Fast Freddie Challenge - Sunday 10th March, 5pm @ Monmore Green

[RPNY]

What a crap night, today I introduced some newbies to the sport thinking that at least with a testimonial the riders normally go out to put on a show, they won't be back, the paying public have had the p*** taken out of them today/night. If the track was bad then why was nothing done at 3pm today? We had riders leaving the track in the middle of races, an absolute farce. Some riders let Freddie down today, would rather seen National League riders out there having track time.

 

I actually feel sorry for Freddie, massive crowd with fans from all over there, but folk leaving early due to ridiculous delays and cold weather, then the prat on the centre green announcing its cold for the riders as well, not just the fans.

 

Just not AJ's injuries are not too serious, looked nasty.

 

100% correct!

[EnglishRoundabout]

Can you be grateful someone brought the updates in the freezing weather. Thanks for confirming all i know about you.

 

 

Well that was a LONG and bitterly cold meeting.

Track looked great until after one heat had been ridden and then it was just too deep and barely rideable.

Why they didn't scrape the thick shale off after heat 4 i just don't know.

There was a handful of heats with a bit of a battle in them whilst it was mostly mistakes that saw passes.

It seemed clear that only the few looked interested in making a meeting of it with quite a few heats spread out and no trying in 3rd and 4th. A lot of times the 4th placed finisher slowed down after the the 3rd lap and went straight to the pits. Shame that the weather and conditions turned what should have been a star studded line up into a glorified try out for some.

But a good sized crowd for Freddie showed how well respected he is - Poole, Eagles, Oxford, Aces and Polish jackets were spotted besides the obvious Midlands teams.

 

Firstly, well done to all the riders who must have been as froze as the supporters were for turning out for Freddie.

 

Nearly EVERYONE was talking about Darcy. All mostly in the positive that his off track Oz court case should be the kick he needs.

He was boooed when it was announced he was replacing Pedersen (pantomine of course) but received a fair response on parade.

 

However on track whilst a little lack lustre in his 2nd and 3rd ride (a 2nd when Tai lifted allowed him into 2nd place) he did the business twice over Hans in heats 20 and the run off after Hans gated both times.

 

Who else shone?? Besides those 2 Freddie looked awesome in a couple of heats, Woffy may have been on the rostrum if he hadn't fell 2nd time out,

Others who did ok? Scottie had 2 good wins, Rory started well then faded, Neils was either good or at the back and both PK and troy had their moments.

 

The rest? Nicolai besides a surprise win in heat 1 was as we expected. Davey had bike problems all night, Harris was very subdued, Kasprzak did little of note. Adam was on Tai`s bike all night (no idea why) and looked a complete novice (and i am being kind to Sqora!)

 

Special mentions to Ludvig who did admirably in such a strong field whilst Jacob looked decent in the 2 rides he had and was leading Ludvig by a clear margin in his first ride until he lost it on the 4th bend.

 

And that leaves AJ - hope he is ok as he was down a while. Had a classy 2nd win but fell in front of Freddie and his night was over. However great to see him at Monmore.

 

Thanks stevebrum. How did Hans Andersen ride?

[Fast Freddie Challenge]

Just want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended the Fast Freddie Challenge yesterday evening.

 

Obviously with the bitterly cold weather and the poor track conditions it wasn't a superb meeting but there was little that could be done about the weather and luckily we managed to get the meeting completed.

 

Thank you to all those who contributed to an excellent turn-out for Freddie. He was extremely happy with the attendance and he is truly thankful to all those who were at Monmore Green.

[stevebrum]

Thanks stevebrum. How did Hans Andersen ride?

 

He was the front runner till heat 20. Gated well and looked decent.

Hans was in `home kit` whilst Troy was sporting the new look `away kit`.

Must admit, they look good.

[New Science]

What a crap night, today I introduced some newbies to the sport thinking that at least with a testimonial the riders normally go out to put on a show, they won't be back, the paying public have had the p*** taken out of them today/night. If the track was bad then why was nothing done at 3pm today? We had riders leaving the track in the middle of races, an absolute farce. Some riders let Freddie down today, would rather seen National League riders out there having track time.

 

I actually feel sorry for Freddie, massive crowd with fans from all over there, but folk leaving early due to ridiculous delays and cold weather, then the prat on the centre green announcing its cold for the riders as well, not just the fans.

 

Just not AJ's injuries are not too serious, looked nasty.

Firstly congratulations Freddie on a richly deserved testimonial,a great servant to British speedway.Unfortunately I was one of those who left at 7 o'clock after seeing only 9 heats,judging by the empty spaces on the car park I wasn't the only one.I can appreciate it may have been a little cringe worthy to introduce someone new to the sport on Sunday. What was one of the best ever fields assembled at Monmore in front of a big crowd was devoid of any racing or entertainment.The track didn't look too bad but after a couple of heats you could see it was no good,unfortunately once the shale kicked up it became deep and heavy and since the specification changes came in to the silencers, deep tracks are simply unrideable. Unfortunately with only 8 heats in roughly 2 hours we had to endure the centre green's presenters 3rd rate comic / dance routine.That little nugget that"it was just as cold for the riders as the fans" was the last straw as we endued a 40 minute delay in the freezing cold.

[Gavan]

can we go a bit more overboard about Darcy? he won a meeting he should win against guys who have seen better days.

if he wants to be a gp challenger he should win meetings like this.

fair play to him stepping in at last minute for 'sicknote' Nicki

 

congrats to freddie a true servent to british speedway and wolves fully deserving of a testimonial

shant be saying the same thing when Kasprzak has his!!

[glasgowmicktiger]

Well done darcy for taking the late booking and beating the "PAST IT" line up. Overall the weather played a huge part in the racing as a spectacle and was unbearable at times but freddie got a huge turnout and im glad we came down and showed our support. If only every track had a Porky in the centre green the guys made me laugh with his antics each time ive been to monmore green and he deserves a pat on the back for staying positive during the meeting and showing energy. l spoke to Darcy after the meeting and seemed really happy with the win his attitude to racing and desire to win cant be faulted.

[Bagpuss]

As a speedway fan of thirty odd years I've always entered a stadium when the weather isn't good but the meeting is still on 'at my own risk' ie if the racing is poor or it gets called off before the end then its my own fault as I'd seen the forecast but still chose to pay to get in and chance it just in case I miss a good meeting. Not sure why the track wasn't made slick to cope with rain/snow but I can't believe anyone entered the stadium expecting to see a classic.

[Soul Crew]

As a speedway fan of thirty odd years I've always entered a stadium when the weather isn't good but the meeting is still on 'at my own risk' ie if the racing is poor or it gets called off before the end then its my own fault as I'd seen the forecast but still chose to pay to get in and chance it just in case I miss a good meeting. Not sure why the track wasn't made slick to cope with rain/snow but I can't believe anyone entered the stadium expecting to see a classic.

 

Didn't expect to see a classic, but also didn't expect riders to just leave the track when they felt like it....

[stevebrum]

As a speedway fan of thirty odd years I've always entered a stadium when the weather isn't good but the meeting is still on 'at my own risk' ie if the racing is poor or it gets called off before the end then its my own fault as I'd seen the forecast but still chose to pay to get in and chance it just in case I miss a good meeting. Not sure why the track wasn't made slick to cope with rain/snow but I can't believe anyone entered the stadium expecting to see a classic.

 

Well said.

 

It is as expected, some loving to have a good moan at any chance to knock the sport they are supposed to love.

 

Just what did ANYONE expect from a meeting in the 2nd week of March right in the heart of a cold snap of weather???

 

Were the New year classics at Newport ever a thrill a minute?? (i recall meeting reviews as processional till the latter stages).

 

Have all the Ben Fund meetings been passes a plenty??

 

You go to these sort of meetings (ben fund, testimonials) in early March to support the cause or the rider, NOT for a thrill fest!!

 

Just what do people expect in freezing conditions?????

 

OK, IMHO they should have bladed the track after 4 heats. It looked clear nothing was going to improve. When weather is cold like that a quick procession of heats is what you want. That is the only fault i can make of the meeting. Once they bladed it after heat 8 the track was raceable at least.

 

I agree on comments made regards rider coasting and not doing 4 laps, going back to the pits after 3 laps.

 

A GREAT line up that was spoiled by the weather.

 

I suppose the cold snap of weather and freezing conditions is Freddie`s or Speedways fault ?????

 

I was delighted the meeting was on as i expected it to be weathered off, so getting to see a bit of action was a huge bonus. Yes it cost me money for that too happen. I'm delighted to have paid to see a star of the EL getting a just reward.

 

I am not surprised at all that some feel a need to moan about the meeting.

[ProperSport]

Well I travelled from Preston and yep it was freezing and track conditions/weather played a huge part in what was always going to be a Testemonial but I arrived home at just gone midnight having run out of fuel at Wigan and had to walk down the hard-shoulder at minus 3 but still having enjoyed me day out , perhaps Im easily pleased

 

Chris

 

And thanks to the guys who posted updates on here prior to the meeting

[glasgowmicktiger]

I always love monmore green i been down to england over 60 times and never met a twit once, real good people but the speedway family always get on and the friendliest folk around. Dont you just love the english

[New Science]

Well said.

 

It is as expected, some loving to have a good moan at any chance to knock the sport they are supposed to love.

 

Just what did ANYONE expect from a meeting in the 2nd week of March right in the heart of a cold snap of weather???

 

Were the New year classics at Newport ever a thrill a minute?? (i recall meeting reviews as processional till the latter stages).

 

Have all the Ben Fund meetings been passes a plenty??

 

You go to these sort of meetings (ben fund, testimonials) in early March to support the cause or the rider, NOT for a thrill fest!!

 

Just what do people expect in freezing conditions?????

 

OK, IMHO they should have bladed the track after 4 heats. It looked clear nothing was going to improve. When weather is cold like that a quick procession of heats is what you want. That is the only fault i can make of the meeting. Once they bladed it after heat 8 the track was raceable at least.

 

I agree on comments made regards rider coasting and not doing 4 laps, going back to the pits after 3 laps.

 

A GREAT line up that was spoiled by the weather.

 

I suppose the cold snap of weather and freezing conditions is Freddie`s or Speedways fault ?????

 

I was delighted the meeting was on as i expected it to be weathered off, so getting to see a bit of action was a huge bonus. Yes it cost me money for that too happen. I'm delighted to have paid to see a star of the EL getting a just reward.

 

I am not surprised at all that some feel a need to moan about the meeting.

Have you read the reports on the Tomas Topinka testimonial,it is possible to have a testimonial in March on a good track with competitive racing,entertainment aplenty and all riders trying.Yes we all accept the sentiment involved but for £17 we still expect something resembling a competitive speedway meeting particularly with the worlds best on show Edited March 12, 2013 by New Science

[stevebrum]

Have you read the reports on the Tomas Topinka testimonial,it is possible to have a testimonial in March on a good track with competitive racing,entertainment aplenty and all riders trying.Yes we all accept the sentiment involved but for £17 we still expect something resembling a competitive speedway meeting particularly with the worlds best on show

 

The key is, it needs good track conditions to race on with weather conditions in its favour.

 

I have read MANY March testimonials and been to a couple of Ben Fund meetings with excellent line ups. The racing has been tepid at best.

 

I have no doubt that if the temperature hadn't plummeted over the weekend and we hadn't had ground frost the track would have held up to some good racing.

 

I think you will find it a rarity that anyone raves about a March testimonial meeting as being a stand out meeting for the level of excitement and action we can expect once the season starts.

We had something like a competitive speedway meeting after heat 8.

[T.N.T.]

The one thing that got me about Darcy in this meeting was that he seemed to be riding to just enjoy it and that was good enough to win the title. .... Freddie gated in front of him, Darcy sits back and on the second lap he is popping wheelies down the back straight with this foot on the rear mudguard.

 

When he needed to win, he just pulled the throttle open a bit more and won easily.

 

 

There were cash prizes for the fastest race times each four races. Nicolai Klindt, Rory Schlein, Darcy Ward and Freddie twice were the winners.

Edited March 12, 2013 by T.N.T.

[Bagpuss]

To be fair we were very fortunate with the weather in Lynn last Friday, it was mild and the forecast rain arrived 6 hours late. The track was however prepared for every eventuality, difficult to understand why Wolves didn't do the same.

[rocket]

To be fair we were very fortunate with the weather in Lynn last Friday, it was mild and the forecast rain arrived 6 hours late. The track was however prepared for every eventuality, difficult to understand why Wolves didn't do the same.

Blimey,if you thought it was mild at Kings Lynn,i'd hate to somewhere where you thought it was cold.

[Bagpuss]

Should have been a bit clearer, I meant that taking all things into consideration ie the time of year, how cold it can be and has been at the NA, and the change in the weather since Friday, it was reasonably mild. Well I thought so anyway been several coats colder than that this week!

[SteveLyric2]

One could ask why hold it in March anyway? There must be plenty of spare dates later in the year????

 

Re Darcy, lets not forget he was also on 'borrowed' bikes!!!

[Bagpuss]

I'd imagine for the same reason as Tom did, ie people like AJ and Pedersen want pre GP practice and once they've jollied orf to New Zealand you're probably not going to get them back in the UK again until next pre season, or get GP riders who ride over here to turn out for an indi.