lucifer sam

HT, I hope I'll bump into you during the evening... as long as the weather forecast improves! All the best Rob

OXFORD CHEETAHS’ legend Arne Pander has died at the age of 83. The Dane rode for the Cheetahs between 1959 and 1968, and became the first World Class superstar to ride for the club. Born in Herning, Denmark in 1931, Pander won the Danish Championship in 1956 and 1958, before joining the Cheetahs in 1959. It was considered a risky signing, since Danish riders did not have any kind of pedigree at that time. He made a sensational debut for the club on Good Friday, March 27, 1959, dropping just a single point to the opposition, as the Cheetahs thrashed Coventry Bees by 53-37. By the end of the season, Pander had established himself as Oxford’s leading rider. Inspired by the Dane, who had the beating of all the world’s top riders, the Cheetahs were surprising National League contenders in 1960, before having to settle for third place in the table, behind the mighty duo of Wimbledon and Belle Vue (Manchester). Pander was just one stage away from reaching the 1961 World Final, when he suffered a fractured skull at Coventry on July 29, 1961. He scored a brilliant 15-point maximum for Oxford at Brandon (half the team’s total), but was then involved in an accident with Coventry ‘hard man’ Les Owen in the second half individual event. Pander survived the accident, and returned to action with Oxford in 1963, after 18 months out of the saddle. In 1964, new promoters Cyril Melville and Rodney Rycroft took over at Cowley. They brought in Ron How and Jimmy Gooch; these two, along with Pander, formed the heat-leader trio of the Cheetahs, who swept to a glorious treble, including the National League championship. 1965 saw the formation of the British League. Former rider Danny Dunton (who died earlier in 2015) became the promoter, after Melville & Rycroft left, leaving a trail of debt behind them. Pander, who was retained along with How and Gooch, had a brilliant season, ending the year with a string of maximums and registering a 10.03 average. Pander remained the leading light with the Cheetahs in 1966 and 1967, although his ’67 season was cut short with a broken leg. Further injures blighted him in 1968, and he left Oxford during the season. He rode for Poole later in 1968 and Halifax in 1969, but suffered further with injuries, which prompted his retirement. He made just a handful of appearances for the Pirates and Dukes, having spent the vast majority of his British career with the Cheetahs. Arne Pander is considered one of the very best speedway riders never to reach a World Final. A combination of injures, plus a dispute with the Danish authorities which led to him riding in his latter seasons under a British licence, prevented him from reaching the big night. Nevertheless, his place in the history of Oxford Speedway is assured. He joined Oxford in their third season of top-flight action, and became the first Cheetah who could consistently mix it with the biggest names of the sport, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs, Ronnie Moore and Peter Craven. Apart from 1960, 1964 and 1965, Pander often rode in poor Oxford teams, and ended up carrying the side in many meetings. Long-time Oxford supporter Cliff Peasley said: “Arne Pander was our first world class rider, who could beat anyone. If he hadn’t suffered that fractured skull at Coventry in 1961, I’m convinced he would have been World Champion. He was simply brilliant before that injury. He was still good enough after that to be our top rider. “The Swindon fans used to hate him, because every time we travelled to Wiltshire, he would return with a maximum. He was almost unbeatable around there when he was at his best. “We had some pretty poor teams at times, and sometimes Arne would score more than half of the team total. For ten years, he was Oxford Speedway. “When Hans Nielsen, another Dane, came along in the 1980s, he surpassed Arne as our greatest rider. But Arne was our very first superstar, and that will never change.” Pander’s latter years are largely undocumented, but he stayed in England, living around the Norfolk area. To Oxford Cheetahs’ fans, he will always remain a hero.

Cheers Iris, Morian Hansen had popped out of my head when I posted. Arne Pander was still Oxford's original Danish superstar - in fact, he was Oxford's first world class superstar, full stop. All the best Rob

RIP to Arne Pander, the original Great Dane, and one of the true superstars of Oxford Speedway. All the best Rob

Can't disagree with that team. All the best Rob

Yup, it always was going to be one hell of a tricky meeting today, especially after we had to go into the meeting with R/R, after the injuries to the potential guests for Josh. Once Ryan and Ben settle in, we should have a team which is scoring all the way down to the two reserve positions. All the best Rob

Ah I see, yet another one of his aliases. In any case, here's Dave Peet's views on today's meeting: http://scunthorpescorpions.co/?p=3434 All the best Rob

GrigorijLaguta13 isn't a fan, he's the forum wind-up merchant. All the best Rob

And last year's final? The one that really counts? To be fair, it's not a one-man team, because Bomber is 100% value in the World Cup. But it's certainly a two-man team. And there's no way we avoid picking the out-and-out best British rider for a very long time (probably since Peter Collins and Michael Lee). Woffinden is the automatic first name on the team sheet. All the best Rob

You don't half talk complete bollocks. All the best Rob

Youngy, I'm PM you - don't want to bore everyone else!!! All the best Rob

Confirmed as R/R for the Scorpions tomorrow. All the best Rob

Ash Birks was then being lined up as a guest, but he got injured at Edinburgh on Friday. Will speak to either Rob G or Dave P this evening, to check with what we're going with tomorrow. All the best Rob

1992 vs Swindon and Cradley Heath? All the best Rob

Result: Somerset 52 Scunny 38 All the best Rob

Officially, I think you'll find it's still Great Britain, just as it has been ever since 1960. Team GB is just used by the media and for promotional purposes. Here's one to get your head around TWK. Although referred to by press, riders and fans as England, the national team was still officially Great Britain between 1974 and 2000. Effectively the qualifying round of the World Team Cup determined who went on to represent Great Britain later in the competition. Australia had independence from the British ACU by the time they won the WTC in 1976. But New Zealand didn't have independence from the British ACU until around 1984 or 1985. So officially did Great Britain win the WTC in 1979 with a team of New Zealanders? All the best Rob

NEW LOOK SCORPIONS IN BANK HOLIDAY TESTER BOTH Ryan Douglas and Ben Wilson make their seasonal debuts for the FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance, in what looks a humdinger of a Premier League meeting against the Somerset Rebels at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm). There are 31 races of exhilarating action on offer in total, with the 15-heat Premier League encounter followed by a 16-heat National League Four Team Challenge between the Scunthorpe Stags, Halifax Dukes, Belle Vue Colts and Exeter Falcons. Douglas snapped the tendons in his knee in Australia during the winter, and therefore the missed the start of the season. His place was temporarily filled by Theo Pijper, although the Dutchman’s recent fine form (most notably a 15+1 return at Rye House), means he will be retained, and Douglas will replace the injured David Howe in the Scorpions’ line-up. Englishman Wilson will move into the reserve berth, in place of Ellis Perks, to form what looks like a very potent partnership with the ever-improving Nike Lunna. Douglas is in his third successive season for the Scorpions, while Wilson previously rode for the Scorpions in 2011, when he was a solid scorer and accumulated over 300 points for the club. Scunthorpe’s new line-up is: 1. Josh Auty (8.09) – currently injured with a broken hand and will be replaced by guests and rider replacement for up to six weeks 2. Theo Pijper (7.45) 3. Ryan Douglas (6.73) 4. Carl Wilkinson (5.64) 5. Alex Davies (6.35) 6. Ben Wilson (4.86) 7. Nike Lunna (3.00) Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey comments: “Our season starts afresh on Monday. We’ve had a torrid time recently, but the dual introduction of both Ryan Douglas and Ben Wilson can, and I believe will, transform our season. “Ryan has been practicing in Australia, and feels he is up to speed, although of course, it’s different racing in competitive meetings. “He’s due to fly into England at 1pm later this afternoon (Friday), so he won’t have to rush straight into his first meeting. He’ll be able to practice this weekend around the Eddie Wright Raceway, as will Ben Wilson. “Ryan has kicked on each season, and he will want to do the same this year. He will be pressing and competing for the No 1 spot at Scunthorpe, and that kind of competition is always healthy.” Godfrey sees Wilson as a key signing for the Scorpions. “Ben is starting the season late, but he had a whole couple of seasons out before he returned with Sheffield last season, so it’s like he’s only been out 10 minutes this time in comparison! “He is immaculately prepared, professional & sharp out of the gate, and he knows the best way around the Eddie Wright Raceway. “The bottom end of a team can often win or lose a meeting, and Ben’s introduction will considerably strengthen us in that era. Nike Lunna is improving all the time, and it won’t be long until we have the best reserve pairing in the league. “With Ryan and Ben coming in, things are looking up for us for the first time this season. It will be even better when Josh Auty returns from his hand injury.” Sheffield’s Andre Compton will guest for Auty on Monday. Godfrey comments: “Andre is in a fantastic vein of form, and he’s highly capable of scoring good points around here. “There’s so many other teams in action on Monday, I thought we’d struggle to get a decent guest. But we’ve landed on our feet in being able to book Andre. “Going forward, we’ll consider whether it’s preferable to use guests or rider replacement for our home meetings. But on Monday, we had to go for a guest, to give Ryan and Ben a chance to settle down into the team.” A cracker is on the cards. Clashes between Scunthorpe and Somerset, the two teams who contested the famous 2012 play-off final, always tend to be a bit special. “The Somerset Rebels have, as always, put together a potent side”, Godfrey adds. “But we really can’t afford to drop more home points. It’s our third daytime meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway this season, so the boys should know how to set up their bikes for this one. We need to finish the afternoon with the three points in the bag”, he concludes. Bank Holiday Monday’s adult admission price for the double-header is £17. It’s just £2 more than a single Premier League meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway, for 16 extra heats of action. A full and exciting afternoon of racing is ahead. DON’T MISS IT! Admission prices for Bank Holiday Monday: Adult: £17.00 Student/OAP: £15.00 Child (10 – 17): £5.00 Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £39 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for Bank Holiday Monday: FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance: 1. Andre Compton (guest for Josh Auty), 2. Theo Pijper, 3. Ryan Douglas, 4. Carl Wilkinson, 5. Alex Davies, 6. Ben Wilson, 7. Nike Lunna. Somerset Rebels: 1. Brady Kurtz, 2. Leigh Lanham, 3. Richie Worrall, 4. Charles Wright, 5. Josh Grajczonek, 6. Paul Starke, 7. Benji Compton. Teams for National League Four Team Challenge: Scunthorpe Stags: 1. Adam Extance, 2. Rob Shuttleworth, 3. Robert Parker, 4. Jamie Halder. Halifax Dukes: 1. Liam Carr, 2. Adam Kirby, 3. Paul Burnett, 4. David Speight. Belle Vue Colts: 1. Lee Payne, 2. David Holt, 3. Sam Ward, 4. Bradley Seal. Exeter Falcons: 1. Connor Coles, 2. Tom Bacon, 3. Tyler Govier, 4. Saul Bulley. Somerset Rebels at EWR Ave Ave Best Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance Benji Compton PL 18 44 35 9 3.18 4.00 6 + 2 from 5 rides (2008) Josh Grajczonek PL 10 36 64 3 7.11 7.44 11 from 5 rides (2009) Brady Kurtz PL 1 5 7 0 5.60 5.60 7 from 5 rides (2014) Leigh Lanham PL 10 48 76 8 6.33 7.00 14 from 5 rides (inc 4 pts T/R (2011)) Paul Starke PL 3 12 14 4 4.67 6.00 10 + 2 from 4 rides (2014) Richie Worrall PL 9 42 72 5 6.86 7.33 13 from 5 rides (2012) Charles Wright PL 7 30 32 4 4.27 4.80 11 + 1 from 6 rides (2014) Other Notes Benji Compton Former Scunthorpe Scorpion and Saint who has scored over 1000 points for the club. 2008 Conference League Riders' Champion. Member of Mildenhall's Conference League KO Cup Winning Team in 2003. Member of Scunthorpe's Conference League Championship, KO Cup, Trophy, Shield and Pairs Winning Teams in 2006. Member of Scunthorpe's Conference League Championship and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2007. Member of King's Lynn's Premier League Trophy Winning Team in 2007. Member of Poole's Elite League Championship Winning Team in 2014. Josh Grajczonek Queensland Under-16 Champion in 2004. Twice Queensland Under-21 Champion in 2007 and 2008. Six times Queensland State Champion in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Member of Glasgow's Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2011. Member of Somerset's Premier League Championship, KO Cup and PL Pairs Winning Teams in 2013. Member of Poole's Elite League Championship Winning Teams in 2013 and 2014. Recently named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Belle Vue for the 2015 Elite League season. Brady Kurtz Twice Australian Under-16 Champion (125cc) in 2010 and 2012. New South Wales Under-16 Champion in 2012. Twice New South Wales State Champion in 2013 and 2014. New South Wales Under-21 Champion in 2014. Member of Somerset's Premier League Fours and Premier Shield Winning Teams in 2014. Leigh Lanham 1997 British Under-21 Champion. Member of Exeter's Young Shield Winning Team in 1997. Member of Newport's Premier League KO Cup Winning Team in 2011. Paul Starke Member of Plymouth's Conference Trophy and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2008. Member of Plymouth's National Trophy Winning Team in 2009. Member of Newcastle's PL KO Cup Winning Team in 2012. Member of Dudley's NL Championship, KO Cup, National Shield and Fours Winning Teams in 2013. Member of Cradley's NL Championship, KO Cup, National Shield and Fours Winning Teams in 2014. Member of Somerset's Premier Shield Winning Team in 2014. Member of Poole's Elite Shield Winning Team in 2015. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Poole for the 2015 Elite League season. Richie Worrall Former Scunthorpe Saint. Member of Scunthorpe's National League Winning Team in 2011. Member of Newcastle's Premier Shield Winning Team in 2011. Member of Newcastle's Premier League Cup and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2012. Member of Newcastle's Premier League Cup and Premier Shield Winning Teams in 2013. Charles Wright Member of Workington's PL Fours and Young Shield Winning Teams in 2008. Member of Somerset's Premier League Championship and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2013. Member of Somerset's Premier League Fours and Premier Shield Winning Teams in 2014. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Swindon for the 2015 Elite League season. Somerset Rebels' Results at EWR 05 May 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Somerset 39 13 April 2009 PT L Scunthorpe 53 Somerset 40 05 June 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 47 Somerset 43 03 May 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 56 Somerset 40 02 October 2010 YS L Scunthorpe 70 Somerset 20 25 April 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 49 Somerset 41 04 September 2011 PL Ph 2 L Scunthorpe 49 Somerset 41 27 August 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 50 Somerset 40 29 October 2012 PL POF L Scunthorpe 48 Somerset 42 27 May 2013 PL W Scunthorpe 37 Somerset 56 13 April 2014 PL L Scunthorpe 46 Somerset 44 26 September 2014 PL POSF L Scunthorpe 46 Somerset 44 (stats by John Eyre) * The FluidAir Power Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance, also race at Somerset’s Oak Tree Arena tonight (Friday, 7.30pm) in Premier League action. The Scorpions’ line-up is: 1. Ben Barker (guest for Josh Auty), 2. Theo Pijper, 3. R/R for David Howe, 4. Carl Wilkinson, 5. Alex Davies, 6. Matt Williamson (NL guest for Ellis Perks), 7. Nike Lunna.

NEW LOOK SCORPIONS IN BANK HOLIDAY TESTER BOTH Ryan Douglas and Ben Wilson make their seasonal debuts for the FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance, in what looks a humdinger of a Premier League meeting against the Somerset Rebels at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm). There are 31 races of exhilarating action on offer in total, with the 15-heat Premier League encounter followed by a 16-heat National League Four Team Challenge between the Scunthorpe Stags, Halifax Dukes, Belle Vue Colts and Exeter Falcons. Douglas snapped the tendons in his knee in Australia during the winter, and therefore the missed the start of the season. His place was temporarily filled by Theo Pijper, although the Dutchman’s recent fine form (most notably a 15+1 return at Rye House), means he will be retained, and Douglas will replace the injured David Howe in the Scorpions’ line-up. Englishman Wilson will move into the reserve berth, in place of Ellis Perks, to form what looks like a very potent partnership with the ever-improving Nike Lunna. Douglas is in his third successive season for the Scorpions, while Wilson previously rode for the Scorpions in 2011, when he was a solid scorer and accumulated over 300 points for the club. Scunthorpe’s new line-up is: 1. Josh Auty (8.09) – currently injured with a broken hand and will be replaced by guests and rider replacement for up to six weeks 2. Theo Pijper (7.45) 3. Ryan Douglas (6.73) 4. Carl Wilkinson (5.64) 5. Alex Davies (6.35) 6. Ben Wilson (4.86) 7. Nike Lunna (3.00) Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey comments: “Our season starts afresh on Monday. We’ve had a torrid time recently, but the dual introduction of both Ryan Douglas and Ben Wilson can, and I believe will, transform our season. “Ryan has been practicing in Australia, and feels he is up to speed, although of course, it’s different racing in competitive meetings. “He’s due to fly into England at 1pm later this afternoon (Friday), so he won’t have to rush straight into his first meeting. He’ll be able to practice this weekend around the Eddie Wright Raceway, as will Ben Wilson. “Ryan has kicked on each season, and he will want to do the same this year. He will be pressing and competing for the No 1 spot at Scunthorpe, and that kind of competition is always healthy.” Godfrey sees Wilson as a key signing for the Scorpions. “Ben is starting the season late, but he had a whole couple of seasons out before he returned with Sheffield last season, so it’s like he’s only been out 10 minutes this time in comparison! “He is immaculately prepared, professional & sharp out of the gate, and he knows the best way around the Eddie Wright Raceway. “The bottom end of a team can often win or lose a meeting, and Ben’s introduction will considerably strengthen us in that era. Nike Lunna is improving all the time, and it won’t be long until we have the best reserve pairing in the league. “With Ryan and Ben coming in, things are looking up for us for the first time this season. It will be even better when Josh Auty returns from his hand injury.” Sheffield’s Andre Compton will guest for Auty on Monday. Godfrey comments: “Andre is in a fantastic vein of form, and he’s highly capable of scoring good points around here. “There’s so many other teams in action on Monday, I thought we’d struggle to get a decent guest. But we’ve landed on our feet in being able to book Andre. “Going forward, we’ll consider whether it’s preferable to use guests or rider replacement for our home meetings. But on Monday, we had to go for a guest, to give Ryan and Ben a chance to settle down into the team.” A cracker is on the cards. Clashes between Scunthorpe and Somerset, the two teams who contested the famous 2012 play-off final, always tend to be a bit special. “The Somerset Rebels have, as always, put together a potent side”, Godfrey adds. “But we really can’t afford to drop more home points. It’s our third daytime meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway this season, so the boys should know how to set up their bikes for this one. We need to finish the afternoon with the three points in the bag”, he concludes. Bank Holiday Monday’s adult admission price for the double-header is £17. It’s just £2 more than a single Premier League meeting at the Eddie Wright Raceway, for 16 extra heats of action. A full and exciting afternoon of racing is ahead. DON’T MISS IT! Admission prices for Bank Holiday Monday: Adult: £17.00 Student/OAP: £15.00 Child (10 – 17): £5.00 Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £39 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for Bank Holiday Monday: FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance: 1. Andre Compton (guest for Josh Auty), 2. Theo Pijper, 3. Ryan Douglas, 4. Carl Wilkinson, 5. Alex Davies, 6. Ben Wilson, 7. Nike Lunna. Somerset Rebels: 1. Brady Kurtz, 2. Leigh Lanham, 3. Richie Worrall, 4. Charles Wright, 5. Josh Grajczonek, 6. Paul Starke, 7. Benji Compton. Teams for National League Four Team Challenge: Scunthorpe Stags: 1. Adam Extance, 2. Rob Shuttleworth, 3. Robert Parker, 4. Jamie Halder. Halifax Dukes: 1. Liam Carr, 2. Adam Kirby, 3. Paul Burnett, 4. David Speight. Belle Vue Colts: 1. Lee Payne, 2. David Holt, 3. Sam Ward, 4. Bradley Seal. Exeter Falcons: 1. Connor Coles, 2. Tom Bacon, 3. Tyler Govier, 4. Saul Bulley. Somerset Rebels at EWR Ave Ave Best Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance Benji Compton PL 18 44 35 9 3.18 4.00 6 + 2 from 5 rides (2008) Josh Grajczonek PL 10 36 64 3 7.11 7.44 11 from 5 rides (2009) Brady Kurtz PL 1 5 7 0 5.60 5.60 7 from 5 rides (2014) Leigh Lanham PL 10 48 76 8 6.33 7.00 14 from 5 rides (inc 4 pts T/R (2011)) Paul Starke PL 3 12 14 4 4.67 6.00 10 + 2 from 4 rides (2014) Richie Worrall PL 9 42 72 5 6.86 7.33 13 from 5 rides (2012) Charles Wright PL 7 30 32 4 4.27 4.80 11 + 1 from 6 rides (2014) Other Notes Benji Compton Former Scunthorpe Scorpion and Saint who has scored over 1000 points for the club. 2008 Conference League Riders' Champion. Member of Mildenhall's Conference League KO Cup Winning Team in 2003. Member of Scunthorpe's Conference League Championship, KO Cup, Trophy, Shield and Pairs Winning Teams in 2006. Member of Scunthorpe's Conference League Championship and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2007. Member of King's Lynn's Premier League Trophy Winning Team in 2007. Member of Poole's Elite League Championship Winning Team in 2014. Josh Grajczonek Queensland Under-16 Champion in 2004. Twice Queensland Under-21 Champion in 2007 and 2008. Six times Queensland State Champion in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Member of Glasgow's Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2011. Member of Somerset's Premier League Championship, KO Cup and PL Pairs Winning Teams in 2013. Member of Poole's Elite League Championship Winning Teams in 2013 and 2014. Recently named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Belle Vue for the 2015 Elite League season. Brady Kurtz Twice Australian Under-16 Champion (125cc) in 2010 and 2012. New South Wales Under-16 Champion in 2012. Twice New South Wales State Champion in 2013 and 2014. New South Wales Under-21 Champion in 2014. Member of Somerset's Premier League Fours and Premier Shield Winning Teams in 2014. Leigh Lanham 1997 British Under-21 Champion. Member of Exeter's Young Shield Winning Team in 1997. Member of Newport's Premier League KO Cup Winning Team in 2011. Paul Starke Member of Plymouth's Conference Trophy and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2008. Member of Plymouth's National Trophy Winning Team in 2009. Member of Newcastle's PL KO Cup Winning Team in 2012. Member of Dudley's NL Championship, KO Cup, National Shield and Fours Winning Teams in 2013. Member of Cradley's NL Championship, KO Cup, National Shield and Fours Winning Teams in 2014. Member of Somerset's Premier Shield Winning Team in 2014. Member of Poole's Elite Shield Winning Team in 2015. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Poole for the 2015 Elite League season. Richie Worrall Former Scunthorpe Saint. Member of Scunthorpe's National League Winning Team in 2011. Member of Newcastle's Premier Shield Winning Team in 2011. Member of Newcastle's Premier League Cup and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2012. Member of Newcastle's Premier League Cup and Premier Shield Winning Teams in 2013. Charles Wright Member of Workington's PL Fours and Young Shield Winning Teams in 2008. Member of Somerset's Premier League Championship and KO Cup Winning Teams in 2013. Member of Somerset's Premier League Fours and Premier Shield Winning Teams in 2014. Named as a 'doubling-up' rider with Swindon for the 2015 Elite League season. Somerset Rebels' Results at EWR 05 May 2008 PL L Scunthorpe 51 Somerset 39 13 April 2009 PT L Scunthorpe 53 Somerset 40 05 June 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 47 Somerset 43 03 May 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 56 Somerset 40 02 October 2010 YS L Scunthorpe 70 Somerset 20 25 April 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 49 Somerset 41 04 September 2011 PL Ph 2 L Scunthorpe 49 Somerset 41 27 August 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 50 Somerset 40 29 October 2012 PL POF L Scunthorpe 48 Somerset 42 27 May 2013 PL W Scunthorpe 37 Somerset 56 13 April 2014 PL L Scunthorpe 46 Somerset 44 26 September 2014 PL POSF L Scunthorpe 46 Somerset 44 (stats by John Eyre) * The FluidAir Power Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance, also race at Somerset’s Oak Tree Arena tonight (Friday, 7.30pm) in Premier League action. The Scorpions’ line-up is: 1. Ben Barker (guest for Josh Auty), 2. Theo Pijper, 3. R/R for David Howe, 4. Carl Wilkinson, 5. Alex Davies, 6. Matt Williamson (NL guest for Ellis Perks), 7. Nike Lunna.

Great Britain is not a political entity. It's the name of the island. All the best Rob

Yup, I know that. You missed the point that political entities cannot enter the Olympics. It's old ground and been discussed on here several times before. All the best Rob

An Olympic team which represent a geographical region, not a political entity. Hence the team being called Great Britain & Northern Ireland. All the best Rob

The Olympic team is called "Great Britain & Northern Ireland".

Has Wackie had a sex change that we don't know about? All the best Rob

He isn't fit. Have a look at the updates for the Cradley meeting tonight. All the best Rob

SCORPIONS LOOK TO SHOOT DOWN ROCKETS FLUIDAIR POWER Scunthorpe Scorpions are looking to record their first Premier League win of the season, when they entertain the Rye House Rockets at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday evening (7.30pm). The Scorpions picked up a well-deserved draw at Rye House last Saturday, and looking to build on that result. Scunthorpe’s current record in the Premier League doesn’t make pleasant reading at first glance: Matches 4 Wins 0 Drawn 1 Lost 3 Points 3. However, three of those four meetings have been away from home, while the only two of those meetings that the Scorpions have left empty-handed have been the home-and-away clashes to reigning Premier League champions Edinburgh, who appear to have again put together a very strong side in 2015. Having dropped three points at home to the Monarchs, but having picked up three points away from home - one point from a narrow defeat at Berwick (44-46) and two points from the draw at Rye House (45-45) - the Scorpions are currently on parity. Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “We need to beat Rye House around the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday. “But we can’t afford to be complacent. It was a great performance to take a draw from Hoddesdon on Saturday, but Rye House are not going to roll over on Friday.” The Rockets include England international Edward Kennett at No 1, who scored an 18-point maximum on Saturday. Godfrey adds: “Edward Kennett is a class act, while we all know how well Anders Mellgren can go around our place. “But Alex Davies had a fantastic meeting at home to Edinburgh, and likewise Theo Pijper put in a great performance at Rye House. “We need Alex and Theo, along with Josh (Auty) and Wilko (Carl Wilkinson), to be in top form, because we’re a little exposed at reserve without Nike Lunna, who is one of the reserves at the Finnish Grand Prix this weekend. “It will be a great experience for Nike, rubbing shoulders with the best riders in the world, and I’m chuffed for him. “However, he is now on a 3.00 average, so we’re restricted on guests. We’ve gone for Rafal Konopka, who showed plenty of speed around here a few weeks ago for Redcar and scored paid six. It would have been more, but for a couple of falls, so we’ll get Rafal nicely settled down for Friday’s meeting and see how he goes.” Matt Williamson is again set to guest for Ellis Perks on Friday night, while the Scorpions will continue to use rider replacement for David Howe, who is still on the sidelines with a shoulder injury. Admission prices for Friday: Adult: £15.00 Student/OAP: £13.00 Child (10 – 17): £5.00 Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult) Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17) Match Programme: £1.00 Expected teams for Friday: FluidAir Power Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Theo Pijper, 3. Rider replacement for David Howe, 4. Carl Wilkinson, 5. Alex Davies, 6. Matt Williamson (guest), 7. Rafal Konopka (guest). Rye House Rockets: 1. Edward Kennett, 2. Rider replacement for Steve Boxall, 3. Anders Mellgren, 4. Robin Aspegren, 3. Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen, 6. Dan Greenwood, 7. Kasper Lykke Nielsen. Rye House Rockets at EWR Ave Ave Best Name Lge M R Pts BP (no BP) (w BP) Performance Robin Aspegren PL 5 18 28 5 6.22 7.33 11 + 1 from 6 rides (2012) Steve Boxall PL 2 8 5 0 2.50 2.50 3 from 4 rides (2009) Daniel Greenwood DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen DEBUT PL MEETING @ EWR Edward Kennett PL 1 5 9 1 7.20 8.00 12 + 1 from 5 rides (inc 6 pts T/R (2014)) Kasper Lykke Nielsen PL 3 18 16 5 3.56 4.67 7 + 3 from 6 rides (2013) Anders Mellgren PL 6 29 46 3 6.35 6.76 10 + 2 from 5 rides (2015) Other Notes Robin Aspegren Member of Newport's Premier League KO Cup Winning Team in 2011. Steve Boxall 2005 Conference League Riders' Champion. 2013 National League Riders' Champion. Member of Rye House's Premier Challenge Trophy Winning Team in 2012. Member of Rye House's Premier League Championship Winning Team in 2007. Member of Rye House's Premier League Championship and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2005. Member of Rye House's Conference League Fours Winning Team in 2003. Daniel Greenwood 2007 British Under-15 Champion. Member of Dudley's National League Championship, KO Cup and National League Shield Winning Teams in 2013. Member of Dudley's National League Shield Winning Team in 2012. Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen Rode in 1 Grand Prix meeting and has appeared in World Under-21 Finals. Riding in his debut British League season. Edward Kennett Twice British Under-21 Champion (2005 and 2007). Has ridden in 3 Grand Prix's and has represented Team GB in 7 World Cup meetings. Member of Rye House's Premier League Championship and Premier Trophy Winning Teams in 2005. Member of Coventry's Elite League Championship Winning Team in 2010. Member of Eastbourne's Elite League KO Cup Winning Team in 2008. Kasper Lykke Nielsen Member of Rye House's Premier Challenge Trophy Winning Team in 2012. Helped his Country reach the 2011 European Under-19 Team Championship. Anders Mellgren Named in the 2014 Scorpions line-up but, unfortunately was injured in only his second meeting for the club. Member of Rye House's Premier Challenge Trophy Winning Team in 2012. Member of Newport's Premier League KO Cup Winning Team in 2011. Rye House Rockets' Results at EWR 19 September 2008 PL W Scunthorpe 40 Rye House 53 17 April 2009 PT L Scunthorpe 52 Rye House 43 14 August 2009 PL L Scunthorpe 49 Rye House 41 16 October 2009 YS S/F L Scunthorpe 51 Rye House 42 04 July 2010 PL L Scunthorpe 55 Rye House 37 08 April 2011 PL L Scunthorpe 56 Rye House 38 07 September 2012 PL L Scunthorpe 58 Rye House 34 12 July 2013 PL L Scunthorpe 47 Rye House 46 18 July 2014 PL L Scunthorpe 60 Rye House 35 (stats by John Eyre) * The FluidAir Power Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance, are also involved in action north of the border at Glasgow on Sunday afternoon (3pm).