The H Man

Local press and Radio have reported that Stadia UK along with a leisure company have submitted plans to build a speedway/greyhound stadium along with leisure facilities including cinema on the land allocated after the closure of Smallmead. Stadia UK CEO appeared on Radio Berkshire confirming a planning application had been submitted as part of a tender process and a decision should be forthcoming next month!

Yep I agree A-Z much better idea, especially as several of the SS hacks are embedded in the backside of their team's promotion so give a totally disjointed prediction!

The track is about a mile from where I work, 12 miles from Reading, 8 miles from Basingstoke. It is on the main A340 opposite AWE Aldermaston, not near Greenham Common as some suggest. It is flanked by business units and a recycling centre. No housing in immediate vicinity, but, potential for localish residents to whinge I'm sure. It's certainly got much of the infrastructure required, a concrete oval track, pits area, small terracing with few seats and plenty of parking. I understand there is already planning permission for a dozen banger racing meetings and that the stadium owner has good relationship with local and parish councils. I know of one well known speedway party that have already met with the owners. My personal opinion is that the stadium would need to be upgraded as facilities very basic, but if someone is prepared to invest it could have good potential. I understand that a certificate of lawful use would have to be applied for where the venue is already licenced for motor sport.

Will Godfrey Spargo be bringing his good friend the former Reading Team Manager ivan Shears back into the fold. Shears is now based in Plymouth and the two used to room together on a lot of the Reading away tours when Spargo used to mentor Shears.

Pleased to hear the positive news - just checked on Edinburgh website, photo shows good number of fans in attendance, worryingly not one of them looks under 60!

With regards to Adam Ellis, his family have been friends with Phil Morris for many years and as many of you will know Adam and his family are based in France. Adam's focus was firmly on grasstrack/longtrack, but Phil encouraged him he should give speedway a crack and invited him over to Birmingham for his farewell meeting. Adam's progression on a speedway since that night in September 2011 has been stunning, so instead of having a pop about getting paid to travel round the country etc, how about giving the guy some credit for channelling a superb talent into British Speedway. If you speak to the up and coming Brits they will tell you Phil interest is to develop their abilities on a bike, not using his role to sign talent for the team he is involved with. Think there may be a little envy from some within the sport that Phil has the respect of these lads!

Yes all the best. Good luck to Godfrey, Peter,Seemond etc. Also would be great to see Plymouth resident Ivan Shears back involved in the sport.

Who forgot their boots then?

Yep I am told only four Russians at Kings Lynn for practice - what a shame as it could and should have a great 3 way tussle!

Phil Morris travelled out with Josh Bates so will get lowdown on the meeting later. Couple of falls obviously didn't help Josh cause. Be interesting to find out how useful Bradley the NZL lad is

Was he there for the speedway or to see Stacey Solomon? Jose

Just spoken to Phil Morris who is out there with lads Josh hit a massive hole causing the injury and jerran smashed up both bikes so was forced to retire from meeting. Not a good day at all for the Brits Best wishes to Josh for a speedy recovery Just seems to be injury after injury at the moment

I watched the Birmingham vs USA match last Thursday, and really enjoyed the racing, Castro and McConnell were all action plus Nicol and Burman had a good go as well. Ok the rest were off the pace, but I understand it's a tough transition from stateside to here for a lot of the guys plus their attitude towards their hosts and the fans was spot on before, during and after the meeting.

It would have been good to catch up Derek. Sorry I didn't see you. Enjoyable evening, Impressed how much Tim Webster has improved and what a show from fast Eddie All the best P

Match just finished my first visit to perry barr. Enjoyed the meeting. Crowd was ok about 450 I'd say. The young brummies were comfortable winners Tim Webster and Paul Starke both rode very well, looking fast and smooth. Including a last heat 5-1 over star of the show Eddie Castro Ben Reade looked very useful scoring paid 11 For the USA Eddie Castro was superb, what a shame we didn't see him over here regularly in his younger days. Won his first 4 before tiring in his last. Doug Nicol, Mad Dog McConnell were competitive with Mike Burman and Joey Holt on the pace at times. Sadly Terchila, Sonnier and Black were totally off the pace. Scores bulls 60 Hargreaves 9+1. Perry 7+2. Webster 13+1. Johnson 4+1. Stark 13. Reade 9+2. Ritchings 5+1 USA 35 Castro 16. Terchilla 0. Burman 3. Nicol 7 mcconnel 5+1. Sonnier 0. Holt 4. Black 0 Castro had a 6pt tr and Nicol a 4pt tr

I'm heading up to Brum with Big Phil Morris next Thursday for the meeting against the USA boys. Looking forward to seeing them in action and hopefully meeting some of the guys who work hard to put it all together.

You sure it wasn't channel 914 which distracted you Pove?

Can anyone out there confirm is there a restriction on the amount of meetings/days per week, track can be used. And when is planning in place for with regards to the facility? Cheers

That's bad news for James and the other riders concerned Jules. If there was any money left from the bond to pay the riders (which it appears there isn't from other posts) then my understanding from talking to riders who have this happen to them in the past is that you only get the standard point and travel rates.

Big blow to Welsh Speedway that the original Welsh Wizard Phil Morris retired last year and the self titled Welsh Wizard is returning this.

Phil Morris has taken on the role of coach along with experienced mechanic Neil Vatcher and former rider/engine tuner Graham Jones. I know Phil has spent a lot of time with the under 15 riders and also with the more experienced guys as well. Lets hope the hard work pays off at the Under 21 final on Sunday.

Visited the Walkabout in Cardiff after the GP on Saturday, had a big screen that you could text messages too in there. Some of the speedway related ones were very amusing, seems Mr Mallett jnr at Newport and Phil Bartlett at Weymouth are loved by their fans

Good idea Simon, last year I parked at High Cross station (near J27, M4) free parking and short train journey into Cardiff.

Ginger Phil was in deep conversation with Big Phil on Saturday evening, but I think Big Phil is too busy with his TV career at this time!!!

yes lets hope so!