COVENTRY INDOOR ON HOLD – posted 3 January 2012

Coventry have put their popular indoor racing venue on hold for a few weeks to allow the Hearsall Common based outfit time to implement important track work and for club meetings to take place as the Godiva city club race into 2013 full of confidence.

The club had earmarked this Sunday, 6th January, as the date for their hugely popular indoor sessions at Ryton to restart after a break in activity for the Christmas and New Year holiday festivities. There had been a 100% positive response to a club questionnaire, held at their last indoor date, for the sessions to continue early in 2013.

However, the club are to finish further drainage works to the Hearsall Common venue this Sunday, this time adding a new six foot soak-away to the home straight after successfully installing almost 50 metres of new drainage, plus two six foot sumps, on the back straight before Christmas.

The go-ahead Coventry club, host venue of the 2013 British Final, will also hold their crucial AGM on a Sunday before resuming the Ryton indoor project. The club feel that having too much activity, at one time, would be problematic for its many family members.

Secretary Jez Hughes said: "With good weather forecast for this Sunday, and with machinery, drainage stones and shale all to hand, we need to get the track finished.  We then need to hold our AGM, a crucial one for us this year, as we believe there is an abundance of willing volunteers ready to stand for positions within the club."

Hughes concluded: "We are sorry for any disappointment but look forward to welcoming our Midland friends again to Ryton, with superb helpers Bernie Kemp, Ralph Doughty and Lynn Groves, in the near future."

LEICESTER INDOOR BREAK – posted 7 December 2012

Indoor enthusiasts should note that the Leicester indoor training sessions, traditionally held on Monday evenings, will not take place on Monday but will resume in the New Year.  Details will be advertised on Spokesman-Online.

COVENTRY INDOOR TAKES A BREAK – posted 4 December 2012

The popular Coventry indoor training and racing events are taking a break over the British Indoor finals fortnight and the Christmas holidays.

Launched in early November, the Sports Connexion event has proved a big hit with scores of riders. Well over 50 different riders have put in an appearance, with world champion Lukasz Nowacki and multi British indoor champion Steve Harris being amongst the latest newcomers.

Attendances have exceeded expectations, averaging around the 30 mark, peaking at 39 three weeks ago. All the riders have been in common agreement of the first rate facilities and track at the Ryton, near Coventry, venue.

Coventry club bosses advise that there shall be no activity at the Ryton location on Sunday 9 or 16 December due to the British indoors finals taking place at Manchester. Due to the holiday period, the club have also decided not to run on either Sunday 23 or Sunday 30 December.

The Coventry club would like to thank all those who have supported the venture, including Bernie Kemp, Ralph Doughty, Lyn Groves and Al Bentley for officiating, and for Paul Timms of Birmingham, for his technical advice.

Following a questionnaire to gauge interest in training for the new outdoor season, using the indoor track, the Coventry club will be reopening its doors at the Ryton venue every Sunday evening from Sunday 6 January 2013 after the Christmas holiday period. Normal times of 7pm - 9pm will apply.

LEICESTER INDOOR SUCCESS – posted 20 November 2012

The first of the indoor training sessions took place last night at Cossington Street, Leicester.  The session got underway shortly after 8pm when the badminton group exited the building.

Organiser Nick Whitehead was delighted with the session and thanked everyone from turning out despite the relatively short notice.

“The session was supported by Leicester, Sheffield and Bretford riders so a big thank you to Sheffield’s Ian Brown for bringing the Sheffield clan and to Bretford’s Graham and Bernie Kemp for bringing the Kemp brothers over managing the racing” said Whitehead.  “Thank you too to my dad Steph Whitehead for refereeing and the Davies parents that brought their children along.”

The hour and half session was supported by 16 riders in total, including World Champion Lukasz Nowacki, and saw some interesting racing and spectacular crashes on the tight Leicester track.

“Training will take place throughout the winter and is open to all clubs if they wish to come along and take part” added Nick Whitehead.