whowasthatberntpersson

How is the new track taking? Is it much bigger than the old track? Just read a couple of reports from the Grand's opening meeting, what a fantastic venue that sounds like. No rain offs to worry about and very reasonable entrance and beer prices for starters.

Agreed, Anth is providing a great service and its improving all the time. The recent action from Nepean was great, and its so good to see the Juniors (Under 16's) getting some space too... Looking forward to more Chris Holder action, particularly from the IOW.

Agreed, Anth is providing a great service and its improving all the time. The recent action from Nepean was great, and its so good to see the Juniors (Under 16's) getting some space too... Looking forward to more Chris Holder action, particularly from the IOW.

Is anyone flying out with Ryanair on the Thursday flight able to give me a contact number so I can check for up to date flight times a day or two before, I'll be transitting from Australia and have no way to check until at least tuesday. I'll be flying into England from Australia on the Tuesday (going to Isle of Wight and Poole) then straight out to Poland on Thursday , staying for a week (21st to 28th) before returning for two weeks of speedway in England then to Czecho for the Golden helmet. Will be with another Aussie based fan (Andy) and my 12 year old Son who rides Junior Speedway. Being met by a friend from Torun so not sure what his plans for us are yet, but will be trying to meet as many people as possible (already know of a few on our flight over). So where is everyone planning to meet and when? Is anyone staying over for the extra league playoffs on Sunday and Monday?

Got some good photos of Bernie from his visit to OZ for the GP. As for the Briggo incident, I thought it was a superbly executed, clinically precise and couragously undertaken move....Bernie just underestimated how slow Briggo was going....TIC Oh and he was just about to pass Mauger in the run off too... Heathens....Heathens.....Heathens

I understand Bernie was good mates with Dave Perks, would be interested to hear about that relationship. I hear he enjoyed a pint or two during his time in the Midlands also?

Pioneer Park - Season Opener 18th February 2006 A larger than expected crowd attended the season opener at Pioneer Park. There was a top field of local talent on show in the solo and sidecar ranks with plenty of additioonal interest including the racing debut of Josh Grajczonek who recently turned sixteen after enjoying a very successful spell in the Junior ranks. Solos were split with division one and two classes, standouts were the impressive Ricky Barney and debutant Josh Grajczonek who made an immediate impact claiming two fine wins. Race of the night involved Australian Under 21 Finalist Barney and Townsville veteran Micky O"Connor with Barney holding on for the win after a terrific round the boards effort by O"Connor. Another strong field of Junior solos contested a series of heats prior to the main events, Nick Morris was unbeaten having claimed the scalp of Queensland Champion Darcy Ward, the final was hotly contested with Morris making the start closely persued by Clinton Dennis and Ward, however Morris left a slight gap on turn four and Dennis dived underneath, with Morris sliding harmlessly off the race was won by Dennis with Ward second and the other finalist Mitchell Weismantal also failing to finish. Another local soon to turn 16 is Mitchell Davey, who looked impressive riding demonstartion laps on the track spare which was recently acquired off English tourist Olli Allen. Results were; Senior Division 1 Solos 1st Ricky Barney 2nd Mick O"Connor 3rd Scott Mckenna 4th Steven Reid Senior Division 2 Solos 1st Josh Grajczonek placegetters not known Sidecars 1st Moon/Sinnott 2nd Christopher/Koppe 3rd Hughes 4th Sinnott/Golding

Another very large program of events for the Ayr Motorcycle Club's combined Speedway / Dirt Track Meeting at Brandon today. As always the Junior and Senior Solo heats began just as the sun went down, the lights came on but unfortunately just as the speedway show was about to begin the ambulance was leving the premises after the second serious dirt track accident of the day. There were over one hundred racing nominations making the pits area a very busy place, speedway was well represented with eleven 125cc Under 16 riders, two on 250's and a good turnout of seniors. Once again in form local Ricky Barney stole the show with a faultless display, winning all of his heats with relative ease, there was also an improved performance from Jeremy Linton who rode very well along with Townsville youngster Steven Reid. The Juniors provided great entertainment on a very tricky surface with top locals Clinton Dennis and Nick Morris battling it out for top spot, Dennis stole the overall win after defeating Morris in their heat whilst fourteen year old Jonathon Lewis was also amongst the points picking up a third place certificate. Rider scores to follow.

What an impressive little setup. Looks like it rides like a normal speedway track. Where was it? Did you make any changes to the bike (tyres, etc)

Yes, there are THREE sides to every story...lol In hindsight Terry Poole should of prepared the track how he thought best, not MA or a group of riders. There were similar problems during the Under 16 Championship too. Leave the tracks to the host venue to sort out.

No email from Ryanair yet. I checked the website and our Thursday flight times have changed coinsiderably (arrive Byd 2140 instead of 1335 on 21st Sept). Which means we will miss the Junior meeting now. What a pain...and no use booking another flight if they are going to change them again. Why didn't they wait before releasing these flights in the first place

Me and my youngster.

Is it safe standing on the back straight? Thinking about my nipper (11)...would he be able to see anyway?

Hampel for a place

Updates should start coming in any minute, if anyone is interested give me your details (email) and I'll forward the results. Unless you are a member of the Australian Speedway Bikes Yahoo groups list, thats where the updates are coming from.

This thread makes me laugh really. Overall the Americans have been very good value, even the so called unsuccessful American's (and there hasn't been that many) add colour and personality. If Lance King was unsuccessful I'll eat a stetsun hat....maybe he wasn't the next penhall like some predicted but he was pretty bloody good.

This meeting was held at Gillman in South Australia, the qualifyers join those already seeded to compete in the four round national championship which kicks off at the same "Gillman"venue this Friday night.

Thanks to Ron Malm who was sending updates to the Australian Speedway list; Qualifiers 1. Troy Batchelor 2. Todd Wiltshire 3. Mark Jones 4. Jason Doyle 5. Robert Kysak 6. Cameron Woodward Reserves Trevor Harding Cory Gathercole

Just received my copy for Christmas. Its the best speedway book I've ever read. Not overloaded with stats like many speedway books, it gets to the personal side of a truly great motorcyclist. Its emotional for sure, in particular the articles written by his Wife, Brother, etc. What a legend.

Thanks Rico, looks like we'll get at least three meetings on 21st, 23, and 24th, in addition to GP practice and a possible extra meeting on Monday 25th September. Have to work it all out closer to the time once the Polish league positions are sorted.

Top notch seafood buffet, went there after the Townsville Cup....very nice.

Just booked me and my Son on this flight.... Are the Polish fixtures out yet? Will be staying on for a week taking in a league match and having a look around.

I'll be there too, flying into London from Australia a couple of days before then straight out to Poland...can't wait....would love to meet up with everyone....although my Kids only 12 which may restrict me.....only reason the Mrs is letting me go.

Todd Wiltshire made a very impressive return to speedway over the weekend. The much publicised return was picked up by the local media with television and the local press present at Pitstop Motorcycles in Townsville on Thursday afternoon where Todd was interviewed, posed for photographs, signed autographs and chatted to many admirers. His comeback commenced at Pioneer Park on Friday where he partnered rising New South Wales star Michael Slade in the pairs event, right frrom the off Todd's lightning quick reflexes were present and although he was headed during the night the class was still evident and the partnership went on to win the meeting. On the second night of racing Todd stepped up a gear and rode to a faultless maximum in the North Queensland Solo Masters, comfortably beating the likes of Dave Watt and Troy Batchelor, riders fresh from a season in the UK. The final event of the night was a gater's derby with four riders doing four one lap dashes, changing gate positions each time, the additional event didn't make it to round four because of mechanical problems but Todd had already wrapped it up by then. It couldn't of gone any better for Todd, who was asked the "Will you be making a complete comeback?" question many times over the weekend. The question remains unanswered although I don't think there will be any super quick committment to a complete track return, he's got a good job and is riding for fun at the moment, having said that I'd put pretty decent money on it happening eventually though, he looked far too good to be ignored.

Further to Norm's post I can confirm that Todd had an unblemished weekend in Tropical North Queensland. On Friday night he and his partner Michael Slade from New South Wales won the best pairs event, although Todd was headed there was plenty to indicate the old magic was still there. The following night Todd was in a class of his own, lightning quick from the start and absolutely flying, scoring a maximim in the individual event, winning the final then winning the tailer made gater's derby. A very positive return indeed. As well as Todd British fans may be interested to know that former Kings Lynn rider John Oliver once again rode impressively, John seems to be improving steadily and looks ready for another good shot at British racing. The Kings Lynn connection was there in force, Troy Batchelor was lightning quick all weekend and rode very impressively whilst team mate Oliver also made the A final in the Individual event (broke the tapes). Race of the weekend goes to local Mick OÇonnor and Dave Watt in the piars event on Friday, OÇonnor loves the dirt and rides the high line, he did exactly that for three full laps with Watt attempting to get underneath, the new Oxford signing did get past diving inside on the very last bend but the local made one hell of a race out of it. Other locals to impress were teenagers Ricky Barney and Steven Reid, these two are destined for a pretty decent track career and were once again in the thick of the action. During the presentations Todd Wiltshire commented on the hospitality shown to him by Pioneer park promoters Shelly and Rhino Ryan stating "Ive rode all around the world for so many years and have never experienced the hospitality shown to me by the PP brigade" and his comments were echoed by Olli Allen.