Bryn

Let's hope. with the gates about to open, that the band of rain (go to: http://www.metoffice...adar/index.html ) looking to be heading up that way either fizzles out before it gets there or misses the area.

Used to love watching Finn in action at Hackney! A crowd favourite and club captain at Waterden Road. His name is actually Finn THOMSEN and Wikipedia is the place you'll find quite a bit of detail about him Colin.

Tuesday's match at Smallbrook on the Island will now become the first leg, parade 6.50pm, first race 7pm. See you there?

May I firstly offer my own personal congratulations to all i.e. riders, management, supporters et al of the Heathens on their success and know full well of just how all of them must be feeling right now, having been at the helm (thanks Waggy!) of the Oxford Silver Machine Academy that finished winners of the 2005 Conference League. Whether or not this proves a significant step towards them as a club stepping back up to operate and race in what might be 'higher' level remains to be seen - I personally hope so as I've really missed the roast pork sarnies! Meanwhile I'd like to offer my commiserations to Dale Allitt and all involved with the Young Stars for their disappointment but hey, hopefully, there's next year to go one better as I know just how much effort behind the scenes at ALL clubs is put in. Turning to your post I'd therefore be really interested to learn just what you think the National League's primary objective should be? A fully blown 'third division' as such behind, as things stand, the Elite and Premier leagues? Or, as the now renamed Conference league was set up, primarily a league to help young British riders (with one or two 'more experienced riders per team, whatever the limit is set at) make as rapid progress as possible towards achieving success ultimately in the sport the've chosen to pursue by providing more competitive outings, getting them accustomed to team ideology in a league environment at the same time? Would be eager to hear your own view (and that of others) on that point prior, perhaps, to responding further primarily giving my further personal (yes mine they are and mine only) views on the problems / advantages of all NL clubs currently operating. Finally, would have loved to be at the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday myself but, alas, not fit enough yet especially having been taken by two fabulous friends using a hired wheelchair to assist, to the IOW the day before.

Thanks for all the foregoing messages folks and glad to be home. Mind you fellas (and ladies) don't ever claim you'll be able to cope at home alone if they let you out sooner than they should as you won't - as I've found out since Friday! Have never felt the need to ask for help before (we're all to proud for that aren't we?) and there's people far worse off than I but had to concede I needed to seek assistance this morning and things have moved rapidly today in that direction leaving me far happier than I was yesterday. Set my sights on being at IOW for last meeting of the season next week - hopefully I will be but time will tell. Meanwhile hope I don't fall asleep in front of the TV before the end of tonight's track action!

Wish I was going BUT alas won't be as only out of hospital today after op for replacement him - a titanium one too - so a bit too early. Hope everyone has a great time!

Looking forward to it already!

And Bill still has a weekly skid taking to the Isle of Wight's Smallbrook circuit alongside fellow club machine examiner Rob Snow after main match has been declared closed.

Just to confirm 'gustix' - the meeting has been POSTPONED.

Hope there's a good-sized attendance at Central Park on Monday for this fixture and fully agree with the sentiments expressed by "AJ is King" above. Much as I'd like to be there myself alas I can't be in two places at once and will be at Swindon but, as I said, I really hope it's a good night down there and that any ex-Dons fans in attendance enjoy themselves.

Surely both incidents are of a similar nature - that's the relevance! So I ask you again did you advocate similar action be taken against Boycey after he chinned Tomasz Gollob - yes or no? I'm making no comment on what actually happened at King's Lynn as I wasn't there other than to say I'm sure everyone is, like myself, really pleased to learn Lewis's injuries have not proved to be serious as seemingly initially feared.

So if you're classifying Robert Lambert, who looks a fine prospect to me having seen him in action several times, as a child, would you therefore be advocating that opposing riders should treat him differently on track to others - i.e. with kid gloves?

One quick question for you 'pirateandi' and that is to inquire whether or not you advocated similar action being taken when Boycey chinned Tomasz Gollob live on TV?

In response to the last two postings above let me firstly say to "KWB" that I fully accept his apology, not that one was really necessary in that whether or not someone likes an announcer at any track is always a matter of opinion in any event. Reflecting on my response to your posting perhaps I would have been better delaying same to later in the afternoon / evening as I'm definitely not what you might describe to be a 'morning person!' I'm sure the Central Park PA system, perfectly adequate I assume for greyhound meetings, will be enhanced when practical to cope with the demands of the speedway spectators. And yes "gammy73" I would imagine thought will be given to having a presenter with a roving mic in addition to the box announcer but whether that would be feasible might be governed by the strict noise restrictions placed upon the club when planning permission was approved of course. There's no CD player as part of the equipment in the box but we did have some music on BHM thanks to Derek Barclay being able to fathom out how to connect his Ipod to the control panel and get it to work - far too technical for me! Lol See everyone later when I'm just there to watch and I think we will witness a cracking match, well at least I'm hoping we do!

I've got my hands held high in the air "Kent Whistle Gang" for confession time it is and, not being perfect as I'm sure with the greatest respect you're not either, I make mistakes! And yes I made a couple of them on Monday and corrected them once they'd caused hilarity amongst the others in the officials box after they'd pointed out my faux pas to me! You obviously don't like me announcing which I accept is your prerogative but Monday was the only full meeting I've announced at Central Park and I did so because I was asked to by Derek Barclay who I believe, unless situations change, will be back in the hot seat this coming Monday. But please don't blame me for what everybody as far as I can see 'behind the scenes' at Central Park accepts are problems with the PA system and are all working hard to cure. Rome wasn't built in a day nor will perfection at the club be but it's been a good first season for it everyone must surely agree. With DB back announcing on Monday unless anything changes, why not come up to the bar area where I'll be sitting, introduce yourself and we can have a chat regarding why you think I should give up unpaid mic work and I don't!

Some fair comments within that posting 'greyhoundp' but with regard to the decision to re-run heat 14 (not ideal a solution I grant you) can you 100% confirm the positions of the other three at the exact time the ref pressed the stop button (forget the finishing line as the stop button was pressed as they exited the second bend with Jack falling) - it was certainly close? Had Benji Compton sneaked through on the inside to pass a Heathen? The ref was not sure, her attention like most including mine alas I'd say, was focussed on the faller and so the re-run was ordered. We should bear in mind that races don't HAVE to be awarded - without looking up the exact wording I believe it gives the refs power to if they want to!

As I said on the mic at the meeting, to loosely use that well known phrase..... "If you can understand all that, then you're a better man that I am Gunga Din!" Our journey to the Norfolk Arena wasn't helped by an hour's delay as a result of a crash about a mile ahead of us that brought the M25 to a halt before we reached either of the M11 or A10. That left us getting to the Norfolk Arena just as the riders' pre-meeting practice was about to finish and it was straight into the 41 programmed events, timekeeping and announcing (I need more hands!) so trying to keep my scorechart up to date given the, shall we say, "unusual" system implemented (how does Russell think 'em up??? ) wasn't exactly on! Two separate matches for which Mike has given you the results of but for me, one of the highlights was seeing the latest of the famous "Banks's Racing Dynasty" - Harvie (DO correct me if I'm wrong but believe Trev's his dad) whom I'm surprised is based down in the West Country rather than near Folkestone!

I'm certainly NOT trying to be confrontational "gustix" as I've got to say I was being somewhat 'tongue in cheek' as it were but I don't know what happened to my second edit of my last post! In that I did ask my old mate Parsnips to bear in mind that "gustix" had stated that Steve B might well need a late fitness test on Monday morning (that's an early fitness test surely???). And whilst I don't know whether that will be the case, or indeed if Kent WILL be tracking him tomorrow, I've sneaky feeling in my bones (it MIGHT be arthritis I'll admit!) that he'll ride if at all possible. And furthermore (although I can't confirm of course!) that feeling also indicates to me that he WILL ride. But we'll have to wait and see won't we?

"Gustix" knows very well when programmes are printed compared to meetings taking place Parsnips old fruit having written many articles I'll wager for inclusion in several over the years and also for magazines etc that also have print deadlines!

Very sad news indeed - RIP Tony. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

But unfortunately the position regarding your posting Parsnips old fruit, is that there's not exactly a plethora of riders currently without team places of a suitable standard to be on standby as it were ready, willing AND most importantly able to step into team places overnight is there? I don't necessarily disagree BUT what would you suggest as an alternative in the current economic situation of both the country and the sport? We can all say "do away with guests," and/or "do away with double up riders" but not so easy to suggest and explain alternative strategies to them.

So 'gustix' what do you suggest? Steve Boxall turns down the chance of an extra money earning opportunity? Would you subsidise i.e. pay what he'd potentially miss out on by turning such an opportunity down? Or what would you put forward as an alternative to the use of guests to replace injured NL number 1s or when a team has two or more of their top five out of action?

Like many others I would think, I'd be interested in finding out how young Robert has been faring in Germany this year. Can anyone provide a link to suitable website please that would provide such info?

I don't know the answer to your question 'gustix' but I very much doubt that it was a matter of someone spotting Will at the track, going up to him and saying, "Oh really glad you're here today Will, and as you've got the necessary licence, could you do the Kent Kings a favour and team manage them today please?"

You don't like them commentating so why not use the 'mute' button on your gogglebox remote control then? Afterall you don't get race commentary at UK speedway matches when you go to watch them in person do you? Soon after I had arrived in Australia on one of my first winter visits I was asked if I'd mind doing the announcing / commentating at a meeting and whilst the announcing of results etc.etc, I'd done hundreds of times previously, actually commentating on racing ain't easy I can assure you!