Usa To Return Onto The International Scene.

[britmet]

Interesting developments Stateside, no doubt in the wake of having a US World Champ once more, including the possibility of a US-GB u23 mini-series of Tests Matches : QUOTE from Steve Evans:

 

"The AMA has invited some key speedway people to form a new Advisory Committee. Its purpose is to make recommendations and assist the AMA in key projects for the benefit of American Speedway both domestically and on the International scene.

 

The Committee consists of six people -

Dave Joiner, Richard Child, Billy Hamill, Josh Larsen, Jason Bonsignore and Steve Evans. It will be very hands on and active - each of the members brings unique skills to the table and the blend of experience, top riders and future visionaries is perfect. It is a brand new approach - it won't be a sit in the ivory tower, all words and no action group, but a team who will collectively be prepared to get busy and do a vast amount of work ahead.

 

The first two projects being worked on are expanding the AMA National Series and 2012 FIM Events. The International events are at the forefront right now as they are occurring in the Spring - the USA will be entering the World Team Cup, the Under 21 World Cup, and will have 2 riders in both the GP & Under 21 Individual Qualifying Rounds.

 

For the World Team Cup the intention is to track the best team we possibly can with the goal to win the qualifying round in Croatia on May 5th and make the Sky TV stage (July 7th in Poland).

 

There is also the serious possibility of a 3 match official test match series in the UK the weekend before to prepare the World Cup Squad. This would be USA Vs Great Britain Under 23 and would be the first official series in over 15 years.

 

The Under 21 team goes back to Ukraine on April 21st. To prepare the team, they will do 4 matches in the UK between April 10th and 15th. The touring team will be called the USA FUTURE (name courtesy of Billy Hamill!) and it will be to groom riders to be our Future World Cup Squad. As we need 5 riders for Ukraine there will be 2-3 spots on the 'Future' team for riders who are over 21 or even 15.

 

Their will be a huge fundraising drive - factually the last time USA had a big World Team Cup push was 2006 and the fans got behind it in massive numbers, and we qualified, made the TV stages and came in 6th place. For this reason a 'Stars and Stripes Club' has been launched with five levels of membership so that any budget can help - and big, medium or small, ALL help is needed and appreciated. "

[Ghostwalker]

Good news. Imo speedway in general would likely benefit from an increased awareness and interest in the states.

I also think its a good idea to bring in people like Hamill. Well know names (especially former world champions) usually

brings some extra weight behind a project like this.

 

We have a similar thing going on in Sweden in rallying.

[Bavarian]

The best news is the official test series. I hope it happens.

[jasper wasp]

it would be nice to see our american friends back riding over here.

[pandorum]

Be nice to see the Yanks make the SWC proper.

[Blazeaway]

Be nice to see the Yanks make the SWC proper.

 

Highly unlikely with their current crop of riders.

[Sandie]

Highly unlikely with their current crop of riders.

Not sure if you know but the names on the table are: Greg Hancock, Ryan Fisher, Ricky Wells, Kenny Ingalls and Billy Hamill.

Not a bad team any 4 from that 5.

 

I wouldnt rule them out Blaze.

[pandorum]

Highly unlikely with their current crop of riders.

I don't see how when one of them will be the world champion. They have riders as good as the competition so have as much chance as Germany or Italy.

[JCookie]

Why nice? They made the SWC in 2007 and were crap. I couldn't care less what they're like as personalities they're no better than Germany and Finland these days.