Tsunami

The unfortunate thing about Northside is it is an open site on a dune area under the many windmills. The previous owners tried to enclose it, but the damage just continued being caused by gypsies in caravans alongside the track. They were then cleared off that site, with council help, hence the enthusiasm to turn the site into something that could be developed into a Redcar type site. Even with an expensive spiked metal fence surrounding the whole site, which would not be cost effective, it would not solve the problem as it would probably just provide the gypsies with a new supply of metal which would be stolen on a regular basis. Perhaps a local councillor could help with the establishment of a sport in Workington, as it was thought that with the cockups by the council, and the other stadium owners in the Town, regarding the other stadia, they appeared to have thought that by helping Northside now it would make up for their incompetence previously. Let's hope the council stand by that enthusiasm, and stand up to the thugs who could deprive the Town with a sport facility that they currently lack.

I'm not sure ruff, Was he not injured during lockdown and not fit to ride ?

6.51 apparently.

I would think that with all the heavy machinery and ancillary work taking place, workmen would not want to be interrupted by sightseers. Leave it to postings on here,, and visit after Xmas and then there will be changes to be seen I would imagine.

You need to update Plymouths team and team total. I make it they are finished with only scraps left, for no riders.

The Bond that all promoters have to lodge with BSPL is the way of covering all speedway debts. Riders can claim from that, but the standard rate for all riders would be a lot less that their actual own contract pay rate.

Yes and that's more the pity. There's 3 teams that haven't declared yet and they will also need riders. Let's see if they can get the about 8 point riders over the line. We shall see.

And to think we have chosen George and another 6 pointer, when we could have had Archie and an 8 pointer. Oh well.

Lewis Hamilton from F1

Pointswise with George being on a 4 apparently, we would have just about 6pts (depends on the %age reduction applied to other riders) so the likes of Kyle Newman would fit. Had we gone with Archie on a 2 we could have had someone like Ritchie W. Imagine heats 13 and 15 with a Ritchie and Bradley Dean our representatives.

Best not to go there.

How did the getogether go last night. Any announcement as to the last rider.

Archie turned down the offer to ride for the Diamonds to concentrate on development in the NDL. Someone pulled the Gems out of the NDJ, and fortunately another team had faith in him and he rode for the Edinburgh Devils this year with merit. Other riders were used as the Diamond no 7 and then dispensed with. At 16 and a year behind the likes of the Thompsons, Palin, Gilkes, he knew he needed that extra year to gain experience at the junior level . Archie was pressed by Newcastle management to help out at No 7 to replace JPB, and was given assurances that he would not be judged on this year, just get experience for next year. Next year has arrived and he has been overlooked. Rob should remember that when he joined the Diamonds we put him straight into the team along with other 3 pointers like Jamie Birkenshaw, Craig Branney and Jamie Robertson. Without those placements who is to say they would have made a career after that. No training school, no organised second halves, dropped the Gems whilst at the top of the league and possibly league winners, no junior meetings, and now this. We were told of commitment to local talent and their place at Newcastle, it all just seems like a conflict with every decision made. With the Gems being dropped, three of us were prepared to pay for and run the Gems at our expense for the year, but one was told NO I've made the decision and your sponsorship will be returned.

Interesting. That team without Archie is 32.03 so that leaves 9.97, if we are working to 42 limit. Add on the young Kiwi at either 4 or 2 that leaves a good chunk near 6 or 8 for the last rider. Given Robs admission that last year's shortfall in the teams points total would not be repeated, and we would be challenging for the top position, and the last one in would be just within the limit, who thinks that will not occur and someone else's youngster will make up the team. Is everyone happy with that team then.

Be patient

He didn't forget his riders and the ones that had ridden for him. Pre season he organised Skiing groups and took them as a party to his resort. I know riders enjoyed these trips and were grateful to be allowed to be included even though they didn't ride for him at that time. He cared for other promotions as well. When Newcastle left Somerset on our southern tour we used to travel on to a hotel in Swindon on the Friday night. If the weather or track was dodgy for their Saturday night, he always agreed to let us know straightaway early on the Saturday morning, so we could go up the road home and not have the wasted journey across London. In addition it meant the mechanics and riders could just drive straight home without prepping the bikes in less than favourable hotel carparks. It is this sort of consideration that is now very rare between promotions in the sport at present.

It was thanks. I knew ir began with a P, and ironically at the next GP in Prague I was stood next to him in the big square in the City Centre. Thanks again.

He used to, yes.

From memory I think the team was Sanchez, Harris, Wolf(who got sacked immediately after our meeting), Prynne, Simon Phillips, Zagar plus a Czech I think. They are getting beat most weeks and we turned up with a very strong side. We were winning 34-44 with heats 14 and 15 to come, and were then without Jesper Olsen due to engine and injury problems. They got an 8-1 in heat 14 and followed that up with a 5-1 in heat 15 to win by 47-46. The crowd went ballistic, and I stood on the track applauding them cos the meeting, and their graciousness in victory, was what sport is all about. Wonderful experience captured on a tape I have, but now no machine to run it on and relive the experience.

Now abandoned due to unfit track, and the fixture will not be run now.

One of the most imaginative venues you could find for Speedway. In a clay park with an adjacent lagoon, the refs big bus and a cracking racing track. The magic was ramped up when late on in the evening the mist used to descend to above the track level, and it just looked like a film set. Magic venue with fans to match.

I think that :- Edward Kennett, Joe Alcock, Luke Ruddick and possibly Joe Lawlor could also be added to the list of retired riders. Will Lawson was dropped, but still rides in the Armadale Devils team.

It was a bad accident to see. Spun around coming out of the second bend and slammed heavily into the fence. Medics with him for quite a while and it was obvious he would have serious injuries.

One never knows, but it should return.

Yes, this year Newcastle was strong on Brit riders and looking after youngsters for the future. Unfortunately, due to COVID affected levels of supporters, Newcastle ditched the NL team, the GEMS, who had won both meetings home and away, top of the NL and looking good to add to the youngsters who had been grown at Newcastle. Unfortunately the Promoter immediately dumped the Gems and when challenged by the main sponsor, who had not been contacted, he was told the decision was his and his alone alone and he returned the sponsors money without any further consideration. For me and my involvement in bringing through those youngsters, my interest along with many others, was to see the development of that team, as the main team as the Diamonds was about 6 points understrength and not expected to do well. Had the decision been announced only as an intention, three of us including the team sponsor would have offered to run and pay for the NL GEMS team so that the club would have had the best of two worlds. Newcastle didn't have or wanted to be able to turn to overseas riders and stick with what was left, after getting rid of the three foreign riders who were in the original 2020 team. Edinburgh should be applauded for the way they gathered a decent team and are getting their meetings in unlike others who are not.