Bryn

As things continue to gear up for the return of speedway to Smallbrook Stadium, as well as the Wightlink Warriors official club website, all news of events being held at the stadium including private hire details can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/Premier-Lounge-1724034951216305/ And not to be left out you can find all regular updated news of upcoming training schools and special offers for My First Skid on Twitter and at: https://www.facebook.com/My-First-Skid-Speedway-School-162…/

Details of the club's opening meeting on March 18 with two interesting inclusions in the line up plus a pre-season Fans Forum now on their official website.

There's certainly been far more than 100 at all the NL meetings I've been to at Saddlebow - you sure the quote you think you saw didn't relate to STRA & Dragons amateur meetings? Go along to one of those as I'm sure you'll enjoy!

Efforts continue all over this coming weekend as the club strives to ensure that everything is ship shape for the successful return of speedway to the Isle of Wight come the start of the season. Barry Bishop and Martin Widman will be joined by a willing band of volunteers, an essential part of the club's "Team Warrior" concept, to carry out further work at Smallbrook with an invitation being extended to anyone else willing and able to help, even if only able to for a short time, to join those already marked down to help out. Hard work for sure but a fun time assured as well judging by reports on similar weekends that have already taken place.

As someone who had a mic thrust into my mitts before what I'm sure was my first meeting in my first ever trip Down Under and politely asked if I wouldn't mind doing the announcing, take it from me live trackside commentary isn't a piece of cake! Mind you after the first race in that meeting a track official came into the box and asked what happened to my race commentary because I was blissfully unaware of course that it was the norm for track announcers to give a running commentary on races. I dutifully said "Oops sorry pardon" for my failure to provide that to the crowd over the PA and had a good time from there! And in the bar afterwards!

The Wightlink Warriors will be revealing the identity of the rider who'll complete their 2016 starting line up in two hours time at 4pm.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends and, as well as Cradley fans, he'll always remain in the memory of those who saw him in action in the late Sixties for the Crayford Highwaymen. R.I.P. Derek.

Next signing to be announced this morning circa 10.30am

Indeed my faux pas - we all make 'em! Just to reiterate that Andy will respond to all your posts that raise queries as soon as he can but don't worry if it takes a little while i.e. don't expect it to be instantaneous! Meanwhile keep posting.

News of a second signing for the Wightlink Islanders expected within the next hour.

It's hard to believe, and no doubt it is too for Hackney & Newcastle speedway fans, that it was ten years ago today that Aussie Dave Hamnett tragically lost his life. Got to know Dave well whilst he has at Waterden Road and he was a smashing bloke as well as a damn good rider. RIP Dave.

Very saddened to learn this morning via the Poole website of the death yesterday of former promoter Pete Ansell after a lengthy illness. RIP Pete and my deepest condolences to his family.

I'm shocked Mother T for I've always had an inkling that in the unlikely event of Lynn shutting its doors to speedway, then you might well become a Witch!

Sadly I've learnt from Laurie Etheridge's wife Denise that Mike Howes died recently. Mike was Laurie's mechanic for a good few years and before that for Peter Moore at Rayleigh. He also was the machine examiner at Arena Essex for a spell and his dad was a speedway rider too. RIP Mike.

At the club's AGM last month it was disclosed that it is planned to have Thursday as the regular racenight. EDIT: You beat me to it CM!

To add to the above and in case anybody is unaware, the NDL's AGM is scheduled to take place on December 2nd.

With respect I don't think that "it's all tickeyty boo" as you say, I asked a genuine question and would be, as I said, interested in learning your thoughts in terms of solving the problem you describe. So please express them.

Would be interested in hearing your thoughts then detailing specific action that you would like to see take place to solve what you see as the problem.

I was lucky enough to witness racing at Olympic Park during the course of my several trips 'Down Under' during past British winters necessitated by the fact that I'm allergic to cold weather! Always thoroughly enjoyed meetings there and, looking at various photos from this weekend's event, looks to be a fair sized crowd in attendance.

As I suspected then, the vast majority of the countries named ceased team racing circa/more than half a century ago. With regard to the USA, how many different tracks staged team racing in the early 1970s?

Not being an avid/fanatical speedway historian myself, I wonder if perhaps you would care to clarify exactly when team racing ceased in the five countries you've named above as I can't personally recall league racing being staged in any of them. I'm sure you can provide the necessary information. From my own point of view I've always preferred team racing to individual meetings.

By choice perhaps Mr.H and does it matter?

Care to list exactly what you have in mind Mother T?

Good to hear from you Steve and that you're still alive! Just hope you're not back in the UK from Rome doing your Nero impression!

Off to sunny (well hopefully it will be! ) King's Lynn shortly for meeting that starts at noon - see you there?