herman

nobody is younger than castro.... mental age of somebody that just popped out haha... nutter!

I'd say I would ride if i still had all my gear but bspa MADE me sell it cause they won't have me in NL, whereas somebody that needs any paperwork to be done before he can come over, has a team place.. I'm already here but I'm retired now thanks to BSPA...

proof of permanent residency, marriage certificate etc... I've got plenty of evidence... are they gonna let riders with ancestry ride without proof? surely, not. so the rule I would think could sound like this: Permanent UK Residents (Proof of 5 year residence required, 3 years if married) .... won't make the rule book any thicker as it already is and it won't open any floodgates, just a few riders that live over here and are in the same boat as me.

Well it must be correct, as the Nationality Checking Service confirmed it with the UKBA. They wanted to know who this 3-year-rule (with marriage) applies to. Non-EU members gain permanent residency when married to a British Citizen, and if they've been over here for a minimum of 3 years they can go for Citizenship. When I did my "Life in the UK" test, there were about 80% non-EU people there that wanted to do the same thing. and for the record. the BSPA CAN keep me out of the National League because they make the rules. and if it says "British Passport or Riders with ancestry, no matter where they're flying in from and how much sponsorship, bikes, vans and places to stay they need" then they obviously can ride in the NL... I can't see a "EU Riders that have settled in the UK for nearly 4 years, are married to a British Citizen, are British Taxpayers and are ready to go because they have got their own Equipment in their own Workshop" rule being introduced. Henning

Well I think jasper wasp summed it up. here's an update. i was going for citizenship under the 3 year rule as I married my British Girlfriend on my birthday, october last year. up to that point had been in this country permanently for over 3.5 years. but, here it comes, UKBA rejected my application. The reason given. I am an EU Citizen and enjoy the same rights and benefits as any other British Citizen (and I can confirm that being a British Taxpayer and NHS user). Shall I wish to become (unnecessesarily, i may add) a British Citizen, the Period for EU Citizens is 5 years, whether I am married or not). I forwarded my case to the BSPA in time for the AGM (that included my application form, which gives enough evidence for my residency and also a "Life in The UK" Test Certificate). I was informed I am not allowed in the National League, because it will be only Passport holders and riders with ancestry and in order to allow EU Riders, they would have to make the league "Professional" and that would rise the running costs to the level of EL/PL, which no promoter was prepared to accept. I just wonder why I can ride in any Amateur Meeting in any Class all over the UK, but for the National League I'm a professional. I'm an ACU Licence holder and have been since I came over in 2007, so I'm not even under the umbrella of the German Federation anymore. Nb. The ACU made me "British" in the Nationality section on my annual licence renewal. Shame really. To say I'm well and truly gutted is an understatement. Thanks, Henning Edit: Also I would like to add regarding citizenship. If I was from any other country outside the EU I would be a British Citizen now.

I know Rene and wish him good luck in his new role as a Team GER Manager. It doesn't matter that Rene isn't on the same level as a Kroner, Hefe or Smoli simply because he has been around for the same amount of years or even longer than some of the other riders. (even though he's only young) And he IS a rider himself. Of course he won't be able to tell them how to ride a speedway bike (I think at that level every one should know that). But he'll be good for the team spirit, being with riders around his age and I'd imagine he'd also have a different approach to the team than an "old bloke" because of the age thing and obviously because they all (I was part of it for so many years) grew up racing together ... Good choice I'd say.

...dunno... maybe because I've been doing 2nd halves for several weeks there and begged them to give me a chance in a meeting ...but I'm not so sure about that lol oh, btw. I'm not the oldest rider in the line-up

brokstedt.. my favourite german track.................... .........not!!

I'm working on it mate... will get in touch with you by the end of this week. well, I tell you what I've been doing so far this year with the tracks u mentioned: Birmingham - spannering for Ben Powell Rye House - spannering for Robbie Kessler Ipswich - spannering for Tobi Kroner Mildenhall - different story actually with mildenhall it started because I relocated there from essex as I found work there. Also, what I did on sunday at west row, was helping to put the fence up in the morning and standing between bend 3 and 4 on the centre green with a red flag.... I'm just happy that with my new work and place to stay I can still be involved with speedway and enjoy my time at the track... time will tell where this is actually going

he most definately looks a good prospect... seeing him at rye house and mildenhall, although he didn't score heavily, he's on the pace and never gives up... at both days he took the time after the meeting to go out in the 2nd halves... if he's given time he'll be right up there by the end of the season I think

nah still a nanny, but with a new family.... maybe I can even return to racing soon but time will tell...

doug, the last time I was featured in 2006 I managed to be no. 626 (with only 3 meetings at all)... still ahead of some conference league riders haha

is it the same team-building rules as in that semi? then my team GER would be: Wölbert Busch Demmel Facher Speiser/Pudel/Stanek/Wienke (not sure) but with that team they should be able to get in the mix.

haha, funniest thing I heard in ages... go germany

second halves at certain tracks might give you the answer ps: good luck

Ah that's a shame... On the other hand I think it has to be that way... if every dane (and germans of course) had the money to make the step up to world class, it'd bring the sport out of balance... there has to be some losers joking aside, but still referring to what I said before, not everyone has the full package and a bit of luck so we gotta get on with it. Me included.

No I don't think that's the point. Who, of all the german youngsters, has german idols anyway??... I remember when I was 12-16, the idols of riders at my age were Hans Nielsen, Sam Ermolenko, Tomasz Gollob, Tony Rickardsson and so on.... I personally believe that so many riders didn't want to take any risks, for example going over to england for 2nd halves... because if you aren't successful on international ground (eg hefe, smoli and tobi - World U21's) they won't know your name in england and will definately not agree a deal over the phone.. that's what most german riders expect (I was one of them)... So, my advice for all german riders: if you are keen to ride in england, come over and do 2nd halves. Only the promoters will know if you're worth a gamble and they can only be sure when you show yourselves. If the promoters don't want to sign you.. tough... usually they'll tell you why, it can either be "we can't fit you in, cause your average is too high", "you are not good enough" or "We can't afford you / You ask for too much" ... The first answers mean that you better improve if you still want to ride in england... the other answer means u can either go for another club and lower your expectations... So simple, isn't it? But as easy as it looks, it's as easy to fail, too... look at me :D

Well, from what I know he had offers from british clubs on his desk before he even finished school. And a few years ago I heard that Oxford was interested... The reason he said no to the first offers were a) he wants to finish school first, he doesn't want to move to england... after he finished school and his apprenticeship I think oxford made an offer and this time (with everything important out of the way) he said he'd rather ride in poland.. Fair enough, but apart from Egon Muller (and the pole) there was afaik no world champion NOT riding in england at all... and even Egon had a brief spell in england.

and exactly THAT is what I mean.... there are people now who put loads of effort in putting speedway back on the map in germany, but what kind of speedway??. The individual (show-)meetings getting bigger and bigger and the "real" speedway is getting smaller and smaller.... now what's more important? speedway meetings or "show meetings on speedway bikes"?? sorry, I forgot wittstock which is great to see it back... what I mean is Neustadt, Schwerin, Kiel... anyways, I'd like to see speedway getting back to its best again in germany, but if it's not happening.. I'm in England now and over here the sport won't die in the next 10 years EDIT: to the riders you mentioned.. Yes, I do believe we have (had) loads of talented riders in germany and many of them could of made it in big style.. and those who are big now, are what they are because they were talented, but also lucky (sponsorships, opportunities)... And don't tell me it's not true... I've been through it myself, unfortunately I was on the wrong end.... But even though I never had a sponsorship or stuff like that, I tried... tried and failed, because a piece to complete the package was missing... And I'm certainly not the only one from germany.... to give you some names of riders who could have made it, cause they simply have/had the talent but got stuck without decent backup or other difficulties... Rene Schäfer (seems to get on better again, cause he's back from injury), Tim Brinckmann (a close friend of mine, a so-called "practise-world-champion"), Alexander Lieschke (retired for the same reason I did - money), Marco Müller (personally I believe he's very talented but I can't figure out why he hasn't made it yet), Michael Diener (haven't heard much about him since last year), Michael Hertrich (seems to get going again)... I probably forgot some riders but there's one very rider who has the backup, very talented and successful and that is Mathias Schultz... I just wish he gets his rearend to england soon, cause otherwise I can't see him being world class... I'm quite sure if he makes a move asap, he'll be flying....

Oh well... just re-read all my posts again and gotta say sorry for writing my own country off (as they did with me, but that doesn't matter now) ... It's true that the Bundesliga has gone down a huge step this year, but I don't know the exact reasons. It's all hearsay and every club has its own problems whether it's money, "asset base" (juniors or own riders) or environmental problems. I'm not in a position anymore to give my two cents because I don't know what's going on in germany apart from a few meeting results on the net. I wish there'd be a solution to give speedway the popularity it deserves (in my opinion) but I just don't have a clue. I'm still impressed how big it is in england. And before anyone says different, compared to germany it IS big. I'm living in a small village with a little school. My host-family are not into speedway at all (but they know what it is). But little steven (I'm looking after him) told me that loads of his fellow students and mates are talking about the speedway on sky monday night, on tuesday in school... he only noticed since I was talking about it and watch it every monday.... So Speedway isn't off the map in england, and I only wish that Speedway in germany could be in that state.. cheers

apart from being team v team, I don't see any difference to the bundesliga riders wise.. therefore I don't believe the other league is going into a better direction.... rather than down

never did well on big tracks (apart from brokstedt, cause I call it a "small track in disguise")

Nordhastedt has a very british-like shape... (hopefully iris123 will 2nd that, haha) I'd say it's a bit like rye house, though it has longer bends... (292 metres). Before Herxheim and Berghaupten has there speedway tracks built it was the only one in germany that was very british. No wonder why the english riders always did well there in the past. My dad always tells me tales when they were staging an U21 world semi/quarter(?)-final back in the 80's. When the brits arrived a day before (young chris louis and mark loram I believe) they took a look at the track, decided to skip the practise and went to the nearby beach instead.... I can't remember how they finished but they made it through with ease...

well, as that was the very track I started out racing and have been a regular for years, they have very good ideas indeed. The only problem in my opinion is/was the people involved in the club. Everyone comes up with his own ideas, but rather than working it out in a discussion, some people throw the towel straight away, because of a few narrow-minded persons, who are not happy with their ideas, mouthing them off or something... u see people walking in and out again within a year... staff elections almost EVERY year cause they can't be bothered to do it anymore.... what I mean is that they don't work together, everyone wants it his way and hardly accept another way... Meetings may be not so bad but what's going on behind the scenes can be described as "total chaos".. I don't want to sound ungrateful, but as far as I know, since toni kröger came back from retirement, I was the best speedway rider the track at nordhastedt produced. But from 2003 - 2005 they didn't bother about me. The odd few times I rode there in the last 3 years were because I rang them up and asked for a place. PS: if someone from the club reads this for whatever reason, please don't come up with your "if-you-know-it-better-have-a-go-yourself"-attitude what you used to sport whenever I attended the staff meetings. Start thinking for yourself.

german bundesliga is getting more and more a joke... if the SVG goes on like this it's "bye bye speedway" in germany... I see a few youngsters riding in bundesliga at no. 5 and 6. but in my opinion this is a big step backwards now. with 4 meetings per team, other young riders will never get a chance to ride in a meeting. A meeting, that in my opinion is far from the same standard as it was only last year, or thinking of 10 years ago when riders like tatum and crump could ride in the same team, having opposition like ermolenko, louis, knudsen and so on. when a young german rider was selected to ride in such meetings back then, it was THE CHANCE for getting noticed. Today, there's no such hype about the bundesliga anymore, I can imagine that riders rather pull out of them meetings than ride in it, as I've also seen last year on some occasions bundesliga = laughing stock ? ps: i DO think it's a shame for german speedway, but with all these stupid rules and cuttings, german speedway is going down.