Main Man

tried mostly everyone I could think of but no one going from round here by the look of it!! Just going to set off and hope the car makes it !! So hopefully see you there!!

What aren't you making a flying visit Gary??? I hope to be there but have car problems and looking for a lift if anyone has a spare seat going from the Wolverhampton area (contact me on : laurencerogers@ic24.net)

Superb Greg --just the mozzie bites that are still killing on both legs and the nightmare return flight the minus points.

Well Bryn hope you're enjoying the sun --was 40 degrees in Sydney when I left on Weds!! But I had a nightmare 43 hr journey before hitting the sack finally at 01.30 this morning!! The plane developed a fault on the runway at Sydney and we sat for 2 hrs whilst a part was being located --the nearest was in NZ !! It looked like being put up in hotels in Sydney for the night before a part was located and fitted and off the plane went. All going great until the second scheduled stop in Abu Dabi ==where despite an hour having been made up of the time lost we had to fly over and over the airport due to fog and visibility of down to 100 metres. We were then diverted some 60 miles away to a tiny airport where there was only a duty free shop and a tiny cafe!! The new crew and food had to be driven there (2 hrs). On their arrival we were then informed that the part that had been fitted in Sydney had again failed--but they had located one but it and the technician were 2-3 hrs away. The cafe's food limit was Pringles, biscuits and chocolate bars !! Some 7 hours plus later we finally took off (so that was a 9 hr delay in total!!). Never mind eh --it was worth it just to be at Gillman on Saturday for what was superb night (even the mossie bites were worth it!!) Now to get on with some work !! Laurence

Blimey Bryn you,re a glutton for punishment -- posting at 4 am!! Great night. Superb weather and everything went like clockwork. We were all totally shattered at the end of the night and I left the on-going party at about 1.45 heading for a much needed sleep before being back at the track this morning to help with the clear up jobs. All credit to Parks and Anji on a superbly organised event with a good size crowd who well entertained --hats off to the Parker's promotional work including Tv and radio ads. Missed out on seeing a few Forum members as running about doing upteem jobs --including the VIP area barman !! Well let's look forward to five years time and the celebration of 25 years racing from Mr Parker ??? (Was that a big no Anj??? My final few days then down under flying back to Sydney on Tuesday and back home on Weds ---when hopefully I can progress a few speedway related things like the CL tour to the US and whether the new track will make it to the tapes for the 2006 season. My thanks to all my hosts here in Oz --the Hernes in Sydney , Jessica Lamb (thanks for the loan of the car) and Neil --whose house I have been at in Adelaide.

A wise decision young Bryn!! A few showers today but most of the work now done ready for the Octane Overdose with Parks hard at work all day again today. Weather forecast for a bit of the wet stuff in the morning (watering the track !!) then dry. Just hope it's a bit warmer than at the Sidewinders tonight where it was good to see Bryn (in a borrowed Arena Essex coat!!). Also there were Troy Batchelor , Robert Ciezlak, Trevor and Daniel Harding with Parks handing out the trophies with impressive 13 year old Brisbane based Darcy Ward taking the honours from the Sedgewick brothers in the final. Great little set up an dsome interesting racing. Had met up with Steve Johnson and his Perth gang and Rory Schlein before going on to the Sidewinders meeting --also met Ozyace who was with Johnno's group. Robert Ciezlak won the 1st prize in the raffle and has donated the DVD Player as a prize at Parks' meeting --nice one Rob. Looks like being a busy day tomorrow -- hopefully Bryn or I will report on the meeting as soon as we can !!

Well I've made it to Adelaide and using Jess Lamb's computer today. Daniel Harding is here to answer the mention above as he and Trev arrived here last night and Big Trev as meeting sponsors Tucker Time flies in tonight. I think I've brought the Sydney weather with me as it has turned from being sunny when I arrived to dull and overcast now!! Off to the practice tonight so should team up with Bryn to get the latest gossip. Just as I posted the rain has started !!! Oh no!!!

Yes Lunchy, Jay is still suffering with the shoulder and sees a specialist on Dec 8th and if the prognosis is that he needs an op then it may well be that he will retire from racing. There is tendon damage amongst other things and the shoulder keeps popping out. With a steady job Jay does not want to take the time off for an op, so packing in may be his only alternative. Lee was not down to race at Gosford last night either due to other commitments. Can't believe the thunderstorms this morning either --hope that they keep away from Adelaide next week for Parks' meeting . Watching the cricket from there I see it is dry --so fingers crossed!!

Can't believe I've come all the way from England and had a rain-off!! The scheduled Gosford opener tonight has been rained off after two days of off and on rain. It was called off this morning but the irony is that it is now hot and sunny as I sit here at the Hernes!! Oh well --pass me another cold one!!

will do Greg. I'm at Gatwick now. My case has gone through and I have a few hours till I fly off --thinking of you all ,of course!!

Thanks for the results Steve --was hoping that I would find out before I disappear down under tomorrow. Great to know it all went so well and will be repeated (hopefully in January with a Young Brits side involved!!).

Would be nice to also see some of the proceeds used to help fund the Americans of the future --The USA Dream Team who will be heading for the UK again next April for a tour who finance the trip entirely themselves.

Good luck to all the boys --look forward to seeing the result. The most important thing is that the league has happened , has gone down well --and Steve and Gary have been able to look at the riders in readiness for the US Dream Team tour 2006 which looks like being in April. Congratulations to all concerned with getting this off the ground and hopefully it will now be a feature of US racing at this level for many years to come.

We may have to call a national holiday on dec 4 ?? packed yet young bryn ?

Well it's nearly time to go. Both Bryn and I fly out on Monday to different locations --but we'll all be together on Sat Dec 3rd at Gillman for what I think is going to be a night of nights!! Shane has certainly organised a great show at Gillman --full of everything and knowing Shane that will definitely mean everything !! Will be thinking of you all back here --honest!!

I'm sure that Bryn and I will try and post a report back of Shane's meeting (after the hangovers have gone ??? ).

well done to Tim and Dario -- and perhaps the new u-21 champ will be in line to join us in the Dream Team 2006 ??

Think Matt Bates had better change his name to Ben just for the final so that the Cobras can have five Ben's in their line up!! So it's Benny Bates at 2 !! Great idea and good experience for the lads too. As I get back from Oz on the 8th and with this plus Chris Kerr in the main meeting looks like a journey down to Brighton for me!!

Thanks Bryn -- a Tigers fan eh!! So Trees the answer to your question is yes --I'll see what deal can be reached to get some copies back to UK for sale.

will find out --or perhaps Mr Bennett can fly out with his camera!!!

Just thought I'd bring Parks' meeting at Gillman on Dec 3rd back into the limelight. Not long now !! I fly out , first to Sydney to stay with the Hernes, on Nov 21 arriving there at the unearthly hour of 6 am (I bet Lee though there was only one 6 o'clock in the day!! ). Planning to taking in Gosford on the Saturday then will fly over to Adelaide on Dec 1st ready for the big night on the Saturday. So if you're Oz bound make it a date at Gillman Raceway, Adelaide on Saturday December 3rd. See ya there!!

I will thoroughly endorse what Steve has said having looked after him on the Dream Team tour and on his World under 21 trips to Czecho and Italy.

Thanks for the results Steve --and well done (again) to Chris Kerr!! Again good to see Shaun in the points with 16 and from the 2005 Dream team Neil with paid 10, Dale with paid 6, Tim 9 and Brian paid 10. Great stuff lads. Also looks like a few possibles going well for the 2006 Dream Team tour -- looking forward to it already!!

Look forward to meeting you Sir Lunchy!!

Look forward to meeting you too Ozyace and the gang!! Lunchy --did you say the 4th ? Hope not as Parks' meeting is on the 3rd!! On the 4th Bryn will be nursing his hangover --and as for me????