Iffoid Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 From his website: MATEJ ZAGAR is the first name confirmed to star in the Simon Stead Testimonial Meeting at Swindon's Abbey Stadium on August 16. The 10-time Slovenian Champion will return to Britain to take his place in what promised to be a star-studded lineup in what could be his last British appearance of the season. The former GP star is one of the most spectacular riders in the world and he became a firm favourite with the Swindon fans after a hugely successful spell with the Robins. And Steady is delighted that Zagar has agreed to ride, he said; "Myself and Matej had a bit of a rivalry going on before he came to Swindon, but as soon as he signed for us we got on like a house on fire. "We became really good mates and on the track he is so good to watch. There aren't many better riders than Matej when he is in full flow and Iknow that the Swindon fans loved him. Hopefully we'll get some Reading fans come and see an old favourite too." As well as Zagar, Stead has also confirmed that Peterborough's Oliver Allen and Glasgow's Joe Screen will ride on his big night. "Olly and Joe are two of my best mates and I have known them both for a long, long time. They were the first two people I asked to ride for me and they both agreed in seconds, and I'm sure they'd love to win the meeting and give me a bit of stick!" Various sponsorship packages are still available for the meeting, and anyone interested in doing so can contact Simon via email at simonsteadtestimonial@hotmail.co.uk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iffoid Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Former Robins star Nicolai Klindt and Great Britain international Tai Woffinden have both accepted the invitation to race for ‘Steady’ on his big date. Stead has enjoyed riding alongside both riders in his career, both with the Robins and GB, and is delighted to have them on board. He said: “I’m chuffed that Tai and Nicolai have agreed to ride and I know they will both put on a good show. “Obviously they have been injured for a while but Tai is back for the World Cup and Nicolai signed up after the injury, so he’ll be back by then. “Nic had a good spell with us at Swindon last year and I know he made an impression on everyone at Blunsdon, so it’ll be good for him to come back. “Both him and Tai are really good lads and top riders, and I know that they want to win every single race they are in.” Stead has revealed that things are starting to take shape for his big day, which is now just under six weeks away. He said: “It’s a lot of work but everything is coming together now and I’m really pleased with how it is coming along. I am just waiting to confirm the last few spots now and the field we are putting together is top class, and it’ll be a good warm-up just a week before Cardiff.” Various sponsorship packages are still available for the August 16 date, and any interest can be registered via email at simonsteadtestimonial@hotmail.co.uk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 Another totally undeserved testimonial. Still while there are people daft enough to attend these meeting the riders will continue to milk the system. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iffoid Posted July 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 Well you are obviously entitled to your opinion but others feel Simon wholeheartedly deserves this meeting as recognition of his committment and contribution to British speedway. "Daft", yes I am probably that anyway, but not for wanting to support a rider who always gives his all for my team. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 Well you are obviously entitled to your opinion but others feel Simon wholeheartedly deserves this meeting as recognition of his committment and contribution to British speedway. "Daft", yes I am probably that anyway, but not for wanting to support a rider who always gives his all for my team. What on earth are you talking about. He has been in an industry for 10 or 12 years, changing jobs a few times along the way. Has it escaped your notice that this is a situation repeated millions of times over in many industries around the country. Occassionally if a person is with the same employer for 10 years they get some sort of perk, maybe an extra weeks holiday per year, the speedway equivilent used to be a testimonial. Nowadays it appears everyone who has been in the sport 10 years, which in reality is approx 90% of the riders in the leagues, is awarded one. Like I said it is a total nonsense and fans are merely being fleeced by these undeserved events Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iffoid Posted July 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 As I said earlier and will say again, you are entitled to your opinion and mine differs from yours. If people chose to attend these meetings then they are aware exactly who the money is going to and that is their decision to make. The people that agree with you obviously wont be there and the people that want to support Simon will be. Now back to the meeting - next riders to be announced very soon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted July 20, 2012 Report Share Posted July 20, 2012 (edited) What on earth are you talking about. He has been in an industry for 10 or 12 years, changing jobs a few times along the way. Has it escaped your notice that this is a situation repeated millions of times over in many industries around the country. Occassionally if a person is with the same employer for 10 years they get some sort of perk, maybe an extra weeks holiday per year, the speedway equivilent used to be a testimonial. Nowadays it appears everyone who has been in the sport 10 years, which in reality is approx 90% of the riders in the leagues, is awarded one. Like I said it is a total nonsense and fans are merely being fleeced by these undeserved events I disagree. A fair point can be made that testimonials should only be awarded to riders who have spent ten years with the same club (or, at least, the same parent club) but to suggest that benefit meetings given to riders who have merely completed ten years is 'undeserved' is wide of the mark. I'd say that a benefit meeting is an opportunity to thank a rider for 10 years service to the sport and, given the relatively paltry earnings made by many (I was told last night that Stead has a job outside speedway as he otherwise couldn't make ends meet) a fully deserved financial bonus for the person concerned. Still, as Iffoid says, if you don't like it you don't have to go. Edited July 20, 2012 by Halifaxtiger 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagonshocker Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 What a nasty pathetic responce from Oldace! Steady has hardly been a journeyman and in this sport loyalty counts for eff all when the dreaded points limit has its say and clubs discard riders in all directions....out of every rider i have dealt with this guy is the most genuine and loyal you could get. As to your point about the 10 years service in mainstream occupations its also fair to say they dont ride around an oval track with no brakes...yes riders take that choice but i wouldnt really have ever fancied it! As opposed to footballers getting testimonials i think speedway riders are generally far more deserving although i do think footballers from lower divisions should get them no argument there..as for fleecing the fans no-ones forcing them as you clearly will make the choice of not attending......Oldace bitter...and then some.... P.S Darc keep us informed and ignore the critical miserable *eckers! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LagutaRacingFan Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 Stead deserves a testimonial In the last 10 years of British speedway, He has been the only shining light. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneylegend Posted July 24, 2012 Report Share Posted July 24, 2012 All the best for your testimonial meeting Steady! a rider who always gives entertainment and is good to watch:-) Hope the day goes well as im sure the line up will be an attractive one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A ORLOV Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 Chris holder and Darcy Ward are riding, a good meeting to attend and for a worthy rider 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keef Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 Yes good luck Simon, a committed clubman, good to see the Turban Twins are riding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noggin Posted July 25, 2012 Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 A richly deserved Testimonial for Simon, who's been entertaing us for 10+ years, whether when he rode for Sheffield, Coventry Workington amongst others or now with the Robins, always puts in 100% effort, and by the calibre of rider attending this meeting, highly thought of by his rivals & friends. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iffoid Posted July 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 (edited) The full press release (From Swindon website) TWO of the brightest talents in world speedway have signed up to ride in the Simon Stead Testimonial at Swindon on Thursday, August 16. The first of those is current world number two Chris Holder, who will surely start as one of the favourites to win the star-studded meeting. Holder is one of the most exciting riders in the world and is chasing a maiden World Title this year, and top-scored for Australia in the World Cup Final just a couple of weeks ago. The man joining Holder is best friend Darcy Ward, himself a double under-21 champion. Ward is the most spectacular rider in the world and has taken Europe by storm since his arrival on these shores on 2008, becoming the most sought after man in speedway. Stead is delighted that he has attracted the Aussie duo to Blunsdon for his big night; "Chris and Darcy are 100% excitement every time they ride and it's great that they will be there. "I know them both quite well and they're great lads, once I asked them to ride they had no hesitation in accepting and they'll both be up there on the night I'm sure. I think if you add Chris and Darcy to the likes of Zagar and Woffinden, as well as some of the other riders who will be there, it's going to be an awesome meeting." Holder and Ward join Nicolai Klindt, Joe Screen, Tai Woffinden, Oliver Allen and Matej Zagar in the field, with the full line-up to be released shortly. A host of sponsorship packages which represent great value for money are now available for Stead’s big night and full details are available by calling 07931 318401 or by email simonsteadtestimonial@hotmail.co.uk Edited July 26, 2012 by Iffoid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LagutaRacingFan Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Good field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iffoid Posted July 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 2 more to be announced at the home meeting tomorrow :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 The first of those is current world number two Chris Holder, who will surely start as one of the favourites to win the star-studded meeting.I think Andreas Jonsson may disagree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noggin Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Sullivan & Schlein announced tonight, good lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy robin Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Sullivan & Schlein announced tonight, good lineup. Now let me count just how many times ryan sullivan had said he's going to do a testimonal in Britain only for him to pull out at short notice. I hope for steady he turns up but won't believe it till i see him or won't see him as i'm away anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LagutaRacingFan Posted July 26, 2012 Report Share Posted July 26, 2012 Sully! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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