arnieg

Maybe I misheard, but I thought it was Robbo and Ollie Allen confirmed, with King and Ostergaard invited

My comiserations to those who travelled to Germany (at a considerable cost) for nothing Personally I don't subscribe to the conspiracy theories - most of the parties involved are too incompetent to organise a decent conspiracy

Full line-up now announced: The full line-up, in draw order, is: 1. Ulrich Ostergaard (Reading) 2. Glen Phillips (Isle of Wight) 3. Chris Neath (Rye House) 4. Cory Gathercole (Isle of Wight) 5. Emil Kramer (Somerset) 6. Tom P. Madsen (Reading) 7. Richard Sweetman (Isle of Wight) 8. Chris Schramm (Ipswich) 9. Robert Mear (Rye House) 10. Danny Warwick (Reading) 11. Tomas Suchanek (Reading) 12. Jordan Frampton (Somerset) 13. Chris Mills (Reading) 14. Mark Lemon (Reading) 15. Mads Korneliussen (Swindon) 16. Shawn McConnell (Unattached) Res. Paul Starke (Plymouth) Res. Tim Webster (Weymouth) So (assuming no run-offs) that makes the line-up for the last ever race at Smallmead: Gathercole, Kramer, Suchanek and Lemon Odds on Suchanek being the last rider ever to cross the finnish at Smallmead anyone?

I think that makes it nine times that Santej has been runner-up in the Slovenian Championship without ever winning it (He's also been third twice)

Latest Press Release (note that this confirms that there will be at least one further meeting at Smallmead before the end of era meeting - ie The Young Shield) END-OF-AN-ERA TICKETS! READING SPEEDWAY can now confirm the admission prices for their End-of-an-Era meeting on Sunday 19 October. The ticket prices are as follows: Adult Tickets £15 in advance £16 on the night Concession Tickets £12 in advance £13 on the night All Under-16s (There will be no Under-11s go free for this meeting) £5 in advance £6 on the night Junior Racers (with Junior Racers number and proof of membership) £4 in advance £4 on the night The Racers’ management are keen to emphasize that the stadium has a limited capacity and that the souvenir ‘collector’s item’ advanced tickets will guarantee entry on the big night and help beat the queues, as ticket holders will have their own separate entrance. Advance priced tickets are available via www.readingspeedway.com or by sending a stamped/addressed envelope to: Reading Speedway Marketing, Enterprise Connection Weymouth, Avon Close, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9UX. Please make all cheques payable to ‘Reading Racers’. Please note that Junior Racers tickets will not be available online – these will only be available by sending a note of request, together with a stamped/addressed envelope to the postal address above. Advance tickets will also be available to purchase at the home Young Shield meetings. Details and dates of these will be released as soon as the fixtures are confirmed. A further announcement is expected next week regarding the special Racers’ Celebration Meal. READING RACERS, 1968-2008 – THE LEGEND CONTINUES!!

Not forgetting the extract from "Tears & Glory" on the first year of Reading Racers @Smallmead

Tis the 19th after all Press Release FINAL MEETING CONFIRMED THE date of the last-ever speedway meeting at Smallmead Stadium has been confirmed, with the special End-of-an-Era event set to take place on Sunday 19 October, starting at 6.00 p.m. Plans for the event, which will also incorporate 40 seasons of speedway in Reading, are at an advanced stage and further details will be released shortly. A bumper evening of action is being put together to give the stadium the send-off it so rightly deserves. It is also hoped to have a number of Reading legends present on the night to mingle with supporters and sign autographs. Among the many riders to have donned the Racers’ famous Winged Wheel who will be invited along are: * Anders Michanek * Dag Lovaas * Per Jonsson * Jan Andersson * Dave Mullett * Bernie Leigh * Phil Morris * Tony Olsson * Ray Morton * Lee Richardson * Jeremy Doncaster * Mick Bell * Armando Castagna * John Davis * Tim Hunt * Peter Glanz * Dave Jessup * Plus many more… It is also planned to hold a Racers’ Celebration Dinner the night before the grand finale. Tickets are available for this special meal, where fans will have the opportunity to dine in the company of some of the club’s real legends. Supporters are invited to enjoy the weekend to the full and advanced tickets for both the Celebration Dinner and End-of-an-Era meeting are available from the Commercial Team. They may be contacted via the following details: E-mail: Marketing-readingspeedway.com Telephone: 01305 340803 Mobile: 07917 117007

Extraordinarily Schwartz and Gresham were team mates! Both these incidents took place in the same match - a 1982 Belle Vue v Reading cup tie. [result 57-18 to Belle Vue - Races walked out with 3 heats to go claiming track was unrideable].

Not sure about that - Holta is 35 (two years older than Crump, four years older than Pedersen) I'd be interested to hear from our Polish posters how 'Polish' Holta is regarded. Who would be the choice of Polish speedway fans for a Polish nomination?

True, even Crump had a hard time in his first GP season. My first instinct is to say that it is too early. However his Polish form (average above Andersen, and way higher than Nicholls and Lindgren) suggests he does deserve a shot. (He's only ridden four matches in Sweden - scores OK). Like Saifutdinov he is an exceptional talent. (Lakeside score notwithstanding I think it is too early for Pavlic - although he should at least get a run-out as a wildcard in one of next year's GPs) BSI need some new blood so I'd go for: Lindgren (only 22 - Millard please note) Harris Saifutdinov Holder This leaves (assuming the top 7 don't change) Holta and Nicholls knowing that it's a top 8 place or nothing. Of course this depends on the GP Qualifier result. If Sullivan, Richardson or Davidsson/P Karlsson qualify then Holder, Harris and Lindgren must be considered unlikely to receive a nomination. I'm assuming that Walasek and/or Ulamek will qualify, otherwise a nomination spot must go to a Pole (probably Hampel)

Was the SATL actually a name for the league or was it just the label used in Speedway News while the league apparently had no name?

Over the years I have done this several times and never failed (although some promoters were reluctant to put it mildly) Quick word of praise for Peter Toogood who was the only promoter who did so without grumbling, and actually seemed like he wanted to keep his customers happy

Actually the renaming took place after the season started Early programmes refer to metropolitan league, but then change to SAL mid-May. Guess someone realised that California, Ringwood, Brafield, Hoddesdon and Arlington weren't exactly metropolises

It's been the standard method for many years - (thankfully) it isn't needed very often, but I think it should be known to most officials. However I don't know if it is written into the regs if so which ones. (I'd guess it is in FIM regs, but of course this was a UEM event) I did find an event where they used an alternative way to sort out a multi (ie 5+) rider tie. The 1966 Swedish Championship. They drew lots and seeded Fundin to the final of the run-off, then had a run-off among the other four riders for places in the title run-off. [Fundin won]

Although previously announced as October 19 it looks like the date may be moved forward. (If it rains on 19th there would be no opportunity to restage it). So just a word of warning to anyone making advanced plans based on the previously announced date.

What are they supposed to do? Wait until 7.29pm on August 20 before letting us know who's riding. Anyway we all know it is a provisional line-up pending injury, sicknotes, breakdowns and withdrawls for other reasons (of varying degrees of plausibility)

Both at Long Eaton 1 October 1994 and 2 September 1995

Mentioned over the tannoy at Lakeside last night. Location given as end of stadium Way in Rayleigh. Ove Fundin, Terry Stone etc in attendance

Saw him earlier this month - did OK, but I was more impressed by Linus Sundstrom

I went in 2006 and bought tickets (covering all 3 meetings) via the net (Ticnet - Swedish Ticketmaster). They can be collected from ATG agents (these are mainly newsagents even small towns have them so they are easy to find). Although at present Ticnet only lists the Swedish GP - I'm sure our Swedish contributors will be able to give more reliable info. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. You get three very different meetings and get to see some interesting riders you may not have watched before. (And in 10 years time you'll be able to say I saw xx when he was still riding 50cc bikes.

Bob was at Smallmead last night. He's over here for a month, and hopes to get along to Kings Lynn sometime. (He was surprised to discover that they no longer ride on Saturday's) He doesn't see much speedway these days (he didn't seem to be a great fan of Pinjar Park). He talked a bit about his road racing and seemed quite animated when the talk turned to moto-GP and superbikes. We chatted a bit about his Racers days (and Milton Keynes) - I had to remind him he was the first ever rider to card a maximum at Smallmead (and the first with Bernie Leigh to record a 5-1)

Sold out I'm afraid - you'll have to keep an eye out at Collectors' Fayres

First Tempus one was 2004 (covering 2003 season) but there was an A4 spiral bound annual covering 2002

I recall seeing him at Mildenhall. A quick check in Mr Vasey's opus confirms that he rode two matches for Mildenhall in 2002. Robert Bamford's annual gives his dob as 10.7.79 and the place as Maitland, New Soutrh Wales

RE Ivor biggun's little masterpiece. If used at Coventry then I think it inconsistent with: 14.1 The ANNOUNCER/PRESENTER's role is to provide Spectators in a strictly impartial manner with information they need to reasonably understand and enjoy a Meeting and in respect of racing decisions, instructions / statements as given by the Referee. Under no circumstances should s/he make comments that gives the impression that a protest has been/is being made against a Referee's decision, that incites any section of the crowd, or comment on any matter that is sub judice and is responsible for the comments of any person being interviewed that does not hold an SCB Licence / Registration. (from this year's SCB rulebook) I have no idea what FIM rulebook says. While it amused me I must say I was suprised. My pet peeve is the use of 'Born in the USA' an anti-patriotic song for Greg. And Land of Hope & Glory clearly worked very well, but how about adding 'Jerusalem' to the repetoire? (Bring me my chariots of fire - anyone?)