BigFatDave

Speedway makes the World go round, Alan! It's always a pleasure to pass on any info I can glean which helps to give others not as lucky as myself an insight into the Downunder scene. Don't forget you're dealing with a bunch of insular-minded troglodytes, Ghostwalker, some of whom actually think that one's nationality or the colour of one's skin have a bearing on what one posts; even I have to make allowances for them sometimes.

Here, have some of this Baggy!

Phil Chard?

I take it you don't get out much?

Forgot to mention this little beauty, from Northern Track Promotions: The sport of speedway long track motorcycle racing in South Australia is set to receive a massive boost next season. Following the recent cancellation of the 2011 South Australian Longtrack Championships at Whyalla due to safety problems with the fence, Northern Track Promotions takes great pleasure in announcing a new location, with far improved spectator and competitor facilities, has been sourced, and that, in co-operation with the Kapunda Harness Racing Club, the 2012 South Australian Championships will be held at Dutton Raceway, Kapunda on the 22nd January 2012. The meeting is being held on this date to try to attract some the Australia's best international riders who will be in Adelaide for the Grand Final of the Australian 500cc Motorcycle Speedway Championship at Gillman Speedway the previous night, and to provide an attractive option for travelling supporters who will be able to see the best speedway and longtrack meetings in the state on the one weekend. Longtrack Racing is arguably the most spectacular form of Australian dirt track racing due to the high speeds achieved on the tracks which are much longer than the typical speedway circuits. Speeds of 160kmh, or the old 100mph mark, are regularly achieved at Longtrack venues around the world, and the 817 metre dolomite track at Kapunda is capable of producing speeds in excess of this. “This event will be huge," say NTP partners Neil Burston & Geoff Brown, "and we expect the Dutton Raceway complex will elevate the profile of South Australian Longtrack Speedway racing to entirely new heights. "The complex has good facilities for riders, sponsors and spectators alike and is easily within 1 hour of Adelaide via the new Northern Expressway . "The riders will be well looked after with all pit bays under cover and with concrete floors. They also will have the use of men's and women's change rooms with showers and toilets in a building next to pits. "The sponsors will be able to display and sell their products in an undercover area near the start/finish line between two of the grandstands, and the spectators will be very well looked after with these two two large grandstands plus a smaller one close to the pits. There is also concrete terracing in front of the stands. There will be ample canteens, both in the undercover area and in caravans around the perimter, and there is an interior sit down meal area and bar. The venue has plenty of on site parking and extra parking will be available at the oval next door. "We are really excited about this", says Burston. "Last year's meeting at Whyalla was an outstanding success, and I know the Mayor of Whyalla is upset to lose the event, but we are very happy with the Kapunda complex and we are hoping this will be just the beginning of a long, and mutually beneficial, association with the Kapunda Harness Racing Club." Further details will be released shortly on the Northern Track Promotions website (www.northerntrackpromotions.com)

Love your work, Alan. Go DARCY!

Off the top of my head: Oz senior titles rd 1 North Brisbane Jan 7th Oz junior under 16s 125 titles qualifier Kurri Kurri Jan 12th Oz junior under 16s 125 titles championship Kurri Kurri Jan 13th Oz senior titles rd 2 Kurri Kurri Jan 14th Oz under 16s 125 titles pairs championship Kurri Kurri Jan 15th Oz senior titles rd 3 Gillman Jan 21st Oz Under 21 500s & Under-16 350s titles Kurri Kurri Jan 28th PM me if you need a hand with hotels etc, cuz, I'm sure one of our extended speedway family can help you out somewhere along the line.

Not half as much as I am, cuz!

One thing that cheesed me slightly, particularly in the re-run-infested early heats, was the interminable delay after each unsatisfactory start. I think unless there's a good reason, i.e. rider down, IMHO it should go to a two minute warning immediately following the stoppage.

I don't think he's in quite the same league as some of the Whingers and Moaners who appear with amazing regularity on the hallowed pages of this forum. As far as I know Batch will be competing in Oz this coming season as a prerequisite to qualifying for the GP Challenge next year; he feels he's progressed well enough and is also mature enough to compete successfully at the topmost level. Anyone who watched his performances in the SWC Race-off and Final would doubtless agree with that. Many thanks to all the riders and officials who took part in this past week's contest: once again providing us with racing at the highest level. We're all incredibly proud of the Aussie performance, although I don't think our rendition of 'Advance Australia Fair' on Thursday night measured up against the Polish National Anthem on Saturday, at least we got the chance to sing the song. The final heats of both the events in Poland were well worth the price of the airfare from Oz. I don't think I've seen a race of the quality of the Crump v Gollob clash since Peterborough SWC 2009, Crump v Zagar. If you've never been to Poland for SWC you really don't know what you're missing - I'll be back for sure.

The easiest way to read the forum without having to put up with the resident hyena pack is to put the Offensive Ones on 'Ignore', Greg. They'll still carry on throwing manure all over the place, but at least you don't have to put up with it, plus if anything really cheeses a Troll off, it's being ignored. You only have to see how quickly they respond to realise that.

i take it none of you were there or knew what was going on then?

Arthur is the best natural rider I've seen since Mick Doohan & Wayne Gardner, and before that Bill Ivy, Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini. He has the capacity to amaze you. Never had the pleasure of seeing Casey Stoner live, but.

Just heard from the track the Aussies went well in practice. Weather forecast for tomorrow looks grim, however, but then it always rains at Voyens!

I reckon you could end up OWNING the taxi! Best of Luck, Cuz - hopefully see you there!

Have you worked out why I'm called BigFatDave yet? .....not to mention the Curry after IOW! Hollow Legs I reckon!

Got that right!

Sitting in the bar of our hotel at 3.57 pm I can confidently report that it looks like it might have stopped raining. I shall call for a volunteer to poke his head out the window - NO NOT THAT ONE LUNCHY!! THE OPEN ONE!! to see if the precipitation has ceased. It's stopped raining.

Lunchy & I will be swelling the crowd for this one - looking forward to a complete meeting for me - last time I was here we got a tad moist, externally as well as internally. :drink: See you there!

...........and there's me thinking you knew everything.

Spot On, Mark! Just because we know who they are doesn't make us bosom buddies; there's plenty of occasions where Jason's been the King of the Kids and just as many where we have to respect his privacy, respect being the key word.

Pinjar Park in WA and Sidewinders in Adelaide are both pretty tiny, and he's only just graduated to 500s as well. He'll be right.

I've lost count of the number of times I've generously offered to give up my valuable time and help out behind the bar at Gillman, all to no avail. Very shrewd judge of character, Dave Parker.

Don't forget Branflake didn't do too badly, Wag: whenever his bike's working he's winning. Surely a pointer for the BSPA and NL clubs next year - exciting Aussie juniors will put bums on seats and improve racing no end. Great to see Cam's finally overcome British Bureaucratic Bulldust at last. A very level-headed youngster with tonnes of potential.

Got it in one. Well worth the travel and expense to see, it just gets better and better. So glad to see Greg winning: if it's not an Aussie I'll settle for him every time, he is a class act.