Under 15 Round 3 --weymouth . Sat 13th June

[Main Man]

I will unfortunately miss round 3 at Weymouth on Saturday as I am away on the northern tour with Newport at Workington --I wish all the boys all the best and hope that the way we have run the first two rounds will continue for round 3 without me there to get you lined up one race before you are due out!!

 

current standings :

 

250cc :

 

Jt 1st : Brendan Freemantle & Robert Lambert 34 pts

3rd : Nathan Stoneman 26 pts

4th : Reece Downes 24 pts

5th : Jack Cornes & Adam Portwood 22pts

7th : Tyler Govier 16 pts

8th : Jack Jones 15 pts

9th : Steven Archer 14 pts

10th : Daniel Sibson 9 pts

 

 

500 cc :

 

1st : Josh Dingle 34 pts

2nd : Kyle Howarth 30 pts

3rd : Darryl Ritchings 27 pts

4th : Daniel I'Anson 24 pts

5th : Tom Stokes 23 pts

6th : Ashley Morris 21 pts

7th : Jack Butler & Adam Kirby & Cameron Hoskins 17 pts

 

 

 

Line-up at Weymouth :

 

250's :

 

15 Reece DOWNES

9 Daniel SIBSON

13 Nathan STONEMAN

2 Jack CORNES

3 Brandon FREEMANTLE

5 Robert LAMBERT

1 Adam PORTWOOD

7 Steven ARCHER

11 Jack JONES

 

500's :

 

10 Daniel I'ANSON

14 Cameron HOSKINS

6 Darryl RITCHINGS

8 Ashley MORRIS

17 Kyle HOWARTH

20 Jack BUTLER

16 Adam KIRBY

4 Josh DINGLE

19 Tom STOKES

 

Both sections have semi-finals and finals this time.

 

GOOD LUCK LADS .....Laurence Rogers

Edited June 8, 2009 by Main Man

[steven101]

Thanks main man myself love weymouth and cant wait to try and get some decent points on the board

 

See you all at weymouth.

Edited June 9, 2009 by steven101

[westernflyer]

Best of luck Steven.

we hope to be at Weymouth on Saturday, sure hope that the weather is better than it was last week.

[Halifaxtiger]

Just a quick note to congratulate Adam Kirby on winning his semi-final and getting into the final (I got a text from his clearly very proud Dad this morning).

 

I am not sure what young Mr Kirby has been drinking recently, but I need a couple of pints because his improvement in the last few weeks has been spectacular. If he keeps going at this rate, I can seriously see him pulling on a Fen Tigers race jacket next season.

 

Well done, Adam.

Edited June 14, 2009 by Halifaxtiger

[Dusty Bin]

Thoroughly enjoyed this meeting, from start to finish.

 

 

Bin

[gaptooth]

fantastic day, well done Brandon shame about the exclusion in the final

[Jolly Roger]

Just a quick note to congratulate Adam Kirby on winning his semi-final and getting into the final (I got a text from his clearly very proud Dad this morning).

 

I am not sure what young Mr Kirby has been drinking recently, but I need a couple of pints because his improvement in the last few weeks has been spectacular. If he keeps going at this rate, I can seriously see him pulling on a Fen Tigers race jacket next season.

 

Well done, Adam.

How did he get on in the final of a field that finished with 5 riders

[westernflyer]

Adam finished 4th.

[Jolly Roger]

Adam finished 4th.

Done well then out of a field of 5 that actually finished

Yes i would be excited also :lol:

 

[Great Central]

What a wake up call for the BSPA/SCB or whoever owns the development of riders in the UK?

This isn't a dig at any of the young riders that are taking place in the series but if anyone wished to assess the prospects for British speedway in the future, the lack of riders competing in the premier event for U15 riders tells the tale and has to spur on a development programme to bring on more riders.

We have some good riders coming through but judging by past history, a 50 to 60% drop out rate at this level is not unusual and will mean that teams in the future will be struggling for BRITISH riders. We can't allow the likes of Dan Greenwood to drop out after he became U15 champion without putting up a fight to keep him going. I am actually sick of reading about yet another Australian prospect landing on our shores, and everyone raving about his performance. Let's start raving about British riders but don't kick them in the teeth when they suddenly start to slow on development eg Josh Auty last year. Lets give them the support they need through coaching and general support on how to manage the business of becoming a top class professional speedway rider.

Come on BSPA put in the development programme which gives continued support to the youngsters and don't just leave it up to the likes of Scunthorpe and one or two others to do your work for you. Do it now before it is too late.

[Wessex Speedfreak]

Full heat details are available on the Wildcats site here

[771neil]

Great posting great central you hit the nail on its head but would like to say that dan quit due to personal reasons and nothing else but do agree we shouldn t be losing lads, jolly rodger I hope your postings aren t a dig at young adam cause at least he turned up and also lasted the distance and I think if you had been in a crash like the ones that had to pull out where you d do the same, I will say that it was a good track and the meeting run smoothly and I would like to thank weymouth in fact all the tracks that are putting rounds on this year.

[Swift Saint]

What a wake up call for the BSPA/SCB or whoever owns the development of riders in the UK?

This isn't a dig at any of the young riders that are taking place in the series but if anyone wished to assess the prospects for British speedway in the future, the lack of riders competing in the premier event for U15 riders tells the tale and has to spur on a development programme to bring on more riders.

We have some good riders coming through but judging by past history, a 50 to 60% drop out rate at this level is not unusual and will mean that teams in the future will be struggling for BRITISH riders. We can't allow the likes of Dan Greenwood to drop out after he became U15 champion without putting up a fight to keep him going. I am actually sick of reading about yet another Australian prospect landing on our shores, and everyone raving about his performance. Let's start raving about British riders but don't kick them in the teeth when they suddenly start to slow on development eg Josh Auty last year. Lets give them the support they need through coaching and general support on how to manage the business of becoming a top class professional speedway rider.

Come on BSPA put in the development programme which gives continued support to the youngsters and don't just leave it up to the likes of Scunthorpe and one or two others to do your work for you. Do it now before it is too late.

 

As always Great Central your almost uniquely held serious concern about the lack of youngsters is correct and it would seem that this has aroused the attention of the powers that be and I quote below an important announcement copied from the BSPA official website which needs maximum publicity.

 

There are far too many foregners in the sport at present and this seems to be seeping into the National League which must be protected from the over use of anyone who will not be eligible or willing to race for Great Britain if required.

 

 

The British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) are staging a training week next month – starting at Scunthorpe on Tuesday, July 14.

 

A range of bikes will be available along with a host of racing equipment – and it’s free of charge!

 

Applicants should be under the age of 21 and a degree of motorcycling experience from other disciplines would be welcome.

 

BSPA Chairman Peter Toogood said: “We want to make the sport more accessible, particularly to youngsters from other motorcycle sports.

 

“This is an exciting initiative and further days are planned later that week at Buxton.”

 

Meanwhile Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We've got a unique facility that's open twenty four hours a day, seven days a week that's begging to be used for this kind of event.”

 

Applications should be made by e-mail to the BSPA office: office@britishspeedway.plus.com and the postal address: British Speedway Promoters’ Association, ACU House, Wood Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2YX.

 

I hope that this scheme is successful and I am pleased that it is taking place. I hope that it is the forerunner of many more opportunities from cities as far apart as Glasgow and Plymouth.

 

For the longer term I intend to do all that I can to help the cause of younger riders in the National League as and where this is practicable at National League Administrative Meetings/AGM's etc and we must all try and improve the opportunities available for new riders. Without a massive influx of youngsters we will not have growth and that is essential to also grow our public support generally. At Buxton yesterday I was looking at the number of people who were at Stoke the previous evening, We must get more people and give them even better entertainment. The rush of some to get home on match amazes me I would be happy to reman at Scunthorpe until midnight after a match to gain a new rider.

 

Malcolm Vasey

[Jolly Roger]

jolly rodger I hope your postings aren t a dig at young adam cause at least he turned up and also lasted the distance and I think if you had been in a crash like the ones that had to pull out where you d do the same,

I just fail to see how any Dad can get excited about his Son finishing 4th out of 5

 

[cjd]

Great posting great central you hit the nail on its head but would like to say that dan quit due to personal reasons and nothing else but do agree we shouldn t be losing lads, jolly rodger I hope your postings aren t a dig at young adam cause at least he turned up and also lasted the distance and I think if you had been in a crash like the ones that had to pull out where you d do the same, I will say that it was a good track and the meeting run smoothly and I would like to thank weymouth in fact all the tracks that are putting rounds on this year.

 

looking at the turnout for Weymouth 500's. 9 entries and as I wasn't there 2 non starters included? could there be room for some others who just missed the cut because of their age, but need the experience, there must be some kids out there who would love a spin and try and get themselves noticed.would raising it 1 year to u16's be too much to ask as they are still kids.

surely the fans want to see 4 riders in a race.

also I understand the current climate might have an effect on some but surely missing one practise session to go to the british u 15's would be better

 

No mention of the winner?? sounds familiar

[771neil]

The winner was Ashley Morris (my stepson) and it was great to win one at last after the first 2 rounds were he was one if not the best riders, he was over the moon to come first out of 5

[Jolly Roger]

The winner was Ashley Morris (my stepson) and it was great to win one at last after the first 2 rounds were he was one if not the best riders, he was over the moon to come first out of 5

Winning is great and i pleased for Ashley but jumping up and down because your kid comes 4th out of 5 is hardly exciting :lol:

[moosetash64]

Jolly roger? you dont sound very jolly to me? I'm the father of young Adam Kirby and if i want to get excited about my son reaching the final then i will do.

I dont know you or if you have ever riden a speedway bike before, but this is adams first year of competitive racing and after what happened to adam in his first heat when he totally flipped his bike on the start line, then i would have understood if adam went out in his remaining races and just pottered round. He didnt do this to his credit and he won his semi-final to reach the final.

Yes ok he came 4th in the final but he still had to ride his bike to do this and seeing as he had 3 rides without much of a break (heat 18,semi-final then final) then i hope even someone like you can understand why i was so pleased for him and what he achieved?

If thats not enough for you just have a look at the standings after the newport round and you will see that adam was down in =7th place so reaching the final at weymouth would have been a massive confidence booster for him so i would rather not have idiots coming on here and knockin him down again? One other thing you should think about and that is adam is only just 14 and rides on average once a fortnite because of my work comitments where some other youngsters, and i'm not having a moan about it, are riding sometimes riding twice/three times a week?.

[Great Central]

As always Great Central your almost uniquely held serious concern about the lack of youngsters is correct and it would seem that this has aroused the attention of the powers that be and I quote below an important announcement copied from the BSPA official website which needs maximum publicity.

 

There are far too many foregners in the sport at present and this seems to be seeping into the National League which must be protected from the over use of anyone who will not be eligible or willing to race for Great Britain if required.

 

 

 

 

I hope that this scheme is successful and I am pleased that it is taking place. I hope that it is the forerunner of many more opportunities from cities as far apart as Glasgow and Plymouth.

 

For the longer term I intend to do all that I can to help the cause of younger riders in the National League as and where this is practicable at National League Administrative Meetings/AGM's etc and we must all try and improve the opportunities available for new riders. Without a massive influx of youngsters we will not have growth and that is essential to also grow our public support generally. At Buxton yesterday I was looking at the number of people who were at Stoke the previous evening, We must get more people and give them even better entertainment. The rush of some to get home on match amazes me I would be happy to reman at Scunthorpe until midnight after a match to gain a new rider.

 

Malcolm Vasey

Malcolm,

You have indeed made me feel quite honoured that my concern about my lack of British youngsters even warrants a comment from the great man himself. Only joking Malcolm. You know my views fully, and you and I do share that passion to see youngsters develop, with you actually being able to do more about it than me.

This latest initiative has to be welcomed but it really is only half the story. There has to be a concerted effort by all promoters to run an organised programmed second half which runs every week with the exception of accidents/bad weather. I can only speak from experience, so apologies to any promoters that I don't mention due to lack of knowledege only, but Boston/Kings Lynn, Rye House and Scunthorpe fall into the category of running a full session come what may. Scunthorpe have shown that you can run 30 heats in under 3 hours so there is no excuse for any promoter not to run a second half even with curfews. That will generate more interest from youngsters and the latest initiatives about free admission for children is most welcome. Now get them to stop behind and see their mates, older kids riding and we may pull in a few more potential riders.

I note that Neil 777 commented that Dan Greenwood retired for personal reasons and he may know more of his circumstances than me but I know one of the complaints that his Dad had was driving to second halfs only to be told that they had run out of time, or just running one race. Malcolm, you were and still are appreciative of the time and money spent by parents, friends etc driving for second halfs and the least you could offer was proper racing. If only more thought like you.

I'm rambling and people will think I am a member of your fan club, but going back to the initiative from the BSPA, it has to be followed up by on going support. It is not easy for a rider to get organised for two or three meetings per week, and even more so if they have a job or are at school, but what about the parents, helpers friends juggling this with a full time job. What do the riders need to do to get fit, keep fit, keep the machinery up to scratch and keep motivated on the long drives between meetings. How do they get their form back when the going gets tough - who is there to help them? How many meetings should they do to avoid being burnt out at 15 or sixteen.

This is the type of help that is needed to halt the drop out rate that has existed but let's not knock the latest offering from the BSPA.

Finally, to anyone wishing to read this, please do not take any comments I make about the lack of British youngsters as criticism of the riders on display at the U15, STR, Dragons meetings or second halfs since they all deserve praise and support. There are some good riders coming through but my point is that there should be more than there are.

Martin Widman

[RumOldBird]

I just fail to see how any Dad can get excited about his Son finishing 4th out of 5

It's a shame really that you can't understand how a dad can be proud of a son who shows such commitment to a sport he loves, but I bet every parent who was there on Saturday can, regardless of when their meeting ended.

 

Adam gets very little practice racing but has given his all at Newport and Weymouth even when racing against people who are regularly riding in the National League. He had a terrifying start in heat 2 when he flipped his bike and narrowly avoided being involved in the crash in heat 5.

 

All sports people have to start somewhere, generally at the bottom and it is the pride and support their friends and family give that help them become stars. Comments like yours will not help resolve the problems speedway is having attracting youngsters to the sport. A very wise woman instilled into me a very apt phrase "If you can't say something nice, say nothing".

 

Thank you to 771Neil and HalifaxTiger for the positive comments.