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

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

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.

Over the last couple of seasons there have been hundreds if not thousands of posts about the problem with the "third tier" of british speedway and the only consistant message is that there is a problem with this tier. In my opinion they can be summarised as: 1) The BSPA dont really seem to care about this tier. The organisation of it from Rugby is poor at best. The name is only one example of many. 2) There are standalone teams and "2nd teams" who want, and need different things. 3) Until we run regular 80cc and 125cc practices for the kids you wont get the number coming through you need. 4) There are pockets of people who work amazingly hard behind the scenes to try and help but it needs co-ordinating. Last year during a very heated depate about this topic on this forum, Im sure Malcolm will remember it, I offered to faciliate a meeting in Rugby with the third tier chairman and the BSPA to try and help (its my job and was prepared to put the time in free of charge to try and help). I also emailed the BSPA directly with the same offer. The response was deathly silence, I therefore put the same offer on the table today.

Sincere condolences from Nikko, Emma and all at Nikko Racing. I will miss the 4.30am emails from Jean and the long detailed email exchanges regarding every aspect of Mildenhall Speedway. Our thoughts are with Ray and his family at this time. Neil "Nikko" & Emma Day

Official website of Nikko Racing is www.nikkoracing.co.uk Home of the Mildenhall Nikko Racing Academy 2010 and Oliver Rayson, Adam Kirby, Barrie Evans and Mark & Aaron Baseby We also run Team Baseby Racing at www.teambasebyracing.com Nikko Racing is also on Facebook - Check it out: Join the Group "Nikko Racing - Speedway"

Malcolm if you'd have seen him trust me you wouldnt even ask - it was hideous

Welcome to the Fen Tigers Deano (just dont wear the dress we saw you wearing at Sittingbourne that time)

I can confirm, and am very pleased to announce, that Adam Kirby has joined the Nikko Racing stable from the 1st February (Joining existing riders Aaron and Mark Baseby) and we are looking at Adam racing in every round of the Under 15s this year. Nikko

I'll be down at Sittingbourne over the winter practising with Mark and Aaron (Team Baseby Racing), so hopefully see you there I think Adam should be very pleased with his progress this year, well done and keep it up.

Best of luck to Adam

Glad to see events like this are being organised, well done to Main Man and Buxton. Hope Adam can ride, he has improved all season with his laps at Mildenhall and looks a good prospect. Also a very pleasant lad to talk to with a good attitude.