to sign 2 No.1s it would tempt the likes of Nicki, Emil, Jason and AJ I’m sure. 14 matches each? Perfect. Birkingham’s biggest crowd since opening night 2007 was when Emil visited with Coventry. I rest my case”
29th December
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Why do women take pictures of them self and their bodies and so all the time and put out for viewing? All the time, why?”
Taylor Poole*
“Backpackers in surfers is fun as! Foreign people on holidays have no fucking idea!”
Jim Lynch
“We moved very quickly when Adam [Shields] became available after our initial interest had fallen through. He is a rider I have admired over the years, not just for his ability but for his great attitude to the sport.”
30th December
Lee Smart
“I hope to see supporters from all my old tracks shouting for me [at New Year Classic] as this will give me the boost I need to provide a shock again in a very strong field of riders.”
Alan Boon*
“to be fair it’s hard to make a robin look fierce [on new Swindon logo]”
Mads Korneliussen*
“I just did not know i was this shy”
31st December
Eddie Davies*
“As a mechanic your main priority is giving your rider the best set up you can. They will always want more, that’s just the way it is ……. Kirky Ln when its been raining its a lottery. Make an educated guess at sprocket size, knock the timing well back and give it full gas”
Eric Thornton
“St John Ambulance cadet, Jamie Sullivan, has received a prestigious [John Potts] Award for outstanding service which included attending the scene when Kyle Newman severed his femoral artery….’Jamie’s first aid work was highly commended. He remained calm throughout and his first aid knowledge and assistance was invaluable to the doctors on duty that night.’”
Eddie Davies*
“Stock Cars and Speedway bikes sharing the same track will not work”
Glyn Taylor
“I had five broken vertebrae, two of which were unstable and there were two other riders who had suffered almost identical injuries at the time and they were both in wheelchairs, so it was very worrying. I had surgery to bolt them all back together and I did ride again, although not for a year. It’s a drug, it really is, and once you’ve done it, there’s little in sport that gives me the same adrenaline rush.”
Jo Lowry*
“Started off absolutely shite after losing a close friend. Missed you this season Joyce [Blythe] xxx”
Bryn Williams*
“Here’s to a Happy & Healthy 2012 for us all. Made any resolutions yet? My first one, hard to believe for some maybe, is to give up smoking!”