gkp413

Stoke practice 4th June, is there one?

Fantastic effort by Richard, Anne, Stuart, Rob, track staff and everyone else involved at Scunthorpe Speedway today to get the meeting on and 50 heats run. Track might have been a bit heavy and the finals washed out but it would have been much easier for the organisers to just give it up at 13:00. Thank you from the K-P's and I am sure from all the other riders for your endeavours, great day in the end, well done!

Fingers crossed the weather men have got it wrong.........

Just like it says!!!!! Anyone got one for sale? Gary

Richard, can you book Hannah in for 22/4/2012, novice!

Not sure why everyone gets wound up by the format? to run a meeting in January in the UK is always going to be to some extent a "display". The track is very unlikely to be in 1st class racing condition, what we got yesterday I would think is a good "average" track for the time of year, some years it might be a bit better, some a bit worse but similar if the meeting can run at all. Getting 12-15 good standard riders to sign up is difficult with the number of foreigners who ride in the UK there are bound to be many names back home wherever that is and except for the likes of Shrammy who was obviously using it as a demonstration of being back, still sharp and keen and looking for a team place the others will never give it 110% with the season only 10 weeks away, many still using older "practice" bikes or trying new things in preparation for the season like Lemmo. I think there are many fans who see it as a day out, chance to catch up with others in the off season and see some good guys giving a pretty committed go to putting on a race meeting, it is never going to rival Cardiff! Perhaps a thought for next year, invite all the Tracks in the Leagues to attend with a display of their new season merchandise and a sale bin of all the stuff from the prior season they want to sell off, might just add to the atmosphere and encourage some supporters who are in a couple of hours driving range to attend as most clubs have a website and if they advertised some special deals only available at the Classic it could help them get shot of old stock prior to the new season and boost numbers a bit? Spoke to Mark afterwards, he was pretty sanguine, "hit a hole and got pushed into the sludge which killed momentum, bit of a downer given the first 5 rides but that's Speedway, still gave me chance to sort out some teething problems with the engine so not that bad a day" - think that about sums it up! Lets be grateful someone is committed enough to put on any meeting of any format at this time of year!

Our first visit to Newport and thought as a pure Speedway stadium (until this year?) it was a tidy set up. Given the time of year and the weather I would defy anyone to have put on a better racing surface and it caught out everyone at some stage, Chris Schramm a few times and even Lemmo in the final, who despite what I read on here about past activities did look the class act off the start which is where it mattered today. The fans were all as you would expect at a Speedway meeting friendly and of good banter, disappointed there were not more supporting some of the travelling riders, must have been a long hall for the likes of Tulley! But enough stayed to show appreciation to the winners which was nice. Catering has lots of opportunity to improve, early afternoon mtg with chance of a fair crowd, don't think I would be cooking to order but filling those grill plates with burgers ready for the hungry hoards, and with two ends why not one for drinks only, in/out quick, count the cash! As it was the only winter event I though a bit more could have been made of the build up, rider parade, intros etc, few flags etc. But track looked a good shape for racing when conditions improve in the spring and most of the riders were in it for points and did try to race when staying on was difficult at time, my awards, 1) Track staff, promoter, SCB officials for getting the meeting on 2) Riders 1-12 and reserve for giving it a go and giving the supporters some racing 3) David Howe for showing it's not over until the fat lady sings 4) Suporters for turning out for what most knew would be a Gaters meeting in the main given the weather conditions

What's the temperature? Need to know how many jumpers to pack!

Planning to come over from East Midlands to give Schrammy and Lemmo some support, is there a text number we can contact when we are on the road to find out if it's still on and does anyone know if well behaved dogs on leads are allowed in to save leaving our old mutt at home?thanks Gary

Richard, bloody brilliant effort by all the guys and gals at a very sunny Scunny today. We had a great day, its not often raw novices like Hannah and Nat get to share pit space with established riders like Messers Tulley and McKinna and everyone is prepared to help and have a laugh. Our thanks must especially go to the helpers who stood around all day because although sunny it was pretty cold, I don't know how you get them to keep coming back, but glad you do, best wishes to you all for Christmas and here's to a sideways new year, see you in Jan, Gary.

Richard, what's it looking like for Sunday, Hannah is desperate for some track time as she is back from Uni!

Asturmer, thanks I have made contact with Steve and he is looking to see what he has. I will try to access your pictures on facebook, would be interested to see your bike, Gary,

I have recently purchased a Godden GR upright that belonged to Steve in 1987. I am planning to restore the bike to its former glory and would like to get hold of some pictures of Steve from this era of his career. Anyone able to help? thanks for looking, Gary,