Scunny Stag

Tomorrow's meeting off because of the weather/forecast. Next one is the adult speedway classes next Sunday (4th January) with the next round for the youth classes, pit bikes and flat track is on Sunday 25th January. Happy New Year and please don't forget the 2015 thread with all the track activity scheduled for Scunthorpe in the new year.

From now on I am going to try and put all Scunthorpe track activity on one thread. It will prevent me having to maintain lots of different threads and also give people one place to look for all track activity. I will put a few descriptive notes at the bottom of this thread about each type of activity Where bookings are required or you want more information (including weather and track updates) please contact me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rh1967 - there is also an excellent Scunthorpe Amateur Group on there), email (richard@scunthorpespeedway.com) or on 07832-402167. If I'm unavailable please leave a message with your number (if phone hasn't got reception then the missed call number doesn't display) or, even better, send a text. Last updated: 26th December 2014 PLEASE NOTE ADDITIONAL DETAILS (INCLUDING BOOKING DETAILS) AT BOTTOM OF THIS POSTING **PLEASE NOTE 2015 DATES ARE ON A SEPARATE THREAD** December 2014 Sat 27th - Amateur Meeting - Youth 500, Youth 250, Youth 125/150, Flat Track, Adult Pit Bike and Junior Pit Bikes classes **CANCELLED - WEATHER/FORECAST** 2015 dates for Wayne Carter Mintrack sessions (amended 23rd October 2014). All dates are SUNDAYS except where stated: 18th January 1st and 15th February 1st, 15th and 29th March 11th (Saturday) and 26th April 10th and 24th May 7th and 28th June 19th July 1st (Saturday), 16th and 29th (Saturday) August 13th and 26th (Saturday) September 11th and 25th October 8th and 22nd November 6th December Wayne Carter Minitrack sessions are run on our 92m track. It is the perfect entry level for riders who are learning to slide a bike and a great 'experience day' for fans who are just looking for a one-off day to see how it is to ride a speedway bike. It is also a great place for the slightly more experienced riders to really get used to turning a bike although the track isn't really suitable for 500cc bikes. The club have a race of 125cc and 150cc bikes that can be used, along with all the safety equipment (including steel shoes now) for £70. Wayne is a fantastic tutor and there are a long line of riders coming through the ranks who have started out being taught by Wayne. Any rider with their own bike can also ride for £25. Wayne Carter Main Track Training Schools came about because so many of the people who had been taught by Wayne on the minitrack wanted further one-on-one tuition on the main track. Sessions are limited to about 12 riders and the full day sessions run from 9am to 5pm with about two hours classroom work (training on bike maintenance and set-up), lunch provided and about six hours on track). These are £85 per rider with the opportunity for two riders to hire one of Wayne's bikes for a further £110. With demand now in the Winter there will be a couple of shorter sessions (four hours, all of them on track and no lunch) where the cost will be £50 (plus two spaces for riders wanting to use Wayne's bikes for an additional £100). Wayne really does like to have seen those wanting to use his 500s on the minitrack to ensure they are safe enough. AMSA Andy Meredith Speedway Academy regularly hire both tracks and bookings/more details are available by contacting Andy on 07816-874781 Amateur Meetings have been hugely successful and more and more classes are being added all the time. With numbers increasing the meetings are frequently being extended to six hours with certain classes starting at 11am (signing on 9.30-10.30am) and others starting between 1pm and 2pm (signing-on when the first half finals start). Adults are split by ability in Open, Support and Novice Classes. Novice Class riders vary from those who aren't sliding much at all to those who, given decent conditions, have a full slide on around the bends. Typically once a rider is winning races under 70 seconds they move up to the Support Class and then when a rider is confident enough or they are breaking something like 63 seconds they move up to the Open Class where there is a wide range of National League plus occasional Premier League standard riders mixing it with the best second halfers. Over the last couple of years there has been an explosion of youth riders and we always run 110cc (typically pit bike/Moto X type bikes), 150cc (includes bikes up to 125cc plus standard 'box' 150cc engines) and 250cc classes. If there are any 500cc youth riders wanting to ride we will always run the class even if only one or two want to ride. Costs are the same as a practice (£40, but just £30 if the rider is under 15 years old) and we have Anji's food van selling food and drink close to the pits. Trophies are always presented to the top three in each class and regulars can also compete for the Summer Championship and Winter Series titles. Main Track Open Practices These are run regularly during the winter and everyone is welcome, including grasstrackers, Short Trackers and sidecars. During the summer, due to a shortage of resources (there are only 24 hours in a day), WISS Skids tend to hire the track during the summer to run practices. The cost for the club run practices are the same as an amateur meeting (£40 but just £30 for riders who are under-15). No bookings are required but there is no problem contacting me (details at the top) for track and weather updates. Anji's food van attends each winter practice and as with our amateur meetings we always have a paramedic in attendance. WISS Skids Main Track Private Practices Ivan Howarth runs some private practices throughout the year when demand isn't so high. He has paramedic first aid cover and he can be contacted through Facebook or via 07909-086969. Mini Track Open Practices The minitrack is often available for riders with their own bikes and equipment when we run on the main track. However, it is sometimes booked out and sometimes the track team have to focus their efforts on getting the main track ready. With that in mind it is definitely always best to contact me to make sure the track is available for use. Track hire Both tracks are available for hire at reasonable rates so please contact me if you are interested. Whilst we do have 24/7 planning permission we do have to fit track hire around the the track team's availability (they also work at Sheffield).

You are right Blackbird "It was a deliberate policy" to use our develop riders rather than pay another team's more money. However, John Leslie is also right. Buxton and Devon didn't finish the season with a team any stronger than the Stags, largely due to the lack of enough riders to go around a nine team league with a forty point limit. The biggest problems with last season was the points limit. Cradley and Scunthorpe built team to the rules within their budgets. Thankfully common sense has prevailed and next season looks like being fantastic with 10 fairly equal strength sides. Some fantastic decisions have been made and whilst I have heard a few team managers complaining about the difficulty of building teams for 2015 it is only because a bit of thinking is having to be done and focus is on the new riders coming into the league. I would have loved to have run the Stags in the 2015 National League. We might still have been towards the bottom but because of sensible team building rules we would have been competitive everywhere we went. The big budget clubs will still cherry pick the talent and be competing for the playoffs, as in every league, but I am really excited about the prospect of competitive meetings and a whole host of young riders being given the track time the competitive league racing they so desperately need.

Finally got round to reading your 'report' Mr. C. and just wish I could write like you. You have a real style I could only dream of (stats are more my thing). You said some very kind things, thank you very much, and I'm glad you approve of what we do at Scunny. With regards to the volunteer situation last weekend was the first time I started to roster roles to people in advance rather than just seeing who we have when I turn up. For your information we are changing the format of the winter meetings from later this month. Instead of trying to run 10 classes over one day we will split them over two separate weekends so the days aren't quite so long, we can get back to giving five qualifying rides plus at least one final for each rider (we had to cut it down to 4 qualifying rides on Sunday because of the high turnout). It will allow us to deal with higher turnouts if we can attract them and hopefully finish before it gets dark. There is still a full list of fixtures on here and Facebook and if you, or anyone else on here, fancies giving us a hand then please let me know in advance (not on here though, please text/call 07832-402167 or email richard@scunthorpespeedway.com) and I'll get you on the roster. Hell, I'd love it if you just came and wrote about the meeting. Thank you!

Got 42 bookings so far for next Sunday's amateur meeting (9th November). Taking bookings until 6pm Saturday. Please text me on 07832-402167 if you are interested in joining the fun. Details at https://www.facebook.com/events/327252777453679/

Additional Wayne Carter mini track day added - Sunday 23rd November - because Sunday 9th November and Saturday 22nd November are already sold out.

Mini track places available for the session with Wayne Carter on 25th October. No main track activity (because of car meetings) until the amateur meeting on Sunday 9th November.

This coming weekend the EWR hosts a WISS Skids practice. Contact Ivan Howarth through Facebook or via 07909-086969. The week after we have an AMSA Training Day and a Wayne Carter session on the mini track before October 4th and out next amateur meeting. Text me on 07832-402167 or via Facebook regarding that one.

Just one space remaining for the Wayne Carter Training school on Sunday 24th August. A few spaces remain on his minitrack session on Saturday 30th August and we are taking booking for the amateur meeting on the same day (main track). Text/call me on 07832-402167 to make bookings.

Already got about two dozen entrants for next Saturday and I'm sure we'll double that by Thursday's 8pm cut off. Just text me on 07832-402167 if you are interested in entering.

Next events are Andy Meredith Training School (Saturday 26th July) and our amateur meeting (Saturday 2nd August). See posting on the first page for details.

Another great amateur meeting today. Results will be on the website and facebook page late on Monday. Next one is Saturday 2nd August but next week the focus is on Wayne Carter and his excellent training days. Saturday (5th) is on the mini track and Sunday is on the main track (just a four hour track session rather than the full day version). Spaces are available on both. Easiest way to book is to text me on 07832-402167 or email richard@scunthorpespeedway.com. If you really need to speak to me please leave a message if I am unavailable and I will call back at the earliest opportunity.

Wayne Carter's Mini track session for next Sunday is fully booked but I'm taking bookings for the amateur meeting on Sunday 29th June. See the first posting on this thread for details.

Spaces still available with Wayne Carter this coming weekend. Mini track on Saturday and Main Track on Sunday

around 30 booked in for next Sunday's amateur meeting already, sure there will be over 50. Just text or call me on 07832-402167 to join the fun.

Still two places left for this coming Saturday's session with Wayne Carter on the minitrack (Sat 3rd May) but Sunday's training school is fully booked. The following Saturday (May 10th) has plenty of spaces available with Wayne on the minitrack (10am to 2pm because of a stock car meeting later in the day) then on Sunday May 18th we have an amateur meeting. The Open, Support, Youth 500 and flat track classes will run in the morning (signing on 9.30-10.30am) with the Novice Class, Youth 250, Youth 150, Adult Pit Bike and Youth Pit Bike classes in the afternoon (signing on around 1pm). Contact me to book or ask questions: richard@scunthorpespeedway.com or 07832-402167

31 riders already booked for Saturday's amateur meeting. I'm sure we can get to 40 riders but will we get to 50? Wayne Carter has his next mini track session on Saturday 12th April.

This coming weekend Wayne Carter still has spaces on his main track training school (Saturday 11am to 3pm, £50) and for his minitrack session on Sunday morning (9am to 1pm because of the Scorpions meeting at 3pm) whilst I'm also taking bookings for the following weekend's amateur meeting (Saturday 5th April). Text or call me on 07832-402167 or contact me via Facebook (www.facebook.com/rh1967)

Just spotted that we still had two practices listed for 23rd and 30th March. Please accept my apologies but they were cancelled some time ago because on the 23rd we have the first round of the British Youth Championship whilst the Scorpions and Stags seasons start with a home double-header on Sunday the 30th March. However, track time is possible at Scunthorpe over the next couple of weeks with Andy Meredith running a training school on the main track on Saturday 22nd and Wayne Carter also running a main track training school on Saturday 29th. Bookings for the Wayne Carter TS is through myself with the 29th being the last of his four hour winter schools. After that they will revert to the full day versions. All details are listed at the bottom of the first post on this thread. Finally, we are counting down to our next amateur meeting, which is also the first in our Summer Championship. The date is Saturday 5th April and once again I am the person to contact (see my signature or the bottom of the first post for options)

Okay, last weekend was a great success with 97 races in the amateur meeting on Saturday, a good turnout for Sunday's practice and a really good session for Wayne Carter's group on the minitrack. This coming Saturday sees Andy Meredith running one of his popular speedway academies on Saturday with a 'Ladies Day' on the minitrack and a group on the main track before Sunday sees the club run our penultimate winter practice from 12-4pm on the main track. Anyone wanting more info on the latter then contact me (text is better if possible) on 07832-402167. The next Wayne Carter Minitrack session on Saturday 15th and the next Wayne Carter Main Track Training Session is on Sunday 29th. All bookings are done through myself.

Interesting that this topic, which has been updated weekly for close to six years, and has close to 49,000 views is now not tagged. In fairness I'm a far bigger fan of Facebook and the real people who are on there so all I can suggest is that people visit the amateur speedway group on there at https://www.facebook.com/groups/119385468124452/

Matt Davis, who did an excellent job listing practices hasn't the time to maintain the Practice thread. As I run the main track sessions at Scunthorpe I do have the time and motivation so if the mods can sticky this I will do my best to ensure that all practices/amateur meetings/mini track sessions etc. are entered at the earliest opportunity. To quote Matt "When new dates are announced I will add them, and could I ask for people that know when days are on to post on this thread as well as their own thread, so I can keep it updated" Just because the practice day is posted below, it does not mean it is definitely on and I can't guarantee all practice days are listed below. Further details will usually be available on separate threads but please check with the staging club/track before traveling. List last updated 25th February 4th March - When I came to make my weekly update, something I've been doing for close to six years, this topic, which has close to 49,000 views, is now not tagged. In fairness I'm a far bigger fan of Facebook and the real people who are on there rather than this forum so I think I'll save some time and simply suggest people visit the amateur speedway group on there at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/119385468124452/

You are right I forgot to include Josh Bailey but Danny had a full season with Scunthorpe in 2012. Of course the league should definitely allow second and third year riders to continue their development. I like your idea of the PL doing something more for British riders but dislike the idea of introducing foreign riders into the NL Well said Malcolm and if the league reduces the points limit so that more spaces are filled by prospects then the resulting cost reduction and increased chance of a club actually finding someone of value then more clubs might enter the league. It is a simple pyramid. The more we attract new talent at the bottom the more Craig Cooks, Worrall brothers and Matt Williamson's the league will find. Is it coincidence that lower budget clubs like Buxton, Kings Lynn and Scunthorpe have found more talent than others over recent years?

If the points level was reduced I'm sure every team could have two or three without too much trouble. It would also reduce the costs of running a team and with the increased prospects of actually developing riders might even attract others clubs to run teams. By my fag-packet reckoning the other eight teams only have three untried riders in their lineups so far (Adam Extance, Connor Mountain and Rob Shuttleworth. An absolute travesty in my opinion. Of course you have to remember we won't always have six three-pointers in the team. If we have chosen well several will be riding for us next year. However, I can guarantee we will always have places for new talent

Just to clarify we aren't developing other club's assets any more (with the possible exception of a number one). Ryan needs to be in the NL and we have offered him a team place with him signing for Scunthorpe. We will invest time and money into Ryan (e.g. track time, training and the expenses of running an NL team) and if he makes it we have an asset but so does British (and in this case Scottish) speedway. No disrespect to most clubs in the country but they can't offer this kind of deal/experience. That is why Ryan and others should sign for clubs like Scunthorpe and not their local side.