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CLUB CALL
BIRMINGHAM GO BACK TO SCHOOL – posted 23 May 2013
Members of Birmingham Monarchs today went back to school as they look to build on the "Come and Try" sessions. Bob Prince along with Steve Hodgkinson, Phil Widdas and Mark Winwood travelled to Great Barr School to do a presentation in assembly of the fast and furious sport that is cycle speedway.
Afterwards a make shift track was created at the school as over 400 children then took to the bikes and gave it a go under the guidance of coach Bob Prince and the trio of experienced Monarchs riders.
A club spokesman said "We were looking at ideas to get some more youngsters to come to our training sessions and one was to try the local schools. Great Barr were very positive and excited at the idea of the sport and after further correspondence we arranged to go in and show the children what the sport is all about. The school seemed really impressed with the day and we are already looking at arranging more events with them."
With Come and Try sessions still running every Thursday at Perry Park it is hoped that some of the youngsters who enjoyed the taster session will come down to try it on the track.
Finally a big thanks must go out to Bob, Mark, Phil and Steve for taking the time to go to the school and do the session and also to Steve for the leaflets which were handed out to the children at the end.
Hethersett Hawks-Swinton & Co have had a busy and successful week. It all started at Eaton Park on Wednesday when the club produced a 1-2-3 in the prestigious Norfolk senior championship. 15-year-old Oliver Riley became one of the youngest ever winners of this event, which has been running continuously since 1960.
He set his stall out in his first race when he passed main rival Jason Barker from Norwich but had one disappointing third place which brought his rivals back in contention. Despite dropping three points, his tally was still enough to finish two points clear of defending champion Phil Adams, having his first racing of the season due to work commitments. Scott Grimes was a further point behind in third but could have featured higher but for a last place after a fall.
Five Hawks flew the club flag in the British Youth & Junior League on Saturday, also at Eaton Park. Alfie Nixon and Giles Awbery both had their moments in the U10s with Giles taking second place ahead of his clubmate in the Grand Prix "D" Final. Oliver Riley won two races in the U16s but had to settle for third in the Grand Prix behind the two top Ipswich riders.
Sister Danielle won her third Girls Grand Prix in a row after a faultless maximum with Katie Adams gamely winning the "B" final after a heavy fall when her handlebars snapped.
The following day the Hawks had their first home league action of the season against Gt.Blakenham from Suffolk. The "A" team rode 18 tactically perfect heats to see off a top-heavy visiting side. Oliver Buxton was particularly impressive and there was a welcome return from David Adams but it was solid teamwork that saw that Blakenham only had one heat win, a consolation 7-3 in the final heat, Hethersett running out victors by 96 points to 84.
The Hawks' "B" team also had a win by a similar margin with their three veterans well to the fore and Dave Martin unbeaten in four rides. This was Martin's last match as he subsequently announced his retirement after a 24-year career that saw him win East Anglian and Norfolk titles and lead the Hawks as club captain for much of that time.
The Hawks will next be in action on Sunday week at Harford Park against local rivals Norwich.
Dani Riley showed how much she has progressed since joining Hethersett Hawks-Swinton & Co in the winter. She had an outstanding day at Leicester, joining forces with European ladies champion Lauren Jacobs in the East Anglian pairing to finish just two points behind the home team winners in the British Women's Pairs League. Then she went on to finish runner-up to home rider Lauren Davies in the Will Burns Memorial Cup, dropping just one point.
Dani was also one of three Hethersett riders to win Norfolk Grand Prix categories round three at Harford Park. She won the ladies while brother Oli won the under-16s and Olly Buxton won the senior category. The match also marked a return to competitive racing for David Adams.
This weekend Hethersett riders will be at Eaton Park in Norwich for the British Youth & Junior League round coupled with the South East Grand Prix (12 noon) while on Sunday the Hawks play host to Suffolk side Gt.Blakenham at the Memorial Playing Field (2 pm).
Newcomers will have a chance to try the sport next Wednesday (22nd May) as part of Active Norfolk's Come & Try Evening at the Memorial Playing Field (6 to 9pm).
After the club successfully staged the British Girls and Boys U-13 Championship, Swindon CSC are concentrating on engaging with the local community by running a championship for local Scout groups.
Youngsters from the Swindon 6th Scout group at Swindon on Tuesday night. Friday where nearly 40 riders over the two sessions enjoyed the sport for the first Time. It is expected that before the finals 150-200 children will have given the sport a try.
Daniel Harper, club secretary said: "It's a great opportunity to engage with the local community and get children to try out the sport. The club wins on many fronts, good publicity with the local community, the club will make some money and more importantly we may recruit a couple of new riders. A massive thanks and acknowledgment has to be given to Glen Rayson. He is the father of two of our juniors and it was his idea and we are very confident it will turn out to be a very successful one at that."
NEW FENCE INSTALLED AT COVENTRY – posted 10 May 2013
The new fence has completely transformed the whole Hearsall Common facility and club officials were gleeful that one of their primary aims of hosting the British Final - to improve the complex - has been delivered so swiftly and in such a major way.
Costing well over five figures, with finance secured through section 106 funding, the new fence spans the whole circuit, including the pits area. The new fence comes complete with a middle horizontal cross member and an additional gate has been positioned in front of the club container.
The new structure has been carefully constructed to meet all safety and new development guidelines, in terms of height and distance from the perimeter outside line. The whole work has been undertaken by contractors and all the work has been completed to the highest industry standards.
It’s another tremendous boost to the resurgent Coventry club, who have revived the sport of cycle speedway in Coventry in a remarkable fashion over the past 18 months.
The club have rejoined the Midland League, unearthed scores of juniors, attracted many volunteers, sold massive sponsorships and swooped to capture the staging rights of the 2013 British Final.
Coventry official Andy Drewett said: "This is simply marvellous news and this major lasting legacy totally vindicates the decision to allocate the British Final to Coventry. Already, we have set our sights on our next facilities development plan, that of providing a permanent water supply to the track site."
The Coventry club would like to thank Coventry City Council for all their assistance and advice on this project and to British Cycling Cycle Speedway Commission member Bob Prince for his expert input and support, including attending meetings, into the process. 
Hethersett Hawks-Swinton & Co had just one rider in action at the weekend. Oliver Buxton travelled to Newport (South Wales) - a journey which included a train ride to Ipswich to pick up a lift - to compete in the Welsh Open under-19 event. After only just recovering from a wrist injury, he did well to score 11 points and finish in mid-table on the final scorechart.
This Saturday it is the turn of the club's fine young female prospects, Tiffany Collins and Danielle Riley, who will be at Leicester to contest the Will Burns Memorial Ladies Trophy.
Coventry Cycle Speedway were the latest attraction for local radio station BBC Coventry and Warwickshire as the city side were part of yesterday’s morning show presented by Trish Adudu.
Members arrived at the track by 9am while Lee Marsh conducted an informative and professional interview giving mentions to the upcoming final as well as Bretford, who are staging the under-10 final the same weekend.
You can listen to the interview by using the following link and skip to 30 minutes using the scroll bar to direct yourself straight to the feature
As well as that, a new feature has been added to the Coventry website. Currently all senior riders now have their own profile with juniors to follow in the short future. Webmaster Shaun Reynolds commented "It was an idea brought to me by Mason Phillips and it seems to of gone down a storm so far. Hopefully it promotes our club well and ensure that people see how everyone at the club has their own individual role."
Finally a reminder that for Twitter users you can follow the club by using @CoventryCSC or for Facebook users you need only type in 'Coventry Cycle Speedway' into the search bar.
On Friday night, at Harford Park, Norwich, the 43rd Saxlingham Nethergate Scout Group turned out to have a go at cycle speedway. Bringing five teams and racing 20 heats, they were filled with excitement as Norwich Stars home rider Owen Wells showed his Scout group how it’s done.
Next up was a parent and leader race that was won by former Hethersett rider Simon Wilcox, still showing how to get off to a flying start.
“We hope they will be back for more” said club spokesman Kevin Wells.
Records tumbled last Saturday at Coventry during the successful staging of the British Junior and Youth League round two regional Midlands round.
Coventry posted a new club record of entries for the event, with no fewer than 11 city whizz kids proudly wearing the Coventry colours. This showed an early measurable return in all the fantastic work Dave Frith, Norman Venson and Myke Grimes have invested in developing new juniors.
Off the track, Coventry also had a successful day. Refreshment ladies Dawn, Sharron, Karen and Jane took record takings (for a non British Finals event), raising a sizable amount which will be invested back into the club.
Coventry Devlins Newsagents cycle speedway team raced to a nail-biting 93-86 away win at East London last Sunday to complete an early season double over the capital city side.
It was Coventry`s third successive win and their first away victory since returning to competitive action last year as their blend of youth and experience edged home in an entertaining affair.
The Londoners took a surprise lead in heat one over the strong Coventry pairing of Konrad Pietak and Mason Phillips. The home side also took heat two, before Coventry steadied matters with a shared heat three.
A maximum heat success to the Pietak/Phillips partnership put Coventry into the lead for the first time and a succession of drawn races ensured Coventry held a narrow 45-44 interval lead.
The second period witnessed some fantastic racing as Coventry narrowly pulled clear, with Pietak and Phillips both recording two individual heat wins apiece as the Hearsall Common men held on in a frantic finish.
Coventry fielded a club record 11 riders in the British Junior League round two at Hearsall Common last Saturday afternoon. The city kids finished on 94 points in third place, behind runners-up Bretford (98) and deserving winners Wednesfield Aces on 112.
Spencer Sawbridge and James Kirrane produced the best individual performances, with the diminutive Sawbridge taking the chequered flag in the under-12 `B` Final and Kirrane winning the `B` final in the under-16s.
Fresh from their victory at East London, Coventry face a much sterner encounter at Hearsall Common this Sunday (2pm) against East Park Wolves in both Midland league division one and two matches. Coventry will again be missing injured Polish star Dominik Rycharski and will also be without Mason Phillips, Shaun Reynolds and Daniel Drewett.
For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway club, including how to have a free trial, please go to: www.coventrycsc.com
Hethersett Hawks had success at the British Youth & Junior League regional round at Great Blakenham. In cold and, at times, wet conditions Danielle Riley won the girls’ Grand Prix while brother Oliver came runner-up in the under-16s. Their combined score of 28 points put Hethersett only in fifth place as no other Hethersett riders made the trip to Suffolk.
In the South East Vets Grand Prix at the same venue Mel Perkins finished eighth.
There was a better representation at the home round of the Norfolk Grand Prix. This time both Rileys won their categories while Alfie Nixon, Giles Awbery, Scott Grimes, Carly Grimes and Katie Adams all made the A finals. Six-year-old Leo Mallett made a promising competitive debut.
Hethersett Hawks had hopes of challenging Ipswich for their Division One and Two titles this season but a long list of unavailable riders for the trip to Suffolk left the Hawks with just seven riders to fulfil both matches. So credit to the few who put up a spirited opposition throughout the day that they could be proud of.
A 7-3 heat win in heat five from Lee Grange and Olly Riley gave Hethersett a boost but they then lost the next seven heats before a lively heat 13 saw two exclusions and a 4-3 win for the Hawks. Olly Riley was the man of the match but Lee Grange had two heat wins. Ipswich finally ran out winners by 109 to 67.
Six of the Hawks then had to re-group and line up in the B team and for a while the Hawks were holding the champions with some good teamwork from the Rileys and the Chambers. Then tiredness took its toll as Ipswich introduced fresh legs but the Hawks did get a consolation 7-3 in the last heat. Inthe penultimate heat Olly Buxton fell heavily and a trip to hospital revealed a chipped bone in his wrist. Ipswich went on to win 88-67.
Both matches were refereed strongly by Harley Hamill. This Saturday some of the Hawks will be racing at Great Blakenham in the British Youth & Junior League and South-East Grand Prix.
Birmingham's Paul Timms and Steve Hodgkinson headed to Slater Street on Saturday for the first round of the Orchid Eurovets series.
The first meeting was for the over 50's as the duo faced some tough competition from home rider Mick Skinner, Dave Murphy and Mick Aris to name a couple. Hodgkinson came out in heat one and some great defending riding saw a second place just ahead of Phil Hemmings. Paul matched his team mate in the next heat as he finished behind Exeter's Murphy but keeping pace with him.
Heat five saw Timms finish second once more, this time behind Skinner after a great pass on the second lap on Hemmings. Heat six Hodgkinson rescued a fine third place after a clash in the first corner with East London¡¯s Woodroffe. Heat 10 the Birmingham pair faced each other and Paul came out with the win from the tapes to flag as Steve battled past a injured Aris and finished just behind Rothwell.
Steve Hodgkinson made a further two more thirds passing John Whiting in heat 12 and heat 18 saw Skinner make it five from five. Timms claimed a further win in heat 13 from the gate to flag beating Mackie and Dyson. Heat 20 Paul needed a advantage over Joe McLaughlin and the two came out in the final race. Paul did everything to pass the Coventry man but just failed to make it into the A Final
In the B Final Paul Timms came out with the spoils beating Woodroffe, Aris and Rothwell. In the over 40¡äs both Paul and Steve made the B Final with Timms finishing second just ahead of Steve.
Over 50¡äs : Steve Hodgkinson 11pts, Paul Timms 16pts Over 40¡äs : Steve Hodgkinson 13pts, Paul Timms 15pts
The next round is at Newcastle Saturday 4th May.
Hethersett Hawks had six riders taking part in the opening match of the Norfolk Grand Prix Series which took place in bitterly cold conditions at Harford Park.
The new track surface produced some good racing and two of the Hawks won their categories - Oliy Riley (U16s) and Dani Riley (Ladies) - while three others made the "A" Finals. Olly Buxton and Scott Grimes came second and third respectively in the Seniors and Carly Grimes was second in the Ladies. Mel Perkins was sixth in the Seniors.
This Sunday the Hawks face a tough away trip to face double champions Ipswich in Divisions One and Two.
On Tuesday Hull staged the first round of their newly established Go-Ride Racing League. Twelve riders competed for the impressive trophies supplied by British Cycling with Nathan Everett winning the under-14's with an unbeaten score. Jack Lister caught the eye with an impressive display to take the under-12 competition and Charlie Wade continued to dominate the under-10 competition.
Hethersett Hawks-Swinton & Co opened their 2013 season with a busy weekend. On Saturday they staged the first regional round of the Wosskow Brown British Youth & Junior League and South East Grand Prix. 59 riders took part from all over the South-East and there was some excellent racing on a well-prepared track.
Hethersett had just three riders in the league event but still finished third with Dani Riley scoring a maximum in the girls¡¯ event. She went on to win the Grand Prix Final while her brother Olly was unlucky to fall in his final and finished fourth. Earlier Giles Awbery was the winner of the U10s D Final.
In the Senior and Vets Grand Prix Olly Buxton rode well and went on to win the Senior B Final while Dave Chambers and Mel Perkins gave the Hawks a one-two in the Vets Final.
On Sunday it was the turn of the B team to open their league campaign with a resounding win at Kesgrave. Dan Chambers seemed to have put a modest year in 2012 behind to remain unbeaten but the star pairing were the brother/sister combo of Olly and Dani Riley, Olly's pass on home star Gary Brown the race of the day. Final score Kesgrave 64 Hethersett B 96
Work on the new gateway to the East Park cycle speedway track now well underway.
"The new gateway will give everyone a more direct route to the track and will be controlled by the club. The other works are planned to follow on and hopefully will be completed by the end of the year. The club is moving forward year-on-year. We are also looking at other ways to increase the number of riders. This is not easy as everyone knows however this is just as important as getting lights etc if a club is to survive" said Al.  All the pre-season training is certainly paying off for the keenest of cycle speedway riders in the Hethersett Hawks-Swinton & Co club. This time it was top girl racer Danielle Riley who gave her best performance in a ladies event when she finished runner-up in the Dash Trophies invitation event at Wednesfield. She dropped just two points and included a win over British and European champion Lauren Jacobs to secure her place on the rostrum.
Danielle's brother Oliver was a late replacement at the same venue in the Christine Ellis Memorial Trophy. The 15-year-old faced a top class senior field in an event that was held over two rounds and riders taking their aggregate scores. Oliver scored 19 over the two rounds to finish a creditable eleventh.
Both these riders will be in action over the forthcoming busy weekend as the season opens in earnest. On Saturday the Hawks play hosts to the first round of the Wosskow Brown British Youth & Junior League at the Memorial Playing Field. Senior and Veteran riders will also be in action as the fixture incorporates the South-East Grand Prix and racing gets under way at 12 noon. On Sunday the Hawks' B team is in action at Kesgrave starting at 2pm.
On Good Friday, at 11am, eighteen club members and friends from Bury Cycle speedway club set out from the Goshen track in bright and cold but thankfully dry weather for a sponsored off road ride in aid of club funds and Christie NHS Trust.
The Bury club have organised these events for a number of years, initially led by Fred Rothwell, and later by John Burston, and many charities in the local and national area have benefited, from club members' efforts.
The start this year, was enhanced by the arrival of the new club shirts designed and organised by club captain Neil Howarth. They were eagerly seized upon for their first airing to the public during the ride.
A route towards Bury centre, then down the Radcliffe canal tow path, and onto the Outwood Trail, which used to be the railway line running towards Manchester, and into Phillips park, where a new mountain bike circuit and cycle trail have been opened. An amazing time was had riding the berms and jumps and some lung busting climbs around the large area.
That the group a ranged of ages from two nine-year-olds up to two nearly 70-year-olds made no difference to the enthusiasm and enjoyment of the day. Even five punctures in the park area made no difference. All riders returned back to Goshen well pleased with the days ride, where parents and helpers were waiting with tea and biscuits to fortify the tired group.
Around 16 off-road miles were covered. With a practice on Saturday and a match on Sunday, the Bury riders should be buzzing as the new season progresses.
Oliver Riley made a sensational debut in the colours of Hethersett Hawks-Swinton & Co following his winter move from Norwich. He returned to his former club's Eaton Park track to win the Malcolm Flood Memorial Trophy. Extensive pre-season training under the guidance of new club coach Ian Grange put Riley and his colleagues Oliver Buxton and Danielle Riley in good shape to deal with the difficult wintry conditions.
Coasting through the heats, Oliver Riley booked his place in the final while Oliver Buxton overcame an early fall to qualify for the semi-finals along with Danielle who had some good starts in her heats. Buxton took second place in the semi-final to make the final.
Oliver Riley drew the unfavourable outside starting position but sped from the gates to settle in behind race leader Dan Knights from Ipswich. A sprint on the back straight on the third lap forced the opening for Riley and the smooth pass allowed him to go on to take the chequered flag, Buxton completing a good afternoon for the club in third place.
Danielle Riley is in action again on Easter Monday in an invitation event at Wednesfield.
"Several of us worked in bitter cold conditions tonight preparing and building the inside and outside line ready for the building contractor to arrive at 8.30am tomorrow" Gavin Parr told Spokesman.
Having returned to his native Poole in his retirement, Dave enjoys a round of golf and his regular Sunday visits to watch the racing at the Baiter circuit. He has also been busy writing the screenplay for a speedway film based around the halcyon post-war years, which has just been published in book form under the title "Cinderfellas".
Club coach Ben Donohue received a certificate from British Cycling after Poole received top marking in the overall assessment of Elite League clubs in 2012. Appropriately, Ben has been instrumental in attracting new banner advertising to Harbourside in recent seasons and a number of sponsors were on hand to see them unveiled around the circuit in what was judged to be an enjoyable evening for all concerned.
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