Speedway Life: Twitter & scuttlebutt – November 2011
04/01/2014
1st November
Taylor Poole*
“Ac0rding t0 my acc0untant I need a will :P”
Roman Chyla
“Rumour has it no2. Scott Nicholls and Davey Watt will get wild cards for the 2012 SGP… if Darcy Ward and Piotr Protasiewicz will confirm their refusal. Protasiewicz is due to give his decision today. Ward has already declined the BSI offer, although he is still being persuaded by them to accept it”
Gary Spiller
“We’ve been abysmal on our travels this season and suffering badly for a number of reasons. Too often we’ve gone into away matches with under-strength sides meaning the boys have had to carry the fight with their hands tied.”
BSPA
BIRMINGHAM have been taken over by Oldbury-based employment and training business BCTG – Black Country Training Group Ltd. Directors Alan Phillips and Chris Luty outlined their plans on Monday, which will see the Brummies remain in the Elite League with Graham and Denise Drury at the helm, whilst outgoing owner Tony Mole becomes Honorary President. Lifelong speedway fan Phillips said: “We aim to make the Brummies the pride of the city. We are absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to contribute towards making the team the elite of the elite. “Birmingham is a major city and speedway is now a major sport, it’s only right that the Brummies fulfil their potential and represent Birmingham accordingly.”
Chris Neath*
“Fridge/freezer shopping”
Lewis Kerr*
“Homemade sarnies… That good no meal deal for me today buh”
Chris Neath*
“Buzzin for December 11th. Skiing with Ritchie and Jordan. A little birdie tells me Troy Batchelor is making an appearance. I also here our chalet has had a refurb and sauna put in. SilverSki now how to roll when it comes to ski holidays. Now all we need is”
Alison Ridgeway*
“did Uncle Len teach you how to ski?”
Chris Neath*
Sure did. Me and many others and even nearing 80 he’s stil the master”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Can’t believe it’s already November, feels like yesterday I took this seasons first tentative laps. Time goes fast, another winter and go!”
Chris Neath*
“its a sign of getting old buddy!”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“I don’t like these signs! Need to stop time now!”
Scott Nicholls*
“it’s not easy at all. Times are hard for most people & businesses,but hopefully can retain the ones I have & maybe pick up a couple”
David Watt*
“I have an appointment at 11am on 11/11/11 !!! Freaky !!”
David Howe*
“Eveeything washed and put away by tedski 2011 finished. I started building 2012 bikes today keen”
Lewis Kerr*
“Been in workshop since work…2012 bike no2 looking gooood! Quick pasta dish then to the gym”
Josh Gudgeon*
“All speedway fans, get on the BSF and read ‘What I Know About The Elite League’. Very interesting!”
Taylor Poole*
“D0 y0u take card? classic”
Adam Roynon*
“Just had a walnut whip.. Sensational!!!”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Last night in UK in a while, tomorrow morning I’m heading home towards Sweden and my town Örebro! nospeedwaylife hibernating”
Nigel Pearson*
“I see that menace of a forum has been at its worst today. Thanks for pointing it out speedway followers. Don’t even like acknowledging it”
Rob Peasley
“Voted for Greg and Maciej. Disappointed that Lee Richardson wasn’t listed as (FIM) woman of the year, though”
2nd November
Coventry website
Mick Horton’s appointment to run the Coventry Bees venture pending BSPA approval has not received the red carpet treatment, and plumes of ticker tape reigning down over Coventry Stadium are not imminent, with many Coventry fans somewhat mystified by his appointment citing his time at his previous clubs and alleged non-payments to certain riders. But without hard facts these are just rumours at best and with Coventry he is joining a club of a higher pedigree not blighted by poor stadium conditions,inadequate car parking,poor restaurant facilities and dwindling crowds
Nicki Glanz*
“Busy busy busy Copenhagen”
Niels Kristian Iversen*
“Golf today, gonna be sweet. drivinglikeTiger”
Lewis Kerr*
“Rebate bakery Hunstanton… First sponsor confirmed for 2012 nice”
Mike Hunter
“We were forced to weaken the side because we were over the points limit. Just as we are again”
Olly Allen*
“I’ve got passion in my pants, and I ain’t afraid to show it, I’m sexy and I know it!”
Alun John Rossiter*
“u wouldn’t want it as a wart on you helmet”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Home sweet home! Back again!”
Chris Neath*
“I’ve come to the conclusion that the best thing at ikea is there meatballs and definitely not there white bedroom furniture”
Nigel Pearson*
“Deal done – no more glasses from Nov 24 lasersurgery”
Kevin Long*
“you clearly havent seen the laser eye surgery scene in Final Destination 5 then!! Put me off having it done!!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Just agreed terms with my first signing for 2012 Dudley Heathens”
Chris Holder*
“Looking forward to gettin home satdy morning! Dustin off my board and gettin barreled yeeeeeeeeeeh”
Nicki Glanz*
“Fuck me, women Can be a nightmare sometimes IamOverIt”
Lewis Kerr*
“damn that was one sweeet workout!”
Hans Andersen*
“Is wondering how many people will show at Peterborough dinner & dance ?”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Will make a statement on my future tomorrow but I have not been sacked .!!”
Mads Korneliussen*
“you can be my spanner man. I think you and Lars Jorgenson would make a good team”
Nigel Pearson*
“are your ears burning boy?!!!”
Lewis Kerr*
“How many people would be interested in sponsoring me towards my racing as little as £2.50”
Adam Roynon*
“For a Wednesday night… Tonight was pretty low key! Going hard this weekend though seasonsover”
Derek Barclay
“As a spectator my personal opinion is that an early year GP (which Cardiff has always been) with a winner really not mattering that much, cannot possibly compare as a spectacle with a World Final where (even if someone gates five times to win as Phillip points out was the case in ’74…: though a GP winner can also gate every race too!!), where the champion of the world is decided that night!
But okay, some say it’s better for ‘fairness’ to have ‘a best of’ series.. Well okay, let’s embrace that ‘fairness’ theme… My bug bear is that the way the GP system has evolved massively favours the status quo – so that once in it, all one needs to do is avoid finishing lower than 9th. out of 15 (and even then you’d likely get a ‘reprieve’) to stay in it.. I’ve yet to hear ANY argument for that patently unfair system.. Until this is dealt with, it is disingenious for folk to argue that the GP is a fairer way of deciding the World title…
Surely there can be a GP series of rounds which starts off with a fair system of qualifiers..? And PLEASE don’t say there is becasuse there is NOT an even playing field between those in and those trying to get in…”
3rd November
Manchester Paul
“Sky Television
PROS:
Fans like/dislike of commentators, pit team or studio team aside woweeeee! thank you Sky for providing superb coverage of the sport. The production of the programmes is superb and it’s great to have so many instant camera angles and also a studio team for big events.
CONS:
A certain presenter taking advantage of their position and engage in conflict of interests on more than one occasion. But he’s alright otherwise”
BSPA
ALUN Rossiter has announced his departure from Coventry after two years as co-promoter and joint team manager at Brandon.
Rossiter led the Bees to the Elite League title in 2010 but will not continue with the club who are set for a takeover this winter.
Alun John Rossiter“Unfortunately I feel I have been placed in an impossible position, and I have had to take this decision for both myself and my family. I fully respect the fact that Mick Horton is coming into the club, and that he will be making his own decisions. He will have his own figures to work with, and it may be the case that he wishes to take the club in a different direction.”
Mick Horton
“I was keen to work with Alun for the 2012 season, but we have been unable to agree terms. I respect Alun’s decision, and I wish him well for the future.”
BSPA
NEWPORT co-promoter Nick Mallett is to undertake a sponsored slim – with the aim of raising funds to assist the club’s future prospects.
Nick Mallett
“We are having deep talks to decide the future of Newport Speedway and none of us really want the sport to be lost to the town, but we have had to have a realistic look at the finances involved in putting together what has been the most successful side in the club’s history. Our General Manager, Laurence Rogers, is working overtime trying to find a solution along with the family and Peter Mole. So when I said I wanted to do this slim down, Laurence asked why not do it as a sponsored slim to raise funds for the club’s survival?”
Mike Bowden
“To be honest, one thing we did learn this season that we shouldn’t sign riders who have been previously injured”
Roman Chyla
“The naked truth is that speedway promotions, whether in the UK or even in Poland for that matter, doesn’t have enough money to pay what the riders think they are entitled to, or what they want. That why we have restrictions, points limits, etc., etc.
Speedway – as we know it – has became a stale product, and doesn’t attract the same paying crowds as it used to. Speedway has not got enough exposure to attract global sponsors. It’s a vicious circle.”
Chris Neath*
“Just been rudely woken (10.30) by the sky engineer….grrrr!!!”
Linus Sundstrom*
“Back to uk tomorrow for peterborough’s dinner&dance! Will Hans Andersen & Troy Batchelor be there? proskidders”
Gary Havelock*
“it’s t shirt weather in the Boro today, you big Jessie (David Watt)”
Rory Schlein*
“Sweden,denmark,England sorted just Poland to sort now where will I be”
Linus Sundstrom*
“I do look forward to going back tomorrow to be honest, have to say that england is not too bad! Less people & traffic would be even better”
Hans Andersen*
“yeah man I’ll be there for some and to collect my LEAST rides of the year trophy”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Hear there are rumours going around in Sweden that I won’t participate in next years SGP. That’s untrue I’m 100% focused on SGP for 2012!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Scotty and Bomber reunited at Bees next season”
Scott Nicholls*
“ah,just stole my big announcement! Haha. Yep,back together with the bees for 2012!”
Nigel Pearson*
“just call me scoop ha ha! Have a good winter pal”
Scott Nicholls*
“Would have liked to be the first to announce it,but yes I am back at Coventry for 2012! Thanks for all the requests to go to other clubs”
Paul Burbidge*
“Great to see Bees get Harris and Nicholls back together. They’ll push each other well in 2012. Looks like Sayfutdinov won’t be back”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Today’s news tomorrow’s chip shop paper !”
Nigel Pearson*
“Must admit I’d love Rosco at the Heathens come on boy you know it makes sense”
Scott Nicholls*
“Sorry to see u’ve departed company with Cov,all the best wherever u head”
Alun John Rossiter*
“not a lot of choice mate as they say deal with it !!”
David Howe*
“Start in the elite 2012 is a must for me”
Chris Neath*
“I 2nd that mate. Maybe they will give us brits a chance next year”
David Howe*
“I’ve changed my name to David jepson-Howestromski so fingers crossed”
Chris Neath*
“awesome! Your guranteed to get a EL ride now! And the beauty of it is you will even get to pick when u want to turn up!”
Hans Andersen*
“Just some world wide info: Gdansk have paid me fully up to date as promised and nothing is outstanding, full credit to the club and Polny ;)”
Chris Neath*
“I don’t think any of us Brits mind the top foreign riders at all, its the 2nd rate ones that we don’t need. Seems easy for them to get a Job in our country but tryin to get a ride in there country (top riders aside) seems nigh on impossible. Maybe we need to look after our Own house a bit more. I’m getting started on something I really shouldn’t now!! Just wish the playing field was level!!! And before anyone says, its a load of rubbish that foreigners ride for peanuts and us Brits ask for the world otherwayround Message to myself – ‘sit down, shut up and enjoy your dinner!’”
Linus Sundstrom*
“you dont need 2nd rate riders like me in your country you mean 😀 come to p’boro to ride propper speedway then,i put a word for ya;)”
Chris Neath*
“you were top of my list haha! Especially after you backed out of the AceofHearts”
Chris Holder*
“ur welcome to race in Aussie bro but u gotta pay to race thatshowwedoit”
Chris Neath*
“set me up man, I’m there in Feb! onitlikesonic”
Chris Holder*
“season over in feb bro! haha”
Chris Neath*
“beach it is then! How long u back for?”
Chris Holder*
“as long as I can drag it out Neathy ;-)”
Adam Roynon*
“You speak heated sense like only determined English youngsters can!”
Nicki Glanz*
“Just left Copenhagen, flat out All Way Home catchmeifyoucan”
Nicolai Klindt*
“poland and sweden almost done… gonna be busy from tomorrow! had a really good week until now tho”
Chris Holder*
“On me 2nd double jack and coke…gottobedone I’m flyin solo! It’s a long way!! 22hours !!!”
Dakota North*
“Where am I riding next year? cowboys”
Niels Kristian Iversen*
“Abit of testing done today at Kings lynn. Went good so we Can start prepare the bikes for next season. Holiday in Mexico coming up sweet”
Chris Neath*
“I don’t think for 1 minute I have all the answers to British Speedways problems, its just sad to see cos we all love our countries england”
Nigel Pearson*
“but Sweden and poland also have issues mate we are still a major speedway nation”
Chris Neath*
“just be nice if we could get the kids coming through for teamGB and get us really pushing for honours”
Mark Lemon*
“First night back in the dojo means blisters”
Nigel Pearson*
“I’ve already offered Rosco a role with the heathens. Mega money !!”
Darren Fletcher*
“is the plan to have him at 6 and Jan O at 7??!! Lol”
Alun John Rossiter*
“on the diet that’s it kevelars on”
Gary Havelock*
“Oright big lad”
Mark Lemon*
“Have safe trip bro. Attention Australian customs, check his bags haha”
Chris Holder*
“my bags are clean Lemo :-)”
Chris Holder*
“Must say much more comfortable then a 6am flight on ryanair!!!!”
Derek Barclay
“I’m far more interested in junior Speedway, helping young riders and doing what I can to support the sport at grass roots than I am in the Elite League and the GPs.
What concerns me is the obstacles put in the way of the young and talented – because trust me (and frankly Football at the highest level in this country is even more guilty of this..) if you make the top of a sport the province of a pampered few sucking up all the benefits and all the money, then you WILL lose the interest of the young and ambitious who see that ambition thwarted…Now many on here fundamentally disagree with me and think that all is perfectly well with the state of SGP… Fair enough – I actually don’t abuse them for having that view. But let’s NOT have it said that those of us who have concerns live in the past…: we care about the future; to me the SGP is too much about the self-serving of those happily making money out of it.”
4th November
Linus Sundstrom*
“Ive not missed ryanair since the season finished thats for sure!”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Nigel did u mention guiness ? That’s a week point for me”
Mick Horton
“Scott is still a class act and I know how popular he has always been at Coventry. He’s definitely on a false average”
Paul Bellamy
“Taking the Grand Prix series to nations like New Zealand is vital for the future development of the sport and we’re delighted we’ve reached the stage of being able to put tickets on sale.”
Derek Barclay
“Mr. Cearns believes it can work as localy he gets good crowds in for dog meetings which do start at 6.30pm. At the end of the day it’s local interest from a new influx of supporters which will see this project succeed, not whether long-travelling Speedway-dedicated fans can always attend (ie the likes of us!); but let’s be honest, those dire-hard Speedway fans if going for a 7.30pm start would very often be there at 7pm or earlier so I really don’t think a 7pm start or even slightly earlier is THAT bad.. Trains out of London to Sittingbourne are a good service… May need to be some kind of ‘shuttle’ from the station because it’s quite a long walk – though having done it there then back the other week (walking from the town station area) actually didn’t seem too bad on the walk back”
Taylor Poole*
“Last day in UK. 🙁 c0uld be em0ti0nal. I can’t wait t0 see mummy th0ugh :D”
Hans Andersen*
“Oh well suits ready, shoes ready just need to find my beer goggles and all set for D&D tonight”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“My moms homemade meatballs in an hour, can’t wait. I’m so excited!!”
Olly Allen*
“I’m off to my place in Florida next wk for 16 days”
Philip Rising
“THE NotW would have had a field day with all these allegations a few years ago but even if the paper was still in existence today they might not have been seemed worthy of investigation given speedway’s current low profile in this country”
Nicki Glanz*
“On my to Outrups end of season do gunna be fun”
BSF
GP Qualifier Third Round to be held at Berwick in June 2012
David Howe*
“Red red wine”
Lewis Kerr*
“Just smashed the gym!”
Adam Roynon*
“All fired up for the Heathens end of season presentations!”
Kevin Long*
“at the risk of sounding like an old git. . . i’m f@%&#d off with fireworks already.. . . BANG BANG BANG BANG!!”
Mike Bacon
“Some of the riders in the Premier League are distinctively average”
Ian Adam*
“Thing I am starting to get to grips with the iMac pity the speedway season has finished but what a season it was for Glasgow Tigers”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Cosy Friday!! Nice dinner, Swedish Idol on TV etc”
Nicolai Klindt*
“well…. decided to head to poland for what ever reason i don’t know! i’ll be there in 9hrs time”
Scott Nicholls*
“can u collect the money I’m owed! Haha. Have fun on ya roadtrip”
Nicolai Klindt*
“think i need a big lorry to bring in the cash people been asking me to bring home. i will thanks boss, on my own lol oh, and btw.. congrats on the coventry deal! a shame you won’t be captain for me next year or maybe you will? letssee”
Scott Nicholls*
“thanks mate. Ah,that’s bit crap on ya own. Be good to have u at cov fella. Yep,see what happens….”
Nicolai Klindt*
“my heater is working top notch”
Scott Nicholls*
“lucky shite. I ordered mine with no heater to make me tough! Brig grit. Haha,actually just unlucky”
Peter Johns*
“Will hold the dyno flat for 58 seconds SundayMarco”
5th November
Nicolai Klindt* at 02.30
“love the drive to poland when phone and sat nav is half dead and you can’t charge it cuz the fuse is gone in the van for the lighter thing”
Terry Russell
“I’ve seen a lot of people come in with a lot of money and cause havoc and go. I’ve also seen a lot of people come in with no money and cause havoc and go.”
Rory Schlein
‘I’d like to think that Chris (Holder) has been involved in British speedway for long enough to know what happens. It is how it has worked for as long as I have been here. Unfortunately, if teams are successful, that means they are split up. It’s not right in my opinion but that’s the way it is. That’s speedway. You can’t have your cake and eat it.”
Hans Andersen*
“F… Mé i had a little bit top mich but just ón our Way home to newborough”
Matt Ford
“Occasionally, averages work in your favour and good luck to Coventry, who have got two exceptional riders coming in on averages just below eight points…Coventry always have been and always will be one of the main teams in British speedway. Clearly, they are looking to be a real force to be reckoned with in 2012.”
Terry Russell
“we’ve got this magazine programme that goes to half a billion homes around the world, it’s just seven minutes but it’s seven important minutes when you’re trying to get a sponsor, a world-wide name.”
Tomasz Suskiewicz
“We haven’t seen the British calendar yet and we don’t know the calendar in Russia either. As far as I know, (Emil Sayfutdinov) will probably miss a few meetings, or Coventry will have to make calendar to fit their meetings in with the Russian ones. Then that wouldn’t affect the club much.”
Chris Holder*
“Good to be home”
Terry Russell
“After a crap year last year and a completely crap year this year, it came quite easy (to leave Swindon)”
Graham Drury
“When we rode against Coventry last month, I honestly feared it could have been the last time I took charge of Birmingham.”
Terry Russell
“While you’re in bed, someone gets injured somewhere”
Mick Horton
“I can’t praise Mr Sandhu high enough, I’ve known him for a number of years and he’s been a blessing for Coventry speedway.”
Terry Russell
“in the seven years I’ve been at Swindon, I’ve not had one penny out of there…For every £16 they’ve paid to got and watch it I’ve probably paid £1,000.”
Kenneth Bjerre
“Before the season, I didn’t want to leave Peterborough. I had been there for years and it was a bit like home for me. King’s Lynn feels like home for me as well, so I’ve got two places that I really enjoy, so it’s going to be a tough call. I don’t know yet what I’m going to do – it’s 50/50.”
Neil Machin
“Of course, the (Sheffield) riders who are left from last season will come into consideration and we will sit down and talk to them, but at the moment we are a long way from being able to start naming riders.”
Brian Havelock
“The money that was being talked about was absolutely ridiculous. Offering stupid money like (to Rohan Tungate) is spoiling the league.”
Terry Russell
“I don’t want a rulebook where something is morally wrong, or morally right or in principle, I want black and white, no argument.”
Nick Mallett
“We had a warning from the council recently over the leaflets we’ve been putting out. We had a written warning.”
Terry Russell
“you never see Jenson Button in anything other than what he should be wearing, with Vodaphone and McLaren and everything over, you don’t see him in a scruffy anorak be cause that bloke gives him a little bit more money”
Rob Godfrey
“If there’s less teams in the Premier next year, it becomes more attractive to run the National League team, certainly for Neil (Machin) who has to keep his commitment to the stadium on how many meetings he runs.”
Terry Russell
“It is, first, a business and, second, a sport”
Ashley Morris
“You can never really get a true understanding of what it’s like to ride for them until you go to some Premier League tracks and the crowds are smaller than the Heathens meetings.”
Terry Russell
“(Poole) should have been the champions two months ago, which wouldn’t have taken us to a climax, and they wouldn’t have earned the money that everyone’s going to earn.”
Dave Tattum
“I don’t care who you are – Nicki Pedersen or Dave Tattum – you just never stop learning and this season has been a huge learning curve for all of us at Stoke.”
Terry Russell
“I find it strange when someone gets carried away and they’re charging £15 to get into their track and their No. 1 is my No. 7. I don’t mean to ruffle feathers, but I do believe there should be a £5 show, a £10 show and a £15 show.”
Hans Andersen*
“Feel a bit secondhand today but eh it’s all about giving 110% haha just glad there’s no last heat deciders”
Terry Russell
“It’s extremely popular (WTC), but it’s extremely straining on the federations. There’s no money coming in from the event to the federations as such….the FIM are in charge of the rules, and the commercial side of it happening between BSI and King’s Lynn, or whatever they choose, so the BSPA are getting no income at all from the World Cup, but need to fund it, that can’t be right.”
Adam Roynon*
“hows your head????? Brand new.. Ultimate pro at these end of season shindigs!!!”
Nigel Pearson*
“are you sure? Nice dance moves!”
Not Len Silver*
“First weekend without speedway, gonna catch upon Strictly. I wonder if anyone can match John Sampford’s foxtrot”
Terry Russell
“Some one wrote to me just last week telling me what rubbish the (Swindon) team is and they won’t stand for it any more, and they’ve been going 46 years. Fair enough, but why he needs to write and tell me what I know, I don’t know.”
Darryl Ritchings*
“So chuffed to receive (Dudley) rider of the year award happydays”
Terry Russell
“We fall out personally over one point on someone that no-one’s yet seen ride in this country.”
Linus Sundstrom*
“Dinner & dance was good! Just ashame i was a bit too tired after all day in the van.. Proud over all the awards they gave me last night Had the supporters club,riders & fans rider of the year trophies & also the barrie mcintosh memorial shield! I appreciate it very much!! Thanks to all riders,trackstaff,fans, & everyone involved in peterborough speedway! Hope to be back in 2012”
Terry Russell
“Scott Nicholls coming to us as a new No. 1 and going from number three in the averages to number 23.”
Linus Sundstrom*
“Taking my uk family out for dinner tonight, last time over here for me this year! Would be lost without them”
Hans Andersen*
“Had the beer goggles on last night puuuu”
Alun John Rossiter*
“your 5£ goggles”
Troy Batchelor*
“People wonder why riders dont want to ride in england… Because the bspa are retards.. Just received my 300£ fine for not Riding the elrc”
Troy Batchelor*
“Bspa can blow me”
Scott Nicholls*
“Haha,u peanut. Ask em nicely & they might :-)”
Rory Schlein*
“I think we all ask the bspa to do that at some point”
Sam Masters*
“Going to watch speedway at kurri tonight, but might go to beach 1st it’s a bit warm outside Australia”
Jan Staechmann*
“Met David Meldrum this afternoon on Ocean Drive”
6th November
John Anderson
“Although the event is still a provisional date for our calendar – the polyfoam fence must be installed, our track and stadium examined and approved by FIM representatives and, most importantly, our own local council authorities have to green-light some factors surrounding such a huge occasion – this is a fantastic boost for Berwick, and for speedway in the North. To be recognised in this way is such a boost – not just for our club, but for the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. There will be people coming to this event from all over Europe, as well as throughout Britain, and the local economy will surely be enhanced dramatically!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Leicester City denied permission to talk to me!”
Jeff Scott*
“You’d make a good manager for them”
Nigel Pearson*
“but I shout too much”
Chris Neath*
“Gonna hit the garden center cafe for a full english…”
Adam Roynon*
“Last night in Lancaster was mental! Pussy patrol was in full swing. The £130 taxi home was a bit savage though!!”
Paul Burbidge*
“Berwick host an SGP qualifier next year. It’s one of few British tracks I’ve never visited, so may have to cover it”
Gary Havelock*
“Happy birthday to my former teammate and all round good guy Sean Wilson whyyoubeinglikethis”
Paul Burbidge*
“Bjerre admits he has a choice to make between Britain and Sweden for 2012 after the Swedes scrapped their squad system”
Lewis Kerr*
“Anyone out there know of any potential sponsors for 2012? needthehelp”
Claudia Staechmann*
“Watch out Jan (Steachmann) has been unleashed in abercrombie and fitch. There could be casualties!!!”
Graham Drury
“We have the opportunity to speak to a member of the 2012 Grand Prix series and have permission from his parent club.”
Nigel Pearson*
“Just left my local pub because I can’t get near the bar. People who go in once a year are clearly more important”
Lewis Kerr*
“Just annihilated 11 onion bhajis from the curry house”
Arnie Gibbons
“Went to Ryton yesterday for programme fair – apparently m’learned friend has been called on over the ‘Duchess of Sherbourne’ article”
Nigel Pearson*
“Only way to tempt the top SGP riders back to UK is to stage 1 home, 1 away, all on a set night of the week. Fact. “
Fredrik Lindgren*
“I would not race in UK in these conditions, but I’m no top GP rider so hey ho”
Nigel Pearson*
“but you will be next season mate!! And if the deal was right….”
Nigel Pearson*
“And some so-called ‘promoters’ don’t want to see the top stars back here anyway. Difficulty with one set night is clubs and their contractual arrangements with landlords. Not many own their own track like Cov and Eastbn”
Nigel Pearson*
“Emil Sayfutdinov won’t ride in UK next year now Rosco has left Cov. Can’t see Nicki P coming back either. The SGP is expanding to NZ under the IMG banner. It’s here for good – long may it continue!! Leagues have no choice but to work alongside.”
Nigel Pearson*
“Emil rode in every meeting he agreed at Cov last season. I’d look more at the Pawlicki brothers for lack of commitment”
Nigel Pearson*
“Ironic P Pawlicki’s average was one of the reasons Cov and Pboro were in dispute with BSPA last winter and yet he won’t ride here in 2012”
Kevin Long*
“nothing will ever change until there is an independant body governing speedway”
Nigel Pearson*
“Also must say easy for me to have ideas on the EL without any money in a club. Huge respect to all who risk their own money”
Nigel Pearson*
“Was shocked to learn of some ‘promoters’ moaning about my commentary at times last season – tell me to my face. knifeinback”
Nigel Pearson*
“We continued to make the sport sound and look good when we didn’t even know how many teams in the league at our first broadcast!! getalife”
Nicolai Klindt*
“i love reading your tweets fella”
Paul Burbidge*
“Couldn’t agree more about making Elite elite again. Star names pull in punters and give young Brits something to aspire to”
Alun john Rossiter*
“I asked at the last general council to have a high lights show weekly with what’s happening in the speedway world !”
Nigel Pearson*
“think it should be written into any future TV deal mate. Quite costly”
Alun John Rossiter*
“sort it or the heathens are history”
Michael Stoneman
“if this shit carrys on then i will be getting a leagal adviser involved as this is defication of character”
7th November
Nicolai Klindt*
“another season in västervik. i’m happy to be back for third year running!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Exciting announcements for two EL speedway clubs coming up in the next few days”
David Howe*
“ooooooo you tease”
Darcy Ward*
“worst weather in uk sucks might get the crf50 out for a sloppy speedway session”
Kenneth Bjerre
“They should just run the Elite League and extend the play-offs to six teams instead of four and make it a bit more interesting. Personally, I don’t think the (KO) cup meetings mean much for a rider. You want to win the league – that’s what really counts.”
Nicolai Klindt*
“this agm meeting better get going so i can sign for someone in england and know what colors my bikes gonna be in uk teamcolors”
Nigel Pearson*
“Just upgraded to Sky HD. Look at me, first an iphone and now HD. But my teenage daughter will still need to teach me the remote”
Nigel Pearson*
“The remote will be good so I can skip through the Pearson / Tatum rubbish in between races!”
Rene Bach*
“Team offers dont come easy after a season like mine injuries toughworifyouwanttobethebest fenceracing”
Derek Barclay
“To me the World (Team) Cup is the only proper World Championship we have left in the sport and always produces great racing, well-supported meetings and exciting championship action. To lose such a long-standing event would be a tragedy for the sport..I LOVE the idea though of the World Pairs returning – but this woud HAVE to be to supplement the international calendar alongside the World Cup and NOT to replace it”
Nigel Pearson*
“Swindon speedway making announcement at 10pm tonight”
Jan Staechmann*
“sounds exciting! Wonder what that could be? LOL”
Flagrag
“Just after a bit of feedback and feelings towards some possible changes happening to Sky sports speedway coverage. There are plans currently being discussed to launch a new Sky sports motorsports channel at the min working title of Sky Motors.
This channel would mainly be used for the new coverage of F1 racing on Sky as we plan to show all qualifiers, practice and races along with a mid week magazine style programme along with of course reruns of races.
If this channel does get the go ahead it is planned to move Speedway GP and Elite league coverage to this channel hopefully meaning the end of red button coverage and be able to show all meetings in HD. There is some other sports moving across like NASCAR, Indy car along with talks of Stock car/Banger racing.
There is also a strong chance providing the media rights fees are acceptable and that certain conditions are met by host broadcasters that we may see some Polish and Swedish speedway live or delayed coverage.
Now the questions it is planned that at launch this channel would be free but if coverage was to increase and more sports like MX1 GP,BTCC,WRC or British superbikes was to join would you be willing to pay an additional £3-5 per month ?”
David Howe*
“Ok that’s me done! Me and alcohol do not mix”
Olly Allen*
“In 4 days I will be in Orlando!! Whoooo hooooooo!!!! Bring on some sunshine :)”
Nigel Pearson*
“Rosco back with Swindon. Good luck mate, they’ve missed you big-time. Cov’s loss is Swindon’s gain”
Nicolai Klindt*
“poland sorted too…. can confirm which club it is later this week! now it’s only england left. feels good to be ready this early”
Scott Nicholls*
“cool,good for u. Glad ya fixed up. Nice to have it all sorted early”
Jeff Povey*
“Come back to Swindon now that your buddy Rosco has been announced as the new team manager”
Rory Schlein*
“can I guess u have rode for them before”
Nicolai Klindt*
“with all the clubs i’ve rode for in poland in my short career it might be one of them”
Rory Schlein*
“ok 1div club”
Flagrag
“I can see if this channel does go ahead can be a real benefit to speedway fans as no more red button and SD coverage and plus possible added bonus of foreign leagues as will need to fill the slots”
Jan Staechmann*
“So, Swindon Robins and I have parted company. I wish them best of luck for 2012, and many thanks for your support”
Nigel Pearson*
“Thanks for the tip-off, I see a certain forum goes from bad to worse tonight”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Well that’s done let’s get down to business thanks everyone”
Jan Staechmann*
“Thank you for all the lovely messages, texts, and emails. I’ll be back from holiday late in the week and will post news asap”
Kevin Long*
“i’d continue to relax & enjoy the rest of your holiday…. im sure there will be a club out there soon needing your services”
Scott Nicholls*
“gutted for u mate to not be at swindon. Hope u get fixed up somewhere soon”
Alun John Rossiter*
“thanks guys think it’s gone down ok that’s a relief”
Scott Nicholls*
“good luck at swindon next season”
Alun John Rossiter*
“thanks mate lots to do !!!”
Alan Boon
“Nigel Pearson, while he’s entitled to his opinion, never fails to have a pop at this forum. He gets a lot of stick for his presenting – some of it justified, most it not – but it seems to me that his dislike for the BSF goes deeper. Perhaps since he’s one of them now, in his role as Dudley chairman, he’s mistrustful of the place, and that certainly seems to be an opinion shared by some other promoters, notably Graham Drury and Gary Patchett, who seem to post only to pull apart often genuine fans’ points.
So my question is, what is the BSF? Does it have a role in the wider speedway world? Should promoters take note of what’s written here? Is this the only largely uncensored place to gather public opinion?
For me, it’s a solid foundation towards something more. What that will be is anyone’s guess, but speedway can’t continue to operate like it’s the 1950s anymore. News is broken and discussed, and suggestions made and shouted down, way before the Speedway Star leaves Surrey, yet few clubs are embracing this immedicacy, intimacy and opportunity.
I enjoy engaging in discussions on here, yet to listen to some in the wider speedway world it’s like a sordid hangout, contributors no better than doggers or Poole fans (sorry, couldn’t resist). I’m not sure I like that.
You?”
Darcy Ward
“I think I need to wait another year for the grand prix. But I haven’t been asked if I want a wild card, so I can’t decide”
8th November
Paul Burbidge*
“Rosco is on his way home to Swindon. He’ll lift them up the Elite League table or have a nervous breakdown trying!”
Scott Nicholls*
“Bloody women! I thought we were going on holiday,not moving house!”
Jerran Hart*
“living the dream mate aint ya ! workworkforme”
Scott Nicholls*
“been there! 🙂 still work at it hard. Bit of family time”
Nicolai Klindt*
“sorry (Scott) btw, my van wasn’t big enough when I went to pick you money up!”
Scott Nicholls*
“Haha. Yeah,they tried to pay me pesatas!”
Hans Andersen*
“Its now official that I’m leaving DACKARNA after 12 seasons so would like to thank our wonderful fans, you will be missed !”
Nicolai Klindt*
“just heard RYANAIR expect a 4 billion profit in 2011 whatajoke”
Rory Schlein*
“I also read in the sun there gonna show porn as well”
Nicolai Klindt*
“that’s gonna be a crowd puller. standing up watching porn can’t be a bad thing. and then pay a pound to go toilet after”
Rory Schlein*
“and 50p for the toilet paper after”
Jeff Scott
“Who’d have thought Hitler was a Poole fan?”
Impartial One
“He’s not, he’s the promoter. VE VILL DESTROY ZE ENEMY VIZ ZE ACHT PUNKT RULE AND ZEN VE VILL DESTROY ZE RULE.”
Gary Patchett
“The development at Coventry was completely unexpected. Alun had been very successful there and as soon as I was aware that he was leaving the Bees I did not hesitate to contact him to establish if he would be interested in a return to the Robins. He comes back to Swindon a more accomplished manager than the one that left in 2009 and is someone fully versed with how the club runs both on and off the track. With Terry (Russell) taking a backseat in the running of the club that will be a tremendous asset for the club.”
Graham Drury
“But the fact of the matter is that Greg doesn’t need to do it any more. He’s happily settled in Sweden and the hectic and unpredictable British schedule doesn’t suit him.”
Greg Hancock
“You never say never, but riding in England isn’t something that’s likely to happen in the near future. You spend a lot of time away from home as a rider and to ride in England would mean even more time away. In between meetings I like to try and relax and spend time at home.”
Rory Schlein*
“Agreed terms with a polish club last nite very excited about joining this team it’s a great track and they have very passionate fans”
Nicolai Klindt*
“who you joined? let me guess it’s not a club you rode for before”
Rory Schlein*
“yeah got that right I got a feeling we maybe team mates”
Nicolai Klindt*
“hm, i don’t know about that one then…. i know who you signed for if you say they got passionated fans”
Nicolai Klindt*
“first sponsor on board for 2012 signed and sealed. and even got a better deal than this year topnotch klindtracing”
Charlie Webster*
“Wow went for a meeting this morning and ended up getting hypnotised pretty powerful stuff indeed!”
Rene Bach*
“Hate waiting on the hospital! getthefingerout stress”
Paul Burbidge
“Indianerna will be strong again in 2012 – Holta, Andersen, Bjerre, Protasiewicz, Kylmakorpi, Lindback and Thornblom. Look out Piraterna!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Birmingham Brummies speedway to announce their new No.1 for 2012 Wednesday morning. Full story in Birmingham Mail, written by yours truly!”
Paul Burbidge*
“If Brummies have signed the man I think, they’ve done a very shrewd piece of business. He won’t mess them about”
Jeff Scott*
“Is it Cliff Thornblum?”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“America’s funniest home videos like that show freaking funny”
Andy Griggs
“It’s been the worst year in speedway I’ve ever had in my life. Me and speedway aren’t seeing eye-to-eye at the moment”
Troy Batchelor*
“Where should i Race Next year ? Hmmmmm”
Scott Nicholls*
“in Australia!”
Troy Batchelor*
“couldnt do that then I would be to far away to show u the way round on the mx bike ;)”
Scott Nicholls*
“u’ve got a great imagination! :-)”
Nicolai Klindt*
“aussie booked…. arrive in perth 30nov”
David Watt*
“Soooo tired ! And still have more to do. I’m over this now !!”
Chris Holder*
“ahh stop whinging champ only 35+c today! jealous?”
David Watt*
“That’s just nasty !!!”
Nigel Pearson*
“give me your wolves 1-7 without the 1 over 8 rule… 41 limit and no reduction for Brits”
Jo Lowry*
“yikes! Very worried after hearing this ‘random’ rule selection…..”
SCB
SCB Court of Enquiry: Tuesday 8th November 2011
An SCB Court of Enquiry was convened at the offices of The Auto Cycle Union in Rugby on Tuesday 8th November when the following charges were laid against Sam Masters and Richard Hall.
1. Under SR 4.1 (6) for written communication that is an act prejudicial to the sport of motorcycling.
2. Under SR 4.1 (8) an act of an abusive nature to an Official
These Charges related to Exchanges that had taken place on Facebook following an incident that occurred during the Rye House v Scunthorpe Meeting held on 2nd October 2011. Both Riders had made postings contrary to the Speedway Regulations.
Neither Rider made an appearance at the Court, but in their absence the Court found both Riders guilty of the Offences.
Sam Masters, who had already been suspended pending the Court Hearing, was fined £2000 together with a 12 month suspended Suspension of his SCB Registration.
Richard Hall was fined £500.
Costs were awarded against both Riders,
The SCB wish to make it clear to all Competitors that comments made on Social Network sites that are abusive, obscene or otherwise bring the sport into disrepute will not be tolerated and severe penalties will be handed to anyone found guilty in the future.
Both Sam and Richard have the right to appeal to the ACU Final Tribunal of Appeal.
9th November
Eric Boocock
“I helped Josh right at the start of his career when he was 15, he’s always called me or popped round as and when he’s needed some advice. He’s been a speedway rider for six seasons now and he knows how to go about his business so it was a massive shock to me to read about his decision to leave Sheffield in the press.”
Nigel Pearson*
“Bjarne Pedersen joins Brummies in 2-yr deal”
Chris Durno
“to be honest I’ve stopped my subscription to the Star for the first time in 20 years”
Rory Schlein*
“Can I just I’m a fan of M.Jackson but his family are as crazy as he was. Saying his doctor killed him ha ha don’t make me laugh”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Have finally installed my new bathtub! It’s gonna be sweet, bubble bubble”
Paul Burbidge*
“Bjarne Pedersen’s record of five P/O finals in 10 years suggests Birmingham have made a great investment”
Nicki Glanz*
“Cheese and onion sandwiches <3 = orgasme”
Graham Drury
“He is committed. There are some riders who won’t think twice about pulling out of a meeting but Bjarne doesn’t do that, just go back down the years and look at his record for reliability with Poole and, more recently, Eastbourne. He was the one who asked about the possibility of a two-year deal which was also nice. He wants a bit of stability and continuity and that’s exactly what I was looking for at the same time so it all fell into place nicely.”
Dakota North*
“Might be having my first Race meeting/ ride this weekend since I broke my collar bone dirttrack flattrack”
Tyson Nelson*
“Hawkins tell him I said happy birthday bro xx”
Chris Neath*
“he said hurry up back ya mad f@&ker!!”
Lewis Kerr*
“people.. i have set up my paypal as i said i would, if you would like to sponsor me as little as anything, everything helps. Many thanks. My address to my paypal is lewis.kerr@btinternet.com cheers”
Adam Roynon*
“Just watched Lee Evans at the MEN arena! Sensational!!!! I’ve lmfao for 2 hours”
Chris Neath*
“I saw him at the NIA mate. Funny as!”
Adam Roynon*
“Almost as funny as the pits banter with you!!! It was all so funny tonight that now on the way home I can’t remember any of it! old”
Mads Korneliussen*
“life sucks ass right now, but what can i do LifeIsUpHill”
Casper Wortmann*
“chin up mate”
David Howe
“The form in October was no fluke. Although I was making sure I was getting more sleep on the night before a meeting the big change was the addition of Ted Midgley as my mechanic. Ted had been with Chris Harris for six years and during that time Chris certainly rose to a new level within the sport. Ted is a great with the bikes and frees up a lot of my time so I’m not working all the hours to keep the bikes in top condition. My job is primarily to ride the bikes and Ted is also a very positive person to have in the pits.”
10th November
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Looks like a typical fall day in Örebro today. Wet, cold, grey, gruesomely”
David Hoggart
“I believe there are enough promoters who didn’t want play-offs who have now changed their mind purely from a commercial perspective”
David Howe*
“Team place at Scunny sorted, very happy to be back. Just need an elite spot and everything will be coming into place”
Speedway Star*
“Coventry have confirmed that Mick Horton has finalised an agreement with Avtar Sandhu to take over the Bees for the 2012 Elite League”
Coventry speedway
“We have found Mick to be an honest, up-front businessman who delivers exactly what has been agreed and has an in-depth knowledge of the speedway world. He needs and deserves everybody’s unreserved support to keep the Bees at the top of speedway and to bring back the silverware we missed out on last season.”
David Howe*
“Great artical in the speedway star about racing abroad, Chris Holder makes a lot of sense”
Chris Holder*
“do I..? Haha I can’t remember doin any I interview ay hahaha will have to check it out”
Hans Andersen*
“Weiiii just been able to upgrade my contract so just had the new IPhone 4S handed through the door”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Just had a meeting in London great news Swindon speedway going back in the right direction great news for fans and riders !!”
Paul Burbidge*
“Chris Holder calls on the BSPA to be loyal to riders who have stayed loyal to Britain and drop 8.00 rule”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Been trying to find a decent second hand car for me to buy not so easy. Today I went to Trosa (2h drive) only to get disappointed. But it was cool to be in Trosa! Trosa translated into English is panties. Anyone been in any panties? I bet Greg Hancock has been through panties”
Nicolai Klindt*
“second day in a row i over slept. only 3 hours… gotta get early to bed or get me self a wake-up call at 8am”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“In the province of Hälsingland there are a little place I wouldn’t admit if I’d been called Röven. Röven translated into English is arse. There are some weird and funny names of places over here in Sweden I tell ya”
Nicolai Klindt*
“feeling a bit ill, don’t know if it was because i was running that much in my handball comeback last night, which made me tired today?”
Scott Nicholls*
“How funny. Just been in the same MAC D’s to use the toilet that I fell over & threw up in about 15 years ago! Spooky,no accidents this time!”
Keith Denham
“We just don’t have enough people coming through the doors to clear my costs. We need more people than we were getting this year but we cannot just lasso people in. I’m waiting to see how much money I have lost this season and my decision on Comets’ future will be based on that figures.”
Nigel Pearson*
“Stadium names – how about Monmore Green on Wolves speedway nights and Monmore Wood on Heathens nights!”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“What about you get your own stadium so we can race against someday”
Nigel Pearson*
“we are working on it mate but we would need a good no.1 – name your price! ifonly”
Nicolai Klindt*
“busy and eventful day tomorrow…. just thought i tell you all, cuz no body is texting me back! goodnight”
11th November
Tyson Nelson*
“Bored shitless whatdoyado”
Chris Holder*
“Sweet day ridin the rmz250 ended up runing over my mate!! Idiot crashed infront of me! Hahahaha cracked his ribs unlucky”
Tegan Meredith*
“watching sam (Masters) get he’s bikes ready for tomorrow! if only I knew what I was doing so I could help”
Lewis Rose*
“Up early and on my way to get my 1st speedway bike”
Nigel Pearson*
“Looking forward to catching up with the excellent (chartered accountant) this afternoon. Get the kettle on for 3pm Mr G!”
Fredrik Lindgren
“My plan is to be back with Wolverhampton and I hope it works out so that can happen. I’m just waiting for Chris (Van Straaten) and Pete (Adams) to get back from the AGM to tell me what they want to do with the team. But I would like to be back riding in England again with Wolverhampton, people know the way I feel about the club.”
Nigel Pearson*
“Nursery run to do – it’s Friday so I’m going to come back via the caf and have a sausage and egg Sarnie”
Gary Havelock*
“not good for the waistline my friend”
Nigel Pearson*
“worry about the waistline after Xmas fellah!”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Ready to go to Bosön Sthlm, for a weekend at the Elite Sports Centre. Will see how much my physical status has deteriorated after my season”
Nick Mallett
“The reason we have decided to end the Hornets’ existence has been made purely and simply because of financial circumstances.
Crowds have disappointingly been very poor here at our Queensway Meadows Stadium home track. That was even the case earlier in the season when the side put together a few home wins.”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Just passed Stockholm Stadion where I did my first SGP as a wildcard in 2004, I was young back then”
Ian Adam*
“Another weekend and no speedway never mind Hall of Fame dinner in two Weeks time better get my notes done”
Nicolai Klindt*
“bought my self a nice armani watch today, but think i’m gonna change it or get the money back again cuz the strap is pissing me off! angry”
12th November
Dakota North*
“In the worst mood”
Gary Havelock
“Robbie Kessler used to say, ‘the guys who have had a lot of hospital food are those that slow down the most’ and he’s right.”
Kenneth Bjerre
“There have been a lot of Danes in the (King’s Lynn) team. Usually Danes don’t get on in the same team.”
Simon Stead
“You only become the best by racing against the best week-in and week-out. Unfortunately, for British riders, we’re not really getting that opportunity.”
Jon Cook
“I know that Len Silver has stated that Rye House won’t run during the duration of the Games but we will definitely be looking at running two of the three weeks during the period. Talking to our fans, albeit only those who were in attendance at our end-of-season presentation night, it certainly didn’t seem that anyone there wanted to be sitting in watching the Olympic games in preference to speedway.”
Colin Pratt
“Darcy Ward says there will be a lot of idiots (at AGM) who want to change things. I don’t regard myself as an idiot and he should check his own promotion out before he accuses people of being an idiot.”
David Howe*
“Workshop time”
Scott Nicholls
“Without revealing too much, and I don’t know too much myself to be honest (..proceeds to reveal nothing)”
Alun John Rossiter
“I got an e-mail from Mick Horton, the prospective new promoter at Brandon, on Tuesday, November 1, and while it was pleasant in tone, it meant a drop in pay I simply could not afford, as a family man, to accept.”
Rob Godfrey
“We’re upwardly mobile if you look at our placings in the Premier League over the four seasons and we are definitely going the right way.”
Bjarne Pedersen
“I’m excited by the move, I don’t know too much about the Brummies but everyone I have spoken to is very positive about the club and the Perry Barr track”
Kyle Newman
“I think the targets I’m going to set will shock people”
Gary Patchett
“When (Alun) called me, two years ago, to say he was leaving, he asked me not to try to talk him out of it. I wish I had ignored him and tried harder! Alun left a tremendous void at the club”
Scott Nicholls
“It’s fair to say that me and Bomber have both had indifferent seasons”
Simon Stead
“An engine that I use in England would be pretty useless at the majority of Polish tracks.”
Colin Pratt
“Last year, (Wolves) co-promoter Peter Adams put (8 point rule) in his ‘Moving Forward’ paper and the reason behind it was because he said with the changes fans wouldn’t know who is going to win the league and it would stop the likes of Wolverhampton, Coventry or Poole dominating the league every year. That was the paper he brought out last year and the only team that two over eight in 2010 was Coventry. It’s been the same story over the years, there’s always someone who comes up with an idea to weaken some teams.”
Eric Boocock
“I can totally understand why Shane is retiring and he’s had a fabulous season but I’m not so sure about Josh and his reasons, but it’s his career and he has to do what he feels is best. Sheffield remains one of the top clubs in the Premier League, we pay our bills on time and there are a lot of riders who would welcome that stability.”
Rob Godfrey
“(Viktor Bergstrom) has now been offered a full-time job in Sweden and he doesn’t know what to do, whether to take it or not. I think he probably should.”
Peter Ljung
“It would be a kick in the balls if they decided to take another wild card instead of me”
Nick Mallett
“Let me say right here and now that we would have made the same decision had we won the title.”
Mads Korneliussen
“When I fly there (King’s Lynn), get a train and get a taxi to the stadium, it feels like I have come home.”
Scott Nicholls
“There were definitely some riders who found it more difficult to find the correct set-ups than others. I think a lot of that wasn’t down to the riders, I think that it was more that the characteristics of the bike changed so much”
John Anderson
“The polyfoam fence must be installed and the track and stadium have to be approved by FIM representatives, and most importantly of all, our own local council authorities have to green-light some factors surrounding such a huge occasion.”
Jon Cook
“My personal view, in terms of watching the Olympics on television, is that people prefer to watch the highlights programme as opposed to watching endless hours of it.”
Gary Havelock
“If tracks were supposed to be bumpy and rough, then it would be like grasstrack and we’d have suspension on the bikes!”
Colin Pratt
“We call ourselves the Elite League but it’s quite right what some people say – we are not really the Elite League. I think the titles should be Premier League, First Division and Second Division.”
Neil Machin
“I know members of the team call me a moaner and a groaner for going on about such things as not wearing the attire we provide them with, which actually makes us look like a team, but that’s just a small part of the bigger picture. It’s all about the sum of the parts and if we get the little things right, then the rest will follow.”
Fredrik Lindgren
“I think it’s good for the (SGP) series to head out of Europe, it is a mark of progress.”
Alun John Rossiter
“I think I now come back to Swindon with a cooler head than I had in 2009. I still have the passion and, without it, I could not do the job. I am not the sort of promoter or team manager who only sees or talks with his riders on race-nights for most of the season.”
Luke Chessell
“I wish I hadn’t ridden as such in the Northern Junior League, I feel it hindered me a bit. After talking to my dad, I feel that riding against faster riders brings you on and, no disrespect, but they are not the same sort of standard that I have been riding at.”
Harold Doonan
“I think Mr. Bartlett made such a balls-up of it in not paying the rent and they (Morgan Sindall) got their fingers burnt. Now they’re thinking, ‘do we want to go through this again?’.”
Richard Hollingsworth
“(David Howe) is a proud man”
Gary Patchett
“We would have liked to keep Scott Nicholls as we believe he is on a false average”
Jon Cook
“There’s no point in spewing out what we are looking for or hoping for because it needs to be said to the people concerned who are able to make the decisions, rather than launch any pre-meeting campaign through the Speedway Star pages to try and convince people what we want is right.”
Gary Havelock
“Teams who have been successful, in whatever league, have often been those where the track is similar week in, week out, like Poole in the Elite League and Rye House and Edinburgh in the Premier League.”
Simon Stead
“The amount of meeting this year, for me, has been rubbish. I couldn’t sustain another year just doing what I’ve done this year – it’s just not financially viable.”
Colin Pratt
“What I don’t want is things being changed because, all of a sudden, Poole have got two riders who are fantastic riders. If it’s in the best interests of speedway to only have one over eight – as it was 12 months ago – then that’s the way it should be. No-one has had a better top two that I’ve had with the likes of Erik Gundersen and Jan O. Pedersen and then Billy Hamill and Greg Hancock.”
Ben Barker
“When my Polish team are looking at my results and see that I have had a decent night at Swindon on Thursday, but I haven’t got a meeting for three weeks, I’m not going to be their first choice and I wouldn’t be mine either.”
Alun John Rossiter*
“All my Coventry jackets pit shirts polo shirts going on eBay money raised going to Leigh Adams rehab”
Nigel Pearson*
“best of luck with it mate hope you raise loads for the top man LA”
David Watt*
“Well done mate. Now pull ya finger out and come out to Aussie for his meeting ! Spin some laps for the fans !!”
Steve Mallett
“We will sit around a table and thrash this matter out once and for all and, if it is to be bad news, then nobody can say they are surprised.”
Mike Vernam
“In common with many others, I am concerned that the Grand Prix series, whilst being an excellent, well-produced event showcasing our sport on TV, is becoming a closed shop with a dire lack of new faces.”
Colin Pratt
“Riders have also got to realise that it’s the promoters’ jobs to put the teams together and run businesses. Their job is what they are paid for – racing speedway around an oval circuit.”
Richard Hollingsworth
“Some riders even look like they have been employed on a high average to keep someone at reserve and then, meeting after meeting, they get their three rides and their potentially confidence-building easiest ride is taken away.”
Mads Korneliussen
“Kenneth Bjerre never used to team ride. But this year he has been team riding with Lasse and with everyone else, looking after people.”
Gary Patchett
“Given the backroom changes we have made, we have to postpone it (training schools) and, in any case, I have to finalise a few things with the stadium.”
Graham Drury
“Bjarne was keen to emphasise just how highly he places the Elite League in his list of priorities and that meant a lot to me when we were talking.”
Chris Macdonald
“What I have noticed is that, if someone comes off a bike and the cameras focus on him for a little while and an advertising board is in shot for a long time, sponsors love that. It’s a form of subliminal advertising, I suppose.”
Rory Schlein
“I am very excited about this new stadium and take the new Belle Vue era very seriously. Once the first brick is laid, it is going to hit home with everyone that this is going to be the best thing for British speedway for a long, long time.”
Paul Burbidge*
“Homesickness may partly explain why Janusz Kolodziej struggled in the SGP series this year”
Janusz Kolodziej
“I am a man who cannot go from morning to night without a break from thinking about speedway. I go crazy. Private matters were also important. I have my family on the spot in Tarnow.”
Simon Stead
“If you continue to water down the product, you’re never going to get the public back, are you?”
Kenneth Bjerre
“In the Grand Prix are I’ve missed a little advice. I have often taken some wrong decisions. So I am looking forward to the new cooperation (with Rob Lyon).”
Mark Lemon*
“Bloody farmers hitting on my misses”
Rye House Fans*
“Winter training schools take place every Sunday 11am – 3pm, run by former Rocket Andrew Silver”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“I’m alive!! I can feel it! Woohooo!!”
Andy Povey*
“I must be famous – my mum is looking my name up on Google. LOL”
Nicolai Klindt*
“sitting at the local with the lads having a few saturdaynightfever”
Tony Jackson
“I was completely taken aback. I expected it (Ian Thomas Memorial Trophy) to have gone to a rider so it was a pleasant surprise and I was touched by it.”
13th November
Sam Masters*
“Had a good meeting last night should of won 3,3,3,3,3=15 then 2nd in final spewin nswU21s”
David Howe*
“hard luck mate, who won?”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Forging good relationship with the (Swindon) football club again met up with chairman and chief exec wants come to the Abbey happy days !!”
Tyson Nelson*
“I’m very worse for wear need to check myself before I reck myself detoxingfromnow”
Chris Holder*
“Gone riding braap”
Taylor Poole*
“Stoked! Had a few good rides last night. Made a good 1st bend in the final and now Im NSW U21 champ! loveit”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“breakfast check”
Nicolai Klindt*
“i don’t miss these early sunday flights. trying to keep my eyes open tired sunnysunday”
Taylor Poole*
“Im yet to lose a game of table tennis this summer 🙂 couldbethestartofsomething”
Nicolai Klindt*
“thought it was as cold here in uk as it is in denmark, but no…. so im just walking around looking like i dont know what in my boots!”
Taylor Poole*
“Just started my summer fitness off with a nice jog down the beach harderthanitsounds”
Paul Burbidge*
“Nicki Pedersen hopes mechanic Tom P Madsen can become new John Jorgensen after SGP star and JJ part ways”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“It’s something about coming home, somehow it always feels nice to come home. Home sweet home, a lot of home here but basically I’m home”
Lewis Bridger*
“Wow feels like twitter is so boring now the season is over & done with.. 🙁 cantwaittogetbacktoskidding”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Speedway as the first motorsport in the Olympics how about that? Could it happen some day? Think big, think outside the frame”
Taylor Poole*
“Beach today!!! ilikethis”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Right tomorrow time to get things moving on the Swindon front lots to do !”
Jonathan Barber*
“In love with Laura Whitmore:-)”
Dakota North*
“I don’t like twitter anymore”
14th November
Taylor Poole*
“1st wave I’ve got in atleast 8months and i stood up everythingisgoingwell”
Taylor Poole*
“Wow! Not even summer yet and it was 37degrees today roasting”
Nigel Pearson*
“no problem taking criticism but some of it gets pathetic on a speedway forum. Note the word some”
Lewis Bridger*
“Morning everybody it’s my second week at work as a painter lol must work harder on the track in 2012”
Tyson Nelson*
“Qld railway suck balls just went to Brisbane for no reason this country is a rip off”
Hans Andersen*
“Five new JAWA frame kits for sale, Talon engine plates, JHR footrest and all fork bites nicely machined out”
Charlie Webster*
“Speedway review show this morning down at the home of the champions filming”
Scott Nicholls*
“So speedway legend Steve ‘johno’ Johnston pulls a move we never thought would happen! Big cahoonas :)”
Rory Schlein*
“fill me in dude ant herd from Johno for a while”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“What’s up with Johnny Jopson?”
Alun John Rossiter*
“nobody did mate”
Taylor Poole*
“If England was my home id say Im home sick”
Lewis Bridger*
“Is starting to think taking my s2000 to work is not the go as it costs me half what I earn a day there & back”
Lee Richardson*
“u got the bad boy then???”
Lewis Bridger*
“yea she is mint getting the 18inc black rims on her later and front end body kit over Christmas trickasfook needforspeed”
Nicolai Klindt*
“jobcenter done and now doing some looking around at the bull ring with Sera”
David Howe*
“Treadmill time over for another day”
Nicolai Klindt*
“just had a nice meal at “jamies italian” in bermingham. but man….. i need to learn not to eat big portions! gonnaexplodeinaminute”
Fredrik Lindgren
“I still don’t know what’s going on in the Polish league for next year. I’m in a tough situation with the rules they came up with, limiting clubs to just one Grand Prix rider. My future is uncertain at the moment.I have to be open to everything; maybe even not racing in Poland. But I’m still in negotiations with some clubs and we’ll see what happens.”
David Watt*
“Juggling phones and paint rollers is not a good idea !! Too much to do and not enough time or hands !!”
Sean Grainger*
“should Lewis round to help he is a painter, you could pass on some tips on how to be a Speedway rider in return”
Lewis Bridger*
“big man come say that to my face”
Lewis Bridger*
“I’m paid by the Minute.. Ur a spectator justsayin”
David Howe*
“careful Lewis, you don’t want a ban!”
Charlie Webster*
“Back in London,Poole was a bit grey but nice to be by the sea,we couldn’t get on Pirates speedway track for greyhounds! Review show out NYE”
Nicolai Klindt*
“think i’m gonna have a nap, a carlsberg and watch some tv before a very busy and eventful day tomorrow”
Mads Korneliussen*
“Now it looks like i will ride in sweden next year kaboom GoodNewsInBadTimes”
Tyson Nelson*
“Round three on trying to get to work lol what a joke loadofshit”
Adam Roynon*
“Well I’m nice and warm!!”
Gary Havelock*
“yeh and some muppet has robbed your house cause your telling the world you are in Lansa Grotty”
15th November
Tyson Nelson*
“Gladestone is way out in the sticks lol what have I done soboringjustnotforme”
Nicki Pedersen
“(John Jorgensen) is busy helping his son race.”
Terry Day
“Weymouth was the reason I came back into racing as I had previously stopped for a few years. Now it’s back to reality and going to work as opposed to riding. I would still be riding if the club was still going. It’s weird the club not being there and when we drove down at the weekend we had a look at the track and it’s in a bit of a state now. People have tried to get in contact with the landlords and sort out a deal but they’re just not interested and it’s annoying. It’s another British club that has gone and it’s happening more and more these days. The most annoying part of it is that we have the people with the knowhow to get the club going again but the landlords are stopping it from happening.”
Nigel Pearson
“We have several permutations right now and those who don’t figure in them all have been told we cannot guarantee them a spot at this time. We refuse to keep riders hanging on only to let them down and we want to see them fixed up elsewhere. This applies to riders who have already represented the club and those who have been in touch from other clubs wanting to join us.”
Rene Bach*
“Is not happy with the danish hospitals. Those ***** are taking the piss now!”
Lee Richardson*
“Been back to the gym this morning!! That was extremely hard after having 10 days in the sun living it up!!”
Chris Neath*
“I love my new job title of ‘handyman’ which basically constitutes to keeping the place clean and tidy and putting the odd cupboard door on!”
Nicolai Klindt*
“Of cause If I don’t get any other interest than from Wolves, then I will sign for them because its where my heart is, but I have to think about myself and what best for my career. 2010 was really hard on me riding Sunday in Poland, Monday in England, Tuesday in Sweden, Wednesday in Denmark and then maybe back to England on a Thursday. Monday morning was I was up at 3am to catch a 5am flight, Tuesday up at 5am to catch a 7am flight to Sweden where I didn’t get to the hotel till 1am. Drive 8 hours home (Denmark) from Sweden on a Tuesday night and be home around 5am-6am and then ride again that night in Denmark. This year its worked really well for me not to ride on a Monday, I could go back with the van to Denmark from Poland on a Sunday or even go straight to Sweden so i can get a good nights sleep. I know there are other riders doing the same, but every person is not the same and its been hard in the long run and I don’t want to feel tired come July. Its not easy to ride full time in 4 leagues and it takes a lot of organising and you need a good team behind you.”
Speedway 365*
“Scunthorpe Captain David Howe is the sixth and final member of the Speedway365 sponsored riders for 2012”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Been out to check up the new Team Lindgren HQ! The progress with new workshop are going according to plan”
Lewis Bridger*
“Grow the f£&k up… u sad, sad little men. thistwitterhassomanymorons”
Jo Lowry*
“Michael Buble Christmas Album = Awesome!!”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Another big step forward today!!”
Mads Korneliussen*
“wonder what that is rumors”
Rory Schlein*
“I have a few new sponsors to announce soon and really looking forward of having them on board which 2012 could be an exciting year”
Nicolai Klindt*
“lucky you”
Rory Schlein*
“luck had nothing to do with it”
Nicolai Klindt*
“bet people is knocking on your door like it was halloween just to sponsor a champion like you”
Rory Schlein*
“ha ha your a funny man”
Paul Burbidge*
“The Swedish teams being announced underline just how badly British #speedway has been watered down”
Nigel Pearson*
“Most British clubs couldn’t afford the wage bill”
16th November
Nigel Pearson*
“question. Who represents Cov at AGM? Rosco gone, no news on Pratty? What’s going on? herewegoagain”
Eddie Davies*
“Ho yes we do whatacryingshame”
Eddie Davies*
“What are they doing to our great sport, I’ve seen the blood sweat and tears that goes on at the Pointy end getagripAGM”
Harold Doonan
“We have been fighting a battle and getting nowhere with a return to the stadium. We have support from our local MP’s and a Dorset County Councillor and all are for the speedway to stay here, but unfortunately we can’t force someone to rent us something if they don’t want to. Next year the eyes of the world will be on Weymouth so it would be good to get something organised this year ready for next March and the start of next season.”
David Howe*
“Another day in workshop, Ted over today”
Neil Machin
“People just won’t travel to away meetings any more because of issues such as petrol prices and the problem of hasty rain-offs”
Hans Andersen*
“Not overly keen on this new rear mudguard thing”
Sam Masters*
“Need these new rear mudguards for next year!! Wtf moremoney”
Alun John Rossiter*
“it’s the wrong color for a start justsayin”
Peter Johns*
“day 3 of a very interesting test session, this old dog does learn new tricks!”
David Watt*
“I like the sound of that mate !!”
Nicki Glanz*
“Off out to lunch with some inportent People in a minute…. #2012 #$£”
Rory Schlein*
“Rory Schlein signs for ostrow speedway club in Poland I’m looking forward to racing there it’s one of my best tracks”
Neil Machin
“The ever-increasing Federation of International Motorcycles and foreign commitments of riders means that it’s becoming more and more difficult to rearrange meetings. The problem is particularly acute with the Premier having become a Thursday to Sunday league and it was a real problem trying to change dates and find guests, so we’d like to see more co-operation between promoters. Working together is the best way forward.”
Paul Burbidge*
“Barker may have to choose between the Elite and Premier. But AJ and Lindback double-up in Sweden. Why shouldn’t Brits?”
Gary Patchett*
“Because they have fixed race days and there is no clash between clubs!!”
Paul Burbidge*
“This is one of many reasons why Britain should go to a fixed race day or two days. The Brits struggle to get teams abroad”
Chris Holder*
“Aussie is sooooooo much better then Uk….. Hahahahaha sorry truthhurts”
Greg Hancock*
“Keep em above the belt bro!”
Rory Schlein*
“Bought my new Trolly bag for next year sorry lads I didn’t get the scooter bag just watching Troy Batchelor is funny enough classic”
Troy Batchelor*
“I needa new one. Snapped mine in half! drunkscooterdriving”
Chris Holder*
“I witnessed TBR breaking his scooter bag…toofunny”
Rory Schlein*
“didn’t see but I herd it from my room”
Troy Batchelor*
“should I try claim it under warranty ?”
Rory Schlein*
“would love to see what u would right on the retune form”
Brian Havelock
“Glasgow had won the league before the end of the season this year and that seems a bit silly. So why now have the top six in the play-offs and then the remaining eight in something like the Young Shield. I’d like to see it called something different though – the Young Shield suggests it’s a junior competition.The Simon Wigg Trophy could be a more appropriate name.”
Graham Drury
“Of course I would love Ben Barker back in the team because he was excellent for us last season and he admitted the move to Birmingham did him a lot of good. He’s texting me regularly asking if there is any news but I want to wait and see if he is going to sign for a Premier League club because if that’s the case I wouldn’t be so keen to sign him. I said at the end of the season that doubling-up riders are all well and good, but I would prefer a more settled team after everything we went through in our first Premier League season. When we were missing Ben you could tell the difference. The difficult bit is when we negotiate, if the rules state he can ride in the Premier League and we don’t want him to then we are going to need to significantly increase his pay structure from last season. But, that aside, how can it be right that a rider like Ben, who rode in the World Cup last summer, is riding in the Second Division? He is an Elite League rider who shouldn’t be lowering himself to the Premier League, but if the rules allow it then I guess as a rider you have to look at maximising your earnings.”
Courier Mail
“TWO of Australia’s top young international speedway stars are due to appear in court in Britain today, after a 17-year-old girl claimed she was assaulted in a hotel room.Champion rider Darcy Ward, 19, and his friend and fellow rider redacted, 17, were arrested after the English teenager made a complaint to the police that she had been sexually assaulted after a night out. The incident is alleged to have occurred in August at the Premier Inn in the quiet seaside town of Poole, Dorset, on England’s south coast, hours after a speedway meeting involving Ward’s team the Poole Pirates… The alleged victim is from Coventry in the English Midlands. Both of the accused teenagers have been sensations in their sport in Queensland and overseas. redacted was charged with three counts of sexual assault. Brisbane-born speedway sensation Ward was charged with one count of sexual assault.”
Glasgow Tigers
“Glasgow Speedway is aware of the forthcoming legal case against Nick Morris and one other Elite League rider. As an impressionable 17 year old it was always a concern to us that when he moved South he would end up befriending others who would not be able to advise him appropriately. We will allow the legal system to deal with this matter and should he still be a Glasgow rider offer him all the support and guidance necessary to allow him to move on with his career and his life.”
< Regular';">Phil Hine
“As some of you ar case which involves 2 speedway riders..Any reporting restrictions which apply in this country may well not extend to Australia hence w k to a press report from Australia. Thank you for your co-operat
Mads Korneliussen*
“Long day getting the new workshop ready LongWayToGo sucks”
Niall Strudwick*
“1st day of proper trainning, blumming hard work, but going to be worth it countingdownto2012season”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Am starting to think that the ordinary Swedish speedway supporter does not understand the language which is English?”
Nicolai Klindt*
“just finished a 4 hour meeting with the members of Klindt Racing to discuss the good an bad things in 11 and what will be happening in 12”
Nigel Pearson*
“British Speedway AGM starts in Coventry tomorrow… A few thoughts”
Gary Haveock*
“where do you want me to start!!!!!!!!!”
Scott Nicholls*
“fingers crossed! :)”
Nigel Pearson*
“premier league should introduce rule all teams must have 3pt British rider from NL at no.7”
Lewis Kerr*
“true that!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Alex Harkess deserves a medal for the mess he has had to deal with in last two years. And I don’t just mean last winter. Harkess’ first year spent dealing with behind the scenes personal battles, not good. Part time role remember”
Nigel Pearson*
“Hope to see all 10 Elite League teams back for more – but drop the word Elite because it isn’t – Sweden is”
Nigel Pearson*
“Drop the name Elite from top flight because it isn’t”
Nigel Pearson*
“premier league should be decided on play offs like the other leagues. No brainer.”
Tom Gardner*
“why? Just cos the final draws big crowd,Well that only benefits 2 of 14clubs,not to play the fair card,but tops means nothing”
Nigel Pearson*
“Hope lessons learnt from last winter and no threat of legal involvement ever again”
Nigel Pearson*
“And finally a points limit is enough restriction for clubs – drop the one rider over 8 in the ‘elite’”
Gary Havelock*
“how do you tweet so fast. You amaze me Sir Scoop!!!!!”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Can’t fall a sleep now so guess I have to re-plan my day tomorrow a little. Can’t train without enough sleep my body need recovery time”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“I will do the training I have planned just at a different time, just to clarify that”
17th November
Bryn Williams
“My personal reservations with the system are:
A: There are too many GPs
and
B: I find it difficult to align myself with a ‘Speedway World Championship’ in which riders are chosen to take part rather than qualify to do so.
Greater minds than I though obviously think differently”
Chris Holder*
“Bikes turned up from Uk today!! Yeehaa”
Alun John Rossiter
“We can’t afford to have a Man City scenario in speedway because we would lose the crowds. The obsession with winning will end up killing the sport. Last year there were eight clubs who could have made the play-offs and that’s the whole idea. It’s not about us, us, us. We’ve got to do what is for the good of speedway. It’s human nature that everyone wants to put one over each other, but it is a balancing act and sometimes people should be honest with each other.”
Chris Holder
“I do any sort of water sports and bike sports. There is not much else that interests me. Anything that is pretty risky, I will do it. But it has changed a little bit now and I really have to think before I do something stupid. I probably don’t risk it as much as I used to. Speedway is my job and that is what I do, so I can’t really afford to get hurt. It is always better to land on water than on the dirt or concrete. I have got to think about it a bit more because the consequences are a lot bigger now than they used to be.”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Have had some help put up some stuff in my apartment. Now I’m off for a 60 min run easy pace”
Nicolai Klindt*
“phone calls to be done so i can go on a easy jog in the cold november weather to freshen up #2012”
Mads Korneliussen*
“found this bone in the floor when we were digging, scary TimeToCallCSI”
David Watt*
“Alot to do today and have my little man, Harley, to keep me company !! Hope this will be like a dream and not a nightmare ! loveit”
Nigel Pearson*
“Speedway Star and an awful picture of me from 6 years ago!”
Danny Warwick
“The Isle of Wight would be ideal because it’s local, I love the track and it’s a very friendly atmosphere around the pits.”
Rory Schlein*
“what’s goin on RICO u follow me then u un follow me now u follow me again”
Lee Richardson*
“dont know mate, keeps playing up…dont get a complex..lol ;)”
Nigel Pearson*
“Looking at my December diary, looks like I have space for only one visit to Santa. Busy times with Talksport and Sky Sports Darts”
Adam Roynon*
“itsabeautifulworldbecause I get to race for 8 months of the year then chill out for the next 4!!”
Alex Harkess
“The fixture list will be changed because this season was a disaster, and play-offs are certainly on the table for discussion. We did have play-offs in the Premier League a few years ago when Rye House won the title even although it was King’s Lynn who topped the league. I realise some people like to see the side at the top of the table at the end of the season be crowned champions, but play-offs, which would involve the top four finishing sides, could be set for a comeback, and I personally wouldn’t have any problem with that. Sky Sports have indicated they would be interested in televising the final, but they are not interested in screening the semi-finals, nonetheless it would give the Premier League a big boost if they could attract television interest.”
King’s Lynn
“(King’s Lynn) have received the accolade from the SCB & BSPA. During the course of the season in British Speedway, referees and team captains rate each track to determine the overall winner. The track at the Norfolk arena is renowned for producing exciting racing which has led to it hosting the second event at the World Cup for two years now and a third due to be held in July next year.”
Jonathan Barber*
“want myyyyyyy cast offffffffffff”
Derek Barclay
“Headline in today’s Star, ‘2012 too soon for Scott’… Too soon..?! Bloody hell…: too late is how I’d describe it; and our Scotty clearly lives in fantasy land if he thinks he’ll be offered another chance in 2013… Well unless all the top riders give up on the event…!”
Nicolai Klindt*
“a good steak and glas of wine ain’t bad. not when it’s with your sponsor and you seal the deal for 2012 makingithappen”
Nigel Pearson*
“Congratulations King’s Lynn on track of the year award. Any idea when we can expect more AGM news?”
Alun John Rossiter*
“only when u release it all on Sunday mate if we are all alive”
18th November
Dakota North*
“Girls are trouble! Chase money for love”
Taylor Poole*
“Mud run tomorrow! Keen as!”
Nicolai Klindt*
“up early and getting stuff done. still in bed atm watching tv, but would still class it as awake. but its here I normally fall asleep again!”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Off to the gym! Today for a session together with the Pilates ball. Awesome!”
Hans Andersen
“I enjoyed some of the best moments of my career at Peterborough and it is the place where I really want to be. I love the people, I love the track and I really love riding there.”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Now down to the real stuff today agm good day yesterday here we go !”
Nicolai Klindt*
“anyone know how AGM went yesterday with new rules etc?”
Rory Schlein*
“it worrying that there been now news yet have they for once all agreed this year”
Nicolai Klindt*
“might be the reason”
Rory Schlein*
“they got today left I think”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Think the AGM lasts for four days, so be patient my brother from another mother”
Nicolai Klindt*
“i will be then… hope your back is ferring better!”
Mads Korneliussen*
“Almost there hardwork NewWorkshop kaboom”
Jan Staechmann*
“looks good. Underfloor heating like FGM? (before pouring the concrete?)”
Mads Korneliussen*
“no man, we did not win the lottery. We will work hard to keep warm”
Nicki Glanz*
“Going round sorting sponsors toddy”
Nicki Glanz*
“Abit of Road rage this morning”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Lunch today will be sausage from Stensåkra Chark! yummy”
Nigel Pearson*
“with tomato ketchup mate? Are you missing your English fish and chips?”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“I miss it so much… Not”
Paul Burbidge*
“Congrats to Peter Ljung. Became an SGP rider and his girlfriend gave birth to their son Eddie all within 24 hours”
Peter Ljung
“I’ve broken my legs, feet, hands and have lost quite a lot of time over the years I’ve been riding. Now the wind has changed a bit and I just got a bit of luck for once. It has been a lot to handle in a couple of days, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a better 24 hours – definitely not. My girlfriend is still in hospital and I’ve got my daughter Iza at home with me. We’ve been going back and forward to the hospital and exchanging phone calls. I’ve got a lot of emotions going through my head, but this is amazing. I’m not going to apologise for having this handed to me. I just think it was my turn to have a bit of luck. It’s going to be really, really interesting and fun.”
Ian Maclean
“According to a piece in The Hearld today John Campbell is putting a radical proposal to the BSPA today ‘amid fears for the future of the sport’. It goes on to say that Monarchs lost £40K in the 2010 season and that Monarchs can’t go through what they have endured in 2011 season with falling crowds. He wouldn’t go into details. All that is obvious is that Monarchs have been accumulating losses and I suppose that can’t continue indefinitely. It would be a foolish Glasgow fan who would want Monarchs to go down the pan.”
John Campbell
“We can’t go through what we’ve been through this season again. There has been a well-publicised drop in attendances and we don’t want a repeat of the situation where we have a fixture list when, for weeks, we don’t have an attractive match.”
Nigel Pearson*
“Like what I’m hearing from speedway AGM”
Paul Burbidge*
“Just to clarify, Ljung was sixth in GP Challenge. Vaculik (4th) and Kasprzak (5th) haven’t accepted their SGP calls”
Nigel Pearson*
“Just to clarify all clubs are under instruction not to release any news from speedway AGM until Bspa statement on Sunday”
Alun John Rossiter*
“ha ha ha”
Nigel Pearson*
“just wondering when we will get news of other BSPA awards after King’s Lynn announced theirs last night? Embargo?”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Keith put his hands up it was funny he was excited”
Bob Tasker
“It summed up the Elite League for me when Stuart Robson was no. 4 for Newcastle and the next night was no. 3 for Lakeside”
Bob Tasker
“What is the speedway equivalent of jumpers for goalposts?”
Eddie Davies*
“Can’t wait for Sunday, and the bar top Barristers Twitter Meeting opinions everyone’s got one,everyone’s entitled to one”
Gary Havelock*
“Great to see photos of people’s Friday night vessels. Any more of you having a tipple?show us what you got!”
Rob Peasley
“I’m not much of a twitterer, but I believe there’s some very interesting stuff on there (about AGM). Something about an orange helmet colour, I believe”
Not Len Silver*
“Don’t care what Nigel Pearson has to say speedway agm leak here: Nick Mallett has scrapped his diet after I bought some fish & chips”
Nigel Pearson*
“brilliant! Love it! Good to laugh”
Not Len Silver*
“you boys were twinkles in your mothers eyes when I perfected my fish& chips recipe”
Not Speedway Len*
“Nigel Pearson won’t be happy i’m announcing Sam Ermolenko as my new number 1 right now. The lad has potential”
Nicki Glanz*
“Going to England for 5days on tuesday”
Eddie Davies*
“What time is the BSPA announcement due on Sunday?”
19th November
Fredrik Lindgren*
“I always have to remember when I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead”
Nicki Pedersen
“It’s hard when people aren’t working for me 100 per cent. It isn’t like a circus. This is a professional sport and I need my guys with me 110 per cent.”
Garry Stead*
“(replies to himself) Ok see you then x x”
Charlie Gjedde
“I was not enjoying what I was doing at Berwick and I was definitely not enjoying riding the track. It was more like skating and just hanging on for four laps. It’s really tight coming into the turns, so it’s hard to race. Then there was the wooden fence with the brick wall behind. That was mentally a little hard for me because I had just been out for so long.”
Alun John Rossiter
“We heard (Jurica Pavlic) was something of a party animal, which many young riders are, and that he was being badly advised in Poland. But I know that when he was in Britain he’d often stay in at my parents home, even in his room, to avoid distractions. So such talk can be cheap.”
Rory Schlein*
“Just read that the creator of the cartoon danger mouse died yesterday I use to watch that show after school everyday”
Graham Drury
“I’m sure lessons have been learnt from the totally unsatisfactory circumstances around last year’s events and we will have a much better AGM. People keep telling me the Elite League in 2011 was superb, in fact I have heard some saying it was consistently the best season since it was launched in 1997.”
John Anderson
“I wasn’t in favour of it (second phase), and when you saw our fixtures, especially at the end of the season, when we had to race Plymouth, Newport and Rye House on three successive nights in October, you can understand my thoughts on the subject.”
Trevor Geer
“We knew Bjarne would not be coming back for another year but it’s great to see him fixed up so quickly. He did a good job for us.”
Jonathan Chapman
“We thoroughly enjoyed the Elite League this year and we thought it was hugely entertaining and exciting.”
Jim Lynch
“(Charlie Gjedde’s) not a rider who is fussy about track conditions; he just gets on with the business at hand.”
Jonathan Barber*
“Ahhhhhhh”
Ryan Fisher
“The whole year was a battle, and really tough, but I guess that’s why everyone is not a speedway rider!”
Alun John Rossiter
“I look at the Premier League with some envy, all of their stuff is sorted very early – for example they’ve known for three years what limit they’re working to. They envy the EL play-offs, I envy their comparative stability.”
Nicki Pedersen
“I think I work best under pressure. That’s when I become the real Nicki Pedersen.”
Ashley Birks
“My friends will laugh but I quite like Will Young.”
Mike Bowden
“We were under a handicap in team building last year because it was not until some time after the AGM that we knew we were being admitted to the Premier League. It meant that some of the best riders had already been snapped up before we were in a position to make any signings.”
Andrew Tully
“I like the track grippy so when it was a foot deep or whatever against Glasgow I liked it. I’d quite happily ride it like that every week.”
Brian Havelock
“It was no good waiting until August 4 to decide what meeting we were running on August 7. It (second phase) didn’t give us time to organise or publicise it and didn’t give supporters time to arrange to get to away matches.”
John Anderson
“Around Berwick, (Jade Mudgway) can make up a lot of ground, but he just can’t get out of the gate with any sort of regularity. I think most people would agree, however, that Jade didn’t show the overall level of improvement many thought he might make.. Part of that was down to the odd niggling knock he took and, of course, he also suffered from a lack of major investment in his machinery.”
Michael Lee
“We helped Jack (Hargreaves) establish himself in the sport again. His machinery wasn’t up to scratch so he borrowed an engine from me for a dozen meetings, as well as getting a virtual rebuild from Chris (Louis). The cost to the promotion was considerable, probably more than three thousand pounds, and it’s not fair to the other riders to continue helping one in that way irrespective of the problems he might have.”
Jack Hargreaves
“I couldn’t have got the time off for speedway if I’d had a contracted lorry driving job, and I haven’t been driving long enough to get agency work.”
Jitendra Duffill*
“Ljung in GP’s, hmmmmmm!! Not so sure”
Gary Havelock*
“you will be lumping on him halfway thru first gp when he is 200-1 doh”
Jade Mudgway
“Speedway is an expensive sport, but hey, I’m not complaining. This is the sport I chose to compete in and I have to accept the costs for what they are.”
Harold Doonan
“Speedway appears to have gone. They are down there now digging everything up. They obviously want to diminish Weymouth Speedway forever and a day. We have tried everything we can to keep it going. We have written loads and loads of letters but got nothing from it. We sent five by recorded delivery to the directors of Morgan Sindall, who own the land, but did not get a reply until eight weeks’ later when they just sent through a standardised reply with three lines on it, which they had not even bothered to personally sign. The council are not coming up with anything either so I guess that is it – Weymouth has lost another amenity. It really is a crying shame particularly when the eyes of the world will be on the town next year with the Olympic sailing events coming here. All we need is five or six acres of ground, so you would think there would be something somewhere the council could rent out to us, but sadly it appears that is not the case.”
Kevin Jolly
“Lewis (Blackbird) has had a tremendous comeback season. He’s inherited that fierce will to win from his dad, carl, and should have a great future.”
Ben Reade
“I just didn’t see the drop coming and I was absolutely gutted when it happened. Of course the (Stoke) promotion make the decisions and no one disputes that. But something big in my heart was taken away and I honestly could have sold everything and walked away. that’s how much it hurt at the time because I had put everything I had into my team place.”
Len Silver
“A task which finally proved to be impossible, mainly because almost every rider had started to dismantle equipment or, in some cases, had either attended or were about to attend their club’s final functions where drink made riding impossible.”
Jade Mudgway
“I know I am not a rider of that quality, but it (NZ SGP) would be a tremendous experience. I am also the only New Zealander currently riding speedway at this level in Britain so I would like to think I stand a chance. There is Jason Bunyan, but I think he is applying for dual nationality or something, and in any event he has raced in British Championships before.”
Dale Allitt
“It helps not being in a Dutch auction with one or two riders at the last minute.”
Kevin Jolly
“There were also other signings crucial in producing a level of professionalism comparable with the best at any level of the sport; indispensable administrator Nicky Lee, one of the most entertaining ‘mic men in the business Kevin Long, track curator Bob Ellis, publicity officer David Golley, plus a list of track staff, officials and organisers much too long (to list).”
Nicolai Klindt*
“just thought i would start swimming again next week. wake up at 6am and then do a 1,5hr swimming session with sauna”
David Howe*
“10km run done”
Nicolai Klindt*
“question: how the heck do you change your Twitter name?”
Mike Bennett*
“Looks like I have my very own speedway stalker on Twitter? Glad I can fill his sad and uneventful life with our regular updates! :-)”
Julian Sumner*
“Oh? Who’s that Mike?”
Mike Bennett*
“just a saddo with no life but I can handle him. Let’s see how brave Jeff Scott is should he dare to show his face at Lynn :-)”
Paul Burbidge*
“Scott Nicholls wouldn’t rule out a return to the SGP series if he got back to his best domestically”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Agm finished happy days all good”
Eddie Davies*
“Agm sounds quite up beat, lets hope the Paying supporters have been taken in to consideration don’t hold your breath”
Nicolai Klindt*
“anyone know if you just need a licence to ride for another country in SWC or do you need a passport as well?”
Jan Staechmann*
“you need the passport”
Nicolai Klindt*
“sort it out for us stekkers teamitaly SWC”
Jan Staechmann*
“get yer team manager to sort it, LOL”
Mads Korneliussen*
“gold to japan. Team lineup 1 Madzz 2 mark randrup 3 klindt 4 claes 5 Nicki Glanz team manager Jan Staechmann”
Nigel Pearson*
“AGM all over. I’m told BSPA press release should be on speedwaygb.co website via Andy Povey by 1pm tomorrow lunchtime”
Gary Havelock*
“Freddie Star. Easiest 75k he has ever made”
Nigel Pearson*
“you doing it next year boy?!!”
Gary Havelock*
“I like being called “boy”. It reminds me of a time long time ago. Back in the day. The answer is ‘YES’”
Nigel Pearson*
“we are all still young pal! That’s how I feel!”
Alun John Rossiter
“I am concerned that Maciej Janowski might be bounced into the Grand Prix as Junior World Champion, and that might affect his availability.”
Richie Hawkins
“The away form has been the biggest bonus for me as I was stuck in a bit of a rut, earning my money at home at Somerset and then struggling away, so to come to Rye House and do the same average away as at home and to put my away average up with some good scores was very encouraging.”
Rye House advert
“Following requests from our neighbours, training days for the rest of 2011 will be on Saturdays, 11am-3pm.”
20th November
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Had to cancel this mornings gym session, had too much pain in my back this morning so needed to slow down”
Alun John Rossiter*
“These puzzles are so hard to put together witch to slot in were dam to many points try again”
Linus Sundstrom*
“Just cleaned out the old van, cant believe how much rubbish we had in there!”
Lewis Kerr*
“Scunny for a skid”
Nigel Pearson*
“Confirmed one rider over 8 in speedway Elite League scrapped for 2012”
BSPA
BRITISH Speedway chairman Alex Harkess has hailed a ‘positive and harmonious’ AGM of all Elite and Premier League clubs. Harkess, who will enter his third successive year in the hotseat in 2012, has confirmed the same teams will come to the tapes for the Sky Sports Elite League and Premier League next March. And in a management reshuffle Harkess is joined at the top table by Lakeside’s vastly experienced promoter Jon Cook as vice-chairman with Wolverhampton’s Chris Van Straaten also making a return to the committee. They’re joined by existing Premier League member George English of Newcastle and hugely respected Sheffield co-boss David Hoggart who makes his Management Committee debut.
Said Harkess: “It’s particularly pleasing in the current economic climate to see all of the clubs coming to the tapes in 2012, our AGM preparation in September and October proved invaluable and was without doubt the key to a settled and harmonious conference.
“The spirit of goodwill between our members is extremely positive and fills me with optimism for 2012.”
BSPA Officers 2012
Alex Harkess (Edinburgh) Chairman
Jon Cook (Lakeside) Vice Chairman
Chris Van Straaten (Wolverhampton) EL Member
George English (Newcastle) PL member
David Hoggart (Sheffield) PL Member
Matt Ford (Poole) EL Reserve Member
Rob Godfrey (Scunthorpe) PL Reserve Member
Nigel Pearson*
“Thrilled that my own club, Dudley Heathens, have been handed 2012 British U21 Final”
Alun John Rossiter*
“more great work by cvs he was in good form the weekend”
Niall Strudwick*
“good to see the agm went smoothly this year. Just wait and see whats happening in NL for next year lookingforateamspot”
Lewis Bridger*
“The diet has started”
Paul Burbidge*
“Seeing the EL Pairs scrapped is a shame, but after all rider pull-outs and a poor crowd @ King’s Lynn, it’s shouldn’t be surprise”
Paul Burbidge*
“I’m glad common sense prevailed and the 8.00 rule was axed. No need to force top riders out of their clubs for the sake of it”
Nicolai Klindt*
“still tired, feels like my legs have been walking 100.000 miles inbedmyown”
Bob Tasker*
“The headline news from the speedway AGM looks good, especially for the PL, bring it on: hurry up, March!”
Lewis Rose*
“Awsome day speedway came in on the gas for the 1st time Blew bike up though 🙁 Lewis Kerr was on the gas Top mechanic Jessie Day”
David Howe*
“Really pleased to be back with King’s Lynn Stars its the news I been waiting for”
David Watt*
“Just scootering around heathrow airport on my bag with my lil man waiting for the big bird to take us to Aussie !!!”
Nicolai Klindt*
“good to see that the agm went well. hopefully i can sign for a elite league team before i go to aussie perth whitesand redneck raybans”
Alun John Rossiter*
“That sinita has got to (go) doing my head in”
Gary Havelock*
“Has anyone noticed that all of a sudden every ad on the box is a Xmas ad”
21st November
David Watt*
“This sucks !! Been on this ✈plane for 3 hours and haven’t left heathrow yet !! I just want to go to Aussie 🙁 And I will probably miss my connection in Singapore now too. Get me back to the sunshine quickly pleeeeease !!”
Mads Korneliussen*
“Lots to do today, i hope to sort out my uk club over the next 2 or 3 days”
Stuart Douglas
“I was very impressed with the feeling of togetherness that was evident in the Elite League room”
Jon Cook
“I feel honoured to be Vice Chairman and to have achieved that by winning an election makes me feel particularly responsible to my fellow members to make sure I do a good job”
BSPA
Newport’s future for 2012 has been secured after a ground-share was agreed with stock-car racing organisation Trojan International.The Wasps had cast severe doubt over their continuation next year for financial reasons, but stock-cars will now run at the venue every other Saturday, with the speedway primarily switching to Friday nights.
Gary Patchett
“I warned the other clubs about the consequences of scrapping the rule, but they went ahead and did it. That’s fine for those clubs who are sitting pretty with two top riders in place for the new season, we haven’t even got one. We are now looking at the prospect of trying to attract a rider back to British speedway who hasn’t raced here recently but I can reveal that rider won’t be Matej Zagar….We are now facing an uphill battle to secure an out-and-out number one rider and both Alun Rossiter and myself cannot afford to hang around. Other clubs were telling me to sit tight and wait to see what riders become available, but whilst other clubs are signing their top men we can’t afford to hang around. Effectively we are relying on the indulgence of other clubs as we don’t currently have an asset of our own who is a number one. As of Monday morning we don’t have permission to speak to one top rider from any other club and that’s worrying and mainly down to the scrapping of the one rider over eight rule.”
Nigel Pearson*
“More from speedway AGM – Tactical Ride rule can now only be used from Heats 5-12 inclusive. No more 8-1s in Heat 13!”
Paul Bellamy
“With each country picking just four riders, only the crème de la crème will make it into their national team and team managers will have quite a headache as they decide who to leave out. It will also give more nations a chance of fielding a strong team and making a push for the gold medals. I’m sure the Swedes will be delighted to see their team already assured of their place in the final. But the battle to join them should be incredible and with just one team qualifying from this year’s Race-Off, that meeting will be extra special.”
Mike Bellerby
“We are certain our fans will take to this new competition and enjoy seeing their team taking on top teams from Europe. It is fantastic that we can be in at the start of this new competition and is a great reward for our efforts in last season’s league.”
Paul Burbidge*
“I like the new SWC format. The early meetings will no longer be seen as practice events by some countries”
Bob Tasker*
“so, basically, the old 4TT format + 4 heats ending with top scorers? Like the GPs: old school + add-on backtobasics”
Mads Korneliussen*
“colors for next year. orange black and silver cool nice”
Jan Staechmann*
“Very productive day today, and some exciting news in the process. Hope to be able to share with you tweeps very soon!”
Olly Allen*
“Hhhhmn where to ride next season…”
Mads Korneliussen*
“exeterfalcons for you, trap and goo”
Olly Allen*
“can’t think of a better track for my style madsy!”
Jan Staechmann*
“Attention dear tweeps – I am looking to complete my Speedway Star collection. If anyone can help, I have a ton to trade if interested”
Nicki Glanz*
“Cant beleve how organized i am for next season so early”
Mads Korneliussen*
“So thats sweden done, so happy to be back. Only two more teams to sign for. busy LongRoadTrips”
Mads Korneliussen*
“Got some new jeans, cool looksgood”
Niels Kristian Iversen*
“spending the money. mrbigspender”
Mads Korneliussen*
“must have nice clothes when you are as ugly as me”
Mads Korneliussen*
“close to do a deal in the UK bringiton2012”
Nigel Pearson*
“He said he never would – but my protege David Rowe is finally on twitter. Follow him!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Have to say the two BSPA press office boys do a fantastic job for British speedway Andy Povey & David Rowe”
Mike Bellerby
“It is all a question of dates. We regret that we cannot take part in the KO Cup but there are insufficient dates available to us in 2012. Our need to run on Saturdays is well documented. When we looked at next year’s calendar of Grand Prix and other international events, we realised that we would not be able to compete in the KO Cup. We know the fans will be disappointed. We are too, bearing in mind the Eagles’ long tradition of being a successful KO Cup outfit. However, we have to be realistic and everyone knows it is not financially viable for Eastbourne to run midweek.”
Steve Chilton*
“Having won just 7 out of 38 league matches it wasn’t overly positive anyway. It’s been a desperately poor season at Beaumont Park and the only thing that has saved it is the fact that we’d waited 28 years for it! The fans have been great,but next year I predict the crowds will start to drop off even more than they did from April to October. We were averaging around 1500 at the end of the season, which is about 1000 down on earlier months. That’s what happens when you have a crap team on a crap track I guess!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Just been told I was labelled a “Bell end” on a Speedway Forum last week – just backs up everything I say about it getalife”
Claudia Staechmann*
“that’s brilliant!!!!! Too funny!!! Don’t worry Nigel I’ll get my mum to sort them out u know she loves u!! Xxx”
Claudia Staechmann*
“unless it was Jan calling u a bellend. My mum might be slightly torn then!! :)”
Nigel Pearson*
“fantastic love it!”
Nicolai Klindt*
“man….. my life is great! #ontopoftheworld”
Greg Hancock*
“How bout this new SWC idea?? I think the USA ahold host it at Costa Mesa Speedway instead!! braapppppppp”
Nigel Pearson*
“costa Mesa all 4 rounds with unlimited Budweiser for TV commentators – sounds like a plan!”
Jan Staechmann*
“count me in!”
Scott Nicholls*
“can I work on commentary!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Some clown also accused me of failing to call Greg Hancock as World Champion – incorrect bsf getalife”
Nigel Pearson*
“And some other clown suggested I was sacked as lead commentator on talksport. Incorrect. bsf No wonder solicitors are watching every post”
Nigel Pearson*
“Ask any rider what they think of bsf – same as me”
Alun John Rossiter*
“and promotors mate”
Nigel Pearson*
“Final word on the matter – always willing to listen to criticism, but make your point in an appropriate way. Just my view”
Bryn Williams*
“Idiots think that hiding behind a made up BSF name gives them carte blanche to say anything, such a shame for genuine posters”
Gary Havelock*
“I may sound thick here. But what is bsf?”
Jan Staechmann*
“yes constructive criticism you can work with”
Bryn Williams*
“Indeed constructive criticism is always welcomed but alas most posts seem to just slag individuals off”
Alun John Rossiter*
“spot on havvy what is it ha ha”
Jo Lowry*
“Missed my mum BIG time today (at graduation). Just hope you’re proud of me mum xxx”
Alun John Rossiter*
“I here branny is your proto shay”
Gary Havelock*
“Alun wtf is a proto shay”
Alun John Rossiter*
“protégé”
Nigel Pearson*
“to be fair this predictive text is getting on my tets”
Gary Havelock*
“the iPhone doesn’t have predictive texting scoop”
Alun John Rossiter*
“think he’s had to many scoops”
Gary Havelock*
“that’s rich coming from you”
Nigel Pearson*
“mine does mate. Gave Adam Roynon directions to Crawley instead of Cradley for our end of season bash!!”
Alun John Rossiter*
“love this twatter!!”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Show must go on!”
Chloee*
“why do I feel like your about to break into song ;D x”
Alun John Rossiter*
“First bit of Robins business done out soon staytuned”
David Watt*
“Has landed in Brisbane. So stoked to be back ! #noplacelikehome”
22nd November
Adam Roynon*
“IReallyMiss #speedwaylife”
Nicolai Klindt* [at 07.00]
“swimming session done – only had time for 20 lanes. now i need to wait for my van to be serviced”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Such a nice morning for some time at the gym”
Rob Godfrey
“We’re dotting the ‘i’s and crossing the ‘t’s but everything will be in place by Wednesday. After finishing tenth, tenth, ninth and seventh in our first four seasons I think we have now been able to build a team with a chance of winning the league. We might not start favourites on paper but we will be right up there as a contender. There is a great mix of old favourites and up and coming youngsters and I’m pretty certain the fans are going to like what we have put together. As always there have been some difficult decisions made because we can’t put everyone in but we feel we have gone with the riders who can up their average and give us the best chance of challenging for the league title. It will be able to announce the team so early so we can focus our efforts on other parts of the business. As always we are going to make sure everywhere has a lick of paint with the help of our sponsors Jotun Paints whilst we’ll continue to develop the stadium little by little”.
Alun John Rossiter*
“Very pleased with first bit of business wait till Thursday very important part of the team building itscoming”
Hans Andersen*
“So it’s back to work today after a few days without even thinking about speedway :)”
BSPA
“The SCB wish to make it clear to all competitors that comments made on social network sites that are abusive, obscene or otherwise bring the sport into disrepute will not be tolerated and severe penalties will be handed to any one found guilty in the future.”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Sorry for the tease no hints happy thou !”
Eddie Davies*
“Did he have a punch up with Scott at the millennium stadium?”
Troy Batchelor*
“France in 2 weeks snowboarding … Hanging! fistpump”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Listed local sports people on Twitter in today’s paper & left me out! Should’ve been no:3 on their list nothappy”
Sam Masters*
“Getting bored and need a job I think! Just an easy one please???”
David Howe*
“is that to pay your 2k fine?”
Sam Masters*
“that’s it David be good if someone could pay my £2k fine??? strugglingforcash”
Lee Richardson*
“Got to pop over to Arlington to drop some bits off…”
Rory Schlein*
“Got a lie in to now got jobs to do not long now till I’m back in Oz”
Lee Richardson*
“Need to get a few things finalised today..”
Paul Burbidge*
“Peter Ljung has had to give up his spot at Friday night track Lakeside following his SGP call-up”
Paul Burbidge*
“Gollob’s manager says he wasn’t asking for silly money in Sweden after agreeing new deal with Hammarby”
Jeff Scott*
“Is Tomek how Tomasz prefers to be known then?”
Paul Burbidge*
“I think it’s like shortening Jaroslaw to Jarek. But I’m no expert on the Polish language sadly”
Nicolai Klindt*
“thanks for showing everyone my hand bag”
Jeff Scott*
“Why not get your man-bag emblazoned with ‘International Speedway Rider’ on the side?”
Nicolai Klindt*
“piss off, i’m not ginge….”
Lewis Kerr*
“Back from gym… Shoulders nailed”
Nigel Pearson*
“he’d never said anything to my face during 5 years there!! Could be a speedway promoter. twofaced”
Rory Schlein*
“Broke the 2000 followers tonight thanks to you twitters that follow me”
Gary Havelock*
“Good turnout tonight for the Bears fans forum. upthebears”
Lewis Kerr*
“Needs a prem spot for 2012! help”
Rory Schlein*
“Rory Schlein teams up with SCANDIC clutches for 2012, ‘looking forward to the new clutches and watch out u so called trappers’”
Chris Holder*
“bad move schleiny!!!”
Nicolai Klindt*
“hear that. what is it they say been there done that no good”
Rory Schlein*
“they were good enough to get ya to the GPs???? and nick you could use a BAR clutch you would still trapp the same”
Chris Holder*
“its the owner that’s the problem bra..”
23rd November
David Hoggart
“Neil (Machin) made a late decision to stand down and I was asked if I would consider standing. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. Hopefully we can take the sport a step forward after the difficulties of last winter when there was uncertainty over a couple of clubs”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Doh how many flights have I booked f to poland tomorrow for Ash H wedding no I am not because I booked Friday Grrr”
Alun John Rossiter*
“That came out all wrong thick”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“The crosstrainer said I’ve gone 9,5km this morning but after I’d pushed it for 60min I was still standing at the same place. gymtime”
Phil Hine
“Due to a very small number of users breaking the rules and guidelines it was decided to close the (British Speedway) forum temporarily while I assist with some legal enquires.The matter is of a very serious nature and I am not willing to discuss this any further at this time.Note this has nothing to do with two riders appearing in court this week. The forum is currently been upgraded and I ask users to check back at the weekend.”
Hans Andersen*
“Soo hope to have the phone call soon now AGM is done and dusted”
Troy Batchelor*
“yeah I’m hearing you Hans. Still waiting too…”
Nicolai Klindt*
“food… it’s tough sitting at the office all day! but decided my colours for next year tho. #2012”
Dakota North*
“Whats the gossip people? What clubs have I been linked too?”
Alun John Rossiter*
“none you crash to much ha ha pay back from when I left cov I remember”
Mads Korneliussen*
“So i done a deal in the uk today, but i have to wait till tomorrow to tell you where”
Nicolai Klindt*
“i have sore in my left arm. will you come and helping me. i drinking coffee straight now”
Mads Korneliussen*
“thanks for all the lovely tweets about me comeing back to kings lynn, it gives me goosebumps. It means alot to me”
Nicolai Klindt*
“can anyone confirm that Hans Andersen have got the last gp spot?”
Nicki Glanz*
“First Carling in a year thekingisback”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Listening to bbc wm so tempted to call in cvs Drury and Nigel peasrson”
Gary Patchett*
“Do it!! Could the panel please tell me where I can find an 8 point rider!!”
Gary Patchett*
“Don’t pick and choose Nige. If it ain’t broke….. We ditched the 8 point rule and u were in favour of that!”
David Rowe*
“Go for it, ask Mr Pearson for some managerial advice!!!”
Jan Stachmann*
“Hans Andersen?”
Gary Patchett*
“If only!! We don’t seem to be on the radar”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Had a nice visit from UK this evening Chris Adams with his wife to be Chrissie and their son Cameron. Hope PK take care of you in Gullspång”
David Rowe*
“Edward Kennett back with Coventry Bees in 2012!”
Andy Povey*
“Three Bees riders named and not one of them over 8 points”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Eddie can’t do Telford as his suspension doesn’t finish it 15march !”
Dakota North*
“I crash to much coming from the man himself! Haha”
Alun John Rossiter*
“don’t cry”
Dakota North*
“back at Swindon? lookwhatthecatdraggedin”
Alun John Rossiter*
“you know it boy”
Dakota North*
“haha well done, email me then”
Alun John Rossiter*
“can I talk to u remember the shit I got from Oakesy last year when u wanted to ride for me”
Paul Burbidge*
“I hope Coventry have some cracking 4-pointers up their sleeves. Kennett, Harris and Nicholls will have to be at their best topheavy”
Steve Hilliard
“Talking of Swindon ….. They will be announcing their first signing for 2012 tomorrow. Jurica Pavlic / Niklai Klindt ??”
Jan Staechmann
“Neither :o)”
Bryn Williams
“WOW!!!! Can’t be can it?? Seriously??? You’re NOT making a racing comeback are you Jan????”
Jan Staechmann
“LOL, no Bryn, perhaps Rosco is?”
Steve Hilliard
“Rosco would be on a 5pt average for Robins …. and 4pts if he rides for Poole ;-)”
Peter Johns*
“Very sad news tonight. :(“
Gary Patchett*
“Such tragic news tonight. Thoughts with family”
Niall Strudwick*
“sad news to find out that Rhys Loram has passed away. RIP”
David Howe*
“Was feeling fed up that Ava kept me up most of night but then I read what’s happened to Mark loram’s son, puts things in perspective”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Some times things in life things get put into perspective and all other things don’t matter RIP Rhys sad sad sad”
Casper Wortmann*
“PK to Swindon”
24th November
Mike Bowden
“I think Seemond coming along as team manager will be a great help to the team. He’s got the experience of what riders have to do in terms of the set-up of their bikes and other preparation. He can talk to the riders in technical terms, which is something Gary (Spiller) can’t really do. Seemond’s also been a rider for many years and knows what it’s like to be out there. Gary has been team manager for the past two years and has put in an immense amount of hard work and obviously we want to thank him for his efforts. But the fact remains that he has never been on a speedway bike, while Seemond has. Seemond’s been down here to talk it all over and I think he’ll do a really good job.”
Edward Kennett
“I’ve paid the price for what happened and I’ve done my time, and I just want to move on now and concentrate on my racing. I stuck by Coventry last winter and the fans have really stuck by me. I got a huge reception when I went to the dinner-dance which certainly put a big smile on my face”
Taylor Poole*
“Im craving coke hard! Gotta be strong and have will power. Im eating healthy from now on challenge”
Olly Allen*
“How do you get to put those symbol things etc in a tweet?? dumbass”
Neil Machin
“We have spent this week talking to Josh and we have made him an offer for next season which he is considering. As we all know he is a Coventry asset and when I spoke to their co-promoter, Colin Pratt, on Wednesday evening he informed me Scunthorpe hadn’t had permission to even speak to Josh. Should he ride for Scunthorpe it would also rule him out of doubling-up with his parent club and Colin, like me, is very unhappy with what Scunthorpe have done. Here at Sheffield we like to do things properly and we have permission from Coventry to go ahead and talk to Josh about next season which is what we have done. Rob Godfrey at Scunthorpe should know better. What they have done, ignoring protocol, smacks of desperation.”
Rob Godfrey
“I have been totally transparent with Neil throughout this whole process and I want to totally refute the fact that I did not have permission to speak to Josh (Auty). I made Neil aware straight away when Josh started to make suggestions to me that he would like to come to Scunthorpe in 2012. At the AGM of the BSPA last week, I got permission from Coventry promoter Colin Pratt, Josh’s parent club, to speak to Josh and to put a deal together for him to come to Scunthorpe. That can be corroborated by Birmingham promoter Graham Drury, who was sitting next to us at the time. We subsequently agreed a deal with Josh and we have absolutely no worries at all about ‘protocol being ignored’ because we have followed it to the letter of the law. Unfortunately, it seems that Neil just doesn’t want to accept the fact that Josh wants to come to Scunthorpe. I am very unhappy with the way this has been portrayed by Sheffield because in the first place it should have been kept as a private matter between the two clubs. We have always enjoyed a very positive and harmonious relationship with Sheffield and I very much hope that will be allowed to continue because we do not want to become involved in a war of words.”
Hans Andersen
“I had everything pretty much sorted. I was on my way to Poland to sign my deal and get that sorted. But when I had the call, it all changed drastically. It’s about ambitions rather than the money. In not riding in Poland, I’ve said ‘no’ to a huge income. But my desire to race in the World Championship is worth a lot more than money.”
Nigel Pearson*
“Here we go. Laser eye surgery. Nervous!”
Hans Andersen*
“Thank you all for welcoming back into GP’s 🙂 its one thing worth remembering from 2011 nightmare season ! Bring it on in 2012 fastasfuck”
Alun John Rossiter*
“On way t o heathrow wish I was going to oz”
Troy Batchelor*
“Seems if u don’t ride in Poland u any one can get to gp’s. Ha I won’t be watching the gp on tv”
Lee Richardson*
“don’t worry money talks son….gp ain’t all that….;)”
Ray Blackwell
“I personally feel that given the fact that Rune Holta was 4th in the world
in 2010 and it was common knowledge that he rode the majority of last season
whist suffering very badly with wrist injuries, God knows Nigel Pearson and
Kelvin told us often enough, then my opinion is that Rune should have been
offered this place. Maybe he has been and it wasn’t made public, but I at
least think he deserved asking.”
Stein Waalen
“Rune has not been contacted by anyone regarding a place in the GP series.”
Ray Blackwell
“That is disgraceful Stein”
John Hyam
“Surely, had the suspect item being taken down by the BSF all would have been well? It’s not the same as newspapers etc where items are publicised with the proprietor’s consent or knowledge – that’s what editor’s are for. When a suspect item appears on a website it is “not with consent” of the site owner because he would not know until whatever it was popped up on screen. Then would be the time to delete it – not let the ruddy thing keep running AS MAY HAVE HAPPENED on the BSF. And if the site owner did not see it and take action, then surel one of his moderator’s should have seen whatever was there, alarm bells should have sounded, and a quick delete made. Maybe the mods just thought whatever it was would be controversial and keep reply posts coming in. All conjecture on my part, but that’s how I see. And when an offesnive item is deleted in what is termed “reasonable time” it would be hard to take and legal action against a site owner. At least, that’s how I see it.”
Phil Hine
“British Speedway Forum is currently unavailable
Hi, Due to a very small number of users breaking the rules and guidelines I decided to close the forum temporarily. The forum has successfully been upgraded to the latest version and anticipate to re-open on Sunday.”
John Hyam
“Today’s BSF message. Weird IMO”
Arnie Gibbons
“But once posted it could be cached and subsequently accessed. But in practice yes. HOWEVER it puts a lot of stress on the site owner to have to double check every post in every thread to ensure nothing potentially actionable is posted (or left up for more than a few minutes). A number of extremely childish people who fail to understand that the web is public domain and not a quiet gossip in the pub have been putting Phil [Hine] in an intolerable position… I think you will find it is. The site owner is the publisher in law so if you post something that is libellous or in contempt of court Phil is exposed. The ISP can be liable as well, with the result that the ISP may simply withdraw from hosting a forum if it feels exposed (ie That it is insufficiently moderated)… That is why forums have rules and people should abide by them. PS I wouldn’t be surprised if the court case is the straw that broke the camel’s back and the infamous ‘Duchess of Sherbourne’ posting is the primary problem that Phil has been dealing with.”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“Time to move forward..”
Mads Korneliussen*
“I might just have sorted out a new spanner man for the uk next year. goodidea”
Nicolai Klindt*
“playing “draw and guess” and it is not the easiest thing in the world”
Gary Patchett*
“Quoted in Star but not asked for my comments? strange onesided speedway”
Paul Burbidge*
“I added the line in about you to add balance, as clearly not everyone is happy with the 8.00 rule being dropped”
Paul Burbidge*
“Reading your press release, I don’t think I misrepresented you. But if you want to do an interview, I can call you tomorrow”
Gary Patchett*
“Your interviewees even contradict each other re the tac ride!!”
Paul Burbidge*
“I’ve just quoted what both men said on the various subjects. If you want to comment, feel free to give me an interview”
Roman Chyla
Polish speedway EkstraLiga club Tarnow hoped that they found a way to liquidate the debt. The club owes almost 2 million PLN to its
riders. They admitted it, and then demanded from them in return to pay almost 7.5 million, because they (the riders) “did not care
enough to fulfil their obligations. ”
Sebastian Ulamek and Krzysztof Kasprzak are the two riders that Tarnow have accused of “not fulfilling their obligations” . At the
end of the season the club was owing Sebastian Ulamek approximately 900 thousand PLN. – In total, we have not been paid for 11 of
16 matches, in which Sebastian rode – said his manager Robert Jablonski. Kasprzak is owed by Tarnow almost 700 thousand. PLN.
Instead of money they are owed to by Tarnow, both riders received a letter from the lawyers hired by the club, where it is said that
they owe Tarnow money – precisely 3 790 697 PLN each. According to the club that much they have lost in revenue from sponsors.
According to the club both riders showed “, lack of adequate commitment to compete in Tarnow colours, not being adequately prepared
to ride for the club, and throwing races which at the time were decisive for the final result of matches.”
Tarnow therefore deducted amount owing to Ulamek and demanded 2.9 million PLN. They want more from Kasprzak – 3.1 million PLN
– When we received Tarnow’s lawyers letter, we were stunned. How can anyone say that Sebastian was unprepared that he did not try
enough. He is the fourth Pole in terms of CMA at home track – says his manager.
At the end of last season the top three Poles were Jaroslaw Hampel, Tomasz Gollob and Piotr Protasiewicz – World Cup Champions.
Taking into consideration CMA’s in the club, Ulamek was second after the Swede Fredrik Lindgren. Kasprzak was third.
Although Ulamek, believing in fair settlement, presented his invoices and paid due taxes, he was not paid by the club. Sebastian
remained loyal. Nobody knew that the club did not pay him. Keeping silent, he showed care about his club’s image – said his
manager, and adds – It turned out that Tarnow fears that they will not get a license to race in the next season. And here is the
whole clue of this shameful story.
– Tarnow’s lawyer have found an interesting way out – disclosed another lawyer. – In Polish law there is the notion of deduction.
For example, if I will say that you owe me a 100 thousand PLN, nothing and no one will forbid me to issue a summon to pay me this
money. That is exactly what the Tarnow club did to its riders – says a lawyer.
To apply for a new (2012) license, any club in Poland must have a clean sheet. Tarnow have not only “liquidated” debts, but can show
a surplus. – From the Tarnow’s point of view – that’s is it. They have no debts” – said consulted layer.
Now only the court can decide who is owing whom and how much.
…
based on www.wyborcza. pl
exchange rate is £1 = 5.2295 PLN
ps. According to World U-21 Champion, Maciej Janowski, who joins World Champion, Greg Hancock, and Janusz Kolodziej in signings of
the 2012 Tarnow’s club
there is no reason to worry. The existing bosses of Tarnow have already, or are about to resign, and behind the club stands a
powerful sponsor.”
25th November
Michael Whawell
“I‘m sure that you are aware that Mark Loram’s son Rhys, aged 18, was killed in a road accident on Wednesday evening (the words ‘hit & run’ have been mentioned). Mark must be devastated; a nicer man you could not wish to meet. I’ve sent him a message of condolence & support.”
Alun John Rossiter*
“Luton airport manic best 3£ ever priority”
Nicolai Klindt*
“big day for my head with all the organising i have to do before the team party Klindt racing is having tonight limitedpeopleonly”
Dakota North*
“next year, still haven’t worked anything out! Leaving it a bit late dak!”
Rene Bach*
“i know the feeling mate! nexttogetnextyearsorted!”
Dakota North*
“yeah it’s shit!”
Dakota North*
“Still waiting from my bikes to arrive in aus! there taking there time! Missing out on a lot of riding”
Rory Schlein*
“The new rear mudguard from 1st glass easy to fit and if u want u can stil run a push bar if you want get them ordered”
Nicolai Klindt*
“ugly as fuck”
Rory Schlein*
“says u with the wind surfing front fork cover”
Nicolai Klindt*
“haha, ain’t having them next year!”
Rory Schlein*
“I’m sure u were the only rider to have them”
Nicolai Klindt*
“no squra had them too they was old school”
Paul Burbidge*
“People of Australia, get in the car, board a plane and go to Gillman for the Leigh Adams Benefit on Saturday”
Paul Burbidge*
“Sorry, just realised it’s already Saturday in Australia. Leigh Adams’ Benefit meeting is this afternoon for those Down Under”
Nicolai Klindt*
“fuck sake just woke up a little too late and now running a little too late as per usual”
Mads Korneliussen*
“relaxing with a can of carlsberg. sweet”
Fredrik Lindgren*
“It’s squash time yeehaa!!”
Kenneth Hansen*
“Hey ho.. Two more sponsors on board for 2012 ScMontage and Produal partofawinningteam goodbackup”
Eddie Davies*
“After all the Fuss re Holder&Ward getting split up under the 1 rider 8Av rule, if Ward gets convicted I don’t think well see him in the EL”
Eddie Davies*
“At this stage none of us know the full story, but it could finish him in GB”
Gary Havelock*
“My 2010 Poole race suit is on E Bay [for £75]”
Bryn Williams*
“Bored stiff – wish I was in Oz!”
Mads Korneliussen*
“Just hat some good news, thats always nice”
Roman Chyla
“According to Polish media – right now – Rune is desperate to find a club in Poland. He was apparently ready to sign on 11th of November a contract with Tarnow, where World Champion, Greg Hancock is heading for. He then realized that Greg convinced his young Polish friend, the current World u-21 Champion Maciej Janowski from Wroclaw, to follow him to Tarnow. Holta – in a panic – apparently rang his former club, Gorzow, only to hear that the Gorzow team has been completed for next season. He then, sent a text message to the sport director of a newly promoted Bydgoszcz. Holta wanted a thousand UK Pounds for a point and 120 thousand for signing a contract. Bydgoszcz could not afford such a money, so right now Rune is left with another option, Zielona Gora. That’s if they fail to tempt Grigory Laguta, and the Russian will go where he will get 300 thousand Euro for signing a contarct and 1500 Euro for a point.”
26th November
David Hoggart
“Everyone was dining together and it was very, very good.”
Trevor Swales
“We want to win the (Elite) league – and want to do it badly.”
Jon Cook
“At Eastbourne, if you got close to the track, Bob (Dugard) would knock you out”
Alex Harkess
“The members shared a sense of humour at the same time as dealing with the business at hand”
Alun John Rossiter
“If you rode in both leagues last year like Charlie Gjedde and Ben Barker you can carry on. But no new riders over the average of six without a relevant Premier League average can do the same.”
Daniel Halsey
“The one thing I always do is not wear the same gloves as the last meeting if it was a poor one.”
Neil Middleditch
“Maybe I took a bit of gamble with Lewis Bridger. It was a gamble that didn’t come off. People want me to take chances but don’t like me when I do.”
Paul Burbidge
“Another major change sees team sizes reduced from five riders to four and SWC will be settled over 20 heats rather than25. It’s hoped the switch will ensure countries with a weaker talent pool can be more competitive. It’s also a cost cutting measure for national bodies, which cover riders’ expenses.”
Sam Masters*
“Just posted a photo”
Jon Cook
“The Elite League must be on its own among those sports who get money from TV in that we use almost all of that money to keep the product cheap. I don’t know any professional top league where the admission prices are exactly the same and, in some cases, lower than in the league below it. How do we do that, other than use the TV revenue to keep admission prices at that point?”
Alex Harkess
“It’s a move (PL play-offs) which had to be made, even though I’m a traditionalist…but we are in the entertainment industry and play-offs certainly provide that. It also means more people come through the turnstiles.”
David Watt*
“Have that “Prince of Bel Air” song in my head because of how bad this taxi driver and his cab stinks !!”
Jon Cook
“At times it’s a minefield trying to put in a full fixture list, the big reason why some of the riders don’t want to ride here is simply because there are too many fixtures.”
Edward Kennett
“I’ve paid the price for what happened and I’ve done my time”
Graham Drury
“The reason why the Elite League Pairs was dropped is that, looking at the spectator figures at King’s Lynn, the supporters were telling the BSPA they didn’t want to see the meeting. Maybe the reason they didn’t want to see the meeting is because of the reputation it has for riders pulling out.”
David Hoggart
“When Jonathan [Chapman] was looking after the shared events, he did an awful lot of groundwork and laid the foundations for the future. One of the initiatives Jonathan took was to enhance the prize money to make it worthwhile for these guys. It’s a very, very expensive competition to promote, so it does need a sensible crowd to hit its break even point.”
Speedway Star
“Former Canterbury team manager Dick Searle was the recipient of one of the most prestigious awards [Outstanding Contribution to the Packaging Industry] in the packaging industry recently.”
Alex Harkess
“I believe that British Speedway is in pretty good shape in comparison to some other professional sports I could name.”
Jon Cook
“Those people who want to knock the sport in this country say many of the top riders don’t so it…the fact we are an island is the biggest problem. It’s more down to that than anything else.”
Phil Hine
The forum has had a major upgrade to the latest version of software, this has taken a considerable amount of time and the reason for the delay in getting the forum back online. I am pleased to announce that is now back and all members have had their private warnings indicators zeroised, with a fresh start. The legal enquiry was about a topic posted by Duchess of Sherbourne linking to a Blog Site. The BSPA and their solicitors have made it clear they will not tolerate comments of a defamatory nature.
Graham Drury
“Matt Ford decided for personal reasons that he didn’t want to stand on the management committee this year.”
David Hoggart
“I think I have missed one meeting in the four or five years I have been a BSPA member. I’m the next best thing to an ever-present in these meetings. Joining the MC is a logical step.”
Jon Cook
“I’ve been fortunate enough to ride – it wasn’t much of a career but absolutely every minute was enjoyable – I’ve been a mechanic, both as a mate and a paid mechanic for Martin Dugard, I had a year as general manager at Eastbourne in 1992, I’ve been a promoter since 1993, I’ve pretty much done every task including cleaning the toilets when we were having VIP guests. I even drove a car for the first time in the Reading car park when we arrived early for a meeting.”
Richard Frost
“Aces fan Ian Whittle has been busy since the end of the season producing a breakdown on gate and points statistics for Aces’ matches at Kirkmanshulme Lane. (gate 4 = 81 wins or 32.1%; gate 1 = 65 or 25.8%; gates 2&3 = both 53 or 21%)”
Neil Middleditch
“We’re all in the sport we love. We want the sport to do well. We don’t need the conflict of last year. We want it to be a happy sport.”
Keith Chapman
“We had a great year in the Elite League and didn’t miss the Knockout Cup, so after considering the pros and cons we have once again decided to pull out of the competition. This is on the basis that it is not televised and would cost the club money to be in it as there is no additional revenue from Sky.”
Jon Cook
“Emil [Sayfutdinov] is probably the most talented rider in the world along with Darcy Ward and he really struggled to maintain what would be called a top heat leader average. It was a real wake up call as to how hard it is in the Elite League.”
Dakota North*
“newcastle?”
Linus Sundstrom*
“Sold my old van today, getting a new one in the beginning of december! #2012”
Charlie Webster*
“Davey Watt has won Leigh Adams benefit meeting over in Australia – nice one Davey and all the best to Leigh and his family”
David Watt*
“That was a good night. Everyone there to support Leigh and all had a good time. Really happy for him and to see him again #muchlove”
Josh Grajczonek*
“Haha first tweet. Qld champ pretty stoked, un beaten all night yewwww”
Rene Bach*
“Can you put my crash on youtube mate?”
Bob Tasker*
“Bloody Hell, it’s not a request service ! LOL! I’ll put in up in a day or two – you near being fixed up for 2012 yet?”
Rene Bach*
“haha i know mate! But for me you Will do it lol! Im still in talks with some but hope it gets sorted before Monday”
Bob Tasker*
“I’ll get it uploaded – you might get a sponsor for wing mirrors, to see what’s coming up behind you ;-)”
Eddie Davies*
“Does anyone know how Nigel Pearson is doing after his laser eye surgery?”
Sam Masters*
“Just woke up and ready to do for a ride out the sand dunes #aussielife”
Sandra Kemble
“We had so many changes to the [Leicester Lions Supporters Club] committee last year. I think the transition from being a campaigning committee to a membership one was rather difficult. Also, I think some members felt they were not getting enough information through things like newsletters and socials. With that in mind, and because of all the changes, we decided to relaunch and want to find out what the members want from us.”
Josh Auty
“[On Facebook] I’m so confused at the moment. I don’t know what’s best for me!”
Neil Machin
“We have offered Josh terms. He’s gone away to think about it. We retain his Premier League registration and I had a chat with Colin Pratt at his parent club, Coventry, who told me they haven’t even given permission for Scunthorpe to talk to Josh. There are procedures in place to sign riders and it seems Scunthorpe have done things out of desperation. They have just railroaded the system and by announcing Josh to their public they have put pressure on. I hope the British Speedway Promoters’ Association look into the situation. It’s damaging for my business to see one of our most popular riders head up the road to our close rivals, if that’s the outcome. What it also does is rule Josh out of riding for his parent club in the Elite League because Coventry are a Friday night track like Scunthorpe, so Coventry are not happy either. There is a protocol and Scunthorpe have completely disregarded it, purely because they are desperate. We have helped and supported the Scunthorpe promotion right from the day they started and yet things like this happen.”
John Sampford
“We lost Barrie Evans to a freak injury in the meeting [Rye v Buxton] when he caught his leg in a divot on the tarmac stock-car track on the winning parade lap, damaging all the ligaments and tendons in his foot.”
27th November
Paul Burbidge*
“Could Tomasz Gollob make a rare trip to Britain in March to prepare for the New Zealand SGP?”
Michael Whawell
“Old Times speedway was good because almost all the riders were local to their teams; lived and worked around the corner, so to speak, – not dispassionate air-miles collectors. Bit like the lower orders today. And there were ‘characters’, not today’s automata.”
Nicolai Klindt*
“off to stansted and then meeting and birmingham tomorrow before perth tuesday #givemeapint”
Rory Schlein*
“so ball bag who u signing for wolves or the brumies”
Nicolai Klindt*
“belle vue haha”
Rory Schlein*
“do u good mate and I’m not joking either”
Linus Sundstrom*
“The weekends are over too quick when you’re working, during the season it’s like friday every day! Need a big 2012 so i don’t have to work”
Nicolai Klindt*
“clever in stansted they am. £1 for a trolley but no one got fucking coins on them when they just arrived to this country”
Ian Maclean
Last night I was at the big event in The Hampden Stadium Hospitality facility. It was very enjoyable. There were 27 tables of ten + the top table. Everyone was scrubbed and smart and looked well. Steve Lawson, Jim MacMillan and James Grieves were inducted to the Hall of Fame – just an excuse to get them to come along, be wined and dined and praised and to answer questions. Alison Chalmers is one of the STARS committee who run these big fund raising events. STARS have compiled a 2012 year book and I had ordered one for Alan + the highlights DVD. This year there were highlights.
Grieves has become more confident at speaking and has stopped saying, ‘know what ah mean’. Jean noticed this at the recent dinner. He talked about winning his third league medal after 17 years and how good he felt about this one. He talked about winning the Pairs and how much he admires Joe Screen.
Jim MacMillan talked about starting in the 60s, about being in a Wembley Final, and eventually ending his career with Tigers at our old Blantyre track. He had 41 full maximums and a few paids. He is second highest scorer, just ahead of Grieves.
Steve Lawson just needs to be introduced to start an ovation. The older supporters like this family have always though the world of him. He undoubtedly kept the show on the road during our few years at our second Blantyre track. He admitted as much. He told us how much he loved the first Blantyre track – said it was made for him. It wasn’t of course it was down a year before he joined us. He was reminded that he scored 3 for us at Edinburgh in his debut match. He went on to get 89 full maximums and 11 paids – still a record for any rider with one club. He said it was a great feeling to move to the plush stadium at Shawfield and have big crowds, 4,000 + on the opening night. He retired age 34 while still at the top. He said he calculated his average on the way home after each match. I knew he cared about his average. When asked what the highlight of his carer was he said there wasn’t one which was true. He never won a league medal and he was winning the Pairs in the 80s with Jim MacMillan at Belle Vue when Jim’s bike packed almost on the line and he came in 2nd instead of 1st. Steve said he was celebrating during the final lap – we all had a laugh at that.
James talked abut Nick Morris and his attitude earlier in the season. He said he took Nick aside and had a serious chat with him and his attitude improved after that. The ‘Nick’ affair wasn’t mentioned of course although everyone is aware of it. James signed for 2012 last night, that’s Screen, Grieves, Grajzoneck presumably and four to follow.”
Josh Gudgeon*
“On a scale of 1-10, how bad is it that I sleep with a hairband on? 🙁 #probably shouldntmakethispublic”
Adam Roynon
“9.95”
Gary Spiller
“Funnily enough I’m not too bothered by Mike’s decision now and not that surprised by the methods he employed to remove me! The shame is that Bowden cannot remember what lies he told to whom. His defence regarding my dismissal has changed in various press reports and forum posts from ‘I sent him a letter’ to ‘I’ve sent him two letters’ to ‘I’ve written to him and also tried phoning him.’ Well needless to say I’ve not received any communication from Bowden be it written or verbal.”
28th November
Chris Holder*
“Got my engines today!! #boutfukntime! Wat a fuk round that was!”
Niels Kristian Iversen*
“Was dreaming myselv back to Mexico while de-iceing my car at 4.00 this morning…”
Roman Chyla
“Next year the Individual Speedway World Championship will be inaugurated on March 31 in Auckland, New Zealand. Transport costs from Europe to the Antipodes are not small, but four airline tickets and cost of equipment transportation is covered by the BSI. Four people for one team is a sufficient minimum -says Mr David Koziol, Andreas Jonsson’s manager. According to the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, the riders and their teams will fly out of the three airports: London, Copenhagen, and Frankfurt. From these three places they will fly to Dubai, where they, and their equipment will be waiting for a plane chartered by the BSI, which will fly them to Auckland. All team will return to Europe also by plane, but they will have to wait for a week to have their equipment back. To be exact – a day before the scheduled start of Polish EkstraLiga. Moreover, the timing of the New Zealand Grand Prix tournament means that none of the participants in the SGP cycle will be able to ride in the traditional individual opener to the Polish season, the Bydgoszcz Aces Criterion. The early date for New Zealand GP will result in changes to the proven routine of riders preparation. Jonsson’s manager believes that the riders will have a far shorter break than ever before. – Usually we were trying to delay Andreas contacts with a motorbikes as long as we could, so he had more time to regenerate the body after last season. For this reason I hope that the SGP in New Zealand will be the first and the last – said Andreas’ manager.”
Sam Masters*
“Started new job today, bikes to do before weekend and going to eminem Friday night #lifeinthefastlane”
Niels Kristian Iversen*
“Thanks for all the nice comments about going back to kings lynn. From what i know its looking to be an exciting season coming up. #kingslynn”
Bryn Williams*
“Off to hospital shortly so that vampires can extract more blood from me!”
Nigel Pearson*
“Thanks for the messages, eye op more complicated than expected, weekend of pain and discomfort. On the mend now, cheers”
Nigel Pearson*
“Just want to say how pleased I am to be working with Adam Roynon as our new skipper for Dudley Heathens Speedway in 2012”
Dakota North*
“in talks with my favorite track guys! ☺ exciting times! #haves guess”
Olly Allen*
“Isle of Wight #ferryfordak”
Dakota North*
“only if your there”
Olly Allen*
“I think we could tear that island up man!! Not sure what the pay is like though?”
Dakota North*
“haha behave olly!”
Olly Allen*
“I’m taking bout the track dude! You and I and number 6 and 7…we should be able to handle that?! #ferryfordak #flatout”
Nicolai Klindt*
“life isn’t that easy…..”
Paul Burbidge*
“Hans Andersen says the battle for national pride will bring the best out of Denmark’s4 SGP stars”
Hans Andersen*
“Hmmm still not the Right phone call #OnlyTimeWellTell”
Olly Allen*
“would you like me to call you mate? Would that cheer you up? #coventry5-1buddies”
Hans Andersen*
“yeah in fact think it would. man we had a laugh that year”
Ulrich Ostergaard*
“i know:-( in The same boat mate :-)”
Lee Richardson*
“Running on bexhill seafront….love it…not #bitchilly”
Hans Andersen*
“Oh well can see me and Troy Batchelor might line together in 2012 JUST won’t be in panthers colours #RedAndBackAttack-NOT”
Troy Batchelor*
“could go conference . It’s less meetings … More time to play around then”
Nigel Pearson*
“Nothing more I can add about Gary Speed that hasn’t already been said or written”
29th November
Colin Barber
“Truth is that the GPs cannot sustain 16 riders on a full time basis and give them similar rewards that they reap from League racing in Poland, Sweden, UK etc., It is rapidly getting to the stage that the riders cannot give the commitment to League and GPs and at the end of the day both will suffer. The GPs are an interesting and sometimes exciting extra which most Speedway supporters enjoy but I would guess that if a poll was taken the largest proportion of the vote would go to League racing . So what is the answer? Perhaps 6 GPs would be the answer to the problem instead of eleven or twelve. This would surely meet with the approval of most of the Federations and the League clubs. Two in Poland, one in Sweden,Denmark & UK and perhaps one elsewhere?”
Julie Mahoney
“We look to have a very solid team and we’re all particularly pleased that Jan [Staechmann] has agreed to join us. He has a wealth of experience which will enhance our management team and it’s also encouraging that he turned down other offers as the Panthers were always his first choice. Trevor [Swales] works so hard on various things away from the track and to be honest we couldn’t run the club without him. So much so we will be applying for a promoter’s licence for him.”
Derek Barclay
“All really rather ironic, as when it comes to League racing of course, our paymasters Sky have insisted we ditch the season-long format (tried and trusted for decades) with a sudden death play-off. Effectively League racing and the World Individual Championship have both changed fundamentally but in diametrically opposite directions!!”
Nicolai Klindt*
“waiting for the coach from b’ham to heathrow. gonna be lovely with a bit of sleep even tho i fell a sleep early last night #perth #aussie”
Linus Sundstrom*
“The panthers 2012 team is now official, im glad to be back for another year! Best news is that we gonna have Jan Staechmann as teammanager!”
Nicola Klindt*
“peterborough panthers looks weak – last week! #justsaying”
Matt Ford
“The club is aware that Darcy Ward has issues off track at the moment that are being dealt with in the correct and proper procedure.”
Mads Korneliussen*
“Olly so you have gone to the enemy thanks for a good year mate”
Sheffield speedway
“Eric Boocock has decided not to represent the club as team manager and co-promoter in 2012 and hopes to enjoy his speedway from the terraces with less stress, after 50 years in the sport he deserves it. This will give Eric the freedom to fulfil his other motorcycling commitments and whilst it may be ‘so long’ to his direct involvement at Sheffield it certainly won’t be to British Speedway. The sport has been Eric’s life and he is still as passionate now as he was during his racing days, we really do wish him well and sincerely thank him for his contribution.”
Gary Havelock*
“These lads in the tyre centre would never get a job in f1!!!!”
Linus Sundstrom*
“Very pleased that my mechanics stays with me for 2012 too, been with me since 09/10! Lets make 2012 to a good one”
Nigel Pearson*
“CVS travelling north for talks with Woffy tomorrow”
Jan Staechmann
“In spite of Polish Speedway currently being the pinnacle of the sport, it very much also has its problems. Understandably most people are not privvy to certain info, yet the fact remains that Poland also has promotors that owe riders vast amounts of money, and at times think they are a law onto themselves. The Tarnow issue is not an isolated case. From my time with the DMU I know of several incidents where a Polish club has not paid its riders, and then suddenly manufactures reasons to fine the rider, for not wearing a sponsors cap on parade, or having the wrong coloured socks on for post meeting press conference, blatantly made up stuff, just so they can fine a rider. And guess what? That fine incredulously adds up to the exact amount of money that they owe the rider, so their debt is now cleared…The Polish league is definitely the place to be in terms of big earnings, all we are saying Roman is, that they are not squeaky clean.”
Troy Batchelor*
“That I’m not needed. just ignored txt messages.. I found out on the Internet im not back at peterborough …”
Niels Kristian Iversen*
“dont worry man, i didnt get any reply to my txt either”
Rory Schlein*
“Just my luck all them job worths goin on strike wen I fly out ya over paid shit at ya job. U let all the bad ppl in and make it hard For ppl like me who pay their taxs don’t claim off the state and not involved in any terrest groups wake up to ya self”
Jitendra Duffill*
“oh and the idiot who shoplifted from eyedeal today, dont book an eyetest first and leave your real name and address, ffucking idiot”
Nigel Pearson*
“think it’s a case of waiting for decisions but I believe Ty Proctor will be back too. Would be a major surprise if not”
Steve Dixon*
“Such a crap team Panthers have put together!!”
Troy Batchelor*
“Was just reminded of last winter when every one flead from pboro club and I waited all winter to stay with them…. So much for loyalty..”
Nigel Pearson*
“I would go for Nic because his average dipped by riding in so many Heats 13 and 15. Capable of a 7+ average in my view”
Chris Neath*
“Sometimes I just wish people wouldn’t put 2+2 together and come up with a load of bullshit”
Nigel Pearson*
“Nothing more to add on Gary Speed that hadn’t already been said – my thoughts are irrelevant. Just so sad for family”
30th November
Nicki Glanz*
“Broke wrist 13 days later back at it flat out #boom #NoPainNoGain #needashower”
Daily Mirror
Troy Batchelor heads casualty list at Peterborough Panthers
PETERBOROUGH have axed five of last year’s squad including top scorer Troy Batchelor.Grand Prix star Hans Andersen has also been ditched by Panthers along with Aussie kid Dakota North and Poles Krzysztof Buczkowski and Kacper Gomolski.
Matt Ford
“Peterborough are keen to use Kyle [Newman] in a doubling-up role in 2012 and I am already in the process of planning one doubling-up permutation next year at Poole. We are still not 100 per cent sure how the final pieces of the jigsaw of our side are going to be, but I do not want to prevent Kyle having the opportunity in the top-flight next year. It was a question of keeping Peterborough waiting and potentially losing Kyle a guaranteed place in the Elite League next season.”
Nicki Glanz*
“I look like German lesbian with my new hair cut 🙁 #GunnaKillHairDresser”
Ben Hopwood*
“Needs a team place for next season”
Kenneth Hansen*
“Should i make a comeback in England during the next season ? #whatdo you think”
Alun John Rossiter*
“No work today so its speedway mode decisions decisions”
Niels Kristian Iversen*
“Why is it that everytime i go hungry into a Danish bakery, to buy a bit of lunch i come out with half the shop ?? #danishpastry”
Kenneth Hansen*
“So friends i need your opinion – what do You Think about the look of the 2012 GP line up ? #weakgp #notgoodforthesport”
Hans Andersen*
“About the news I’ll let them make it official before I do