British Under 21 Final - Dudley - 23/4/13

[TMW]

Was a good meeting but the the way its run it was all set up for Branford to win the final. He too the same gate as he did in the semi whilst he got two races before Garrity and Howarth had sat in the pits for 20 minutes doing nothing but getting more and more nervous!

 

Yes its the way they handle the pressure but i said my money was on him because of the race just before!

 

Utter nonsense. Garrity and Howatrh are far too experienced and professional to sit in the pits 'getting nervous' they have all nicked something off each other at some point and they just move on shame supporters can't. There are any number of reasons why a rider may not go through the card a chain snapping, being knocked off by another rider, maybe making the wrong call on a set up. Hts are to qualify for the final and that is the main event all riders know that.

 

On the Branford front, No one seems to have an issue with Nielsen having a Danish parent and interestingly enough he was hotly tipped even though he struggles to complete 4 laps. I think he got 4 X's the other night is that a record btw???.I'd be interested to know why this lad was seeded straight through.

 

Matt Willliamson is not to blame for being in the meeting so I don't see why he should be showed with uncomplimentary remarks. There are a number of his ilk in the NL this year but to set Matt apart from the others he is getting track time and getting as much competitive experience as he can and being helped by Steve and Graham at BV can only be good for him these 2 chaps could do with a more prominent role in the junior scene they are unassuming and just go about their business which is what Matt is doing. No bells and whistles no fanfare just goo d honest hard work, which brings me back to Branford.

 

I saw him at Buxton on Sunday. He turned up on his own in his van rode (well) helped a team mate out when he needed a working bike (as a guest, for Stoke) after he had been trying to attract the attention of the pits but the rest were all wondering round immersed in their own self importance. Then, he packed his bikes away and drove off on his own to get ready for yesterday. The NL need more of the ilk of Williamson and Branford who just get their heads down and work hard rather than strutting about like wannabe GP stars, maybe it is a season to early for Matt but that isn't his fault lets just wish the lad well :-)

 

Well done to Rob and all the best for the season Matt :-)

Edited April 24, 2013 by TMW

[speedibee]

Date of Birth: 31 October 1994

Place: Esbjerg, Denmark

Speedway Career

2010: Outrup (Danish 2nd division.)

2011: Grindsted (Danish 2nd division)

2011: Scunthorpe (NL)

2012-13: Mildenhall (NL)

Club Honours

2011: NL League Championship (Scunthorpe)

2012: NL Knock Out Cup Winner (Mildenhall)

2012: NL League Championship (Mildenhall)

2012: NL National Trophy (Mildenhall)

2012: NL Fours Champion (Mildenhall)

Individual Honours

2012: British U19 Champion

Additional Information

Stefan has wanted to be a speedway rider for as long as he can remember. He learnt to ride a bicycle at 2 years old and insisted on dressing up with helmet, goggles and gloves.

For his 4th birthday, his parents bought him his first proper motorbike a Yamaha 50cc, which had a sidecar attached. He quickly dispensed with the sidecar as it made steering a bit hazardous! Aged 4 1/2 he rode his first open speedway meeting in Brovst, Denmark getting an exclusion and scoring 1 point from his 5 rides.

Shortly after the family moved to England, Stefan was devastated to learn he could not continue to ride speedway in the UK, so his mum managed to get him a mascot place at Kings Lynn where he rode for 6 years. As soon as he was old enough at 6 years old he joined Norfolk and Suffolk Junior Motorcycle Club. He did try motocross, but preferred grass track. He rode 50cc, 60cc and 100cc in the club over the next 4 years, winning 3 club championships.

He achieved a creditable 3rd place in the British Nationals in 2004 whilst riding Junior Grass track.

2005: Stefan moved to Denmark and started his speedway career.

2006 - 2007: Rode 80cc for Grindsted in the 3rd division.

2008 - 2009: Rode 80cc for Grindsted in the 2nd division.

2009: Qualified for the under 16s 80cc World Championships in Poland.

2012: Played a big part in Mildenhall achieving the NL Grand Slam and added more than 3 points to his average. He also won the British U19 Championship, finished the season as Bronze helmet holder and was awarded 'Rider of the Year' at the end of season party. Announced that he will stay with Mildenhall in 2013 and wear the number one racejacket. He has also signed for Somerset in the Premier League.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRANFORD, Robert Peter

 

DATE OF BIRTH: 23 November 1993, Adelaide, South Australia.

 

BRITISH CAREER: (2010) Buxton; (2011) Redcar, Buxton.

 

RIDER LINKS: Son of Darrell Branford (born: 9 September 1964, Whyalla, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia).

 

CLUB HONOURS: National Trophy winner: Buxton [2010]; Knock-Out Cup winner: 2010 [buxton]; League Championship winner: 2010 [buxton].

 

2011 STARTING AVERAGE: 3.00 (PL), 6.75 (NL).

 

ADDITIONAL INFO: In mid-March 2010, Buxton announced the signing of Branford – the son of ex-rider Darrell, who had spells with both Edinburgh and Long Eaton back in 1988. This followed talks between the two parties that had been ongoing since the previous September.

 

The youngster had actually contacted several clubs but, after a lot of discussion and a recommendation from former Hitmen skipper Scott James, he pledged his immediate future to Buxton just before Christmas. Branford holds a British passport and initially participated in go-kart racing, before taking up speedway in junior events at the age of 10.

 

As with many young riders from Down Under, he rode at the famous Sidewinders track in Adelaide and also participated in junior moto-cross. For two years on the spin, he ran third-place finishes in the South Australian Under-16 Championship; in 2007, he came home behind Arthur Sissis and Justin Sedgmen, whilst a year later he finished behind Sedgmen and Nick Morris.

 

On 29 October 2008, he took his very first ride on a full-size 500cc steed and the following year, on 31 October, he made his senior debut at Undera Park Speedway in Victoria, prior to the season opening at his local track, Gillman Speedway.

 

Branford was one of 31 riders who took part in fifty-six races at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway on 11 April in the opening round of the club’s highly popular Summer Championship. And the 16-year old excelled in the Open Class, winning the ‘B’ Final before seeing off the experienced trio of Danny Hodgson, Gary O’Hare and Jamie Swales to claim victory in the ‘A’ Final.

 

He subsequently showed good form from a reserve berth for Buxton and hit the jackpot on 2 May when, in a Knock-Out Cup tie versus Mildenhall, he registered his first official paid maximum, scoring 9+3 points. Unfortunately, that was later scrubbed from the records followings the Fen Tigers’ mid-season close down.

 

Branford was to help the Hitmen win the National Trophy, before the club went on to complete a clean sweep of the silverware in British speedway’s third tier to mark the most successful term in the team’s 16-year history. As the season came to a wonderful climax, he notched scores of 11+3 and 13+1 points, respectively, in the home and away legs against King’s Lynn in the Knock-Out Cup final.

 

Then, on the last official day of the season – 31 October – Buxton defeated Newport 56-35 in a one-legged Play-Off final on their own track after the scheduled first leg in South Wales had been washed out two days beforehand. The Aussie led the way on the big day, top-scoring with a tally of 14+1 points from six starts.

 

He had been one of the finds of the year and remained ever-present throughout the club’s thirty-five official matches, scoring 334 points to yield an average of 8.26. At home, his best showing occurred in a National Trophy fixture against Weymouth on 29 August, when he notched a paid maximum tally of 16+2 points from the side’s No. 4 slot. His high spot away from home also occurred against the Wildcats in a league match on 4 June, when he notched 13+2 points from seven outings.

 

On 5 December, Redcar revealed that they had agreed terms with the rider for a season of Premier League racing in 2011. And, having arrived in Manchester on 2 March,(where from ?) it was announced by Buxton seven days later that the popular Aussie was to also return for a second term in a ‘doubling-down’ capacity at Hi-Edge, having joined the Bears on a full transfer.

Maybe this is the reason n o-one has a problem with Stefan Neilsen ,Tina

Edited April 24, 2013 by speedibee

[foamfence]

I think it's a sad reflection that three of the top four are going into the world under 21 championship (Garrity declined the offer on financial grounds) and it is pretty obvious that they will be way out of their depth.

[Fourentee]

I think it's a sad reflection that three of the top four are going into the world under 21 championship (Garrity declined the offer on financial grounds) and it is pretty obvious that they will be way out of their depth.

Take your point, but surely that's precisely the sort of experience from which a rider learns.

[foamfence]

Take your point, but surely that's precisely the sort of experience from which a rider learns.

Well yes, it is all experience but this lot are a long way short of the quality we have seen in the world under 21s in recent years.

[GARRYH]

Shadders. As far as I am aware Shane had no coming together at all on parade. I think you will find it was Ashley Morris and Sarj. It was Shane's second meeting of the year but might as well been his first as the other one was the mud bath at plymouth on March 16th

[Triple.H.]

Jason Garrity IMO could certainly ruffle a fair few feathers in the U21 rounds in Europe must be a forward looking sponsor out there who could fund a trip or two.

[foamfence]

Jason Garrity IMO could certainly ruffle a fair few feathers in the U21 rounds in Europe must be a forward looking sponsor out there who could fund a trip or two.

I agree, but he has declined to enter and the other three finalists have been given the places.

[Shadders]

I agree, but he has declined to enter and the other three finalists have been given the places.

Think that makes him available for our KO match with Sheffield

[greyhoundp]

Its sad to see jason has declined the opportunity, he would certainly get in amongst them, but as i understand it, the ACU only give minimal amounts towards the costs involved, for instance I heard one of the riders who took part last year, had expences of £800 and the ACU gave £200 towards this, added to which there is the possible loss of earnings in the UK.

 

Cant fault the riders for wanting to gain experience though, and i am sure they will all give it there best, and good luck to them.

Edited April 24, 2013 by greyhoundp

[junior fan]

Geez there are some pieces of work on here.The format has been the same for years, they all knew it going in so tough luck.Sour grapes me thinks.As for Garrity not doing the next round, smacks of lack of ambition, get there even if you have to catch a bus.Junior

[Fourentee]

As for Garrity not doing the next round, smacks of lack of ambition, get there even if you have to catch a bus.Junior

Paying his fare, are you?

[Shadders]

As for Garrity not doing the next round, smacks of lack of ambition, get there even if you have to catch a bus.Junior

Can't think of many buses that would take a couple of speedway bikes plus associated equipment.

 

Shadders. As far as I am aware Shane had no coming together at all on parade. I think you will find it was Ashley Morris and Sarj. It was Shane's second meeting of the year but might as well been his first as the other one was the mud bath at plymouth on March 16th

Cheers Gary. I didn't actually see the coming together itself, my eyes were elsewhere.. Got my info 2nd hand

Edited April 25, 2013 by Shadders

[speedibee]

Geez there are some pieces of work on here.The format has been the same for years, they all knew it going in so tough luck.Sour grapes me thinks.As for Garrity not doing the next round, smacks of lack of ambition, get there even if you have to catch a bus.Junior

Can't have been easy to give the opportunity up , but he made his choice according to his budget and should be applauded for taking the realistic view ., better than thinking you are world level and spending thousands trying to prove it .

[junior fan]

Can't have been easy to give the opportunity up , but he made his choice according to his budget and should be applauded for taking the realistic view ., better than thinking you are world level and spending thousands trying to prove it .

Utter s---e as I said shows lack of any ambition, so your saying hes not good enough.

[speedibee]

Utter s---e as I said shows lack of any ambition, so your saying hes not good enough.

did it show lack of ambition when Billy Hamill quit the GP's or when Joe Screen took no further part in qualification after winning the british final , I'm sure Jason would love to do all the rounds , and if it's such a great deal why dont you finance it for him ?

[Shadders]

Utter s---e as I said shows lack of any ambition

In your opinion

[britmet]

As for Garrity not doing the next round, smacks of lack of ambition, get there even if you have to catch a bus. Can't think of many buses that would take a couple of speedway bikes plus associated equipment.

How to transport 2 bikes plus equipment and keep costs down !

[speedibee]

How to transport 2 bikes plus equipment and keep costs down !

I bet they would have a sore arse by the time they got to Argentina

[Boobs]

Would be nice to see the British Under 21 champ given one of the wild card places in the British Final...

 

He got the next best thing, he's riding in the Sheffield semi-final tonight.

 

I think it's a sad reflection that three of the top four are going into the world under 21 championship (Garrity declined the offer on financial grounds) and it is pretty obvious that they will be way out of their depth.

 

Isn't it sadder that the rider who (some say) was the best in show on Tuesday lacks the ambition to go further in the sport?

 

The World U-21 isn't the long haul of recent years, Jason Garrity would face one qualification meeting overseas (which I would say he'd be able to get a little financial help in travelling to) and if successful there, three rounds of the Final, one of which is in the UK.

 

He would learn so much more from competing among the best U-21's in the world than he will from sitting at home.

 

Sorry, Jason. Wish you would reconsider. Britain needs her best for the coming years..