Sandie

thats what our Lora says as well. But I think she is already quite pleased with this tour's offering (although we doubt she will get to many meetings) and there are a couple she would like to see over again!

very pleased that it comes above being in the pub - good on ya!

I think those photos are from 2009! I may be wrong though

Its also Armed Forces Day and Cardiff will have a parade. Hope other speedway fans can leave the pub for 10 minutes to get out onto the streets to show their support.

How curious! Or is there something you are not telling us?!

I know its a week away but at present Tyson Burmeister is still home in the USA and has extended his return date. This follows the sudden death of his father a couple of weeks ago. But if he's riding I may see if I can get the day off - I miss my annual visit to Ipswich. Also Jason Doyle is on the list - I guess he isn't expecting to be included in the Test series which is also on that night!

Dudek won the meeting with Simon going on as reserve.

As far as I am aware Greg Hancock will be riding along with Ricky Wells, Tyson Burmeister and Ryan Fisher. These three will be heading out after the Coventry v Wolves meeting on Friday. But for the life of me I cant think of a fifth name!!! Sorry - didn't see Ladyluck's post. So Bryce is staying after his U21 run-out. These lads (and Greg) will be riding with passion and a heavy heart this weekend. Wishing them all the best for a safe and successful meeting xxxx

Hemsley Hotel - oh the memories, is it still there. Go check it out for me. As an aside - we were with the American Touring lads last year watching a GP. One of the lads just looked up and said - what are we going to do when Greg retires. Where is the next American GP rider coming from? My friend and I just looked at each other and then I looked at these 7 riders and simply said - If you guys cant see whats around you here tonight then we are wasting our time. None of them were able to see the picture that far ahead and think that possibly it could have been one of them. A very sobering moment that I wont forget.

it would be 'awsome'!!!!

Hang on a minute - a lad from the village next to us (where my children went to school) was murdered there just a couple of weeks ago! Don't fancy there at the moment! And also the fact I have been there before - choose somewhere in the States I haven't been to please. Stockholm sounds great, but sunny states would be brill

You may have seen his twitter but do you know how well he tweeted with it!!!

You now Ballinger well enough Conkers, you know thats how his mind works! Just ignore him , I do! Oh Pete - any DVD's for my boys??

Love fest here!!! I fully agree with you. I will use Steve Shovlar as my example, not because of anything he has done wrong (this time), but because he is 100% Poole and is so totally blinkered that speedway is made up of his 7 riders and maybe the odd GP celebrity. For me its about raw talent and watching them come on and progress. I love Elite riding but I'm just as happy watching Premier and National. We are all different, we are all entitled to our opinion and we are all entitled to go and watch whatever speedway we want to. Its great to say, I remember when he came over for his 1st tour. And hopefully there may be one or two lads this year who I can say that for in the future!

Sensible post Iris. I'm not going to comment on Backless' posts as I have moved on! But to pick up something from yours - I agree that not being in the pits and watching from the fans side is hugely favorable. I have watched most of the touring racing BUT, due to duties on my 'holiday' (okay just 1 dig please!!) I have been walking round tracks bucket in hand collecting donations to help house the lads. Sometime's I really do wish I could just sit back and enjoy the whole meeting BUT, my commitment to the team outweighs that and I don't think I would change it for anything. I get nothing back from this tour apart from, friendships that will last a lifetime and the satisfaction I did some good. But come Wednesday evening I will look forward to going back to the outside of the track and enjoy watching my Bees and trying to keep my programme up to date. Enjoy Vojens.

Thats excellent Conkers, any objection to the Touring Team linking to your twitter through our twitter please!

You cant just phone the States and say Austin we need you! Austin was booked to come over to the UK some time ago, long before the current tour started but just in case things didn't go to plan we thought it best not to advertise it until we were 100% sure. Sorry you weren't happy with the team, but thats the chance you take. As I say, last nights SKY meeting was terrible, but I will probably watch again next week. If you choose to come to another Touring Team meeting another year you will be welcomed, if not there will be plenty more that will happily stand in your space and cheer on all riders from both teams. Thats the way it goes.

Did you enjoy this evening's meeting on SKY? I certainly didn't, it was so one sided - should the plug be pulled on Lakeside? Backless, this is a forum and as such you have a right to your opinion but as someone very much involved with the American Touring Team I have to say I disagree with it. These lads are working their butts off trying to put on a show for you all and I would like to thank all the wonderful people at Newcastle last night who were singing the praises of Joey Holt. Birmingham was a hard meeting as we had not been able to practice but it was a great meeting full of 'entertainment'. Rye House (Hawks), we went a little astray and to the fans there, we apologize for the not so fantastic performance. But then at Newcastle last night I think the Americans came back with a fire in their bellies and were ready to put the night before way behind them. I enjoyed the meeting, maybe it wasn't such a 'show' as we needed to get 15 heats into 1 hour racing time! Each year brings different riders, they all have something to offer. I love touring with them as they are such a genuine bunch of guys. The First Aid team at Rye House certainly like them. They got to know them pretty well and made a point of coming to us at the end of the meeting and wished to express their thanks for their politeness and concern when riders went down. They said - we don't get that normally! I know that doesn't make for good racing, but it does make for good people. im looking forward to Austin riding as he has a lot to offer but if he wasn't here I would still be singing the praises of the other tour members - they work so hard at every meeting on borrowed bikes and battered bodies with this schedule. I hope the fans at Wolves (Dudley), Plymouth, Workington and Buxton, our remaining fixtures, appreciate the efforts that is going into making this tour possible. 3 down, 4 to go

I shall look out for you and make sure you bring £1 with you and I will sell you an Austin Novratill keyring!

This is always a difficult one! And when we are racing against a premier team (such as Plymouth) we do need to add re-enforcements - so watch this space. BUT - I agree with you about the funding. The tour is partly funded by sponsorship but that does not go very far at all when you take into account we need to hire mini bus and vans etc. So the majority of the tour is self funded by the riders and I agree with you, if they come over here to race, thats what should happen - they should race. Obviously winning is best but it isn't the be-all and end-all of the tour. LIVING THE DREAM is what its about.

Steve is struggling with internet on this trip so you've got me instead!!! Tyson was keen to ride for us this year as was Kenny Ingalls. They both recognize and appreciate the importance of the tour but for Kenny, his recent operation has ended that hope and Tyson has decided he needs to concentrate on getting things right with Wolves. Kenny has traveled with the team where possible but I don't think we will see Tyson at any of the distant tracks. The team (management, riders and crew) are really pleased Tyson has made a good start to the season and wish him well as his season gets underway. Another success of the Dream Team & American Touring Team.

Excuse me Shudders - but the name is Sandie not Sandy!!!! Really hoping it wont be wet like lakeside, it should be a wonderful sunny day. Come on out everyone - it should be a great meeting

Well, the time has come and the Touring Team head to Birmingham for the first meeting. I hope they don't think all their journeys will be this short! It normally takes us a meeting or 2 to get dialled in but lets hope they can get going straight away tonight. I love the look of the Birmingham line up and am really looking forward to this meeting. See you all tonight - lots of goodies for sale so come along and spend some money.

Sorry guys but due to a recent blown engine Ronnie will NOT be riding. But, hey, still plenty to encourage you all to be there. Have you seen the forecast - sun tan lotion at the ready everyone