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Post by Administrator on Jun 20, 2011 16:03:08 GMT
Fixtures Update Following the postponement of last Saturday’s home fixture against Redcar, the Silver Ski Rockets Premier League match against the Bears has been quickly re-scheduled for Saturday, August 6th (7pm start). This new date necessitates the re-scheduling of Hackney’s home National League fixture against Mildenhall, which was originally slated for this same slot. The Fen Tigers clash will now move to Saturday, August 27th.
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Post by Administrator on Jun 23, 2011 7:12:54 GMT
Fixtures Update Following the postponement of last Saturday’s home fixture against Redcar, the Silver Ski Rockets Premier League match against the Bears has been quickly re-scheduled for Saturday, August 6th (7pm start). This new date necessitates the re-scheduling of Hackney’s home National League fixture against Mildenhall, which was originally slated for this same slot. The Fen Tigers clash will now move to Saturday, August 27th.
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Post by Administrator on Jun 23, 2011 14:37:23 GMT
Redcar vs Rye House: Postponed It would seem that that the Silver Ski Rockets and the Bears are destined not to meet this season. Last Saturday's scheduled first fixture at Rye House was drowned out by a late downpour just two hours before start time. Today's fixture on Teesside has now also fallen foul of the weather, with the "Rained Off" signs being posted at noon. ENDS
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Post by Administrator on Jun 24, 2011 14:04:05 GMT
New Date For Rye at Redcar The Silver Ski Rockets and Redcar Bears have been quick to agree a new date for their clash on Teesside following yesterday's postponement. The two teams will now meet in the North-East on Thursday, August 4th.... and then go head-to-head again two nights later, with the return fixture in Hertfordshire set for Saturday, August 6th.
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Post by Administrator on Jun 24, 2011 21:08:53 GMT
Rockets’ Hopes Washed Away in Pairs Premier League Pairs Championship (Somerset, Friday June 24th 2011) 1st Glasgow (Joe Screen, James Grieves) 2nd Workington (James Wright, Rusty Harrison) It proved a disappointing – and rather wet - evening for the Silver Ski Rockets in the first of this season’s Premier League “Big Nights”, as Jordan Frampton and Chris Neath slipped to bottom spot in a tight round robin group that saw four of the pairs ultimately separated by just three points. The duo was unlucky to be on the wrong end of a 6-3 against eventual titlists Glasgow in the opening race, as Joe Screen held off a determined Frampton for victory and Neath could not quite find a way past James Grieves for third place. With the rain then arriving, the bigger damage was done when the pair was upended 7-2 by Leicester and then had to settle for a 5-4 advantage when following home Newcastle’s Stuart Robson in Heat 13. Frampton at least ensured some consolation for Rye by securing victory in Heat 19, with Workington’s James Wright making light of a 15 metre handicap for a tapes infringement to restrict Neath to third place. The resulting 6-3 left the Rockets on 16 points, but edged out by Leicester at the wrong end of their group by the Lions’ earlier head-to-head result. The Glasgow pair of Joe Screen and James Grieves claimed the championship, blasting northern rivals Workington 7-2 in the Grand Final. Both Screen and Grieves are due at Rye House in just three weeks’ time, when the Tigers visit in Premier League action on Saturday, July 16th. Group A: Glasgow 22 (Joe Screen 14+1, James Grieves 8+1) Workington 19 (James Wright 12+1, Rusty Harrison 12+1) Newcastle 17 (Stuart Robson 14, Derek Sneddon 3) Leicester 16 (Richard Sweetman 9+1, Sergey Darkin 7) Rye House 16 (Jordan Frampton 10, Chris Neath 6+1) Group B: Redcar 22 (Aaron Summers 13, Jason Lyons 9+2) Sheffield 20 (Shane Parker 12+1, Ricky Ashworth 8+2) Ipswich 17 (Taylor Poole 9, Kevin Doolan 8) Somerset 17 (Cory Gathercole 10, Sam Masters 7) Edinburgh 14 (Craig Cook 9, Andrew Tully 5) Semi Finals: Glasgow 5 Sheffield 4 (Ashworth, Screen, Grieves, Parker) Workington 5 Redcar 4 (Lyons, Harrison, Wright, Summers) Grand Final: Glasgow 7 Workington 2 (Grieves, Screen, Wright, Harrison) ENDS
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Post by Administrator on Jun 26, 2011 19:18:18 GMT
Rockets Give Bandits a Tanning Rye House 54 Berwick 39 (Premier League, Sunday June 26th 2011) A baking hot Sunday afternoon – the temperature touched 30°C – saw the Silver Ski Rockets turn up the heat dial a notch or two themselves to coast to a comfortable win over the Bandits. A jittery start – Jordan Frampton (suffering a burnt out clutch) and new signing James Brundle were caught out at the gate by Sebastian Alden and Alex Edberg in Heat 1 – was quickly forgotten as the Rockets reeled off six successive race advantages to stamp their authority by Heat 8 with a progressive 31-17 margin. Three consecutive race wins offered the Bandits the slight hope of rescuing a match point before Rye mathematically clinched that final point with a race to spare. It was the penultimate heat that gave the match its biggest talking points. Nelson started the commotion when he exceeded the two minute time allowance and consequently penalised himself 15 metres. The Bandits’ Josef Franc was the next to suffer, being excluded for delaying the start and also earning a 15 metre handicap. The Czech then parked his bike at the pits gate and returned to remonstrate with the start marshal, claiming that he was unaware of the change of gate positions following Nelson’s original exclusion. All the while, a fresh two minute clock was ticking and reached its conclusion with Franc still at the starting gate, some 40 metres away from his machine. When racing finally did get underway – minus the luckless Franc – Rye captain Chris Neath romped to his fourth straight victory to cinch the available match points, at 51-36. Neath deserved to complete his fifth maximum of the season, but was denied that statistic when Kozza Smith fell on the third bend of the nominated heat, causing the race to be stopped. Sebastian Alden promptly made the start in the re-run, with Neath unable to find a way past despite every effort and just two bike lengths behind at the conclusion. The Rockets’ skipper was followed into double figures overall by Steve Boxall, who provided a truly memorable moment when recovering from a stumbling start to spectacularly drive between Alden and Lee Complin and join Jordan Frampton for a 5-1 in Heat 13. Elsewhere, James Brundle showed his immediate worth to his new team by picking up two race wins and 7 points, while Luke Bowen’s drop to reserve produced rapid dividends. The Bowen 747 romped to two full wins and 11+1 from five starts, also combining with Brundle for a maximum advantage in Heat 8. Rye House team manager John Sampford was more than pleased with the Rockets’ overall performance. “It was a hard fought victory in more ways than one, what with the weather. We just had two much overall for the Bandits. “James (Brundle) was very nervous before the start, having not ridden in either Premier or Elite League for two and a half seasons, but after his first race he settled down and had a couple of really good wins. “Luke was also very much a trump card down at reserve. We could arguably have given him extra rides, but because we were winning as well as we were, we felt that Nelson should be given his rides as well, as otherwise he would only have had three rides plus a tapes exclusion.” Rye House scorers: Jordan Frampton 7+1 (4 rides) James Brundle 7 (4) Ritchie Hawkins 4+1 (4) Chris Neath 14 (5) Steve Boxall 8+3 (5) Luke Bowen 11+1 (5) Nelson 3+1 (5) Berwick scorers: Sebastian Alden 14 (5 rides, inc 6 as a TR) Alex Edberg 2+1 (4) Kozza Smith 8 (5) Josef Franc 3 (4) Lee Complin 4 (4) Mitchell Davey 4 (4) Jade Mudgway 4+2 (4) Match points: Rye House 3 Berwick 0 Bring ‘Em On: Newport Hornets (July 2nd @ 7pm) The Silver Ski Rockets face a quick return fixture against Berwick as they head to the Borders this Saturday (July 2nd), but there will still be action at Rye House that night as the Hackney Hawks take centre stage to face Newport in the National League. The Hornets – Championship Play-Off Finalists last year – include the duo that finished as runners-up in the recent League Best Pairs Championship. Former Somerset, Birmingham and Edinburgh man Jay Herne was nearly a 2010 Rocket until being over-ruled as a late season replacement for Robbie Kessler. The 2009 Bronze Helmet meeting winner, he also finished third in that season’s NLRC. Best Pairs colleague Todd Kurtz, meanwhile, is also a five point Wasp in the Premier League. There are no less than four Newport-born riders in the Hornets’ line-up – Tom Young, Jamie White-Williams, David Gough and Richard Andrews. The latter is enjoying a major jump on last season’s 3 point average with Weymouth, already posting high scores of paid 11 against both Buxton and the Isle of Wight, and will feature in the forthcoming British U-19 Championship at Rye House on July 23rd. The Welsh side is rounded off by Matt Bates, who was previously a National Trophy winner with Plymouth. Forthcoming Fixtures at Rye House Saturday, July 2nd Hawks vs Newport (National League) 7.00pm Saturday, July 9th Rockets vs Scunthorpe (Premier League) 7.00pm Saturday, July 16th Rockets vs Glasgow (Premier League) 7.00pm ENDS
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Post by Administrator on Jul 3, 2011 6:39:35 GMT
Last Heat Heartbreak For Rockets Berwick 40 Rye House 38 (abandoned at Heat 13; result stands) (Premier League, Saturday July 2nd 2011) Picture this. You face a long haul to a circuit that has traditionally been a visiting graveyard in the past; a track totally unlike your own in size and shape. You lose the services of your inspirational captain on the morning of the match with a viral infection that leaves him struggling to breath. You then lose your No.1 before the middle of the match. A recipe for disaster? Seemingly, but on this occasion the Silver Ski Rockets dug deep to lead from the off, and build an 8 point advantage at one stage only to suffer the heartbreak of the narrowest of defeats thanks to a last race 5-1. Jordan Frampton and James Brundle got the Rockets off to the best possible start when they maxed out in Heat 1, and further 5-1s were to follow from Nelson and Steve Boxall in Heat 4 and the Aussie teenager and Ritchie Hawkins in Heat 7. Unfortunately, by then Jordan Frampton had been sent to the sidelines after a heavy first bend collision with Mitchell Davey in the first running of that seventh race. It was the second year in succession that Frampton had suffered an injury at Shielfield Park following his knee injury there last summer. The Bandits’ Alex Edberg quickly followed Frampton onto the withdrawn list when he clipped James Brundle’s rear wheel after Heat 9 had been stopped due to Jade Mudgway’s fall, and went straight into the safety fence. The Rockets claimed an awarded 4-2 to extend their lead to 28-20, but a further half hour delay followed while Edberg and the safety fence were attended to, leaving a mad dash to complete the meeting before the strictly enforced 9.30 curfew. Things rapidly unravelled for the Rockets in those closing stages, and they finally submitted to a 5-1 in what proved to be the appropriately titled Heat 13, which was completed dead on curfew time. A clearly dejected Rye House team manager John Sampford summed up the feeling in the camp afterwards when he said, “Yes, we should delighted to gain a point after coming here without one rider and quickly losing another, but it doesn’t feel like that at the moment. We are totally gutted, to be honest. “Once we lost Jordan (Frampton) and then had the delay after Heat 8, we had to cram in the races as quickly as possible to try and beat the curfew, and we simply ran out of both riders and steam. “But I am delighted by the way the rest of the team banded together in adversity. Nelson was an inspiration after a quiet first ride, Steve (Boxall) bagged a couple of wins, James (Brundle) and Luke (Bowen) also had victories and Ritchie (Hawkins) was rock-solid”. And the news on Jordan? “The paramedic doesn’t think he’s broken anything, but he is very sore in the shoulder and collarbone area. He is going to the hospital when he gets back home to Dorset, and let the doctors have a look at it there.” Rye House scorers: Jordan Frampton 4 (2 rides) James Brundle 5+1 (5) Ritchie Hawkins 6+2 (4) Chris Neath R/R Steve Boxall 8+1 (5) Luke Bowen 4 (5) Nelson 11+1 (6) Berwick scorers: Sebastian Alden 7+2 (4 rides) Alex Edberg 4 (3) Kozza Smith 11+1 (4 rides, maximum) Josef Franc 7+2 (3 rides, maximum) Lee Complin 7 (4) Mitchell Davey 1 (3) Jade Mudgway 3 (5) Match points: Berwick 2 Rye House 1 Silver Puts Positive Dampener on Things Rye House promoter Len Silver is keenly aware of the problems evident at the Hoddesdon circuit, particularly during afternoon meetings, of dust clouds during the racing. He has been working tirelessly to solve the problem, and believes he has finally hit on the solution. As he explained after Saturday’s National League match at Rye House, “I have been searching for a number of weeks for a substance to mix with the water to stop it evaporating so quickly. I have tried many different things, but finally discovered a material this week called Track Moist, which is manufactured and marked in Canada. I was given a sample quantity by former rider and Sky presenter Kelvin Tatum, and I used that sample yesterday and today. “There is no doubt that it is really good stuff. It won’t stop the dust in itself, but it gives us the opportunity, because of the way it reacts with the shale, to water the shale much closer to the start time. So the track can be wetter for the first race without being dangerous for the riders. It will also enable us to keep the dust down by having to water less frequently during the meeting. “Because of its overseas source, I cannot say at the moment exactly when we will receive our first full supply, but it will obviously be as soon as possible. “We are also changing our supplier of red shale to a source used by five other tracks, including Scunthorpe, all of whom report that it rides very safely and comfortably, and can also once again be watered much closer to the start time. We are due for our first delivery ahead of next Saturday’s match, and will start to introduce it as soon as it arrives.” Bring ‘Em On: Scunthorpe (Saturday, July 9th @ 7pm) The focus at Rye House returns to Premier League business when the Silver Ski Rockets head into ignition sequence against Scunthorpe on Saturday (July 9th). The Scorpions are headed into town by 2008 Grand Prix Qualifier Semi-Finalist – and 2010 PLRC runner-up – David Howe, although there is much more to them than that. Finnish international Tero Aarnio has developed into a 7 point star, while Ben Wilson was the 2006 British U-21 Champion and Viktor Bergstrom is settled into his fourth term in Lincolnshire. There will be first Hoddesdon visits from newcomers Thomas Jorgensen and Michael Palm Toft, who were paid for 13 and 7 respectively in Friday’s Cup win over Ipswich. The Scorpions are rounded out by fast developing British U-21 Bronze winner and World U-21 competitor Steven Worrall. The action starts at 7pm. Forthcoming Fixtures at Rye House Saturday, July 9th Rockets vs Scunthorpe (Premier League) 7.00pm Saturday, July 16th Rockets vs Glasgow (Premier League) 7.00pm Saturday, July 23rd British U-19 Championship 7.00pm ENDS
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Post by Administrator on Jul 5, 2011 15:50:33 GMT
Frampton and Neath: It’s Getting Better The situation on both Jordan Frampton and Chris Neath is looking positive, with both riders aiming to return to the saddle for Saturday’s (July 9th) home Premier League fixture against Scunthorpe. Frampton crashed out of the Rockets’ match at Berwick last Saturday, but subsequent hospital x-rays have fortunately confirmed no breakages to either his shoulder or collarbone. The Silver Ski Rockets’ No.1 has, however, suffered soft tissue damage and is now undergoing physiotherapy to squeeze out the bruising and prevent his shoulder muscles from stiffening up in a racing situation. Rye House captain Neath, meanwhile, missed the trip to the Borders having been taken ill with a chest infection. He is now on a course of antibiotics which should clear the problem and hopefully remove the need for further tests.
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Post by Administrator on Jul 9, 2011 20:01:18 GMT
Rye House vs Scunthorpe - postponed (rain)
Having avoided the rain during the day, a very heavy downpour just 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time quickly left the Rye House circuit under water. With the additional forecast of further rain to follow, the referee was left with no decision but to postpone the match, with the announcement coming at 7.
The next action at Rye House will be next Saturday (July 16th @ 7pm) when the Rockets entertain title chasing Glasgow.
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Post by Administrator on Jul 10, 2011 21:50:34 GMT
New Date For Rockets vs Scunthorpe Following the late postponement of yesterday’s Premier League encounter between the Silver Ski Rockets and Scunthorpe, the two clubs have been quick to agree a new staging date. Subject to final ratification, the Scorpions will now visit Hoddesdon on Saturday, August 20th. Bring ‘Em On: The Glasgow Tigers (Saturday, July 16th @ 7pm) This Saturday’s home action pits the Silver Ski Rockets against what are likely to be their toughest opponents of the season. The Glasgow Tigers have emerged as favourites for the Premier League championship having radically transformed from zeros to heroes in a single bound. The Tigers have finished just one position off the bottom of the League in each of the last three seasons, but have just returned to the top of the 2011 League table, overtaking Tigers namesakes Sheffield thanks to an emphatic 56-39 win this afternoon over 5th placed Somerset. Even the season-ending loss of the inspirational Josh Grajczonek has done little to derail the Scots’ title charge, with NSW U-21 Champion Richard Sweetman now filling the void. Further up the ladder, the Tigers’ No.1 Joe Screen has returned to the saddle following his recent elbow problems, his first match delivering a four ride maximum against the Rebels! The Screen Machine has enjoyed a 23 year career that has roped in the Grand Prix, League Riders’ Championship, two British titles and a World U-21 crown. Screen’s return to action also renews a partnership with the rider with whom he won the Premier League Pairs title at the end of June, James Grieves, who is in his twelfth different season with the club. Grieves was part of their last League championship teams of 1993 and 1994, and also part of Wolverhampton’s gold winning side of 1996. Elsewhere, double European Grass-Track titlist Theo Pijper has returned to Britain following a two year absence to stoke up the Tigers’ middle order engine room, where he is joined by Christian Henry, who is also making up for lost time, after last appearing in this country for King’s Lynn in an injury-curtailed 2009. Completing the side are reserves Michal Rajkowski and Nick Morris, who are both averaging out at over 6 a match (including bonus points) in their fixtures to date. Forthcoming Fixtures at Rye House Saturday, July 16th Rockets vs Glasgow (Premier League) 7.00pm Saturday, July 23rd British U-19 Championship 7.00pm Saturday, July 30th Rockets vs Plymouth (Premier League) 7.00pm ENDS
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Post by Administrator on Jul 14, 2011 15:45:05 GMT
BRITISH UNDER-19 DRAW THURSDAY JULY 14, 2011
THE draw has been made for the British Under-19 Championship which is being staged at Rye House on Saturday July 23 (7pm).
As follows:
1. Joe Jacobs (Mildenhall) 2. Oliver Rayson (King’s Lynn) 3. Brendon Johnson (Dudley) 4. Ritchie Franklin (Dudley) 5. Jason Garrity (Belle Vue) 6. Ashley Morris (Dudley) 7. Ritchie Andrews (Newport) 8. Shane Hazelden Hackney) 9. Darryl Ritchings (Dudley) 10. James Sarjeant (Stoke) 11. Kyle Howarth (Belle Vue) 12. Tom Stokes (King’s Lynn) 13. Jake Knight (King’s Lynn) 14. Ben Morley (Hackney) 15. Tom Perry (Dudley) 16. Marc Owen (Hackney)
Reserves 17. Danny Stoneman (Dudley) 18. Brandon Freemantle (Hackney)
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Post by Administrator on Jul 16, 2011 11:31:01 GMT
Rye House bs Glasgow - Weather Update
This update is timed at 9.30 Saturday morning. As of this time, the forecast is foe rain between 11am and 2pm, with the weather brightening up after that point and only isolated showers a possibility.
It is therefore anticipated that tonight's Premier League fixture against Glasgow will go ahead.
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Post by Administrator on Jul 16, 2011 20:53:57 GMT
Saturday July 16 Rye House vs Glasgow - Postponed
It felt like "Groundhog Day" at Rye House on Saturday night. The previous week's home meeting against Scunthorpe had fallen foul of a late deluge just 15 minutes before the start time.
On this occasion, there were showers during the day, which left the track in a raceable condition, if a little soft in places. A further heavy and prolonged shower that started as late as 6.50 did the ultimate damage, however, leading to the meeting being called off just after the scheduled start time.
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Post by Administrator on Jul 18, 2011 13:33:26 GMT
Rockets on the Road
The Silver Ski Rockets head over the Scottish border this Friday (July 22nd). Their destination is Armadale and a rendezvous with defending Premier League champions Edinburgh .
The Rockets were halted by bad weather on their original visit to the venue in May, when a combination of rain and poor visibility led to the match being abandoned after just two races. Rye were leading 8-4 at the time, and with a proven record around the circuit, will fancy their chances as they face a Monarchs side just ahead of them in the League table and which has already been tripped up at home by strugglers Leicester.
Hawks on the Road
The Hackney Hawks have enjoyed a renewed drive toward the National League play-offs, with home and away wins over Buxton and earlier comfortable victories over the Isle of Wight and Newport hoisting them to top spot in the table.
That momentum will next be put to the test when they head to Mildenhall next Sunday (July 24th). The Hawks will need little reminding of the 60-32 mauling they received - after losing Shane Hazelden early on to injury - when they were last at West Row on June 5th in the Knock-Out Cup. They will also have noticed, however, that the Fen Tigers were made to struggle by Buxton in their next home match (47-43) and then became the first team to lose to the Hitmen in the League when upended at Hi Edge.
Beyond their trip to West Row, the Hawks have outstanding away fixtures at Newport (August 14th), Belle Vue (August 31st) and Stoke (September 10th) still to come.
Their final home regular season fixture at Rye House will be against the Fen Tigers on Saturday, August 27th, while a date has yet to be agreed for their one remaining match at “alternative nest” Lakeside, against the combined Scunthorpe/Sheffield team.
Bring It On: the 2011 British U-19 Championship (Saturday, July 23rd @ 7pm)
There is now less to one week to go until the staging of the re-christened British Under-19 Championship at Rye House.
Brendan Johnson will defend the title he won at Somerset at Under-18 level last season, with the age group modified to allow British speedway to fall in line with FIM/UEM set-ups.
There are three ‘home’ riders gunning for glory in the main body of the event, courtesy of Hackney Hawks Ben Morley, Shane Hazelden and Marc Owen, with fast-improving British U-15 Champion Brandon Freemantle also named as one of the meeting reserves.
In the case of Hazelden, it’s a case of a rush to fitness following the fractured and dislocated finger he suffered in the Hawks’ recent home win over the Isle of Wight . He has been drawn at No.8, which brings up an opening ride against 2008 British U-15 Champion Jason Garrity, 2009 titlist Ashley Morris and Newport ’s Ritchie Andrews.
Morley and Owen, meanwhile, have been drawn at 14 and 16, respectively, which will pit them against each other in a first ride that also includes Jake Knight of King’s Lynn and Dudley ’s Tom Perry, who escaped from a nasty crash at Belle Vue last Wednesday with an all-clear verdict from subsequent x-rays.
The full draw is:
1. Joe Jacobs (Mildenhall) 2. Oliver Rayson ( King’s Lynn ) 3. Brendon Johnson ( Dudley ) 4. Ritchie Franklin ( Dudley ) 5. Jason Garrity (Belle Vue) 6. Ashley Morris ( Dudley ) 7. Ritchie Andrews ( Newport ) 8. Shane Hazelden Hackney) 9. Darryl Ritchings ( Dudley ) 10. James Sarjeant (Stoke) 11. Kyle Howarth (Belle Vue) 12. Tom Stokes ( King’s Lynn ) 13. Jake Knight ( King’s Lynn ) 14. Ben Morley (Hackney) 15. Tom Perry ( Dudley ) 16. Marc Owen (Hackney)
Reserves 17. Danny Stoneman ( Dudley ) 18. Brandon Freemantle (Hackney)
Forthcoming Fixtures at Rye House
Saturday, July 23rd British U-19 Championship 7.00pm
Saturday, July 30th Rockets vs Plymouth (Premier League) 7.00pm
Saturday, August 6th Rockets vs Redcar (Premier League) 7.00pm
ENDS
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Post by Administrator on Jul 18, 2011 13:42:19 GMT
The Galloping Mauger is Coming
Put the date of Saturday, August 20th in your diary now. That is when the Silver Ski Rockets face Scunthorpe in the Premier League in a re-arranged fixture.
It’s also the date for another re-scheduled visit, however, because also joining the meeting will be the rider held by many to be the best ever in the sport’s history:
Ivan Mauger won the World Speedway Championship a record six times – a feat subsequently equalled only by Tony Rickardsson. Including his additional Longtrack, Pairs and World Team Cup achievements, he was an incredible fifteen-times World titlist in total. On August 20th, he will be at the Hoddesdon circuit to promote and sign copies of his autobiography “The Will to Win”.
The legendary Kiwi was originally scheduled for a book signing at Rye House last season, only for the weather to intervene. To help make amends this time, he plans to display one of the original machines on which he won two of his titles.
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