Bryn

Good to hear that Sonke is determined to 'come out fighting' as it were and face up to what will obviously be very challenging times ahead of him after sustaining such a life-changing injury. I'm certain that everybody within the speedway world hopes that everything goes well for him as far as proves possible. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now turning to the situation that the GB Under 21 camp found themselves in following the injury sustained by Rob Mear on Thursday night can I firstly add my thanks to PhilK who was another actually at the meeting for his posting / views to add to my thanks already expressed to BobC for his posting. I've had various conversations with other people both yesterday and today (Tuesday) regarding the fact that we were only able to track four riders and that includes a phonecall plus an Email I received from another who was at the meeting who feels that certain points should be made but who doesn't wish their identity to be revealed on a public forum and I fully respect that. Various people have already suggested on this thread that lack of time / financial issues / possible lack of national pride etc etc might have come into play and I personally wouldn't argue with any of those suggestions. We should I think bear in mind that even before Rob Mear's crash last Thursday night Ben Barker and Joe Haines (and forgive me there for I think there are others but it is getting late!) had been ruled out of the proposed squad through injury. Now realistically those responsible for putting together the squad would not have known that Rob Mear would be unable to ride until Friday morning, The person who contacted me earlier assures me that upon learning of the news, the phonecalls to possible eligible replacements began in earnest and continued for something like five hours plus! Apparently roughly 10 turned down the chance to step in at the last minute for various reasons. Two positive responses came to light but in relation to those various circumstances such as as transport and time to get the paperwork ready etc, precluded either Rider from attending. The ACU and the BSPA Offices all shut down at 4pm on Friday, so that the Under21 management were left with the only posibilities being holders of an ACU / FIM acceptable Medical Certificate, and there aren't too many of them at Under 21 level that weren't already in it or injured. With regard to those who had said no, I'm told it was offered to fly a couple of them out there and lend them an engine if they could send a rolling chassis out in advance with one of the other riders who were leaving on Friday night / Saturday morning but again nothing proved 'on' as it were with those to whom such help was offered saying they couldn't do so for whatever reason. I think that both BobC and PhilK have made mention of the sterling efforts the quartet who were able to get to the meeting and this person I spoke to said to me, " As far as Brendan and Simon Lambert are concerned, we should be very proud of them for their efforts and their enthusiasm. As far as Lewis and Tai go, they were brilliant in their efforts and their support of the other two riders." I believe from looking at the FIM website / rulebook that for the U21 WTC the fourth placed side gets 1,800 Swiss Francs. That is around Euros 1,159. which is equal to about £220 a Rider! BobC has already referred to the amount of money Brendan's dad has already spent on fuel getting to meetings alone! But let's take Tai's case and, if my maths are anything like correct, it works out at £14.70 a point as he got 15 from 6 rides and no doubt he could / would have earned more if he'd chosen to ride for Wolverhampton on Monday instead! I'm given to understand (BobC or PhilK will correct me if I'm wrong!) that he and his family travelled direct to Abensberg from Poland undertaking something like a 9 hour overnight trip, to arrive at his hotel at 8.00 am, just in time to get NO SLEEP, have a shower and some breakfast and then went straight to the Track. So perhaps it has been suggested to me that we people should ask ourselves why Tai is so passionate about it regardless of the financial reward as are Lewis, Simon and Brendan who ALL fall into that bracket of Riders who WANT to ride for their Country (as no doubt do the injured Ben Barker, Joe Haines and Rob Mear as well as Jamie Courtney and Matt Bates both of whom were ready to go to Germany but it wasn't possible because of paperwork etc) whilst others who were ultimately offered more help than Tai, Lewis, Brendan and Simon couldn't make themselves available, although accepting that there may well have been valid reasons, rather than criticising the teamGB management for not fielding a five man squad! It certainly seems that they tried their best to do so. PHEW!!! I would stress that what I've posted above is mostly what I was asked to and yes I know it's a bit "deep" so on a slightly lighter note perhaps either BobC or PhilK might like to give us their thoughts on what they feel Health & Safety authorities might make of the team's facilities at the track out there and confirm how good Rob Woffinden's tea brew (did he REALLY use a Bunsen Burner???) tasted?

First and foremost can I add my own best wishes to Sonke Petersen plus his family and friends and this very sad and trying time for them. I certainly remember seeing Sonke in action on his two trips over here. Such a tragic and sad end to his racing career. And can I also in addition to TMW thank BobC for his excellent posting and would confirm that he's spot on regarding the lack of time to get paperwork processed in time to get another rider out there.

Oh dear! Must say there was nothing duff about the speedway, the riders, or the place earlier in the year when I was out there - what have you lot been up to WWTBP????

Always difficult to draw any firm conclusions from mere practice sessions but young Huckenbeck looked to be on the pace whereas Mr. Kennis will have to be a lot more on the pace tomorrow otherwise I fear he might get lapped.

There's a simple solution surely and that is better family planning by fathers who have any hopes for a son of theirs to become British Under 15 speedway champions of the future! Whatever 'cut off' date you have, someone will be unhappy!

Who needs Chas 'n Dave when we've got Jaybea & Peasepud?

Absolutely gutted for you and my thoughts are with you. After all that hard work you've put into the scheme (not to mention money!) to have your hopes and dreams so cruelly shattered in this way is beyond comprehension. Bryn

Many a fine photo from yesteryear to be seen at: http://justsolos.homestead.com/index.html Bryn

I don't know if anyone on here is is contact with Seane BUT, just in case they are, please pass on my very best wishes to him for a swift, and very importantly FULL recovery.

It's 1.30am here - not long back. Congrats first and foremost to the top four. Good to hear all involved in crashes in practice / meeting okay... relatively speaking at least! More from me after some sleep! Bryn PS good to see the likes of Doyley, Wato, Mitch Shirra, James Birkinshaw, Craig Hyde, Phil & Lee Herne etc all their watching

Line up as far as I'm aware is as follows: Aaron Summers, Kozza Smith, Justin Sedgman, Tom Hedley, Richard Sweetman, Jake Anderson, Mitchell Davey, Michael Penfold, Hugh Skidmore, Darcy Ward, Sam Masters, Taylor Poole, Todd Kurtz, Ryan Sedgman, Alex Davies, Josh Grajczonek. Reserves: Rick Wallace & Ashley Cathcart. Some great young talent competing for the title - care to try and predict the 1,2,3?

I don't think Ladbrokes own(ed) that open land you refer too plus there would be the question of access to it as well.

We may well have David!

Oh dear Parsnips old fruit, does Dick know you swopped allegiance from the Crusaders to the Kestrels? Or haven't you been brave enough to tell him?

Yes indeed Pip (and my old mucker Parsnips too!)... Basically there's car parking for Sainsburys punters now where the turnstiles providing entrance to the old stadium were. The Sainsburys store (not that I've ever gone into it!) is situated in part of the old speedway parking area - over to your left as you entered from London Road turning left from the Dartford direction just after The Town Hall and Timpsons Coaches.

Good news indeed TMC that you are gradually getting the info you require and providing many memories for lots on this forum at the same time.

Looking at him I just can't believe that Tony Mac isn't old enough to know all these riders he's asking about! Mind you I did warn him that supporting West Ham (football NOT speedway!) would age him prematurely!!!

Tut! Tut! You never caught ME in a pub after matches at Canterbury Shazzy - I didn't have time!!!! For a long time I was one DJ in a mobile disco us four mates used to run called Mr. Toad's Music Show - NO I wasn't Mr. Toad!!!!! As - don't laugh - "The Welsh Wizzard," with Canterbury finishing soon after 8.30, I used to get the ex-missus mainly to run us down to Kingsmead and we'd watch the Saturday meeting. We'd then dash across to the Kempton Manor Hotel as it was then called on the A20 at Hothfield near Ashford, me changing into 'decent' gear including a dickybow tie en route whilst she drove our Morris Oxford at breakneck speed (OK as fast as it would flipping well go!) whilst I was so doing, so I could then do the disco for the good folk at the Kempton each Saturday who had enjoyed a meal in the Carvery Restaurant Bill & Jean, who had bought the place, had established. I'd have a beer when we got there!!! To explain, that became a "regular" Saturday night gig, other nights as well, so I volunteered to do it more often than not during the speedway season and we used our "small gear" (Our first ever set of disco gear) for that and our "big gear" (that which we subsequently got the great folk at Newham Audio to build) for other gigs i.e. dance halls, weddings, birthday parties, speedway supporters club dances etc etc., that, if I was at the Kempton, either one of the two others who DJ'd, Mr. Toad himself (John who was short in stature and similarly arms and legs, chubby bodied if you get my drift earning him his "Mr. Toad" nickname and "Smoothy Groovy Gorgeous Geoffrey" - Don't blame ME for the names!) would do the other gig - happy memories indeed.

YOU???? In a pub Shazzy????? Surely not?!!!!!

Leigh certainly was awesome in racing to his tenth Australian national title and not all those 18 straight race wins were achieved from the gate - far from it in fact. I thoroughly enjoyed all three meetings although was disappointed that Arnie G didn't buy me a Dark 'n Stormy!

Be thankful! 9 hour drive tomorrow, 5 hour one Wednesday to complete and get to Mildura! Mind you we are going to the Barrossa too!

Wednesday at Mildura, Saturday at Gillman (Adelaide). Coming?

He certainly was awesome for Crayford "CB" - and earned the nickname of "The Train."

NSW CJAMPS: The things I do for you lot! Tis 6.16am here in downtown Manly and I didn't know this time existed on a Sunday morn! But I'm off down to see the kids compete in a surf carnival so here's a further update on last night. 16 riders - top four through to the final after 20 heats. Heat scorers (in programme order): Tim Heffernan 4, Taylor Poole 2 (crashed 2nd ride - was told afterwards he was ok, bike wasn't! Tayor actually went THRU the fence that is wooden!), James Holder 12, Michael Dyer 1, Rick Wallace 1, Todd Kurtz 3, Chris Holder 15, Sam Masters 9, Michael Penfold 8, Lee Herne 11, Kozza Smith 13, Richard Sweetman 10 (fell in 1st ride - exc), Jay Herne 9, Kurt Shields 9, Alex Davies 6, Hugh Skidmore 6. Final: all way - gotta go - off to beach!!!

Whoops! It was indeed Arthur SW69! I blame the combination of a 22 hour flight AND three Bundy & Cokes including one of Ron's "specials" last night!