Statman

No worries...thank Alex Davies' girlfriend, she's the one texting back from Terenzano!

First 8 heats from Terenzano (progessive scores in brackets) 1 Masters, Thornblom, Randrup, Ivacic 2 M B Jensen, Musielak, Bellego f, Castagna f 3 Zmarzlik, Jepsen Jensen, Newman, Davies 4 Dudek, North, R Worrall, Kovacic 5 Dudek (6), Thornblom (4), Castagna (1), Davies f (0) 6 Zmarzlik (6), Masters (5), Kovacic (1), Bellego (0) 7 M B Jensen (6), North (4), Newman (2), Ivacic (0) 8 Musielak (5), R Worrall (3), Jepsen Jensen (3), Randrup f (1)

I am getting basic text updates from Terenzano....first 4 heats 1 Masters, Thornblom, Randrup, Ivacic 2 M Jensen, Musielak, Bellego f, Castagna f 3 Zmarzlik, Jepsen Jensen, Newman, Davies 4 Dudek, North, R Worrall, Kovacic

Went over for this meeting, first thing to say that was excellently run by the folk at Blijham, nice track in a lovely location and made to feel very welcome by everyone there. Richie Worrall was superb and extremely unluckily in what turned out to be a farce of a run-off for 1st place. Everyone, including Pawlicki thought race was going to be stopped with it being at least a case of both riders back for a re-run. Pit gate opened, Worall rode went back into pit to get new front wheel as one in bike had many spokes missing and looked very bent after being run into by Pawlicki. Meanwhile Pawlicki turned round and went back to just outside pits while his pit crew swarmed around him with clutch coolers, bike stands etc to wait until Worrall returned. Then he was informed that race hadn't been stopped by referee and that it was still effectively running, so Pawlicki turned around, completed the 4 laps and took the winner's cheque. Question is...how was it that if race hadn't been stopped by referee (and to be fair no red lights came on or red flags shown), why Pawlicki wasn't excluded for a] riding wrong way round track to get back to wait outside pit gate & b] fact his mechanics appeared to touch bike while he was waiting outside pits. Plus race was still effectively 'running' but pit gate had ben opened???? Anyway apart from the bizarre ending, meeting was a good one, Tom Perry blew his best engine in afternoon practice so had to compete using his spare, but picked up points in every ride and did what was needed with a second place in his last ride to qualify for the semi-final's. Somerset fans will also be pleased to see that Alex Davies also qualified for the semi-final stages, a win in his opening ride setting him on his way, although he found points gradually harder to come by as the meeting progress. With Tom & Alex both qualifying it means that 4 Somerset riders, with Sam Masters & Kyle Newman already through from their qualifying in Germany last month, will be amongst the 32 competing in the 2 semi-final's. Finally a word about Sean Mason - from the evidence of this meeting he is worth a look at for a possible PL berth, if not this year, then next...he acquitted himself well and but for an exclusion in his final ride might well have qualified for the semi-finals as of right, or at worse been in a run-off for final spot up for grabs, and then a fall on last bend when miles ahead of Helfer in run-off for reserve berth in semi-finals denied that him place.

I think you'll find that 'Mr Appleton' is no stranger to riding a speedway bike having ridden for Reading 2002-05, plus Newport & Oxford prior to that. He was New Zealand Champion in 2002 and once scored paid 17 from 6 rides for Reading at OTA (2004) and has 3 other double figure scores riding at OTA for Reading in his 6 appearances at OTA. Gave up riding speedway in 2006 to concentrate on Longtrack racing.

Full Line up for Friday's 'National Autistic Society Somerset Open Championship' (in alphabetical order): Andrew Appleton (Unattached), Nicki Barrett (Denmark), Lewis Bridger (Eastbourne), Alex Davies, (Somerset), Ryan Fisher (Coventry), Cory Gathercole (Somerset), James Holder (Somerset), Jesper Soegaard Kristiansen (Denmark), Mark Lemon (Newcastle), Jari Mäkinen (Finland), Sam Masters (Somerset), Kyle Newman (Newcastle), Bjarne Pedersen (Eastbourne), Claus Vissing (Birmingham), Charles Wright (Unattached), James Wright (Somerset) The action will get underway with tapes up on heat 1 at at 7.30pm, with the rider introductions and parade taking place at 7.20pm.

Your memory does not serve you correct as you are totally wrong...the past winners were: 2000 - Adam Allott 2001 - James Mann 2002 - David Howe 2003 - David Ruud You are getting the Somerset Open confused with various testimonial meetings, Jason Crump won the Glenn Cunningham Testimonial & Scott Nicholls won the Graeme Gordon Testimonial.

With the original staging of this meeting falling foul of the weather at the start of the season, Friday (20th) sees the re-staging of Somerset's 10 Year Anniversary Meeting at the Oak Tree Arena. Confirmed line up: Ricky Ashworth (Sheffield), Jason Doyle (Poole), Cory Gathercole (Somerset), Christian Hefenbrock (Somerset), Chris Holder (Poole), Mads Korneliussen (Swindon), Mark Lemon (Newcastle), Jason Lyons (Birmingham), Sam Masters (Somerset), Dakota North (Newcastle), Shane Parker (Somerset), Morten Risager (Swindon), Justin Sedgmen (Birmingham), Linus Sundstrom (Rye House), Darcy Ward (Poole), Cameron Woodward (Eastbourne), meeting reserve James Holder (Somerset) Meeting to be run on same lines as the GP's, 20 qualifying heats, top 8 into the 2 semi-finals, top two from each semi-final meet in Grand Final. Rider Parade will be at 7.15pm with tapes up on opening heat at 7.30pm

Darryl Ritchings replaces Ben Morley at number 3 Daniel I'Anson replaces Rhys Naylor at number 14 1st reserve (number 17) is now Lloyd Barrett Dan Stoneman is 'stand-by' rider

The penultimate rider for Somerset's 10 Year Anniversary Meeting on Friday March 19th has now been confirmed, he being none other than; Emil Sayfutdinov! Making the full confirmed line up to date with just one place left in the sixteen rider field as follows (in riding order); 1) Charlie Gjedde 2) TBC 3) Grzegorz Walasek 4) Lewis Bridger 5) Emil Sayfutdinov 6) Lee Richardson 7) Niels-Kristian Iversen 8) Zdenek Simota 9) Hans Andersen 10) Lubos Tomicek 11) Cory Gathercole 12) Steve Boxall 13) Mark Lemon 14) Jason Crump 15) Sebastian Ulamek 16) Shane Parker A reminder that the Somerset Promotion will not be raising admission prices for this meeting, their standard admission prices will apply of; Adults - £13, Concessions - £10, Children (12 -15 years) - £4, Children (11 & under) - free if accompanied by a paying adult. Programme will be priced at £2.50 and car parking £1.00 Parade will be at 7pm with first heat at 7,15pm, the meeting being preceded at 5.45pm by a Memorial Service for Emil Kramer.

The next confirmed rider for Somerset's 10 Year Anniversary Meeting has been announced, it being another who will not be riding on a regular basis in UK - Grzegorz Walasek

Latest rider confirmed for Somerset's 10 Year Anniversary Meeting - and it is none other than the current World Champion Jason Crump who will be making one of his few scheduled 2010 UK appearances at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday 19th March. With no increases on Somerset's normal admission prices (which have been reduced in 2010 compared to 2009 prices) this is fast becoming a meeting not to be missed with a high quality line up that has now been further enhanced with the news of Crump's participation. 12 of the 16 riders have now been confirmed and it is hoped that at least 2 of the remaining four places will be filled by Grand Prix calibre riders............

Further two names added to list of confirmed starters for Somerset's 10 Year Anniversary Meeting - Lewis Bridger & Lubos Tomicek Full line up to date; Hans Andersen Mark Lemon Charlie Gjedde Niels-Kristian Iversen Lee Richardson Sebastian Ulamek Shane Parker Cory Gathercole Steve Boxall Lewis Bridger Lubos Tomicek

A further 4 names have been added to the list of confirmed riders for Somerset's 10 Year Anniversary Meeting - Seb Ulamek and 3 of the 2010 Rebels septet, Shane Parker, Cory Gathercole & Steve Boxall. Full line up to date; Hans Andersen Mark Lemon Charlie Gjedde Niels-Kristian Iversen Lee Richardson Sebastian Ulamek Shane Parker Cory Gathercole Steve Boxall

The 5th rider for Somerset's 10 Year Anniversary Meeting has now been confirmed as being Lee Richardson Confirmed line up to date; Hans Andersen Mark Lemon Charlie Gjedde Niels-Kristian Iversen Lee Richardson

The next two riders have been confirmed as riding in Somerset's 10 Year Anniversary Meeting, these being Charlie Gjedde & Niels-Kristian Iversen Line up so far; Hans Andersen Mark Lemon Charlie Gjedde Niels-Kristian Iversen

The first two names for Somerset's 10 Year Anniversary Meeting (Friday 19th March @ 7.15pm) have been announced, these being Hans Andersen & Mark Lemon. The meeting is being run on same lines as the GP's, 20 heats after which the top 8 will qualify for the semi-finals, the first two in each semi progressing through to the Grand Final. The sixteen rider field will be a mix of top internation/GP riders, ex-Rebels and 3 of the 2010 Somerset team. Good news for fans is that there will be no increase on the club's normal admission prices for this meeting and that season tickets are valid for the meeting. Further names of riders competing will be announced in the next few days.

Crump Injured but Still Makes Testimonial Appearance Jason Crump will be at the Oak Tree Arena this Friday night in celebration of Mark’s Lemon’s Testimonial, however owing to a racing injury sustained on Monday of this week, Crump will not be fit enough to take his place in the Australia v Rest of the World line-up. Filling big shoes, the committee has been quick to swoop upon the services of Australia's World Team Cup Rider, Troy Batchelor as a replacement for the injured Crump. With one Crump out, young Seth Crump and his sister Mia will make their first appearance riding their Peewees on the Somerset track before the meeting. It was also announced today that Sky Sports pundit and retired English International, Chris Louis will appear on the evening’s schedule and will take part in a match race on track with 1993 World Champion, Sam Ermolenko during the interval. On the evening, gates open at 5.30pm with a rider parade at 7.15pm. Tapes up 7.30pm prompt. Tickets have been in huge demand and will be available on the evening. Adults cost £13.50, children aged 6-16 £4, Under 5s go free. Fireworks will follow the podium celebrations before all will be welcome in the club house to enjoy post race entertainment. Commenting on last minute plans, Lemon said: ‘It has been a blow to lose Jason from the field at this late stage but I’d thrilled he and the family will still be there as guests on the evening. I wish him a very speedy recovery so he can get back to securing the 2009 World Speedway Championship. I am extremely grateful to Troy, deputising for Jason at such short notice and it still promises to be a thriller of a showdown; roll on Friday!’

As well as the 15 heats for main meeting, there is also a mini 3-heat individul meeting for top four scorers from each team, 2 semi-finals, top 2 from each into a final.

Special Guests Announced for Lemo’s Big Night Having fielded an impressive rider line-up for his testimonial meeting, a contest of such high calibre deserves an equally impressive Guest of Honour list and that is certainly the case for Lemo’s celebrations this Friday (18th September). Joining Lemo will be the 1950 and 1953 World Speedway Champion, the ex-Wembley star Freddie Williams, who will joined by a world class performer in his own branch of sport, the Australian cricketing legend and current captain of Somerset County Cricket, Justin Langer. Langer’s opening test partnership with Matthew Hayden was one of the most successful opening test cricket partnerships of all time, and earlier this year he became the highest scoring Australian batsman in English domestic cricket. Add to this a connection a little bit closer to home and joining the guest list will be Mark's father-in-law and former Newcastle Diamond legend, Tom Owen and Australia's Godfather of Speedway, Neil Street. On the evening, Sam Ermolenko will display his World Championship winning bike, plus there will be a signing post for fans to meet riders and get autographs. Advance tickets for the meeting which include a commemorative pass and pit walk are up to capacity; however, tickets are still available on the evening. Adults cost £13.50, children aged 6-16 £4, Under 5s go free. In a change to previous rider announcements, Newcastle’s Kenni Larsen has been committed to a Danish Super League meeting and will be replaced by his compatriot and Lemon’s Newcastle team mate, the promising young Dane, Rene Bach. Gates open: 5.30pm, Rider presentation 7.15pm, tapes up 7.30pm Admission: Adults £13.50, Children 6-16 £4, 5 and under – Free Confirmed line-up: Australia 1. Jason Crump (Belle Vue) 2. Jason Lyons (Birmingham) 3. Adam Shields (Lakeside) 4. Steve Johnston (Somerset) 5. Leigh Adams (Swindon) 6. Travis McGowan (Swindon) 7. Mark Lemon (Newcastle) Team Manager: Phil Crump Rest of the World 1. Hans Andersen (Poole) 2. Joe Screen (Poole) 3. Tai Woffinden (Wolverhampton) 4. Emil Kramer (Somerset) 5. Peter Karlsson (Wolverhampton) 6. James Wright (Belle Vue) 7. Rene Bach (Newcastle) Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko There will be more news later this week regarding other additional attractions & events that are to be held on the evening itself, so watch out for further details

Teams for re-staging of 3rd under 23 Test Match at Somerset on Friday 26th Sept; England 1] James Wright (Swindon) 2] Jordan Frampton (Somerset) 3] Edward Kennett (Eastbourne) 4] Ben Barker (Stoke) 5] Lewis Bridger (Eastbourne) 6] Josh Auty (Redcar) 7] Ben Wilson (Sheffield) Australia 1] Chris Holder (Poole) 2] Cory Gathercole (Isle of Wight) 3] Troy Batchelor (Swindon) 4] Ty Proctor (Redcar) 5] Jason Doyle (Somerset) 6] Richard Sweetman (Isle of Wight) 7] Kozza Smith (King's Lynn)

Teams for 3rd Test at Somerset on Friday 12th are England 1) James Wright (Swindon); 2) Jordan Framton (Somerset); 3) Edward Kennett (Eastbourne); 4) Ben Barker (Stoke); 5) Lewis Bridger [c] (Eastbourne); 6) Josh Auty (Redcar); 7) Ben Taylor (Buxton); Team Manager - Dave # Name Removed # Australia 1) Troy Batchelor (Swindon); 2) Cory Gathercole (IoW); 3) Chris Holder [c] (Poole); 4) Cameron Woodward (Eastbourne); 5) Jason Doyle (Somerset); 6) Ty Proctor (Redcar); 7) Kozza Smith (King's Lynn); Team Manager - Craig Boyce

Yep, I'll be texting in the live updates

It's the Somerset Speedway Office number, but on race days it should automatically divert to the track......

Clubcall number is 09068 664 684, though as this a BSPA Event as opposed to a Somerset Rebels meeting, might be worth checking BSPA Newsline as well. Though in saying this, the weather prediction is quite good, only couple of 'passing showers' forecast for lunch time/early afternoon, so on that basis I'd say that an early call off is unlikely.