NeilWatson

COVENTRY Speedway can now announce details of admission prices and season tickets for the 2016 campaign at Brandon. The club are pleased to confirm that they have extended FREE admission for all under-16s to Elite League as well as National League meetings, and general adult admission in the EL has been reduced by £1, back to £17 (see full pricing structure below). There is no concessionary rate next season, but a £5 student rate is available for over-16s in full-time education, on production of appropriate proof. We will be returning to predominantly Friday night racing in 2016, in addition to Bank Holiday Mondays and matches selected for live television coverage. Storm matches will be scheduled primarily on the Fridays of Grand Prix weekends, with an option for occasional Sundays depending on the requirements of the fixture list. Season Tickets for next year are now on sale - and for the first time, in addition to the Elite League, season tickets will also be available for Coventry Storm in the National League, as well as a special BIP (Bees Important Person) ticket for all team meetings to take place at Brandon. Elite League season tickets are based on a minimum of 15 meetings to include 14 league matches, the Elite Shield and play-offs subject to qualification. These are priced at £250, and in 2016 season ticket holders will receive a programme. National League season tickets are priced at £140, including programme, to include play-offs. Expectations are for a 12-team NL next year, subject to confirmation at the AGM in early December. The BIP ticket is available to cover all Elite League and National League level meetings for £360 including programmes, and also includes a photograph with your favourite rider and a centre-green visit for a meeting of your choice. Season ticket application forms are available to download from the club's official website,www.coventrybees.co . SEASON TICKET SUMMARY Elite League: £250 including programme (includes Elite Shield and play-offs) National League: £140 including programme (includes play-offs) BIP (Bees Important Person) ticket - EL & NL: £360 including programme/photo/centre-green visit GENERAL ADMISSION Elite League: ALL ADULTS (16+) £17 STUDENT (16+) £5 (on production of proof of full-time education - school or college) CHILDREN (Under 16) FREE PROGRAMME £3 National League: ALL ADULTS (16+) £12 STUDENT (16+) £5 (on production of proof of full-time education - school or college) CHILDREN (Under 16) FREE PROGRAMME £2

I really hope he's not exiting speedway - we've just signed him for 2016!

If I assume you mean KK, there's four heat-leaders in that list of 5. The five averages also total more than 34.5.

Josh Bates is eligible for a 2 1/2% reduction on his starting average (2015SR 16.2.3.d). Our line-up so far already contains two double-uppers. As Jason was not part of the 2016 EDR system, it's no surprise that he won't line up at reserve for us in 2016 - it's certainly not a mistake on our part...... Danny is a heat-leader for 2016 team-building purposes.

We now have our complement (two in the 1-5) of double-up riders for 2016. Averages subject to confirmation: Chris 7.34 Danny 6.48 Jason 5.08 Josh 3.26 James 3.00 My response was more aimed at the unpleasant tone of the original comment, but flavoured with the knowledge of what was to come...

Play nicely...... :-)

COVENTRY will face great rivals Poole in the opening meetings of the 2016 season. The two clubs have agreed dates for the Elite Shield, which will get the new campaign underway in the middle of March. The Pirates are the reigning Elite League champions and Shield holders, whilst the Buildbase Bees finished second in the regular league table this year. The first leg of the Elite Shield will take place at Wimborne Road on Wednesday March 16, with the return at Brandon 48 hours later on Friday March 18. And that will mean a rapid return to Coventry for Hans Andersen, who rode for the Bees in the past two seasons but has now made the switch to Dorset. Coventry co-promoter Neil Watson said: “We’re pleased to have agreed these dates quickly and it should make for an excellent start to the new season. “There’s always plenty of rivalry between the clubs, so that will be renewed at an early stage and I’m sure we’ll both be keen to kick the season off with some silverware.” Press and practice at Brandon will take place on the afternoon and early evening of Friday March 11, and skipper Chris Harris stages his Testimonial meeting on Sunday March 20. Admission prices and season ticket information for the 2016 campaign will be published shortly.

Enjoying the November weather? News of our opening fixtures for 2016 + P&P date to come this evening! (@OfficialCovBees)

COVENTRY are delighted to confirm an early extension of the Bees’ main team sponsorship deal with Buildbase. The club’s Elite League side have raced under the Buildbase Bees banner since 2004, and this will continue for a remarkable thirteenth successive season next year. During that time, Buildbase have been highly valued and proactive partners of the club, and it is a significant boost to have their support for 2016 confirmed. The early announcement of next year’s deal is partially due to the fact that Buildbase Regional Director John Clarke, a familiar face to all at Brandon, is to leave the company next month after nearly four decades of service. Naturally that news led to some concern amongst supporters that there could be an impact on the sponsorship - but the deal is already in place, and John will also continue to have a major part to play in the club. He said: “The sponsorship is reviewed on an annual basis and it’s normally advised in the early part of the New Year. “But with me leaving the company at the end of the year, it made good sense to re-assure people that the Buildbase commitment remains as strong as ever. “I certainly won’t be going anywhere else in terms of the speedway, and I’ll still be doing everything I can to assist the promotion of the club and helping out on race-nights.” Coventry Speedway would like to thank Buildbase for their continued support of the club, and we look forward to working together again in 2016.

COVENTRY can confirm Great Britain international Danny King will return to the club next season. King enjoyed a consistent first year with the Buildbase Bees in 2015 having spent much of his previous time in the Elite League with Ipswich, Peterborough and then Birmingham. He was involved in several important races for Coventry last season, teaming up with skipper Chris Harris for a memorable match-winning Heat 15 5-1 at Lakeside as well as securing a home win over top-four rivals Swindon with victories in each of the last two races. And in the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Poole, King salvaged a draw for the Bees with a remarkable Heat 15 effort to overtake both of the Pirates’ top two riders, Chris Holder and Maciej Janowski. Individually, he finished a best-ever third in the British Final at Wolverhampton, and continued to represent his country in the World Cup. King joins Harris as a starter in the Bees’ top five for next year, and promoter Mick Horton says he’s delighted to have both top Brits returning in 2016. Horton said: “We were very eager to bring Danny back, and he really wanted to come back - he’d wanted to ride for Coventry for a few years, and he loved being here. “What impressed me about Danny last season was the way he learnt the track in terms of the dirt on the outside - I knew he was a racer, but I didn’t think he’d be trying the ‘Bomber’ line! “Both Danny and Chris were key to our team building plans, and it’s great for us to have them both signed.” Bees now have four riders confirmed for 2016 with King and Harris joining reserve duo James Sarjeant and Josh Bates, and talks are ongoing to fill the remaining positions.

Bees fourth signing is Danny King.

I'd be the first to admit that the Storm fixtures weren't ideal in 2015, and we'll be aiming for more consistency in 2016. We didn't get off to a good start when the very first league fixture was rained off (in May) and we had staged a challenge and a shared event before the league fixtures started. The situation was exacerbated later in the season with more rain-offs, and having to clear Storm dates to complete the Elite League programme, re-arranging the rain-offs was awkward with Eastbourne's late-season glut of fixtures because of their success in the cup competitions.

David Rowe's words not mine, I'm not that eloquent. But he's right!

CHRIS Harris will be back to lead Coventry in the 2016 Elite League season. The Buildbase Bees skipper has put pen to paper on his new contract which will take him into his eleventh campaign with the club. Since joining the asset base at Brandon in 2004, Harris has ridden for the Bees in every season with the exception of loan spells at Belle Vue in 2011 and Birmingham in 2013. Having won three league titles in his first stint with the club, he has captained the Bees to play-off qualification in each of the last two seasons, and 2015 was arguably his most consistent yet. He has become one of the most popular riders ever to wear Coventry colours and, after being frustrated by the weather earlier this year, his long-awaited Testimonial meeting will now take place on Sunday March 20, 2016. Harris said: “It’s great to be back, I’ve been part of the furniture at Coventry for many years and I’m looking forward to being captain again. “I’ve been discussing my ideas for the team with Mick (Horton), we’ve had many texts going between us, and also Chris Anderson who helps sort my deals out so I don’t have to stress about things! “I’ve always said I wanted to be riding for Coventry when I’m holding my Testimonial. I feel it would be unfair to hold it there if I was at another club, and I’ve always had such great support from the fans there over the years. “It’s been a roller-coaster career for me, and it didn’t start off the best all those years ago, but things have got better and better and I felt this year was my best one in Coventry colours. “Now I want to come back next year and have an even better season, and I can assure everyone that with the hard work being put in behind the scenes if it doesn’t come off it won’t be for the want of trying!” Coventry promoter Mick Horton added: “Chris was obviously one of the major keys to our team building plans and I’m absolutely delighted to have him back. “He was our Rider of the Year and he was a fantastic captain, something he proved both on and off the track, and he still remains the big favourite at Brandon.” Harris joins reserve duo James Sarjeant and Josh Bates as confirmed starters for the new season, and further news is expected in the near future.

It was your mistake I was correcting.......

Apologies to all, in correcting another's error I made one myself! Two double-up riders in the 1-5

No more than TWO double-up riders in the 1-5 (corrected from 1-7)

Kyle has a 2015 Elite League average

Yes.....

Rob, I'm trying to PM you without success

Sunday October 25, 2015 COVENTRY can confirm today’s National League double-header against Eastbourne and Mildenhall is definitely ON (4pm start). Saturday’s rain cleared during the afternoon and the track is in good condition for today’s action, which is the final meeting in the UK this season. Eastbourne, who won the KO Cup last night, will track a full-strength side as impressive teenager Daniel Spiller, a late-season addition to their line-up, is now available to ride. The City Gearboxes Storm need to avoid defeat against either the Eagles or the Fen Tigers to secure a top four finish in the league table. Liam Carr steps in to guest for Dan Greenwood in the No.1 berth in both meetings, whilst Mildenhall have Danny Ayres guesting in their No.1 spot. The action gets underway at 4pm - admission £15 adults and all children free, for a 30-heat schedule. Sunday October 25, 2015 COVENTRY can confirm today’s National League double-header against Eastbourne and Mildenhall is definitely ON (4pm start). Saturday’s rain cleared during the afternoon and the track is in good condition for today’s action, which is the final meeting in the UK this season. Eastbourne, who won the KO Cup last night, will track a full-strength side as impressive teenager Daniel Spiller, a late-season addition to their line-up, is now available to ride. The City Gearboxes Storm need to avoid defeat against either the Eagles or the Fen Tigers to secure a top four finish in the league table. Liam Carr steps in to guest for Dan Greenwood in the No.1 berth in both meetings, whilst Mildenhall have Danny Ayres guesting in their No.1 spot. The action gets underway at 4pm - admission £15 adults and all children free, for a 30-heat schedule.

All systems go Rob, the track had been prepared with yesterday's rain in mind. You've clearly not been to Brandon this season.....

COVENTRY will stage the final scheduled meeting of the British Speedway season at Brandon on Sunday afternoon (4pm). The City Gearboxes Storm complete their National League campaign with a double-header against Eastbourne and Mildenhall in the last official fixtures of 2015. And the home side, who go into the matches on a run of six straight wins, need to avoid defeat in either of the clashes to confirm a top-four finish in the table - which would go down as a significant achievement with a much-changed team from last year. Their first opponents, Eastbourne, came close to taking the title in their first NL season and have already secured runners-up spot with an exciting young side headed by the hugely talented Bradley Wilson-Dean. And depending on the outcome of their KO Cup Final against Cradley on Saturday, they could arrive at Brandon with a third item of silverware in the bag, having already clinched the Gold Cup and National Trophy. Mildenhall, meanwhile will be looking for their first away win of the National League season in a re-arrangement from the abandoned fixture between the two clubs in late August. Fen Tigers promoter Kevin Jolly has been active in the media with his views on that match, which came to an early halt due to a serious crash involving Storm skipper Dan Greenwood which necessitated the call-out of a county ambulance. Jolly called for his side to be awarded a 16-14 win as they were in front at the time, with just five of fifteen heats completed, as well as erroneously questioning the level of medical cover at Brandon and disputing the arrangement that the Fen Tigers will be appearing second in Sundays double-header - having turned down the chance to come to Coventry in a stand-alone fixture earlier this month. It all adds spice to the final match of the season, and promoter Mick Horton is expecting an entertaining 30-race schedule and hoping for a good turn-out ahead of the long winter break. Horton said: It would be great to see plenty of support for the boys in the very last meeting of the season anywhere in the country this year. If we win both matches well finish in fourth place, which would be a great effort by the lads, and wed actually only be one point behind Cradley. I do hope the fans can prove to us that investing in the youth, as weve done over the last three years, is worthwhile. Its the last meeting so we really want to give the lads a good send-off. We want to invest in youngsters, but we need the support to do it. The Storm go into the matches with just one change from their regular line-up with Greenwood still on the sidelines, and Buxton heat-leader Liam Carr has been booked to guest at No.1. At the other end of the team, promising 16-year-olds Callum Walker and Jamie Halder will take one match each as the Storm utilise all available members of their squad, with the remainder of the side at full strength. Boss Laurence Rogers said: When I put our team together I knew each and every one could improve on their starting averages, and they have been a delight to work with. It has been a very pleasing season despite our disjointed fixture list, and now we want to finish on a high in two tough matches. Id like to thank Liam Carr for standing in, he goes well at Brandon and has a good attitude so Im sure hell score plenty of points for us, and I really hope the Coventry fans take advantage of the last chance to see some speedway this season and come and support the boys. The action gets underway at 4pm, with admission prices £15 for adults, and all children go free. CITY GEARBOXES STORM (from): Mark Baseby, Liam Carr, Conor Dwyer, Jamie Halder (v Mildenhall), Martin Knuckey, Darryl Ritchings, Rob Shuttleworth, Callum Walker (v Eastbourne). EASTBOURNE (from): Richard Andrews, Kelsey Dugard, Ben Hopwood, Marc Owen, Daniel Spiller R/R, Bradley Wilson-Dean, Georgie Wood. MILDENHALL (from): Danny Ayres, Tom Bacon, Ben Basford, Connor Coles, Jack Kingston, Connor Mountain, Luke Ruddick.

They can!

I'm sure that on a race-day Jayne has better things to do than be glued to this forum.......