Great Central

Bryn, The Dragons Club fixtures are not on their website yet but the first two events are as follows: Venue: King's Lynn 3rd March Practice 14th April Race Event Martin Widman

I am almost certain that Jamie Pickard has retired since I saw that he was selling all of his workshop gear a few weeks ago. You don't do that if you are continuing in the sport. .

And more rain forecast tonight.

I will give them a call. They may need you now!!!

Weren't you teaming up with him so that you could share in his winning ways?

The STR Club are holding two practice sessions at King's Lynn on the 27th January, followed by the Club AGM, and the 24th February. Both sessions have a start time of 11.00am and are open to members and non-members. Booking must be done before the sessions by contacting Linda Taylor on 07875140019 or by email on linda.str@btinternet.com The first competition of the season will be the Pairs Championship plus Support Classes which will be held at Kings Lynn on Saturday 9th March starting at 1700.

Good response and I think that Soke need a good year result wise, and presentation wise. I was there a couple of times last year and the crowds were very poor despite some good racing by the teams on display.

I think that there is only Richard Andrews who fits that average exactly but I haven't seen him around lately so not sure what he is up to right now. Failing him, it is down to the 3 pointers: Ryan Daley, Danny Phillips, Tommy Fenwick, Conor Dwyer, Lee Geary, Jack Kingston are some that spring to mind.

Damn - I thought that he had gone away!! I will add him to the list.

I think that I have understood your post quite clearly - you said that if they were good enough, they would get a team place. Not true since there aren't enough places which Malcolm Vasey agreed with. Yes some of those riders can guest in the NL since they will be on the elusive "NL Emergency Riders " list which nobody has seen.

Builderbob - you clearly do not understand the averages that are in operation in the NL to make the statement that if they are good enough they will get a place. With only 8 teams, lots of riders are getting squeezed out. That includes many middle order riders who have often proved themselves but may need more experience and sometimes a little good fortune. These are some of the riders that are still without team places. Obviously some of them may not want a team place eg Jake Knight who has signed for Sheffield, and there is still Kent and Buxton to declare their full sides but not an insubstantial number sitting on the sidelines. The list doesn't include any on the Scunthorpe Amateur scene which I haven't witnessed this winter but I am sure that Richard Hollingsworth could at at least 10 to my list. Jake Knight David Mason Chris Widman Conor Dwyer Danno Verge Conor Coles Danny Warwick Conor Mountain Mark Baldock Liam Carr Ben Morley Scott Campos Lewis Rose Jack Kingston Adam McKinna Ryan Blacklock Charles Wright Benji Compton Josh Bailey Adam Portwood Sean Phillips Adam Kirby Martin Knuckey Adam Sheppard Nick Laurence Niall Strudwick Sam Woods Tom Woolley David Holt Freddie Owen Lee Geary

I agree that there is a long list of riders that still don't have team places and it will continue to be like that until the number of NL tracks is increased but that won't happen overnight, if at al, l in the current economic climate.

Don't be overly critical of Lee's rides at the back end of last season. Don't forget that most riders had been on track for many months getting used to the pace and the tracks, and the Lee then had to step in late on. It is not easy.

I can't see any "non - 3 point" riders being able to fit into your team with only 3.34 to work with so why not go with Lee Geary who came in at the end of last season and did a respectable job at such a late stage in the season. At least he will get to the start line without retiring and given a chance from the outset will probably show considerable improvement over last year.

PM me with your email address and I will send you a copy.

Malcolm, A very good reply and you hit the nail right on the head - not enough teams in the NL and I don't see an answer to that with the way the sport is structured in the UK. Martin

The comments below were taken from the Training Section on this forum: Dec 30th Jan 13th and 27th Feb 3rd and 17th. Then we are changing the track. We open again on the 3rd of March. So you will see that the weather is not affecting any plans since the improvements aren't until February. I could only make it to today's session for a short time but well done to Glyn and everyone who put in a lot of work to get the track rideable. It looked really good considering all the rain that we have had over the past few days. A huge thanks must go to the marshalls who braved the bitterly cold wind to ensure a safe training session.

Malcolm, Is this to restrict the number of doubling down opportunities to create places? And it is not just newcomers that need places - Stoke gave opportunities to 3 riders last year: Lee Geary, Liam Rumsey and Liam Carr and haven't given them places for 2013 and to date none of those have got a team place elsewhere. Martin

Many thanks.

Could this be translated into English please?

I think that it very much depends on where Charles goes in the PL next year. If he signs for Glasgow again, it may be folly to go without your No 1 in nearly every home match. I would doubt that Tom Stokes would leave KL but an interesting suggestion all the same.

When I spoke with his Dad at the Buxton Presentation evening, he said that Michael was going to concentrate on his college studies next year in order to get into engineering but yes he had made significant strides at the end of the season and looked a very different rider to the one that started the season with Buxton.

I can't be bothered with Facebook but it sounds like a very sorry picture down there in Plymouth. I feel for all those great supporters down in the far west who have a difficult choice. Either support Plymouth with all its problems or totally miss out on speedway since there is nowhere else to go.

Brilliant night in every way. Good venue centrally located, good food, disco, fantastic raffle prizes and a good guest in David Howe. Well done to all those who had a hand in organising the night. For a first attempt it was a very good evening and will take some beating next year. Well done to all those who turned up to pick up awards. Nice touch laying on the security for young Mark Anderson as he carried all that silverware to his car!!!