Main Man

No problems Salty. As you know I am trying to get a Kiwi Kids tour off the ground and Andrew would hopefully be part of that if it happens. The USA Dream Team have well and truly established themselves after two tours with two of them heading back for rides soon in Matt Browne and Tim Gomez --and hopefully we can do the same for the New Zealand lads as well.

I was "looking after" these two lads at the Under 21's. Skyler flies home Tuesday --along with his dad and Charlie Vengas (great to see him again in the UK) , whilst Andrew hopes to stay on for a while and get some rides . Big thank yous to Ricky Ashworth for lending a bike to Skyler and to Richard Hall for doing the same for Andrew.

well done Shalewhale --good eyesight. To be absolutely correct a Clwb Caerfyrddin Dragons one !! Rene didn't have a colour and having already "made" one up for Skyler Greyson , was asked if I could sort something out for Rene --and he proudly wore the Dragons No. 1 colour ----in fact he didn't want to hand it back at the end as he said it was his lucky charm having qualified!! Must agree with you in that for such a big event it is a pity that there was not a full set made --although Ed and Jason would have had Russian ones though !!

Anyone notice the body colour Rene Van Weele was wearing ??? This will test the fans who look closely !!!

what before he makes his CL bow for ????????

It was Peter Jarvis who ran PJ Frames.

So would a lot of people bulldog!!

Certainly bad luck for George with the engine --- you'll have to get out and do some gigs Steve to earn some extra pennies to pay for the repairs!!

I'm sure my old mate Mike Manning and Statman won't mind me copying the news page on here from the Somerset Rebels website : Somerset 'Mike Manning Audio' Rebel star, Matt Read , has announced that he is to stage a farewell meeting at Somerset's Oak Tree Arena on Friday 22nd September. Despite making a miraculous recovery from the horrendous injuries he received during a long track meeting in France in 2004, the Hampshire based 24 year old has been advised to call it a day as far as any future return to the saddle is concerned and although an Eastbourne asset, Read wanted to bring the curtain down on his career at Somerset, as he explained. "Somerset and the Rebels are my speedway home as far as I am concerned, everything to do with the place is fantastic, the club, the promotion, the track, but most of all the fans. I was so happy during my time with the Rebels that there was never any doubt as to where I wanted to stage this farewell meeting." "At present I'm not sure as to the format of the meeting, but I can assure the fans that'll I'll be going out in typical 'Readie' style!" "A number of top line Elite League riders have already contacted me asking to ride, which is fantastic." "In addition to the meeting itself, there will be some sidecar speedway racing and an exhibition of freestyle moto-cross riding." In a career that took in Arena Essex and Isle of Wight as well as Somerset and his parent club Eastbourne, Read made his Somerset debut in May 2003 when immediately won over the Rebels fans with an all action performance in scoring a paid 14 points against Exeter. His 100% commitment and gutsy riding style made him a firm favourite with the fans, for whom he always had time to speak or sign autographs, and it is anticipated that there will be a full house at the Oak Tree Arena to give one of speedway's true entertainers a fitting sign off to his career.

The best way to do it I would say Greyhoundp !!

Yes I heard the same too at Sheffield on Sunday and as well as helping Shaun Tacey for his meeting at Mildenhall on Sept 10th have offered my help (as did Shane and Anji Parker) to Matt for Sept 22nd --so I'm going to be a busy boy that month by the look of it. As speedwayfan has said get down to the great race track at Somerset on Sept 22nd to support Readie.

No don't worry Robyn1972 -- I remember what you wrote !! As for sponsorship etc --we will start to name some riders for the meeting soon --so you can get in quick with your offers of backing!!

With a new section for Testimonials --I reproduce a previous posting on Shaun Tacey's Testimonial "Back With A Bang" : Shaun Tacey celebrates his testimonial at Mildenhall on Sunday September 10th with a 12 lapper Final individual meeting. Plus a party night at the Stadium on Saturday 9th. Naturally more details will be released as time goes by --but it promises to be a night not to forget --so book it in your diaries . Lyn Hunt is organising the main meeting backing and already 8 heat backers have been found -even before a date was announced for the meeting for one of the sport's real characters --and details of the packages available can be obtained from her on 07889025588. Being a glutton for punishment , having done many testimonials over the years , I have offered my help to Tace and we are offering you, the fans , a chance to back the meeting from as little as £10 with a range of sponsorships available. Last year I did a similar exercise for Shane Parker's meeting and the response was overwhelming --- and hopefully it will be the same for Tace this year Here is a list of what you can back and am sure we have something for everyone in there --- so don't be shy --get your spot booked as it is all on a first come first served basis. Naturally the rider sponsors and travel sponsors will start to go once the line-up is revealed --so more on that later. One novel aspect will be the Great Goggle Giveaway --- each rider will be signing his Wulfsport goggles being used by every rider in the meeting and after their final ride will be throwing them out into the crowd for a lucky fan to take home as a souvenir !! The sponsor can elect to have a replica set themselves signed by their rider as well --see below : TACE’s TESTIMONIAL PACKAGES : 1. Rider Sponsors : A fan /company backs that rider for £200. Photo shoot with rider etc. 2. Fuel Sponsors Each rider is backed for £10 for their fuel costs 3. Oil Sponsors Each rider is backed for £10 for their oil costs 4. Insurance Sponsors Each rider is backed for their race insurance costs at £25 5. Tyre Sponsors Each rider is backed £30 for their tyre 6. Body Colour Sponsors Each rider’s body colour is sponsored with the sponsor receiving a signed replica jacket with the one used auctioned off . Cost £ 50 7. Goggle Sponsors For the great goggle give-away each rider is sponsored for the goggles they will throw into the crowd. £25 or £50 if they want a replica signed set. 8. Travel Sponsors Cover the rider travel costs for the meeting £100. 9. Race Sponsors Back a race in the meeting for £300. Other Supplementary Sponsorships : 1 Most Entertaining Rider of meeting -- £50 2. Unluckiest Rider of meeting -- £50 3. Fastest time after heat 4 -- £50 4. Best turned out rider -- £50 5. Best turned out mechanic -- £25 6. " Zaniest" moment of meeting -- £50 7. Best after race wheelie -- £ 25 10. Best after race celebration -- £ 25 11. Best "Donuts" ----- £25. The person donating the prize (if present at the meeting) chooses the winner of their sponsored bit . If not present at the meeting a small committee will decide the winner of each award. All these sponsorships can be reserved by e-mail to : laurencerogers@ic24.net with cheques payable to : Shaun Tacey Testimonial. ALSO GIRLS WHAT ABOUT BEING AN "UMBRELLA LADY" at the meeting --bids for places to Lyn Hunt. More news over the next few months --until Tace's Big Day on Sunday September 10th at Mildenhall --got the date in your diary yet ??? Plus Party Night --including Gp on Big Screen -Sat Sept 9th.

Snow has only come this morning here!! Trev was zooming off to Boycey's in Southampton last night to pick up an engine whilst Big Trev took the hire van back to Heathrow and picked up a car --so it was a late night for both I am sure and Trev had to be up bright and early this morning to meet up with his team mates at KL today whilst dad finishes the bikes in readiness for the Stars P&P tomorrow. Trev's only been here a matter of hours and has already picked up a cold!! You should feel the temperature in the house --the CH is on full blast and the two gas fires !!! Amazingly yesterday when we driving back from Ikea and Curry's with all the stuff they had bought for the house we saw a certain Mr Topinka driving the other way and rang him !! He was up at GTS picking up his kevlars and was also shocked to know we had been so close!! Small world isn't it!!

Not at the moment but he may be over. I have arranged some second halves for him at a few tracks if he makes it over but at the moment Big Trev is over till next week helping to get the house done and the bikes ready for Trev.

Thanks Trees. Not had much time last few days to look into it as sorting out things for Trevor Harding , who is renting a house in the Midlands for the 2006 season which I sorted for him and they "moved in" last night late --- with a chinese , the table up and a mattress to sleep on!! Looks like another hard day again today getting it all ready --then he can work on finishing a bike for the Kings Lynn practice and press day on Friday--back to work for young Mr Harding!!

Cheers Anth --any ideas how I can get hold of him ??

Thanks to Anth (2XTV DUDE) for the following message : "Lee Herne won the longtrack meeting held at Wagga Wagga as well on the weekend." Sent Lee a txt yesterday congratulating him --good to know he is not retiring!! I stayed with Lee and Nicole when down under this winter and he travels to work on his road bike most days loving riding it --he even got Nicole a helmet for Xmas so she can have some outings with him whilst dad Phil has a beast of a BMW bike he uses and i know that Jaye was thinking of buying a road bike too. Lee has lost 10 kilos (needed it too mate!! ) and said it was good to be back on a bike with the weight loss a big help. It was his first ride for months ( since Ashley's crash where Lee was also in the race ). Great to see him back --and winning too!! Looking forward to seeing his mum Debbie and sister Ella when they come to the UK in May.

Blimey Cedarman --not you partying ??? That's unusual!!!!!

Jarno Kosonen

93 Mitch Shirra 95 Tommy Knudsen Still looking at that Star one --recognise the leathers but can't remember who --Nigel Flatman ?

89 is definitely Fryer -- he was one of mine and Pratty's juniors at Dudley Wood (something I remind him of when I see him nowadays!!). Think I agree with Karl Maier not Adorjan now!! Will go back to the Star not a star one again!!

Hey Nashy have you been looking over my shoulder in the exams ?? On 92 you might be right in Mr Maier as the 4th rider (perhaps I should have copied your answer ??? )

should be 85 for Gundy !! 89 Paul Fry 91 Simon Wigg & Shawn Moran. 87 Shawn Moran , Lance King , Martin Hagon ? . ??? (come back on that 1 later!!) 92 John Cook, Shawn Moran, Kai Niemi, Zoltan Adorjan. Come back to you on 67 when I work out the cryptic clue!! But it is a Kings Lynn race jacket he's got on ???

Just had a quick look at the ones without names underneath and I think : 79 Kelly Moran 84 Larry Ross 87 Erik Gundersen As for 49 --Paul Stead ?? and 67 --I think it's a Kings Lynn rider --- Ian Turner or David Gagen ?