Matt Read Farewell Meeting

[shazzybird 10]

Not entirely sure what reply Bryn expected there but it was obvious wasn't it

[Najjer 2,899]

Ive seen the chopper at Somerset. Looks a great prize

[shazzybird 10]

Saw it at Swingfield today between Deano and Lewis, I reckon they've bought it

[Statman 117]

MATT READ FAREWELL SPEEDWAY MEETING PRESS RELEASE

 

WEDNESDAY 23RD AUGUST

 

WILSON RIDES AT MATT’S BIG NIGHT!

 

Despite the loss of Dave Norris and Dean Barker from his meeting due to rearranged commitments with Eastbourne, Matt is delighted to announced that one of the sport’s all time top names, Sean Wilson, has agreed to ride at his Farewell Meeting on September 22nd.

 

Wilson’s appearance at Somerset’s Oak Tree Arena will be one of the very few opportunities that speedway fans will be able to see him take to the track during the 2006 season due to him not securing a team place this year.

 

The 36 year old Yorkshireman finished top of the Sheffield averages for the 7th time in a row last season, and rounded off the season by winning the Premier League Riders’ Championship, his 3rd success in this prestigious event. It was, therefore something of a surprise when Sheffield announced that they would not be retaining his services in 2006, and so it was that Wilson entered his testimonial season without a team berth.

 

“I was really delighted when Sean stepped forward when I heard that the two Eastbourne boys were unable to ride.” Said Matt at the announcement. “Though Sean hasn’t been riding on a regular basis this year, he is still a class act and to have a rider of his calibre at my meeting is unbelievable!”

 

In addition to Wilson’s appearance, Chris Neath has confirmed his availability for the meeting. An Oak Tree Arena specialist, Neath’s connection with Matt goes back a long way, as he explains.

 

“Matt and myself used to have rare old battles in our junior grass track days, in fact with Simon Stead also being in the line up, it will be just like the old days having the 3 of us together again.” “Obviously what with riding against each other week in, week out in the junior grass track competitions our families became good friends, as did Matt and myself.”

 

With 8 out of the 14 names now announced, speedway fans up and down the country can look forward to further riders being announced in the forthcoming weeks.

 

Official Press Release by Ian Belcher

Matt Read Farewell Speedway Meeting Press Officer

[Matousek 0]

Hmm sean wilsons back then, see how he goes.

[spin king 1,923]

Yes I wonder how Sean will go also think that one or Premier League bosses will be interested to.

[Statman 117]

MATT READ FAREWELL SPEEDWAY MEETING PRESS RELEASE

 

TUESDAY 29th AUGUST

 

THE 'SCREEN MACHINE' ADDED TO LINE UP

 

England International and Belle Vue star, Joe Screen is the latest top line rider who has agreed to ride at Matt Read's Farewell Speedway Meeting at Somerset's Oak Tree Arena on Friday 22nd September. Screen, like Matt, was a product of the junior grass track circuit and made his speedway debut in 1989 with Belle Vue. A World Under 21 Champion in 1993, Screen also captured the British Under 21 title in 1990 and 1993, as well as the Elite League Riders' Championship in 1992. Twice a British speedway Champion, Screen won the second of his titles in 2004 in bizarre circumstances when he won the final after his three rivals had either fallen or retired from the race! 33 year old Screen was granted his own testimonial meeting in 2004 to celebrate a career which has taken in spells at Bradford and Eastbourne, as well as Belle Vue.

 

In addition to the 'Screen Machine' ex-Rebel Mark Lemon has also confirmed his availability to ride in the meeting. Lemon rode alongside Matt for the Rebels in 2003, and was, therefore, an obvious choice for Matt to include in his meeting. "Lemo and myself quite often rode at numbers 1 and 2 during that year, and we formed quite a good partnership, even if Mark wasn't quite sure where I was going half the time, mind you, nor was I!" "Mark is a class rider and I'm really pleased that he is able turn out at my meeting."

 

After the racing has concluded on the night, there will be an auction of race jackets and other memorabilia, but pride of place will be a specially commissioned crash helmet which has been signed by every rider who has captured the World Speedway and World Longtrack Championships in the last 10 years. "I cannot thank the guys enough who have signed the crash helmet." said Matt. "This is going to be such a unique item for somebody to own, I almost feel like bidding for it myself!"

 

Screen and Lemon's confirmation means that a total of 10 riders have now been announced as taking part in what promises to be a great night of speedway action, the final four names to be released over the course of the next two weeks.

 

Confirmed Riders: Simon Stead, Sean Wilson, Davey Watt, Joe Screen, Danny Bird, Chris Neath, Mark Lemon, Magnus Zetterstrom, Glenn Cunningham, Stephan Katt

 

Official Press Release by Ian Belcher

Matt Read Farewell Speedway Meeting Press Officer

07816 107 751

[shazzybird 10]

Joe Screen and Stephan Katt now that is a race I'd like to see Is this meeting being put onto Dvd?

[Najjer 2,899]

Joe Screen and Stephan Katt now that is a race I'd like to see    Is this meeting being put onto Dvd?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Im sure big Steve will be recording it

[Statman 117]

Joe Screen and Stephan Katt now that is a race I'd like to see    Is this meeting being put onto Dvd?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I think Matt said that it is being recorded by the guys who record the Isle of Wight meetings.

[SCB 3]

Joe Screen and Stephan Katt now that is a race I'd like to see    Is this meeting being put onto Dvd?

Don't be so tight, get there and I'll even let you buy me a pint

 

Joe Screen I'll still be there, despite the fact Kylmakorpi and Loram won't be! Few great riders there

[shazzybird 10]

I'd love to SCB but it's a long way from me, christ I get lost on the way home from Eastbourne

[sCATygirl! 0]

Oh no another Auction which includes a helmet!!!

 

Think I better keep my hands in my pockets after the one we got at Glenns' testimonial at the OTA . Sure there will something else to bid on tho.

 

Hoping Matt gets loads of support, judging by the posts on here he will.

 

Well deserved meeting for a really super bloke

[south coast robin 0]

Hope it's a good night for Matt..he deserves it .

[Bryn 413]

I'd love to SCB but it's a long way from me, christ I get lost on the way home from Eastbourne 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"....a long way..." Tut Tut Shazzy! That's NO excuse whatsoever! I know someone who'll be going who lives near Folkestone and I, a fellow dweller in Kent, will be travelling with him too so see you there?

 

Oh no another Auction which includes a helmet!!! 

 

Think I better keep my hands in my pockets after the one we got at Glenns' testimonial at the OTA . Sure there will something else to bid on tho.

 

Hoping Matt gets loads of support, judging by the posts on here he will.

 

Well deserved meeting for a really super bloke

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Just buy plenty of draw tickets SG - then you might win first prize which, I'm told, is a magnificent Chopper!

Edited September 10, 2006 by Bryn