Shadders

Bitterly cold as expected. The Ipswich fans prediction of a comfortable home win was way off the mark. Inside gates in heat 15 and Barkers superb team riding as Allen looked like passing Lanham were the difference. Gate 4 is a nightmare at Foxhall. Difficult to judge riders on one meeting after a long winter. It's gonna take a few meetings for them to settle down, but I was happy with how smoothly Nelson adapted after a year out of British speedway. The top 5 in general look good, reserves not so, but it's early days. Highlights were Olly Allen's ride in heat 13 and Barkers team riding in 15. Special mention to young Adam Ellis who posted a decent time in a comfortable heat 2 win. My second meeting of the season and first "incident" with a home supporter... Oh dear!

While I'm very much looking forward to seeing the season start proper tomorrow I'm mindful of how cold it was at the Ben Fund meet at Berwick. Not gonna turn up until the last minute. Don't wanna spend any more time than necessary out in the cold. Bleedin weather!

Nice film of him practicing on Facebook

Me too!!!

unbeaten?

Please let us in on this in joke. Who is "Tony Two Laps"?

Nice one. Thanks for the quick reply. Looking forward to opening day

Looking on the website I notice there's a large car park at the stadium. I presume parking is free?

I'll definitely be there... Hope its warmer than the Ben Fund meeting at Berwick.

Indeed

Hopefully better behaved than the usual travelling mob Please explain why?

Why?

Don't go there!! Agreed, but there are some who will argue that to gain experience these riders need experience. This is why the demise of the Anglian Junior League is a shame, as the extra competitive laps would have helped.

Rye House admission held at 2012 prices Adults: £16.00 Concessions: £14.00 Children (aged 12-16): £5.00 Children (under 12): FREE Still no family ticket. Family of four (with teenage children) would pay £42 On the plus side parking is free, just watch your suspension when going down the many craters. A moon buggy will do the job perfectly if you can get hold of one.

Connor Coles impressed at Rye last year, but the side needs a good number one to compete for the title, if in fact that is what this venture is all about. The Rye House Raiders were mostly about giving the younsters a go, but results suffered and crowds tailed off. To keep the Kent public interested the team must be competitive.

Plenty of families visiting the wildlife park that could've been potential speedway converts. That's who promoters should be targeting.

I'm very much looking forward to the opening meeting which I'll definitely be attending. Doubt I'll be able to attend many more on Monday evenings which clash with my work schedule. Fantastic to see a new speedway venture, especially in such an excellent location

Can't believe Rye House weren't represented. As the closest track to the park you'd have thought they'd jump at the chance to hand out leaflets, even free admission tickets to the first home meeting. Cue more Shadders is always moaning newspaper rants from Silver.

Sorted... cheers

I think he finished 2012 with a 5+ PL average, which would rule him out of the NL. In any case, he's expressed a desire to race in the EL this year, so we wouldn't want another Adam Roynon scenario on our hands!

Apologies if this subject has been covered elsewhere. Does anyone have details of the admissions policy for this years event at Paradise Wildlife Park? Previous events have been free admission for those visiting the museum, but I've no idea what the deal is this time. Anyone know?

Going from previous seasons it'd usually the Friday before the first meeting. In this case 22nd March. Could be way off though!!

They wouldn't have reduced the admission price towards the end of the season if crowd levels were decent

Bill Owen was s'posed to be playing the part of an Aussie speedway rider, but you wouldn't have known with that accent!!