Great Central

Jayne, Last year when the subject of Australians came up, it was stated that Australian riders could only ride in the NDL if they had a British passport like your young Aussies or if they had patriality, a word I hate, since it is so vague and really has no meaning within an English dictionary. Now you are saying something about a "youth mobility visa". For interest only, where are these rules written down - in the SCB Rulebook or does the NDL have a set of its own rules. In Tyson's case, the youth mobility visa doesn't apply due to his age, and persons holding this visa must not be employed as professional sportsmen. Having read the rules one could argue if a speedway rider is employed or self employed etc but he is under 18 and cannot have a visa. The rules also state that a rider holding a FMN licence cannot ride in the NL. Don't Australian licences fall into this category. Perhaps instead of writing on here quizzing you, a letter to the SCB is in order. Martin Widman

It looks like Christina has given you the wrong score. It should be 48-41 not 49-41 since there was a 5-0 in Heat 2. Keep up the great work of posting scores from all over the world and for keeping them so up to date. It is a fantastic website.

Richard, Keep up the good work on the diary and it is good to see you planning ahead for 2010. No excuse for fixture clashes!! Looks like Rye House have changed most of their 2009 Sunday dates to Saturday now. 7/11, 14/11, 21/11, 28/11, 5/12 and 12/12. Sunday 1st November stays the same. I think that Newport are running every Sunday from the 1st November but can't find confirmation of that fact. Martin

It reflects the state of British speedway but don't get me started again. In 2004/2005 we had up to 25 riders wanting to ride in each round and seeding/selection had to be used to get down to 16. Amateur championships are suffering as well so it isn't just the U15's. Birmingham had to cancel their Academy League fixture against Belle Vue last Wednesday due to a lack of riders. BSPA/SCB wake up to the reality please!!! Well done to those riders that did make the effort to travel to a super little track.

Here we see the good and the bad with forums. I don't know what happened on the day, and I am really not bothered as long as lessons are learned from it, but here we have Adam's Mum trying her best for her son, involved in an incident and trying to publically thank all of the people who helped Adam in this important meeting when she and Mark were not there. And then we have the other objectionable side with people who seem to think it is good to poke fun at a young lad and his mother. Please believe me, whatever is written on here is read by a lot of people, and can be very upsetting to those on whom these jibes are targetted. This is the time for moderators to step in when it gets so personal. Hope that all those who were involved in incidents are ok, and ready for the next round. Keep up the good work. Martin Widman

Malcolm, You have indeed made me feel quite honoured that my concern about my lack of British youngsters even warrants a comment from the great man himself. Only joking Malcolm. You know my views fully, and you and I do share that passion to see youngsters develop, with you actually being able to do more about it than me. This latest initiative has to be welcomed but it really is only half the story. There has to be a concerted effort by all promoters to run an organised programmed second half which runs every week with the exception of accidents/bad weather. I can only speak from experience, so apologies to any promoters that I don't mention due to lack of knowledege only, but Boston/Kings Lynn, Rye House and Scunthorpe fall into the category of running a full session come what may. Scunthorpe have shown that you can run 30 heats in under 3 hours so there is no excuse for any promoter not to run a second half even with curfews. That will generate more interest from youngsters and the latest initiatives about free admission for children is most welcome. Now get them to stop behind and see their mates, older kids riding and we may pull in a few more potential riders. I note that Neil 777 commented that Dan Greenwood retired for personal reasons and he may know more of his circumstances than me but I know one of the complaints that his Dad had was driving to second halfs only to be told that they had run out of time, or just running one race. Malcolm, you were and still are appreciative of the time and money spent by parents, friends etc driving for second halfs and the least you could offer was proper racing. If only more thought like you. I'm rambling and people will think I am a member of your fan club, but going back to the initiative from the BSPA, it has to be followed up by on going support. It is not easy for a rider to get organised for two or three meetings per week, and even more so if they have a job or are at school, but what about the parents, helpers friends juggling this with a full time job. What do the riders need to do to get fit, keep fit, keep the machinery up to scratch and keep motivated on the long drives between meetings. How do they get their form back when the going gets tough - who is there to help them? How many meetings should they do to avoid being burnt out at 15 or sixteen. This is the type of help that is needed to halt the drop out rate that has existed but let's not knock the latest offering from the BSPA. Finally, to anyone wishing to read this, please do not take any comments I make about the lack of British youngsters as criticism of the riders on display at the U15, STR, Dragons meetings or second halfs since they all deserve praise and support. There are some good riders coming through but my point is that there should be more than there are. Martin Widman

What a wake up call for the BSPA/SCB or whoever owns the development of riders in the UK? This isn't a dig at any of the young riders that are taking place in the series but if anyone wished to assess the prospects for British speedway in the future, the lack of riders competing in the premier event for U15 riders tells the tale and has to spur on a development programme to bring on more riders. We have some good riders coming through but judging by past history, a 50 to 60% drop out rate at this level is not unusual and will mean that teams in the future will be struggling for BRITISH riders. We can't allow the likes of Dan Greenwood to drop out after he became U15 champion without putting up a fight to keep him going. I am actually sick of reading about yet another Australian prospect landing on our shores, and everyone raving about his performance. Let's start raving about British riders but don't kick them in the teeth when they suddenly start to slow on development eg Josh Auty last year. Lets give them the support they need through coaching and general support on how to manage the business of becoming a top class professional speedway rider. Come on BSPA put in the development programme which gives continued support to the youngsters and don't just leave it up to the likes of Scunthorpe and one or two others to do your work for you. Do it now before it is too late.

I was feeling quite depressed about the state of British youth speedway when I saw the line up for this round, and no, that wasn't because of who was riding, but the numbers of riders who had entered. Having seen the results, the lads did really well, and there were clearly some stunning performances. British speedway now needs to build on this base to increase both the numbers of riders riding in this championship, but also to give guidance, tuition, where needed, and generally to put them in a programme of support for the next few years. Who could do that? I'm not sure who that would be, but it needs to happen, both for all of the 500c riders but equally for the 250 cc riders who are our longer term future riders. A system has to be devised to look after them so that they become the riders who will get us a World Champion and World Team Championship, and this is where the BSPA now has to step up to the mark to allocate the resources. Well done to all the riders for putting on a good show, and to all the tracks who are supporting this series.

This is excellent news and is reminiscent of the early Chamionship series run by Peter Oakes. Well done, and a big thanks to all the promoters who have committed to running a round of the Championship, and a series containing this number of rounds, sends out a message that British speeedway is taking youth speedway seriously. It shouldn't stop there however, since the sport needs to retain the riders, not let them go like a previous U15 Champion, namely Dan Greenwood. Best of luck to all competitors and please support it well - no excuse this year for not knowing when the rounds are. One final plea to riders, parents etc - just because you haven't made the grade at say 17, don't give up, there is still time!!! Martin Widman

No George isn't riding at the moment. Apparently he has just started college and is giving speedway a miss to concentrate on his education. Not sure if that is permanent or not. Agree that he was a good rider, and an excellent prospect for the future but took that bad injury at Sheffield.

Nathan, Not sure if there is a post code for the stadium since it is out in the wilds, but if you go on the BSPA web site, and then go to the Buxton web site, there are directions to the stadium. From the SW, take the M6 to Stoke, then to Leek and then the A53 would be my way, but the locals may know a better route for you. Enjoy the day, and if the weather is fine, there probably isn't a more spectacular track in the country.

Nathan, Just look at the thread that Scunny Stag set up on "Training Days". He does keep it updated when he gets the information. As far as I know it is the most accurate picture of what is going on and where.

Yes indeed some wishful thinking there. Apologies.

Is it any wonder that the kids and their fathers give up when you see this saga of miscommunication, lack of communication etc. I have to say that when Peter Oakes ran the championship, we knew well in advance what round we were doing, and when apart from when riders dropped out at the last minute. Apart from the Camarthen round, assuming my memory is correct, no contribution was made to the riders then, even though we were travelling up to Edinburgh and down to Weymouth, but then fuel wasn't the £1.22 per gallon it is now. I feel sorry for the few promoters who have stuck out trying to promote this competition against "perceived" falling interest from the BSPA. At least the likes of Weymouth and Buxton etc can't be accused of doing nothing. This is a competition that must not be allowed to die, and I thing the suggestion of making it U16's is a positive step forward.

Hopefully all the riders were informed before he/she went on holiday. Best of luck to all riders and let us hope for good weather on the night.

Steve, Thanks for the update about George. I was only recently looking at the programmes from the U15 championships in 2004/2005 thinking what has happened to all the riders not riding now and now we have one answer. I saw the crash at Kings Lynn and it wasn't nice. It is especially tough to get back into speedway when the lads have stopped riding, get good jobs and suddenly have money to spend on themselves instead of the bikes and equipment.. Why not come and join us in the STR next year - all meetings on Sundays, good racing, friendly atmosphere, plenty of advice available and a good confidence booster. Give George our best wishes. Martin and Chris

Richard, It may be worth adding Reading to your list as they are running every Sunday now. 10am -3pm but you need to book by ringing Pete Seaton on 07711529189. Details also on Reading website. Great little training track which looks like it is under threat from development so this year could be the last. I sincerely hope not. Martin

Richard, It is an open practice. Start time is 12 and it runs until 4pm. Contact is Dave Tattum on 07789 028 003. I would add it to your thread in case somebody wants a practise, instead of racing at Scunthorpe.

Vince, I can only agree with you. A good piece of work from Richard. Richard, this is long overdue and something which should benefit everyone. It may even prevent clashes of fixtures - how often in the past has there been a dearth of events only to find three on the same day!! I think Stoke have a practice on the 4th May which clashes with the Amateur meeting at Scunthorpe.

And that is the nub of the problem - where are these riders and why are there not more of them. This has to be resolved, or we can say goodbye to British riders in Britsih speedway. Sorry to be dramatic but I can see there aren't the riders on the training tracks coming through.

Phil, Whilst I have no involvment in the U15's anymore, I do have an interest in seeing the young speedway riders develop because they are the future of Britsih Speedway. I don't entirely agree with all of your comments but you do make some valid points so I will just add a few points trying not to add to the slanging match that this thread seems to be developing into.. When my son Chris first registered an interest in the U15 championship, I think there were 23 riders available at the start of the season with a couple more joining as the year went on. 7 rounds were declared in April and you knew where you were riding at that point The next year was I think very similar so rather worryingly, in 2007 only 8 riders registered. Where are they all, or is youth speedway so badly organised that that's all there are for a National Chamipionship. Even if you add the 250's, you won't get to the numbers present in previous years. Pretty depressing picture mirrored by what I see at training schools. You state that people shouldn't bite the hand that feeds them which sort of implies a threat but I am sure that it isn't meant to be, however Peter Oakes does U15/U18/U21/Academy League?/Oxford CL Director of Speedway?/Coventry Team Manager/ Daily Sport Ice Hockey/speedway reporter/Speedway Star reporter to my knowledge. Is that giving enough direction and support to youth speedway - I think not and I am sure that Peter may think so as well. It probably isn't his fault either, it being more likely the body that runs speedway in this country but I do know that getting young riders to ride at Cardiff took a lot of Peter's persuasion to make it happen and was resited by many. Too many people talk about developing youth speedway but don't turn it into action. Peter has at least done that and it really looks like he needs some support. Scunthorpe are taking some stick at the moment for having a strong CL team but who is running a mini track with a top ex rider tutoring, and who runs regular winter proctice sessions. They do and will reap the benefit in the future. To all the parents that have children coming up through the ranks in youth speedway, write to the BSPA and SCB to express disatisfaction with how it is going, then maybe someone will sit up and take notice. Previuosly stated on here by me is that there are about 150 riders in Denmark on 125's(can't remember the exact figures) which has a population of one 1/8th of Great Britain's. Who is doing it right and who is producing the world champions?

Is the last post referring to the UK U15 Championship being canceleld?

It definitely needs at least one person dedicated to youth speedway, and someone not doing half a dozen other jobs. The problem is how do you get the BSPA/SCB to see it the same way. If this trend continues, there will be few youngsters coming through into the main teams. I have previously stated figures, and forgive me if they are slightly wrong this time, but I think it is over 160 youngsters in Denmark on 125cc bikes. Their population is only 12-15% of Great Britain's so make your own comparison. You can probably count the number in this country on 2 hands and 2 feet, and they aren't competing in races week in week out.

So on the 12th July the BSPA/SCB sent out an e mail asking promoters if they wish to run U15 Championship meetings -that's over half way through the season. It doesn't give them much time to get organised. This is a total let down to the riders, and to their parents who may have invested heavily for this championship. In 2004, it ran with 7 rounds from April to September, I think. Similar format in 2005 so what has gone wrong - no committment from the top to further youth speedway, with a few exceptions. There were promoters willing to run, Weymouth being one, and I am sure there are people that are willing to help organise, both this and the Academy Leagues but both are clearly being run on a shoestring, both financially and resource wise by the bodies governing speedway in this country. Is it not time for a change before speedway in this country becomes defunct through lack of youngsters coming into the sport and more importantly sticking at it? How many times have we heard that a rider has gone grass tracking or Moto x because he/she can at least get regular rides?? Please BSPA/SCB, open your eyes to what is happening in the real world.

Just another disaster - when are the SCB going to put in someone who is fully committed to youth speedway. The current encumbant cannot possibly, under any circumstances, do the job properly given the number of other jobs that he is doing. How can the dates not be fixed already for the U15 Chamionship? I understand from a position of being oversubscribed two/three years ago, we are filling a meeting with 250's and now 125's. Nothing against either, in fact the 250 series is just right in my opinion but it just shows how the youth speedway scene has gone downhill. Wake up SCB before it is too late.