Brummie Kev

I will be amazed if it's off, dry sunny spells and warm. On Wednesday there was two hours of heavy rain from 12-2 and yet Cradley didn't call it off because the forecast was excellent for the afteroon. The track if anything was a tad dry, so it's amazing what a few hours of sun beating down on the track can do isn't it. If the forecasts are accurate then 12hrs is sufficient time to produce at the very least a rideable track. We shall see in the morning....

Forecast is excellent tomorrow so expect it to be on.

RIP Shazzybird

Heat 13 from this meeting on Heathens website, great race! http://www.cradleyheathens.co/news.php?extend.777

I see the new Brummies averages are up and Adam's average is down for 8.34. Surely that is a mistake, don't riders need to have completed 4 league matches in order to get an average. Adam has only rode in 3. If he does get an average its 10.13 after 3 matches. Don't think its meant to say 8.34 but rather his start of season average of 9.34.

Ellis, Perry, Wajtknecht and hopefully Chapman riding for Brum

I enjoyed that, some decent racing and some nasty tumbles during match, hope Blacklock is okay. Track 100 times better than last week, looked like they put some more shale down this week and tons more water😁. We made hard work of it, all credit to Buxton for that. Happy we got the win to go joint top of the NL. Zach super impressive again, and retained the Bronze Helmet.

I'm not sure we will hit 60, not going by what the Buxton boss said. He said if they keep one of Ellis, Perry or Wajtknecht quiet, just 1, they will get a result! Is he right or being foolish? They said at Kent the Sky Cameras will be here doing a feature on Hayley Perrault who will be doing some laps, saw her at Kent and good to see her doing a tour around the tracks. Also there will be a Bronze Helmet race now Zach beat Danny Ayres at Kent.

My first visit Central Park and got to say very impressed, its one of the best stadiums Ive watched speedway in in this country. I dont know what crowds are like there but looked a good crowd for the NL and a number of Brummies made the trip. I really enjoyed the meeting, obviously bound to say that cos of the result but there was some overtaking, controversey and some great performances from two of talent young riders around in Zach Wajtknecht and James Shanes. Its a pity the ref did his best in trying to spoil it. Honestly I was gobsmacked with Heat 1, the start marshall loses count and doesnt put chequered flag out when its 4-2 Brummies. Morley then falls on the "fith" lap, and we go through for the 5-1. At that point Morley is pushing his bike through for a point but why the hell doesnt the ref put the red light realising 4 laps have been completed and award it at what it was after 4 laps. Worse thing is, the guy filming for Rerun was offering to show the ref a replay of the race! He was punishing Ellis for moving when he didnt and not bringing it back when he did. Im not sre Heat 4 exclusion of Wilson was right, didnt seem much contact just hard riding into the bend. Also maybe we got lucky with Kirby not getting excluded in Heat 14 either way Entwistle wont be getting high scores for his performance in this match, thats if the scb even bother to score refs for their performance Fantastic performance from the Brummies, Zach the star of the show. I was amazed by his performance, it was his ride at Kent and for him to perform like that was brilliant. For someone who is in their first year in the NL, hes looks smooth and stylish on the bike. Hes not known for his gating in the meetings Ive watch him but he gated in most of his heats last night. In truth I was impressed with all the Brummies even Alex Wilson as he showed alot of effort again on a track hes not rode before. Thanks to Connor Coles for guesting. What excitement James Shanes provided, Heat 11 springs to mind straight away. Great ride to pass both Perry and Ellis almost an even better celebration, he knows hoe to lap up the fans applause. He looks anolther talent and already a fan favourite with Kent fans and given the entertainment he provides most speedway fans in general.

Making the trip down now, hope its a good meeting. Adam Ellis is riding as BV/Lakeside has been postponed.

Its been rained off

Picked up a knock whilst practising in Germany

I didnt really enjoy the meeting, it was very one sided and the track was far too dusty. On facebook Nigel Pearson said on the NL speedway page said that due to the forecast of rain from 6pm they asked the track staff to not water the track from 4pm. Its typical then it didnt rain! There were quite a few crashes, the crash with Greaves going into the fence could have been a lot worse than what it was. I remember a number of years ago seeing a bad crash with Kyle Legault and James Birkinshaw on that bend. It was similar with a rider going too wide on the 4th bend and before they know it the main straight fence is quicky upon them. For me Cradley's best rider at Perry Barr is Matt Williamson, he looks to have dialled in to the track pretty well. Clegg has been a bit hit or miss at home this year but rode his best meeting on Wednesday, more of the same guesting for the Brummies at Kent on Monday Max!. Cradley always guarentted to have a strong reserve whether that be Perks or Harris, Harris should benefit greatly from dropping to reserve in meetings to come Apart from Lee Payne and to a lesser extent Danny Phillips, Stoke really struggled. Having lost the first leg at home it was always going to be an uphill battle but Stoke were no match for the Heathens.

Dont think it matters, doesnt matter if we have had none or quite a few, Eastbourne is a tough track for many NL teams to to in the form you are in. Well it seems Harvie Banks is missing for this and Kent on Monday, have no idea why. Rider replacement for him and Connor Coles guesting for Sam Chapman

BIRMINGHAM will go into the record books following their National League home fixture against Buxton next Wednesday (June 3) when an American, female speedway rider takes to UK shale for the very first time. Hayley Perrault has been racing competitively in the States since the age of 8 and has won a number of individual meetings at all levels. Desperate to take her career in the sport further, Perrault, now aged 17, is looking forward to visiting Perry Barr. Said Perrault: “I’m extremely excited for my practice at Birmingham speedway; going to England to race a speedway bike has been my dream since I first started racing 10 years ago and I feel extremely lucky to be the first female, American rider sent to England to represent my country. “I have heard nothing but positive things about Birmingham speedway and I’m really looking forward to seeing the real side of the sport on a global level; this is definitely my biggest dream come true.” Brummies boss Graham Drury added: “It’s a unique bit of history for British speedway and we are delighted to be a major part of it here at Birmingham. “Hayley has been dedicated from a young age to become a professional speedway rider and to be one of the best female, speedway riders in the world. We don’t have too many at all in the UK, but across the speedway globe, more and more females are starting to take up the sport year-by-year. “At this moment in time, she would find it difficult to race in England due to work permit restrictions, however, there are actually a handful of Polish promoters who are coming over just to see Hayley Perrault have a spin and who knows where that could lead for her. "She’s coming over here to get a taste for the bigger tracks because as many people will know, in America the tracks are tiny in comparison. “She is a very talented rider and has won a number of meetings at all levels back in the States. She’s very dedicated to her racing and is just waiting for that big break somewhere and I’m told there will be a few Polish promoters with us keeping an eye on her next week. “She’s very determined, she’s very ambitious and we’re looking forward to welcoming her to Birmingham Speedway on Wednesday.”

Lakeside are at Belle Vue

Hopefully the Brummies next week will give you more of a run for your money , although will be tougher with no Adam Ellis ( which I am not happy about). Looking forward to the trip down

Glad we won this in the end, super performance from both Zach and Adam Ellis. Adam breaking the NL track record twice in one meeting, the latter in Heat 15 where he clocked sub 60 second time . He was in a league of his own bar that one race with Wilson Dean. Zach showing why hes one of the best reserves around with another top performance which included beating the Eagles number 1. I know he wont be at reserve for ever but I dont see him struggling in the main body, considering this his first year in the NL so far hes been fantastic. I agree about Harvie Banks, I'm sure he tries but lets be honest he struggles to compete and only scores if the points are gifted. How long can that continue?. Think we need one more NL match to get new averages and that match will be away at Kent on the 1st June. We havent really had any away matches so maybe he will compete more in that meeting, on a different track. Kirby started the season quite well but has been off in the past few meetings and tonight was poor. Theres no doubt we are short of what we would have liked but Eastbourne are a quality side. Looking at the new averages Georgie Wood is still at reserve on a near 6pt average and he showed today what a promising rider he is. BWD making a mockery of his 5.00 assesed average, will get a more realistic average in his next match . I'm sure GD will get our lads up for the return leg.

The problem we will have for the away leg is its a new track for a number of our riders, I reckon only Adam and Tom would have rode there previously so our lower end may struggle.Hopefully Sam Chapman will be fit for that

Will be good seeing Wilson Dean at Perry Barr again, was at the Cradley match and he was box office in that. The battles with him and Adam Ellis should interesting. Think we need a lead of 15 minimum to have a decent chance of progressing, esp as Arlington is tough place to go for an away team.

I dont know how you can say what happened at Cradley on wednesday as a farce or a fiasco. Thats the first time in 8 years Ive known a partial power failure to affect the stadium, its not like its a regular thing. It happened literrally at 7.30 when the riders were on parade as thats when the speakers failed, at the same time as the 2 min warning light, green light and tapes failed. Some people moaned about it taking 40 mins to start when they were just going off the elasticated bungee cord start and green flag but they dont realise its the National League and the first times these riders have gone through that procedure. I praise everyone that night who got the meeting on, could have been called off which im sure would have made the paying fan every more annoyed. You mention the sun delays at Kings Lynn but surely rider safety is paramount, so its a bit harsh to criticise that, im sure most fans would understand that. You have a point with rain offs, we have seen in past promotions call meetings off early based on forecast and have been left with egg on their face. Thats said at least they are thinking of the travelling fan, its worse if you spend so much getting there, get in stadium and then find its a wasted journey. Its a dammed if you do, dammed if you dont situation. I think whats really bad is when meetings are called off becuase of poor track prep and theres a recent example of that. The dust off between Rye House and Eastbourne was completley unacceptable, that should not happen in this sport. You can control track prep but you cant control where the rain falls, where the sun sets or electrical problems that have not previously happened in 8 years. The BSPA are SCB need to act more strongly and its so annoying that it seems little action will be taken. In Cricket if you produce a dodgy wicket you get a points deduction, so why not something similar and a fine in speedway.

The Heathens preview mentions it but just advise to fans coming to this, theres roadworks and a few roads closed around the stadium all week. From what I can see the Aldridge road is closed from Wellhead Lane to the slip road of the A34 from 7pm in the direction of Birmingham. The other road Harrier way which is the road the stadium entrance is on, although surely they are well aware of an event at the stadium and will probably work on the bit under the flyovers. http://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/information/temporary-diversions/closure-of-aldridge-road- Fans that come down the A34 usually bear left onto Harrier way ( before flyover) and then take right at the lights that takes you to Perry Barr Island. If Harrier Way is open you will have to go left at lights, right onto Wellhead Lane, then right onto Aston Lane which will take you up to Perry Barr Island. Its only a slight detour and this is from 7pm onwards

Impressed with Zach again last night, excellent performance. He's really making an impact from reserve now.

I think thats a nonsense, how the hell should Rye House get priority. Hes a Coventry Asset and has been with the Storm from the start of the season.

Thats my worry, we got you guys in the cup on the 20th May.