PhilK

You must have been standing next to me because that is exactly what was said .... our supporters were superb again last night backing the team. The riders all wanted to thank them for the long journey they had made midweek to back the team, and thats why they came out to celebrate with them after the meeting Really good close meeting and a warm welcome from our hosts ... NLSpeedway as it should be

MILDENHALL will run 2 practise days on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th March Each day runs from 10am to 4pm The cost for riders to attend is £40.00 per day which includes insurance. There will be an organised structure to these days with riders being grouped together based on ability and to allow the maximum benefit for those taking part. Interested parties contact Kevin Jolly on 07767 460907 or by email kevin.jolly1958@gmail.com

Fen Tigers announce first signing for the 2018 season! The ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers have moved quickly to secure the services of the 2017 British 500cc Youth Champion, Ipswich based Drew Kemp, for the 2018 season. Kemp who claimed his title at Glasgow on Saturday, has been a regular visitor at Mildenhall this season and has impressed the Mildenhall management team both on and off the track. As well as the Glasgow round he also won at Redcar and Scunthorpe and was extremely unlucky when his bike packed up in the Belle Vue round final when leading Kyle Bickley. The Ipswich born racer who only turned fifteen on 11th August will start the 2018 season in one of the reserve berths for the Fen Tigers, and will feature on occasion this season as his other commitments allow. A very satisfied Kevin Jolly said – “This is another coup for Mildenhall Speedway and Drew fits in perfectly with what we are trying to build at Mildenhall. Drew is very much the type of rider we want at Mildenhall, young, talented, bright, dedicated and ambitious. We will do all we can to help him meet his goals and look forward to working closely with him and his family in the coming season. In all discussions with Drew and his family, very much like with Jordan (Jenkins) last season, Drew’s education was a very important part of next year as he prepares to sit his exams. We are happy to accommodate his non speedway needs as his education is of great importance and we will work closely with him to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. As a family the Kemp’s were very easy to deal to with and I am pleased to welcome them all to the Mildenhall Speedway ‘family”

From Mildenhall Speedway (dated 18/8/2017) Very sad news! Mildenhall Speedway are deeply saddened by the news this morning of the passing of Martyn Woods, Sam’s father Martyn was a larger than life character who was an immensely popular figure around the pits at Mildenhall, always ready to help anyone and like Sam a true team player Kevin Jolly commented on this devastating news – he said – “Martyn was a lovely man and all our thoughts are with Sam and his Mum Sue at this sad time. Martyn will be greatly missed by all of us and my abiding memory of Martyn was when the whole family turned up to watch Sam have a practise spin following his recent injury. This summed up for me what a strong supportive family unit they were and it goes without saying that we will support Sam the very best we can as a club”

Yes Lewis Whitmore is in tomorrow for Sam

From Mildenhall Speedway - The away leg of our KOC tie with Stoke on 11th June was a special evening for a very special speedway rider and moreover a gentleman of the sport Congratulations to Jon Armstrong who in the away KOC tie at Stoke completed his 500th League and Cup career appearance since making his debut for Belle Vue on the 10th April 1992 (1 point from3 rides) in the then Division One Since then Jon has made 43 appearances and scored 104 points in the top flight, 184 appearancess and 986 points in Division two with 273 appearances and 2964 points in the National league With a overall points total of 4054 The meeting at Stoke was also Armo's 150th for Mildenhall With thanks to club historian Jason Gardner for this information Legend of the sport and a Fen Tiger all time great #TigerPride #ARMO

Fen Tigers host the Transatlantic Fours! This Sunday (25th June .. parade at 2.45pm) sees International visitors at Mildenhall stadium as the ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers welcome the USA for a Transatlantic Four Team Tournament. The meeting is sponsored by the RAF Mildenhall British-American Community Relations Committee in a considerable coup for the club, with the USA team will be sponsored by USAF Letting Specialists Tennens Properties Limited of Bury St Edmunds. A strong foursome will be in representing the USA looking to secure a spot in their World Team Cup line up the following weekend. Gino ‘G-Man’ Manzares will lead the USA foursome and the twenty three year old from Corona, California will be a highly popular visitor. Returning to Suffolk speedway for the first time since the end of the 2015 season when visa issues bought his UK career to an abrupt halt, a fans favourite from the Ipswich Witches will be assured of a warm welcome. The smiling Manzares had two seasons with the Ipswich Witches and has raced for Team USA in three World Cup campaigns, the highlight being a 9 point haul and defeat of double World Champion Tai Woffinden at Kings Lynn back in 2014. Luke Becker and Broc Nicol, both rode in the 2016 World Cup Race Off at Belle Vue and look to have promising futures in the sport. Becker briefly stunned the Manchester crowd with a breathtaking sweep past Niels Kristen Iversen in his third ride whilst Nicol is basing himself in Europe for the 2017 season in the hope of taking his career to the next level. Nicol was selected as the USA nominee in the 2017 Under 21 Individual Championship and takes his place in a semi final in Italy on May 20th. Completing the line-up is seventeen year old Dillon Ruml who is the younger brother of Max and has already achieved a No 3 AMA ranking last year in just his second year of adult competition. Of equal interest to many Norfolk speedway followers will be the return of one of the most famous names in the history of speedway, as the Norwich ‘Stars’ ride again. Their last league action came in the1964 season although in July 2012, former rider and legend Ove Fundin played a part in announcing a return of speedway in the city of Norwich. Plans, which did not come to fruition, were outlined for a new track to be built on the city's outskirts, with the hope of a return to the British league structure. Hopes are still held by many that one day they will return to full time action but for now this meeting offers a chance for Norfolk speedway fans to see their team back on track once again. The ‘Stars’ will be sponsored and team managed by one of their favourite sons, none other than Trevor Hedge who now runs a successful engine supply and building business ‘Trevor Hedge Racing’. To keep with the true spirit of Norfolk’s ‘finest’ the four riders representing the Norwich ‘Stars’ all have been born in Norfolk. Three Fen Tigers, Kings Lynn born Connor Mountain and Lewis Whitmore along with Norwich born Jordan Jenkins will be joined by Kent ‘Kings’ up and coming Norwich born racer Jack Thomas in the green with a yellow star famous race jackets. The third side will be a GB Young Lions U21 four managed by Neil Vatcher, following the recent success of the Mildenhall v GB Young Lions U21 challenge it is a pleasure to welcome back some of the best young talent in the National League. Their line-up will be led by Jack Parkinson-Blackburn who will be backed by Kyle Bickley, Luke Harris and Callum Walker. Completing the line-up will be a ‘KJM/Manchetts’ foursome made up of Danny Halsey, Jon Armstrong, Danno Verge and ex-Fen Tiger Connor Coles who comes in for injured Luke Ruddick. Co-Promoter James Easter was looking forward to a special day at Mildenhall Speedway – he said – “This meeting has taken some putting together and deserves to be a major success for Kevin. Phil Kirk and Lee Chipchase have given sterling support to me in getting all the blocks in place and hopefully this will be a day that lives long in supporter’s memories for all the right reasons. We have four excellent fours who certainly should provide some super entertainment on the track. I must thank the RAF Mildenhall British-American Community Committee who are kindly sponsoring today’s meeting along with Tennens Properties Limited who are sponsoring the USA team and Trevor Hedge Racing you are sponsoring the Norwich Stars and of course KJM Road Sweepers and Manchetts for their continued wonderful backing of our club. Neil Vatcher has done a great job putting together a GB Young Lions U21 four and they are welcomed back to Mildenhall for a second time this season and I am most grateful to the authorities for allowing us to use the famous name of the Norwich ‘Stars’ for the day. Hopefully speedway fans from far and wide will descend on Mildenhall stadium this Sunday” Sunday’s teams – USA – Gino Manzares, Broc Nicol, Luke Bekker and Dillon Ruml GB Young Lions U21 – Jack Parkinson Blackburn, Kyle Bickley, Luke Harris and Callum Walker Norwich Stars – Connor Mountain, Jordan Jenkins, Jack Thomas and Lewis Whitmore ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers – Jon Armstrong, Danny Halsey, Connor Coles and Danno Verge

Rule 16.2.8 A NDL rider, who is not in an NDL team declaration will be given an Established MA after completing 4 meetings, irrespective of being home or away Rule 16.2.1 Established MA's are calculated, for a specific number of applicable meetings ..... Applicable meetings - National Development League: League meetings only

"The Isle of Wight on Sunday should be a home win on paper but we have to show them respect as they have riders in their side that can do a job. We will be looking for another professional performance from the lads and three more league points” Hardly 'eye watering' stuff surely ??

Mildenhall 'KJM/Manchetts' Fen Tigers 1. Joe Jacobs 2. Luke Ruddick 3. Jon Armstrong © 4. Danno Verge 5. Danny Halsey 6. Sam Woods 7. TBA TM - Robert Henry Young Lions U21 1. Liam Carr © 2. Kyle Bickley 3. Alfie Bowtell 4. Tom Brennan 5. Jack Parkinson-Blackburn 6. Alex Spooner 7. Lewis Whitmore TM - Neil Vatcher Please note the later 4pm start time

The final rider at No 7 for Mildenhall is Taylor Hampshire Gates open at 2.30pm Weather forecast very promising

With a change in the Young Lions U21 side being advised this morning , Mildenhall have amended their side also to keep the meeting looking competitive ... please see above

Connor Mountain is at Peterborough riding for Ipswich on Monday Ellis Perks will guest for him.

Indeed ... there was some good racing on offer and it was great to see such a good crowd for Simon, thoroughly deserved in my opinion, but I left at 5pm with still 8 races left to go I understand it ended after 6pm, meetings lasting around four hours are too long for me I am afraid

The PL Pairs have in recent years had 5 teams in each group Paul, whilst this event has 4 which I guess accounts for less heats

At Mildenhall Stadium yesterday evening the draw was made for the opening meeting of the 2017 season at West Row The 'Fen Fours' will take place on Sunday 9th April at 3pm, parade at 2.45pm Teams - Assured Services - Stefan Nielsen, Jon Armstrong, Ryan Kinsley & Sam Woods - TM - Nigel Flatman Browns Builders - Josh Bates, Danny Halsey, Chris Widman & Jordan Jenkins - TM Tony Davey Manchetts - Ben Morley, Nathan Stoneman, Danno Verge & Taylor Hampshire - TM Mark Loram D Palmer & Sons - Danny Ayres, Connor Mountain, Alfie Bowtell & Luke Ruddick - TM Robert Henry

Singsforkings - as usual you are totally wide of the mark with your assumptions, conspiracy theories relating to Mildenhall Speedway. As the league is not announced until after the meeting on the 28th it would be wrong to go into any detail about our reasoning out of respect to those that spend a great deal of time organising and managing the league. I can confirm though it has absolutely nothing to do with Taylor Hampshire riding for Kings Lynn this season, you are totally wide of the mark there!. If you stop to think about what you post before posting surely you would realise any youngsters we as a club work with are free to ride MDL, SDL or NJL if they wish for whoever they wish as well as The Youth Championship so the issue of not getting to other tracks is incorrect as well.

Busy start as Fen Tigers announce opening fixtures for the 2017 season The ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers will kick off their new season on Sunday 9th April with the second running of the ‘Fen Fours’ (3pm), won last season by the ‘Mighty Manchetts’ led by Jon Armstrong and Josh Bates. Last season’s event was a highly enjoyable and successful afternoon with some fine racing in front of a big crowd. Kevin Jolly is looking for a similar affair this time and is already working on compiling a field that will include the current Fen Tigers along with riders who have represented the club in the past and plenty of local interest. The following weekend see’s a busy Easter schedule as the Fen Tigers compete in the ‘Easter Chase’ in what is sure to be a challenging two legged confrontation with the Kent ‘SLYDE’ Kings. The first leg will be on Good Friday 14th April at Central Park Sittingbourne (6.30pm start) with the second leg taking place at West Row on Easter Sunday 16th April (3pm start). New signings Sam Woods and Danno Verge are both ex-Kings and will be looking to impress whilst Kent include ex-Fen Tiger Nathan Stoneman in their septet. Club promoter Kevin Jolly was pleased with these opening fixtures ahead of the start of the league season proper - he said – “ I am very happy with our start to the season, it gives our riders three meetings to get tuned into the season before the serious business starts. That said we will be all out to win the Easter Chase and get one over our rivals from Kent, I am not considering the possibility of a home defeat this season and want us to get off to the best possible start. The Fen Fours was a wonderful way to start last season and I am sure it will be again this time. We will try for the best field possible and I have plenty of names already noted down and over the coming weeks we will start to announce some of the riders once confirmed”. In other news the ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers will be holding the annual ‘Meet the Riders’ evening at the stadium on Saturday 18th February at 7pm. Opening Fixtures Sunday 9th April at 3pm – The Fen Fours Friday 14th April at 6.30pm – Kent ‘SLYDE’ Kings v Mildenhall ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers – Easter Chase 1st leg Sunday 16th April at 3pm – Mildenhall ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers v Kent ‘SLYDE’ Kings – Easter Chase 2nd leg

Great report Mike and thanks for all the stats

‘Fen Fours’ proves a roaring success! With a bright April day, a well prepared track, a full to the brim sponsors area and a big crowd on the terraces everything was set fair for Mildenhall’s delayed opening fixture of 2016, and the assembled cast certainly didn’t fail to deliver the goods to their expectant audience! With the 2016 ‘KJM’ Fen Tigers on show for the first time, plus Joe Jacobs, Stefan Nielsen and Josh Bates from the 2012 Grand Slam team the cast was overflowing with West Row track experts, add in Scunthorpe’s Alex Davies and a little Italian spice with Paco Castagna and the crowd were left wanting more after 20 heats of non-stop action. Palmer’s ‘Panthers’ were the early pace setters with Davies immediately showing a liking to the West Row circuit, with the other three teams picking up the pieces, although ‘Mighty’ Manchetts Josh Bates reminded supporters of the style and pace that made him such a popular rider in his time with Mildenhall with two early wins. Heat Ten will remain long in the memory as Nielsen and Jon Armstrong duelled for the victory, Nielsen sweeping round Armstrong before Armstrong rolled back the years with a stylish inside pass that showed he still is a master of the Mildenhall track. Heat Twelve saw the first tactical joker used with Jacobs responding with a fine ride to claim the six points for Haylocks ‘Hurricanes’ and bring them right back into the competition. After a fourth impressive win from Bates in Heat Thirteen as a tactical substitute it was the turn of Assured ‘Aces’ to play the joker in Heat Fourteen with Nielsen responding to the challenge with a fine win from the hard chasing Danny Halsey. Halsey was back out in Heat Fifteen were he beat fellow Fen Tigers Armstrong, Mountain and Coles in fine style before another scintillating ride from the effervescent Bates in Heat Sixteen set up the final four nominated heats with just nine points separating the four teams. The meeting went down to the final heat with ‘Mighty’ Manchetts leading Palmers ‘Panthers’ by just one point. With Coles (Palmers Panthers) at the back and Bates (Mighty Manchetts) in third the victory was secure but Bates wasn’t for cruising round in third and the crowd held its breath as he first passed Jacobs and set off after Nielsen, it wasn’t to be as Nielsen held off all Bates challenges to inflict his first defeat of the afternoon, but second place was enough to win the meeting for the ‘Mighty’ Manchetts! Fen Tigers promoter Kevin Jolly was bubbling at the end of the afternoon – he said – “What a great start to our season, it was so pleasing to see a good crowd, an excellently prepared track and all today’s sponsors enjoying the racing on show and I think we may have a few converts amongst the highly enthusiastic sponsors who joined us today! The racing was good, the track rode well and the meeting moved along at a pace, this is exactly how we want to present speedway at Mildenhall and this is the template for the rest of our season. All the riders helped today by joining in the fun and interacting with the sponsors which is great to see. I must thank again all today’s sponsors for their support and the feedback we have received from them has been excellent. From a Mildenhall point of view our riders looked good out on the track and now I can’t wait for next Sunday and our opening National Trophy meeting against Kent. It should be a cracker of a meeting and hopefully everyone will be back for some more quality speedway” ‘Fen Fours’ Result 1st place – ‘Mighty’ Manchetts – 36 points – Josh Bates 17, Jon Armstrong 12, Ryan Kinsley 6 & Rob Parker 1 2nd place – Palmers ‘Panthers’ – 33 points – Alex Davies 13, Connor Coles 7, Scott Campos 7 & Alfie Bowtell 6 3rd place – Assured ‘Aces’ – 29 points – Stefan Nielsen 13, Connor Mountain 9, Paco Castagna 7 & Layne Cupitt 0 4th place – Haylock’s 'Hurricanes' – 28 points – Danny Halsey 13, Joe Jacobs 13, Luke Ruddick 2 & Ryan Terry-Daley 0

From Mildenhall Speedway - ‘Fen Fours’ extravaganza all set for lift off! After a disappointing opening day where rain unfortunately was the only winner, it is now all systems go for next Sunday’s (3rd April 3.30pm) extravaganza of speedway in the eagerly awaited ‘Fen Fours’. The final sponsor is now in place as Palmers ‘Panthers’ complete the four teams, with sponsors D Palmer & Sons continuing their support of the Fen Tigers. Father and son Derek and Greg were behind the successful 40th Anniversary Palmer Trophy last season and suggested this meeting during the close season. Derek was heavily involved in the early years of Mildenhall Speedway and his interest has been rekindled as his son Greg’s interest in the sport has grown over the past year. The four teams have been named and the meeting will be run using the twenty heat World Team Cup format including ‘Jokers’ and the Team Manager’s choosing the rider order in the last four heats. The teams will line-up as follows - In Red - ‘Haylocks’ Hurricanes – Danny Halsey, Joe Jacobs, Luke Ruddick & Ryan Terry-Daley – Sponsors Team Manager Philip Haylock assisted by Phil Kirk In Blue - ‘Palmer’s’ Panthers – Alfie Bowtell, Scott Campos, Connor Coles and Simon Lambert – Sponsors Team Manager Derek Palmer assisted by Tony 'Shrimp' Davey In White - Assured ‘Aces’ – Layne Cupitt, Connor Dwyer, Connor Mountain and Stefan Nielsen – Sponsors Team Manager Lee Chipchase assisted by James Easter In Yellow - ‘Mighty Manchetts’ – Jon Armstrong, Josh Bates, Ryan Kinsley and Rob Parker – Sponsors Team Manager Gemma Manchett assisted by Robert Henry Club promoter Kevin Jolly acknowledged the help the club has received from the Palmer family – he said - “We are very lucky as a club to have Derek and Greg Palmer supporting us as they do. As well as today’s meeting they have worked during the winter improving and replenishing our track equipment and already we are reaping the benefits. Greg has worked tirelessly seeking sponsorship for this meeting and his drive has rubbed off on everybody at the club. It is great to see him and his father involved and enjoying themselves so much, they are true friends the of Mildenhall speedway and I am very grateful for all they do for us. I feel the field assembled will ensure an excellent meeting and one worthy of the excellent sponsorship we have received. As a club we thank Assured, Manchetts Rescue and Recovery, J & P Haylock Farms and the Palmer Family and hope they and their guests have a day to remember with us. I hope that with plenty of local rider interest that a big crowd will descend on West Row to witness some very exciting racing with plenty of track specialists on show”

Forecast if looking just fine for tomorrow One change Alex Davies replaces Simon Lambert

Scott Nicholls replaces Jason Doyle

Doyle has been 'recalled' by Swindon

There latest tweet suggests otherwise King's Lynn Speedway ‏@officialKLstars 1 min1 minute ago The Stars will start the season with: Niels Iversen Robert Lambert Rory Schlein Mads Korneliussen Kai Huckenbeck Carl Wilkinson Lewis Rose