Nikko

Lets just hope the great Fen Tigers fans have a team to follow in 2011

I hope Sarah and Kelvin dont mind me posting against their great news about the 2nd half league, and more details will be in the Amateur section but I can also confirm that another new amateur team has been setup for 2011 - The Nikko Racing Ninjas. Hopefully we will be able to join the new league. Full details on the Ninjas 2011 section at www.nikkoracing.co.uk (link in the signature)including our new Racejackets. Regards Nikko

On another thread someone says the NL AGM is not until the 11th January, does anyone know for sure what is going on? Is it December or January?

Its such a shame that the playoffs have turned into such a PR disaster this season. If the PL/KO finals are run as a double header, or the NLRC / NL Fours do not go ahead then some people need to take a long hard look at themselves. Dark days for the NL indeed, but hopefully it can rise again.

The key to the NL even surviving into next season is for the BSPA Management Commitee to start making decisions now, and not wait until January as they normally do. Teams in the third tier should have same rights as those in the EL & PL and that includes all decisions, conferences etc being at the same time. The third tier is the start of most riders careers, if it is not run professionally how can you expect them to be professional later on. Until the BSPA concentrate on the NL and not leave it as an afterthought all the time it will struggle. Personally I believe in the NL its the only league I want to be involved in. Lets hope all those who feel the same have the chance in 2011.

Appreciate your not having a go, and that engine costs etc are the same. What I was trying to say was that to help young British talent is it going to take alot of effort from a number of people including the BSPA and wouldnt it be good if young NL riders were given help with costs such as tuning etc. I wish you all the success as you pursue your dreams, and hope you get as many rides as possible in the future. Regards Nikko

Just to give an alternative viewpoint, and I am all for giving the youngesters a chance, thats what I spend my time working on. BUT If you make it a proper development league you need to think about the following: 1) Will the BSPA reduce their costs to the promoters of the clubs running at this level. The standalone clubs need to run a business and BSPA fees, referee fees etc would need to be looked at. Also points money would need to be standadised/controlled. 2) Will stadium owners reduce their fees for a development league. 3) Will engine tuners and other manufacturors reduce their fees for development riders, as points money will need to drop and therefore the riders income as well. In the current economic climate clubs need to be run as business' and you need to know that you would have a solid fanbase who would come and watch your product every week. I to follow the Under 15s as well as amatuer meetings at Scunthorpe and Iwade and they do not get decent enough crowds to run at this level when the entrance is free so you have to have a mix and have a product that people will pay their hard earned cash to watch. Im not being negative just giving out some facts that would need to be taken into account before any major decisions were made. This is the age old "third tier" problem that we have faced for 10 years or so. Clubs running second/junior teams in the NDL cannot be run the same way as standalone clubs. There has always been a fundamental issue between both, one runs for development the other as a business. The issue with young british riders is just the latest in a long line of issues that need to be addressed by the BSPA at this level. Finally I hope someone takes a chance on Adam Kirby (and Brendan Freemantle) next year in the NDL as the top 2 Under 15s this season. There's no simple answer, but something needs to be done. Nikko

Thats a bit cheeky

Thanks Guys, also nice to be appreciated

Although very sad to see the statement on the BSPA website we continue to work behind the scenes to ensure a long term, stable future for the Fen Tigers. Thanks to everyone who has sent us messages of support. We'll be back. Nikko

Planning on come back to Cambs for this and to meet up some of my Fen Tigers mates

A brief summary of yesterdays meeting. ----------------------------------------------------- Approximately 200 fans turned up to the meeting along with riders Barrie Evans, Joe Jacobs and Nick Laurence as well as Academy riders Adam Portwood, Sam Woods and Niall Strudwick. In all I would say it was a very positive meeting (hope fans will post their thoughts over the coming days). Highlights: Dave Coventry confirmed there had been talks with the BSPA and the previous promotion from himself and a couple of interested parties but nothing could be agreed. He confirmed that the BSPA had informed him that as there was no resolution by last Wednesday the club would not be able to ride again this season in the NL. Dave also confirmed some of the details regarding the current fight the stadium faces but again was confident of a positive outcome. Back to the Fen Tigers Dave is very keen to ensure that the Fen Tigers ride in the NL again in 2011 and will be looking to discuss this with the BSPA/any interested parties again this week. John Adams confirmed that he wanted to finish what he had started, and wanted to come back next season and win the league in 2011 as the chance was taken from us all in 2010. He thanked all the riders and fans for their support. I confirmed that we would continue to run the Nikko Racing Fen Tigers Academy for the remainder of the year. I informed the fans that I had received phone calls from numerous clubs and promoters asking if we could take our Academy team to run second halfs which I am more than happy to do to keep the Fen Tigers name racing in 2010. There was also talk of running some Fen Tigers Select meetings away this season, which we will look into. Following on from a Q&A session, where a number of fans raised some very good ideas, we are also happy to confirm the following: - The end of season presentation will still take place in October as planned and the Supporters Club will keep everyone up to date on this. - A fans committee was agreed, to keep things ticking over the coming months. The committee, made up of local fans, will meet to discuss fundraising, awareness campains etc to ensure that any new promotion knows that there is a solid group behind them. The committee will keep in regular touch with Dave Coventry, John Adams and myself. Finally it was good to see the BBC turn up and they recorded some interviews for last nights BBC Local East and we are again due to be on BBC Radio Suffolk this morning. Hope that helps, and we will continue to post any news we get on this forum in the future. Regards Nikko

Just another gentle reminder of todays Fans Meeting at 2pm at the stadium. On my way up from Kent now so look forward to seeing as many of you as possible this afternoon. Regards Nikko

Hopefully some of you will have heard the interview on BBC Radio Suffolk on Friday teatime, there should be a followup interview on their breakfasy show on Monday. Thanks to BBC Radio Suffolk for their interest. Now BBC Look East have also contacted me today to ask if they can come to the meeting and film some interviews so hopefully as many of you can make it as possible to show your support. As always with local news if something else happens that takes priority then they may be called elsewhere so lets hope its a slow news day tomorrow and we can get the Fen Tigers on the Sunday night news. Finally many thanks to Dave Coventry again for agreeing to let us have the Fenman Bar tomorrow and agreeing to let the BBC film at the stadium. Hopefully see you all tomorrow. Regards Nikko

You'll be missed mate, wish you would reconsider. Cheers Nikko

Please check out the new thread regarding a fans meeting this Sunday. http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=56120 Regards Nikko Mod Note: Link added

Fen Tigers Fans Meeting, Fenman Bar, West Row Stadium, Sunday 1st August 2pm. Further to numerous phone calls, emails and communications since the announcement that the Fen Tigers would be closed for the remainder of the 2010 season a meeting has been arranged for Sunday at 2pm where fans can get together to discuss possibilities for the future. The meeting has been arranged with the full cooperation of Mildenhall Stadium owner Dave Coventry who was happy to open up his facilities to the fans. At a difficult time for the track itself it shows his commitment to having speedway at the West Row track and Dave will be in attendance. Former Mildenhall Speedway Commercial Manager Neil "Nikko" Day arranged the meeting after speaking to a number of fans on Thursday who wanted to get together to see what could be done. Day is keen to stress that the meeting will not be able to give specific answers to what has happened over the past few weeks but is the chance for the fans, sponsors etc to get together to try and move forward and show people, including any potential new owners the depth of feeling and size of fan base that the Fen Tigers have. Day confirmed that he will be asking Team Manager John Adams and Team Sponsor Neil Watson from Art and Stitch to attend as both have many years experience in speedway.

Once the announcement is made I am sure more will be said, in the meantime there is already talk of a Fans Forum which may be setup so all fans can meet to see how we may be able to move forward. In this world of 24 hour internet access its difficult when things get out but we have to wait for the official announcement from the BSPA as the communication from the current/ex promoter is non existent. Nikko

BSPA due to make an official announcement on their website this morning. Nikko

I was going to bite on this one but suffice to say I am more than happy that Mildenhall have a balance between trying to progress British Riders and trying to make the playoffs. As I have said on this thread before we are progressing Joe Joe and Ollie, we have given a chance to Nic Laurence to make a name for himself and also given Luke a chance after a major injury. Jerran is another young British lad making his way hopefully to the top. Matt was given a place after struggling elsewhere and Barrie at the end of the day is still only in his mid 20s and if you want to make a point about Barrie, if the PL was not fully of riders from outside of the UK he may be riding PL anyway !! Lets not turn this into a Kings Lynn or Rye House v Mildenhall issue here, its more important than that. As Jayne, Malcolm etc know, I believe that we must find a way to progress British talent through this league however clubs must survive so balance must be found.

Ash If you look at my post again I was only answering why Rye House may have used Nelson to win an away meeting, its because your promotion have setout to win the league after many years of struggling. As you say crowds for the NDL at Rye House have been poor for years so they went a different way at the beginning of the season thats all so why you brought Mildenhall into this I dont know. I dont think you can argue with Mildenhalls team this season, we are progressing Ollie and Joe Joe into possible Heat Leaders next season, Nic Laurence has been given a full season at reserve and we have Niall Strudwick as our No 8. On top of that we are working with Adam Kirby, Adam Portwood and Sam Woods by giving them regular track time after home meetings and trying to get Academy meetings for them. When the Isle of Wight came to West Row yesterday we were happy to let them have Adam Kirby as their number 8 to give him a chance of racing NDL.

Why do you find it hard to accept just look at the team he put together at the beginning of the season. After many years of running teams full of youngsters and getting nowhere he decided to try and put together a team that would challenge for the playoffs so you have current or ex PL riders in Jamie Smith, Kyle Hughes and David Mason and this weekend he had the chance to put in a young aussie, who on recent showings could make all the difference - and he did. Whether you agree with it or not, the decision to ride Nelson fits in with Rye Houses plans this year to try and win the league. Is this what the league is about ??? well most threads on the NDL section discuss that point !! Whilst writing, thanks June for your comments it nice to be appreciated. Have to say is it tough helping the young british lads, just look at what has happened recently to one of my riders, Mark Baseby. Now Mark would be the first to admit he wasnt scoring for Somerset as well as he wanted but it certainly was not for the lack of effort. Then he replaced by an Australian rider whose average is only 0.3 more than Marks. Parents and fans spend £1000s of pounds trying to get the young brits the best equiptment and help they can and sometimes you wonder why we bother.

This episode just shows another reason why we should scrap the "development" name in the NDL as this is clearly a third tier with a win at all costs mentality from some promoters and before someone says it, yes I know Mildenhall used Dakota North and then, when he was injured Taylor Poole but but it does not make it right. I wish it wasnt, and I wish British Lads come first but some hope At least we are bringing on local lads Oliver Rayson and Joe Jacobs, and youngsters like Nick Laurence

Here here mate i know from Dipster he is looking forward to it

No. Sure Steve Dolby aka "Dub" will post any official notification at the relevant time.