BobC

First and foremost, my heartfelt Best Wishes to Sonke Petersen and family. Brendan, his Dad Dave ,PhilK and myself were unaware of the extent of Sonke’s injuries until I received texts from Rabbit. We were told at the track, via interpreters, that he suffered a possible broken hip. He was driven from the circuit in an ambulance. So now reading that he was airlifted directly to hospital came as a huge shock to us all. I will try and answer some of the questions raised in other posts. Please note I am NOT a BSPA spokesperson, just a fan with a little knowledge from the meeting. Many people have asked how Brendan was nominated for this event. The answer is, he was asked and said yes! It really is a simple as that. When riding in the British U21’s series, the riders sign a contract to ride in any subsequent U21 meetings, subject to availability. The riders are then asked, in finishing order, if they would like to ride here or there. For whatever reasons, those above Brendan in the British U21’s either couldn’t or wouldn’t go. I don’t know their reasons so will not speculate further. When they got as far a Brendan, the answer was an emphatic YES. He recently rode in Debrecen in the European U19’s Championships, along with Jay Pickard. He also rode in the World U21’s Championship in Krsko, along with Paul Starke. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Authorities, which is one of the reasons why he was selected for this meeting. The budget from the BSPA is very poor, imo. Generally its £250 towards costs. For the 3 meetings Brendan attended, it cost just over £1200 in fuel alone. It was more for this meeting, as the Hotel rooms were paid for. I cannot give you precise figures. While driving over, I heard that we would be a rider short. Many riders were asked, but were unable to make it. One of the stumbling blocks appears to be paperwork. To ride in an FIM meeting, riders must have a full medical, and eye test to gain their licence. The BSPA were unable to process it all in time to get anyone else out there. At least, that’s my understanding of the situation. The comment about using 4 riders covering all rides was an error on my part. I should have said we could use a tactical substitute if we were 6 points behind the meeting leaders meaning all our lads COULD possibly take an extra ride each My apologies for mis leading you on that one. Don’t shoot Rabbit!! Thomas H Jonasson and Lewis Bridger tangled on the 1st/2nd turn. Both seemed to wobble before touching and falling awkwardly. Hard to say from my angle (in the riders enclosure in the pits) who was to blame. Bridger was excluded, yet in the pits afterwards, it was discovered that THJ had actually shed a chain, which caused the accident. Cant really blame the referee for that one, he couldn’t possibly know that at the time, as they were literally inches apart. Lewis was complaining of a dead leg while lying on the track, and couldn’t see properly. Thankfully, this cleared after a short while. With one leg ‘dead’ and the other still badly cut from his recent crash on Sky (v Swindon), he wisely withdrew from the meeting. Shame, as he was looking awesome until then. Although limping, he seemed to be getting better as time went on. Practice is not compulsory. Both Darcy Ward and Tai Woffinden were missing, as they were riding in Poland. Tai and crew drove through the night, getting to our hotel at 8am! Mitch Davey was riding for Glasgow. The track. It was excellent in practice. However on the day, it rutted up very badly indeed. Strange to note that while the track was in reasonable shape, the Germans looked quite ordinary. When it started to rut up, they came back strongly. Coincidence? After the meeting PhilK walked the track with Brendan, to see for himself what was causing all the trouble. I will let him reply fully on that one, but one rut was well over 6 inches deep. The track fence is indeed very, very hard indeed. Makes Kings Lynn’s look like cotton wool! It didn’t in my opinion contribute to Sonke’s injuries. He fell very awkwardly. I do agree that any track with FIM accreditation should have an air fence. Race jackets etc. According the FIM ‘bible’ of rules, says that each team should bring their own race jackets to the meeting. U21’s Manager, # Name Removed #, had some specially made for the event. Only to get there to find that the host club had a set made for all teams! Lucky really, as Boycie turned up with an old set of jackets, with Crump, Adams etc on the back. Gaffa was coming to the rescue!! Sweden were deserved winners. All in brand new team Kevlar’s, very professional outfit. Congratulations. Simply must mention Darcy Ward. Fantastic performance. In his last race,he went down the back straight,4/5 bikes lengths behind early leader,Facher,(Ger).Quite how he made up the ground to not only pass him,and come across the start finish line 4/5 bike lengths AHEAD of Facher, at the end of the first lap,I honestly dont know.Superb,all the same. Team GB. Not a good result, that’s obvious. Team spirit was top-drawer stuff, in difficult circumstances. I have been a critic of Lewis on more than one occasion. Having seen him at work, chatting over dinner, I can honestly say I have a new found respect for the guy. Both he and Tai were immense towards Brendan and Simon. Anything they needed or wanted, they were both there for them. They BOTH had spare bikes and engines if required. Rob Woffinden deserves a mention as well. Happily helping and chatting, doing whatever was required. I genuinely cannot praise them highly enough. Understandably,heads dropped a little when Lewis was injured. Thanks guys, you have set a very high standard of expectation Awesome is an over used word, but from my perspective, it fits you all perfectly. Again, Best wishes to Sonke and family at this difficult time.

Our lads enjoyed a good practice session.Baking hot conditions,yet track was kept in excellent condition throughout. Some lively action in the 250cc class,with 9 riders over 12 heats.Couldnt tell you who won though,as there werent listed in the main programmes. One or two team changes for today. Sweden...Thomas H Jonasson,Jonas Messing,Linus Eklof,Kim Nilsson,Ludvig Lindgren. Germany...Kevin Wobert,Max Dilger,Frank Facher,Eric Pudel,Sonke Petersen Australia....Darcy Ward,Justin Sedgman,Mitchell Davey,Richard Sweetman,Josh Grajczonek GB....Simon Lambert,Brendan Johnson,Tai Woffinden,Lewis Bridger,4 riders only. Another scorching day here,at the moment. Looking forward to it now.

YeP,just text Rabs with that news.Hadnt realised we have free internet in our hotel! It seems that team GB will run with only 4 riders,all taking an extra ride to cover.Lambert left at 7pm local time to get here,while Tai will miss practice,as he has to ride for his team in Poland. Im here with Bren,Dave and PhilK.Great hotel,right in centre of town.As its a Bank Holiday weekend,the town is closed off,with a fun fair with not 1,but 2 beer Kelliers! Thoroughly enjoyed meeting the locals,great beer,and excellent food! Will report on how practice goes later tomorrow.There is also a 250cc meeting as well as practice.Busy day ahead.

I noticed that too Phil. Disgraceful,in my opinion. Hope you are ready for the long drive to Abensberg. See you Saturday.

Very good to meet you too Tomaz. I must say we were really well looked after by our hosts.Very friendly folk,and smashing set up they have too. Im so pleased to read that Samo Kukovica is ok after his frightening crash.We could hear the sickening thud as his bike smashed into the fence,and we were at the opposite end of the stadium.When we saw his bike in two pieces,we all stood in shock.Believe me,he is a very lucky chap. We left straight after the meeting,9.30pm UK time on Saturday.Arrived safely back in Poole at around 5.15pm today. Not such a great result for Brendan,who is ok,just sore,fingers still a little swollen.Otherwise another great trip to be involved with. Thank you to Tomaz and everyone in Slovenia for their help and kindness to us all.

Tomaz,many thanks for your help with hotels etc.Very much appreciated.Please introduce yourself,we would like to say hi. Leaving Poole at lunchtime on Thursday for the long drive. See you there.

Rene and his dad are with us at our hotel.They are a smashing family.Rene and Bren have become the best of pals,both inviting each other to stay over,when they visit each others country.He also mentioned that 3 British clubs have shown an interest. Must say,Rene was extremely unlucky not to qualify.With a very safe 2nd place in the bag,enough to do it,he blew a motor. Im certainly going to be looking at this lads results.Wont be long before he is over here.

So pleased to have helped Brendan and Dave out with the driving,etc.A great time,and something Im glad to been able to experience. Back at our hotel for good meal before the 30 hour drive back home tomorrow. Very hard work on a track with little or no shale.I must say a big thank you to the organisers at the track,as they were all very friendly.Foods great too. Shame about the dust,as we were all covered from head to toe,and that was just from the dirt car park! Many thanks from all of us here.The messages and texts of support are genuinely appreciated. Hopefully all back safely by Sunday afternoon. Once again,Cheers folks.

The Brits in the pits! Riders have been put together in the pits by nationality. In Brens crew are Big Dave,myself In Jaimies crew,there is,his dad,Fez and Nicky Glanz,who is doing a great job helping both riders. Cant wait for the meeting to start.

Arrived safely here in Debrecen.Only took 30 hours from Poole. Staying in a hotel,less than 1 mile from the track. I will give a quick report on the meeting later. Oh and its 21 degrees outside already,and its only 7am here,6 am in GB!! Had brekkie with Jay and Nicky Glanz.Oh,and that wonderful Cardiff referee........................

Why dont you just say.......MUMMY!

Chris,there was always going to be a gap between the different levels.There was an almost difinitive difference between the 3 Leagues.It showed quite clearly.Just as it should do.Surely,you must realise that every rider there last night had to start somewhere? I do take exeption to you calling them wobblers.Half the field had to qualify for the Final,so earnt the right to be there.Please,dont be so disparraging of them. Bryn.....not trying to shoot the messenger,honest guv! You said that the pre meeting GB announcements over ran and delayed practice.This is excatly whats wrong with British Speedway.Friday was or should have been all about the GB U21's Final,nothing else.Poor planning from the BSPA or whoever,AGAIN led to this unsatisfactory situation.Doing it on the cheap.Those at the top couldnt organise a p*** up in a brewery.When are the powers that be going to put the riders first? Im not saying that this would have affected the result,but it does make me wonder where the sport in this country is heading. I do agree with Chris about where this meeting should be held.I went to every single U21 Final at Canterbury.Saw some fantastic meetings over the years.I have to ask the BSPA,why Lakeside? Last year and this year were pretty poor meetings,tbh.Im not having a go at them at all.I know this subject has been raised before.Where are all the subsequent rounds for the World Championships being held? Small trick tracks like Lakeside or the larger Continental style tracks? We need to get the best riders through,and give them,and us a fighting chance. This meeting should be held on one of the larger circuits like Swindon,Coventry,Sheffield,Peterborough.Get the riders in the right frame of mind for the rest of the tournament.As I said earlier,it just so happens the best riders on the night probably would have made it anyway. Rant over.Have a nice day,peeps!

Strange day out.Left Poole at 2pm,and easy travel up to 3 miles from that bloody tunnel! 50 minutes later,we finally get through to the darkside! Then we found ourselves locked out of the car park,until 5.30pm. Whats that about,anyone? Got our place on the backstraight,on the stockcar track by the rider entry to the circuit.Find this a great place to watch the action.Brendans Nan,Mr Rabbit (Al) and myself were joined by PhilK+daughter Ellie,Adzmft,Chris(Ippo fan),BDJfan and UtdUtdUtd. As is normal when we meet,we always have a good laugh.My so called 'friends' who reminded me of recent Poole results,be warned,we will be back I have also marked your cards for future revenge!!! Only spoilt by the neanderthal Bridger supporters next to us.Everytime Wuffy was on track,their language had to be heard to be believed.Cheering when he crashed in ht1,asking the other riders to 'put him through the fence next time'.Same everytime he was on track.Shameful behaviour from so called adults. While I admit Bridger was easily the best rider on the night,soley for the reasons above,boy was I willing ANYONE to stop the inevitable. A couple of moans.....why oh why did it take so long to run? Just under 3 hours is ridiculous.I know there were some reruns,but over 20 mins for the semi and Final? I know the score regarding new tyres etc,but come on.Poor track,leaving no real chances for passing. Good to meet AndyM,Crazy Sue and many others.Im sure our paths will cross again.Great drive back,in just a tad over 2hrs. For our friend in Aussie,namely Marcusthepom......... Both Kyle and Brendan were under no illusions that this was going to be anything but tough.So it proved.Both taking tumbles,and Kyle had an ef,when in a scoring position.All good experience for the future though.Not disgraced,and more importantly,neither rider discouraged.Both smiling at the end,although naturally disappointed.

A very enjoyable evening of speedway. Mark Baseby a thoroughly deserving winner.Took both Newman and Johnson from the back,in seperate races. Kyle Newman getting better every race.I was well impressed last week,but this performance was even better. Brendan Johnson surprised me by riding at all! After his crash at Weymouth,and the severe bruising,this was an excellent result. Ben Hopwood also deserves a mention.I dont always see eye to eye with him and his family,but he certainly deserves his place in the Final. Ben Taylor seemed to be the fastest rider out there.Poor choice of gate in the semi final cost him.Gate 1 or 4 seemed to be the favourites,he chose 3! Helmet colours and gates for the semi and Final were: Semi: RED Taylor Gate 3,BLUE Johnson 4,GREEN Hopwood 1,YELLOW Strudwick 2 Final: RED Baseby 4,BLUE Newman 3,GREEN Johnson 1,Yellow Hopwood 2 The crash with Hart and Cottham was particularly nasty.They seemed to lock together going into arguably the fastest part of the circuit,turn 3.Both down for a while,thankfully both walking back to the pits.Although Jerran continued,he was clearly well below his best.Best wishes to both riders. Im not a fan of all this semi and Final stuff.Much prefer the top scorer wins etc.So it was rather fitting that the best rider on view went on to win it Congratulations Mark.

You would have had a job,Pollyanna.......Tsunami was one of the Newcastle Team Managers! As always,great to meet you and your family again.Glad you enjoyed our southern hospitality.No good moaning about the track........its like that most weeks! You are welcome back here anytime. By the way,Tsu,I have still not been contacted by anyone regarding the sales of Bjarnes merchandise! Quite astonsihing really. Must say I did enjoy watching Nicki Pedersen.Bit of a shock for me to say that,but he did look good.Fair play to him.Always a pleasure to watch KK,my favourite rider.Lindback was also value for money.Loved his chase down and pass of Bjerre.Back to something like the rider who first came over here. I wasnt expecting too many thrills on the track,so not too worried about who scored what.

Good Morning one and all. A low lying mist at the moment,clearing as I type.If the weather turns out like it has been for the last week or so,then it will be a super day all round.I was working outside in t-shirt yesterday. Got decidedly chilly later on,as along with Brendan,I popped over to watch practice on IOW.Definitely thermals time! Look forward to meeting up with you Newcastle fans.As Ive already told Tsunami,I will be working in Alan Whales photo stall on the 3rd turn.Do pop round and say hi.Im the good looking one who works there! Safe journey one and all. See you later.

Little Christer is still my ALL TIME favourite.Used to keep in touch with his son Dennis until a few years ago. Only made it to Custom House twice.Huge place,and some great action.

I believe programmes are £5,and Speedway Star sized.

Andy Scorey,who was the main organiser of this event,passed away on Sunday.See other thread in General discussions. I have placed the photo album here for those that wish to guess who some of the former riders are.Have fun. http://community.webshots.com/album/570127867cdnBCz?start=0 These photos were passed on to me by Andy at one of the Poole REF nights.In fact I think it was the last one he attended.For those not sure of who he is,he appears in photo 19,wearing a black shirt,with short red sleeves. Let me stress,these are NOT my photos.I am publishing them without the written consent of the copyright holder.I will remove them immediately should that person so require. Even if you didnt know Andy,let this be a small tribute to all his hard work.All you need to do is see ALL the smiling faces. They were all enjoying a day out.as part of the wonderful Speedway family we all belong to. They were smiling that day.Difficult I know,but share a smile with and for Andy today. RIP mate.

Look closely,very closely.Underneath the handlebar,of the inside rider,you can make out the difference between the Red and Blue quarters of Hackney. It is very definitely Colin Pratt,Hackney.

More info from Poole press officer,Gordon Day. Poole 5 Further to the recent mystery riders request, I’ve had a long look at the individual meetings held at Poole during the times that Bill Andrews and Norman Strachan were with the club and have come up with the following which I think might just be along the right tracks. I reckon it’s the FIM World Championship qualifier held at Poole on 16 June 1965. Heat 7 of that meeting had Colin Pratt off of Gate 1, Strachan off of Gate 2, Gate 3 was Bill Andrew, with Colin Gooddy coming off of Gate 4.If we are right ( and I say we coz I wouldn’t have got Pratty on Gate 1, then please post it on the BSF. Cheers.

With you 100%. By all means have a 'museum day' if you all so wish,but please drop the High Beach celebration.Its a total sham.

No. Liverpool were Red and White.

Tony, its about the size and shape of the skull and XBones. Poole have a small pear drop shaped skull,and wider spread of the bones. See here: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/chris.bayliss1/pirates2.htm Liverpool have a larger skull,(similar to a monkey nut in its shell),and the bones are not so wide spread. See here: http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Liverpool.htm Hope that helps.

Ive enlisted the help of Poole press officer,Gordon Day.He has come up with the following. Poole 1- Liverpool rider Norman Murray Poole 3- The racejacket has white stripes on either sides which puts it at 1961 and the rider is Gordon Bailey ( he often wore a white jersey like Ivor Brown, I think he came over from the Channel Islands ) Poole 4- The two riders leaning on the safety fence are Cliff Newton ( left ) and John Pitman ( right ) who rode for Vic Gooden’s juniors. It could even have been taken at Poole. The year would be 1958, the only year that Cliff rode for Poole.