NeilWatson

Tomorrow (Thursday) morning

EL riders have established averages as at 8th August, to be re-issued effective 22nd August. The provision for an average to be assessed on re-declaration applies to an assessed average, not an established one.

Coventry v Swindon

The current date is Sunday 25th Sept - Coventry Storm race Belle Vue on that day

Ray and Jean Mascall are the couple you are thinking of 'SCB', Jean sadly passed away.

Tuesday July 26, 2016 COVENTRY promoter Mick Horton has stressed future planning is already taking place with the club now able to look towards at least the 2017 season at Brandon. Successful negotiations opened by Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, involving the club and agent acting for the new landowners have resulted in a lease offer for the next year, with the possibility of two more beyond that. With speedway and stock car racing both included in that arrangement, a busy period lies ahead – but it is a challenge Horton says he will relish. He said: “We’ve had eighteen months of stressful negotiations, there’s been a lot of hard work and a lot of good people have been involved. “It’s a great day for motorsport fans, and speedway and stock cars are all part of the family at Coventry. We are looking forward to all working together next year. “There are lots of decisions to be made, and lots of planning to do. We want it to work for everyone, and I’ll be inviting all sorts of ideas from fans of both sports to take us forward. “We’ve got to look beyond next season – we’re very confident that we’ll have an extension for a further two years, and securing our future beyond that is going to involve the council and the community. “We see it as potentially three years in which to sort our future out, and in due course I will look to hold some kind of Forum, because I have some big plans in which I want to involve everyone, both speedway and stock car supporters.” Horton admits results on-track this season have not met expectations after the Buildbase Bees reached the Elite League play-offs in 2014 and 2015. He says putting a strong team on-track next year will be a top priority, although full plans for that cannot be made until league structures are finalised. In the meantime, the Bees have four more home matches this year along with the high-profile Elite League Riders’ Championship – with the date now set for Saturday October 8 – and several National League fixtures including the NL Fours, meaning plenty more racing still to come in 2016. Horton added: “It’s unfortunate the way the season has been going, although I’d like to think the entertainment has been top-drawer at Coventry, which is reflected in the crowds we’ve had for our last couple of meetings. “Next year is another year and top of my priorities will be to get a winning team. The Bees deserve a winning team, and it’s my job to make sure we build a team that’s going to challenge.”

Coventry Bees have been offered a new lease on Brandon Stadium, thanks to last ditch talks coordinated by Rugby Borough Council. The Coventry Bees speedway team had been facing their last season at the stadium after it had been sold for development. But after Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, opened talks between the Bees and Agents acting for the new landowners, the owners have offered the Bees a new lease to allow the team to continue competing next season while they search a new site. The new lease would run for one year from 1 January 2017, with the possibility of a further two years subject to conditions. The lease would allow Coventry Bees, junior race meetings and stock car or banger racing meetings. Additional events would be subject to individual agreement. David Hargreaves, of FHP Property Consultants, acting on behalf of the stadium owners, said: “The pragmatic approach taken by Cllr Stokes has convinced the owners that a further period of time should be provided for the speedway team to find an alternative venue. “There is no doubt that this deal would not have been possible without the involvement of the borough council.” Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “It is clear that the situation the Bees and the other stadium users find themselves in is not ideal, but the lease that has been offered to them is a good compromise that will allow speedway and stock car racing to continue at Brandon for at least another year. “I would like to thank FHP for their efforts in brokering this agreement, and for the time and trouble that they have gone to in putting this offer together. “Additionally I would like to thank Mick Horton of the Coventry Bees for part he has played in allowing this offer to be made. “After meeting fans groups earlier this year and hearing their concerns first hand, I am delighted to have been able to bring all of the interested parties together to allow an offer to be made.” Mick Horton, of Coventry Speedway, said: “While the long-term future of the Coventry Bees is still a concern, there can be no doubt that this offer has given the speedway team some security in the short-term. “Our next home fixtures against Leicester, Lakeside and Kings Lynn had looked like being our last. Now, however, our fans can support the team knowing that there is an offer on the table that will allow another full season at Brandon Stadium.”

Coventry Bees have been offered a new lease on Brandon Stadium, thanks to last ditch talks coordinated by Rugby Borough Council. The Coventry Bees speedway team had been facing their last season at the stadium after it had been sold for development. But after Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, opened talks between the Bees and Agents acting for the new landowners, the owners have offered the Bees a new lease to allow the team to continue competing next season while they search a new site. The new lease would run for one year from 1 January 2017, with the possibility of a further two years subject to conditions. The lease would allow Coventry Bees, junior race meetings and stock car or banger racing meetings. Additional events would be subject to individual agreement. David Hargreaves, of FHP Property Consultants, acting on behalf of the stadium owners, said: “The pragmatic approach taken by Cllr Stokes has convinced the owners that a further period of time should be provided for the speedway team to find an alternative venue. “There is no doubt that this deal would not have been possible without the involvement of the borough council.” Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “It is clear that the situation the Bees and the other stadium users find themselves in is not ideal, but the lease that has been offered to them is a good compromise that will allow speedway and stock car racing to continue at Brandon for at least another year. “I would like to thank FHP for their efforts in brokering this agreement, and for the time and trouble that they have gone to in putting this offer together. “Additionally I would like to thank Mick Horton of the Coventry Bees for part he has played in allowing this offer to be made. “After meeting fans groups earlier this year and hearing their concerns first hand, I am delighted to have been able to bring all of the interested parties together to allow an offer to be made.” Mick Horton, of Coventry Speedway, said: “While the long-term future of the Coventry Bees is still a concern, there can be no doubt that this offer has given the speedway team some security in the short-term. “Our next home fixtures against Leicester, Lakeside and Kings Lynn had looked like being our last. Now, however, our fans can support the team knowing that there is an offer on the table that will allow another full season at Brandon Stadium.”

To run the three semi-finals concurrently would leave too long a gap between an individual rider's heats. For example Aaron Summers (No2 in red in the first semi) raced in Heats 2 and 8, if the semis had run concurrently he would have ridden in Heats 4 & 22. It also keeps the anticipation alive, would the excitement of the finale of the first semi been as high had Heats 11 & 12 actually been Heats 31 and 34?

Kings Lynn have three EDR riders in their squad, Lewis Rose, Carl Wilkinson and Simon Lambert. Lewis rides for Kings Lynn tonight, Carl is riding for Scunthorpe. Simon is injured so is replaced by a guest under the EDR rules.

17.5 TEAM LINE-UPS (new for 2016) Team notifications (Art. 16.4.1) will nominate 7 riders for the meeting, whose MA does not exceed the Teams current Total MA. Necessary late changes do not permit a team line-up to be re-shuffled, unless it is necessary according to the rules. [A switch of the RR Facility from #2 to #4 is not permitted 17.5.1 Only one EDR (the one with the highest MA) may move into a Teams top 1-5. 17.5.2 Of the riders nominated for the meeting they will line up in the following positions a) The 1st, 2nd and 3rd riders (by MA) must ride at either #1 #3 or #5. The 4th and 5th riders (by MA) must ride at either #2 or #4. c) The 6th and 7th riders (by MA) must ride at #6 or #7. NB, only an EDR may ride at #7.

The facility for a missing EDR is another EDR with a lower EL average, or a British PL rider with a lower PL average (not in an EL 1-5).

Friday 15th of July Steve! Don't come on Wednesday

COVENTRY are pleased to announce adult admission for Monday's clash with King's Lynn has been reduced to just £10. The Buildbase Bees will be in action at Brandon for the first time in over six weeks after frustrating rain-offs on June 17 and July 1. They will also have a full seven-man team on track as the decision has been taken to dispense with the rider-replacement facility for the injured Jason Garrity, whose place will be taken by squad member Ben Barker as Bees go for the double after winning at King's Lynn last month. The Stars have re-declared their line-up with former Coventry man Rory Schlein set to make his comeback from injury as a replacement for Mads Korneliussen, whilst they will be led by Danish superstar Niels-Kristian Iversen and British sensation Robert Lambert. Naturally a televised fixture offers the opportunity for the club's current situation to be portrayed to a wider audience, and banners and messages of support etc would be most welcome as we push for a home for 2017. All adult admission will be £10, with children FREE as usual. Please note that whilst the re-admission tickets from the Swindon match earlier this month can be used on Monday, no change will be given, so we would suggest these are saved for a later date. There are two further Friday night Elite League matches in the month of July.

Josh Bates remains at reserve

NEW signing Mitchell Davey can't wait to get started with Coventry Storm when they host National League leaders Birmingham at Brandon on Sunday (4pm). Davey has joined the City Gearboxes Storm as a replacement for injured skipper Martin Knuckey, who is out for the rest of the season and Davey himself has undergone a frustrating wait to return to racing. After a near two-year recovery from a broken leg, including five surgeries, there was then a further period of over six months to endure whilst he secured a British passport, which now enables him to race at NL level and also appear in the Premier League if selected. Davey said: It wasn't until they brought out the ruling on Premier League No.7s for this season that I looked into it and realised that I could apply. The process started a week or two after the BSPA conference last year, it was finally granted a week and a half ago, and it's an expensive process! I was glad that once we spoke to the BSPA they confirmed I could ride in the National League, and that's a big help to me in getting back racing. Obviously I want to help Coventry now, I want to help them progress to the best position they can in the National League. I don't want to just be coming because its the right time for me, I've joined the team now and I want to see them do the best they can. I've never ridden at Coventry before but I've mechaniced for a few boys there, so my first time on Sunday will be interesting. I've done a few challenge matches so far and Testimonials, it might take me a race or so to get my gating hand back on, but I'm sure it will be okay. I'm quite friendly with Liam Carr, I've spent a fair bit of time with him either riding with or against him, so it will be good to get in the team with him and the other boys, and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and helping them out. I really want to come back into the sport, get racing and re-develop in speedway, and hopefully score plenty of points! Davey slots into a Storm team which is still forced to operate the rider-replacement facility with Conor Dwyer facing a hopefully brief spell on the sidelines after his accident at Kent on Monday. Meanwhile, Robert Parker comes in at reserve with Jamie Halder not yet ready to resume. The Brummies are still unbeaten in all competitions this season, and also have their eyes on defending a four-point lead at Kent in the second leg of the National Trophy Final on Monday. The Perry Barr side are boosted by the returns of skipper Tom Perry and Tom Bacon after recent injury lay-offs, and they also track some of the best rising teenage talents in the sport, including 15-year-old Jack Parkinson-Blackburn who finished a sensational fourth in the British Under-21 Final. The meeting starts at 4pm on Sunday, and an added attraction is the appearance of British Champion Danny King, complete with trophy. King captained the Brummies in the Elite League between 2011 and 2014 before switching to the Buildbase Bees last year, and he will be available for autographs and photographs with supporters of both clubs during the interval. Admission is £12 for all adults (students £5 on proof of status) with all under-16s free. CITY GEARBOXES STORM (from): Liam Carr, Mitchell Davey, Conor Dwyer R/R, Dan Greenwood, Robert Parker, Ryan Terry-Daley, Callum Walker. BIRMINGHAM (from): Tom Bacon, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, Danyon Hume, Tom Perry, Darryl Ritchings, Jack Smith, Zach Wajtknecht

Friday June 24, 2016 COVENTRY'S Elite League trip to Leicester on Monday will now start at the earlier time of 6.30pm to avoid clashing with Englands Euro 2016 match against Iceland. Lions owner David Hemsley said: "Since it was first known that England had qualified for the last sixteen in the competition and would be playing on Monday we received many messages from speedway fans to say that they were torn between either attending our match against Coventry or supporting England. "We are aware that we have fans who watch both sports but when England are playing in a national tournament the interest increases to a new level and so we have made arrangements to give our fans the opportunity to not miss out either way. As long as there are no racing incidents to hold the meeting up we should be able to complete all fifteen heats before the kick-off time. We are planning to keep the bar area open afterwards so fans can watch the football match on the television if they wish. "I would like to thank the Coventry management for agreeing to a change of start-time and the riders of both teams. The original fixture between the clubs was postponed in March due to heavy rain during the evening and rescheduled for Monday night. The stadium ticket office at Leicester will be open from 5.30pm onwards on Monday.

We welcome Mitchell for his potential points scoring. It was also clear that the Storm couldn't complete the season with RR every meeting, that puts too much pressure on man and machinery. (However the best laid plans etc, etc as we now have to use RR to cover for Conor Dwyer for a while!)

It's sunny now! Bright sunshine, warm and muggy, track looks good.

All please note - the A47 is CLOSED between Guyhirn and Wisbech. Serious RTA, police say road is likely to be closed all afternoon. Alternative route is to leave the A47 at Peterborough, then A16 to Spalding and A17 to Kings Lynn. This will take a little longer than the normal route.

The latest press release shows the correct line-up for the Bees tomorrow - fast-moving sport this sometimes 😀

Kai Huckenbeck (Nominated No 8) cannot ride at reserve, Jason is fit to ride.

Thanks Mike, I agree that 'was' a fiasco

Coventry fiasco? I assume you refer to the meeting against Mildenhall that was abandoned after a serious racing accident left a rider immobilised on the track with suspected back injuries awaiting a County ambulance?

The rules regarding facilities for missing riders are different in the NL than the upper leagues. The rule book is readily available to download at http://www.britishspeedway.co/2016_regulations_final.pdf , Art 19.12 is the pertinent one here.