Swift Saint

I don't know why I am trying to help those who don't know the rules on here since some "Barrack Room Lawyers" say I don't even know the name of the League. However the answer to the Perry Average Saga is made clear in Rule 17.1.1.2 which clearly states: The rules for a rider not completing the Teams qualification figures are A rider who has an established CMA will wait until the next cut off date (See 17.1.1.3) and the rule goes on to describer the process at the end of the season Then it states "A rider with an assessed CMA will be issued with a CMA after completing 12 fixtures (6 in the NL) that will be effective 7 days after that 12th Fixture. I understood that Clubs were required to submit all averages in accordance with these rules direct to the co-ordinator at the appropriate times. Clearly that has not happened in this case or something has gone wrong somewhere. Perry certainly has an assessed average. But no doubt Barrack Room Lawyer Parsloes will have a view? Malcolm Vasey

Well in the first place I am not currently a Promoter I am the Team Manager of Stoke and have no official say on such an issue. I am insulted by your stupid remark because anyone who has the slightest knowledge about me would know that I have been involved with the now National Development League since 1994 with three Clubs, a Promoter from 2000-2007 (incl) at Boston and I would do nothing deliberately to harm any team in the League which I believe is essential if this country is ever to become a real speedway power again. Incidenatlly, a view held I presume by all the Australians who come here thinking that they can develop best in that way. Buxton is an outstanding example to many and I have total admiration for that Club. I sympathise with their position because it happened to me three times but I do believe that the rules have to be followed although I did attempt to change the rule that they have fallen foul of. I have also now written seven books about this level of speedway and your comments are to me hardly worthy of a reply it seems being born out of ignorance. I would also state that it is my view that I have seen more speedway at this level than anyone else on the planet (I would say 1200 meetings) and I would want every Club in the League to survive and be joined by many more. Why don't you Australians open your own Club and join just for Aussies I would not mind that. But that would need people like you to put your hands in your pockets and stand the inevitable losses and I don't suppose you would wish to do that. My advice to you BFD is to think before you write on here and try and get something correct that would be a first it seems to me. Malcolm Vasey

Have you considered that perhaps the website have used an abbreviation that is incorrect? It is and always has been the British National Development League and I think that what is now assured is that there will be very much strict rules in future about these issues thank goodness. There may also be penalties for Clubs who use riders from overseas for short periods who then clear off never having intended to complete the season and thus distorting the integrity of the League. Malcolm Vasey

Do you know anything about anything in this country? It has been British National Development League from day one and remains as such so get your facts straight for once. I am very disappointed for James Sarjeant who deserves longer in my view to re-establish at his new Club. Malcolm Vasey

What utter nonsense. How can teams possibly be penalised for not running a Second Half League side in another competition? The cost is almost too much for riders nowadays never mind where Clubs are meant to get money from. Are you suggesting that the Clubs pay for this? And the benefits will be for non-Brits who take the places in the NL. We just need to limit those who will not ultimately ride for GB in the National League and , of course, reduce the points limit. And at the same time enforce the use of British riders in the PL by capping the number of foreigners many of whom are at best mediocre. Malcolm Vasey

This is really sad news marking the very sad loss of a genuinely good person who really loved speedway especially at Mildenhall and her team the Fen Tigers. Our deepest Sympathy to Ray and all of her family and friends. Malcolm and Desiree Vasey

Are you expecting Kings Lynn not to complete the season then? As a sort of neutral now I feel that Rye House have an excellent team with Jamie Smith and Kyle Hughes and the emerging Ben Morley they will take some stopping. With two highly promising reserves and a very solid middle order I can't see them losing any at Rye and they will also be excellent away from home. I also think that my former Club, Scunthorpe, will improve rapidly as the season progresses just as they did last year when they finished sixth with three 15 year olds. Newport have a tidy line up and so to do Buxton whilst Dudley have a team that can increase their averages. Bournemouth are well organised and Kyle Howarth's presence will far exceed his starting average. Mildenhall have a great line up well led by the excellent Jerran Hart, another team very difficult to beat on their own track where Hart and Evans will dominate affairs and their fixtures with Rye House which are always mouth watering will be outstanding as will their clashes with Kings Lynn and the brilliant James Brundle an ex Mildenhall rider. Kings Lynn are another team who will be hard to beat at home where in addition to Brundle and Courtney Campos and Lowe love the wide dirt and excel in that situation. Yet another in that category will be Plymouth where experience will count for plenty but with Jamie Smith and Kyle Hughes in the side Rye House may have the keys to unlock the Devils monopoly at St Boniface. Isle of Wight and Weymouth will have to work very hard to reach the play offs. In my view the scene is set for an excellent season of National League racing and although I now have to focus on the Premier League and our fantastic Potters I am looking forwrad to my NL neutrality and seeing plenty of great third tier speedway. Malcolm Vasey

I'm very glad to hear that the Kings Arms are keen to help. The housing which occupies the Norwich Firs Stadium area has some roads named after riders I understand. When the only option on a warm summer evening is to visit a supermarket, a housing estate a carpet warehouse or join the teenage population binge drinking in a Club the planners in this country will realise the mistakes that they have made. I must say that the book of which Mr Potts was a co-Author is one of the very best ever produced about a Speedway Club and very reasonably priced too. Malcolm Vasey

Indeed, and I will just remind one or two people about this possibility but this is hardly a time for financial speculation for most. Malcolm Vasey

No I have never been to any kind of stock car meeting whatsoever but have seen it on TV. I don't care for Formula 1 or Formula anything else either. And I did peep in once at Buxton when I was there for speedway and they had cars with what looked like metal sails attached but I could not watch it. Each to his own but it has no appeal to me. I am happy to discuss this further but not on this thread which is meant as a Tribute to the late Mr Farman. Malcolm Vasey

Yes the slapstick of motor sport. It would be so good if speedway could return to Great Yarmouth. Malcolm Vasey

Tony Mole investigated the possibility a few years ago whilst improvements were being carried out but nothing came of that. I feel that the best bet would be for a "Weymouth" style development using land which I understand is behind the Stadium but I have not heard that being mentioned as a possibility. A few years ago it was suggested that a track could be built as part of the racecourse complex but that seemed to just peter out but often people that I meet in the town ask me about the idea of a team at Yarmouth. Are you from Great Yarmouth? Malcolm Vasey

I have only just become aware of this thread and the sad contents. Whilst I did not know Keith personally I am sure I must have met him and I have read some of his very nostalgic material about speedway racing in Great Yarmouth. Living in the same Borough as Keith I am sure we shared a joint wish for the return of the sport to the Caister Road Stadium where I am certain it would be a success at third tier level. I would like to express my sincere condolences to Keith's Family and Friends. Malcolm Vasey

As always Great Central your almost uniquely held serious concern about the lack of youngsters is correct and it would seem that this has aroused the attention of the powers that be and I quote below an important announcement copied from the BSPA official website which needs maximum publicity. There are far too many foregners in the sport at present and this seems to be seeping into the National League which must be protected from the over use of anyone who will not be eligible or willing to race for Great Britain if required. I hope that this scheme is successful and I am pleased that it is taking place. I hope that it is the forerunner of many more opportunities from cities as far apart as Glasgow and Plymouth. For the longer term I intend to do all that I can to help the cause of younger riders in the National League as and where this is practicable at National League Administrative Meetings/AGM's etc and we must all try and improve the opportunities available for new riders. Without a massive influx of youngsters we will not have growth and that is essential to also grow our public support generally. At Buxton yesterday I was looking at the number of people who were at Stoke the previous evening, We must get more people and give them even better entertainment. The rush of some to get home on match amazes me I would be happy to reman at Scunthorpe until midnight after a match to gain a new rider. Malcolm Vasey

I am fairly certain that the closing date for entries is Monday for the round at Scunthorpe. That is when Graham Reeve is to advise us of the riders etc. Malclm Vasey

But that's not the point you were making, Just leave it Derek - I'm off for a spin. Oh no - I've just had one. Malcolm Vasey

I don't necessarily disagree with opening the competition up nor have I said that. It was just your well spun theory that it was harder for a rider to have a birthday in August than February which I have proved is patently untrue. ie a February birthday could mean NL speedway for a rider from March as the distraction from the U15 Championship whereas the problem you state for an August birthday does not become effective until the U15's is almost complete. Yes we are old stalwarts and love an argument but yours is flawed this time surely Derek. Come on admit it for once!!!! Malcolm Vasey

Parsloes as always you have a way of applying spin to your arguments and your attempts to justify your statements that are often biased. For instance The second piece above is your second point following the umbrella remark in qoutes listed first. Now I would say that by having until August to concentrate on the Under 15's compared to February Marc Owen has an advantage over Kyle Howarth who is absolutely committed and proud to ride for Scunthorpe and makes his debut next week against the League Champions. He will be doing the U 15 Cahmpionship but has reached the disadvantage point you mention for Marc already. I am not trying to score points for or against Marc Owen or Kyle Howarth and wish both of them the very best of luck. I am merely illustrating that for a scribe with your experience your spin is akin to that used by Alistair Campbell. You devalue your comments in every situation due to being blinded by your support for perceived various good causes which is why I call you a supporter. You are unable to look objectively at anything it would seem. I think you would do far better to read the excellent post by Morganbike and fight that cause and also the problems clearly specified by 771Neil. Get your spin to work on those matters for the benefit of all of the riders. Malcolm Vasey

Why? Did you fancy him in it? LOL Malcolm Vasey

Never being one to admit a mistake I wold draw your attention to Page 7 of the Pardoners Tale (Canterbury Tales - Geoffery Chaucer) where the use of the olde English spelling of details ie detrails is used relating to the the listing of body parts ie entrails producing the amazingly economic word detrails or list of such items. As far as my own name is concrned I have always been usure of the correct spelling but you have put me right. Thank You Malcolm Vasey

Please enlighten me about the spelling mistake? I hate you - Butler Malcolm Vasey

I am almost certain that the honour falls to Dean Felton. I am currently about to reach the point in preparation for my new book which will contain detrails of all appearances in the Third Tier since 1994 where the Table of this information with CMA's etc will be complete. Then I can speak with authority. Dean Garrod held the record once but he had dropped to fourth by the end of 2007 headed by Felton, Thompson and Burnett. David Mason was 7th and Matt Wright eighth! I expect my book which covers the whole of 2008 and many all time stats to be available in about 2-3 weeks. The highest point scorer at the end of 2007 was David Mason with a total of 2249 (including bonus). Malolm Vasey

I thought great credit was due to all particpants and to Buxton for having the track in decent shape despite the mist and fog and dampness. A great afternoon for me but I was puzzled at the lack of Team Managers and Promoters present to see these stars of the future. Tony Mole was there and one or two others like Steve Williams from Belle Vue and my notebook is full. Some great talent is on the way up. Malcolm Vasey

And myself also don't like mixing alcohol and cars Malcolm Vasey

Two Conference League Riders never completed a race due to crashes and being unable to take part any further and then never rode in an official match again. Dave Roberts started one race for Somerset at St Austell on 30/05/00 crashing into the machine of the fallen Mark Thompson in Heat 3. Roberts never rode again although I believe that he had ridden some time earlier in the National League. It was his one and only Conference League race. Michael Godfrey started one race for Scunthorpe in 2005 on making his debut for Scunthorpe on 07/08/05 at home to Sittingbourne. He tangled with Gary Phelps in Heat 13 (it would be that race) and has never made an appearance in the League since. Malcolm Vasey