Main Man

This was the original date but clashes with the PL4's at Peterborough and a new date is being arranged.

Thanks for finding that Paul. Not seen that filming before. Having known Erik since he first came to the UK , worked with him at Cradley and as his manager plus writing his first book Champ with him, it brought a lump to my throat. I am so looking forward to the World Speedway Riders Association annual dinner on Saturday as Erik is the guest of honour and I can see my old friend again

Did Dale Finch crash out ? 7 from 3 rides then an exclusion and a non-starter?

Yes.

Well done to Grant on his runners-up spot.

Congratulations to Brady!!

The late withdrawals were something no one could have predicted. Jerran Hart got as far as Reading Services and had to turn back home unable to make it despite doing his best to. We cannot cater for illness and I spent hours and hours on my phone trying to locate every rider still in the UK to see if they could ride but the main problem was that most did not have any equipment ready yet and Will Lawson was snowed in as well!! I must thank all those who at the 11th hour stepped in to ensure we had a full line-up and at least one reserve. Except for exclusions we had four man races right to the end --so thanks to all the lads for battling on on the day when things were not perfect taking into account the winter elements. The track staff had worked throughout the holiday period on the track having to battle against the weather and deserve a medal!!

its plus one in Newport at present and dry(07.30) - no sign of snow - good day for speedway hopefully

We will all wrap up warm and enjoy the racing I am sure!! The meeting is DEFINITELY ON ---and will be an entertaining spectacle.

As previously posted the weather is not as bad as it was predicted to be (was sunny but cold today!) and we are looking forward --as are a lot of people -- to the Classic. We naturally cannot predict what will happen but have two reserves on hand to cover and aim to have four rider races !!

Thanks Dave --would love to be down under !!! You can always wire me the air fare!!!!

Puk, Mads, Anders + Daniel all visited the track today and gave the racing surface their seal of approval.

We are bitterly disappointed that Robert Henderson will not be racing in the Classic tomorrow. We were informed that he was ill with a fever and could not make the flight. We have spent the whole day today trying to find a replacement and Luke Bowen has kindly stepped in at the 11th hour to do the meeting --thanks go to him for this. If it is true that he is racing elsewhere we feel seriously let down by him and his advisers. We are grateful that the rest of the Scandinavians are here.....let's look forward to a great meeting tomorrow. Gates open at 11am with first at 1pm sharp.

There was a frost but not a heavy one. Work has been going on all around the stadium but with the track taking priority .

Well not long now till the Classic and the good news from the track is that all the hard work put in by the track staff over the past week has paid dividends and the track is looking really good. Well done to all concerned!! The temperature has not been as low as predicted and there has not been any heavy ground frost --so it is all looking good!! Naturally it's not shorts and tee-shirt weather so do wrap up warm and come and enjoy the action. Remember gates open at 11am , there's face painting available for the kids, and the action begins with the first race at 1pm promptly. The riders will be coming up into the Wasps Nest Bar after the meeting to sign autographs and a few will be interviewed.... so join us for a pint then. See you then!!

£15 adults, £13 Concessions, £5 Child (5-15) Under 5's free,Programme £2 Viewing will not be a problem rainman . Stand will probably fill up quickly though --so be early to claim your spot!!

Totally true Dirt Junkie. All credit to the band of volunteers and helpers who have being working overtime to get the track ready despite the wintry weather. Steve rang early this morning to say that the temperature has gone up a tad and that hopefully we will not get a ground frost the next few nights. The gang are working hard again today and we look forward to welcoming you to Queensway Meadows on Sunday --gates open at 11am and first race will be promptly starting at 1pm. I'm packed and ready and heading for Newport after lunch --with still a load of bits and pieces to complete before those turnstiles open including a trip to Heathrow with Nick to pick up the Swedes tomorrow. See you all Sunday!!

Press Release : NEWPORT STAGE CLOSE SEASON SPEEDWAY MEETING For Speedway fans who can't wait for the new season to open in March there is the opportunity to watch a field of 16 riders contest the New Year Classic at Newport on Sunday January 3rd with tapes up at 1pm. Those riders include two former Newport Wasps Niels-Kristian Iversen and Mads Korneliussen who are now Elite League riders plus the club's latest signing Anders Mellgren who flies in from Sweden with two other newcomers to British Speedway Daniel and Robert Henderson. More familiar will be another set of ex-Wasps Chris Neath, Carl Wilkinson, Brent Werner and Jerran Hart while there is a lot of anticipation about the prospect of Kevin Doolan winning a third consecutive title having won the Prince of Wales Trophy in March and the Welsh Open Championship in June. Australian Doolan also comes to this Sunday's event on the back of winning the individual meeting at Scunthorpe Speedway last weekend. Also qualifying for the Grand Final at the Lincolnshire Track were Jerran Hart and Ben Barker who are included in the New Year Classic line-up. Others to do well at Scunthorpe were Adam Roynon who was returning to the sport after a season away with serious head injuries and Chris Mills who scored nine points and reached a semi-final. Bringing distinctive qualities to a competitive line-up will be the Premier League Riders Champion Ricky Ashworth and the Newport track record holder Andrew Tully. Former Classic winner David Howe has had to withdraw because he has not recovered from a broken leg sustained at the end of last season and his place is taken by exciting young British rider Steve Boxall. The 16 riders will contest 20 heats with the top four scorers racing off in a Grand Final. The draw order is: 1. Chris Neath (Rye House) 2. Chris Mills(Unattached) 3. Ricky Ashworth(Sheffield) 4. Kevin Doolan(Kings Lynn) 5. Ben Barker (Coventry) 6. Adam Roynon (Workington) 7. Steve Boxall (Unattached) 8. Andrew Tully (Edinburgh) 9. Brent Werner (Unattached) 10. Andrers Mellgren (Newport) 11. Mads Korneliussen (Swindon) 12. Robert Henderson (Sweden) 13. Carl Wilkinson (Scunthorpe) 14. Niels-K Iversen (Peterborough) 15. Jerran Hart (Scunthorpe) 16. Daniel Henderson (Sweden) Meeting reserves: 17. James White-Williams (Newport) 18. Tom Young (Newport) Commented Newport club boss Steve Mallett: 'We have put together a real mixture of riders to entertain the fans who will travel from all over the UK for this event. Elite League stars, ex-Wasps, riders putting themselves in the shop window for team spots next season, exciting newcomers plus a chance for local fans to cheer on Anders Mellgren as he gets to grips with his new home track. Something for everybody!' Newport supporters are reminded that this speedway meeting attracts a bumper crowd and that they should arrive early to claim their favourite viewing spot. Admission prices are: Adults £15, Concessions £13, Children five to fifteen £5 and Children under five years of age free. News updates will be found on the club hotline 09068 664676(calls charged at 60p per minute) and club website www.newportwasps.co.uk

With David Howe unfortunately not yet recovered from his late season injury he has reluctantly withdrawn from both the Scunthorpe Christmas Cracker and the New Year Classic. Steve Boxall now comes into the line -up to replace David at No. 7.

Line-up in riding order ; 1. Chris Neath 2, Jozsef Tabaka 3. Ricky Ashworth 4. Kevin Doolan 5. Ben Barker 6. Adam Roynon 7. David Howe 8. Andrew Tully 9. Brent Werner 10. Anders Mellgren 11. Mads Korneliussen 12. Robert Henderson 13. Carl Wilkinson 14. Niels K Iversen 15. Jerran Hart 16. Daniel Henderson Res : Tom Young , James White-Williams 20 heats , top 4 scorers to Grand Final

Final two riders for the NYC due to be announced today.

Thank you for the introduction David. We look forward to seeing Jozsef in action.

The next four riders for the NYC are due to be announced in next 24 hours leaving 4 more to be named with Nick Mallett and I working on these over next few days.

I am on the scrounge --for a lift back from Redcar. Getting there is not a problem but getting back now is!! Either after the auction has finished or early Friday would do --back to Willenhall. If anyone able to assist e-mail me at : laurencerogers@blueyonder.co.uk. Thanks!!