Conkers

It's the "Night of Speedway" at Neustadt/Dosse, Germany on Saturday night - 17th December. It's an indoor track on an equestrian arena, and it's become quite a good meeting by all accounts. It's promoted by SpeedEvent, who used to promote the Master Of Spike Ice meeting, until the track owners decided they didn't want Ice Racing at their arena anymore. This is the third staging of the event, and the line is: 1 Stephan Katt 2 Mattias Nilsson 3 Jordan Jurczynski 4 Eric Andersson 5 Christian Hefenbrock 6 Rene van Weele 7 Tobias Busch 8 Enrico Janoschka 9 Ricky Kling 10 Krzystof Pecyna 11 Christian Hülshorst 12 Kevin Wölbert 13 Tomas Suchanek 14 Peppi Rudolph 15 Tero Aarnio 16 Klaus Jakobsen They will also have a sidecar event, and a Junior Speedway Event. Sidecars: 1 Team Matthijssen 2 Bornfleth Brothers 3 Team Wierenga 4 Team Zirbes 5 Team Friskovec 6 Team Wölk More details HERE

Great news that Bauer is getting fitter. Perhaps a couple of Wild card spots in the Golden Spike may break him in gently, provided he doesn't try any wheelies in practice anymore!

Nice result for Klabo there, if only he could replicate this form as the season goes on. He could be a real spoiler as he has no fear of the Russian tactics. Better result for Antti Aakko too, whilst Posa just keeps on going.

Methinks that the "loss" of the bikes on the train in Russia is more of the Russian Mind Games, in an effort to unsettle the forign riders. Watching Aakko in Berlin and Assen last year - his bikes were on a par with the Russians, and they had to gang up to slow him down. Put him or borrowed gear and it will never be as good as his own stuff.

The other four swedes now in the Santa Cup are: P-A Lindström, Jämtlands MK Hans-Olov Olsén, Jämtlands MK Peter Koij, SMK Hedemora Tomas Ekström, SMK Gävle The first of the Wild cards have been announced too - there appears to be three and not two as originally stated. Wild cards Bollnäs 29 dec: Tobias Åström, Bollnäs MK Stefan Hedström, Bollnäs MK Tommy Flyktman, Finland

Bert, ring Ron Shaw at Euro Rider, book on his excellent trip to Assen, see Graham Halsall ride on the Friday Night, then watch the World Championship Final rounds on Saturday and Sunday. Make sure you stand on the back straight as close to the fence as is permissible and prepare to be amazed!!!! (Oh and you can buy me a pint as I'm in the same Hotel as Ron's trip on the Friday and Saturday!!)

I know he's been out for a couple of seasons, but not a good start for a rider hailed as "the Most exiting rider ever," ten years ago.

The riders have been announced for the 2005 Santa Cup on the MK BOLLNAS Site Swedish riders Posa Serenius, ÖMK Rundbana Stefan Svensson, ÖMK Rundbana, Torleif Burman, Funbo MS Tommy Björklin, Bollnäs MK (4 more to be nominated + 2 wild cards/event) The European riders Franky Zorn, Austria (winner Santa Cup 2004) Robert Eibl, Germany (winner Santa Cup 2003) Markus Skabraut, Austria Harald Simon, Austria Marian Kreklau, Germany Antti Aakko, Finland Antonin Klatovsky, Czech Republic Jan Klatovsky, Czech Republic Johnny Tuinstra, Holland Réné Stellingwerf, Holland Venues: 27.12.05 Östersund Motorstadion 28.12.05 Gävle Motorstadion 29.12.05 Bollnäs Eriknäsbo Motorstadion 30.12.05 Hedemora Hökboet Motorstadion Franky Zorn was unbeaten in all his races last year, whilst Eibl found his true form in the cup the previous year after several so-so seasons. A nice opener to the Ice Racing season

Schedule for the Assen Ice racing Weekend: (from the Assen site) TIME SCHEDULE Thursday 9 March 19.00 hrs Practice Golden Spike/Roelof Thijs Cup Friday 10 March 9.00 hrs Practice WC 19.00 hs 20 Heats Golden Spike/Roelof Thijs Cup Saturday 11 March 18.35 hrs Parade 19.00 hrs 24 Heats WC Sunday 12 March 13.35 hrs Parade 14.00 hrs 24 Heats WC If you are going and can get to the Friday meeting - it is a great meeting to watch, as some of the riders have more enthusiasm than skill, which makes for some really hairy racing!

The Golden Spike Riders will wear the same numbers for all the rounds (as per the GP Series) It also looks like there will be an Under 21 competition with five riders. Not much info on this, unless someone can translate the page? Information from the Erfurt Site 1 Antonin Klatovsky CZ 2 Robert Eibl D 3 Johnny Tuinstra NL 4 Stefan Pletschacher D 5 Markus Skabraut A 6 Martin Leitner A 7 Stefan Svensson S 8 Tommy Flyktman SF 9 Jan Klatovsky Cz 10 Heinz Göldi CH 11 Thomas Cavigelli CH 12 René Stellingwerf NL 13 Claude Gadeyne F 14 Graham Halsall GB 15 Wild Card 16 Wild Card 17 Reserve 18 Reserve Junior Riders (U-21) Hans Weber, D Anton Weber, D Mario Schwaiger, A Simon Gartmann, CH Sven Holstein, NL

From: Inspeed.de Golden Spike Riders 2006: Sweden: - Stefan Svensson - Tommy Flyktman Germany: - Robert Eibl - Stefan Pletschacher Czech Rep: - Antonin Klatovsky - Jan Klatovsky France: - Claude Gadeyne Austria: - Markus Skabraut - Martin Leitner Great Britain: - Graham Halsall Switzerland: - Heinz Goldi - Tomas Cavigelli Netherlands: - Johnny Tuinstra - Rene Stellingwerf Golden Spike series: 7.1 St.Johann im Pongau 8.1 Weißenbach 20/21.1 Flims(+Swiss championship) 28/29.1 Divisov(+Czech championship) 10.3 Assen 25/26.3 Erfurt The 14 riders above will contest the whole series plus there will be 2 Wild cards (from any nation) at each round, plus 2 reserves. I said this last time, but I do think that should any of the above riders qualify for the World championships, then they should be allowed to drop out of the tournament. I'm sure you remember that Bauer suffered injury at the GS Practice in Assen which has put him out for 2006 and he isn't expected to return until 2007.

Judging by Graham Halsalls lengthy conversation with me about the ACU last year (in Assen), regarding the ACU's failure to support the Brits in the Golden Spike and the European Championship, giving these lads an ACU licence would go down like a lead balloon. Mind you, we may just have a British Ice World Champion if we did Intersting to see the line ups in another thread - I see Stefan Svensson is back in the World Championship in the first round in Austria, whilst Posa is in the Finnish first round. Obviously the Finns want the Swedes to put bums on seats. With Antti Aakko a possibility, they will want a big crowd that will cover the costs of the staging. No doubt Franky Zorn will ride in the opening round at Saalfalden (big draw) with one eye on the Inzell semi (another big crowd) to get to the Finals. And with only two weekends in the championship, he needs to break his Russian jinx. Team Final also looks more interesting with the Swiss being nominated. With that at the end of the season, maybe Team Europa may not make up the numbers this year

Interesting that Tschatschin should ride. Also, I've heard a little about the Akimenko brothers - seems they are a lot like the Khomitsevich and Ivanovs in that they are spectacular but reckless! Bring them on!!!

This is a press release from the USA regarding a fundraising event. Quite a good idea really: LONG BEACH, California - An historic gathering of America's past World Champions in the sport of Speedway motorcycle racing will take place here on Sunday, January 29, aboard the historic RMS Queen Mary ocean liner. The Inaugural Team USA Speedway Testimonial will feature a lavish brunch and Honoree Ceremony recognizing the six American Speedway greats who have won Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) individual world championships, followed by a memorabilia auction to benefit Team USA Speedway's 2006 efforts in FIM World Championships. Since the FIM World Speedway Championship was created in 1936, five American riders - the late Jack Milne ('37), Bruce Penhall (1981-82), Sam Ermolenko ('93), Billy Hamill ('96) and Greg Hancock ('97) -- have captured the sport's top prize - and in 1983 Shaun Moran became America's only FIM Long Track Champion. All of the Speedway champions will attend the event, and the machine on which Jack Milne became America's first-ever world motorcycling champion will be displayed in memory of the pioneer of American motorcycle sport who passed away in 1995 at age 88. This is thought to be the first time that all of the surviving American Speedway World Champions will make a joint appearance, and the occasion will be marked by production of a limited-edition group portrait. The champions will pose for the photo with Milne's 1937 championship machine and will autograph 125 numbered prints that will be offered for sale to Speedway enthusiasts and memorabilia collectors. No other prints of the photo will be authorized and all digital images from the photo shoot will be destroyed after the exclusive, one-time run of 125 prints has been produced Jack Milne's historic machine is being provided by Gary and Sandy Hicks of Riverside, California. Mrs. Hicks is Milne's niece and the daughter of the late Cordy Milne, who was also a Speedway racing star and whose racing achievements included four US National Championships. Noted motorsports announcers Terry "Ike" Clanton and Bruce Flanders, both fixtures on the Speedway racing scene, will donate their services for the 2006 Team USA Speedway Testimonial. Flanders will be Master of Ceremonies for the Honoree Ceremony and Clanton will be the lead auctioneer. "We're confident that the Speedway racing community will want to be on hand for this unique gathering of champions and to support Team USA Speedway," said event organizer Bill Amick, who serves as Team USA Speedway Manager. "From our announcers to Jack Milne's family and from our great champions to a cast of special guests that we'll announce soon, people are showing tremendous generosity and commitment to Team USA Speedway. "The signed and numbered portraits are sure to become collector's items," Amick added, "and they represent just a portion of the great items that will be up for bid in the memorabilia auction. American teams have won five FIM Team World Championships and three FIM Best Pairs titles, the most recent in 1998. Those championships have since been consolidated into a single event, the FIM Speedway World Cup, which America has yet to capture. Team USA bowed out of the 2005 competition in the first round, missing a transfer by a single position. Proceeds from the 2006 Team USA Speedway Testimonial will be used to defray the cost of participation in the 2006 FIM Speedway World Cup and also to assist individual American entries in the FIM World Junior Speedway Championships and Speedway Grand Prix Qualifiers. The Team USA Speedway Testimonial event offers a wide range of sponsorship opportunities to companies involved in Speedway racing, and enthusiast sponsorship packages will also be available. A private welcome dinner for the event's honorees and sponsors will be held on Saturday evening, and Sunday's Honoree Brunch and AMA-sanctioned memorabilia auction will be open to the public. "We have a long tradition of success in FIM Track Racing championships and we're pleased to lend support to AMA's Team USA Speedway and join the Speedway community in honoring our past world champions," said American Motorcyclist Association President Robert Rasor, who also serves as Vice President of the FIM. "Enthusiasts can really make a difference for Team USA Speedway by attending the testimonial activities on January 29, donating items for the memorabilia auction and purchasing the limited-edition portraits." Enthusiasts and collectors who are interested in more information about the 2006 Team USA Speedway Testimonial, about providing auction items, or about attending the auction as buyers are asked to contact Heartland Media & Events by phone at (740) 397-1647 or email to teamusaspeedway@yahoo.com. News updates will also be posted at www.HeartlandMedia.info

If you look at the map on your Hotels site, then where the two Grey Roads cross is the Stadium, and I'm sure icanicant was staying in the area where you are last year as he said it was about 20 minutes walk away. If you send me an e-mail, I can scan in the relevant section of the Berlin map for you to give you a better idea.

If you are staying at the Winters Hotel in Wilmersdorf, then you are a 5 minute walk from the track across the footbridge. Nice hotel, I stayed there last year, but the bar is a bit pricey, and there isn't much around it in terms of Restraunts/Bars but there is a McDonalds (if you are really desperate) about 15 minutes walk away

Depending on where you are staying, then there is an S-Bahn (Surburban Trains) station at Hohenzollerndamm, about 100mtrs from the Stadium, and quite near to the main entrance. Or if you catch the U-Bahn (Underground) then get off at Heidleberger Platz and walk up to Winters Hotel, then use the footbridge to get to the back of the Stadium, and then walk up to the entrance, about a 10 minute walk. I bought a map a couple of years ago that I would recommend, the Michelin Berlin Map (No.33) which has a good street map and an S-Bahn/U-Bahn map in colour. Try and get tickets for the first and second bends or the back straight if you can, as there are some areas that are a bit far away from the track. Also, it only has cover on the home straight so packing an umbrella may prove useful as the rest of the Stadium is open. It is a good track though with tightish bends that make for good racing, although it is worth standing a few steps up the terracing as there is a walled Ice Rink in the centre which can obstruct the view. Still thinking whether I can get there again in 06, as I'm at Assen, and once the Individual Championship is over, the Team Championship has no real interest outside the Speedway press, and whom I rely on for cost covering! As for the Germans having a competitive side, well without Bauer, I think Eibl, Kreklau and Nikulin will make up the side, but unless a miracle happens, I can't see them on the rostrum this year.

Spoke to Roger Newton the other night. The Brits are off to train in Sweden from 20th November, and there are five riders going - Graham Halsall, Mark Uzzell, Roger, Rob (sorry can't remember his surname) and Robs mate (can you fill in the blanks Shazzybird?). From what I can gather the GB places on the WC have been reduced as there is a French Rider this season, and there is only one confirmed place for the Brits in the Golden Spike, although there are two wildcard spots for each round which means that there is a chance they could all get a GS Ride.. Interesting that there are three Russians (albeit on German licenecs) nominated by the DMV. Tschatshin looked interesting last year in Assen, but will Nikulin be able to recapture his form? As for Bodnarenko is he any relation to Anatoli Bondarenko (World Champion 1979/80)

So, that's me, Pammie and Midnight Lady going - who else will be in Assen? (I know Wolfslayer and friends will be in Berlin for the team Final)

If you are planning a trip to Assen for 2006 then the tickets are now available ON THIS LINK Grandstand tickets always sell out quickly and bear in mind the World Championship will be decided at this meeting. There are also tickets for Friday's Golden Spike /Roloef Thijs Bokaal meeting where you can see the up and comers for the bargain seat price of €10!!!! (Or you can stand for €5 - where can you see great racing over here for less than £4?) FRIDAY 10th MARCH 2006 - INTERNATIONAL RACE • Stands (all places) à € 10,-- • Standing place à € 5,-- • Standing place children under 12 à € 2,-- SATURDAY 11th MARCH 2006 - WC FINAL • Grandstand A à € 27,-- • Stand B (2nd bend)à € 27,-- • Standing place à € 19,-- • Standing place children under 12 à € 5,-- SUNDAY 12th MARCH 2006 - WC FINAL • Grandstand A à € 27,-- • Stand B (2nd bend) à € 27,-- • Standing place à € 19,-- • Standing place children under 12 à € 5,-- Please note that they don't take Credit Cards on this site, but they do ask for your Bank Account Details to use BACS Transfer. Standing tickets can be bought on the relevent days and the main bar under the Grandstand is open to all, so if you have never been - try to get there. You won't regret it!

You can get a train from Schipol direct to Assen, but you need to book your accomodation now, as it is selling out fast! You could stay at either Groningen (north) or Hoogeveen (south), which are about 20 - 30 minutes away by road although I do believe you can get a train from both to Assen. The Stadium is about 20 minutes walk from the station. The problem is the Friday & Saturday Racing finishes around 9.30 - 10pm and I don't know the times of the last train. Sunday isn't a problem as the Racing finishes around 4.30pm The VVV could find you a B&B in Assen HERE but it is all in Dutch. If you ring them, I've found that they speak English and can advise you. DGT _ Are they both two day meetings or is it a two day break in between? Thanks for the Santa Cup Dates though!

Interesting that the Russians should drop a weekend of racing, but then again, the Swedish WC Qualifying round seems to have disappeared this year too. Coupled with the confirmation that Bauer is out for 2006 and will manage the Blue Beru team, looks like the curtailed Ice season could signal a downturn in the sport. Mind you it looks like Assen have been "punished" for their Golden spike "dissent" last season, and haven't got the final round. Is Thomas Shifner behind the Erfurt meeting again this year by any chance? I had the following dates too: 15/1: World Championship QR 1) Kuusankoski, SF; 2) Saalfelden, A. 4 & 5/2 : World Championship Semi Finals: 1) Krasnagorsk, Rus 2) Inzell, D. 25 & 26/2: GP1 & 2, Saransk, Russia 11 & 12/3: GP3 & 4, Assen, NL 18 & 19/3: World Team Championship, Berlin Wilmersdorf, D. The European Championship Dates are yet to be set, but do any of our Swedish friends know if there is a Santa Cup this year, and have the dates?

AFAIK Champion is still promoted by Jason, but the ownership of the venue site is in some dispute. I was told all about it last year when I stayed with one of the Riders in NY, but it's too complicated to go into here. If someone wanted to promote Speedway at Champion, then Jason may only be to pleased to let them. Action Park East has been up for sale for two years. In 2005, Dave Richards and Donovan Dorsey promoted the Speedway there, but the word is that Jason may have sold up and a new owner may not have plans for Speedway. However both venues have had more comebacks than Lazarus As for Batavia, Jason will continue to promote there. Bear in mind that Jason has invested close to half a million dollars in three tracks for little return, and back biting from some of the fans have diminished his enthusiasm for the sport somewhat. He lives in Rochester, which is a 3hour drive from the Southern Tier of NY where Owego and Greene are. Batavia is on his doorstep, so why put up with the hassle when you can make a fresh start down the road? Mind you, some of the East Coast backbiting makes the disputes on this forum quite mild by comparison!

Jason is the promoter at Batavia Speedway, NY; Champion Speedway NY; owner of Action Park East Speedway, NY; sponsor of amongst others Josh Larson, Chris Manchester, Jeremy Parsons, Tom Sephton, Gene Bonsignore (His Dad) and rides as #64a on the NY Speedway Scene. He is the official Jawa importer for NY, and also imports most of the Speedway parts to the East Coast. He runs the JBR Speedway team (mostly his sponsored riders) He is also a talented Ice Hockey Player and plays Hockey to keep his East Coast Speedway interests alive. (He's also a mate of mine - but saying that would be simply showing off!) Does that qualify his inclusion in the BSF?

I don't have the results but there are pics HERE