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11th June Even an Elite League encounter between two of the current top teams can’t be introduced without some prior reference to the GP series or the Cardiff Grand Prix on any Sky broadcast. Jonathan notes with rapier like acuity, “it’s looking good for Cardiff for the overall GP” which I translate to mean no […]

11th June When I arrive early at Monmore Green Stadium, the Dave Rattenberry track shop stall is already erected and almost completely stocked, despite the fact that there are nearly four hours before the tapes rise. As usual, Dave is there along with John Rich – who I immediately apologise to since he’s regrettably been […]

10th June It’s already a warm day when I arrive at Sittingbourne though it’s still only mid-morning. One of the first people to greet me is Chelsea Lee-Amies who tells me rather proudly that she “got here at half eight with my dad to help with the track”. Her father Stuart (aka ‘Rat’) is one […]

9th June Having worked in Harlow, it’s always an embarrassment not to be able to find a short cut through the town to the toll bridge by the sewage works that leads to the speedway stadium in Hoddesdon. This time I even managed to go past the rather posh Harlow greyhound stadium, the football club […]

After mature consideration by the judges, the winning entry was submitted by Chris MacDonald. I’d like to thank everyone who entered and I apologise for taking so long to announce Chris as the winner and to publish the other entertaining entries. Limerick Competition Winner: There was a Team Manager called Lynch,Who thought winning the League […]

Brian Owen, Argus, 13th June 2007 Speedway author and Eastbourne Eagles fan Jeff Scott has not just gone on a different racing line with his latest book. He has perfomed a publishing equivalent of turning his bike around and doing four laps in a clockwise direction. Brighton-based Scott has followed up two in-depth looks at […]

7th June Though I only called at late notice, Wayne Russell (son of Terry) was kind enough to let me launch my new book of photographs – Shale Britannia – at Blunsdon. “We’re only too pleased to have you – you’re welcome anytime,” he tells me inside the speedway office just inside the entrance gates […]

Wolverhampton Express & Star11th June 2007 reviewer: Tim Hamblin “Hymn of praise to track stalwarts” If speedway is a religion, it’s one thought to be attracting an ever dwindling congregation to some frankly shabby places of worship. But “Shale Britannia”, the latest book from author Jeff Scott, is a tribute to the unsung fans who […]

Almost as soon as the book had rolled off the presses, those folks at the great speedwayplus website once again showed they had their fingers on the pulse of all things speedway by immediately reviewing it. to read the review or bathe in the full glory of this site click here

4th June Sky present speedway programmes never known to stint on the use of hyperbole. For the staging of the British Final at Wolverhampton, they really excelled themselves with the introductory strap line (intoned over action images of speedway riders), “tonight will be the biggest night ever for one of these!” Once we arrive at […]

30th May Though there’s a slight chance of rain, the speedway dream team keep meteorological discussions to a bare minimum this week before they launch into an excitable discussion of what Belle Vue should consider doing. Jonathan and Kelvin are self-referential from the off with what they think, what they say and how to interpret […]

21st May The pre-credits strap line for this meeting was billed as “a night fuelled on pure adrenalin”. This, you have to assume, would refer to the action on the track rather than in the interview booth with Jonathan and Kelvin. Part psychic, part sniffer dog Jonathan looks at the crowd and twitches with “a […]

14th May According to Jonathan, just like the hyperbole, absolutely everything is “huge” this week – we join the “huge crowd as always” at Monmore Green to apparently find “British speedway on a huge high” inspired by Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris. Kelvin is now of the opinion, “he’s young he’s got his future ahead of him”. […]

7th May I had to tape this meeting as I actually went to Smallmead and, because I spent some time in the pits also, I had the ideal chance to compare the ‘live experience’ to the ‘televised experience’. I’m not exactly sure what was going on with the transmission in my area but, sadly, until […]

From BSPA website – Fours Update Friday 11 May 2007 Unfortunately, fairground rides for the children have had to be cancelled but late plans are in place for face painting and entertainment. Wonderful!

30th April It’s a sunny night in Swindon and the Sky Sports camera pans across Blunsdon Stadium to reveal packed terraces. Once again this week, Jonathan Green explains why the presence of the cameras hasn’t – as is traditional – decimated the audience, “they’ve brought in the crowd with special deals”. It’s not exactly a […]

28th April A post about this event appears on the Eagles website.

23rd April Another week, another meeting and all the usual topics of conversation are back – the weather, the track, the so-called “great atmosphere”, the “exciting” meeting in prospect that “both teams want to win” and the recent topical favourite, the so-called iniquity of the 2007 changes to the tactical replacement rule – for the […]

16th April The new era at Arena Essex has seen the club name change to the Lakeside Hammers and for the first visit of the Sky Sports cameras the new promotion at the club have taken the innovative step of offering completely free admission to the meeting. It’s a decision that has rightfully garnered them […]

9th April Another week, another Sky Sports live broadcast where the rhetoric outruns the reality of what’s on display. The presenters are impressed to be at Monmore Green for the first time this season. Kelvin luxuriates in the “triffic atmosphere in the stadium” and Jonathan is chuffed with the “fantastic crowd” huddled together in front […]