morganbike

Great thread, Put one 350 and one 500 out on a 4 lapper and without judging the riders ability, a keen ear will pick up the 350 without any doubt.The sound is completely different. The expence involved in producing a 350 that looks like a 500 ie engine numbers,barrel,head etc is too great an expence to endure as they are achieving nothing even for those who run on an unlimited budget. The way to spot a 350 is on the number of fins on the pot.It has one less than a 500 to achieve the stroke and there is no way a 500 can become a 350 without reducing the stroke.You cannot achieve 350cc on a 500 pot just by reducing the bore because the piston's diameter would be rediculous and would lead to a sleeved down carb to make it rev if at all, and would eliminate a sound that eminates a duck with constipation !. So you have to reduce the length of the con rod. Scrutineers need not be afraid.A crankase marked with the traditional 880 signifies a 350 but these cases can be used with a 500 crank,pot,piston and head to make a 500.The 350/500 cases are the same.The same goes for a long stroke jawa 500 marked with 884 which can be turned into a 889 short stroke but they dont change the numbers. A classic was when on E-Bay a guy had a 500 short stroke for sale.So I rang him for the engine numbers which he gave me and I then rang Bellham to confirm it's originality.It turned out to be a 1998 long stroke 884 but was told on E-Bay that it's a 2003 short stroke !.This was the year it was transformed so be aware. Glen Taylor (GT Tuning) can graft a 350 jawa top end onto a GM botom end and it will run.How would a scrutineer deal with that ?.Here in the Youth Grasstrack world no-one cares about cheating as the top 5 to 10 riders in each class will achieve their ambitions and the ACU cannot police this each meet.Some say youth grasstrack is the stepping stone to speedway.Some will do one or the other or both when their budget allows.If I went out tommorow and bought a brand new two stroke YAMAHA 125cc engine,I could have it turned into a 164cc for around £500.The rules allow 150cc but would this oversize engine be competative with the new breed of 250 four strokes that are now allowed in the class ? Todays Tuners/Engine Builders have a vast number of areas to play in so don't worry about undersised motors taking advantage as when the pilot gets to 16/17 yrs old the ability will come through.I feel that the under 15's is getting a bit too serious and whilst we hope and wish our kids will one day make it in the speedway world they do deserve the oportunity of a good education and freedom of choice. Phil

Just to say its a shame that you have picked this date for the session as Yorkshire are holding a grasstrack national the week after so we have to go to Lancs grasstrack on the 17th to practice for the national.Would love to attend Scunthorpe BUT THATS LIFE FOR YA.Hope Newport can be run soon. Daniel Greenwood

My views are: It states that you must have a 500 licence not neccesarily a 500 engine !.A rider who has upgraded from 125 to 350 will only get a 350 licence.That is not allowed. A rider who has been assesed on a 500 and then obtains a 500 licence can then choose to ride a 350. The clubs that do second halve rides cannot allow a 350 licenced rider out with a 500 licenced rider for insurance reasons but the confusion starts when you have a mixture of engines but all on 500 licences. I know that at Brighton indoors many used to use a 350 as it was easier to ride the very small track.In the rule book it says a maximum of 500cc but I cant find a minimum. I know from my son Daniel's experience that at 12 years old he can lap faster on a 350 than a 500.The 350 wont lift as easily at the start and dirt will drag the motor down sufficiently to drive out of corners and not spin !. I may be wrong but these are my observations and not the gospel Phil

closed M50 Worcestershire - Closed westbound between M5/M50 interchange,the M5 junction and J2, Ledbury. Last updated: 11th June 2005 at 08:21 M50; Gloucestershire eastbound between A417, Gloucestershire [M50 junction 2] and M5, Worcestershire [M5 junction 8] closed M50 Gloucestershire - Closed eastbound between J2, Ledbury and M5/M50 interchange,the M5 junction. *** ADVANCED WARNING *** Last updated: 11th June 2005 at 06:28, starting: 12th June 2005 at 07:00, ending: 12th June 2005

The Re-Run will not be this weekend (11/12) Cardiff Gp.The 18/19 is a Grasstrack National so will not be on this weekend.2/3 July is Scunthorpe. Phil

Just had a phone call from Peter Oakes to say that Newport meeting is cancelled due to RAIN !. Phil

Jarvis Haines Greenwood Kirkman Beecroft Johnson Meakins Fast track,Dry conditions Forecast Good.

Sunday brings the first of the larger tracks into the series and with Reading racing on the same day the track is going to take some hammer.Will the track hold together for the juniors or will it develop those grippy holes that appear in dry times ?. 13 riders confirmed are Auty Taylor Wrathall Piper Hopwood tHOMPSON

Only one more rider to to make the eight complete.My guess is Bates but Waldron,Lambert,Cotham,Campos,Hughes and Hurst could be nominated ! Apologies if I have missed out any possible nominations Predicted 1st heat Auty Taylor Bridger ? 2nd Heat Haines Wrathall Piper Jarvis

The written confirmation for the 5 riders quoted was sent out some three weeks ago and I am personally involved with them all in some way or another.Steve Piper and George are very good friends of mine and I have no grudge to bear with them at all ask Steve !. (Quote) 'You could so easily of ruined the suprise for some of these riders who hadn't all been confirmed in writing' They were all confirmed at the same time and the chances of me ' changing the suprise' by posting was not possible as it was some 8 days after the letters were sent out !. Tell me how many of these riders apart from George do you know personally of anything at all about them ?.

(Quote) Peter Oakes on Saturday at Armadale in the programme, 'Eight youngsters will race as part of the major pre-meeting entertainment at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium.Auty,Taylor,Wrathall,Haines,Piper have already been invited to race and the remaining 3 places will be filled early next week - after tonight's Armadale meeting and the 3rd round at Weymouth on Monday Eve.' George Jarvis was confirmed on Monday at Weymouth (Quote)My reply was to demonstrate that the selection could not have been made on the top 8 of this years series as you indicated The obvious choices for Cardiff were plain before 2005 riders even turned a WHEEL.Oakes wants to put on a good show with close racing and if this year is ahit then hopefully it will continue. Its no good putting riders out who are a lap behind by the end of the race ! If your predictions of last years under 15's and the Academy league being involved is correct then how can the above statement from Oakes be announced. (Quote)It is not fair or just that any information that I am party to should be shared on this website until it is officially announced. This is why we post on the open forum to express our knowledge and information.Dont lead people astray !

Horseshoe,the following riders have been confirmed and have had written conformation from Peter Oakes but I CANNOT PUT 100% ON them attending because there may be an illness etc as to why they may not be able to attend.Only Auty from last year is competing in this years under 15's.Please share your information about selection of last years competitors for the last 2 places at Cardif because they are over 15 as of March 1st 2005 ! Any news on the reserves ? Josh Auty Ben Tailor Joe Haines Adam Wrathall George Piper George Jarvis

See next Post Phil

As far as I know (99 %) the Riders who have been selected for Cardiff so far are Josh Auty Ben Tailor Joe Haines Adam Wrathall George Piper George Jarvis If this selection is based on the top 8 after 3 rounds then this leaves Ben Hopwood and Daniel Greenwood to be nominated as they have scored the points to achieve this reward.Obviously the powers that be may have an influence on the choice of the last 2 riders but my fingers are crossed for Daniel Phil

The last time I posted this topic some 10 days ago it was removed by the moderator because they said it was a secret and I was not to overstep the so called boundries of trust ?.So Piper comes out with it,and is nominated so it must be OK to post now !.

The posts on Pipers Site are wrong !.The winner from each round gets 17 points so Josh is on 51.The rest is complicated but 2nd place gets 15 points 3rd gets 14points Etc down to 16th place who gets 1 point.Please do not post incorrect results. Phil

Because the points are not based on rider points on the day then if I gave you my recognings they may be wrong, but for Scott I get 21 Points and 10th place.This is not an official result Phil

I have to agree that we are lazy and like an uncomplicated way of accessing the photos of the under 15's.Steve I have been on your site and whilst I am sually busy and only want a quick look I cannot find the under 15's no matter what I type in the search box.I went onto Pipers website and clicked on the link to Weymouth Under 15's and up it came.Therefore a link is far easier. Phil

Has any one found a link to any photos from Armadale yet ? PHIL

No news yet.This weekend sees 2 rounds of the championship and as the league matches were scheduled for school holidays then it is possible something may happen next week.If not then mid July seems likely. Phil

Armadale line up Saturday Auty,Beecroft,Greenwood,Haines,Goodger,Hopwood,Jarvis,Johnson(Ben),Johnson(Brend an),Kirkman,Meakins,Piper,Taylor,Thompson,Wideman,Wrathall. Res Davies Weymouth line up Monday Auty,Butler,Davies,Greenwood,Haines,Goodger,Hopwood,Jarvis,Johnson,Kirkman, Meakins,Piper,Reade,Taylor,Thompson,Wideman, Res TBA

Anybody know whos riding at Cardiff.Top 4 or top 8 from Buxton? Phil

Greg, Jack was out in heat 4 for his first ride Red Ben Taylor Blue Brendan Johnson Green Jack Butler Yellow Rickylee Beecroft Brendan messed up the gate and all 4 back to start 1st corner pile up on re start and three riders (not ben taylor) were carried off by medics.No one was fit for restart and all 3 riders retired.Jack had a swollen ankle and was hoping to be out in heat 8 but retired. Reserve Ryan Goodhew was in with Taylor for a 2 man re-run. This incident resulted in 3 riders retiring from the meeting and only one reserve was available so they following heats saw favourable rides for some and heat 20 saw only one rider out and a gifted 3points for him. Phil

Im glad my comments have pricked up a few ears and I too hope it is a friendly atmosphere.Daniels ride in the first league match at Newport last season was very enjoyable and yes I agree the other riders and parents were helpfull and willing to encourage him along.The point I was making is that the possibility of sour meetings(not on track) is there and hopefully all the 'Grasstrackers' as they are called by the speedway fraternity will keep calm!. Rumours of unhappy parents are already in circulation but at the end of the day its up to Peter Oakes as to who and when he puts riders in the league matches and the annual speedway academey.Respect for him needs to be paramount before you shout your mouths off!.Weather looks good for Buxton tomorrow,see you all there. Phil

I have given Peter Oakes all the important Youth Grasstrack dates way back and I can assure you all that the 9 seeded riders will be attending every round bar any injury. No championship dates will clash with important Grasstrack meets. The way the weather is at the moment and lack of commitment from the youth grasstrack clubs to put meetings on is playing into the speedway under 15's/league favour and reading between the lines, the number of kids wanting to take part in the speedway champs grows stronger every week.Todays 3rd page speedway star has mentioned a few of the stronger riders and the exciting battle between Auty and Taylor is about to resume after a seasons layoff. I would like to add that Auty did run away from grasstrack to seek speedway fame because he was under alot of pressure from his oposition and competition was very fierce in the grasstrack pastures.Back then on the 2 strokes money buys power and combine this with skill then it brings the top riders closer. On a 500 will the tuning matter,I think not because very few 15 yr old conference riders use all the power.The problems will be as usual in the pits/paddock between the parents and I hope that the individuals concerned can keep their views and jelousy to themselves and not spoil it for most as has happend in the past. This will be a year to remember, Neither Josh or Ben will give an inch.How do I know, because I have run and been clerk of the course at many recent youth grasstrack meets and as in the past the likes of Ben Barker and the countries current best Grasstrack riders will come up against the highly skillfull Auty and be defeated with ease.Am I an Auty fan-No!.Do I rate him, Yes!. Phil and Dan (Cotswold Youth Grasstrack Club)