tanya

I thought that the track held up very well today considering that we have had one frost free day in over two weeks with plenty of snow to contend with, not ideal conditions for preparing a track. I know the track staff have worked tirelessly to try and get a meeting on today let alone get the track into a position where it provides entertaining speedway. I think credit is due to these people who have been there all over the Christmas holidays, I know where I would of prefered to of been. There were riders that were prepared to have a go at producing some racing but you could also see that some of the riders didn't want to end up injured and put themselves out of a few months racing and not risking anything. Well done to Steve Boxall he was not rated to win this meeting but proved that he deserves a team place somewhere and his race with Doolan in the final was well contested, you could see Doolan having a go so all credit to him. For the Newport supporters it was great to see and meet our new rider Anders Mellgren, not on his own equipment he looked like a useful signing. Good to have him here. The meeting ran too slowly for my liking, other referees would of been pushing the pace of the meeting on. Some people had travelled a good distance to get to the meeting and had a long cold journey back too. Lots of Sheffield supporters about and I felt particularly disappointed for them because of the withdrawal of Ricky Ashworth, a long way to come to find out your rider won't be there. I didnt like the format of not allowing the riders back in the rerun for tapes offences it was detrimental to the meeting. I'm sure Mads Korneliussen wasn't too pleased when he missed a ride, the supporters pay their money to watch the 'stars' in these meetings not having a junior put back in which just caused the meeting to take longer. Good to have the meeting back at Newport though and to meet up with lots of friends in the off season.

If you are mad or Australian!

The Classic has been known to run in the snow. I remember being there when there was snow about the track. Very often the track was better in the winter than it was in the hot summer months. Hope we have some great racing today its clear and dry perfect weather for speedway.

I believe they have.

The viewing is pretty good all the way around the track, you'll have to get there early to get a place in the stand though. Wrap up warm.

I hope the new programme isnt all going to be glossy finish, I hate writing the scores on glossy paper much better on the matt finish.

Lol, just joking - see you at the Classic! Not long now

I hear the bow is off?!!!

I agree I think its a really good line up, looking forward to seeing the new riders and also the more established riders like Puk and Mads again.

Jerran Hart and Anders Mellgren added to the New Year Classic line up.

I thought they were pretty good additions to the line up. Ricky Ashworth is good value for money around Newport and is a rider who won't complain if the weather is a bit iffy, same goes for Wilko who is still a great favourite at Newport. The Hendersson brothers will be interesting to watch. I believe Robert was due to try out for Newport back in the summer but didn't get here, another rider came over instead with Jonas Andersson think it was Andreas Westlund.

Brent Werner always rides the New Year Classic at Newport its sort of tradition now. Steve Mallett did mention that he has a few more good names in the pipeline and is waiting to see if they will ride.

Well done Grant, keep those good results coming in.

Bad crash from Kyle Newman in this meeting, looks like he has broken his leg.

Well done Grant

Its on at the Stadium, Hayley Stadium that is. We have a SWARM evening every grand prix meeting to raise funds for the team. The Grand Prix will be shown on a huge screen, admission is £2 which goes towards the SWARM fund for the riders fuel, tyres etc. Food is also available, and highly recommended for £2.50. Doors open at 5pm for a 6pm start, always a good atmosphere and a great place to get involved in the GP with other speedway fans.

Does this mean that anyone with a bog standard Sky box won't be able to go to the red button?

As was mentioned today it was a very hot day and they are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea on the track. The promotion want to water it to keep the dust down for the fans yet the riders don't want it changing and want it kept slick. Who are they to please? It was a drawn out meeting mostly due to the numerous reruns of one heat, whos fault was that? Before the heat took place anyone who saw the line up could see it was like the final itself and the outcome was very important to the meeting. Great to meet up with Big Fat Dave, welcome back to Wales and great to meet you.

Beautiful weather this morning for a nice relaxing Sunday in the sun at Newport watching some good speedway action, a great way to end the Grand Prix weekend. And I hear a signing to be announced

Glad to see its the South Wales Argus Welsh Open now, actively getting them involved should ensure some good coverage.

Anyway there is a meeting at Newport on the Friday night, the Hornets are an entertaining little side to watch, we are there is anyone would like to come over and take a look. And don't worry about being on your own, as you know it doesn't take too long before you meet up with someone at a speedway meeting and become firm friends. There are buses from the bus station and a taxi costs about £5 from the town centre.

It up to the individual where they go, but there is an alternative to the M5 traffic pre gp night. The fixture is Newport Hornets v Scunthorpe I believe, I'll check today. I think Wato said last night that he's finding out when he can begin to start riding this week. There are buses that will take you close to the track but you are better off getting a taxi there.

He's riding for Newport Hornets today vs. Plymouth at reserve. He had a spin on Friday evening after Newport vs Glasgow, and spent his evening watching the GP up in the bar with his dad, Wato and some Newport supporters.

Good to see that we now have a National League meeting on Friday night at Newport before the Grand Prix on the Saturday, it'll be a good relaxing start to a busy weekend, well done to the Malletts for getting this meeting on - a great alternative to the Pairs at Somerset

And we'll make sure that you get the welcome home you deserve at Newport