Tsunami

Yes I think that, and in anycase he was more Peterborough based and the star performer of the 1997/8 era in the CL and PL Thundercats and Panthers

Correct. Lunna decided to take time as he was with a new parter in Thailand I think. As to happened at the same time Worky were declared as not running so Newcastle grabbed Stevie W, but had to release Victor Palovaaro and then look for a lesser rider. That turned out to be Simon Lambert whose average fitted well and he also fancied the opportunity to finally overcome his reservations about riding at Brough.

That reminds me of the 'Newport Nose' that those who stood on the backstraight got free of charge.

Yes I do. I think Rob wants to keep the excitement going, climaxing with some really good news at the Xmas Party. Lots of interest and we need to stick with it and Rob won't disappoint. He hasn't come in to lose money so he will give it a good go. Remember that in other business's you can increase the price, but in speedway the entrance price is really controlled by what others charge so more effort has to be made to increase the crowd and what they spend.

I think that was when it was mentioned that we didn't have the licence for visas, when fans wanted us to go for him.

It was a good night, well attended, and as Dalbers said, congrats to the fans for the most disciplined fans meeting we have ever had. Could agree with that as I think we were all in anticipation of what was being revealed, and everything was very positive. Rob's not the young lad he was, and is now a accomplished successful businessman who wants to bring success to Newcastle Speedway, and mix it with his other business interests to brighten things up and make meetings more entertaining for both adults and kids. Talk of fairground rides both in the carpark and inside the entry area to be open when the gates open at 5.30, but that could be revised at some stage. Two riders announced Max and Matty so everyone happy with them, two more signings I think at the end of this week, another two the week after and the final one at the Xmas Party at the PTE on Fri 20th Dec, prices with a buffet £8 with other reduced prices. First meeting on the Sun 29th March will be the 90th anniversary meeting held over, and prices will be £10 per adult and concessions £5. The field will be made up of the current team, plus a lot of previous Diamonds. Rob has talked to Bjarne not necessarily to ride, but to be there to meet everyone again. He is also going to talk to Nikki and KB. George pointed out that with the meeting being early season, unlike last year, and with the early Ben Fund Meeting, most riders will be looking for rides before the season starts proper. Good point. Season ticket prices currently under discussion and they will cover the 16 league meetings plus the KO Cup match, but not the 90th Anniversary meeting as that's already been discounted down to £10 per adult. Meetings in future with be ramped up with attractions and maybe stunt riders on the centre green, special events for the kids mainly aiming for 7-9 years old. Music to be really ramped up so that there is no standing doing nothing and no music for atmosphere. Something will be going on all the time so there is no dull moment. The meeting will be going on as usual, but the extra entertainment will not delay the proceedings and the first meeting will always will be followed by a second half for junior racing. The Gems will be continued and new riders will be encouraged in order to build up a stock of young riders. Rob said 6 riders have been signed and talks are still on going with the 7th rider. All riders were capable of increasing their averages and all want to ride for Newcastle. The ownership of the speedway in now in the hands of Rob jnr, being the single shareholder, George and Dave Tattum as Co Promoters, Neil Machen as adviser and Dalbers as the club Secretary. Special thanks went to Vaughan Jones who has worked alongside everyone during the transition period, and guided the promotion to a successful conclusion from the previous promotion. Vaughan and Tim Scott had been in a similar position in about 2002 advising George, Darryl and myself. At the end of the night I would say there was a full room of fans leaving the room pleased at what they had heard, and looking forward to more info about the team and the meeting arrangements. See you all at the Xmas party PTE on Fri 20th Dec for more surprises and news.

YES, Denmark.

I don't think they did have a sponsors licence.

Yes Please, but leave ya fatha at home please.

Great to see the invitation to young rider Sam Norris, who appears to be making a very steady recovery from his horrific crash at Glasgow in the BYC round in the summer.

And Dan has had three years to be where he is, and Josh beat him in one of the last NL fixtures. I hope he is not rushed this year and hope there is a NL northern team that will give a ride and a settled place. If only Buxton was to reopen and give the likes of Josh ,Sheldon, Joe A, Kean Dicken and Keiran D regular rides, and a starter home for Archie when he is ready.

I am sure he can if given the chance. He's been knocking on the door for so long, and apart from short stints at Stoke and Birmingham, he hasn't been offered a chance to settle in and get the points he is capable of scoring. I think he needs a full year in a NL team to get used to regular racing, and preparing himself for then looking for a reserve place in the Newcastle team.

Back in the day, Briggo took an interest, and might have had a ride at Japanese speedway, and brought a guy called I think Jimmy Ogushi ? who had a try out in GB. Didn't come to anything as apart from a motor bike and a circuit, there was very little comparison. I have also seem, possible on Facebook, a meeting in Japan with some leading riders from this country giving it a try again a Jap team. Interesting race tactics as there is not just one way to ride their track.

Hope not.

4, 8, and 7 on his last visits in '19.

Hmmm Try PL winners.

NO, and especially in view of what happened at the end of that year. Remember ?

Thats what I thought. When we went to the Lake District for a pre-season bonding exercise, we passed his family farm and he pointed it out. That was the season we won the league 2001, but as we passed his farm the talk was all about foot and mouth and the killing of all his animals.

We used to have our own burger van in the mid/early 00's in front of the office block, supposed to be to save disabled people from going upstairs to the bar kitchen. We were charged £150 rent for the spot by the stadium, but it took a lot of trade off the other outlet especially as the burgers were freshly made by a local butcher, and they are made from prime beef. Used to sell tea and coffee, and there was alway a queue everytime you looked. I'll bet that's made you more hungry now. Good idea for Rob that, helps the disabled of course.

I thought he replaced the Anderson's van. ?

He did a few years ago at the end of the season, when knew the Polish fixtures were coming to an end.

It is. The family have a farm beside Ponteland, and son Rob runs his food van at big shows as well as now Berwick, where his father Big Rob is still well revered. Rob has always been very independant, and has been in his business a number of years now after retiring from riding.

Robert has many links with Brough having rode for us , worked in the dog staff and his late mother worked at the track for a long time. It's a bit like coming home for him and probably his father and I wish them the very best of luck to open up the Diamonds in 2020. We know who will be selling the pies now,

Hmmm. I think I said that.

He did improve his handling of our track after his first rides, when he looked as if he was trying too hard. I see him regularly in the Redcar training meetings as well and he can be a lot better with more rides. Actually if we run next year I would like him at Newcastle, especially if it means no Danny.