LEARN AND IMPROVE - posted 30 July 2010

I didn't go to Poland.  I didn't because one - I couldn't have the time off work and two - I really couldn't afford it but I believe the guys who went rode well even though the
results don't show it. Sport is all about testing oneself to the best of ones ability and then learning and improving - well apart from the English soccerball team who'd
have trouble learning their times table.

So far as British Cycling is concerned, the organisation is predominantly focused with the domestic cycling scene, so they wouldn't send anyone to cover a race in
another country.

I didn't go to Brands for Bike Radar show but I believe it was successful.  Over 100 folks 'had a go' at cycle speedway and apparently some came back for more.  Again the
people who were involved learnt from it and have ideas how to improve for future shows.

The sport has so many youngsters coming through via BYJL, infact its becoming a victim of its own success.  Again they will learn and improve the more they race. At
Wednesfield, as probably with many clubs around the country, more and more youngsters are 'having a go' and yes, some will leave for whatever reason but a lot will stay
in the sport and learn and improve.

Five or six years ago I remember marshalling at a real dodgy island on many of Wolverhampton Wheelers road races and there would be myself and our club president, Ron on our own with two red flags trying to stop traffic so the race could proceed unhindered.  I have been run into twice while marshalling.  Last Sunday on the same island there were twenty odd Wheelers marshalling.  I now write reports and take photos from the races and Ron rides in the lead car.  We both learnt.

I do read, again, the same old boring drivel being spouted on Spokesman.  Why BC don't do this or that, or why I don't do this or that and to be honest it's a bit boring.  If
you had any thought for the future of the sport you would learn that these moans and gripes are doing nothing to help the growth of cycle speedway.  There are a hell of a
lot of people who work tirelessly for this sport, mostly unpaid who never moan or groan because they love the sport and love to be involved at any level. So if you can't come up with anything useful or constructive to say, totter off and go annoy someone else and let the people who do give a toss get on with the matter in hand.

Snubbed....I wonder why???

Andy Whitehouse

MISSING RECORDS - posted 30 July 2010

Has there been a European championship since 2006?  I looked on the British Cycling website.  1994 to 2006 are there but nothing since.  Same with the European Nations Senior Team Championship. Also the World Championships.  England's Andrew Cross must have been good.  He won it three times.  Who did he ride for?

Simon Love

Editor's Note - Yes Simon, European and World championship have been held since 2006.  Hopefully British Cycling will update the website soon together with the 2010 results.  Andre is still alive and kicking and doesn't live far from our editorial office.  He raced for Hethersett, Norwich and Poole.

SEARCH IS ON FOR GORDON HELLIWELL MEMORIAL TROPHY - posted 28 July 2010
 
I wondered if you could help me?  My name is Adrian Helliwell.  Back in the late Sixties my father, Gordon Helliwell, managed Woodside Cycle Speedway in Halifax and both my older brothers Gordon and Stephen both rode for them. I can remember names like Pip and Graham Serbert, Fred Rothwell, Mick Cockroft and Mick Gibson to name a few.

Unfortunately my father died in 1971. I'm sure that there was a memorial trophy in his name and I was wondering if this trophy is still in circulation and if so would it be possible to acquire. If not then i would be interested in any information that you may have.
 
I await your earliest reply.
 
Adrian Helliwell

Editor's Note - Thanks for your email Adrian.  We don't know the answer to your query but we are confident someone in the great cycle speedway family will.  Over to you readers!!!!

JOSH'S BRONZE - posted 22 July 2010

Just in regards to the Euro 2010 preview and the junior riders going to Poland and coming back empty

handed, I went there two years ago and finished third.  Although this isn't quite first place and a shiney gold medal, I was the first Brit on the rostrum in Poland in 12 years - so it can be done!

Come on you Brits!!!

Josh Brooke

WHO'S GOING TO THE 2011 WORLDS IN USA - posted 20 July 2010

Are any names confirmed yet for USA 2011? Recent conversations tend to suggest that nobody is going.  Can anyone put an update on here about the current levels of
interest?

John Heard

CHAMPIONS DID US PROUD - posted 19 July 2010

Newport cycle speedway club are proud to have two new champions in the club in the past week.  Firstly the very promising Mark Carmichael became British under-19s champion and secondly Jack Harrold won the South and South Wales junior title after scorching to a maximum at Horspath. Both riders did themselves and Newport CSC proud and the club wish them together with their other club members the best of luck racing for Wales next weekend in Poland.

Colin Simmons
Secretary
Newport CSC

BRITS' WITHDRAWAL DELAY SCHEDULING - posted 18 July 2010

In response to the Tim Jarvis's jibe about the lack of times for the European Championships in Poland, I would like to offer the following:

Tim - I would suggest that the only closely guarded secret has surrounded clarification of which riders are, and which rider are not, travelling to compete in the event.  Once again we have the scenario where cycle speedway people choose to complain at the 'symptoms' rather than try to identify or understand the 'root cause'.

The situation has been as follows:

1.  The symptoms:   A perception of poor organisation, as myself and the Polish organising committee couldn't even confirm the schedule up until one week before the
event.

2.  The root cause:  A large number of British riders entered the event, by the agreed closing date (more than two months ago), and then one by one (or two by two) they started pulling out. This was followed by others coming forward as late replacements and then others pulling out etc.  The net result was that it was only a few days ago that we had clarity on how many riders were actually going to compete and how many qualifying rounds could be scheduled.

I would also add that, in my ICSF role, I have been in regular and close contact with all British International team managers and Paul West over the past month, during which time we have all been trying to sort this situation out.

I would add that most British riders are extremely professional in their approach to such events and in fulfilling their commitments for ICSF championships. But that cannot be said for everyone and I'm aware that a few names still appear in the official draw (because I have not been formally advised of their withdrawal), while I know from the 'rumour mill' that they will not be travelling to Poland.

A final point Tim - We seem to have lost the ability to pick up the phone and talk or send an email (person to person), while preferring to transmit complaints across the Internet to the waiting audience.  Next time you want to make a sarcastic complaint about my performance in organising ICSF events, just try contacting me, ask me the question and allow me the opportunity to explain.  

Dave Murphy
ICSF Secretary

CARMICHAEL A CREDIT - posted 18 July 2010

Congratulations to Mark on winning the British U19 Championship at East Newport.  Like Steve Copping, I have followed Mark's career in Cycle Speedway and have often said he would be a future Champion. He is a credit to Welsh Cycle Speedway on and off the track and could easily follow in the footsteps of the great Colin Simmons. I wish
him every success for the future.

Gerry Escott

CYCLE SPEEDWAY'S CLOSELY GUARDED SECRET - posted 17 July 2010

Brian Barnett has a valid point. Would you believe that less than a week before travelling to Poland for a major event we do not have the slightest clue what time any meeting starts at? Sounds almost impossible doesn't it?

Why does it appear to be a closely guarded secret? I cannot imagine that in any other sport such information would not have been published on the sport's web site by now.

Tim Jarvis

TIMES SHOULD BE PUBLISHED - posted 16 July 2010

Having read about the promotional events at both Cardiff and Brands Hatch, Bike Radar was a two day event, so how was this promoted to those that only attend on Saturday?  Well it wasn't.

A further point about promoting the sport is lack of information on the British Cycling website regarding start times, including such events as the under-13's at Exeter and the Veteran club and the under-10s. These are only two events, there are many where no start time information was provided other than TBC, along with 00.00 - even on the day of the event.  The 00.00 suggests a midnight start!. Ok then lets check the club's website, well either TBC or TBA!. So what next?  Call BC.  Well I tried that on one event, the answer was not forthcoming!. Then phone the hosting club. Why?

So coming back to promoting cycle speedway. So leaflets were handed out, so those thinking about seeing a cycle speedway event may check the BC website for an event
to see. Well what a palaver, getting the information! So why bother?.

I have since spoken to Paul West regarding this matter. Well I felt fobbed off, with comments that the site had been revamped!  Also calling clubs to confirm start times, isn't that why I consulted both the BC and club sites for information?.

Firstly cycle speedway along with BC need to ensure that such information is available without a long protracted exercise. This will do nothing to promote the sport.

One Commission member advised me that the information on events is sent to all clubs. So if one is not a club member or a newcomer to the sport, then this information is not forthcoming. Or is cycle speedway is a closed shop?

Brian Barnett

CARMICHAEL REALISES POTENTIAL - posted 16 July 2010

One of the first times I saw Mark Carmichael ride was back at the 2004 Astley & Tyldesley Festival event where I rode in the senior event.  I had arrived just in time for the semi-finals and final of the Novice event and was amazed by what I saw - that one so small (at the time) could have such an amazing turn of speed on the cut-down
bike he was racing.

When he went on to win the event I made a mental note to myself that if he was to stick at cycle speedway and get a bit more height on him he could be beating some of the big names in the future, not to mention picking up a few British champion's shirts along the way. He wouldn't have had any idea who I was at the time of this prediction as I'd kept it to myself.  I got to know the Carmichael family as they were on the trip to Australia in 2005 where Dave was in the Junior GB team.

On Saturday at East Newport I was on hand to witness Mark deservedly claim the first of those British champion's shirts I predicted he would claim. He may have had a few close calls over the years when luck has deserted him when he needed it most.  Leicester 2009 was one such example in my mind where he needed to win his last race to force a run-off for the under-16's title but it all finally came good for him on Saturday - and in Wales as well!

It couldn't have been scripted any better for him in my opinion.

Steve Copping

AUSSIE RACING HAS LOADS OF PASSING - posted 11 July 2010

In reply to Ray Pyke ref Aussie rules and number of riders in a race, he's spot on.  There's no set rule about numbers Down Under!!

When we were there during the winter there were even eight man races.  Interesting as a spectator, not so sure about riding in them though.  Need the head rotation of an owl to keep your opponents in view. Loads of passing.  Problem is that if you get passed by one rider it's easy to lose three places on one bend. But it works perfectly ok.  Riders know what to expect and it's just the norm over there.

Must be depressing when you know you are off grid eight though!

Tim Jarvis

SIX OF THE BEST - posted 11 July 2010

I reply to Ray Pyke - yes, we do allow six riders on the grid in our championships.  We only use the individual formula for Invitations.   At our local meetings at Findon we have had 10 on the grid! It is certainly exciting racing and it is good training as the riders really have to think quick which sharpens their racing skills.
 
Next Saturday at LeFevre we have an Interclub between Findon, Salisbury and LeFevre and there are two riders from each club on the grid with scoring 6,5,4,3,2,1.  We have eight grades ranging from Under-7 to Division One.

The racing is spectacular and we will show this meeting on our streaming website later on.    www.livestream.com/speeder

Mick Harley
Findon

CONGRATULATIONS TO HOME GROWN PREMIER TEAMS - posted 10 July 2010

In reply to the article posted on your great website dated 6th July 2010 and titled “Premier League is breeding optimism”. I would like to congratulate the Premier teams who have now realised the benefits of using home grown talent instead of flying in Polish riders specifically as and when they are needed to strengthen their team against opposition they would otherwise lose against.

This is very encouraging and can only be good for the cycle sport in the future.

My husband and I are avid supporters of Speedway and more recently Cycle Speedway in Horspath. In particular we enjoyed the youth league we saw at Horspath in April whereby kids from all different clubs raced against each other in their own age group.

Well done to all concerned and keep up the good work.

Mr & Mrs Gilmore

BIKE RADAR DISAPPOINTMENT - posted 10 July 2010

I went to Brands Hatch today (Saturday).  There was no cycle speedway display, whatsoever. The only mention was a sign location.  Not sure what is happening on Sunday, as I was informed that Ian Brown had organised Sunday's display.

This event was brilliant with Mountain bike racing along with dirt jumps with BMX, together with many trade stands well displaying their goods or services. Well what was the British Cycling stand like?  Well a let down.  Anybody unaware of BC, would have not noticed its involvement with cycling. I expected to see its stand decked out with photos of all its cycling, along with leaflets. Well a few leaflets were available such as membership packs.

So what did cycle speedway provide.  Well not a thing, no photos no leaflets no bikes!.

Even the location for the area was wrong.  This was placed as the entrance with no visible signs, other then a BC gazebo. The BC display area should have been in the same area as the other displays such as mountain bikes and dirt jumps display area.

Whilst this weekend is not ideal for cycle speedway, because of Cardiff's speedway GP, an effort should have been made, even photos and information on cycle speedway.

My input, on the 19 April 2010 at Ipswich for the under-19 club championship. I spoke to Paul West, offering my help for Bike Radar as I am only 30 minutes from Brands Hatch. Was this taken up?  No!  Had I  been involved I certainly would have done a photo display.

This was an opportunity lost, or is it that cycle speedway and BC are not interested in promoting its sport?

Here's a photo of the BC stand. Boring and uninviting!.

Brian Barnett

 AUSSIE RULES OK? - posted 10 July 2010

Just a small point!  Why is there six rider in the Aussie photo on the front of Spokesman.  Is it like Aussie Rules Footie - anything goes?

Ray Pyke

NORTH IN GENERAL MALAISE - posted 6 July 2010

I fully agree with the sentiments in the Edinburgh match report and their obvious concerns that teams travelling North are not bringing competitive or full teams.

Due to personal reasons I have not trained as much or been competitive this year.  This is equally frustrating to me. On Sunday I travelled up to Edinburgh, rather unfit and having to use borrowed bikes.  My reward was some very sore ribs , a myriad of scrapes and skin loss and a new helmet to buy, plus a very uncomfortable ride home. Bury wanted to fulfil thefixture, with a very limited team already this year.  It's frustrating for the team to lose Scranage, Zaremba and  Milandovic.  The Dyson's were on holiday, and despite having a dozen youngsters every Thursday, they don't or won't turn out on Sunday.

Unfortunately it's a general malaise in the North at the moment.  Many of the clubs are struggling, so it was really good tosee all the youngsters at Redbraes on Sunday. My thanks however to Edinburgh and Gavin for their care and  concern over my very heavy fall.

John Whiting

THANKS FOR HELP - posted 6 July 2010

I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to all those who assisted me after my heavy fall at Hethersett in the pre-qualifying round for the South-East Riders Championship. Unfortunately I cannot remember exactly who helped but the result of this crash was a very heavy knock to the rib cage on my left side which is still a bit painful but nowhere near as bad as what it was.

PS - I hope our editor had a good holiday and it is good to see him back

Steve Copping

CONGRATULATIONS ON DESERVED MBE - posted 5 July 2010

Nice to hear you are back and doing a sterling job with Spokesman Online.

I would also like to congratulate Mel on receiving his MBE for services to the sport of cycle speedway and to the community.  This is a person who works tirelessly; for not just cycle speedway but for the community and to give youngsters something to do and keep them out of trouble.

Keep up the good work both of you for doing a great job to promote the sport.

Richard Browes

POLISH SAT NAV QUERY - posted 9 June 2010

Does anyone have track locations, for all the tracks in Poland, nearest street or road for sat nav for the Europeans in July?

Dave Mould

GOOD TO SEE HELLINGLY STILL GOING STRONG - posted 7 June 2010
 
I would just like to add to the debate about Hellingly. I first rode there in 1967/8 for Hawbush. I was 14 years of age and have a team photograph consisting of fellow riders - Dave Heales, Pete Chubb, John Fromant,Bill Wallace, Steve Bloxham to name a few. I will post it if I can find it.
 
Other than Pete Chubb, we all travelled from Hawbush to Hellingly in the back of a Luton van.  First impressions were of a very tidy but small track with a strange surface different than anything we were used to.  Most tracks were cinders - shale was yet to come.
 
I remember George Hollebon and Tom Killick very well and competitive racing was in abundance.  We were always welcome there and we always liked travelling into Sussex.
I hasten to add that in the early days, I could not get the hang of the track but did score a good 19 points in 1988 losing only to the very talented Darren Prodger (where is he now?)
 
Good luck to you George, Martin et al.  Good to see you still going strong and thanks for the memories.
 
Ron Cornell
Norwich