Main Man

a very good session --with dust rising !! Next session in two weeks on Sunday February 10th 10-4

COVENTRY Storm have finalised their team plans for the National League season with the signing of Martin Knuckey. The 20-year-old Cornishman slots into the side at reserve after impressing club bosses when racing in second-halves in the Midland Development League last season. Knuckey was a regular for the Coventry-Mercia Vikings in 2012, although he unfortunately finished the campaign on the injured list after suffering a broken arm in his first race of a National League guest booking for King’s Lynn at Buxton in October. Storm chief Blayne Scroggins said: “Martin was really keen to make the step up and it’s good to be able to promote a rider from the Midland Development League team, it shows the riders at that level that we’re watching them. “There were one or two options but we wanted to go with Martin, who is showing real commitment to join us and make the long trip up from Cornwall regularly. “Hopefully he’ll be able to move to the area in the summer, but he wants to take his chance and he will become another asset of the club. “Obviously with the expenses involved Martin and indeed any of the other lads would welcome any offers of sponsorship, and anyone who feels able to help should contact the club. We would be delighted to hear from them. “I’m pleased with the team, we’ve achieved what we set out to do having started from scratch. It’s a young team and six of the seven are our own assets, so I hope the supporters get behind them and are looking forward to seeing them in action.” COVENTRY STORM TEAM: James Sarjeant ©, Joe Jacobs, Oliver Greenwood, Brendan Johnson, Richard Franklin, Trevor Heath, Martin Knuckey.

Had message off David Hemsley that tomorrow's practice is definitely ON. There is methanol on sale for those who need it as had a few txts asking about this. Bookings still being taken on 0116 235 0082 or I can book you in if you txt me on 07801429304 or 07510768392 or e-mail : laurencerogers@blueyonder.co.uk

JAMES Sarjeant has been named as captain of the Coventry Storm National League team. The 19-year-old club asset will be assisted by Richard Franklin, with the Storm set to open their season with the first leg of the Travel Plus Trophy against Dudley at home on Friday March 22. Storm boss Blayne Scroggins said: “Two or three other riders were very keen to have the captaincy, but we decided on Sarj after he had such a good season last year, and also in a very young team we felt he probably had the most experience. “He’s also the longest-serving asset for the club, and I’m sure he will respond to the position and do a great job for the club.” there should be a regular 2nd half at most meetings

no --just said I would book a few riders who after rides in.

Spoke with David last night and unless they get rain on Saturday all looks ok for Sunday. Bookings can be made on number above but if any rider wants me to book them in e-mail me at: laurencerogers@blueyonder,co.uk or text me on 07510768392 or 07801429304 and I will do it for you.

what area are you living Wayne?

The 2013 Midland Development League looks like being an exciting one with nine teams lining up in the main league competition and a new Knock Out Cup launched with plans afoot for a MDL Grand Prix for second strings to take part in plus the prestigious MDLRC at Leicester in September. The K O Cup will feature six MDL sides in Coventry-Mercia, Milton Keynes, Long Eaton, Kings Lynn, Sheffield and Stoke along with Northern Junior League Redcar Bear Cubs and the newly formed Leicester Lion Cubs. There are three finals planned in the competition with the main MDL KO Cup and having the Development Shield and MDL Vase keeping six clubs of the eight involved right through to meaningful finals. The draw sees Round one featuring all eight clubs -- A : Stoke v Redcar B : MK Knights v Kings Lynn C : Long Eaton v Sheffield D : Coventry v Leicester KO cup Semi Final : E : Winners A v Winners B F : Winners C v Winners D Consolation Semi-Final ; G : Losers A v Losers B H : Losers C v Losers D K O Cup Final : Winner E v Winner F Development Shield Final : Loser E v Loser F MDL Vase Final : Winner G v Winner H The addition of the Leicester side is hopefully a prelude to them joining the MDL in 2014. The new competition for MDL second strings will be over several rounds with full details of which tracks will hold rounds yet to be finalized but hopefully there will be four or five rounds staged. The league itself will see home and away clashes for all nine sides with the top two teams at the cut off point meeting in the Play-Off Final home and away with the side top of the table having the choice of staging the first or second leg. Additionally this year there will be an opening for youth 250cc riders to race in two supplementary races although the points scored will not count in the team totals but gives them competitive racing and the element of being part of a team , which will hopefully be a stepping stone for them when they progress to 500cc from the age of 15. One change being brought in is with regard to riders who also race in the National League where in 2012 only one was allowed although if a second was used their points did not count. That now has been replaced with teams now allowed to use two current NL riders but with one of them having never been in a Premier league 1 to 7 , having never achieved a previous end of season NL average of 5.01 or more nor having made more than 50 NL appearances regardless of average. However one must not have a NL average (so an assessed 3 point NL rider) and if that rider achieves a NL average then either he or the other NL rider must be replaced or if they continue to ride they will have their points scored deducted. Results will stand after four heats in the event of an abandonment. The race formula is reverting to the 2011 version with all riders meeting each other at least once with set partners at 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and the top four rides by average meeting in the final heat. The league is geared towards young riders coming through the system aiming for National League spots with competition only open to UK passport holders holding a ACU licence. Although each team will have a regular squad they are permitted to ride for another team in any fixture and where a team is short handed arrangements should be made to borrow a rider. MDL teams 2013 : Belle Vue Colts , Castleford Kings, Coventry-Mercia Vikings, Kings Lynn Lightning, Long Eaton Invaders, Milton Keynes Knights, Scunthorpe Stags, Sheffield Tiger Cubs, Stoke Spitfires

It is planned that the Mercia Vikings will race most of their MDL matches after the NL meetings

hope it goes ok chopper

David Hemsley has asked me to mention that the next training at Leicester is on Sunday Jan 27th. . The cost for Sunday’s event is £40.00 per person with a start time of 10.00 am going through to 4.00 pm. Hot food and drinks will be available all day with free entry to the stadium for anyone who wishes to watch. So just park in the bottom car park and come and take a look! To reserve your place please telephone the speedway office on 0116 235 0082.

Yes --give him a call

DUDLEY and Coventry have announced plans to start the season with a two-legged Challenge ahead of the new National League campaign. The clashes will take place at Brandon on March 22 and Monmore Green on April 9, with Coventry set to enter the league at next week’s AGM. Dudley chairman Nigel Pearson said: “We’re delighted to provide the opposition for the exciting launch of National League racing at Coventry and we wish Mick Horton and his management team every success with the project. There will be some terrific racing in both meetings and it’s a fabulous way for the curtain to go up on 2013.” Coventry co-boss Blayne Scroggins added: “It’s great to see the old rivalry between Coventry and the Heathens back on track after an absence of too many years. I’m sure Dudley will bring massive support to Brandon, so I hope lots of fans turn out to support the Storm in their first meeting.”

it is just the engine for sale. ....but he can build a bike up with all the goodies except an exhaust and carby ...it would have NEB clutch, renthal bars, regina chains and talon wheels and he would be looking for £2000 in total.

For Sale -=- JRM 350cc ...2009 ....Full Serviced ...used 25 times from new! £1200 ono ....call 07870570880

LEICESTER will again be the staging venue for the Midland Development League Riders’ Championship this year – after a successful inaugural event in 2012. The meeting, won last season by Dan Greenwood, will take place at Beaumont Park on Saturday September 28. Leicester co-promoter Alan Jones said: “We see the benefits of a grass-roots organised league structure whereby newcomers can gain valuable experience of different tracks and also to learn the techniques of team racing. “As a club we are fully committed to doing our bit for junior development through our support for the Long Eaton Invaders and are delighted to be asked to stage the flagship Riders’ Championship Final again.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With nine months to plan for the 2013 staging the MDL organisers are starting the quest for sponsors for the event early. Last year they achieved a remarkable response in a short space of time for backers and with more time they hope to make the event bigger and better this year. Anyone interested in sponsoring the event in any way can e-mail : laurencerogers@blueyonder.co.uk or teamvikingsw@aol.co.uk

you missed someone off that list Tsunami --- you and your band of helpers at Newcastle with your training scheme on Sundays before the Diamonds meetings !!

Whatever you think the rights and wrongs are all Kelvin has done has highlighted a potential rider for any track interested ....he has not sorted him out a team spot or promised him one. Last year I helped Damien Koppe, Brady Kurtz and Harley Horwood get rides in the UK and two of those now have PL places --I didn't sort those out for them or suggest them but gave them the opportunities to put themselves in the shop window for promoters. I will not name names but there are young riders out there from a variety of countries who have UK parents or were actually born here or have patriality ......if they want to ride in the UK should they be prevented from doing so? I know there are a lot of British riders who are chasing team spots and at the moment do not have one but at the end of the day a promoter will look at and sign riders he or she believes will do a job for their respective clubs.

don't think I had better comment as i have acted as USA tour manager since 2005 , was TM for Young Australiasia in a test series a few years back , helped countless Aussies and Kiwis over the years , plus introduced riders from Finland , Czecho, Denmark, Sweden etc to British Speedway plus helped for many years with British Under 15's / 16's set-up plus supported , encouraged and helped countless young British riders and stood in the cold and wet running winter training schools !!

It's already on there Greg but thanks anyway.

James has asked me to post the full list of what he has for sale : 1, Rolling bikes with NEB Elite clutch, New selettra, Pro motion cables, B.A.R chain oiler. standerd JRM frame, no welds, with KW covers, GP guards, Talon engine plates, parts on the bike are max 10 meetings old. £1500 ono. 1, bike breaking for parts all same as other bike. 2, new front tyres. £50 2, new style blixt carbs. £300 each 1, front tube. £5 3, light weight ss P clips. £5 2, selletra coils both good. £offer 1, set of talon engine plates no4 frame £50 2, GM engins both short stroke 1 SWR other KARGER serviced by BJW tuning £1000 each 1, 2012 gm OFFSET engine by phil crump. £2000 no offers 2, air filters £10 each 3, new outerwears £10 1, RRE clutch plate facer £10 1, clutch cooler £80 1, king silencer £100 1, steel shoe 43 no welds £20 5, ltrs beeline oil £25 2, ss front down pipes G7 £40 each 2, black John shirt chain gards NEW £25 each Also LARGE amount of spares. look on my FB to see all pics James White Williams.

Partriality is a 5

Great news that Kings Lynn Lightning become the 9th team in the 2013 MDL.

Former Weymouth, Newport and Dudley rider James White-Williams , without a team place for 2013 , has announced his retirement from speedway and is selling off all his equipment --details from James on 07788374696. He is making a return to Moto-X and entering the British Championships in 2013. I am sure all fans at his previous tracks will join me in wishing him every success for the future.

this also includes a workshop clear out . JWW is retiring from speedway returning to moto x and entering the British Championships.