Bryn

I was present at both meetings and iro the record win I well remember things getting very tense indeed in the Crayford side of the pits as the 5-1s (plus one 5-0) accumulated as none of the riders wanted to be THE one that dropped a point!

Met Office got things right - See you all later as we're leaving here in Kent circa 1pm. Meanwhile those closer can always check on any possibility of rain (but none expected from hereon!) at: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/observations/?tab=map&map=Rainfall and via other parts of the website.

News now on club's official website at: http://www.iowislanders.co/

Likewise MC, looking forward to it and, knowing my mate who'll be chauffeuring, stopping at the Red Lodge for a feed on the way home! He can't go more than about 100 miles and/or two hours without food!

It was posted in that way suggested by yourself Parsnips old fruit - on the thread(s) specifically related to the now cancelled proposed meeting. :wink:

Alas not - much as I'd love to!

Expecting an announcement to be made by the IOW Wightlink Islanders management this coming Wednesday.

Perhaps you could save petrol money by cycling there and back Mimmo? We're coming up from Kent but by car as my mate BFC (as others who know him, including you, will agree I'm sure) would get arrested if he went out wearing Lycra shorts!

Amazing news iro Lee's memorial fund - go to: http://www.lakesidehammers.co.uk/

Was hoping to get up there today but, alas, car is full and I can't be squeezed in! Hope it's a good match and good luck to all riders.

Got to congratulate the clubs who participated in this year's AJDL which I regard as a success in terms of it's prime aim of giving new young British riders valuable track time at several circuits and to prepare them for, hopefully, a move up to competitive league racng in the NL and upwards further from there. Was never intended to be a glorified fourth division. Just one o/s fixture at moment and that is Mildenhall v Ipswich and am awaiting news on whether that will be staged.

After two previous rain offs will it be a case of third time lucky tomorrow as the IOW once again attempt to stage the National League play off semi-final against Mildenhall at Smallbrook? The Wightlink Islanders and their supporters will be hoping so as it'll also give them the chance to welcome ex-Islander and now World Champion Chris Holder back to the circuit where he spent the first two years of his UK career in 2006/7. Oh and there's the matter of pulling back a 22 point deficit against the Fen Tigers!

Sadly the weather men are right - TONIGHT'S MATCH IS OFF! Will now be staged next Tuesday (October 16).

And the results were: OPEN CLASS: 1. Andy Mountain 2. Adam Portwood 3. Jeremy Pestell INTERMEDIATE CLASS: 1. Connor Mountain 2. John Markham 3. Josh Bailey NOVICE CLASS: 1. Mark Anderson 2. Wayne Beckett 3. Tony Raybould

Forget the gardening - I have! I'm up at silly o'clock on a Sunday as am off to King's Lynn for Southern Track Riders Association meeting starting at noon. Come on down and see some action.

Sad news indeed. R.I.P. Merv

Why should ANY participant be 'chosen' to appear in any sport's 'World Championship'? Surely participants should have QUALIFIED to be in it?

6.30pm FINAL WEATHER CHECK: Blue sky, bit nippy - meeting ON!!!

4.30 pm UPDATE As has been posted, we had some rain for a brief spell (10 mins?), it having been dry until circa 30 mins ago, which has stopped. Brightening up again and meeting is ON

11.30am WEATHER UPDATE Has clouded over slightly but no sign of rain and latest info from Met Office (10am) indicates no more that a possibility of a brief patch of light rain circa 4pm. Tonight's oh-so-special meeting WILL be ON!

8.30am WEATHER CHECK: It's a bright morning here at the Erith/Dartford divide in Kent, just across the River Thames from the Arena Essex Raceway, the venue for tonight's BIG meeting. It's all systems GO!!!!

I'll be updating people on the weather as often as I can tomorrow as am going over to the track early. I live just across the Kent side of the River Thames near the Dartford Tunnel / bridge so will do first update(s) from here before setting off.

Thanks for the above 'Rhidassa' - Below I hope is suitable clarification of the entry procedure to be used on Friday by all attending and especially those who've already made a minimum donation towards entry via the internet. I have also been asked to confirm that admission can be gained on the night subject to a MINIMUM donation of £10 (all of us CAN donate more if we want to and I'm sure most of us intend to) for adults and £1 for children being made. PROCEDURES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MADE MINIMUM ON-LINE DONATIONS IN RELATION TO ENTRY TO THIS FRIDAY'S VERY SPECIAL MEETING: To clarify entry procedures for this Friday's meeting at the Arena Essex Raceway we wish to advise that NO actual tickets will be posted to those who have paid online. Within minutes of making the purchase an automated confirmation is despatched to the email address quoted on the application. This shows the number of minimum donations of £10 each purchased along with the unique reference number. This confirmation should be printed off as this is your ticket. Once parked up in the free car parking areas entry into the main Raceway complex will be by foot through the double gates at the top of the drive, which will be sectioned off. You will have to hand in your printed off ticket and will then be able to make any additional donations at that point of entry. Any accompanying children (aged 16 and under) will also be able to make their donations in cash, which will be for a minimum amount of £1. Please note that there will be no vehicle access via these double gates as separate entry arrangements have been made for riders, staff and officially invited guests along with Hammers Season Ticket holders (who have been asked to pay in cash or online as their Season Tickets will NOT be valid for this event).

Mimmo wrote: "Where else can you get such value for money (the meeting consisted of 34 races). On top of all that, there was a lovely vegetable garden that contained runner beans and potatoes around the referee's box. Can you believe a referee (Christina Turnbull) who showed commonsense by allowing riders back into re-runs that had fallen. An announcer that looked completely disorientated because he'd had to get out of bed the wrong side of lunch time. A Peterborough fan (SM) wandering around looking for any souvenirs (IS THAT SPELT CORRECTLY??) he could acquire, and lokking particularly pleased with a framed photo. Yep, all that for a fiver!!" The announcer is allergic to mornings I'm afraid to say and the proggie was a tad complicated for him in his 'trying to wake up' condition he freely concedes!; The veggie patch was bereft of horse manure unlike the last time the announcer was there thank goodness; The Peterborough fan I feel sure doesn't spell 'looking' that way I'm sure AND Mr Morosely... er well I'll tell you another time BUT it WAS a great day and well done to ALL who took part in whatever capacity or indeed attended. And indeed let's hope Tom Brennan's hospital trip revealed no lasting injury of any nature.

Incredible to hear that Rafal won the gold medal in a handcycling event at Brands Hatch in the Paralympics