Jason Lyons Farewell, 23/08 @7.30

[Brummie Kev]

From Brummies Site:

 

A FAMILY of speedway fans will join together to wish Australian star, Jason Lyons, a heartfelt goodbye when he holds his Farewell meeting at Birmingham on Thursday, August 23.

 

They think he’s a Diamond Geezer – which is hardly surprising because George Moore and his son, Darren, run a family business in Birmingham’s famous old jewellery quarter.

 

Lyons, 42 next month, has been forced to call an end to a remarkable 22-year career in Great Britain after suffering a serious leg injury last September.

 

He was captain of the Birmingham team when racing returned to the city in 2007 and built a huge following with his 100 per cent commitment before being loaned out to Redcar last season when the Brummies moved up from the Premier League to the Elite League.

 

The Moores even tried to get the Brummies to keep Lyons in the side last year but George and Darren will show their appreciation by being the main sponsor of his Farewell meeting.

 

The family connection with the Brummies goes back to the 1950s when George’s wife, Dorothy, supported the club in the great days of Alan Hunt.

 

It was Dorothy who got the family hooked when the late Joe Thurley reopened Birmingham at the old Perry Barr greyhound stadium in the early 1970s and now it has reached a third generation as Darren’s daughter, Charlotte, is a massive Lyons fan.

 

Says George: “When they reopened at the current stadium we went again, just as spectators at first. My brother John, who lives in Tamworth, started to come to meetings with his family.

 

“Things just grew from there. Darren and I got talking to commercial manager Joe McLaughlin one night. He asked if we’d be interested in doing some sponsorship and we took on the Rider of the Night award. Then we had our name on the Brummies’ kevlars.

 

“We started to get to know Jason because he often won the Rider of the Night award. I know Jason has had a great career with several clubs but he was the heart of the Brummies and became a local hero.

 

“We really wanted to back Jason’s Farewell meeting. He’s a good guy who just gives his all. I thought it was fantastic that a rider who was about 40 still had such a great desire to win races after so many years in the sport.”

 

Son Darren added: “We have always been big supporters of Jason because he gives 110 per cent. Even if he was last from the start you could be sure he’d be in front or challenging after two or three laps.

 

“He’s a real pro and deserves a really great farewell night for everything he has done for speedway over the years.”

 

Jason said: “I am very grateful to GH Moore for coming on board as the main sponsor of my Farewell meeting. I have got to know George and the family well and they are great supporters of the Brummies, real speedway people.”

[westhamboy66]

Fantastic news for one of the good guys. Although Jason only rode as a guest for Rye House he was always a popular visitor and gave his all for the sport. He deserves the ve ry best of sendoffs

[tyretrax]

Realy peed off I can't make it. Flights booked for Cardiff. With no flights back to Glasgow to suit I'm stuffed. Hope to catch up with Jason at some point over the weekend.

[Young51]

Great news and a very well deserved meeting for Jason Always a classy rider and a top geezer to boot (even though his british career started with that rabble along the M8 ).Hopefully i can make this meeting as i'm planning a holiday down south round about that time.A good race track at Perry Barr too so that should make for a cracking nights racing!I'm sure it will be supported by many of the top riders as well so one to look forward to

Edited May 30, 2012 by Young51

[keef]

Nice geezer and superb rider for Newcastle about 8 years ago. Good Luck.

[Brummie Kev]

From Brummies Site:

 

BIRMINGHAM legend Jason Lyons says Perry Barr is one of the best tracks he has ridden during his glittering 22 year career.

 

Lyons will say goodbye to the club – and the sport – with a special farewell meeting hosted by the Selco Brummies on Thursday, August 23.

 

He’s working on a top line-up for the event at a track where he enjoyed a fabulous four year stint.

 

He said: “I always tried not to have favourite or least favourite tracks during my career because you have got to ride them all if you want to be successful and make some money.

 

“But I must say I loved riding at Birmingham for those four years. When Tony Mole said he was going to put in a track for the 2007 season, and reopen the Brummies, he appointed Graham Drury as his team manager.

 

“Graham asked me to go down and said he wanted he wanted me to be the No 1. I had spent the previous season at Mildenhall, which I enjoyed, but I was a Birmingham asset. I had been since Tony Mole bought out Belle Vue when I was riding for them.

 

“It wasn’t a problem to join the Brummies because Tony was good to work for. What was a problem was when I had a look at the track. All I could see were red flags which marked out where it was going to be.

 

“But when it was built I loved riding on it. It was one of the best prepared tracks around and I know a lot of the other boys enjoyed riding there as well.

 

“It’s one of the things I’ll miss when I go home.”

[Kent]

Just seen on Jason Lyons Farewell Facebook that he will release his first rider next week!

 

Can't wait for this meeting.....it will certianaly be an emotional day for Mr Lyons after 22 years of competitive speedway racing.

 

Hope he gets the turn out he deserves!

[Brummie Kev]

The first rider announced that will be riding in Jason's meeting is Piotr Protasiewicz who makes a rare British appearence:

 

From Brummies Site

JASON Lyons has turned to the old pals’ act to make top Polish star Piotr Protasiewicz, a four times World Cup champion, the first signing for his Farewell meeting at Birmingham on August 23.

 

Veteran Protasiewicz,37, is the rider who turned his back on this year’s World championship Grand Prix, along with Aussie whizkid Darcy Ward, because of the rule which allows Polish League clubs to include only one GP rider each.

 

It means the popular Protasiewicz, who has ridden for Oxford, Ipswich, Peterborough and King’s Lynn in the past, will be making a rare appearance in Britain when he rides for 42-year-old Aussie Lyons.

 

Lyons, forced to end his 22-year British career by a serious leg injury he suffered riding for Redcar in a Premier League match at Glasgow last season, has made Protasiewiczthe first signing in a 16-rider field which will compete over 20 heats and a final at the thrilling Perry Barr track.

 

He said: “I first met Piotr when we both rode for Bydgoszcz in the Polish League in 2001. We got on well and have stayed in contact ever since.

 

“He’s one of speedway’s gentlemen and there was no hesitation about him coming over when I gave him a call. He said he was very happy to do it.

 

“He should have been in the Grand Prix this season but turned it down so he won't be riding over here and that will make him a drawing card for my meeting.”

 

Protasiewicz is one of Poland’s all-time great riders and has won World Cup gold medals in 1996, 2005, 2009 and last year. He was also the World Under 21 champion in 1996.

 

More riders areexpected to be revealed next week.

 

There is a Jason Lyons Farewell site on Facebook and supporters are invited to submit their memories of his 22-year career with some of them being included in the programme.

[uk_martin]

Delighted at the signing of Piotr Protasiewicz. I'm sure that it won't be the last of the "old pals" that will find their way over for this meeting, and I'm hoping that it won't be the only Polish rider either. (no prizes for guessing who lots of people would like to see grace the Perry Barr shale for this event)

 

Really looking forward to this event more than ever now.

[SCB]

(no prizes for guessing who lots of people would like to see grace the Perry Barr shale for this event)

Already missing Kasperzak?

[uk_martin]

Already missing Kasperzak?

 

Actually yes! Now that he's with a properly managed Polish team that won't ban him from racing in the UK, I think he could have been a better #1 for us that Barnyard Pedersen has been so far.

 

Would still like to see Tomasz Gollob in the Jason Lyons farewell though!

[Kent]

Have seen today that Davey Watt and Rory Sclein are doing Jason's meeting on August 23rd at Birmingham.....three good riders announced so far!

[RonButler]

Jason spent thirteen years at Belle Vue. He joined the Aces from, I think, Newcastle. A great favourite at both Hyde Road and Kirky Lane I feel he would have stayed with us through to the end of his speedway career had not Tony Moole kept his registration when Mole sold Belle Vue to the present promoters.

 

He has recently been seen in the Kirky Lane pits helping and encouraging the younger Aces. Hopefully he will be doing it as a regular thing.

[Kent]

Great post Rod Butler.....but I think he joined Belle Vue from Glasgow....I might be wrong.

I really hope he gets a great send off from people all over in the Speedway World!

[RonButler]

Great post Rod Butler.....but I think he joined Belle Vue from Glasgow....I might be wrong.

I really hope he gets a great send off from people all over in the Speedway World!

 

 

Thanks for the compliment, Maximus. You're right Jason did join us from Glasgow. Apologies for my error, the old grey matter ain't what it used to be!

[Brummie Kev]

Have seen today that Davey Watt and Rory Sclein are doing Jason's meeting on August 23rd at Birmingham.....three good riders announced so far!

 

Agreed. I love watching Schlein around Perry Barr and Davey is a very good addition to the line up. Hopefully Crump will be in the line-up aswell

 

 

Taken from Brummies Site:

 

TOP Australian stars Davey Watt and Rory Schlein will ride in the Farewell meeting for fellow countryman Jason Lyons at Birmingham on August 23.

 

They scooped two of British speedway’s top prizes last season, Watt leading Poole to the Elite League championship while Schlein landed the prestige Elite League Riders’ championship in a class field at Swindon.

 

Watt is at Lakeside this season while Schlein is captain and No 1 at Belle Vue who signed him from Coventry during the winter after he had spent last season with the Autogate Aces on loan. Both riders have raced in Britain since 2001.

 

Watt, 34, from Townsville, in Queensland, started at the Isle of Wight while Schlein, 27, from Darwin in the Northern Territory, started at Edinburgh and was a colleague of Lyons at Belle Vue.

 

Lyons said: “I have known Davey and his family through racing against him in the finals of the Australian championships over the years.

 

“I’ve watched his development into a leading international rider with his racing in Poland and Sweden as well as England. He’s a top man now and deserves to be.

 

“Rory is younger and I’ve watched him grow up from his days as a junior rider at home in Australia. Like me he was still very young when he first came over to England and I am sure that has helped his development into being a top senior rider.

 

“It is good to see him riding for Belle Vue where I spent so many happy years and I am sure Aces fans will want to watch him and support my Farewell meeting.”

 

Lyons added: “I’m over the moon that the pair of them have agreed to do my meeting. There was no hassle and no negotiation. I just rang them and they said yes.

 

“It’s the way I’ve done it when I’ve been asked to do farewells and testimonials over the years and I’m just happy to get the same kind of response.”

 

Watt and Schlein join Polish World Cup star Piotr Protasiewicz on the Lyons list and more riders will be announced shortly.

[uk_martin]

I just hope to goodness that this meeting is set in stone, in the fixtures, else sadly, it is not inconceivable that this meeting ends up biting the dust.

 

If someone, with their commercial head on, decides that the needs of the team outweigh the needs of the one, especially in this "professional era" when the wants and desires of advertisers and sponsors outweigh all else, and with the number of rain-offs that need rearranging coming close to exceeding the number of dates available in the calendar, then this meeting could well be binned.

 

Personally I think it would be such a shame to see this meeting being cancelled, but then I'm just a speedway and Jason Lyons fan, and what do fans matter these days?

Edited June 29, 2012 by uk_martin

[Kent]

Taken from worldspeedway.com

 

 

Old boss Neil backs Jason Farewell

 

JASON Lyons will renew an old friendship with one of the biggest

 

influences on his 22-year British career when he holds his Farewell

 

meeting at Birmingham on August 23.

 

Neil Macfarlane was the Glasgow promoter who signed Lyons without

 

ever having seen him ride and brought him over from Australia as a

 

19-year-old novice who had never been out of the country before.

 

Macfarlane has left the speedway scene since that eventful decision

 

in 1990 and is now involved in golf.

 

He signed Lyons after telling Glasgow rider Sean Courtney, who was

 

going to Australia on holiday, to look out for a promising young

 

rider.

 

Macfarlane said: “I only keep a passing interest in speedway these

 

days because of my other commitments. But when I read about Jason’s

 

Farewell meeting I checked my diary and saw that I would be able to

 

make it.

 

“He’s a great rider and a great person and I am pleased that I was

 

able to play a part in his speedway career. I haven’t seen him for a

 

while but I mean to be at the Farewell.”

 

Lyons said: “Sean watched a meeting at my home track, Mildura, and

 

came to talk to my Dad and I afterwards. He said he would recommend me

 

to a promoter in Scotland called Neil Macfarlane.

 

“A few months later I was on the plane. I didn’t have to think

 

twice about accepting the chance but I had no idea where I was going

 

when I sat on that plane. I finished up in Berwick with Sean and his

 

wife, Susan, and they looked after me for a few months before I moved

 

to Glasgow.

 

“I crashed a lot and bent a lot of bikes but I enjoyed it. Neil was

 

the team manager – and he didn’t like losing!

 

“I couldn’t afford to get my bikes fixed after crashing. Neil

 

called me in one day and gave me a pay rise so I could. It will be

 

great to see him again. I owe him such a lot.”

 

Piotr Protasiewicz, Davey Watt and Rory Schlein have accepted

 

invitations to ride in the meeting and more riders will be revealed

 

shortly.

[JulieR]

We still have a few sponsorship packages left for this meeting, with all proceeds going to Jason in recognition of his services.

 

Please send me a pm if you can help out in any way.

 

Rider or race at £200

Tyre & fuel for a rider £50

 

Julie

[Brummie Kev]

Freddie Lindgren is the latest name to added to the line-up. Massive respect for Freddie, for agreeing to ride in this 2 days before the British GP.

 

 

Taken from Brummies Site

 

FREDDIE Lindgren, Wolverhampton’s Grand Prix star, will add his high profile presence to the Jason Lyons Farewell meeting at Birmingham on August 23.

 

It is a scoop capture for Aussie Lyons who will be marking the end of his 22-year British career with a star packed line-up.

 

The fact that the 26-year-old Swede has agreed to include the meeting in his hectic schedule is a massive compliment to Lyons and speaks volumes about Lindgren, especially as the Farewell is two nights before the British Grand Prix at Cardiff.

 

Lindgren is sixth in the current Grand Prix standing with 63 points as has emerged as a potential future champion after winning his home Swedish GP and finishing second in the Danish round.

 

He is a regular and popular visitor to the Birmingham track in derby matches between the two Midland sides and his presence will be a huge boost for Lyons.

 

The Aussie, forced by injury to bring an earlier than intended end to his career, said: “Freddie and I have ridden against each other in England and in Europe.

 

“I’ve got to know him through travelling through the same airports but we have never been in the same team anywhere.

 

“It is brilliant that he has agreed to ride in my meeting, especially when you consider we’ve never been teammates and when he has such a busy schedule.

 

“I am hoping that having him in my Farewell will attract Swedish fans, who are coming over for the Grand Prix at Cardiff, to include my Birmingham meeting in their schedule. It will be a rare chance for them to see Freddie and speedway at Birmingham.”

 

Lindgren, one of the most respected riders on the top class circuit, will race for Sweden in the FIM Monster Energy World Cup final at his home track in Malilla on Saturday.

 

He has ridden for Wolverhampton since joining them as a 17-year-old in 2003 and has been club captain since 2008.

 

He joins Polish World Cup man Piotr Protasiewicz and fellow Aussies Davey Watt and Rory Schlein in the line-up. More names will be announced next week.

Edited July 9, 2012 by Brummie Kev