PhilK

It is shaping up to be an excellent 2013 in the NL. After last years two team race things look much closer. The completed sides Mildenhall, Dudley & IOW all look pretty close to me, Stoke too if everything clicks for them. Kings Lynn look good so far with Mallett, Young, Kerr, Stokes and Hazelden already signed. Buxton if they added Wright, Grant, Blacklock and Carr would look decent, whilst Kent I would imagine may feature Boxall/Hawkins, Morley, Coles, Owen (if fit), Kingston. Coventry have signed some decent youngsters as well along with one of the most underated riders in the league in Joe Jacobs. I can see 5 or 6 teams all competing for the four play off places, Looking good

Welcome home Jon, Mildenhall legend!

You are always welcome mate, and fit in so well

Interesting new signing -- The Hitmen continue with their team building as they add newcomer Matt Williamson to their 2013 lineup. Williamson 20, is from Bury and has a racing background after competing in motorcross since he was 6 years old. He has won multiple youth championships in all of the classes riding for various manufacturers. His biggest achievements are winning the British Masters championship in 2010 and he was leading the championship again the following year before he was sidelined with an injury. This year he was placed 3rd in the British 2 stroke championship and was awarded with a place in the support race at the British round of the World Grand Prix where he finished second all of which was televised live. He also attracted the attention of Monster Energy who nominated him as the most impressive rider of the meeting (out of over 400 riders) winning an all expenses paid trip to Las Vegas in October. Williamson has decided to make the switch to speedway and despite numerous offers from other clubs has pledged his immediate future to the Hitmen. Hitmen boss Richard Moss said: “Matt’s dad contacted us asking for the chance of a team spot after recommendations from other riders. “We met up over the weekend and he had his first look at the Buxton track and a deal was quickly struck. “He has an impressive background in motocross and has attended some practice sessions where he has caught the eye of a few speedway promoters but we are pleased to welcome him to Buxton where we will do everything we can to help him progress.” Williamson added: “I have been interested in Speedway for a long time and after this season finished I decided to give it a try. “I seem to have taken to it straight away and have been impressing people with my speed in such a short period of time. “I believe in signing with Buxton that this is the start of what will hopefully be a very promising career as I feel I have a lot of potential and am willing to give it my all and do whatever it takes to succeed

Kev deserves a Happy Christmas after being called 'the' mate of the Northern shorts wearer Only joking Chris

That would be a fine line up imo. Although it would be great to see Bob Coles grand son in a Fen Tigers race jacket if he could be fitted in. Whoever lines up for Mildenhall though is good enough for me. We really shouldn't be too quick to forget the bad times of 2008 - 2010 (they were not that long ago), we are lucky to have such a well run club now and long may that remain.

Taken from the BSPA website - Rye House has announced that there will not be a Raiders team entered in the National League for 2013. Instead, the whole operation will move to Central Park Stadium, Sittingbourne, where the team of Rye House contracted riders will operate as "Kent". As Rye promoter Len Silver explains, "This is a better opportunity for far more meetings for our riders, who will make better progress as a result. We will still stage a few meetings with them at Hoddesdon during the season on dates when our senior team are racing away from home at Workington and Berwick. “It was always difficult to fit in all the league commitments, and this plan provides the best of both worlds, with our riders getting better training and not quite such a hectic programme at Hoddesdon." As previously announced, the opening meeting at Rye House in 2013 will be slightly later than in previous years, with Easter Monday (April 1st @ 2pm) named as the scheduled date. Ipswich will provide the Rockets’ opposition in an official Premier Trophy match. Please also find below additional information on the new Kent venture, which is contained in this separate release: Roger Cearns, who is the Chief Executive Officer at Central Park Stadium in Sittingbourne, Kent, and already responsible for the very successful Greyhound Racing operation there, has applied to the BSPA for a licence to run Speedway in his stadium. Although Roger has some personal history in the sport having been involved at Hackney during its latter years, he is being assisted in this new venture by Len Silver of Rye House. It is planned to run a team in the National League for 2013 operating on Monday evenings, with Bank Holiday Monday , May 6th, penciled in as the opening date. Apart from Bank Holidays (when meetings will start at 3pm), normal Mondays will see a 6.30pm start with a Council imposed curfew of 8.30. 20 meetings are scheduled for 2013. If the venture is reasonably successful, as expected, the probability is that the team, known as "Kent" will race two seasons at National League level and then apply to move into the Premier league. The track, currently under construction, will measure 264 meters, with wide corners to encourage plenty of passing manoeuvres. The stadium itself will be one of, if not the, finest in the sport with over 2000 seats plus a fine restaurant and corporate entertainment suites, and licenced bars and fast food outlets in addition. All spectators will have a superb view of the racing from high level accommodation. Initially the riders for the team will come from those at Rye House and the Raiders will not be league members for 2013. However, a number of National League standard matches will remain part of the Rye House programme, albeit less than in the past. Roger is delighted to be back involved in the sport and commented, "My family has a long tradition in Speedway and was very much involved with stadium building in the early days, particularly in London. This project at Sittingbourne has taken many years to get off the ground and it is very gratifying that we are at last under way. I am pleased to have Len (Silver) alongside to help me and I am very confident that together we can make it a success." The team name "Kent" will dictates that the team logo will be a red rampant horse which is the Kent County emblem. No nickname has been decided and the public will be asked to submit their ideas with a prize for the person selecting the name chosen. Some of the names suggested so far have been Spitfires, Hurricanes, Invicta, Crusaders (the old Canterbury title), Bishops and Pilgrims. All have Kent connections and persons wishing to enter the competition should send their entries to "Speedway", Central Park Stadium, Church Rd., Sittingbourne, ME10 3SB. This is also the address for those interested in becoming track staff.

Good luck to Lewis at Dudley, he has been excellent for Mildenhall over the last two seasons.

Great thet this news is finally out! Good luck to this venture, certainly hope to make a couple of visits during 2013

Personally I'd be shocked if Joe doesn't sign as well for 2013. I agree with Adz thinking that they may not want two riders doubling up full time, which to me is pretty sound thinking. The key for me will be Nathans recovery from injury, at the time of his crash his average was already moving towards six points and I got the feeling it wasn't stopping there. A fit Nathan could easily double his average plus more and be heading towards the third heat leader berth by the business end of next season. He really was very impressive home and away, his TR ride at Dudley being just one example of this lads talent.

I'd be surprised to if 40 is the agreed limit for 2013 Mr Mungo, as like you I am sure I heard it was going to be lowered a little 38 - 38.5 seems a more likely figure so with that in mind 1. Nielsen 8.32 2. Bates 5.30 3. Kerr 6.67 4. Coles 4.20 5. Jacobs 7.94 6. Stoneman 3.00 7. Bailey, Terry- Daley, an other 3.00 I wonder if Lewis will be considered as there would be a likelihood of a similair scenario as this year if he returns to his PL club. Danny I fear may be the unlucky one who misses out PS - not trying to sign other teams riders, just a bit of close season fun

Mike . what time are you planning on leaving, I can text you a weather update as you need it! I have your number mate. As for the office, you can either enter via the pits in front of the bar, or go up into the viewing area at the end of the bar, go down the steps to where the toilets are and you should be able to get through to the office below the stairs By the way its dry and windy at the moment in Mildenhall, a real wrap up warm night!! No rain all day with a drying wind, fingers crossed it stays that way until about 10pm tonight

Is there a new date for this or is that not a possibility?

I think alot depends on what happens above - in the PL. A ruling of at least four British riders including both reserve positions would be a good start, providing positions for the many exciting young talents in the NL to progress into. Sort out doubling up and down so British riders are not disadvantaged. Then a reduction in the points limit would work for me, maybe 37.5 - 38? I don't think you need to limit the number of riders above a certain average to be honest, let teams decide how they line up, after all if your want two big hitters you are not going to have a lot for the other five riders. 10 teams plus, would be brilliant, then we could have the League season plus Play Offs, and the KOC, and do away with the National Trophy. I know plenty will disagree but you dont need to be riding the same teams up to four times a season in my opinion. Ensure the Cut-Off date is met, say Mid September, then have the finals completed by the first week in October, we dont want a situation like we have had this season. The last three weeks can be for Individuals, end of season challenges etc if clubs want to run them. Although at times things dont seem right with the NL for me it provides excellent entertainment, and I hope it flourishes. After a fine U16 Championship this season, there are good kids coming through, they just need somewhere to move up to, and the NL is the perfect vehicle, this year we have seem Bates, Stoneman, Clegg, Phillips, Carr, Ellis, Neale, Coles, Verge, Graver etc all get their chance with the likes of Greaves, Bailey, Govier, etc following just behind. Good news about Coventry joining the NL, just need two or three more teams to join and none to leave now!

Quality post Mike, the voice of reason

Does anyone know Dudleys line up for tonight yet?

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh To answer your question Greyhoundp about the weather, it will be 5 degrees colder than anywhere else and Halifaxtiger won't be crazy enough to wear his shorts. I think that says it all Just to confirm prices - From the BSPA website - Kings Lynn press release Gates at the Norfolk Arena will open at 6:30pm with action getting underway from 7:30pm. Admission Prices: Adults £12, Concessions £11, Kids 15 & Under £FREE. Souvenir Programme £2.50

- IMPORTANT UPDATE PLEASE NOTE - The 2nd leg of the Play Off Final between Mildenhall and Dudley will now be held tomorrow Wednesday 24th October at Kings Lynn, with a 7.30 start. Unfortunately the Mildenhall track is unrideable and there are no other available dates to the promotion. Can you please spread this amongst any speedway friends you know who do not have internet access

You have summed up the two teams very well I feel. The R/R situation is a big issue for me, and although you wouldn't want to put alot of pressure on one so young, Josh Bates will have a great say in how Mildenhall do on Tuesday evening. With the likelihood of him taking 2 R/R rides and one of Terry-Daley's you could be looking at 14 rides for the youngster across two meetings. I do feel that the 28 points lead should be enough for Mildenhall in the KOC Final, but I would have liked this to be the first match, it is a smart move from the Dudley promotion to make this the second match. As for the PO Final 1st leg, if we can keep this around 10-12 I would think it has been a decent effort. Two very interesting matches await on Tuesday for sure

Stoke v Mildenhall - Saturday 20th October Stoke v IoW - A new date has been arranged but I forget what Malcolm told me , too busy concentrating on my chips

From the Mildenhall press release yesterday - ' The BSPA have given clearance for Mildenhall Fen Tigers to continue to use their teenage star Josh Bates in their line-up until the end of the season' That covers it I would say.

And Stoke greyhoundp, don't forget the National Trophy

Mildenhall Press Release - BATES CLEARED TO RIDE The BSPA have given clearance for Mildenhall Fen Tigers to continue to use their teenage star Josh Bates in their line-up until the end of the season. The 16-year-old made a sensational return from injury, scoring a superb paid 12 as the Fen Tigers beat Dudley Heathens 61-33 in the first leg of the NLKOC Final last Sunday, to take a massive 28 point lead into the second leg at Monmore Green next week. Dudley then questioned Bates eligibility to ride, saying he could not be re-declared in the Mildenhall line-up. But having look at all the evidence the BSPA management committee threw out the Heathens' protest and upheld Mildenhall's right to put Bates back in their 1-7. "I am pleased with the verdict as we have maintained all along that we did nothing wrong and had the proof that we had done everything by the book," said co-promoter Michael Lee. "To be honest I am more thrilled for Josh than anyone else. He's been worrying about this all week, and when I rang him to tell him he was okay to carry on he was over the moon. "Like Dudley, we now want to put this matter to rest and concentrate on what should be a cracking cup final second leg on Tuesday night." Meanwhile Mildenhall have also confirmed that next Friday's (19th October) meeting at West Row, will now be a star-studded individual meeting. Lee explained, "If we do make it to the Grand Final, Dudley are unable to come to Suffolk that night. "As they finished top of the table, they have the right to choose if their leg will be the first or second. Chris Van Straaten has told me today they want the first leg to be at Monmore Green, which is his prerogative, and we fully respect that." Lee continued, "It does mean though, if, and it is still a big if, we get to the Grand Final, the only date left in October that the stadium owners at Mildenhall have available is Wednesday 31st October. "Obviously if that was rained off, we would have a big problem. So if we do reach the Final, we are now seriously looking at staging our leg at another venue. We have already discussed this with the team and their reaction was 'bring it on!' If the league title is at stake we are happy to race anywhere!" Lee finished, "As far as next Friday is concerned, we are still aiming to keep our promise of a big night of racing. The top riders in the league are all keen to race. We'll spend the next couple of days looking at meeting formats and announce the full details at our National Trophy match against Stoke on Sunday. If the Isle of Wight do beat us in the play-offs, we want to make sure our season finale is a special one."

Can always rely on you !

Coming over for this one tonight with three other Mildenhall fans, should be a good close meeting! Alot will depend on Connnor Coles, who I am looking forward to see ride for the first time. It sounds from reports that he has alot of his grandfathers (Mildenhall legend Bob Coles) spirit! If he takes to the track I can see Rye House just sneaking it.