Dickie Head

Cradley fans please spread the word. Barry Bishop’s Virtual Skid project next airs on Thursday 16 July and features the Heathens going wheel to wheel against the Coventry Bees from the 90’s. Each Heat is sponsored (as are the team managers Garry Stead and Adam Roynon). The Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund will be the sponsorship recipients. Additional donations are being taken. Don’t forget the SRBF text line is now open for you to be able to donate £5 - its quick and easy and you will be supporting a great cause. Text SRBF to 70085 or SRBFNOINFO to 70085 if you do not want any marketing updates. Here is the legal bit.... Text SRBF to 70085 to donate £5 Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £5 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SRBFNOINFO to 70085. If you haven’t tried Virtual Skid yet, search Speedway Portal and follow the links to one of the five meetings that have already been screened.

Details here: https://speedwaygpmerchandise.com/

New 2020 SGP merchandise now available: https://speedwaygpmerchandise.com/

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Anyone else having a problem accessing this in Excel?

Have you sampled Barry Bishop’s new initiative called Virtual Skid? If not, then this Thursday at 6 pm either via the VS Facebook page or via YouTube, the Isle of Wight Warriors take on the Eagles in a 15 heat meeting where the action is taken from the many meetings between the sides at the Smallbrook Stadium. Eagles have a strong record of good results on the Island so a virtual away win looks very likely. The initiative got a good report in a recent Speedway Star, Barry explains the format at the outset so why not give it a go. The first couple of VS meetings have ended up with last heat deciders and the whole thing last just over an hour.

Just listened to the Ward, Watt and Holder conversation aired after their video last night. Interesting to hear from Holder that his visa situation has been resolved, he is now living in Ferndown (near Poole / Bournemouth) with a new partner and is planning to base himself in Poland shortly and continue at Toruń in Lge 1.

I’m amazed that this week’s Speedway Star has no mention of the Dirt Bike weekend at Kings Lynn and even more disappointing is the total lack of recognition given to the guys who cycled from Mildenhall to Kings Lynn in support of the late Danny Ayres. The Star have really themselves down and I hope they see fit to rectify these shortcomings this week.

Leek would have known his financial position when he signed so unless a backer(s) has pulled out his action is very poor. Bet he didn’t even think about going over to the Island and do some hard yards visiting local businesses. Also leaves a gap in the under 21 qualifier that won’t be easy to fill. Warriors will now have to call on their connections to find a number 7 up to 3.10.............think former Islander Tom Young might fit but after that who knows.

Taken from British Speedway website: The club have also confirmed David Wallinger has joined their National Trophy line-up, as initial plans to include Leon Flint are not possible under the regulations. Wallinger joins Josh Embleton and Archie Freeman as announced starters for the Gems. And this from the Diamonds website: Firstly, Newcastle Speedway are very disappointed that Leon Flint will not be able to line up for them in the National Trophy this season after a decision by the BSPA means that the youngster couldn’t line up for Newcastle in that competition and also ride for another club in the National League itself. Any thoughts?

Perhaps the four clubs agreed a swop, and I can understand the geographical logic if that was the reason, but still very odd / wrong that no public announcement was made and an official draw was amended after it had been made.

Now Campos is confirmed for 2020. Two places to fill and 10.46 left. Connor King deserves another season so that would leave about 6.5 for 1 more. Expect that will be Danno Verge so it would be bye bye to Chris Widman.

Warriors website says Connor Coles is their first signing for 2020.

So does this mean Danny Ayres will miss out on a NL slot anywhere in 2020?

Given that they ran at a loss last year, riders wage demands may hold the key to who and who doesn’t get a team spot.

Is Todd Kurtz a possibility for 2020?

Congratulations Warriors. BSPA ‘Most Improved Club 2019’ in the National League and also the WRSA Community Club of the year again. Best wishes for a positive outcome at Tuesday’s AGM.

Championship application rejected at BSPA AGM. No clear reason at this stage. Guess that means another season in the NL.

Anyone know anything about Wright and Mudgway being fined for comments made over the PA?

According to Andrew Moon (Twitter) of Radio Solent, Pirates applying for the Championship in 2020.

Will either side have to change their riding order as we are now into October and I guess new averages will be in place?

What was the race time of the final at the British GP please.

So as the end of the season approaches, are we bidding farewell to the NL? With Stoke departed, Plymouth looking to move up and rumours that Cradley, Leicester Cubs and Belle Vue Colts are ‘doubtful’ for 2020, what happens if those scenarios actually play out. Obviously a 3 team league is impractical. Perhaps Rye House and Buxton and others could return but what is the realistic future for Kent, Mildenhall and IOW? May be Kent and Mildenhall could be induced in to a step up but I would fear for the Island’s ability to finance higher costs without a big increase in attendances or significant additional sponsorship. I Wish I had some answers.

OK let’s get this going. Assuming weather doesn’t create problems I’ll go for a Somerset win on Wednesday by six with Tigers going through on aggregate on Friday. Don’t think tactical substitute can be used at this stage as it’s a two legged tie.

Rumour doing the rounds here in Cambridgeshire this morning is that Porsing and KL have had some kind of falling out and he won’t be riding tomorrow.