p'boro lad

Thank you very much Laurence. See you soon. Adam

I would like to say a BIG thank you to Laurance and all at Wolverhampton that made last night such a great night for us all, congrats to Rhys and Tom for their 1st places (one day I'll beat you though, still trying hard LOL), and hope that Joe gets his bike sorted again for the next time. Hope to race you all again soon. Adam P. P.S. Does anyone know the names of the photographers at Wolverhampton.

Quote from Laurence:- "Can I PLEASE ask for comments that have been appearing on her to STOP. I am trying to sort all this out for everyone's good --both short and long term." Just goes to show that the Naylors and myself have more respect for Laurence that yourself. Laurence has asked for all this to stop and you try to carry this all on. Enough is enough for all the boys sake.

Can I say that Laurence is right, with his help the 250's should go forward and he has the boys interests at heart as I'm sure all the parents realise. Hope that you get to coordinate things for us laurence as we are all behind you. Also hope to be riding again at Mildenhall for many more times.

Apparently a lot of the motocross manufacturers are investing in the 2-strokes again, I know that KTM have now bought out a 144cc two stroke and another manufacturer has one on the way.

Russel Payne was at STR yesterday perhaps you could contact him through there web site??

"p'boro lad I only mentioned Adam as you were the No No on the 250/500 mix and you still have not told me why you think that a 14 year old should not be allowed to ride both classes. Answers please." As states in the "Lets Get It Sorted" thread:- Under 15's is classed in 4 groups as per Speedway rule 19.5 up to 8th Birthday - 80cc aged 9 & 10 - 125cc aged 11,12 & 13 - 250cc aged 14 & 15 - 500cc This is why a 14 year old shouldn't ride in 250's plus I feel that if you've took the plunge and got a 500 licence and spent the last 2/3 years racing in the U15's on a 500 and the numbers drop or you think they will drop, you've basically made your bed. Why drop down to a class that you are too old for and that is now the enforced way forward? The class is for up and coming riders not established ones so basically I'm saying whatever age, if you have a 500 licence you should stick to 500 racing. The class isn't really policed very well rumours of illegal carbs being used for the 250's, a fact that I have heard and can only say that last year the carbs were only checked at Redcar after a whole summer of racing, also I know of Vega racing working on a 250 with all the trick parts in, as the fella that looks after Adams grass bike has told me about this engine being done as he and Vega do alot together (wether the engine was/is for grass or speedway I do not know or for who it is for so not pointing any fingers) perhaps this could be a reason for lack of entries??. But with the engines not being checked or simple rules not enforced how can there be true championship racing when you can spend time wondering if you are/were betten by a better rider or a tuned engine when the rules plainly state no tuning, standard parts, Jawa flat slide carb with 200 jet. Unfortunatley we have all invested in bikes, engines, etc. You've had 2 U15's this year, bad I know after last years series. We never did any because of the distance involved and lack of notice for the need to arrange cover for our busiest night/s of the week so we could get to the meeting. We are waiting to see if the next round is at Oxford on a Sunday, if it is we will be there if we are allowed after the so called racing with the breakaway group. We as group of parents are lucky enough to have a couple of dads that have been able to get some second half rides around a few tracks and the promoters have embraced us, and for a couple of hours every now and then the boys are made to feel important, it hasn't been done to get at anyone or to make anyone look bad, but if it hadn't have been done our lads would have to make do with a few training schools and mascot rides. Sorry if any of this has upset you or anyone else I haven't deliberatly set out to do that but as you said it is a forum for open speech and opinions.

MARK- I have not seen Adam ride since last January why have you not been around the scene. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Adam was in two minds about February/March time about calling it a day with Speedway (this was after breaking his hand at Redcar in October at the last U15's) and concentrate on grass track in the East Mids, Eastern centre and Kent area, further compounded after Cardiff GP (after all he was only 11 then and wanted to see his friends in the pits even if he wasn't riding). After Tom Naylor contacted him asking if he wanted to ride at Kings Lynn he said Yes as it was for Tom, over this season his confidence has improved no end, the comradeship and friendship amoungst the boys is great, racing their hearts out and then football in the pits afterwards, and he is now enjoying his riding both speedway and grass track (at which you probably realise he upgraded early to inters this season) I think he really needed this for this season. Shall be seeing you around.

"Quite a good meeting but marred by a few nasty falls. Fastest time of the British under 15 Championship. Heat 3 in 47.4 won by Jason Garrity." May be a stupid question and will probably be slated for this but is it a small track or was it only 3 laps. Sorry

What a great night youngsters riding at the start of their careers(11-14), the riders of tomorrow (14 and up) and the veteran riders, Some of those old machines are amazing my favs were the 2 1928 douglas bikes, nearly 80 years old and looking stunning and still being ridden. The youngsters were well looked after (of which my lad Adam was one) by the promotion, and their riding is coming along well with the plus point of riding at different tracks. The riders for tomorrow look like they are going to bring us some pride in a few years, hopefully the youth and dads will keep all this momentum rolling. C'mon BSPA get things done we dads have invested in bikes etc 250 and/or 500's why do the tracks for the U15's have to be so far away (Weymouth 4.5-5hrs and Northside almost 6 hrs) why can't they be more central?? some of us can't do it, with the need to work on a Saturday and a Monday morning some of us need more than a 2 or 3 weeks notice for meetings this far away as I for one being self employed need to plan time off a long way in advance I now can't just drop everything.

Well said Gordi. I fail to see how Mr Oakes can say we've boycotted the under 15's 250 championship. We have spent £1750 on an engine, £1300 on two rolling chassis (in case one gets damaged if/when Adam falls off), total £3000 last year on speedway alone, Adam also upgraded in grass track this year as well, another £2000 for that bike. Last Year we rode up and down the country with the under 15's more often than not with 1 or 2 days notice just so there was a decent showing of 250's. Did Adam get an invite to ride with the 250's at cardiff? No! Did Adam get asked for a walk around the pits to talk to his friends that were riding, get a feel for the atmosphere and the pressures of a big meeting? No! Did Adam feel left out and want to drop speedway like a hot brick? Yes. Did Adam say he wanted to concentrate on Grass and S*D the speedway? Yes. Tom,Rhys,Gorgi and Marc have been great for Adam they've got his passion for speedway back again. My question is this WHY would we after spending all that money, without the servicing on bikes and vans and the fuel to get around, boycott the very meetings that our lads want to do? ARE YOU MAD?

As I understand it, No Marc Owen, No Rhys Naylor, No Adam Portwood,No Brendon Warvill (injured though) Not sure about Dale Lamb or Ashley Morris. As for mixed capacities? As long as the riders are capable should be ok I suppose, but as for riders of 500 also riding on 250's in the 250 championship (as I've heard a couple of riders have said they have been considering), Wrong

Don't know how many genuine 250 riders there are gonna be this year, there will probably be several 500 riders riding 250's though. THIS IS WRONG, if you are licenced to ride and have been riding a 500 then you should stay on a 500. Thought the 250's were to bring on the younger lads, not the riders with several years experience in riding 500's.

Best wishes matty, hope you have a fast and full recovery hope to be riding against you again soon. Adam Portwood

It also says as a mark of repect for Matty the riders didn't want his shoes filled. Whats wrong with that?? Matty will be able to take his place again sometime and why should his place be filled for a rider to be dropped when he comes back. As Garry says Shane will be moving up in a couple of months, and he will then be making some of the 500 riders sit up and take notice, he's a great rider and deserves to do well.

Think we have been invited back by Kings Lynn And by Boston think the first time back is in August but someone else should be able to confirm this

Attention all parents try this link if I've got it right, http://community.webshots.com/user/klstars2007 work through all the photos, our future stars are in there. Mark and Caroline

Hi my lad Adam also rode, what an amazing night for all the boys. Adam hadn't ridden for a while and agreed to ride without hesitation when he knew who was racing. The boys all gelled well and were all so nervous before the meeting, went out and raced each other than at the end of the night played football in the car park, then when it came to bedding down almost got kicked out of the van for 3 of the boys, Not a lot of sleep for me but a great night would do it all again. Would like to extend a big thank you to Tom Naylor and Gordon Owen for remembering Adam and inviting him to race he was thrilled. PLEASE PROMOTORS LETS DO THIS AGAIN AT YOUR TRACK. Best wishes to all riders and parents. Mark and Caroline