NeilWatson

Speedway in French Language – story of Mathieu Tresarrieu’s career and his plans for the future. Some people in Poland can’t imagine life without speedway but there are countries where this sport is not so popular yet. One of these countries is France where speedway isn’t as relevant as our country, sports on the pitch or Longtrack are much more popular. Even these are not watched by a live crowd as much as in Poland. Because of this the media does not cover events in France and therefore talented French speed racers are not known about in the wider world. For example the French racers don’t have the opportunity to play for the Polish league. So I asked Mathieu Tresarrieu about his career, plans for the future and difficulties racers meet in countries like France, Italy or Argentina (where Speedway is becoming more popular because of media interest in future planned events and scandals in the sport but we’ll talk about that later). Alex: Tell me how your adventure into Speedway started with the sport not being popular in France? Mathieu: My interest started from my two older brothers who used to compete in grass track racing from a very early age. So this discipline is not strange to me but my first steps into speedway started in Marmande where I trained. When I first saw speedway in the Grand Prix I decided that is the sport for me. Exciting! Philipe Berge tried his strength in England, riding in the Isle of Wight and Peterborough. I think he was riding for a team from Rybnik if I remember correctly. After my brother Sebastian also tried his strength in the Isle of Wight and from that moment the doors started to open to Speedway for me. Then I had more opportunities to go and watch the racing on my summer holidays or time off. When I became 18 with my diplomas and passport in my pocket I decided to go to England to ride firstly in Reading in the Premier League and after that I tried my strength in Swindon riding in the Elite League. After I raced in Redcar for two years until I broke my leg competing in the Euro Championship Speedway on grass. I couldn’t ride for 1.5 years!! I came back properly to Peterborough in 2010 after one and a half year break, it was very hard to start from the same level but it was a good opportunity to start fighting again and that was the most important thing to me. In the last year I represented Leicester and then Ipswich but still I am looking for new places to be the best. Season 2011 was much better than 2010 after my injury time so I am thinking positive. Alex: From your time with Speedway has your life changed dramatically? Matthieu: No, to be honest is hasn’t changed at all because I’ve been riding from a young age so I’ve got used to this life. In my private life nothing has changed either, I can blend the two together perfectly. Alex: What, for you is the best advantage of being a Speedracer? Matthieu: Definitely just that I get to do what I love. Nothing is better than doing a job that gives you pleasure. Alex: In France, Speedway isn’t so popular, is it hard to engage your people? Matthieu: That’s true, Speedway isn’t so popular which is a pity. There are people that are interested. Also Promoters from grass races try to introduce Speedway to their audience. We have three places to ride, Lamothe-Landerron, Macon and Marmande. Maybe soon we will be able to promote the sport better so it can become more popular. Unfortunately grass sports like football take over at the moment especially in the South of France. Alex: So maybe that’s why it’s harder for sportsmen from France, Italy or Argentina to break into Polish clubs? Matthieu: Yes it is hard, especially for the Speedway racers in France. They don’t have the contacts in Poland to be noticed. It’s much easier to start a career in England and once you’re good enough Poland might notice you and then possibly you could be offered a contract but you have to be really successful in England to be noticed. Anyway I have enough people around me who will hopefully try to promote me in Poland. (With optimism). Alex: Do you have a favourite place? Your favourite tour, where you feel the best? Matthieu: To be honest I don’t have a favourite but I don’t like riding in Newcastle or Edinburgh. Alex: Do you follow the Grand Prix? Matthieu: Of course! That’s the biggest event, lots of good riding!

That's spot on Chris

Speedway Regulation 17.9.6 Where a Rider is declared in both a PL & NL Team, then if the NL Team pays a Loan Fee, the NL Team shall have first call on the Rider, otherwise the PL Team have priority, except that a PL Rider nominated for the NLRC must appear in the NLRC.

2011 is Nicki's first wild-card, and he was World Champion in three of the eight previous series.

In that case though it should (could) have been re-balloted regardless, the fact they were both in white is irrelevant.

Surely both Laguta and Sayfutdinov took the gate that was left (no pick) so could have simply swopped anyway without a re-ballot regardless of what gate position they had?

I guess it was fortunate that both Emil and Artem had last pick in the ballots or both draws would have had to be done again.

I hadn't spotted the three-way tie, in that instance the regs provide for riding-number order to decide the tie, not a ballot. EDIT: Sorry just seen R&R's post above EDIT 2: Just seen Dave's amended post

As far as I can see the original line-up was right. FIM Grand Prix Regulations http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/Codes_et_reglements/GPSpeedway_en.pdf Heat 21 is for riders finishing 1st, 4th, 6th & 7th, Laguta was 7th on countback Where have I gone wrong?

I wondered if these threads could all be merged into one - 'Names From The Past' perhaps?

Of course it does, I had forgotten that.

Was that the best GP debut since Martin Dugard?

A decent crowd, and some excellent racing that belied the score. Details courtesy of live updates site: King's Lynn Young Stars = 59 1. Ashley Birks (g) 2, 2*, 3 = 7+1 2. Oliver Rayson 1*, 3, 3, 2*, 0 = 9+2 3. Scott Campos 3, 1, 1*, 2* = 7+2 4. Jake Knight 1, T, 2, 3 = 6 5. James Cockle 3, 3, 2, 2, 2 = 12 6. Tom Stokes 2*, 1, 0, 0, 2* = 5+2 7. Lewis Kerr 3, 2*, 3, 2*, 3 = 13+2 MAX Belle Vue Colts = 34 1. Kyle Howarth 3, 2, 6^, 3, 3, 3 = 20 2. Karl Mason 0, 1, R, 1, 1 = 3 3. Adam McKinna 2, 0, 0, 1^, 1 = 4 4. Byron Bekker 0, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1 = 6 5. Jason Garrity R/R (KM 1, BB 1, KH 6^, AM 1 = 9) 6. Chris Widman 0, 0, 0, 0 = 0 7. Scott Richardson 1, R, 0, 0 = 1 Heat Results Heat 01: Howarth, Birks, Rayson, Mason. 3-3, 62.31 Line Up: Ashley Birks, Oliver Rayson, Kyle Howarth, Karl Mason Comments: KL win the toss and will choose in heat 15. BV take 1&3. Howarth FTG and a clear winner. Rayson gated last and chased Mason and passed him on the inside on the run to the finish. Sponsored by www.enjaydesigns.co.uk Heat 02: Kerr, Stokes, Richardson, Widman. 5-1, 8-4, 63.47 Line Up: Tom Stokes, Lewis Kerr, Chris Widman (off 15m), Scott Richardson Comments: Widman hit the tapes. He's going off 15m. Re-Run: Kerr away from the start. Richardson gates 2nd but Stokes all over him all race, finally getting past down the backstraight of the last lap. Widman well adrift. Sponsored by Steve Dixon www.stevedixonphotography.co.uk Heat 03: Campos, McKinna, Knight, Bekker. 4-2, 12-6, 63.78 Line Up: Scott Campos, Jake Knight, Adam McKinna, Byron Bekker Comments: Stars gate but McKinna always close. He manages to get past the inside of Knight bend 4 lap 3. Bekker locked up on lap 1 to effectively end his race. Sponsored by: www.speedway-games.co.uk Heat 04: Cockle, Kerr, Mason. Richardson (ret). 5-1, 17-7, 62.93 Line Up: James Cockle, Lewis Kerr, R/R - Karl Mason, Scott Richardson Comments: Stars again gate. Mason close early on but faded after a couple of laps. Scott retired last lap when well behind Sponsored by Friends of Edinburgh Speedway http://www.foes.info/ Heat 05: Kerr, Howarth, Campos. Mason (ret), Knight (Tapes). 4-2, 21-9, 62.53 Line Up: Scott Campos, Jake Knight Lewis Kerr, Kyle Howarth, Karl Mason Comments: Knight hit the tapes, Kerr in as a replacement. Re-Run: Kerr like a rocket from the start. Best meeting ever so far. Howarth could never really get close. Campos well behind in 3rd. Mason retired when last. Sponsored by Splod Heat 06: Rayson, Birks, Bekker, Widman. 5-1, 26-10, 62.88 Line Up: Ashley Birks, Oliver Rayson, R/R - Byron Bekker, Chris Widman Comments: Stars on fire from the start. Again the gate in front and Birks does a fantastic job to team rude Rayson home. He let Ratson pass on the outside and the blocked every move from Bekker. Sponsored by Heat 07: Cockle, Bekker, Stokes, McKinna. 4-2, 30-12, 61.41 Line Up: James Cockle, Tom Stokes, Adam McKinna (off 15m), Byron Bekker Comments: McKinna hit the tapes. He's going off of 15 metres. Re-Run: Stars gate again first but Bekker under him on the 2nd bend. All 4 pretty close though McKinna's challenge ended after coming out of bend 2 lap 3. Sponsored by Merlin Heat 08: Rayson, Kerr, Mason, Richardson. 5-1, 35-13, 62.59 Line Up: Oliver Rayson, Lewis Kerr, Karl Mason, Scott Richardson Comments: Guess what? Stars again gate! And they were well clear until Kerr lifted coming out of bend 2 lap 3 and hits the fence but somehow stays on, wobbles down the backstraight but regains control. He came back to the pits patting his heart lol Sponsored by Heat 09: HOWARTH, Knight, Campos, Widman. 3-6, 38-19, 63.29 Line Up: Scott Campos, Jake Knight, R/R - KYLE HOWARTH, Chris Widman Comments: Howarth takes a tactical ride. Howarth away from the start and well spread out after that. Widman did get close to Campos early on but fell away. Sponsored by inthedirt clothing - inthedirt.co.uk - facebook.com/inthedirt Heat 10: Birks, Rayson, Bekker, McKinna. 5-1, 43-20, 63.15 Line Up: Ashley Birks, Oliver Rayson, Adam McKinna, Byron Bekker Comments: Great race early on as Stars gate but Rayson & McKinna wheel to wheel for 2 laps. McKinna then went wide to let Bekker through but the Stars pulled away for a comfortable 5-1. Sponsored by Heat 11: Howarth, Cockle, Mason, Stokes. 2-4, 45-24, 63.00 Line Up: James Cockle, Tom Stokes, Kyle Howarth, Karl Mason Comments: Howarth away and flying to comfortably beat Cockle. The real race was for 3rd with Stokes all over Mason but just failing on the run to the line. Sponsored by Heat 12: Kerr, Campos, MCKINNA, Widman. 5-1, 50-25, 64.13 Line Up: Scott Campos, Lewis Kerr, ADAM MCKINNA, Chris Widman Comments: McKinna takes the Colts' second tactical ride of the night. Unstatisfactory start, all 4 back. Kerr gated and moved across to McKinna who in turn caught up with Campos. McKinna fell but up and ok. Just a tight first bend. Kerr wants his max! Re-Run: Kerr wasn't going to be denied. A determined start to again get across McKinna. Campos hugged the inside to emerge from bend 2 in 2nd. Pretty comfortable after that and Kerr is delighted to get his first ever max! Sponsored by Interval Heat 13: Howarth, Cockle, McKinna, Stokes. 2-4, 52-29 Line Up: Ashley Birks Tom Stokes, James Cockle, Kyle Howarth, R/R -Adam McKinna Comments: Birks isn't hurt so the texter isn't sure why he's been left out. Howarth quick away again and riding right out on the boards for a good win. Stokes not far behind McKinna, but never close enough to pass. Sponsored by Art and Stitch for all your sewing and art supplies www.artandstitch.co.uk Heat 14: Knight, Stokes, Bekker, Richardson. 5-1, 57-30 Line Up: Jake Knight, Tom Stokes, Byron Bekker, Scott Richardson Comments: Stars FTG and Stokes rode a great race to hold off Bekker who was all over him all race. Sponsored by Splod Ashley Birks has just been interviewed, he dislocated his shoulder on Sunday so he pulled out in pain. He won't ride tomorrow. The texter says a brilliant effort from a guest & I agree. Best wishes to him. Heat 15: Howarth, Cockle, Bekker, Rayson. 2-4, 59-34, 63.93 Line-up: James Cockle, Oliver Rayson, Kyle Howarth, Byron Bekker Comments: Stars take 2 & 4. Great race to finish the Young Stars' hone league programme. The impressive Howarty gated and was gone but there was never much between the other 3. Bekker under Cockle bend 2 but Cocke returned the favour on bend 3. Rayson then tried everything to get past Bekker but he just couldn't manage it. Cracking meeting, better than the score suggests. BV gave their all and Bekker & McKinna deserved more for their efforts. Howarty very good. Young Stars produced their best performance of the season. Kerr & Rayson both had their best meetings of the season, just a shame that's now the end of their home programme Read more: http://speedwayupdates.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Boston&action=display&thread=8671#ixzz1VzCZjZ7V

I'll be there :-)

Yes it's off

21.30

You've obviously never seen Eddie Kennett around Peterborough.......

THanks that's a relief How can the new silencer be blamed for that? Dudek turned left...

Headline from streaming site: Fatalna kraksa Pavlica. Zawiniły nowe tłumiki? Polish speaker please translate....

Just turned this on, what a pleasure to see a proper rider introduction. One of my pet hates is riders putting their helmets on so that the crowd can't see their faces when introduced. I guess it helps to have a crowd to intoduce to though... Two high-quality line-ups, is that what encourages the big crowds? (Or do the big crowds allow the classy line-ups?)

Would someone post the heat details please?

Mildenhall Fen Tigers management team admit they are growing "very frustrated" at the continuing delays in getting clearance for teenage Australian star Cameron Heeps to join the rest of the team. The club fought off a number of other sides to sign the 15 year old, rated as one of the best prospects from Down Under for years. After not making it for the start of the season, it had been hoped that Heeps would be here in time for Sunday's National League clash against Belle Vue Colts at West Row. But the paperwork needed for him to come to this country is taking far longer to complete than anyone expected. Mildenhall co promoter Michael Lee said, "We had hoped the Australian immigration people would have given us some idea of how much longer this is going to take to sort out. But unfortunately it doesn't work like that. So like Cameron, who just wants to come over and race, we have to sit and wait." "We do feel we now have to put a time limit on everything coming together, and if there is no positive news by the end of May we'll have to look at alternative options, which is the last thing any of us wants to do as it was a real coup to get Cameron for us and our supporters." Lee added, "Everything else is going brilliantly on and off the track and now we can't wait for Sunday's match against the Colts. We are expecting another big crowd as we try and keep our unbeaten start to the season going. If the match is anything like our opener against Dudley and the away match at King's Lynn, supporters will be in for another treat."

I was very disappointed with the official app yesterday evening. It was extremely slow to update and I didn't get the semis/final until this morning! Was I doing something wrong? I much prefer the original Snowfunk app!

Well done Jake, (joint) top scorer for the third consecutive meeting!

COURTESY OF SPEEDWAY UPDATES Scunthorpe Saints : 48 1. Paul Cooper 1',2,0,0 = 3+1 2. Adam Wrathall 2,1',2,1 = 6+1 3. Steve Worrall 3,1',3,3,3 = 13+1 4. Greg Blair 2',2,2',3 = 9+2 5. Ashley Birks 3,3,3,1,1 = 11 6. Stefan Nielsen Fx,0,1,2',1 = 4+1 7. Oliver Greenwood 1,1,0 = 2 Kings Lynn Young Stars : 42 1. Darren Mallett 3,3,2,3,2 = 13 2. Adam Lowe R/R (OR-0) (LK-0) (JC-1) (JK-0) = 1 3. Oliver Rayson 0,1,1',2',1 = 5+2 4. Lewis Kerr 0,2,3,0 = 5 5. James Cockle X,X,1,1,2',Fx = 4+1 6. Tom Stokes 2',0,0,0 = 2+1 7. Jake Knight 3,2,3,3,0,2 = 13 Heat Results Bronze Helmet Race: Mallett, Birks 57.78 Comments: Mallett wins by a mile. Heat 01: Mallett, Wrathall, Cooper, Rayson 3-3 (3-3) 57.59 Line Up: Cooper, Wrathall, Mallett, Lowe Rayson Comments: Saints off gates 1 & 3. Rayson takes R/R for Kings Lynn. Mallett flying. Sponsored by www.enjaydesigns.co.uk Heat 02: Knight, Stokes, Greenwood, Nielsen (Fx) 1-5 (4-8) 58.41 Line Up: Nielsen, Greenwood, Stokes, Knight Comments: Stopped. Both scorpions down! Nielsen excluded. Re-run no competition. Sponsored by Steve Dixon www.stevedixonphotography.co.uk Heat 03: Worrall, Blair, Rayson, Kerr 5-1 (9-9) 58.19 Line Up: Worrall, Blair, Rayson, Kerr Comments: Worrall down bend 3 lap 2 & excluded. Change of desicion it seems. All 4 back as it seems a bit of plastic on the track caused the crash. Re-run Rayson all over Blair for all 4 laps. Sponsored by: www.speedway-games.co.uk Heat 04: Birks, Knight, Greenwood 4-2 (13-11) 59.0 Line Up: Birks, Greenwood, Cockle, Knight Comments: Cockle excluded for exceeding 2 minutes, will go off 15m. Cockle packs in before hitting start line, all riders pass him onto lap 2 then he decides to race? Cockle black flagged. Sponsored by Friends of Edinburgh Speedway http://www.foes.info/ Heat 05: Mallett, Blair, Worrall, Kerr 3-3 (16-14) 58.19 Line Up: Worrall, Blair, Mallett, Lowe Kerr Comments: Kerr takes R/R for Kings Lynn. Great race for top spot. Mallett hit the front but chased hard by Blair and Worrall. Sponsored by Splod Heat 06: Knight, Cooper, Wrathall, Stokes 3-3 (19-17) 58.89 Line Up: Cooper, Wrathall, Cockle Knight, Stokes Comments: Cockle excluded for exceeding 2 minutes again, Knight replaces. Knight hits the front chased hard by Cooper and they collide lap 2 but both stay up and Cooper loses ground. Sponsored by Heat 07: Birks, Kerr, Rayson, Nielsen 3-3 (22-20) 58.62 Line Up: Birks, Nielsen, Rayson, Kerr Comments: Nielsen too wide bend 2 lap 1 then fell, remounted lap 2 bend 4. Otherwise from the gate. Sponsored by Merlin Heat 08: Knight, Wrathall, Cockle, Greenwood 2-4 (24-24) 58.50 Line Up: Wrathall, Greenwood, Lowe Cockle, Knight Comments: Cockle takes R/R for Kings Lynn. Greenwood fell remounted bend 1 lap 1. Cockle put Wrathall under pressure but Wrathall held off well. Sponsored by Heat 09: Worrall, Blair, Cockle, Stokes 5-1 (29-25) 57.91 Line Up: Worrall, Blair, Cockle, Stokes Comments: Cockle hit front but Worrall passed backstraight lap 1 then Blair passed outside bend 4 lap 2. Sponsored by inthedirt clothing - inthedirt.co.uk - facebook.com/inthedirt Heat 10: Kerr, Rayson, Wrathall, Cooper 1-5 (30-30) 58.84 Line Up: Cooper, Wrathall, Rayson, Kerr Comments: Cooper electric out the gate but too out of shape bend 2 and lost momentum. Wrathall lost out on second home straight last lap. Sponsored by Heat 11: Birks, Mallett, Nielsen, Knight 4-2 (34-32) 58.69 Line Up: Birks, Nielsen, Mallett, Lowe Knight Comments: Knight takes R/R for Kings Lynn. So close between Birks & Mallett. Birks led all race and just won on line. Sponsored by Heat 12: Worrall, Nielsen, Rayson, Stokes 5-1 (39-33) 58.93 Line Up: Worrall, Greenwood Nielsen, Rayson, Stokes Comments: Nielsen replaces Greenwood for Scunthorpe. Stopped. Unsatisfactory start, Nielsen fell but lights already on. All 4 back. Re-run Worrall & Nielsen swapped places occasionally but held off the stars duo well. Sponsored by Heat 13: Mallett, Cockle, Birks, Cooper 1-5 (40-38) 59.03 Line Up: Cooper, Birks, Mallett, Cockle Comments: From the gate but Birks close to passing Cockle on couple of occasions. Sponsored by Art and Stitch for all your sewing and art supplies www.artandstitch.co.uk Heat 14: Blair, Knight, Nielsen, Kerr 4-2 (44-40) 58.94 Line Up: Blair, Nielsen, Kerr, Knight Comments: Blair from last to second lap 2 then pushed hard for first and got it on line! *expletive* outstanding racing from him!!!!!!! Sponsored by Splod Heat 15: Worrall, Mallett, Birks, Cockle (Fx) 4-2 (48-42) 58.28 Line-up: Birks, Worrall, Mallett, Cockle Comments: Scunny on gates 2 & 4. Stopped. Cockle fell on his own accord first bend and is rightfully excluded. Re-run Worrall passed Mallett bend 4 lap 1 and was unstoppable. Sponsored by www.unofficialscorpion.co.uk - The History of Scunthorpe Speedway Read more: http://speedwayupdates.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=scunthorpe&action=display&thread=8000#ixzz1KZJpDZZH