Main Man

COVENTRY Storm have confirmed returns to Brandon next season for Luke Crang and Martin Knuckey. The duo join new signing Dan Greenwood in the team for 2014 with several of the riders who gave the club a successful first National League campaign expected to be back. Crang made an instant impact in his first year of racing, joining the Storm at the end of May and racing to an average of just under five, which included some major high-spots – most notably his match-winning performance at Buxton where he held his nerve to secure the points in a tense last-heat decider. The 22-year-old, who became a Coventry asset at the end of the season, has also attracted the attention of Premier League clubs and will double-up with Redcar in 2014. Cornishman Knuckey, 20, had a roller-coaster 2013 campaign which started well before off-track issues forced him to take a month out of the sport. However, he returned with renewed enthusiasm and the club are delighted to have him on board again for next year. Storm co-boss Blayne Scroggins said: “I’m excited by the team so far, it’s looking like we will have several of the 2013 side back and hopefully there will be more deals confirmed shortly. “It’s going to be a big year for Luke with him doubling-up with Redcar as well, and I’m sure he’ll be able to use his experience from last season to increase his average for us. “Martin was so keen to come back to Coventry, so much so that he had the opportunity to go to a track 20 minutes from home, but he wanted to be here and once again it’s good to have a rider who is very much part of the Coventry set-up.”

get well soon Marcus , my friend ....2014 to start planning for !!

COVENTRY are set to hand a British speedway debut to Finnish teenager Nike Lunna at this month’s Christmas Cracker. The 17-year-old comes recommended from former rider Jarno Kosonen, who is one of the men behind the first Finnish Grand Prix which takes place in Tampere next May. Lunna won a string of honours at 80cc level and has also impressed since his move up to 500cc machines earlier this year, and he is now named in the line-up for Coventry’s winter event on Sunday December 29 (midday start). Elsewhere in the 12-man main event line-up are a host of other talented youngsters, several of whom will be making their top-flight debuts next season as part of the fast-track scheme for reserve riders. Tom Perry (Leicester), Lewis Rose (King’s Lynn) and Coventry’s own James Sarjeant all fall into that category – and the line-up also features four ex-Bees riders, Josh Auty, Henning Bager, Stuart Robson and Aaron Summers. Scunthorpe’s David Howe is a three-time winner of winter outdoor meetings, and new Berwick signing Kevin Doolan also has a good record in these events. Summers’ Redcar team-mate Richard Lawson, who doubles-up with Lakeside in the top flight, is included along with Coventry asset Oliver Greenwood who is expected to be in the Storm team next season. Buildbase Bees star Ryan Fisher has sent his apologies after originally being included in the field before subsequently receiving the opportunity to race in America over the same weekend, which also means he can return home to visit his family ahead of the new season. The Christmas Cracker also features the six-heat Midland Development League KO Cup Final between Coventry-Mercia Vikings and Stoke (line-ups to be confirmed). Admission is £15 for all adults, with all under-16s FREE and supporters are reminded that 2014 Coventry Speedway season tickets are valid if paid for by Christmas. CHRISTMAS CRACKER: Josh Auty, Henning Bager, Kevin Doolan, Oliver Greenwood, David Howe, Richard Lawson, Nike Lunna, Tom Perry, Stuart Robson, Lewis Rose, James Sarjeant, Aaron Summers.

COVENTRY Storm are delighted to announce the signing of National League title-winner Dan Greenwood for the 2014 season. Greenwood, 20, was a member of the all-conquering Dudley team which clinched the League and Cup double, and he played a key role as he hit his best form of the campaign at the crucial stage. The Storm have moved quickly after Greenwood was ruled out of the Heathens’ plans for next year due to other changes to their proposed team. He has extensive experience of Brandon after appearing for the Mercia Vikings in the Midland Development League in 2012, and he put that to good use in his visits last season. In a guest booking for the Isle of Wight, he won a high-quality Heat 13 in a race which also featured Charles Wright, Robert Branford and James Sarjeant – and he also got the better of Storm skipper Sarjeant in one of the races of the season in the Supporters’ Pairs Trophy meeting in October. Greenwood joins the Storm on what appears a bargain 5.74 average, and further team news is expected in the near future. Co-boss Laurence Rogers said: “Dan is a rider I know very well as I brought him back into the sport at Newport in 2011 where he showed a great deal of promise. “When Newport closed I helped him get a place at Dudley but also brought him to Coventry to do the MDL, which was a resounding success for him, and naturally I’ve kept close links with him. “It was a no-brainer from my point of view when he became available, and Blayne (Scroggins) and Mick (Horton) agreed with that. I think it will be a very good move for Dan, and his race with Sarj in the Pairs was one of the best I saw in 2013 – at the end of the year, he was really in heat-leader form for the Heathens. “He’s 110 per cent behind trying to retain his league winners’ medal in 2014, this time with Coventry, and he was actually trying to work out last night who else we could sign! That’s great enthusiasm and I’m sure he’ll settle in well with us.”

Gemini Frank lives in Oz !! was over recently but gone back --had he been here would have been a drawcard!! Any mince pies would be shop bought as my cooking skills do not stretch to cakes ....although we do have a few people who I know produce some exceedingly good cakes !! As for the cider --that sounds good !! Mulled wine ?? ---could suggest it!! Quick plug that race sponsors are being invited at £50 a race with the Final at £100 ...e-mail :laurencerogers@blueyonder.co.uk or text 07801429304

The 2013 MDL KO Cup Final , lost to the weather at the end of the season, will now be staged as one-off final as part of the Christmas Cracker meeting at Coventry on Sun Dec 29th.

thank you Gemini ..SCB was bound to complain ..he always does and has !! As for riders I can tell you as meeting co-ordinator I have been assessing which rider are actually in the UK at this time and which ones want to ride. I have been working on this for weeks and spoken to a fair few riders. Having organised previous New Year Classics at Newport I have a fair idea of which riders like doing these meetings and ones that will give it 110% and have tried to go for a field of racers ...and I am pleased with the line-up with just a few names to announce. Having the MDL Cup final is a bonus for everyone.

certainly good news and a big thank you to Martin Hagon....would love to see 50 and 80cc introduced as well

OFF again Sunday 25th ---announcement to be made on when Final is to be staged.

King's Lynn Take Shield Trophy In a rain affected meeting, the Invaders ran out winners on the night winning by 19-17 however the Lightnings won the Shield Trophy by virtue of their 6 point lead from the 1st leg. At one point it looked likely that only 4 heats would be completed but full credit must be given to the riders who went out and gave it their all in the difficult conditions and managed to get all 6 heats run. In the first heat, Adam Kirby overtook Tom Woolley on bend 3 of the first lap and despite Tom pushing all the way, he was unable to find a way past Adam who had just done 4 heats in the Grand Final Fours. In heat 2, the unlucky Cameron Hoskins who came in at the last minute for the Lightnings, blew his engine on the start line and was unable to take any further part in the meeting. A 4-2 for the Invaders leveled the scores at 6 points each. In heat 3, Adam Kirby who was taking the ride of Cameron Hoskins, fell on bend 2 lap 2 which left the Invaders on a 5-1. Heat 4 was drawn after Aaron Mogridge, guesting for the Invaders, completed his 2nd win of the night. Alec Wright continued his good form from last week and won heat 5, his 2nd win of the night and in heat 6, it was Adam Kirby who came out on top for the Lightnings after Aaron Mogridge fell on lap 3. The Invaders, supported in the pits by the injured Lee Geary, fought a hard battle and in the end were just pipped to the Trophy by the Lightnings in a fair contest. Long Eaton 19 (31) 1. Tom Woolley 2 3 2 = 7 2. Lee Springthorpe 0 2 2 = 4 3. Aaron Mogridge 3 3 F = 6 4. Adam Portwood 1 0 1’ = 2+1 Kings Lynn 17 (35) 1. Adam Kirby 3 0 1’ 3 = 7+1 2. Alec Wright 1 2 3 1 = 7 3. David Holt 2 1 0 = 3 4. Cam Hoskins R = 0 Heat 1 Kirby/Woolley/Wright/ Springthorpe 2-4 Agg 2-4 Time 70.50 Heat 2 Mogridge/Holt/Portwood/Hoskins ret 4-2 Agg 6-6 Time 73.65 Heat 3 Woolley/Sprinthorpe/Holt/Kirby Fell 5-1 Agg 11-7 Time 73.66 Heat 4 Mogridge/Wright/Kirby/Portwood 3-3 Agg 14-10 Time 73.28 Heat 5 Wright/Springthorpe/Portwood/Holt 3-3 Agg 17-13 Time 71.35 Heat 6 Kirby/Woolley/Wright/Mogridge Fell 2-4 Agg 19-17 Time 71.93

MDL Cup Final is at Stoke this Sunday with Coventry looking at a possible "home" leg on a neutral track !!

MDL : Cup Finalists try again !! The Midland Development League K O Cup Final has again been hit by the weather. The scheduled 1st leg at Brandon has fallen foul of the rain and with no scheduled meetings now at Coventry the Vikings management are investigating if an alternative venue can be used for their leg. Stoke’s marathon meeting on Sunday at Loomer Road will feature the cup final leg there after the National League double header which starts at 2pm. With other commitments the CITY GEARBOXES Vikings have had to bring in two heat leader strength riders with the unavailability of Martin Knuckey (injured), Luke Crang (engines in for service), James Shanes (riding a grass track) and Ryan Terry-Daley (returning to New Zealand). The Vikings management want to say a big thank you to Adam Kirby and Danny Phillips who are both at Loomer Road riding in the National League meetings on Sunday for agreeing to guest for the Vikings. They are joined by 15 year old debutant Reece Downes and skipper John Markham for the cup final. More news on a possible second leg at a neutral track is to follow. Stoke again use Belle Vue’s David Holt as a guest for Charles Wallace whilst Lee Payne and Shaun Tedham have a busy afternoon with two National League matches before the cup final. Teams : Stoke Spitfiires >> 1. Shaun Tedham 2, David Holt 3. Lee Payne 4. Sam Ward Coventry CITY GEARBOXES Mercia-Vikings : 1. Adam Kirby, 2. Reece Downes . 3. Danny Phillips. 4, John Markham ©

MDL : MDL Cup Final back to two legs. The Midland Development League K O Cup Final between Stoke Spitfires and Coventry Mercia-Vikings will after all be contested over two legs at Brandon on Friday and Loomer Road on Sunday. After it was announced that it would be a one –off shoot out on Friday, as agreed with Spitfires team manager Mike Gittings, the Stoke promotion overturned this and appealed to the BSPA offices to be allowed to run the second leg on Sunday after the National League double header. Worries about over use of Stoke duo Shaun Tedham and Lee Payne in what could be a maximum of 17 rides in all three meetings was over-ruled and the two sides will lock horns in the inaugural cup final over two legs. Stoke are using Belle Vue’s David Holt as a guest for Charles Wallace in the first leg at Coventry whilst Coventry will probably be tracking two guests in the second leg at Stoke on Sunday. Teams for First Leg at Coventry : City Gearboxes VIKINGS – 1. James Shanes, 2. Reece Downes ; 3. Ryan Tery-Daley . 4. John Markham © Stoke Spitfires : 1. Shaun Tedham ; 2. David Holt ; 3. Lee Payne ; 4. Sam Ward

Leicester Lion Cubs 18 (Lee Springthorpe 4r 10, Alec Wright 3r 6+1, Ben Holloway 3r 2+1, Adam Portwood 2r 0) Milton Keynes Knights 18 (Tom Woolley 3r 7, David Holt 3r 4+1, Jez Pestell 3r 4+1, Sean Phillips 3r 3) …. Race –off : Tom Woolley (MK) beat Lee Springthorpe (Leicester)

Meeting OFF. Apologies to mods >>>>just that if there is a matertial change to a meeting for any reason thought it should be highlighted with a new thread as some may not go back to an old one and may not realise !! Just seemed commonsense to me!!

Midland Development League Stoke and Coventry try again this Sunday to get MDL Cup final staged The MDL Cup final ,after several call offs, will hopefully get underway this Sunday with the First Leg at Loomer Road following the National League clash between Stoke and Kent. The Spitfires and the Mercia-Vikings lock horns in the six heat contest with the second leg scheduled for Brandon on Friday 25th after the Bees v Leicester Midland Bowl meeting. Stoke are boosted by the return of skipper Shaun Tedham , the MDL Riders’ champion, who has recovered from the crash he had at Rye House guesting for Belle Vue in the MDL Play-Off Final. They name their full strength side also containing Lee Payne , Charles Wallace and Sam Ward. Coventry have skipper John Markham back in action whilst they blood 15 year old Reece Downes , who finished as runner-up in the British Under 16 500cc championship behind Dudley’s Nathan Greaves. They are spearheaded by 16 year old whiz kid James Shanes , who has made an impressive debut in Coventry colours in their National League side since making his debut at Stoke in June. He is joined by Ryan Terry-Daley who has been getting some National League outings in recent weeks . Stoke Spitfires : 1, Shaun Tedham . 2. Charles Wallace. 3. Lee Payne .. 4. Sam Ward Coventry Mercia-Vikings : 1. James Shanes. 2. Reece Downes. 3. Ryan Terry-Daley. 4. John Markham NOTE: PLEASE Stop starting a new thread rather than posting on an existing one every time you want to make a post. Apart from being confusing and not allowed, it wastes our time. Same rules apply to ALL

With Coventry off today the MDL K O Cup Final schedule will now be : 1st leg : Stoke Sunday October 20th 2nd Leg : Coventry Friday October 25th

Shaun Tedham has declared himself fit and will ride after all

MDL : Vikings face Spitfires in MDL K O Cup Final on Sunday It’s K O Cup Final action at Brandon on Sunday when the CITY GEARBOXES Mercia-Vikings take on the Stoke Spitfires after the Coventry v Leicester Midland Bowl clash , which starts at 12 noon. The scheduled first leg at Loomer Road was lost to the weather last weekend so Sunday’s clash now becomes the first leg with the return at Stoke on Sunday October 20th. It is the inaugural cup final and both sides are aiming to become the first winners of the competition with Coventry fan Gary Kirtley-Paine , whose twins daughter Francesca and Hannah ride in amateur meetings and training schools , having kindly sponsored trophies for the KO Cup, MDL Shield and MDL Vase finals. Stoke are without the injured Shaun Tedham and unavailable Charles Wallace and use Belle Vue’s David Holt as a guest and rider replacement. He is joined by Lee Payne and Sam Ward Coventry blood 15 year old Reece Downes in their side forming a youthful partnership with Coventry Storm’s 16 year old whiz kid James Shanes whilst Ryan Terry-Daley ;inks with Vikings skipper John Markham. Vikings co -team boss Laurence Rogers is backing his boys to secure a good lead to take to Stoke for the second leg , “ They are really up for it and want to become the inaugural cup victors. It would be a fitting tribute to MDL founder and co-ordinator Kelvin Lapworth who is stepping down as joint team manager .We are looking forward to bringing in young Reece Downes , who I have known since just about when he started riding and I have kept tabs on him and promised when the chance came I would give him his MDL chance … and what a meeting for him to make his debut in!” Teams : CITY GEARBOXES Vikings …1. James Shanes; 2. Reece Downes; 3. Ryan Terry-Daley; 4. John Marham ©. Stoke Spitfires … 1. R/R Shaun Tedham 2. David Holt; 3. Lee Payne ; 4. Sam Ward.

DIAMOND H BELLE VUE COLTS 22 (35) Shaun Tedham F = 0 Danny Phillips 2 3 3 = 8 Matt Williamson 3 2' 3 2 = 10+1 David Holt 2' 1 1 0 = 4+1 MILTON KEYNES KNIGHTS 13 (29) Lee Payne 3 2 3 = 8 Sam Ward 1 0 0 = 1 Danno Verge Fx 1 1 = 2 Rob Shuttleworth F 0 2 = 2 Ht 1 - Payne, Phillips, Ward, Tedham (F) (2-4) (2-4) 64.5 Ht 2 - Williamson, Holt, Verge (Fx), Shuttleworth (F) (5-0) (7-4) Awarded Ht 3 - Phillips, Williamson, Verge, Shuttleworth (5-1) (12-5) 65.4 Ht 4 - Williamson, Payne, Holt, Ward (4-2) (16-7) 65.0 Ht 5 - Phillips, Shuttleworth, Holt, Ward (4-2) (20-9) 64.9 Ht 6 - Payne, Williamson, Verge, Holt (2-4) (22-13) 65.2 The Diamond H Belle Vue Colts were crowned the 2013 Midland Development League Champions with a 22-13 second leg win over the Milton Keynes Knights at Kirkmanshulme Lane on Wednesday to secure a 35-29 aggregate victory. The visitors, defending a 3 point first leg lead, started brightly as Lee Payne outpaced Danny Phillips in heat 1 with his team-mate Sam Ward taking third place in a 4-2 win after Shaun Tedham had fallen on the first bend. Tedham who had suffered an horrific crash in the first leg at Rye House on Sunday, was forced to withdraw from the meeting as his injuries made it impossible to hold on to the bike. Matt Williamson and David Holt hit the front in heat 2 for the Colts, with Danno Verge giving chase as Rob Shuttleworth fell. The race was stopped when Verge ran into Holt, and the race awarded 5-0 to the home side. Williamson came into heat 3 replacing Tedham, and followed Phillips home for a comfortable 5-1 Heat 4 saw Williamson make the gate and hold off Payne for four laps. At the back Holt held off Ward for a 4-2 win which put the Colts 6 points ahead on aggregate. The home side were fastest from the start again in heat 5, but Shuttleworth rode a good race to catch and pass Holt. Phillips took to win which ensured that the title would be heading to Manchester. Payne gained revenge over Williamson for his earlier defeat in the final race whilst an improving Verge took third place for the Knights. Colts team managers Stephen Williams and Graham Goodwin were delighted to take the title. They said "We're so pleased for the riders who have represented the Colts this year and worked so hard for the title. Our thanks also go to all our sponsors who helped out with the lads travel expenses". "Credit must also go to Richard Ward, Russell Paine and all at Milton Keynes for pushing us all season, and to all the managers and riders who have made the 2013 Midland Development League season a success once again"

It is to be followed by the MDL Cup Final 2nd leg Stoke Spitfires v Coventry CITY GEARBOXES Mercia-Vikings

Sunday October 5th : MDL Play-Off Final 1st Leg --MK 16 Belle Vue 13 --abandoned after ht 5 Crash in ht 6 involving Aaron Mogridge (MK Knights) and Belle Vue pair Matt Williamson and Shaun Tedham wrecked the safety fence and caused the abandonment of the sixth and final race. All riders reported to be ok after crash. 2nd leg at Belle Vue on Weds (9th October) MDL Play-Off Final 1st Leg : (Sunday October 6th at Rye House) Milton Keynes 16 ( Mark Baldock 3r 7+1, Jez Pestell 3r 5, Danno Verge 3r 4+1, Aaron Mogridge 2r 0) Belle Vue 13 ( Shaun Tedham 3r 8, Matt Williamson 2r 3, David Holt 4r 2)

Tonight at Stoke --v Mildenhall NL and MDL KO Cup final is OFF

1st leg OFF tonight !!

There was brilliant racing --those who stayed away (why??) missed one of the best if not the best night's racing I have seen all season. Marty luckily has got away with stitches in his jaw and a concussion and was kept in over night. I was chuffed that the pairs were just about evenly matched and produced some great speedway ...it was hard work but worth it even if my car broke down on the way home !!