spiderweb

I havent heard much about Joe Screen in recent years I know he is a great show man but will he be competitve ?

FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFIRMED FOR LINDDALES SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS SYDNEY – SEPTEMBER 19, 2007: The first international rider for this summer’s 2008 Linddales Labour Hire Australian Motorcycle Speedway Championships has been confirmed, in Englishman – Joe Screen. The 34-year-old former World Under-21 Champion is excited about a return to Australian racing in the five round Championship, which runs from December 29 in Mildura to the Grand Final on January 11 at the majestic Sydney Showground, Homebush Bay. “I love the bigger Aussie venues, they are great to race on,” said Screen upon confirming his participation. “I’m really excited about returning to Australia this off-season. When I was there previously with the International Speedway Masters Series, I had a great time and won a few meetings. This time around I’ll certainly be looking to dent some Aussie reputations.” Riding for the Belle Vue Aces Club in the British Elite League, Screen was second on that team’s averages card behind regular Australian visitor – Simon Stead – for season 2007. The showmanship he brings to speedway is well documented – with most Australian fans remembering Screen for wearing a race suit adorned with flying tassels in his previous visits. Screen says fans can expect more of the same entertainment in this five event visit. “I enjoy having a good time with my racing and putting on a show. I’m coming to Australia with a serious racing agenda, but also to enjoy the five events and catch up with friends I’ve made over my previous visits,” smiled the cheeky Englishman. “I’ve put the tassels at the back of the wardrobe, so they won’t be coming to Australia, but then again…” Series Co-ordinators, Power Productions, are happy to welcome Joe Screen aboard the Linddales Championships. “We’re delighted to have signed one of the world’s most exciting speedway riders and a true showman,” said a Power Productions spokesman. “Joe understands that pure riding talent isn’t enough to keep crowds entertained and that was a deciding factor when pulling together a list of riders to target for this campaign. “Another factor was he knows what to expect when coming to Australia. Quite an amount of time is spent traversing the country in oppressive conditions, which many foreign riders over the years have struggled with. Joe has the advantage of knowing what to expect as soon as he reaches Australian soil around Christmas.” Screen will arrive in Australia and head straight to Mildura for media commitments and a pre-event public forum with riders and team members competing in the Linddales Championships. The Englishman is the second rider to officially confirm his participation in this summer’s tournament, joining Redmond Motorsport’s Chris Holder – who recently finished second in the World Under-21 Speedway Championship in Poland. The full Championship calendar is as follows: Pre-Championship ‘Meet and Greet’: Mildura – December 28, 2007 Round 1: Olympic Park, Mildura, Vic – December 29, 2007 Round 2: Gillman Speedway, Adelaide, SA – January 2, 2008 Round 3: Borderline Speedway, Mount Gambier, SA – January 5, 2008 Round 4: Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow, NSW – January 9, 2008 Round 5: Sydney Showground, Homebush Bay, NSW – January 11, 2008 Gala Prizegiving Ceremony: Pacific International Hotel, Parramatta, NSW – January 13, 2008

No way will it be Leighs last year. Myself and BFD will have a word with him at the Aust Titles LOL. This season should have done him the world of good and its still not over yet!

Quote;Motorcycle speedway, normally referred to as Speedway, is a motorcycle sport that involves usually 4 and sometimes up to 6 riders, with no use of brakes of any form, competing over 4 laps of an oval circuit..... Hi Trackman Sure sounds like Smithfield to me ! Purpose built oval dirt surface. (The cows grazed on the infield.) 4-6 bikes no brakes Sidecars and Light cars as well. Most races conducted over 5 laps. More info here http://www.saspeedway.info/smithfield/smithfield.htm Any way would have been a ball basting around on a J model Harley !

I find the chain of events with the MCC of SA Fascinating, from North field a one mile track shortened to 600 yards then Thebarton which I class as the start of "speedway" (in SA at least). But because of the injury to the poor lad that impaled himself on the picket fence, at Thebarton the club decided short track speedway was to dangerous so they built Smithfield. If not for that maybe The MCCofSA would have been recognized as the start of "Speedway" But that would leave us nothing to talk about! Also Thebarton ran under lights a long time before JH did!

Yes ok Smithfield was a one mile dirt track although it was named the Smithfield Speedway! Ross maybe Thebarton 1923 quailfies Run by MCC of SA ? Just out of Interest and relating to the topic. What is the definition of "Speedway"?

Of course you are correct Ross. Smithfield Speedway in South Australia Ist meeting Oct 16th 1926. Run by the Motorcycle Club of South Australia.

Question too difficult? .... Try this one. "Vic Huxley, Dick Smythe, Frank Pearce, Arch Pritchard and Syd Bayley were all on the Davies Park programme on Saturday September 24, 1927. But it wasn’t the performances on the night of these riders that the 8,000 or so spectators present at the meeting wanted to talk about during the ensuing days".... Question.... " Who was they all talking about" ??? Jack Cloake and his 5 year old son http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm Click on we start them young. One for Tackman where and when was the first Club run speedway in the World? (until someone tells me different)

Anyone know if or when or where the qualiflying meeting for the Aust Titles is going to be held?

BFD I will be at Milly Gillman and Mt Gambier dont know about the last two yet as they may clash with some 3 wheeled racing. I am now team manager and sponser of a couple of up and coming lads! BFD and Lunchys road trip sounds a bit like Thema and louise LOL. Should plan for a night here at Murry Bridge on your way from Milly to Gillman. Beds provided of course.

Sorry I thought we were talking about the general press here, yes forums and web sites have been going flat out with the news.

The track was the same for every one,. I ttakes a true Champ to work it out and ride it to his advantage. Just like Bomber did He was prepared to take the risks and came out on top.

Fantastic I hope it give British speedway and the fans the boost it seems to need. What a great ride from Bomber flat out. As BFD would say he must have balls the size of bowling balls LOL Well done.

Could be wrong but nothing at all here in the land of OZ.

Anyone think that the SPG will ever become a Full time series for the riders Involved? If they expand the series with a couple of overseas rounds could it sustain riders just riding in the series full time? Most other forms of top line motor sport do this and the current situation with the riders in a couple of teams pluss the SGP must take its toll.

Neville Slee is an Aussie he is alive and well living in Adelaide.

What BFD your not going back o the old country ? Looks like we will have a mini invasion in Nov /Dec for the Sidecar Gold Cup. with 5 or 6 crews heading into Adelaide from the old country. You comming down for that Dave? I could be driving one of the crews up to Qld (pioneir Park Ary way thats almost home for you!

The Sad thing is Dave I understood every word in your last post! As I said God help the Poms! Book em all into the Royal arms in Port aAdelaide and you would #######edumakate them!

It is also rumoured that Big Fat Dave will be joining the tour as the token Aussie, God help them allLOL.

off topic but some info ; davo Good to hear that the old bikes are being well preserved, is the Birdwood Motor Museum in Murray Bridge, is there a website for the museum? Couldn't paste a link but if you type in Birwood National Motor Museum South Australia it should work not much on the bikes though. Birdwood is in the Adelaide hills about one hour fron Adelaide and about half an hour from Murray Bridge. Also across the road is Bill Mitchell's bikes and bits, worth a visit as bill has been in speedway quite a while. The authenticity of the bikes in the museum could be questioned, as the staff don't know any more details. But well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Just out of Interest yesterday I was looking at his "Adelaide" bike the one he rode at Wayville in the late 20s-30s A dirt track TT Duggie . Its parked next to Fay Talours Duggie in the Birdwood Motor Museum here in South Australia!

Interesting stuff Dave I remmber the Name but we got into Darwin 1983-4 season Lyndon Schlein was running the show but not riding Phil Mckay was the top dog in sidecars. I recall a Baxter in a wheel chair racing a F500? I wish the fellow well and hope his recovery is swift so he can continue his Need For Speed . Darwin: We drove up there in a battered old HQ wagon through flood and famine (no money) it took 6 weeks ! Arrived a week before the season started at the first practice the track had been washed out due to the late rains the cars went out but the local bikes did not. Myself being young and silly (oppossed to being old and silly now) thought we havent driven 2,000km to sit in the pits took our outfit out on to the track by now the pole line was dry but the high line was slush. We completed the 4 pracitce laps no problems then after the flag drifted high to slow down and went straight on into the wall! I abondoned ship before the bike hit the wall and wathced it end for end along the concrete ah well it gave us somthing to do untill the first meeting, one of many tall tales to come out of the Darwin trip it was only for 6 weeks ended up being 6 years then I had to leave in a hurry but thats another story! Have you found yourself a job yet? Cheers Rod

I went to night one Murray Bridge BFD but just speedcars not really my thing night two spent by the computor with a telephone hook up to Qld tryed to get onto this forum a few times but couldnt . should have been in Qld for the meet but "she who must be obeyed "put her foot down! Drinking in Darwin now theres a new concept! Personaly never touched the stuff! Oh poo I feel my nose growing again!