Main Man

and you can read the whole story (and many more!) about this in Michael's long awaited book --due out early this season

Looks like I missed a good night then Ozyace??? Wish I could have been there as I had planned to be.

But was the party any good ???

Hope it all went well--just wish I could have been there as planned.

cheers mate!! bar. what bar ?? It's soft drinks only--didn't you know ???

Was hoping to be in Oz by now and there for Jase's meeting but still having daily treatment after my op in November --so looking less and less likely I will make it for this or for the re-staging of the Ashley Jones Memorial (Feb 4th I think ??) --so may have to make my apologies !! From looking at the agenda it will be a fun packed super weekend ---here's to wishing everyone the best and a big crowd for him. Laurence

Congratulations to the Facchini brothers and TJ.

I know mate. Must be terrible. Sunshine, bundy, speedway, lovely ladies, more bundy, --such a hard thing to have to do!!!

Well done to Darcy and Nick. Now Bryn you're not enjoying yourself too much are you ???

nor me!!!

well done to the lads ---sorry I couldn't be there but couldn't be in two places at the same time even though I wanted to be!! Bet there were big smiles from Dan and James on their victory --well done lads. Hopefully see you all next year!!

Talking to Mark on Weds I believe we can add the names of Travis McGowan, Cameron Woodward and the Herne brothers Lee and Jaye to the line-up. Jason Lyons is a possible as well depending on his schedule when he gets back home with his preperations for his testimonial at the end of January at Mildura ---more names as they are added.

Was hoping that the date would be different if I was coming over as would like to do both the u21 meeting (to see John Oliver, Mark Jones, James Holder etc) and Jason Lyons Testimonial!!!

Think both are 12.

Thanks Bob for that--also during the meeting I'm too busy getting the lads ready for the races to listen out for times as well as organising the 250 lads, making sure they all have the chance to come off each gate and yesterday when we started off with five working out who was dropping out each time --although when Shane moved into the main meeting this solved that problem for a while ---and then we ended with three with Adam hurting his hand when he fell (hope he is ok !!). Seeing those --some impressive times from young Marc Owen !!!

Qualifying scores in the 12 heats in the Final : 1. Joe Haines 11 2. Ben Hopwood 10 3. Adam Wrathall 9 4. Sean Paterson 1 (replaced Kye Norton) 5. George Piper 10 6. Scott Meakins 2 7. Richard Franklin 8 8. Daniel Greenwood 8 9. Brendan Johnson 3 10. Ben Reade 0 11. James Sargeant 3 12. Jack Butler 4 Res : Shane Hazeldene 4 Quarter Final : Franklin , Sargeant, Hazeldene, Butler Semi-Final : Wrathall , Piper, Greenwood, Franklin Final : Haines, Hopwood, Wrathall , Piper. ------------------------------------------------------- 250cc Races : Ht 1 : Marc Owen , Shane Hazeldene, Adam Portwood, Dale Lamb Ht 2 : Owen , Hazeldene, Brendon Warvill, Portwood (fell) Ht 3 : Owen , Portwood, Lamb, Warvill. Ht 4 : Owen , Lamb, Warvill, Portwood(fell) Ht 5 : Owen , Hazeldene, Warvill, Lamb Ht 6 : Owen , Warvill, Lamb Ht 7 : Owen , Warvill, Lamb

Not the times mate ---don't bother with them unless I am announcing!! Ht1 : Richard Franklin (Rh) , Brendan Johnson (Buf) , George Piper (Buf), Matt Bates (Rh) ret 3-3 3-3 Ht 2 : Daniel Greenwood (Rh) , Shane Hazeldene (Buf) , Sean Patterson (Buf) , Chris Bint (Rh) 3-3 6-6 Ht 3 : Bates (Rh) , Greenwood (Rh) , Jack Butler (Buf) , Patterson (Buf) 1-5 7-11 Ht 4 : Johnson (Buf) , Franklin (Rh) , Hazeldene (Buf), Bint (Rh) 4-2 11-13 Ht 5 : Bates (Rh) , Hazeldene ((Buf) , Butler (Buf), Bint (Rh) 3-3 14-16 Ht 6 : Johnson (Buf) , Greenwood (Rh) , Franklin (Rh), Butler (Buf) 3-3 17-19 Buffalos 17 : George Piper 1' = 1+1 Brendan Johnson 2 3 3 = 8 Sean Patterson 1' 0 = 1 +1 Shane Hazeldene 2 1 2 = 5 Jack Butler 1 1' 0 = 2 +1 Rhinos 19 : Matt Bates R 3 3 = 6 Richard Franklin 3 2 1' = 6 +1 Daniel Greenwood 3 2' 2 =7 +1 Chris Bint 0 0 0 = 0

Thanks for the news Lunchy. I know the meetings also clashed with the Jason Lyons Testimonial weekend at Mildura , so maybe new dates now may now mean that some of the riders will now be able to Jase's meeting after all.

Another superb day's racing from the young lads. I have really enjoyed being part of the Under 15 back up team this year supporting Oaksey with the meetings. The fans , I am sure. appreciate not having any long gaps between the races with the riders always ready to come out and are lined up for the next race as the previous race is on -- I have tried to get them into this routine all year and it has worked. Hopefully this will go with them throughout their speedway careers -- we can but hope!! Congratulations to each and every one of the lads who rode --- and to poor old (or should it be young!!) Kye Norton who bravely tried to but after the parade lap had to seek the paramedics advice on his shoulder injury and wisely withdrew from racing . The poor lad was gutted but it was the sensible thing to do. The lads on the 250's enjoyed their races --all 7 of them!! One last outing for the lads next Sunday at Newport with a Best pairs event ---with a few next year too old(!) to be part of the 2007 under 15 scene and aiming for places in the Conference League ---and that's what's it all about , bringing the kids on , slowly but surely. Well done to Joe Haines on his victory, to Ben Hopwood on his runners-up slot (showing great grit after crashing last Monday in the Under 18's at Wolverhampton) and to Adam Wrathall on his third position. A superb series --one I know I have enjoyed --as have the lads, dads, mums etc.

It's a 3pm start. There will be the Under 15 Final plus an Academy League Match between the Buffalos and the Rhinos, and 250 cc races.

The first Australian staging of the Ashley Jones Memorial Trophy will be on December 9th at Broadford and brother Mark (with a bit of help!!) is starting to ask the British based Aussies who can ride. At Swindon last Thursday I had an immediate positive reply from LEIGH ADAMS --- many thanks to Leigh. More news as riders confirm.

Mark definitely not back Lunchy --still in UK getting as many rides as he can and Sam has a few matches left for Stoke and I think Karlis has a couple of Newport ones as well to do!! James Holder flies back from UK Thursday for the meeting at Nepean at the weekend . Saw him have some laps round Kings Lynn the other week when Chris was riding there and he was gong well.

Thanks for posting the details Edmon --got patchy results last night from Ben Hopwood and Adam Wrathall (who had quite a crash I understand) at Stoke where they were riding at Paul Clews Testimonial. Take it the lads were good entertainment ?? Little James Sargeant with two wins --bet he had a big smile on his face (as usual) !!!

"as most are in Australia" ???? --how do you come to that conclusion south coast robin ??

Blimey Bryn --- you'll put people off going!! Sunshine, sand, beautiful women, bundy, cold beers ....... bit of speedway thrown in occassionally!! Where's that AusTravel brochure gone ???? Am I tempted ?? Course I am !!!