Bryn

Oh what the heck! Winter's in the UK wouldn't be the same without at least one trip to hospital so Shazzy..... think you better put your reading glasses on as I stated Andy was FORTYthree today NOT FIF......

Just surf onto the STRA's own website at: http://www.southerntrackriders.co.uk/home.shtml from time to time Deano4265 to keep abreast of the Association's activities. NO further meetings this year (apart from practice day at King's Lynn) as I understand it. But you could always get up early this Sunday (assuming the weather's OK). and nip down to Iwade where there's a Dragons starting at 11a.m. I understand.

Certainly well worth mentioning Parsnips old fruit - just hope it's not snowing by then!

Yes I'm finding it hard to believe myself but tomorrow (Thursday) 'The Great Galvini" alias Andy Galvin will be celebrating his 43rd birthday!!! Having watched him from the days he practised and practised as a young teenager at Iwade and right throughout his career I've got to say what a talent he was - just a shame that he eventually was forced to quit riding by injuries. Anybody know what the old boy is doing nowadays? Bryn P.S. knowing he's 43 tomorrow is making ME feel really old!

Spot on Grand Central, as you say the STRA is really about riding primarilyl! A great club indeed! As it happens I would willingly have undertaken the announcing duties on Sunday except for one slight problem! You see at the moment there is no P.A. system operational at Rye House! Len Silver told us that work is continuing at pace on the new referee's / officials' box that is in line with the start / finish line and wil be fully operational for next season with most if not all of the necessary equipment having already been removed from the old box and the front of that demolished. Windows are due to be installed in the new box this week and those of us esconced within its boundaries throughout proceedings on Sunday were somewhat grateful that it wasn't too cold up there without them!

What absolute tripe "Blazeaway!" Without fans speedway as we know and cherish it wouldn't exist! HOWEVER a specific point was made on this thread by someone concerning the STRA and I felt it necessary to respond to set the record straight. Perhaps, just perhaps "Deano4265" if you bought the missus a really nice Xmas present she might, with a bit of persuasion, relent and let you have a go at speedway?

Who said that? I didn't! What I DID say, to repeat the point, was that the Southern Track Riders Association, 15 years on and still going strong, was designed for the specific benefit of its members and, as stated on the home page of the association's website "prides itself on offering track time to members who otherwise may not be given the opportunity to enjoy the "Speedway experience". It WAS not set up, nor is designed for the benefit of spectators and has never claimed to be. There were people there watching on Sunday including a current promoter and team manager. There's nothing stopping you if you so desire "Deano4265" buying a bike to the required specification and complying with the clothing / licensing specifications as set out, joining the Association and having a go yourself now is there? And as for there being no point in posting anything on this forum regarding the STRA, with there being 433 views of this thread so far as I type this clearly indicates there IS interest from many quarters!

Yet another one here who would have loved to see the legendary Fundin in his prime at Norwich. And other tracks I would have liked to have witnessed racing at are New Cross and Harringay - two London circuits where racing had ceased prior to me getting hooked on this great sport of ours.

I think we should get things absolutely straight 'Deano4265' and that is that the Southern Track Riders Association is designed for the specific benefit of it's members and, as stated on the home page of the association's website "prides itself on offering track time to members who otherwise may not be given the opportunity to enjoy the "Speedway experience". It WAS not set up, nor is designed for the benefit of spectators and has never claimed to be.

Hope that bee in your bonnet doesn't sting your bonce too much Parsnips old fruit! As I said earlier, I'm sure the moderators will move this thread if they feel it necessary to do so and, should that prove to be the case I apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused. Meanwhile perhaps the rest of us can get back to what happened during the course of an excellent afternoon's action at Hoddesdon!

I prefer to leave such things in the capable hands of the moderators instead of relying on your advice Parsnips old fruit! No doubt said moderators, who do an excellent and largely unpraised and under-praised job, will move this thread if they feel it nnecessary!

Firstly, much to the huge relief of my chauffeur BFC, refreshments were available from a wagon and consequently he demolished his usual quota of three hot dogs and two hamburgers! Yesterday's event was the last STRA meeting as such for 2008 although there is a further practice session planned. Full details can be obtained from: http://www.southerntrackriders.co.uk/home.shtml Bryn

Congratulations to all who took part yesterday and also a big pat on the back to Len Silver and his staff for getting the track in condition for racing after, quite obviously, much rain rain had fallen overnight. 35 riders plus two juniors in the Youth 250cc class took part and we witnessed a total of 50 heats. Results were as follows: NOVICE CLASS 1. Mark Baldock 2. Sam Howett 3. Mark Bishop 4. Richard Lewin SUPPORT CLASS 1. Ian Olson 2. Ben Holloway 3. Richard Cawthorne 4. Sam Woods OPEN/INTERMEDIATE CLASS: 1. Rhys Naylor 2. Oliver Gay 3. Chris Widman 4. Jim Wannell

Tony Childs and Brian Foote had a few shall we say 'disagreements' in their time! Legend has it that at one match when they were on opposite sides, Childsy went up to Footy in the pits as soon as he arrived, dropped his kitbag and said, "we going to have a punch up now to save doing it later?"

If you're after comparisons sdb then it might also be useful if anyone able to provide the info you've requested could also give some sort of idea as well as to wage levels on average in those countries.

Today's scheduled noon start STRA meeting at Rye House is OFF. Rain has hit the South East.

Just about everything people have already mentioned Dashing away from Kingsmead on a Saturday night aboard the ex-wife's Austin Cambridge and whilst she was driving at breakneck speed (or what seemed like it!) across to the Kempton Manor Hotel on the A20 at Hothfield, muggins here was struggling to change in the car into decent clobber en route in order to go to work as The Welsh Wizzard in Mr. Toad's Music Show! Laurie Etheridge and Alan Sage as double tactical substitutes in heat 8 in Crayford away matches. "Having a few" in an away bar at a match and foolishly agreeing on the coach back to Crayford with a guy called Dave Turner who was in charge of the printing at Woolwich Poly, that it would be a good idea for me to type the Kestrel News on my ancient portable typewriter each week if he would print it as we both missed the Speedway Stop Press. "Big Arthur" flogging the Speedway Mail etc., etc

Wouldn't have thought so as I'm sure he'll be at Lakeside's Dinner & Dance!

Thanks Tomasz - I'll pass the info on and should the person who emailed me want Borut's details, I'll get back to you. Thanks once again for your help. Bryn Williams

Thanks for adding a balanced comment EG. Now I'm as gutted for "Victor" as anyone because he deserves a big meeting for his benefit as much as anybody else and he really is a smashing guy. I got to know him well when he was out in Oz as I was with the Young Lions touring side in the winter some eight years ago and have some very happy memories of that tour - somewhere, I'm sure, I have a photo of him cuddling a Koala the great big softie! I also found it was much easier to understand what he was saying after we'd all had a few beers! Hopefully his meeting will go ahead in the spring and a big crowd turn out to witness it.

I've received an e-mail asking me if there are any websites carrying photos from the meeting - can anybody help with some suggestions please? Thanks in advance.

Terrific news - the only sad part being that there had to be a meeting of this nature in the first place.

Promise?

Parsnips old fruit, I quite frankly fail to see how you can possibly claim that, or indeed think you are entitled to claim that ALL people who are interested in Conference League speedway agree with your way of thinking! As far as I'M concerned, this thread is where it should be!