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Press and practice this Wednesday: http://www.ryehouserockets.co/news.php?extend.1383

This is the ruling: 16.5.2 For an absent rider with (a) an assessed MA, or has been approved in a team’s declared line-up at the start of the season, a 28-day Facility may be granted at MC’s discretion Presumably, Ipswich have the necessary permission to use RR.

Not easy at all. Kyle's rides can be taken by Rory, Cam and reserves. The management will have an early decision to make as to whether or not a short-term replacement is needed - James Sarjeant?

Latest news re fixtures, press and practice etc. Lakeside Hammers Speedway Press Release Rico Remembered as rivals meet Lakeside will honour club legend Lee Richardson when they renew their historic rivalry with Eastbourne on Good Friday (April 14th). The Vortex Hammers will face off with the Eagles in two meetings to get their 2017 season underway with the Lee Richardson Memorial Trophy up for grabs. The sides will meet at the Arena-Essex Raceway at 1pm before making the trip to Arlington later that evening (7.30) for the second leg. Hammers boss Kelvin Tatum believes the clash is a perfect opportunity to commemorate the career of Richardson, who tragically died in a track crash in Poland in May 2012. The Hastings-born racer captained Eastbourne to Knockout Cup glory in 2008 and repeated the feat with Lakeside after making the switch to Purfleet the following year. Tatum is relishing two exciting meetings with the Eagles to celebrate Richardson's career and get a new era for the Hammers underway. Said Tatum: "It's very exciting to be rekindling our rivalry with the old enemy, and they should be two fantastic meetings. That's combined with the fact we'll be celebrating and remembering Lee Richardson, who was a club legend at Lakeside and also enjoyed success with Eastbourne. I think it's a great idea to commemorate him, it's also a perfect way for us to start the season. Particularly for Lakeside, it's an exciting start to our first season in the National League and we're all looking forward to it." Eastbourne promoter Martin Dugard said: “This for a long time, was our traditional Easter fixture and it is good that Lakeside have now joined us in the National League. With Kent in the same league, this is a perfect scenario for speedway in the South East of England. “Kelvin Tatum and Jon Cook are both local to us and we are certainly looking to ‘put one over them’, if we can. It is good to have that rivalry. There’s nothing malicious about it but, of course, both teams will want to win this trophy which is a fitting memorial to Lee.” The Lee Richardson Memorial Trophy is set to become an annual event at Easter between the two clubs, and thanks go to Terry Partlett for donating the silverware. Ahead of the season opener, Hammers fans have a chance to meet the 2017 Hammers at a meet the riders night, which takes place on Friday the 7th of April, in the Garden Suite at The Park Inn Hotel, High Rd, North Stifford, Thurrock RM16 5UE. The Vortex Hammers Press and Practice then takes place at The Raceway on Thursday the 13th of April, from 1pm, with all fans welcome to attend. The Vortex Hammers have confirmed a fixture change, with the Belle Vue Colts now visiting the Arena Essex Raceway on Friday May 5th, rather than Friday the 9th of June as originally scheduled, due to rider availability for the Colts. In addition, the home meeting against the Isle of Wight, originally on Sunday May 7 will be re-scheduled.

If Duggo hadn't taken over neitherJC nor anyone else would have done as the club would have folded at the end of the 2006 season.

I, for one, cannot find any confirmation that Gerald is leaving. Does anyone know where this news was reported?

Gerald's departure was reported on the Hammers forum allegedly via Facebook. Was that where this news came from as I cannot see any reference on the the main site, facebook or twitter for that matter. Gerald, himself, doesn't appear to have a facebook page.

The 20th May fixture has been corrected but now Rye are a home league match short against Swindon. This was originally to be 6th May but has now not only disappeared from their list but Swindon's as well! Still on the BSPA list though.

There are two GP Saturdays in August and Rye have said from the outset they would not clash. Also, the first Wednesday fixture in August is v Leicester who would have priority for Saturday. Interesting to note there is no home fixture on Spring Bank Holiday with Rye being at Leicester instead. There is an error as well. 20th May is v Somerset not Swindon.

I know this is rather frustrating but last year's fixture list wasn't announced until 11th February.

Vic Harding was in the wrong place just the once.

At the Lakeside forum the Thursday before last, Jon Cook stated he had submitted their fixture list earlier that week. I suppose it could be the Coventry/Belle Vue situation delaying matters.

I don't disagree with anything you say but there may have been no other choice of rider. Jon and Kelvin have a few riders in mind and will choose nearer the start of the season.

On the subject of David Mason I believe we have to accept as a new NL club being largely at the mercy of who is left. Many established riders would have shaken hands on new deals for 2017 by the end of last season. In fact, I think we have done well to have secured the services of Zach, albeit Lakeside asset but, nonetheless, based in Bristol. It is possible that we were targeting Shane Hazelden anyway but, once he had ruled himself out through injury, Mason or a complete beginner were the only remaining options. Despite his age I am sure he will do a decent job for us and there is nothing wrong with being 40. At a similar age Greg Hancock had just one World Championship to his name!

As Indianerna in Sweden are finding to their cost: http://speedwaygp.com/news/article/5488/indians-to-decide-elitserien-future

Lakeside announce their ticket prices for 2017 which seem in keeping with other NL clubs. There is no mention of programme price though so it is not possible at this stage to gauge the benefit of purchasing a season ticket. http://www.lakesidehammers.co/hammers-announce-admission-prices/

Anders was the Rye House mascot during the Len Silver era and Len has kept close tabs on him since then so, I suppose, it was inevitable that he would be recruited by Kent. Jason won't be 15 until the middle of next October but he could get an outing or two should the season extend to the end of that month.

Either that or Buster Keaton.

I don't know to which meetings you are referring but previous Lakeside forums have been very well attended.

Rye start their 2017 campaign at home to Wolves on Saturday 1st April: http://www.ryehouserockets.co/news.php?extend.1370

Date set for fans forum later this month: http://www.lakesidehammers.co/countdown-ahead-new-era/

I still have my programme from 17th September,v Swindon. It contains the items you mention plus the match report and details of our earlier fixture, an interview with Lewis Kerr, an introduction to Swindon including rider profiles, BSPA news, EL table and record of all results, an interview with Andy Young and news from around the EL tracks. In other words, as much or more than you get from any other programmes I have seen.

Shane Hazeldene and Jack Kingston are club assets but Lakeside couldn't have both as there would be insufficient points left for the final rider. Does anyone know much about Dan Gilkes. He is part of the Revolution Team and scored 11 from 4 in the Rye House 500cc youth round last year qualifying 2nd behind Kyle Bickley. I believe he is 14 now but cannot find out if he will be 15 in time for next season.

Picked this match at random. Can't see a great deal wrong with it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mhMTluBuEc

Lakeside have been drawn against Belle Vue-Coventry for the first round of the KO Cup. They will not, however, compete in the National Trophy.