BUYERS CLOSING IN ON DEAL FOR TIGERS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Friday 30th January 2009
A THREE-MAN consortium are expected to complete their takeover of Mildenhall imminently as negotiations reach the final stages. Speaking for the first time, one of the consortium members revealed to the News that an agreement has been reached on the price for the promoting licence with current promoter Keith Chapman and that dealings with stadium owner Dave Coventry are nearing completion.

The source, who cannot be named at this stage, confirmed: "We are getting very close and I am quietly confident that we will conclude the deal very shortly. I can only apologise to the supporters that things have taken this long, but it will be worthwhile as we will run the club in a professional and value-for-money way. We are not in it for just this season. We are making sure that everything is in place with the intentions for the long-term future and prosperity of the Fen Tigers. Everyone is fully committed and we are adamant that we get the credibility back that has been missing for the past couple of years."

"We have made a lot of ground in a relatively short space of time considering there were other parties who were also negotiating. I hope the supporters will give us their full backing and we will give them a team to be proud of in the new National League. The wait will be worthwhile, I can assure them."

Chapman echoed those sentiments, stating: "In a way I am happy that they are taking their time and covering all angles. That way they will make sure everything is right for the long-term benefit of the club, rather than jumping in and it all goes wrong."
 

GROUP TO PONDER TIGER'S TAKEOVER
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Tuesday 20th January 2009
MOVES to find a new buyer in time for Mildenhall to compete in this season's new National League have finally gathered pace. Several parties had showed initial interest in purchasing the Fen Tigers, but it is understood a consortium is in advanced stages of negotiations having agreed a price for the promoting licence with out-going owner, Keith Chapman.

The group also met stadium owner Dave Coventry, who described them as "the only serious contender", and they are considering the finances involved before giving confirmation of their plans next week.

"We had a long discussion on Monday and they are now trying to make sure the finances stack up," said Coventry. "They are very keen and professional with a good business plan, so I am hopeful of this going through. They need to justify it as they do not want to go into this if it is going to fail. They are the first ones to talk to us about the costs involved regarding stadium rent and everything else, so I would say they are the only serious contender. They are now fully aware of our plans for the stadium and where speedway fits in, so it is now in their hands."

Coventry was also pleased to report that the trial of the completed noise acoustic barrier at last weekend's stock car meeting was a success and got the thumbs-up from Forest Heath District Council. He said: "The initial reaction from the council was that it has made a huge dent in the noise and they couldn't hear the tannoy system from where the complainant was. It fits in very neat and tidy and also acts as a protection barrier from the elements for supporters."
 

THE WAITING GAME
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Friday 16th January 2009
Mildenhall supporters continue to play a waiting game for concrete information surrounding the imminent future of speedway at West Row. Two months have passed since the promotional team Keith and Jonathan Chapman put the Fen Tigers up for sale after just three months in charge, and while negotiations have been ongoing with one of three interested parties, an agreement is still some distance away.
 
“We have given all three parties a price for the club but so far none have come forward with any firm financial offer”, said Keith Chapman. “I have been in discussions with one of the parties but so far it is all verbal at this stage. I am not holding some Dutch auction, the price is on the table for anyone who can meet it. I would love to turn around and say that an agreement has been reached but there is no more developments to state at this stage. There is no panic as we have already registered the team’s intent to run in the new National League, which would not start until at least April.”
 
A consortium that lost out to the Chapman’s in late August are believed one of the three showing an interest in purchasing the rights to run the sport. Stadium owner Dave Coventry confirmed that he was holding talks with a further interested party by this weekend and hopes for a positive outcome next week.
 
“It will be an initial meeting and hopefully the talks progress well as they seem a very professional promotion” he said. “The acoustic barrier which may have impeded the speedway season has now been completed which I’m pleased with. We’ll be giving it a trial run on Sunday for our Reliant Robin World Qualifier meeting which will be overseen by the Forest Heath District Council. We have still to complete a gateway for the new speedway pits which will now be situated on the fourth turn and be fully covered for both teams and much more suitable. It will also allow supporters unrestricted access around the stadium.”
 

FEN TIGERS AMEND ADMISSION PRICES
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Friday 27th February 2009
Following concerns expressed from some supporters on their Website Forum Mildenhall Speedway are pleased to report they have amended their admission prices for children for the upcoming 2009 season,the Promotion now hopes that this will help and encourage families to come and support the Fen Tigers this year.

The revised admission prices are below.

Adults ~ £10
Concessions and Student Card Holders ~ £6
Ages 13-16 ~ £3
U13's ~ £2
U13's Accompanied by an Adult FREE
Programmes ~ £2

The Club will be announcing Season Ticket Prices in due course.
 

TRACKSTAFF MEETING & FANS FORUM
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Thursday 26th February 2009
Mildenhall Speedway will be holding a Trackstaff Meeting and Fans Forum on Sunday March 8th. All previous Trackstaff and any new volunteers are welcome to attend the meeting which starts at 1pm in the Fenman Bar at the Stadium.

The Fans Forum will start at 2pm and will be a meet the new Promotion and Management who will be outlining their plans for the club for 2009 and beyond. Supporters will be invited to put their questions to the Management at the end of the Forum as normal.

The bar will be open and there will be tea and coffee available also. We hope to have riders in attendance, further details to follow. There will be a nominal entrance fee of £1 per adult and kids go FREE
 

RESERVES SIGNED & SEALED WITH NEW MANAGER
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Thursday 25th February 2009
Mildenhall Speedway is pleased to announce that the new Team Manager for the 2009 Season will be John Adams. John has previously been with Stoke Potters for the past two seasons, Adams 47 who is the younger brother of Peter the Team Boss at Elite League Wolverhampton. In recent times he became the first team manager to take a team to Sheffield and emerge victorious which was the first time anyone had beat them at Owlerton for 4 years. He also won the Conference League 4's title for Stoke 2 years ago.
 
Bailey revealed "We had eight applicants for the job and I dropped them down to three and the main thing that tipped the scales for John was his 10 years experience, a close 2nd was Mildenhall’s own Blayne Scroggins who there is no doubt has a lot to offer the Club, because of this Blayne was offered and has the club are delighted to report accepted the Assistant Team Managers job. Bailey Added “Working along side John will I am sure give Blayne a lot of experience,  his brief will be to take charge of the second half riders as we want to build up a strong asset base which I believe will be the future of the club.”

The two reserves will be Oliver Rayson who comes to The Fen Tigers on the recommendation of John & Chris Louis who believe he has a great future in the sport, Rayson who is from the Ipswich area celebrates his 16th Birthday on Saturday raced for Boston last Season.

Partnering him at reserve will be will be 15 year old Joe Jacobs who has Jeremy Doncaster as his mentor, Bailey said "I think that once they have settled they will be one of the strongest reserve pairings in the league and both come with first class equipment and will not let anyone down I am sure."
 

DAY APPOINTED AS COMMERCIAL MANAGER
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Thursday 19th February 2009
Mildenhall Speedway have appointed a new Commercial Manager for the 2009 and it is a familar face as Neil Day returns to the role he occupied in 2005 and 2006. With the new campaign rapidly approaching Day has already started his job and Consortium Chairman John D Bailey said: “Neil is already doing a good job in the short space of time he’s been back in the role. He has the enthusiasm and contacts to make it a success and bring in some crucial sponsorship and marketing opportunities for the club and local businesses alike.”
 
Day explained: “The commercial aspect worked very well during Mick Horton’s era and the only reason I stepped aside was because of increased workload with my employers Northgate Arinso, but now I have more time to devote to the role. It was very interesting times and we managed to secure a team backer, full heat sponsorships and, for the only time, team kevlars. We have identified four main areas which are key: a company-backed team sponsorship, heat sponsorships, local advertising and the re-launch of the official website. The early indications are promising in the first week with five heat sponsorships, and my aim is to have all 15 covered, and some programme adverts, with local companies coming on board as we have set our packages accordingly in the current economic climate.”

Day joins recently appointed Communications Manager Steve Dolby who is also returning to his familiar role for 2009. Day’s new rider management service, Nikko Racing, is sponsoring the club’s website - www.mildenhallspeedway.com  - which is due to re-launched imminently. Anyone interested in commercial marketing opportunities should contact Neil on his mobile: 07538 317396 or email: nikko70day@aol.com
 

THOMPSON RETURNS TO THE FEN TIGERS
By Mildnehall Speedway ~ Thursday 19th February 2009
Essex based racer Mark Thompson is the second rider to have agreed to ride for The Mildenhall Fen Tigers for the 2009 campaign. Thompson returns after a 19 month absence due to injury has been pencilled in to the No.4 slot by new Consortium Chairman John D Bailey and will come in to the team on a likely 5 point Average.

The 29yr old said “I am really excited about returning to Mildenhall which I class as my speedway home after spending the majority of my career at West Row, the new promotion are taking the club in the right direction and I am looking forward to getting back on track for the Fen Tigers as well as renewing my friendship with the supporters and staff there” Thompson revealed that he has fully recovered from his head and shoulder injuries that forced him on to the sidelines and has three bikes that are ready to race for 2009.

Meanwhile with team building gathering pace and if he gets the next two riders that will complete the top three along with first signing Barrie Evans will according to  Bailey score 30 points between them per meeting. Bailey and other consortium member Ray Mascall are now waiting to take control of the club and with deal agreed with outgoing Promoter Keith Chapman and Stadium Owner Dave Coventry all that is left now to do is officially complete the paperwork.
 

STALWART THOMPSON JOINS TIGERS REVOLUTION
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Thursday 19th February 2009
Long-serving Mark Thompson is the second rider to have agreed terms with Mildenhall as their team building continues for their return to the new National League. The 29-year-old is one of the Fen Tigers’ most appeared riders having spent eight of the past 13 years at West Row, mostly at third tier level. He returns to the sport after 19 months on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury and has been earmarked the no.4 berth by prospective promoter John Bailey. He is expected to arrive on an average below 5.00.
 
“Mark is full of confidence to get back racing” said Bailey,” and as always with a good reputation for the standard of his machinery, he has three bikes ready. I believe he will benefit and bounce off the other riders in the team and we will get to see the best of him again after not riding proper for a long while. He will be a big asset to us. It is all becoming very exciting now and if all my plans for the team come to fruition, and we are nearly there, we will have a cracking side with a good mix of youth and experience. If I can obtain the other two heat leaders I’m after, our top three will be good for a minimum 30 points a meeting. I’m having various discussions with riders, including an excellent young prospect in Australia who is very excited at the opportunity of racing over here. I am confident that we will have a team to be proud of.”
 
Bailey and his consortium colleague Ray Mascall are waiting in wings to take over the helm in the fens and confirmed that their dealings with current promoter Keith Chapman and stadium owner Dave Coventry are agreed and it is just a “matter of formality.” He said: “It is all going forward as planned and it is just now a matter of formality of getting the paperwork completed.
 

FEN TIGERS ~ DEAL AGREED
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Thursday 19th February 2009
An agreement has now been agreed between the new Mildenhall Speedway consortium and Stadium owner Dave Coventry after a meeting last week with only the paperwork needing to be finalised which should be completed in the next few days. Chairman John D Bailey described the talks as very positive and thanked Mr Coventry for his commitment and enthusiasm in helping the talks to reach a satisfactory conclusion and now looks forward to working together with him as Mildenhall Speedway enters a new era in the newly named National League.

The club have also revealed that the first rider to agree terms if 24yr old locally based Barrie Evans. Evans who rode for the club last season in the Premier League will come in to the side on an 8.50 average and will occupy one of the Heat leader berths. He was the first rider to contact the club regarding riding for the Fen Tigers after beginning his career at West Row 10 years ago and is sure to be one of the leagues top performers. The club expect to be in a position to announce their next signing in the coming week and are also confident of naming a new Team Manager in due course following several enquiries.

The club also intends having a Track Staff meeting and Fans Forum soon at the Stadium, full details will be confirmed soon.
 

BAILEY PENCILS IN EVANS AS TIGERS BEGIN RE-BUILDING
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Thursday 12th February 2009
Barrie Evans is returning to Mildenhall for a third spell and will front a new-look side looking to bring pride and silverware back to West Row. The 24 year old from Norwich is the first rider to have agreed terms with the Fen Tigers and it will be a popular move among supporters, following his brief but successful stint towards the end of last season which was curtailed after sustaining severe burns to his hand in a crash during the derby defeat to King's Lynn.

The team building will begin to gather pace over the coming weeks after prospective new promoter John Bailey and stadium owner Dave Coventry reached an agreement on rent during two-hours of negotiating earlier this week. Bailey said: "It was a very constructive meeting and we have now agreed a rent cost which is very pleasing and means we can move forward. The paperwork just needs to be finalised, which I expect will be done early next week. I was very impressed with Dave in how he dealt with the negotiations and the strategies he has in place for advertising speedway in the area."

Evans, who began his career at third-tier level with the Tigers 10 years ago, will join on an 8.50 average as the talisman of the side. Bailey said: "I signed Barrie in 2003 from Rye House for his first break at Premier League racing with Hull and we have got on well ever since. He has family responsibilities, which will make him hungry to succeed, and I am looking forward to working with him again. I believe he can increase his average and he rides very well on the back of confidence. He was the first rider to approach me about riding for Mildenhall, which impressed me."

Bailey expects to announce his second signing next week and also revealed he is close to securing the appointment of a team manager following several enquiries.
 

BAILEY OUT TO RESTORE FANS' FAITH IN TIGERS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Thursday 5th February 2009
Former Hull promoter John Bailey is fronting the two-man consortium bidding to restore pride at Mildenhall as they return to the revamped National League, the News can reveal. The 63-year-old from Long Eaton, who runs a sports management business, is chairman and promoter of the 'Fen Speed 09' limited company that expects to imminently conclude a takeover of the Fen Tigers and become the club's sixth owner in nine years. A critical meeting with stadium owner Dave Coventry tomorrow (Friday, 06 February) will make or break the deal.

Bailey brings with him promoting experience from his time at Hull in 2003 and a commercial management background from numerous years at Long Eaton alongside former Tigers owners Tony Mole and Graham Drury. His consortium colleague is West Row timekeeper and long-time supporter Ray Mascall. The group missed out to Keith Chapman on buying the club in August, but reaffirmed their interest once it was again put up for sale three months later.

"We will be looking at consolidating our position this season", said Bailey. "We aim to prove ourselves and show that the club will be run professionally and put the faith back into supporters who have been kicked in the teeth for the past year. It needs a clean slate and we need to show the public that we mean business. Hopefully our next aim could be a move back into the Premier League but first we want to provide value-for-money speedway and get fans back supporting us. They showed their spirit by turning out to back their team last season despite getting beaten every week."

Bailey has already agreed terms with two riders, but one favourite who will not be returning is Mark Baseby, the popular Kent racer opting to join Bournemouth instead. Bailey said: "We were very interested in Mark, but unfortunately when we spoke with him we were not in a position to be negotiating with riders and he needed to sort a team place. We would have loved to have had him in our side as he has great prospects."
 

CONSORTIUM LINES UP TWO FOR TIGERS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Tuesday 3rd February 2009
Mildenhall have agreed terms with two riders as they attempt to assemble a competitive National League side that will banish the memories of last season's horror show. The prospective new owners - a three-man consortium - confirmed that a heat leader and second string have agreed to join the Fen Tigers, who lost all of their league fixtures last term. But will not reveal their identities until the deals are f ormally completed.

The head of the consortium, who also does not wish to be named as they close in on sealing their takeover of the West Row club, revealed that they have had discussions with seven riders in all, in a bid to build an 'attractive and entertaining' team. The source confirmed: "As well as the two riders that have agreed terms, I am also having ongoing discussions with two heat leaders as we wish to build a team based around a very strong top five. That would allow us to develop two young juniors at reserve with no pressure on their shoulders which, hopefully, would benefit us in the long-term. We want to build an attractive and entertaining side that will give us a real chance of having success and giving entertainment to the supporters."

Mildenhall are behind the remaining nine NL clubs in terms of team building, with at least half of them having already completed their one-to-seven. The source added: "We have finalised the agreement with current promoter Buster Chapman and we must thank him for his co-operation and patience in helping us with the deal. We really appreciate his support. We are still having ongoing negotiations with stadium owner Dave Coventry and have been organising a lot of behind-the-scenes issues to ensure the smooth running of meetings. Hopefully, we can soon be at a stage when we can announce our takeover as it is reaching a critical stage."
 

KIDS CAN DESIGN THE FEN TIGERS POSTER
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Friday 27th March 2009
The Fen Tigers are looking forward to the new season by offering fans young and old the opportunity for get involved with the clubs advertising. As soon as possible after Press & Practice there will be a new poster available on the official website that fans will be able to download, print and hopefully put up around their local area. The Fen Tigers would like to thank Tim Helm at Mad Web Design who along with Nikko Racing are designing, making and sponsoring the poster.

The Fen Tigers are also pleased to launch a competition for all Under 16's to design a new Fen Tigers poster where the winner will be chosen at the Easter Sunday meeting against Kings Lynn. Children can make any design they like on A4 paper and bring it along to the meeting on Easter Sunday where they can be handed into the Fenmen Bar.

During the interval the team will decide which is the winning entry and the winner will be asked to join one of the riders on the centre green to be presented with a large Easter Egg and have their photo taken as a prize. The winning poster will also be scanned onto the official website along with the winners name.

As an Easter Sunday treat for the kids the riders will also be handing out mini cream eggs at some point in the meeting against Kings Lynn so come on down to West Row on Easter Sunday for a great day out, and dont forget to bring your posters.
 

TIGERS LEFT SWEATING OVER ARRIVAL OF AUSSIE ACE
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 21st March 2009
MILDENHALL could be forced to look for a temporary signing before a wheel has turned with complications holding up the arrival of Australian Leigh Boujos. Red tape could force the 28 year old from Perth to miss the entirety of next month and promoter John Bailey has admitted he may need to acquire a stop-gap cover. The scenario mirrors 12 months ago when Kiwi teenager Grant Tregoning saw his move to the UK held up for months and he ultimately never appeared for the side.

Bailey said: "It is a problem with the visa and appears to be a common situation with a number of Australian riders, including Travis McGowan, who are struggling to make it over in time. Even if things start to go smoothly, I've been informed it could take six weeks for Leigh to arrive. With rider replacement ruling out the use of David Mason and Barrie Evans, I may need to look for a temporary solution."

Boujos would miss five meetings in April after the rearrangement of fixtures means the Fen Tigers face four meetings in as many days over the Easter break. They open the new National League season with trips to King's Lynn (Good Friday, 3pm), Rye House (April 11) and Newport (April 13). In between, on Easter Sunday, sees West Row's opening date with the return against the Barracudas (4pm).

Meanwhile, the appeal for Mason's 8.62 average to be reduced is in the hands of league co-ordinator Peter Morrish and an outcome is expected soon. Until then, the final signing remains on ice. Bailey said: "Peter has spoken with David and hopefully we will be treated as good as possible considering he missed last season and we have had to build a team from scratch. We currently have 4.93 left for our last rider but we have requested a reduction of eight per cent and ideally I would like around 5.25 to use as I have a rider in mind to fill that."

Current line-up: Mason (8.62), Evans (8.52), Thompson (7.00), Boujos (6.00), Rayson (4.33), Jacobs (3.00).
 

BAILEY: RATING BLOW JUST DOESN'T ADD UP
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 15th March 2009
THE numbers game is proving to be a stumbling block for Mildenhall in their attempt to complete their line-up, with only four weeks until they come to the tapes for the new season. Higher averages than originally thought for skipper David Mason and Mark Thompson have thrown promoter John Bailey's plans to capture his final signing into disarray. An appeal against Mason's increased figure from 7.3 to 8.5 is in progress, but hopes of overturning Thompson's seven-point average, uplifted from 5.5, have been dashed.

"David's average is based on his 2005 season, which we are appealing against", confirmed Bailey. "When he last rode and broke his arm he achieved 7.3. We simply can't withstand a figure of 8.5, it cripples us for what we can obtain for our seventh rider. We were aiming to have six points left, which meant we could have had a good choice of a number of Premier League reserves. If we are unable to turn this around we will be left with 4.5 points for our last rider and that means Tommo would become our third heat leader. He is very capable of pulling up to that level with Barrie (Evans) and David (Mason)."

Despite the blow, one positive sign for the supporters who endured a torrid 2008 campaign is the determined attitude of star signing Evans. The 25 year old returns to West Row for his fifth season inside 10 years at the club where he began his career as a sprightly teenager. The Norwich racer, now with Premier League experience at Newport, Rye House, Hull and Stoke behind him, is looking forward to spearheading his 'home' team once more. He said: "I'm delighted to be back as I wasn't sure I would be riding again had John not contacted me about teaming up with him at Mildenhall. I regained my enthusiasm here towards the end of last season, despite injuring my hand which has kept me off a bike for six months. I hope to be back practising very soon."
 

'CRACKING' CUP DRAW WELCOMED
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 14th March 2009
Mildenhall promoter John Bailey described their mouth-watering KO Cup draw against local rivals King's Lynn as "the one we wanted." It will pitch the Fen Tigers' new regime against Stars' owners Keith and Jonathan Chapman, who rescued the West Row club from possible closure last August, only to put up it back up for sale just over three months later. It was a move that won them few fans in the Fens.

Bailey said: "It's the draw we all wanted. It will be two cracking meetings and can only benefit both clubs." Bailey said he was expecting the first fixture of the season to take place on April 11 at Rye House, with West Row's opening date a day later with the cup tie against King's Lynn. Meanwhile, David Mason has been named the Tigers' captain. The 32-year-old former Weymouth rider said: "It was a nice surprise to be asked and I will take on the role with great pride."
 

SEASON TICKETS
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Thursday 12th March 2009
Mildenhall Speedway are pleased to release details of their Season Tickets for the 2009 campaign which starts with Press and Practice day on Sunday April 5th. They are valid for all meetings except any BSPA shared events. The tickets are priced as follows;

Adults ~ £150 (inclusive of programme)

Concessions ~ £100 (inclusive of programme)

Ages 13–16 ~ £30 (programme not included)

For application forms please visit our Website homepage on www.mildenhallspeedway.com email steve.dolby1@ntlworld.com or phone 07876142501
 

ONE TO GO AS TIGERS SNAP UP TWO MORE
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 7th March 2009
The signings of Australian rookie Leigh Boujos and Conference League veteran David Mason leaves just one berth to fill for Mildenhall's new-look side. Boujos, a boat salesman by trade, is a slight gamble having only competed in the sport for 18 months. He sails in on a six-point average which will give him the likely position of No 2.

Tipped for a bright future by Australian pundits, he was seventh in The Western Big One open meeting which was won by World No 6 Leigh Adams and also featured international riders Simon Stead and Chris Holder. The experienced BMX and karter, who has won state titles in the latter, beat Premier Leaguers Cory Gathercole and James Holder.

Delighted promoter John Bailey said: "We were fortunate to sign Leigh because of the positive reports that would have been fed back to other clubs about him. He has achieved a very high standard of racing in just a short time."

The capture of Mason, a former West Row track record holder who has represented four clubs spanning 14 years at third division level, will add huge experience to the top end of the side. The 32 year old, a former CL Riders' champion who started at Sittingbourne, comes out of a year's retirement after four seasons as a fundamental part of Weymouth's title-chasing sides. He also enjoyed a successful five-year stint at parent track Rye House and even made a late-season call up to the Fen Tigers in 1998.
 

DAVID MASON RACING RE-LAUNCHED
By Tim Helm ~ Thursday 5th March 2009
David is back on a bike riding for the Mildenhall ‘Fen Tigers’ for the 2009 season. David is looking forward to the challenge of riding for the Fen Tigers in 2009 a club that he has wanted to sign and ride for. He rates West Row as one of his favourite circuits and is confident of doing the job he is being signed to do and more besides.

After taking a year out to look after Eastbourne ‘Eagles’ young star Lewis Bridger, David can’t wait to return to track action in the newly formed National League. By taking the year out David has lost his sponsors who are a vital part of a Speedway riders life. Together with Tim from Mad Web Design who is looking after his website is seeking help and sponsorship for the coming campaign. If you are able to assist in any way please contact Tim >>> HERE in the first instance.

A sponsorship package page will be published shortly to cover points money, tyres, oil, gloves, fuel, etc where your company name or your own name will be displayed for the season on David’s website.

Tim at Mad Web Design will be updating the news, fixtures and results on a weekly basis throughout the 2009 season, so keep up to date with ‘Magic’ and the ‘Fen Tigers’.
 

TWO MORE SIGNED FOR THE FEN TIGERS
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Thursday 5th March 2009
Mildenhall are rapidly completing their septet who will roar in to action for them in the upcoming 2009 season when tapes fly up at West Row in April. First of this week’s signings and who comes in to spearhead the side with Barrie Evans is Sussex based star David Mason. Mason who has ridden at Elite, Premier, Conference League level and is a former Conference League Riders Champion comes in to the team on a 7.70 average which he will certainly see as beatable this year. Mildenhall fans will remember him riding for The Weymouth Wildcats against the Fen Tigers and will know that he is a star performer this level.
 
Club Chairman John D Bailey said” As soon as I knew David who is a Rye House asset was very keen about racing again this season I asked my good friend Len Silver and got permission to talk to him, I then had a good chat with him and the deal was agreed within minutes” Bailey continued “ We are very excited about getting David onboard everyone knows how good he is and his equipment is immaculate, I would like to pass on my thanks to Len for his help as always”

The second rider to put pen to paper will be a new face to most Mildenhall Supporters he is Australian Leigh Boujos. Boujos  who becomes a club asset hails from Perth will come in to the team as a second string on an assessed 6 point average and only took up the sport 18 months ago but did have a few meetings in the UK last season at Scunthorpe and Redcar. The 28 year old said “I have sold the family boatyard in order to pursue my career in England and am really looking forward to helping Mildenhall win plenty of matches this season”

He lists as his best achievement to date as scoring 7 points in the recent Western Australia Big One Individual which had riders such as Leigh Adams, Simon Stead and Chris Holder and finishing above Cory Gathercole , James Holder, recent Newport signing Shelby Rutherford and his mentor David Cheshire. Boujos will be based with friends in Scunthorpe and flies in to the country in late March.

Trackstaff and Supporters are reminded of this Sunday’s(March 8th) meeting and Fans Forum. The meeting for the staff starts at 1pm with the forum hosted by new meeting presenter Kevin Moore priced at £1per person scheduled for an hour later. The Management Team will be in attendance as well as  all riders signed so far with the obvious exception of Leigh Boujos.
 

SITUATIONS VACANT
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Sunday 1st March 2009
Have you ever wanted to be involved with the Fen Tigers? If your answer is yes here is your chance!

Mildenhall Speedway are now looking for a Incident Recorder/Time Keeper following Ray Mascall's pending appointment as Co - Promoter. Full training will be given and anybody interested in the role should contact Ray Mascall on 01638 713446 or if unavailable Clerk Of The Course John R Bailey on 07826039457.

We also require a Trainee Machine Examiner to work alongside Arthur Paske and to learn the role throughout the season again anybody interested in this position to contact John R Bailey.

Interested persons can always speak  to the above named at Next Sunday's (March 8th) Fans Forum which starts at 2pm also.
 

FEN TIGERS WIN AT HOME AT LAST!
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 27th April 2009
The Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers roared to their first home win yesterday after a wait of exactly one year as they beat the Isle of Wight 55 – 37 at West Row to go top of the National League. The last time the team tasted victory at home was their narrow win against local rivals Kings Lynn on the 26th April 2008!

Another healthy crowd witnessed the win against the Islanders with both David Mason and Mark Thompson recording improved scores and indeed the former recording four straight wins after a slow start and looking much happier at the end of the meeting.

Top scorer Barrie Evans again led from the front with impressive wins and unselfish team riding helping Mason and the improving Dean Felton in different races which certainly gained appreciation from Management and Supporters alike.

With teenage reserve Oliver Rayson earning valuable points too the performance of the team impressed boss John Adams, he said “The boys new what we wanted from them Today and we got just that, we needed the engine room of the team to fire and I thought we got that however I felt for young Joe Jacobs who blew his best engine while practicing on Saturday afternoon which restricted his scoring power”

Indeed the Supporters Club held a collection for Jacobs which raised £250 for which he thanks everyone and was a great surprise and relief for the youngster.

Former Fen Tiger Chris Johnson making his comeback in the sport after serious injuries sustained last season crashed out of the meeting after tangling with Thompson in heat 7 but after treatment by the Medical Team was in the pits supporting his team for the rest of the meeting.

The next action at West Row is Sunday May 10th against Rye House which has a changed start time of 6.00pm but before that the Funky Catering Fen Tigers are in action at Scunthorpe this Saturday May 2nd in a National League match which has a  start time of 3pm.
 

RAMPANT TIGERS GO ROARING ON
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 27th April 2009
Mildenhall 55 Isle of Wight 37 - National League Speedway
MILDENHALL remain among the early season National League pacesetters as a much-improved performance from their top-end racers clinched a convincing victory over the Islanders. Barrie Evans was once again devastatingly invincible around West Row with a paid 18-point maximum, while David Mason and Mark Thompson put their early season struggles behind them to superbly back their top man. With Dean Felton also piling in with his best display so far, it meant less pressure was piled on reserves Oliver Rayson and Joe Jacobs.

At 18-18 after six races, the turning point came in heat seven when the Islanders’ Chris Johnson, back after a serious injury, lost control as he attempted to slice under Thompson and fell spectacularly into the back-straight fence. His resulting coccyx injury ruled him out of the remainder of the meeting.

Mason reeled off his first of four straight wins in the next, and back-to-back full-houses in heats nine and 10 respectively put the hosts 37-23 in front. A Thompson/Rayson maximum in the re-run put the Tigers ahead.

Tom Brown briefly hinted at a backlash with a 7-2 in heat 11 but Evans and Jacobs immediately reversed that with a 5-0 and Evans went to clinch a stylish six-ride unbeaten display in heat 15.

A chuffed Tigers team-manager John Adams said: "The engine room of the team fired, which is what we wanted, and took the pressure off Oliver and Joe. I was pleased with both Mark and David's form, Barrie's points speak for their self and Dean also did well and probably deserved more."
 

TIGERS BOSS WARNS THOMPSON, MASON
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 25th April 2009
Mildenhall v Isle of Wight - National League Speedway
MILDENHALL are sticking by out-of-form heat leaders David Mason and Mark Thompson when they open their home National League campaign to Isle of Wight tomorrow (4pm). The experienced pair have struggled in the opening four meetings, where the Fen Tigers picked up four league points and went down to King’s Lynn in the KO Cup. Anything but improve-ment against the Islanders could see them facing an early exit from the team.

"I will be looking for big scores from both Mark and David on Sunday," warned team manager John Adams. "If the whole of the team performs to their average, I am confident we can win this fixture and I would be very disappointed if we don’t achieve that. They have worked on their machinery problems, with Mark having a good practice at Peterborough and David gaining advice on set-ups from Craig Boyce. I have to give them the opportunity to prove themselves as they are both worth more than they have been scoring. There is no question about their individual ability, which they have showed many times in the past, but the engine room of the team is not clicking at the moment. David has been out of the sport for two years while Mark had all but given up on a team place, and he is very hungry for points."

While Barrie Evans is among the early season pace-setters in the league after a blistering start, it is the efforts of teenage duo Oliver Rayson and Joe Jacobs – described as "the best reserves in the league" by Adams – that has grabbed the supporters’ imagination. Jacobs, 15, has been a revelation with double-figure totals and heat 15 nominations in the Tigers’ last two meetings.

He said: "I’m really pleased with how it’s all going so far. I’m happy with my performances, which I just want to keep going. The team is gelling well and I think once we’re all flying we will be really strong and can win the league."

Mildenhall: 1 David Mason, 2 Gary Cottham, 3 Barrie Evans, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Mark Thompson, 6 Oliver Rayson, 7 Joe Jacobs.
Isle of Wight: 1 Tom Brown, 2 Ben Hopwood, 3 Brendan Johnson, 4 Ryan Sedgmen, 5 Nick Simmons, 6 Andy Braithwaite, 7 Scott Meakins.
 

ISLANDERS AT WEST ROW
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 21st April 2009
After a week’s break the bikes roar back in to life this Sunday 26th April 4pm start as the Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers collide with the Isle of Wight Wightlink Islanders in their first home National League encounter. The Fen Tigers will be looking for continued improvement from the team that  drew at home to Kings Lynn but went down to defeat at Newport and hope that the break has enabled a couple of the guys that were struggling to sort any machine problems ready for this Sunday.

Mark Thompson was practising at Peterborough last week after the Panthers meeting against Poole and reports that the bike felt much better after he thinks finally sorting the engine problems that sapped the power on his bikes throughout the Easter Weekend.

Team Boss John Adams said” I am looking for the engine room of the team now to start performing as well as they and we know they should be or else we will be looking at making changes”

With the weather forecasted again good for this week the Management of the club again hope for a big crowd to see what is sure to be a good meeting with the Islanders tracking Premier League rider Nick Simmons who has ridden for various Premier League clubs and also Ben Hopwood the young Salford based racer who is very familiar to the West Row circuit after riding for the Fen Tigers in the Conference League.

The Management were very pleased with the healthy attendance in Easter Sunday’s Draw versus Kings Lynn and it was noticed that plenty of Ipswich Witches supporters made the trip to see the Fen Tigers rapidly emerging teenage reserves Oliver Rayson and Joe Jacobs both from Ipswich who continue to impress with their high scoring exploits.

Team line-ups;

Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers
1. David Mason ~ Captain
2. Gary Cottham
3. Barrie Evans
4. Dean Felton
5. Mark Thompson
6. Oliver Rayson
7. Joe Jacobs

The Isle of Wight 'Islanders'
1. tbc
2. tbc
3. tbc
4. tbc
5. tbc
6. tbc
7. tbc

There will be a full 6 heat second half programme after the main meeting as the club continue to look to find the talent of the future.
 

FEN TIGERS COME THROUGH HECTIC WEEKEND
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 14th April 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers competed in four meetings in four days over the Easter weekend as the tapes rose on the 2009 season. The started and ended with defeat at Kings Lynn and Newport but gained a victory at Rye House and a draw at home versus Kings Lynn. The positives from the weekend was the meeting at Rye House and West Row where a big crowd turned out to see the Funky Catering Fen Tigers launch their home campaign.

Also special mention must go to the two reserves Oliver Rayson and Joe Jacobs who had a stunning 4 meetings and with Barrie Evans slamming in four double figure returns including a five ride maximum at Rye House all auger well for the season for Mildenhall.

The next meeting for the Fen Tigers will be at West Row Sunday 26th April versus the IOW 4pm start. The club would also like to announce that they will now be at Scunthorpe for a National League Meeting on Saturday May 2nd 6pm brought forward from July.

Funky Catering Fen Tigers Scorers.

Kings Lynn 53 Mildenhall 37 KOC
Mason 5(4 rides) Cottham 5+1(4) 12(4) Felton 1(4) Thompson 2(4) Rayson 7(5) Jacobs 5+1(4)

Rye House 41 Mildenhall 52 NL
Mason 7(4) Cottham 8+2(5) Evans 15(5) Felton 6+1(4) Thompson 5+1(4) Rayson 7(4) Jacobs 4+1 (4)

Mildenhall 46 Kings Lynn 46 KOC aggregate 83 99
Mason 8(4) Cottham 3+2(4) Evans 13+1(5) Felton 3+1(4) Thompson 1+1(3) Rayson 7+1(4) Jacobs 11+1(6)

Newport 52 Mildenhall 40 NL
Mason 5(4) Cottham 2+1(4) Evans 11(5) Felton 5(4) Thompson 2(4) Rayson 5+1(4) Jacobs 10+1(5)
 

HEAT LEADERS CONCERN FOR BOSS ADAMS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Tuesday 14th April 2009
Newport 52 Mildenhall 40 - National League Speedway
MILDENHALL team manager John Adams has hinted that changes could already be on the cards after seeing his side go down by 12 points at Newport. While it was again the efforts of Barrie Evans and reserves Joe Jacobs and Oliver Rayson which spearheaded the Fen Tigers’ fight, a dismal return of just paid seven points from heat leader pair David Mason and Mark Thompson proved their downfall.

"We fell a bit short and the heat leaders are not doing what we expect of them," said Adams. "It is not on to keep using a reserve in heat 15 and while Joe rode really well, I cannot keep putting him in more races as he will burn out. The heat leaders are causing me great concern and they should be on the pace. I have a good idea of the team now and will get our problem sorted before the Isle of Wight meeting (April 26)."

Newport: K Mason 14 (5 rides), Atkin 12 (4, max), Dicken 10+1 (5), Hurst 7+2 (4), Pickard 5+1 (5), Young 3+1 (3), Andrews 1 (4).
Mildenhall: Evans 11 (5 rides), Jacobs 10+1 (5), Rayson 5+1 (4), Felton 5 (4), D Mason 5 (4), Cottham 2+1 (4), Thompson 2 (4).
 

JACOBS & RAYSON GIVE BOSS POSER
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 13th April 2009
Mildenhall 46 King's Lynn 46 (agg: 83-99) - National League KO Cup
A mid-meeting tactical success sealed King's Lynn's path into the second round after Mildenhall had made serious inroads into clawing back the first leg 16-point deficit. A heat two maximum from star reserves Joe Jacobs and Oliver Rayson boosted the hosts' confidence, and following a series of 4-2 advantages, the Fen Tigers trailed by just six points on aggregate after six heats in front of the big derby crowd yesterday (Sunday, 12 April).

But a Barracudas 8-1 in the next from Jamie Smith and Adam Lowe effectively won them the tie and left Mildenhall looking to win on the night. After Jacobs was superbly backed by Barrie Evans for a 5-1 in heat 12, which was immediately reversed, the Tigers held a two-point margin heading into the final race. But Smith, beaten only by Evans in his opening ride, avenged that in a duel by storming past the Mildenhall man and ending his desire of a five-ride maximum. With Evans dropping only a point and magnificently backed by teenagers Jacobs and Rayson (paid 20 points between them), team manager John Adams made an ominous warning to out-of-form pair Dean Felton and Mark Thompson.

"It tells its own story that we had to use a reserve for the second time in three meetings in heat 15, although they deserved it," he said. "We will be addressing that issue and after the meeting at Newport (today (Monday, 13 April) I will have a clear pattern of the team. We started off well but the 8-1 put the tie out of reach. The fans' support was brilliant and Joe was awesome. I was highly delighted with the effort."

Mildenhall: Evans 13+1 (5 rides), Jacobs 11+1 (6), Mason 8 (4), Rayson 7+1 (4), Cottham 3+2 (4), Felton 3+1 (4), Thompson 1+1 (3).
King's Lynn: Smith 17 (5 rides), Allott 10 (5), Mallett 7+1 (4), Campos 5 (4), Lowe 4+1 (4), Naylor 3 (4), Knight 0 (3).

Mildenhall kicked off their National League campaign in stunning style on Saturday with a 52-41 victory at Rye House. It was their first win for more than a year and their first at Hoddesdon for two decades. It was the trio of former Rye riders who led the way - Evans recorded a 15-point maximum while Gary Cottham and David Mason were also on top form. Rayson kept up his early-season consistency from reserve with another impressive showing.

Adams said: "It's a great way to start our league campaign with four points, and we must turn our attentions to being a strong force in the division. It was a magnificent performance from everyone."

Rye House: Halsey 12 (5 rides), Courtney 8 (5), Smith 7+1 (4), Strudwick 6 (4), Blake 5 (4), Bovis 2 (4), Morley 1 (4).
Mildenhall: Evans 15 (5 rides, max), Cottham 8+2 (5), Mason 7 (4), Rayson 7 (4), Felton 6+1 (4), Thompson 5+1 (4), Jacobs 4+1 (4).
 

ADAMS SURE TIGERS WILL EARN STRIPES
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Friday 10th April 2009
SETTLING of scores is on the agenda when Mildenhall face rivals King's Lynn in the first round of the KO Cup as the club begins a new era in the National League. The new-look Fen Tigers will come face-to-face with the Stars management duo Keith and Jonathan Chapman for the first time since they bought and sold the West Row outfit in the space of just three months late last year. The first leg takes place at the Norfolk Arena today (Friday, 10 April) (3pm) with the much-anticipated return leg in the Fens on Easter Sunday (4pm) guaranteeing a blockbuster opening to the season.

Tigers team manager John Adams said: "With Jamie Smith and Adam Allott they have two home-track specialists, but they also have a lot of youngsters, and maybe our experience can win us through. I am confident we can overcome them over both legs. I was really encouraged by our Press and practice session last weekend. There was a big turnout from the fans and although it is a tough ask to start the season with four meetings in as many days, it couldn't start better with fixtures against our two biggest rivals. It is a tough league, but if we set our standards right, I believe a top-four play-off finish is a realistic target. Our riding order gives us big hitters in each race, with widespread experience, and there are some very good partnerships in place."

Mildenhall, backed by Cambridge catering firm Funky Catering, face a daunting trip to Rye House tomorrow (Saturday, 11 April) (7pm) before finishing their marathon weekend at Newport, managed by former Tigers team boss Laurence Rogers, on Easter Monday (2.30pm).

Mildenhall: 1 David Mason, 2 Gary Cottham, 3 Barrie Evans, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Mark Thompson, 6 Oliver Rayson, 7 Joe Jacobs.
King's Lynn: 1 Adam Allott, 2 Scott Campos, 3 Adam Lowe, 4 Jamie Smith, 5 Darren Mallett, 6 Rhys Naylor, 7 Jake Knight.

Rye House (Sat): 1 Jamie Courtney, 2 Michael Bovis, 3 Danny Halsey, 4 Rob Smith, 5 Lee Strudwick, 6 Dan Blake, 7 Ben Morley.

Newport (Mon): 1 Lee Dicken, 2 Tom Young, 3 Sam Hurst, 4 Karl Mason, 5 Tony Atkin, 6 Jay Pickard, 7 Richard Andrews.
 

FEN TIGERS READY TO ROAR
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 7th April 2009
After a successful Press Day the new look Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers roar in to action this Easter weekend with four meetings in four days starting Good Friday 10th April at Kings Lynn (3pm). The club held a very well attended Press Practice day this past Sunday afternoon with 150 – 200 supporters taking the chance to watch the riders going through their paces in the sunshine at West Row.

New Team Manager John Adams stated how pleased he was with the riders as they blew away the winter cobwebs he said” The riders certainly looked good Today, we are gelling as a unit and already there is a very good spirit within the team.

The team line up which has now been ratified by the sports governing body after some confusion regarding the riding averages take to the track for the first time on Good Friday Afternoon (3pm) at the Norfolk Arena Kings Lynn where they will commence battle against The Barracudas in the first leg of the Knock Out Cup the return being on Easter Sunday 4pm at West Row.

Sandwiched in between the team will travel to Rye House Easter Saturday 7pm start for a National League match and finish their marathon weekend at Newport on Monday 13th (3.30pm) who are managed by former Mildenhall Team Boss Laurence Rogers.

The club urge their fans to make plenty of noise especially for the match on Sunday as they hope to knock arch rivals Kings Lynn out of the cup.

Teams for Sunday

Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers
1. David Mason ~ Captain
2. Gary Cottham
3. Barrie Evans
4. Dean Felton
5. Mark Thompson
6. Oliver Rayson
7. Joe Jacobs
 
Kings Lynn Barracudas
1. Adam Allott
2. Scott Campos
3. Adam Lowe
4. Jamie Smith
5. Darren Mallett
6. Rhys Naylor
7. Jake Knight
 

BAILEY & FEN TIGERS PART COMPANY
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 7th April 2009
Mildenhall Speedway would like to confirm that they have parted company with Director of Speedway John D Bailey but would liketo thank him for his time and effort over the past few months when building our team for 2009 and we wish him good luck for the future.

The Club would also like to thank all the offers of help from the speedway community all of which we very much appreciate.

Mildenhall Speedway will not be making any further statement regarding this issue.
 

THE FEN TIGER GET FUNKY!
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Saturday 4th April 2009
The Mildenhall Fen Tigers are proud to announce that Cambridge based company Funky Catering have signed as Team Sponsors for 2009. Funky Catering offer catering services for private functions, corporate hospitality, business catering, weddings, sporting events and much more and their website is: www.funkycatering.co.uk
 
Fen Tigers Commercial Manager Neil "Nikko" Day said "Although we had been very successful in all other areas of sponsorship in recent months I had not been able to secure the Team Sponsorship. However I never gave up hope and all the hours of effort paid of when I spoke to Darren Grimwood recently. Darren will be known to Fen Tigers supporters as part of Casper Wortmanns pit crew from last season and I spoke to him about how things were going. He mentioned that his partner Susie Willis ran a very successful catering company, Funky Catering, and this led me to discussing the possibility of sponsorship with Susie. We quickly came to an agreement and the team sponsorship deal was finalised in record time".
 
Day continued "I immediately invited Susie, Darren and their family to press and practice on Sunday and although very short notice I am very pleased that they have accepted. We will launch the sponsorship at Press & Practice and their logo and website details will appear on the our Race Jackets, Programme and Official Website".
 
Speaking about the new sponsors Day continued "Funky Catering recently won the contract to supply the food to Blue Square Premier League football club Cambridge United and the owners also run the very successful Funky Fun House  in Cambridge and recently hit the headlines locally running an extremely effective campaign to encourage families on low incomes of the financial and health benefits of cooking and eating well. We welcome Susie, Darren and all the staff at Funky Catering to the Fen Tigers, thank them for their support and hope they enjoy their season with us".
 

FEN TIGERS SIGN TWO MORE
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Thursday 2nd April 2009
Mildenhall Fen Tigers speedway team have had to make two more signings ahead of the season opener against Kings Lynn at the Norfolk Arena on Good Friday. Due to continued work permit problems for Aussie Leigh Boujos the Fen Tigers have acted quickly to sign Garry Cottham and Dean Felton as Second Strings for The Fen Tigers.

Cottham who rode for Rye House Cobras last season comes in on an average of 5.54 where as the experienced Felton who was at Sittingbourne in 2008 has an average of 5.26.

A club spokesperson was keen to point out the club could have gone for a 7.5 rider and a 3 pointer but decided against this option as it keeps talented teenager Oliver Rayson at Reserve which will allow him to come in for extra rides if and when needed and his still hopeful that Boujos will be over later in the season to give the team even more strength in depth.

Mildenhall 'Fen Tigers' 2009 Team
David Mason (captain) 8.62
Barrie Evans 8.52
Mark Thompson 7.00
Gary Cottham 5.54
Dean Felton 5.26
Oliver Rayson 4.43
Joe Jacobs 3.00

Supporters are reminded of the Clubs Press Practice Day this coming Sunday April 5th, the gates will be open from 1.30pm to the public and all the team will be in attendance.
The Fenman Bar and the Speedway famous Fish and Chip Shop will be also open so that fans can enjoy their Sunday lunch with the Fen Tigers. Please note entrance will only be admitted through the turnstiles not through the pit entrance.
 

FEN TIGERS DERBY TIME WITH BARRACUDAS
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 26th May 2009
Mildenahall Vs Kings Lynn Preview
All roads lead to West Row this Sunday (31st) as the Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers collide with arch rivals The Kings Lynn Barracudas. This is sure to a meeting not to be missed as both teams sitting near the top of the National League meet in what is sure to be one of the matches of the season. Home top man Barrie Evans will be looking to get the best of the opposition and in particular his races with Peterborough based Jamie Smith who last season was injured in a spectacular crash whilst riding for the Fen Tigers in the Premier League are sure to be top drawer as it proved earlier this season when the two teams fought out a thrilling 46 - 46 draw.

Add to that the experienced fast starting Adam Allott and the rejuvenated Darren Mallett who is enjoying his best season for a number of years the Barracudas are certain to be a tough test. The Funky Catering Fen Tigers however will be be boosted the return to form of Mark Thompson and skipper David Mason in the last home match a victory against the Rye House Cobras.

Mildenhall will again operate the rider replacement facility for the still injured Gary Cottham. It all adds up to a facinating encounter which supporters are reminded again starts at 6pm.

Mildenhall Team: 1. David Mason , 2. Rider Replacent, 3. Barrie Evans, 4. Dean Felton, 5. Mark Thompson, 6. Oliver Rayson, 7. Joe Jacobs
 

BUOYANT ADAMS SURE TIGERS CAN STAY COURSE
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Tuesday 26th May 2009
Completing a successful double over Isle Wight tonight (7.30pm) would see Mildenhall leapfrog their way into second place in the table and keep their for bid for title honours on track. The Fen Tigers travel across the Solent as they return to action after a two-week break and remain buoyant from their back-to-back West Row drubbings of the Islanders and Rye House. Victory would see them climb above rivals King’s Lynn and close the gap on leaders Weymouth.

Team manager John Adams said: "They of course lost at our place and went out of the KO Cup to Plymouth, so their record is not the best and we will go there with much confidence after two big home wins. The drawback is that the circuit is a massive size. All of the main body of the team have ridden there before, but the two reserves could find it difficult. If you can get the lines right it produces some great racing, but it is a strength-sapping track with times around 15 seconds more than we’re used to at Mildenhall, though I’m sure we’ll adapt to it."

Under-fire David Mason and Mark Thompson stepped up to the plate in recent performances to secure their places, but the Fen Tigers will still be without Gary Cottham, who has a wrist injury. "Gary had another scan last week," added Adams, "and the bone is healing well but not enough at this stage for him to ride. We will see how the injury pans out, but he is positive that it is going in the right way and, hopefully, he will be back against King’s Lynn on Sunday."

Dean Felton and captain Mason claimed some vital track-practice in Friday’s Spring Challenge Individual meeting at Plymouth, finishing seventh and eighth respectively. With the imminent release of new averages, Adams expects next month to see Barrie Evans moved to No 1 and impressive teenager Oliver Rayson elevated into the top five.

Mildenhall: 1 David Mason, 2 R/R, 3 Barrie Evans, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Mark Thompson, 6 Oliver Rayson, 7 Joe Jacobs.
Isle of Wight (probable): Tom Brown, 2 Ben Hopwood, 3 Brendan Johnson, 4 Nick Simmons, 5 Chris Johnson, 6 TBA, 7 Tom Hill.
 

FEN TIGERS FIXTURE CHANGE
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Wednesday 13th May 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers are now racing at the Isle Of Wight on Tuesday 26th May in a National League fixture that has been moved forward from the end of June.

Team Manager John Adams explained” This change has come at the right time for us as we have a blank couple of weeks and the boys were keen to have another match before our next home meeting against Kings Lynn on the 31st of May so we were only to keen to help out Dave Pavitt on the Island.”

Supporters are reminded that club will again operate a changed start time of 6pm for the visit of Kings Lynn on the 31st May due to there being a stock car meeting the night before, the club will revert back to a 4pm start for the visit of Weymouth on Sunday 7th June.
 

TIGERS TOPS
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 11th May 2009
Mildenhall 59 Rye House 31
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers roared back to the top of the National League with an emphatic win over arch rivals Rye House. It was a welcome return to form for Mark Thompson as he reeled off three heat wins in an impressive 12+2 point haul only being beaten once by an opposing rider it was also pleasing to see David Mason among the points contributing 11+1.

The match started of with a couple of drawn heats but then the Fen Tigers hit the front with a 5-1 from Thompson and the again impressive Joe Jacobs and never looked back from there. There was again good team riding on display with the experienced riders Thompson, Mason and Barrie Evans helping out and sheparding home the younger riders in their heats respectively.

With all the home riders either winning or being paid for a win it was certainly a confidence boosting meeting which Team Boss John Adams was satisfied with, he said, ”I was pleased for the team and for Mark Thompson and Dave Mason as they showed me Today what I need on a weekly basis from them but now we must show this form away from West Row if we want to succeed in our aim of reaching the end of season play offs”.

Mildenhall now have a wait of 3 weeks with their next fixture not until Sunday May 31st against local rivals King Lynn in the National League, The Funky Catering Fen Tigers will be looking to avenge their cup exit to the Barracudas earlier this season.
 

CRACKER JACOBS SPARKS TIGERS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 11th May 2009
Mildenhall 59 Rye House 31 - National League Speedway
MILDENHALL clinched an emphatic double over arch-rivals Rye House with a strong team display. Each of the six home riders notched paid double-figures and team manager John Adams got the response he was looking for from skipper David Mason and Mark Thompson, with the pair recording five wins between them to support top man, Barrie Evans.

After a couple of shared races to open, the hosts powered in seven devastating 5-1 maximums over the next nine races to seal a brilliant double over the Hertfordshire outfit, having won the away fixture 52-41 last month. There was some fine board-racing to please the West Row public – none more so than when pint-sized teenager Joe Jacobs swooped around Cobras’ duo Ben Morley and Daniel Blake in successive laps to win heat two. He repeated the wide pass in heat six on Lee Strudwick to back-up team-mate Mason, having also supported Thompson to a maximum two races earlier.

Thompson maintained his unbeaten opening by teaming up with Oliver Rayson (twice) and Jacobs for three maximums in heats seven, eight and 11, cancelling out both of Rye House’s tactical attempts to claw back points. Evans sealed his third race win by powering past Jamie Courtney and Daniel Blake in heat 12 but Thompson’s hopes of a five-ride maximum were dashed when he was outgated in his final ride by Daniel Halsey.

Promoter Ray Mascall said: “It’s always good to beat Rye House and this win was very pleasing. To also achieve the double over them is something to saviour.”
 

HEAT GOES ON TIGERS' PAIR
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 9th May 2009
Mildenhall v Rye House - National League Speedway
PRESSURE will once more be heaped on two of Mildenhall’s non-performing heat leaders when they face local rivals Rye House at West Row tomorrow (6pm). Team manager John Adams has said he would be "looking closely" at the efforts of captain David Mason and Mark Thompson after they failed to impress once again against Scunthorpe.

"It’s up to the two riders in question to prove they can do the business," said Adams. "If they can, they will keep their team place. If not, then I will look to replace them. It’s as simple as that. They’re not performing to the standards they have reached in the past and they have much more ability than they are currently showing. It’s no good winning all of our home meetings if we can’t be competitive away."

Two wins from four outings sees the Fen Tigers currently perched second in the table.

Mildenhall: 1 David Mason, 2 Garry Cottham R/R, 3 Barrie Evans, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Mark Thompson, 6 Oliver Rayson, 7 Joe Jacobs, 8 Nick Laurence.
Rye House: 1 Danny Halsey, 2 Michael Bovis, 3 Jamie Courtney, 4 Rob Smith, 5 Lee Strudwick, 6 Dan Blake, 7 Ben Morley.
 

WE MUST UP ANTE ON ROAD - ADAMS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Tuesday 5th May 2009
Scunthorpe 57 Mildenhall 38 - National League Speedway
MILDENHALL team manager John Adams has told his riders in no uncertain terms that Saturday’s effort at Scunthorpe was unacceptable and will not be tolerated again. The Fen Tigers recorded just two race victories in their heaviest defeat so far this season and lost their hold on the top of the National League to rivals King’s Lynn as a result.

Barrie Evans (the only race winner), Dean Felton, Oliver Rayson and Joe Jacobs were devoid of Adams’ criticism as the finger was firmly pointed at struggling heat leader pair David Mason and Mark Thompson, whose experience was no match for the Saints’ young aces.

"It was a poor performance and I won’t have a repeat of that again," warned Adams. "I am not happy at all and we have got to be competitive away from home. We have set a target to reach the play-offs and we will not achieve that if we perform like that. We were a two-man team, with Barrie riding exceptionally well, and Dean had a cracking match. The two young reserves did their best and I thought Joe rode very well as he was quite nervous seeing the track for the first time. I will be speaking with Ray (Mascall, promoter) and we will have a chat on how to tackle the issues. After this coming Sunday’s home meeting (against Rye House) we have a break and we will look at what we can do then."

The Tigers’ sole highlight came with their only race advantage in seven when Evans and Felton secured an 8-1 tactical win, and Evans won the final race to end both Jerran Hart and Byron Bekker’s unbeaten record. Gary Cottham is expected to be out for four to six weeks with a broken scaphoid and Adams could look at a temporary signing instead of persisting with the rider replacement facility.

Scunthorpe: Hart 14 (5 rides), Bekker 11+3 (5), Franklin 9 (4), Richardson 7 (4), Wrathall 6+1 (4), Sarjeant 6 (4), Howarth 4+2 (4).
Mildenhall: Evans 12+1 (5 rides), Felton 10+1 (6), Mason 5 (4), Thompson 5 (5), Rayson 3+1 (5), Jacobs 3+1 (5).
 

FEN TIGERS AGAINST COBRA'S IN LOCAL DERBY
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 4th May 2009
The Funky Catering Fen Tigers are back in action at West Row this coming Sunday May 10th (6pm start) with arch rivals The Rye House Cobra’s. Mildenhall will be fired up for this meeting after last Sunday’s disappointing defeat at Scunthorpe and will be keen to continue their winning ways at home. The Cobras bring to the table a very young but competitive side with Captain Danny Halsey leading the way for them and with Jamie Courtney plus Lee Strudwick giving him back up it certainly will not be an easy match for John Adams men.

Mildenhall will remain unchanged for this meeting with Garry Cottham again ruled out with a wrist injury. Team Boss John Adams will be looking for an improvement from his experienced members of the team and for them to carry on where they left off against the Isle of Wight in the team’s last home fixture a Fortnight ago.

Also in a packed evening’s racing the two clubs Academy Teams will be racing in a challenge match after the main event, Academy Manager Blayne Scroggins said “Both ourselves and Rye House are looking to bring on the Youngsters and I know our fans are keen on staying behind and watching them progress each week and to be fair the lads are really keen on racing every week, we will put on these matches on whenever we can”

Teams

MILDENHALL 'FUNKY CATERING' FEN TIGERS
1. David Mason ~ Captain
2. Garry Cottham ~ RR
3. Barrie Evans
4. Dean Felton
5. Mark Thompson
6. Oliver Rayson
7. Joe Jacobs

RYE HOUSE 'COBRAS'
1. Danny Halsey ~ Captain
2. Michael Bovis
3. Jamie Courtney
4. Rob Smith
5. Lee Strudwick
6. Dan Blake
7. Ben Morley

"Our Team Sponsors Funky Catering will be giving a three figure financial award to the Funkiest Fen Tiger so far this season. The winner will be chosen based on performances so far this season. We would like to thank Susie and Darren at Funky Catering for this award and their continued support."
 

FEN TIGERS LOSE AT SCUNTHORPE
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 4th May 2009
The Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers crashed to defeat on Saturday afternoon at Scunthorpe as they went down to the Saints 57 -38. It was a very disappointing result for team who had high hopes of recording a victory as the confidence was high in the camp after the victory against the Isle of Wight the previous Sunday.

However it was not to be as the young Scunthorpe side ran out convincing winners to leave a very concerned Mildenhall Team Manager John Adams contemplating what to do next with the side, he said later that evening” I am angry and frustrated as I would thought we would have enough in the tank to win this meeting or at the very least come away with a point. Certain riders and they know who they are let us down Today and I have spoken to them about this and reiterated to them that it cannot continue, we had plenty of supporters in attendance Today and we let them down and it’s our job to make sure that does not happen again”

“There were some positives to take however with Barrie (Evans) riding again so well for us and with Dean (Felton) showing up well and working his socks off I have no complaints there, I also thought Ollie Rayson had a good meeting and deserved more points for his efforts”

Ultimately thought The Funky Catering Fen Tigers need to up their game starting this Sunday (May 10th) at West Row against the Rye House Cobras, supporters are reminded of the later start time of 6pm.
 

FEN TIGERS APPROACH TOUGH WEEKEND
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 29th June 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers have a couple of tough matches coming up this week starting away at Weymouth on Friday and culminating at home to highflying Bournemouth on Sunday 5th July. Both these teams are power packed and the Fen Tigers know they will have to be at the top of their game to take the points of these two south coast sides.

Skipper David Mason returns to his former stamping ground and Team Manager John Adams reckons that after returning to form in the home defeat augers well, he said “David looked much better in a bad team performance the other week also Luke (Priest) likes it at Weymouth and so does Barrie(Evans) so we will be giving it everything down there to try and regain a bit of pride and push the Wildcats who are very strong at home”

On Sunday (4pm) see’s the return of former Fen Tiger Mark Baseby as the Bournemouth Buccaneers are the visitors to West Row and the home riders know they must be on top form to inflict a rare defeat on the men from Dorset. Adams said” This another extremely tough meeting and they certainly are not getting any easier but we will go in to it determined to win and certainly have learned our lesson from the other week when I feel we were a bit complacent.”

The Funky Catering Fen Tigers are likely to remain unchanged for both fixtures.

Mildenhall Team (probable)
1. Barrie Evans
2. Oliver Rayson
3. David Mason ~ Captain
4. Dean Felton
5. Luke Priest
6. Darren Smith
7. Joe Jacobs
 

TAME TIGERS SLUMP TO DEFEAT
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 22nd June 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers crashed to a surprising home defeat on Sunday as they went to a 10 point defeat against the Newport Hornets. It was a very flat performance by the home team which lack very few positives and infact their supporters only had two race wins to cheer and when their favourites did make the gate they seemed to be passed at will by the men from Wales.

Newport with veteran Tony Atkin in fine form, new Aussie whizz kid Todd Kurtz wowing the fans with his fast all action style and with these two ably supported by Ryan Sedgmen the Fen Tigers had little in reply.

David Mason returned to form with a paid 13 point haul from 5 rides but with Barrie Evans having a very rare off day and Dean Felton struggling after recently being laid low with a virus the men from Suffolk struggled to get on parity with their opponents.

Team Boss John Adams said “Full credit to Newport they were more aggressive and seemed to want it more than us, we maybe were a little complacent and turned up expecting to win but we will learn from this and will try and make sure it does not happen again.”

The next action at West Row is in two weeks on the 5th July when highflying Bournemouth come to town which will certainly be another tough test for the Fen Tigers.

Scorers
Mildenhall: D Mason 12+1 (5 rides), Evans 8+2 (4), Priest 8+2 (5), Jacobs 6 (5), Rayson 5+1 (4), Felton 3+2 (4), Smith 0 (3).
Newport: Kurtz 16 (7 rides), Atkin 14+1 (5), Sedgmen 9+1 (6), K Mason 7+1 (4), Rutherford 4 (5), Young 2+1 (3).
 

PLAY-OFF BID SUFFERS AS TIGERS STUNG
By  David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 22nd June 2009
Mildenhall 42 Newport 52 - National League Speedway
MILDENHALL'S play-off ambitions took a massive knock after suffering their first West Row defeat of the season thanks largely to Newport’s young-and-old duo. Veteran 43-year-old Tony Atkin proved their is plenty left in his locker with an immaculate five-ride maximum and Aussie teenage sensation Todd Kurtz, riding in his just his second fixture in the UK, was jaw-droppingly outstanding – reeling off five wins in one of the most impressive individual performances this year. The Funky Catering Fen Tigers had little answer to the Hornets pair.

David Mason won the first of just two race victories for the hosts in heat three, reducing the deficit to 10-8, but the combination of Atkin and Kurtz, also well supported by Ryan Sedgmen, was too overpowering and the visitors led 28-20 after eight. Heats nine and 10 seemed Mildenhall’s chance to claw back points but Newport showed no mercy. Mason and Dean Felton gated, but Sedgmen soon reeled them in – hitting the dirt as he took the pair on successive laps to seal a thrilling win.

Even the dependable Barrie Evans had a rare meeting blip. Having locked on his first outing that cost of him the win, he simply missed the gate in heat 10 and Karl Mason put behind a forgettable start to take the chequered flag. It was a sheer despondent atmosphere in the Tigers camp during the interval and things were due to get even bleaker still.

Atkin and Sedgmen burst past Luke Priest on consecutive laps to grab a 5-1 in heat 11 and even the tactical rides failed to deliver – with David Mason and Evans only able to grab seconds in the next two. The final word was left to Kurtz and Atkin who slammed in wins in heats 14 and 15 and the Tigers fans facing up to the prospect of next tackling the division’s top two teams – Weymouth and Bournemouth.

Mildenhall: D Mason 12+1 (5 rides), Evans 8+2 (4), Priest 8+2 (5), Jacobs 6 (5), Rayson 5+1 (4), Felton 3+2 (4), Smith 0 (3).
Newport: Kurtz 16 (7 rides), Atkin 14+1 (5), Sedgman 9+1 (6), K Mason 7+1 (4), Rutherford 4 (5), Young 2+1 (3).
 

ADAMS GIVES HIS BACKING TO TIGERS' TROUBLED SKIPPER
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 19th June 2009
Mildenhall boss John Adams has thrown his full support behind under-pressure captain David Mason ahead of tomorrow’s National League contest against Newport at West Row (4pm). The 32 year old has come under increasing criticism from supporters since failing to score in last weekend’s defeat at Buxton, where he later disclosed that he was riding in the meeting with two broken fingers. His heat leader berth has been under constant scrutiny as his current average is 2.5 points below his starting figure.

“I'm sticking by David for two reasons,” said the Funky Catering Fen Tigers team manager. “We know he is a far better rider than his scores have suggested, and he is really trying hard despite being low on confidence. We know exactly what he can produce on his day.”

Mason said: “I slid off in my first race which further aggravated my injury and was painful for my further two rides. I have now got the fingers strapped together and will be ready to race on Sunday. I am going back to basics this week with my bikes. I am just not gating. I want at least 10 points from my four programmed rides as I need to start banging in the points as I feel I let Mildenhall and our supporters down at Buxton. I seem to be going okay at home but having a nightmare time away and some of that is down to me making silly mistakes like picking the wrong engine to use, but I am going to get it right.”

Victory over the Hornets would see Mildenhall climb back into second spot in the National League table and Adams is fully expecting his side to maintain their spotless home form. He commented: “They have the new Australian lad Todd Kurtz, who has ridden well, and Tony Atkin will be dangerous spearheading them, but I am confident we have enough in the tank to beat them. I firmly believe only two teams will test us at home this year – Bournemouth and Weymouth. It’s another vital match and we have to again be looking at taking all three league points.”

Mildenhall: 1 Barrie Evans, 2 Oliver Rayson, 3 David Mason, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Luke Priest, 6 Darren Smith, 7 Joe Jacobs.
Newport: 1 Tony Atkin, 2 Ryan Sedgmen, 3 Karl Mason, 4 Sam Hurst, 5 Grant Tregoning, 6 Shelby Rutherford, 7 Todd Kurtz.
 

RAYSON REVEALS PREMIER TARGET
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Friday 19th June 2009
Unsung Mildenhall hero Oliver Rayson has revealed his delight at his progress so far this season and has already set his sights on his ambition for next year. Motorsport - Fen Tigers rider Oliver Rayson While top-end performers Barrie Evans and Luke Priest, plus wonderkid reserve Joe Jacobs, have grabbed the headlines in Mildenhall's rise to play-off contention, Rayson has quietly been going about his job and steadily improving his average.

Outperforming some of those more experienced campaigners around him in the team, the 16-year-old from Bury St Edmunds has been rewarded with a move into the top five, where he partnered Evans in the Tigers' new 1-2 opening pairing in Sunday's defeat at Buxton. "Things are going well so far," he said, in his typically modest manner. "I was hoping to get into the top five during the season and having achieved that already is really great. I'm looking forward to riding with Barrie. He's an excellent rider and a good team rider too."

Rayson's form has seen him rarely register less than seven points per meeting, and it is his paid 10-point haul over old enemy Rye House last month that comes to the forefront of his mind. "My favourite meeting was against Rye House as I made some good gates and had a good win," he said. "My gating is generally getting better and my bike is going faster of late, so things are looking good. I'm also riding better away and I've upped my average and want to get this as high as possible. My aim is to have a reserve spot in the Premier League next year. It was quite a bad meeting for me at Buxton," he admitted. "I had one good race, which I won when I went past Danny Hodgson on the last lap. It is probably one of my worst tracks, to be honest. It was really rough and had a lot of ruts in the corners."

Rayson began racing grasstrack at the age of seven and a half, and moved on to the shale at eight, and began riding at Ipswich four years later.
 

INJURED MASON DETERMINED TO BOUNCE BACK
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 16th June 2009
Under fire Mildenhall Captain David Mason is determined to get back to winning ways starting this Sunday at West Row. Unknown to most supporters Mason is nursing two broken fingers sustained in an accident at work last Friday but the Sussex based racer was unaware of the extent of the damage until being examined by the medical staff at Buxton. Mason said” I injured my left hand on Friday at work and then slid off in my first race on Sunday further aggravating it which obviously was painful for my further two rides, I have now got the fingers strapped together and will be ready to race on Sunday.”

The Fen Tigers Captain then went on to say “I want to start scoring points for my new team as I know I can and should be doing, I am going back to basics this week with my bikes, I am just not gating but my confidence remains high as I know I can do a job for The Fen Tigers.” Mason admits it was a long journey home for him and his back up team on Sunday evening as a rider that once obtained an average of over 11 points at this level “We left home at 7am and did not get back until the early hours and after all that to score zero was not good for me.”

He knows that he must deliver a decent performance on Sunday and has set himself a high personal target “I want at least 10 points from my 4 programmed rides on Sunday, I need to start banging in the points as I feel I let Mildenhall and our supporters down at Buxton but did not want to cry off injured as I thought I would be OK and I usually go well there but obviously the fall did not to my hand much good and from there it went bad to worse.” He continued “I seem to be going OK at home but having a nightmare time away and some of that is down to me making silly mistakes like picking the wrong engine to use but I am going to get it right and to start scoring both home and away for The Fen Tigers.“

Mason knows that the talking however has to be done on the track and starting this Sunday he knows he must deliver a Captains performance.
 

FEN TIGERS DISAPPOINTING IN DERBYSHIRE
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 15th June 2009
The Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers once again disappointed on their travels as they went down to a heavy defeat 58 37  at Buxton in deepest Derbyshire. Once again it was Barrie Evans and the recently recruited Luke Priest leading the fight for the men from Suffolk but it was all too avail as the Hitmen romped home to a convincing win. However the rider that is causing the most concern is skipper David Mason who could not even trouble the scorers in his 3 rides and was replaced in his final ride by reserve Joe Jacobs.

Team Manager John Adams said about the meeting “We always go to all of our matches to win and this result was not good but I think that Buxton will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and watching their performance yesterday it will take a very good team to beat them at home.” Adams though is well aware of his team’s frailty away from West Row” The last thing we want to do is let the fans down when they travel so far to support us and we have to improve.”

Mildenhall return to more familiar surroundings when the entertain the Newport Hornets in a National League match this Sunday (21st)  which is sure to be another cracker of a meeting.
 

TIGERS IN SEARCH OF AWAYDAY SUCCESS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 13th June 2009
MILDENHALL team manager John Adams believes his side can improve on their away form and keep the pressure on leaders Weymouth when they travel to basement outfit Buxton tomorrow (3pm). The Funky Catering Fen Tigers have failed to pick up a point in their last three fixtures on the road after claiming a stunning win at Rye House in April. But Adams is positive that the team’s formidable home form, with three consecutive victories, can inspire them to perform at the Hi-Edge Raceway.

"We go to Buxton in good spirits," said Adams. "They may be bottom of the table but they’ve only ridden three meetings. Barrie (Evans) and Luke (Priest) both ride well there and if we are to qualify for the play-offs we need to be picking up points on away tracks. It’s a tricky circuit and while our away form hasn’t been the best, I believe we can turn the corner. All the teams in the league are now starting to perform and it’s important to win at least a couple of away fixtures to keep our ambitions on course."

Darren Smith returns to the team after pulling out of his debut meeting two weeks ago against King’s Lynn with a damaged knee and in concern for his brother Jamie, who broke a bone in his back in an innocuous-looking first-bend fall. "He’s really up for this meeting," Adams added. "He feels he has a point to prove. He is full of determination to do well and is hoping for a good performance."

Last weekend’s washout against the Weymouth is still yet to have a rearranged date.

Teams – Buxton (probable): 1 Lee Smethills, 2 Danny Hodgson, 3 Jade Mudgway, 4 Scott James, 5 Gareth Isherwood, 6 Craig Cook, 7 Lewis Dallaway.
Mildenhall: 1 Barrie Evans, 2 Oliver Rayson, 3 David Mason, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Luke Priest, 6 Darren Smith, 7 Joe Jacobs.
 

TIGERS WASHOUT
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Friday 12th June 2009
The Weekend wet weather put paid to Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers eagerly awaited top of the table National League clash against Weymouth. The decision was taken mid Morning on Sunday when the heavens opened and that indeed proved the correct decision. Communications Manager Steve Dolby explained” We decided to make the early call due to the rain at the time that was falling and for the poor forecast for the rest of the day”

Mildenhall travel to Buxton this Sunday (14th) for a National League match against the Hitmen and return to West Row the following week for a clash with Newport and that means the return of former Team Manager Laurence Rogers. The Funky Catering Fen Tigers are likely to remain unchanged for both fixtures and will be looking to consolidate their position high in the National League table as they look for back to back wins starting this Sunday in Derbyshire.
 

URGENT!! INCIDENT RECORDER NEEDED
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Friday 5th June 2009
Mildenhall Speedway are looking for a person for the role of Meeting Incident Recorder after Steve Bundy has had to leave the post due to new work commitments.

For a chance to work for the club in this unique role please contact Club Chairman Ray Mascall on 01638 713446 or email raymascallo7@aol.com alternatively please see any of the Clubs Promotional Team on Sunday for further information.
 

TIGERS WIN THE DERBY
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 1st June 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers claimed the maximum three league points on offer as they beat local rivals from Kings Lynn 49 – 40 to move in to second place in the National League. Another healthy crowd basked in the sun baked West Row circuit as the Suffolk outfit stormed in to an early lead with a 5 – 1 courtesy of skipper David Mason and teenager Oliver Rayson who had an excellent meeting his first after being promoted in to the No.2 race jacket

The meeting however was marred by two crashes in successive heats with new Mildenhall signing Darren Smith sliding off in heat 2 and injuring his knee but worse to come in the next was his brother Jamie who fell in a routine looking first bend crash  but he had to be treated for an hour by the onsite track medics before being transferred to the local hospital where he is undergoing further tests Today (Monday).

When the meeting restarted the two now six men sides served up a very entertaining fixture where Fen Tigers other new signing Luke Priest rattled off three straight wins on his way to an impressive 11 point total, for the Barracudas reserve Scott Campos had probably his best meeting ever as he banged in a 16 point haul from 7 rides.

Mildenhall return to action again this Sunday when they revert back to the normal 4pm start as they entertain the Weymouth Wildcats who come to West Row with three former Fen Tigers in James Cockle, Lee Smart and Matt Wright which again will be a tough test for the Fenmen.
 

PRIEST MAKES FLYING START
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 1st June 2009
Mildenhall 49 King's Lynn 40 - National League Speedway
MILDENHALL moved above King's Lynn into second in the table after winning a thrilling and closely-fought derby thanks to a superb all-round team display. New signing Luke Priest made an instant impact with with an impressive debut that included three straight wins and a heat 15 nomination. Barrie Evans and David Mason were also on top form with paid 21 points between them.

Oliver Rayson stepped up into the main body and looked at home with a gutsy paid nine return, while Dean Felton was again consistent in the middle order and Joe Jacobs recovered from a broken chain while in second in his fifth ride to secure a win in his final race during a busy evening for the teenager.

The meeting was held up for an hour after Jamie Smith, who hit the first bend safety fence in a heat three smash, was taken to hospital for X-rays on a suspected fractured pelvis. His brother Darren, the Tigers' other new signing, accompanied him out of concern, leaving both sides a rider short.

The result remained undecided until heat 14 after a succession of seven shared races. Felton and Jacobs took advantage of Scott Campos' fall after having starred for the Barracudas with three wins in a 15-point haul.

Mildenhall: Evans 11+1 (5 rides), Priest 11 (5), Mason 8+1 (4), Rayson 7+2 (4), Jacobs 7+1 (7), Felton 5+3 (4), D Smith 0 (1).
King's Lynn: Campos 15 (7 rides), Allott 12 (5), Mallett 8+1 (5), Scarboro 2+1 (4), Widman 2 (4), Lowe 1+1 (4), J Smith 0 (1).
 

PRIEST, MASON IN TIGERS' SWAP
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Friday 31st July 2009
JOHN Adams has made a couple of changes to his flagging Mildenhall side ahead of a daunting trip to title-chasing Weymouth in their opening Trophy fixture tonight. And while the introduction of new faces was hinted at after the side's sixth consecutive defeat nearly two weeks ago, none of these have come to fruition, leaving the Fen Tigers team boss to make a few surface alterations in an attempt to stop the decline. Heat leaders Luke Priest and David Mason swap team positions, Barrie Evans takes over the captaincy for the remainder of the season and Nick Laurence has been handed a regular reserve spot.

"We've made these changes to try something different" said Adams. "Luke and David are both comfortable with their new No 3 and No 5 positions respectively. We are going to give Nick a chance to bed in, which he deserves, as we look with a view to next season. He rode well at Weymouth before and was brilliant against Scunthorpe. I have had enquiries from riders for that position, but have dismissed them to give Nick his opportunity."

With a mid-table league position the best the Suffolk side can obtain, the inception of the five-team National Trophy competition gives them fresh silverware at which to aim. "It's going to be tough at Weymouth," said Adams. "They are pretty invincible around there, but we go with the same mentality as we always do. Although we have had these run of defeats, no-one can knock us for our performances under the circumstances. We took Bournemouth to the wire in a cracking meeting and Scunthorpe had three Premier League riders in their team. We probably should have won the Buxton fixture, but our results are not as bad as is being made out. If we can just turn these close results around into our favour then we will be giving the fans the wins on top of the quality of racing that is being served up."
 

HERNE RUINS EVAN'S NIGHT
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 27th July 2009
MILDENHALL ace Barrie Evans continued his impressive season by earning second place in Friday’s Bronze Helmet individual meeting at Weymouth. The 25-year-old was beaten only by Jay Herne in his programmed five rides and the two faced each other in the winner-take-all race-off. Evans made the gate and held the lead for the opening lap until the Aussie stormed around his opponent on the first two bends to steal victory.

The Fen Tigers’ Luke Priest was eighth with seven points. “It was a brilliant performance by Barrie,” said Tigers’ team boss John Adams. “He has been riding well all season and I’ve always said when he’s on form he’s among the best in this league. Luke is keeping up his consistency and having his engines back this week will help him greatly.”
 

NORTH RULED OUT FOR SEASON
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Saturday 25th July 2009
Mildenhall have been dealt a hammer blow after learning that star reserve Aussie teenager Dakota North has been ruled out for the rest of the season as is returning home. North was hurt after slamming in to the fence while riding for the Australasian team in an U21 match against Team GB. It was initially thought that he had only bruised the bottom of his back and kidneys but after having further tests he found out on Thursday night that he had sustained 3 broken bones in his back.

Team Boss John Adams said” Obviously this is a massive blow for us and the lad, we wish him all the best in his recovery, he has real talent and has been a pleasure to work with”. The Funky Catering Fen Tigers next meeting is a tough looking trip to Weymouth on Friday 31st July with the next home meeting on Sunday 2nd September versus Plymouth.
 

FEN TIGERS FIXTURE CHANGES
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 21st July 2009
Mildenhall would like to inform supporters of the following fixture Changes; August 23rd Weymouth Home becomes a National League fixture with the Wildcats returning for the National Trophy encounter on Sunday September 20th. We are now at Plymouth for a National Trophy match on Friday September 4th, this has been bought forward from the 18th.
 

FEN TIGERS SEASON SLIPPING AWAY
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 20th July 2009
Fen Tigers 43 – 49 Scunthorpe
The season is slipping alarmingly away for The Funky Catering Fen Tigers as they crashed to another home defeat with a poor display against Scunthorpe. In a rain affected meeting the Saints tracked three riders with Premier League experience including in form Simon Lambert who scorched to 14 points from his five rides.

Nick Laurence who made his home debut certainly lived up to his nickname as “Slick” won his first race in fine style blasting away from the tapes in heat two to lead the other three riders home. Laurence who came to the club for second halves earlier in the season and was encouraged to stay by Assistant Team Manager Blayne Scroggins who said ”I saw the potential in Nick straight away and recommended him for consideration for the main team when Darren Smith retired  so it is pleasing for me to see him get the chance and impress Today”

The Fen Tigers  next meeting is now not until July 31st at Weymouth  with  Plymouth visiting West Row on Sunday 2nd August.

Meanwhile Mildenhall Speedway have confirmed that Joe Evans has been appointed as Track Curator for the rest of the season. Joe who is the father of Fen Tigers No.1 Barrie will take charge of the circuit from the next home meeting against Plymouth on August 2nd. Evans Snr is looking forward to it and said he is please to be helping the club again and will be at the track from early in the Morning on race days.

Dick and Trevor Swales will continue to be on hand to help at each meeting as they have done all season. The club are looking for additional track rakers and anyone interested should email Club Chairman Ray Mascall at raymascall07@aol.com

Scorers
Mildenhall: Evans 11+1 (5 rides), Mason 10 (5), Priest 7+1 (4), Felton 4+1 (4), Jacobs 4+1 (4), Laurence 4 (5), Rayson 3+1 (4).
Scunthorpe: Lambert 14 (5 rides), Stoddart 9+1 (4), Bekker 9+1 (5), Richardson 7 (4), Wrathall 4+1 (5), Howarth 4 (4), Morris 2+1 (3).
 

TIGERS WOE CONTINUES
BBy David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Sunday 19th July 2009
Mildenhall 43 Scunthorpe 49
Another West Row defeat and a meagrely mustered five race victories compared to lowly Scunthorpe's 10 must surely be the catalyst for team changes to halt the ever-decreasing decline. Mildenhall have been starved of a home win for almost two months and clearly missed the scoring exploits of injured Dakota North.

Nick Laurence made a fine start to his Fen Tigers career with victory in his opening race before wins from Barrie Evans and Luke Priest kept the scores level at 18-18. But a 5-3 from their tactical ride in heat 12 and further wins for Dean Felton and Evans was all the hosts had to show from the rest of the night.

Mildenhall: Evans 11+1 (5 rides), Mason 10 (5), Priest 7+1 (4), Felton 4+1 (4), Jacobs 4+1 (4), Laurence 4 (5), Rayson 3+1 (4).
Scunthorpe: Lambert 14 (5 rides), Stoddart 9+1 (4), Bekker 9+1 (5), Richardson 7 (4), Wrathall 4+1 (5), Howarth 4 (4), Morris 2+1 (3).
 

I'M HAPPY TO STICK WITH TIGERS: NORTH
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 18th July 2009
Injured Australian ace Dakota North has given Mildenhall supporters a boost by declaring he intends to stick with the club for a few more weeks before heading home. The 17-year-old has already achieved his aim by bagging offers to ride in next season’s Premier League, but the much vaunted West Row team spirit has convinced the Milton Keynes-based teenager to turn out for the Funky Catering Fen Tigers a few more times.

“I've been looked after well at Mildenhall,” he said, “and the track is good to ride, if a bit inconsistent at times. My aim was to come over and make a name for myself to get a place in the PL next year, which I’ve done, and I have spoken to a lot of clubs and have a few choices. My dad wants me to go home soon, but I would like do a few more meetings for Mildenhall.”

North will be backing his team-mates from the sidelines tomorrow against Scunthorpe (4pm) having bruised his kidney and coccyx in a crash riding – and top scoring with 14 points – for Australasia under-21 against their Great Britain counterparts on the Isle of Wight. He also starred in the two other challenges with paid 13 and paid eight. “The crash was my fault,” he admitted. “The track was riding good, very deep, and I went into the corner and there was no room, so I went wide and had to bail off into the fence.”

Team manager John Adams said: “It is a massive blow to lose a rider of Dakota’s calibre. He is an outstanding talent but I’m pleased he will be there supporting the lads.” Without North, the Tigers’ task to overcome the Saints will be that much harder – only a three-point rider is eligible as replacement, giving No 8 Nick Lawrence his overdue opportunity. Adams described last week’s defeat by Buxton as “woeful” and while he did not name any riders, it is clear his “if they don't buck up their ideas they will be out” statement was directed at out-of-sorts duo David Mason and Dean Felton.

Mildenhall: 1 Barrie Evans, 2 Oliver Rayson, 3 David Mason, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Luke Priest, 6 Nick Lawrence, 7 Joe Jacobs
Scunthorpe: 1 Simon Lambert, 2 Kyle Howarth, 3 Sean Stoddart, 4 Byron Bekker, 5 Scott Richardson, 6 Adam Wrathall, 7 Ashley Morris.
 

FEN TIGERS SLIP UP AGAIN
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 14th July 2009
Fen Tigers 44 – 46 Buxton
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers slipped to another worrying defeat at home when they went down by two points on Sunday to Buxton. It was certainly a thrilling match on a track made grippy by heavy overnight rain, Barrie Evans was back to form and with Aussie reserve Dakota North again serving up plenty of excitement it was not all bleak for the Suffolk faithful but with David Mason and Dean Felton struggling it was certainly close al the way through the meeting.

The turning point however came in Heat 11 with the Fen Tigers on a 5 1 maximum heat advantage North spun on the fourth turn and race leader Luke Priest falling presented the Hitmen with a gift maximum race win of their own. Consecutive heat advantages bought the scores within two points going in to the last race but with the impressive Jade Mudgway who had earlier pipped Barrie Evans on the line in a previous race gating first the Fen Tigers pair of Evans and North had to settle for a shared heat meaning that Buxton went home with the away win.

All credit to Buxton and now the Fen Tigers will have to dust themselves down and come back looking for that seemingly elusive win this Sunday against the Scunthorpe Saints which starts at the usual time of 4.00pm. The Mildenhall  team will remain the same but with Malcolm Vasey’s from Scunthorpe expected to include Simon Lambert and Byron Bekker it certainly looks like another nail biter for the West Row faithful.
 

MASCALL SET TO SHAKE UP POOR TIGERS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Tuesday 14th July 2009
Mildenhall 44 Buxton 46 - National League Speedway
MILDENHALL chairman Ray Mascall says there will be changes after watching his side get beaten again at home in a last-heat decider to lowly Buxton. A fifth successive defeat, three of them at West Row, was nothing short of what the Funky Catering Fen Tigers deserved as the hungrier Hitmen held on to their early lead and sealed their first away league points with a fitting final win from scintillating New Zealander Jade Mudgway.

"We have three weaknesses in the team that have got to be addressed," said Mascall. "Buxton were trying much harder than us and I have learned from former team manager Graham Drury that you have to be mercenary at times when someone is not performing and replace them."

Track conditions caught riders out early on, but Barrie Evans was back on form and Aussie Dakota North carried on from where he left off last week as the pair opened with wins to put the hosts in front 7-5. The Hitmen snatched the lead with a 5-1 in heat three over under-pressure David Mason and Dean Felton, and impressive British under-16 champion Jason Garrity rode a superb line to steal second on the line from Joe Jacobs.

With Oliver Rayson struggling and North riding a bent frame from the night before, Buxton were back in front. Luke Priest grabbed his second win in heat seven from a superb tussle with Mudgway, who then produced a mesmerising pass from the back on Rayson. Mudgway marginally extended Buxton's lead to 32-28 with another spectacular move in heat 10. This time he hunted down the previously unbeaten Evans, racing the edge of the dirt line and just finding enough drive to squeeze past on the line.

The deciding moment came in a bizarre heat 11. A Priest and North one-two after the first lap was incredibly reversed as North struggled to turn his buckled bike into the corners and Priest fell unopposed out in front, handing the visitors an eight-point lead. Three 4-2s from Evans and North brought the margin down to just two points to set up a grandstand finish, but Mudgway got the drop out of the gate and completed a memorable paid 16-point haul.

Mildenhall: North 13+1 (7 rides), Evans 13 (5), Priest 7 (4), Mason 4+1 (4), Rayson 3 (4), Jacobs 2+1 (3), Felton 2 (3).
Buxton: Mudgway 15+1 (6 rides), Taylor 9+1 (5), Isherwood 8+1 (5), Garrity 7 (5), James 5 (4), Dallaway 2+2 (5).
 

DECISION TIME FOR DAKOTA
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 11th July 2009
Australian recruit Dakota North will decide on his future at Mildenhall within the next couple of weeks having made an instant impact at West Row. The 19 year old from Victoria, who is currently based in Essex, produced a starring debut display in last week’s battling effort against Bournemouth, but he has admitted he is becoming increasingly homesick after his father returned home last month.

Team manager John Adams said: “Ray (Mascall, chairman) and myself will talk with him after our home fixture against Scunthorpe on July 19 and see what he wants to do. It’s a big wrench for a young lad to be a long way from home and he is still undecided about what to do. Obviously we will do our best to keep him as he has really impressed me. He has settled into the team immediately and got on with the other lads. He had a very good debut in what was a difficult match which he was up for. His race with Jay Herne in heat seven was breathtaking, the best race of the season, and reminded me of one between Nicki Pedersen and Peter Karlsson at Monmore Green a few years ago.”

While captain David Mason has seen an upturn in his form in recent weeks, Barrie Evans and Joe Jacobs will be looking to put their blip against Bournemouth behind them in what Adams describes as a “must-win” home contest against Buxton tomorrow (6.00pm). Evans’ score was affected by his struggling engine and Jacobs fell in his final ride. The pair have been working closely on matters at Evans’ Norfolk home in an attempt to turn things around.

The Funky Catering Fen Tigers have slipped to seventh in the table, five points adrift of the play-off zone. The Hitmen have yet to secure an away league point. “This is a must-win if we have any hope of finishing in the top four,” said Adams. “We have enough firepower to beat them and will go into it with the same mentality and aggression as we did against Bournemouth and, hopefully, we will come out on top."

Mildenhall: 1 Barrie Evans, 2 Oliver Rayson, 3 David Mason, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Luke Priest, 6 Dakota North, 7 Joe Jacobs.
Buxton: 1 Scott James, 2 R/R, 3 Jade Mudgway, 4 Gareth Isherwood, 5 Ben Taylor, 6 Jason Garrity, 7 Lewis Dalloway.
 

WILDCATS RESTAGE DATE
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Thursday 9th July 2009
Mildenhall Speedway can now confirm that the restaging date for the Weymouth National League fixture that was rained off previously in June will now take place on Sunday 20th September with a 6.00pm start.
 

FEN TIGERS vs HITMEN
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Tuesday 7th July 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers face the Buxton Hitmen this Sunday 6.00pm start in a match they hope will get them back to winning ways after a recent run of defeats. Team Manager John Adams said” I expect us to get back to winning ways this week but we will not take anything for granted, I was encouraged by our performance against Bournemouth even though we lost the meeting I thought we went down fighting”

New signing  Aussie whizz kid Dakota North will be hoping to continue his fine form after notching paid 12 points in his debut at the weekend and with Barrie Evans hoping to have his best engine back from the tuners the Fen Tigers will certainly be firing on all cylinders.

Buxton however come to West Row without the experienced Lee Smethills who they will operate the rider replacement facility for but have signed the talented one time Fen Tiger target Ben Taylor, they also have youngster Jason Garrity making his first ever National League appearance and will certainly be no push over for the home team.

The Fen Tigers will be looking for maximum points to get revenge for the 21 point defeat they suffered in Derbyshire last month. Supporters are reminded of 6.00pm start time for this fixture

Mildenhall
1. Barrie Evans
2. Oliver Rayson
3. David Mason ~ Captain
4. Dean Felton
5. Luke Priest
6. Dakota North
7. Joe Jacobs

Buxton
1. Scott James
2. Rider Replacement
3. Jade Mudgway
4. Gareth Isherwood ~ Captain
5. Ben Taylor
6. Jason Garrity
7. Lewis Dalloway
 

FEN TIGERS GO DOWN FIGHTING
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 6th July 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers produced a much improved display on Sunday against highflying Bournemouth but slid to a 6 point reverse 42–48 at West Row. The Suffolk side introduced their new signing teenage Australian Dakota North who had impressed in the second half at West Row at their previous meeting and he certainly wowed the crowd with a big 10 + 2 score from 6 rides, North will certainly give the Fen Tigers some extra fire power looked stylish and fast in his opening meeting and was certainly the talk of the terraces during and after the meeting.

However the Australian was not the only rider to impress with Captain David Mason again notching double at home after a mistake in his first ride that let both Bournemouth riders through for a maximum heat advantage he said” I was annoyed with myself for that race but think I am finally getting the hang of the track and Today I was gating and holding my position which I have not been doing recently which I was pleased about, Bournemouth are a very good team and we pushed them hard which was encouraging.”

Another encouraging display by young Oliver Rayson in the difficult No.2 berth where he rode to two maximum heat wins shepherded home by Barrie Evans were other highlights of a very entertaining fixture in very muggy conditions at the Suffolk circuit.

Mildenhall Speedway would like to apologise for the confusion in the start time on Sunday with some fans arriving late believing in to be a 4.30 start Communications Manager Steve Dolby said” It is very frustrating and in no way did we publicise that start time it was always a 4pm start as all our home meetings have been this season, the only time it changes is when the stadium have stock cars on a Saturday then it reverts to a 6pm tapes up which is the case this Sunday(12th) when we race against Buxton”
 

NORTH STARS IN TIGERS LOSS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 6th July 2009
Mildenhall's play-off ambitions look dead and buried after they succumbed to their fourth successive defeat in a last-heat thriller against Bournemouth. Team manager John Adams, who praised his troops for a fighting performance against the title favourites, refused to accept that the Fen Tigers' aspirations for a top-four finish were over despite back-to-back West Row losses sending them closer to the bottom of the table than the top.

Mildenhall twice led their opponents and remained locked on 36-36 after heat 12, but the Buccaneers got the edge when it mattered and sealed the points in the final race. The home fans were buoyed by the marked improvement in skipper David Mason and Oliver Rayson, who was riding a new engine and clinched a fine pass on Kyle Newman in heat six. And new signing Dakota North had a hugely impressive debut with paid 12 points. The 17-year-old Australian stormed around Aaron Baseby to grab second in his opening ride and in heat seven he superbly tackled Jay Herne, hammering against the boards until his opponent just got the nod.

But his first win was not far away, superbly switching lines out of the opening turn to slice under Jerran Hart, who had reeled off four straight wins before that, for a 5-1 that put Mildenhall back into the match. A couple more seconds added to a memorable debut. The hosts missed the inspiration of Barrie Evans, who struggled with his gating, and Joe Jacobs continues to battle his confidence after a dip in form. A third of Bournemouth's haul came from Hart's seven-ride marathon, with five wins, and he was backed superbly by Jay Herne and returning favourite Mark Baseby.

Mildenhall: Mason 11 (5 rides), Dakota 10+2 (6). Rayson 7 (4), Evans 6+2 (4), Priest 6+1 (4), Jacobs 1+1 (3), Felton 1+1 (4).
Bournemouth: Hart 16 (7 rides), Herne 12 (5), M Baseby 8+2 (5), Warwick 4+2 (3), Aldridge 4+1 (4), Newman 2 (3), A Baseby 2 (3).
 

TEEN NICK IS SET TO MAKE THE STEP UP
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 4th July 2009
MILDENHALL teenager Nick Laurence will need to make the most of his opportunity when he lines up for his home debut against National League title favourites Bournemouth at West Row tomorrow (4pm). The 19 year old from Eastbourne has been impressing in second-half junior race and was deservedly handed his chance after Darren Smith, who notched just paid two points from three fixtures, quit earlier this week due to personal reasons.

But with team manager John Adams stressing that he needs to strengthen the reserve positions of the team to re-ignite the Fen Tigers’ play-off ambitions following the shock home defeat to Newport a fortnight ago, time may not be on Laurence’s side.

“We did not have much manoeuvrable time after Darren quit,” said Adams, “and it is a tough ask for Laurence coming against a side that I tipped at the start of the season would win the league, and I haven’t reneged on that. Nick has been on the pace and has good machinery as well as being very enthusiastic. Now he has got his chance, although I would have preferred not to have bled him in this early. We need to strengthen the bottom end as that defeat to Newport has put more pressure on us. We were complacent but I can guarantee that won’t happen again. We have got to be competitive and go in hard. Everyone has got to be firing and this will be a real test for the lads. Bournemouth are no doubt very tough opposition but no-one is unbeatable.”

Laurence, who started at the Arlington junior track when he was 13, said: “I feel quick enough that I can do well. I do like the big tracks but I have got the set up right and new engine that goes well at Mildenhall.”

The Fen Tigers, who were also due at leaders Weymouth last night, have slipped out of the play-off top four zone into seventh place, while Bournemouth are perched in second.

Mildenhall: 1 Barrie Evans, 2 Oliver Rayson, 3 David Mason, 4 Dean Felton, 5 Luke Priest, 6 Nick Laurence, 7 Joe Jacobs.
Bournemouth: 1 Danny Warwick, 2 Andrew Aldridge, 3 Jay Herne, 4 Mark Baseby, 5 Kyle Newman, 6 Aaron Baseby, 7 Jerran Hart.
 

TIGERS RESERVE CHANGE
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Wednesday 1st July 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers have replaced Darren Smith with 19 year old Nick Laurence for this weekend’s upcoming fixtures away at Weymouth on Friday and at home to Bournemouth on Sunday. Smith has decided to concentrate on his business concerns in the car industry, Team Manager John Adams said “We would like to thank Darren for his efforts with the Fen Tigers and wish him all the best for his future and we understand his work life must come first”

Laurence who has been riding regularly in the second halves at West Row and for the Academy team comes in to the team in the number 6 berth and Adams said his first two fixtures could not be harder” I feel a bit sorry for Nick really he comes in to the team for arguably our two toughest fixtures but he is dead keen and likes it at Mildenhall where we have tried to look after him and I know he is really looking forward to taking his chance with both hands”

Mildenhall Team for both fixtures
1. Barrie Evans
2. Oliver Rayson
3. David Mason
4. Dean Felton
5. Luke Priest
6. Nick Laurence
7. Joe Jacobs
 

COBRAS EDGE PAST HORNETS IN FREE-FOR-ALL
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 30th August 2009
Rye House 48 Newport 44 - (National League, Saturday August 29th 2009)
Those attending Saturday's Free Admission match at Rye House were rewarded with close racing and an even closer score-line, as the Kart Raceway Cobras held on to complete a League double over their Welsh opponents. The Cobras led throughout, but were never allowed to fully pull away by their determined opponents and consequently had to settle for two of the three match points available.

Central to the final result was a long-winded Heat 11 that took four attempts to complete. With Rye ahead 35-25, Rob Smith looked set for victory over the double points nominated Tony Atkin and Shelby Rutherford, only to lock up and fall on the second lap. His subsequent exclusion left partner Daniel Blake to fend for himself in the re-run, but Blake then had to endure two falls himself. The first came in a tight first bend battle with Rutherford and led to a decision of 'all three back'; the second came in the same spot but on his own and brought an exclusion from a third re-run which saw the two Hornets ride unopposed for an 8-0.

With the score now decidedly closer at 35-33, the Cobras dug deep, sharing three of the remaining four races and gaining a 4-2 from Danny Halsey and Rob Smith in the other to clinch victory. Halsey, indeed, produced a captain's innings with three race wins and 12 paid points, to match similar scores from David Mason and a resurgent Jamie Courtney. Courtney had led the Cobras' charge at Buxton the previous Sunday with a magnificent paid 17 and maintained that form here, also setting the fastest National League time seen at Rye House this season (57.4 secs) in the opening race. There was also an excellent showing from the returning Daniel Blake, who overcame two falls to soldier through a full complement of seven rides for two wins and a score of paid 10.
 

COBRAS TAKE HEART AGAINST HITMEN
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 24th August 2009
Buxton 53 Rye House 40 - (National League, Sunday August 23rd 2009)
The Kart Raceway Cobras emerged from their return venture to the Gateway to the Peak District with much credit, being in close contention in the early stages and only fully submitting in the last few heats. The Cobras were unable to get to grips with the Hi Edge circuit in June's Knock-Out Cup visit, being buried 68-22, but were a rather different proposition this time around.

Star man Jamie Courtney set the tone by romping to an easy win in Heat 1, and followed up by combining with Danny Halsey for a 5-1 over Jade Mudgway some four races later to keep the Cobras close at 16-14. The Hitmen then raised the stakes with maximums of their own in three of the next five races to lift their advantage to 37-23, only for Courtney to reappear in a black and white helmet cover to bring the Cobras back to within 7 points by blasting an 8-1 with Halsey in Heat 11. That was as close as Rye got, although it took a 5-1 from Ben Taylor and Mudgway in the final race to clinch all three points for the home side.

While Courtney clearly led the way for the Cobras with three race wins in his paid 17 total, Danny Halsey and David Mason were also good for a couple of successes and Lee Strudwick soldiered through four pointless rides before winning his finale.

The Cobras have one away fixture remaining in their National League programme, with the date for their originally rained off match at Bournemouth now set for Thursday, September 3rd.
 

BRING 'EM ON: NEWPORT
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 23rd August 2009
It will be quite literally a Free For All at Rye House this Saturday (August 29th) as the Kart Raceway Cobras lock up with the Newport Hornets in the National League. Following the success of the earlier Cobras-Isle of Wight fixture in July, this meeting has been designated an All Go Free event, with the public being admitted with NO admission fee.

On show for the Hornets will be the likes of newly crowned National League Pairs Champions Tony Atkin and Grant Tregoning, plus former Premier League Wasp Karl Mason, new Aussie prospect Shelby Rutherford and 2006 Australian U-16 Champion Ryan Sedgmen. The Cobras, meanwhile, include British U-21 internationals Danny Halsey and Lee Strudwick, World U-21 competitor Jamie Courtney, 15 year old Ben Morley and the returning David 'Magic' Mason.

In addition to the main match, Rye are looking to stage an Academy fixture between the Pocket Rockets and Eastbourne, which would bring the number of races for the night to 21.

The action starts at 7pm.
 

NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 19th August 2009
(Isle of Wight, Tuesday, August 18th 2009)

1. Newport
2. Bournemouth
3. Isle of Wight

The Kart Raceway Cobras duo of Lee Strudwick and David Mason failed to make the semi-finals of the National League pairs Championship staged at the Isle of Wight on Tuesday night (August 18th) but had the satisfaction of being edged in their group only by eventual winners Newport and the host club Islanders.

Racing under a 4-3-2-0 scoring system, the Rye pair opened with a 7-2 in their round-robin heat against arch-rivals King’s Lynn after Mason took advantage of the slowing Darren Mallett’s impediment of partner Adam Allott to slip past and join Strudwick at the front. They were then on the receiving end of a 6-3 against the Isle of Wight and a 7-2 against Newport, although Strudwick passed Chris Johnson for second in the former and was never far behind the Hornets pair in the latter. The Cobras final race saw the Rye pair finish behind Scunthorpe’s Simon Lambert to take the heat 5-4. Their 17 point aggregate total left them third in their group behind the Hornets (26) and Islanders (21) but 3 ahead of next team Scunthorpe.

Bournemouth’s Jay Herne proved the individual star of the meeting, winning all of his five outings and also claiming the circuit’s National League track record. It was Newport, though, who lifted the trophy by packing the minor placings in the title run-off to stake a 5-4 result. Rye House supporters will get an early chance to see the new winners in action, as both Tony Atkin and Grant Tregoning are set to be part of the Hornets side that takes on the Cobras in the Free Admission match at Hoddesdon next Saturday, August 29th.

Group A (winners to Grand Final)
Newport 26 (Tony Atkin 15, Grant Tregoning 11+4)
Isle of Wight 21 (Nick Simmons 16, Chris Johnson 5+1)
Rye House 17 (Lee Strudwick 12, David Mason 5+2)
Scunthorpe 14 (Simon Lambert 12, Ashley Morris 2+1)
King’s Lynn 12 (Adam Allott 6, Darren Mallett 6)

Group B (winners to Grand Final)
Bournemouth 23 (Jay Herne 16, Mark Baseby 7+1)
Buxton 20 (Craig Cook 15, Scott James 5+1)
Plymouth 20 (Mark Simmonds 11+2, Kyle Hughes 9+1)
Mildenhall 17 (Barrie Evans 10+1, Luke Priest 7)
Weymouth 10 (Mark Burrows 5, James Cockle 5)

Grand Final
Newport 5 Bournemouth 4 (Herne, Atkin, Tregoning, Baseby)
 

STRUDWICK DISMISSAL TAKES SHINE OFF COBRAS' AWAY POINT
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 15th August 2009
Scunthorpe 45 Rye House 43 - (National League, Friday August 14th 2009)
Like the Rockets before them, the Kart Raceway Cobras produced a battling effort in the second part of Friday's double header at Scunthorpe, only this time a Rye House side came home with a match point. What many neutrals will chiefly remember from the match, however, was the unfortunate last heat ejection of Lee Strudwick. Earlier on, Saints 5-1s from both of the first two races had left the Cobras trailing at the start, and they remained behind 22-14 at Heat 6 and 34-26 at Heat 10. A 4-2 from Jamie Courtney and Danny Halsey in Heat 11 edged them slightly closer, and they were suddenly in real contention when falls by both home riders handed David Mason and Ben Morley an awarded 5-0 in the next race to bring the score to 36-35.

There the Cobras' hopes might have ended, as Rob Smith was excluded from the following race for bringing down Scott Richardson, and Lambert and Richardson headed home Halsey in the re-run to give Scunthorpe new breathing space. That space disappeared again, however, when Lee Strudwick and Ben Morley kept Ashley Morris and Gary Irving behind them in the penultimate heat to bring the score back to 42-41.

Then came the drama, and total pandemonium of the decider. The first attempt at the race produced an unsatisfactory start, while the re-run saw Richardson excluded after a tangle with Strudwick to seemingly leave Simon Lambert to face Strudwick and Jamie Courtney on his own in the second re-run, or rather not, because Strudwick was then ejected from the rest of the meeting, without an eligible replacement, for a post-stoppage incident. With a number of people on the circuit, it would appear that at least one confronted him alleging that he was responsible for Richardson's fall, possibly attacked him and the Rye rider defended himself by throwing a punch. In addition to his match dismissal, he was fined £300 by the referee for that action, although the Rye House promotion are now planning a collection on his behalf at Saturday's (August 15th) meeting against Redcar to help offset the cost.

Lambert romped home against Courtney in what had now become a rather anti-climactic match race to clinch a narrow victory for Scunthorpe. But although Strudwick's late ejection left a slightly sour taste in the mouth, there is no doubt that this well-deserved away match point will sit nicely alongside the previous win at Newport when the Cobras' season is reviewed. His Heat 15 incident aside, Strudwick led the Cobras’ charge well with three wins and 11 paid points, with Courtney not far behind with a couple of wins and 10 points himself. There were further race wins from Danny Halsey, Rob Smith, while David Mason’s Heat 12 success helped him to 7 points in his formal return to a Rye House race jacket. Ben Morley also rode well for 7 paid points.

Rye House 'Cobras'
Danny Halsey 5 (4 rides)
Jamie Courtney 10 (5)
David Mason 7 (4)
Lee Strudwick 10+1 (5)
Rob Smith 5 (4)
Mike Bovis 1 (3)
Ben Morley 5+2 (5)

Scunthorpe 'Saints'
Simon Lambert 14+1 (5 rides, maximum)
Kyle Howarth 7+1 (4)
James Sarjeant 4+1 (4)
Gary Irving 6 (4)
Scott Richardson 6+1 (5)
Adam Wrathall 5 (4)
Ashley Morris 3+2 (5)
 

IT'S A KIND OF MAGIC
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 5th August 2009
Former Silver Ski Rockets captain David 'Magic' Mason has rejoined his parent club as a Kart Raceway Cobra. The 2001 Conference League Riders Champion had just been released by Mildenhall, with whom he achieved a 6.45 average. The Rye House promotion sees his average as a false one, and has quickly moved to help him regain his true form by sending his engines to Rye Technical Director Michael Lee for tuning.

Mason' s arrival is designed to add stability to the side’s middle order, and which has been lacking so far this campaign. Daniel Blake is the rider who unfortunately makes way to accommodate him. Rye House promoter Len Silver commented, "This was a difficult decision. We could have released any one of a number of riders whom have been under-performing this season, and in reality Daniel has been no worse than others. I will try to find him a berth at another track as soon as possible."

A recent guest replacement for Danny Halsey against the Isle of Wight, Mason is scheduled to make his formal Cobras debut away at Scunthorpe next Friday (August 14th).

He has also been named alongside team captain Halsey to compete in the National League Pairs Championship which will be staged at the Isle of Wight on Tuesday, August 28th.
 

BIRKINSHAW SIGNS FOR THE FEN TIGERS
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 3rd August 2009
Mildenhall have signed 29yr old Sheffield based racer James Birkinshaw for the rest of the season as they look to strengthen the team for the rest of the National League and Trophy campaign. The rider to make way is David Mason who has been released after a difficult first season at West Row Team Manager John Adams said “David has struggled this season for one reason or another and his average has dropped significantly but I would like to wish him well he is a good guy and I am sure he will get fixed up soon enough and would like to thank him for his efforts this year”

Birkinshaw who was racing for Premier League Birmingham last season comes in on an 8.42 average and makes his debut for the team at arch rivals Kings Lynn of Friday night. Adams said “ James has invested in new machinery and is very keen to ride for Mildenhall and I am sure the supporters will be pleased with the signing and welcome him to West Row, he is looking forward to making his debut on Friday and I am sure there will be plenty of Mildenhall fans making the short trip to Saddlebow Road to cheer us on hopefully to victory as we are determined to end the season in fine style”

Mildenhall Team: 1. Barrie Evans ~ Captain, 2. Ollie Rayson, 3. Luke Priest, 4. Dean Felton, 5. James Birkinshaw, 6. Nick Laurence, 7. Joe Jacobs
 

HIGH DRAMA AS FEN TIGERS HIT BACK TO LEVEL
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 3rd August 2009
Mildenhall 45 Plymouth 45 - National League
MILDENHALL ended a run of seven successive defeats by storming back from eight points behind to clinch a thrilling draw in a controversial last-heat decider. Two 5-1 maximums put the Devils commandingly in front at the interval stage but the Fen Tigers responded superbly with a couple of maximums in the second half to leave them needing a 5-1 of their own in heat 15 to snatch a draw.

Heat leader duo Barrie Evans and Luke Priest gated when it mattered and kept out former Tiger Kyle Hughes for three pulsating laps. With Hughes gaining on Priest with a lap to go, Mark Simmonds fell and caused the race to be stopped. Referee Mick Bates took the decision to award the result, much to the delight of the home fans and the anger of fuming visiting team manager Darren Stiller and Hughes, who felt given another lap he would have passed Priest.

There was little home highlight in the first nine races. Oliver Rayson saw his primary chain snap ahead of his opening race, Priest hit the greasy first bend patch in heat three and fell, while struggling pair David Mason and Dean Felton continued to live up to that tag. But in heat 10 Rayson followed team-mate Evans by storming around unbeaten veteran Seemond Stephens for a 5-1 and revitalised 15 year-old Joe Jacobs made a lightening start two races later for his second win and was backed by Priest, squaring the scores at 36-36.

Simmonds and Hughes reversed that in heat 13 as they edged out Evans, but the superb Jacobs reeled off a third win in the penultimate race to set up a grandstand finish.

Mildenhall: Jacobs 12+1 (6 rides), Evans 12 (5), Priest 9+2 (5), Mason 4+1 (4), Rayson 3+1 (4), Laurence 3 (4), Felton 2+1 (3)
Plymouth: Hughes 15 (6 rides), Simmonds 10+1 (5), Gough 8+2 (6), Stephens 8+1 (4), Starke 2+1 (4), Dingle 2 (5)

* Barrie Evans and Luke Priest dominated Mildenhall’s scoring with two thirds of the team’s total as they crashed to a 56-38 defeat in their opening National Trophy fixture at Weymouth on Friday.

Weymouth: Cockle 12 (4 rides), Webster 12 (5), Burrows 9+1 (4), Day 8+1 (4), Wright 8+1 (5), White-Williams 7+3 (4), McCleod 0 (4)
Mildenhall: Evans 13 (5 rides), Priest 12 (5), Mason 4 (4), Felton 3+1 (4), Rayson 2+2 (4), Laurence 2+1 (4), Jacobs 2 (4)
 

JACOBS STARS IN CRACKER OF A MATCH
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 3rd August 2009
Teenage reserve Joe Jacobs returned to form and how with a paid 13 point haul that inspired Mildenhall Funky Catering Fen Tigers to their first point for 2 months in a pulsating match at West Row on Sunday afternoon. The Fenmen came back from 8 points down to snatch a 45 - 45 draw in a meeting that had superb racing throughout and was a great advert for National League speedway from both teams.

Jacobs started with a heat 2 victory and with Nick Laurence picking up a third place that put the Fen Tigers two points up after a shared first heat but then the visitors struck back and the  home team were never back in front until after the final chequered flag. After another Jacobs win in heat 14 the Tigers were 4 points down and needing a maximum from the final race and the duly responded as Luke Priest and skipper Barrie Evans blasted away from the tapes to lead home the impressive Kyle Hughes and with Mark Simmonds falling at the back the race was awarded to leave the score tied to end a remarkable fight back by the Fen Tigers.

Team Manager John Adams said “That was terrific match on a good track and I think was in our eyes as good as a win as it has given the whole club a massive lift after a difficult last few weeks, I thought that Joe’s win in heat 2 lifted him and his confidence just returned and he looked very good Today ably backed up by Barrie and Luke”

Captain Barrie Evans commented ”That was a good result for us, personally I was struggling with bike setups all meeting and was so disappointed after only finishing 3rd in heat 13 which I thought had blown it for us so out of desperation went back to the bike setup that had been working at the start of the season but had been doing nothing lately and the thing was like a rocket in that last heat and with Luke finishing behind me to get the draw was great for the club and the fans”

Mildenhall are next in action this coming Friday August 7th away at local neighbours Kings Lynn start time 7.30pm
 

TIGERS GO DOWN AT WEYMOUTH
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Saturday 1st August 2009
Mildenhall Funky Catering went down to defeat at Weymouth in their first Trophy match of the season on Friday night but Team Manager John Adams was far from despondant. Adams said” We new this was a tough fixture but we put up a much better fight of it this time and I was encouraged by the performance”

Number One Barrie Evans has now been installed as Team Captain replacing the still struggling David Mason and Evans once again led from the front ably backed up by Luke Priest who revelled riding at the number  three position in the team as Adams shuffled the riding order to try and pep up the Fen Tigers.

Mildenhall entertain Plymouth Tomorrow afternoon with a 4pm start  and desperate to regain the winning formula after consecutive defeats in recent weeks. Fen Tigers supporters are being urged to make plenty of noise as Plymouth are bringing a coach load of fans to West Row , Communications Manager Steve Dolby said” I hope our supporters get behind the team on Sunday and get those airhorns working we do not want to be out shouted by our visitors Tomorrow, I know they have not had much to cheer about lately and it is up to our team to get them in the mood to raise the roof!”
 

JACOBS EAGER TO LIFT SPIRITS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 1st August 2009
JOE Jacobs believes a combination of factors has led to Mildenhall’s recent struggling form and a dip in his own, once headline-stealing performances. The Ipswich-based reserve, who turns 16 this month, was racking up big double-figure totals earlier in the campaign. But weeks without regular racing, other clubs utilising stronger riders at reserve and a dwindling team spirit – due to two months without a victory – has led to a knock in morale at West Row.

"Quite a lot of us have been struggling" he said, "and I personally feel I have been in heat two at Mildenhall where it is not very grippy to make a good start from the outside gates. It’s been harder too with other teams putting Premier League riders like Jerran Hart at reserve, it’s more fun with kids my age to race against. I feel we just need to get a win under our belt. We’re lacking some team spirit, it can sometimes be two or three separate groups and we don’t often all walk the track together. We need to start working as a team more and getting back the fun we had earlier in the season. We also had a strong reserve pairing with Ollie (Rayson) and myself before he moved up into the team, and we haven’t found that consistency since. Not getting enough rides has affected us too. That is why the Aussies do so well as they’re on a bike constantly and other teams have put on challenges to fill the void which is paying off for them."

Mildenhall face Plymouth at home tomorrow at 4pm.

Mildenhall: 1 Barrie Evans, 2 Oliver Rayson, 3 Luke Priest, 4 Dean Felton, 5 David Mason, 6 Nick Laurence, 7 Joe Jacobs.
Plymouth: 1 Mark Simmonds, 2 Paul Starke, 3 Seemond Stephens, 4 Matt Bates, 5 Kyle Hughes, 6 Danny Stoneman, 7 Danny Gough.
 

COBRAS SIGN OFF WITH SUCCESS AGAINST WILDCATS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 28th September 2009
Rye House 52 Weymouth 41 (National League, Sunday September 27th)
The Kart Raceway Cobras rounded off their 2009 National League programme by bagging all three match points against the defending League Champions. The Cobras may have finished last in this year's League table, but they have definitely had their moments, with wins over two of the League’s top three finishers (Weymouth, Plymouth) and a near run thing against power machine Bournemouth to show for their efforts, plus an away victory at Newport.

Moreover, they eased past the Wildcats despite having to field a re-jigged side for the fixture. David Mason was an absentee following the shoulder and hip injuries he suffered in a fall against Buxton on September 5th, he now also has flu for good measure - and the Cobras were also missing fellow regulars Rob Smith (a sudden retiree) and Mike Bovis (unavailable). They operated Rider-Replacement for Mason, with Dan Blake moving into the main body of the team to replace Smith and Tom Stokes receiving his home debut after an earlier away match at Buxton.

Key to the result was a six ride maximum from captain Danny Halsey, who also produced the two most exciting rides of the afternoon. Heat 6 saw him sweep around both James Cockle and Lee Smethills in a single bend, while Cockle was a repeat victim on the third lap of Heat 10. Lee Strudwick, returning from a 28 day ban and clearly eager to make up for lost time - came close to matching Halsey's full house and dropped his only points in the final race, while Jamie Courtney was good for three full or paid wins and Dan Blake’s determination warranted more than the 5 points he actually collected.
 

COBRAS' FINISH OFF AGAINST WILDCATS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 19th September 2009
There is more racing at Rye House the day after the NLRC. Sunday afternoon brings the Kart Raceway Cobras' final match of their 2009 National League programme as they entertain defending Champions Weymouth. The Wildcats are play-off bound, 'they will face Bournemouth in the semi-finals' after finishing second behind the Buccaneers in the League. Even without the currently sidelined Mark Burrows, they've got the likes of 2008 League Riders Champion Benji Compton, former Elmside Raider James Cockle, former Cobra Terry Day and 'down at reserve' the not-so-secret weapon of Lee Smethills in their arsenal.

Don’t discount the Cobras just yet, though. They've shocked Plymouth 'also play-off bound in third spot' at Rye this year, come close to upsetting powerhouse team Bournemouth, and won at Newport. Despite finishing at the wrong end of the table, they are determined to go out on a high. Plus, they will have Lee Strudwick back in their line-up after the completion of the British U-21 international's 28 day ban.
 

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 19th September 2009
This Saturday (September 26th) brings the annual staging of the National League Riders Championship, which has once again been allocated to Rye House and will be sponsored by www.hireacanalboat.co.uk

Benji Compton, now with Weymouth, will be defending the title he won last year as a Redcar Cub, while there is one further former Champion in the field in the shape of Barrie Evans of Mildenhall. The 2003 winner is expected to feature strongly again this time, as should Bronze Helmet winner Jay Herne (Bournemouth), the experienced Mark Simmonds (Plymouth) and Scunthorpe's Simon Lambert, who is currently clear at the top of the national averages. Then, there's Plymouth's Kyle Hughes, who impressed for the Silver Ski Rockets with paid 11 in this weekend’s Cup tie. Also likely to play their part in the mix are Isle of Wight Islander Nick Simmons, veteran Tony Atkin (Newport) and Buxton's fast developing Craig Cook.

Home hopes will rest with Kart Raceway Cobras No.1 Danny Halsey. Although he is yet to fully match last year�s exciting form which warranted a promising Premier League run with the Rockets, the British U-21 international finished 4th in this event last year, so ignore him at your peril.

Note:
Mark Burrows was still technically listed in official draw as of time of writing, but is currently sidelined with broken ribs and a punctured lung suffered at the start of the month. His place is set to go to former Rye man James Cockle.

The full draw, in riding order, is:
1. Benji Compton (Weymouth), 2. Mark Simmonds (Plymouth), 3. Darren Mallett (King’s Lynn), 4. Jay Herne (Bournemouth), 5. Nick Simmons (Isle of Wight), 6. Tony Atkin (Newport), 7. Danny Halsey (Rye House), 8. Mark Burrows or James Cockle (tbc) (Weymouth), 9. Craig Cook (Buxton), 10. Adam Allott (King’s Lynn), 11. Barrie Evans (Mildenhall), 12. Simon Lambert (Scunthorpe), 13. Jade Mudgway (Buxton), 14. Kyle Hughes (Plymouth), 15. Ben Hopwood (Isle of Wight), 16. Jerran Hart (Bournemouth)
 

COBRAS BUCKED BY BUCS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Friday 4th September 2009
Bournemouth 60 Rye House 34 (National League, Thursday September 3rd 2009)
The Kart Raceway Cobras were no match for a super-strong Bournemouth side in their final away match of the season at Poole Stadium. The Buccaneers are well clear at the top of the National League table, having lost just once all season, and are heavy favourites to clinch the championship in the end-of-season play-offs. On this occasion, they bagged thirteen of the fifteen race wins available, enjoying eleven on-track heat advantages in the process and had three unbeaten riders in Kyle Newman, Jay Herne and Danny Warwick.

The Cobras were not helped by the loss of No.1 Danny Halsey after two outings - the Rye captain was involved in a nasty collision with Andrew Aldridge after losing control while leading Heat 1 and was forced to withdraw after one further pointless ride and a nightmare experience for young Ben Morley, whose night opened with a fall and went downhill from there. It was left to Rob Smith and Jamie Courtney to stem the tide, and after Smith claimed the Cobras' first race win in Heat 14 the pair combined for a consolation 5-1 over Aaron Baseby and John Resch in the finale. .

The Cobras have two home fixtures remaining to complete their 2009 programme: against Buxton this Saturday (September 5th at 7pm) and 2008 titlists Weymouth at a date yet to be agreed.
 

BRING 'EM ON: BUXTON 'HITMEN'
By Rye House Speedway ~ Tuesday 1st September 2009
The Kart Raceway Cobras take centre stage at Rye House on Saturday (September 5th) for their penultimate home National League match of the 2009 season. Their opponents are the Buxton Hitmen, and a Hi-Edge side that has been the first to defeat Bournemouth in the League, having bested the Bucs 54-40. Their team includes:

- British U-21 Finalist and 2005 British U-15 silver medallist Ben Taylor
- New Zealand Senior No.2 Jade Mudgway
- Former Workington and Wimbledon man Scott James
- 4th year Hitman Lewis Dalloway, who was good for 14 paid points in the first League meeting between the sides

It's another chance for Rye House supporters to see exciting 15 year old prospect Ben Morley in action, as well as to get behind Danny Halsey, David Mason and the rest of the Cobras. The start time is 7pm.

Cobras on the Road
The Kart Raceway Cobras head out on the road for the final time in their National League campaign when they travel to the south coast to face Bournemouth at Poole Stadium on Thursday (September 3rd) in a re-arranged fixture. The top of the table Buccaneers will be obvious favourites, but the Cobras will be buoyed by their recent battling displays at Newport, Scunthorpe and Buxton, plus their home successes over Newport and Plymouth.

The Cobras have two home fixtures remaining; against Buxton this Saturday and Weymouth (date tbc).
 

MORLEY MAGIC SEES COBRAS HOME AGAINST DEVILS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Tuesday 1st September 2009
Rye House 48 Plymouth 44 - (National League, Monday August 31st 2009)
The Kart Raceway Cobras upset the form book with a surprise 'but fully deserved' victory over the play-off chasing Devils in the second part of Bank Holiday Monday's double header at Rye House. There was no doubting who stole the show in the process. 15 year old Ben Morley chose this meeting to truly come of age with a magnificent paid 16 that included wins over established veterans Seemond Stephens and Barrie Evans. His points tally could even have been higher but for a chain that loosened 'allowing Kyle Hughes past' and then broke altogether in Heat 12.

Morley's breakthrough performance follows a number of earlier determined displays, plus proven commitment through regular attendance of team practice sessions, Hoddesdon training schools and various Southern Track Riders meetings. The support of his family through regular transport and other back-up also cannot be under-estimated. Rye House promoter Len Silver is justly excited about Morley's future prospects and has already promised that he will use the teenager at a Premier League level when the right opportunities arise next season. Although the 15 year old was the clear headline act for Rye, the rest of the Cobras also played their part in this upset win. Jamie Courtney, Danny Halsey and David Mason provided vital top-end stability, Mike Bovis plugged away for his points and Dan Blake 'a key hero in Saturday's win over Newport' deserved better than the misfortune that dogged him on this occasion.

The Cobras led throughout, opening with a 5-1 by Halsey and Courtney over Evans and Paul Starke, and building up a lead of 35-25 by Heat 10. Morley's victory over the Tactically nominated Evans in Heat 11 appeared to have sealed the win, only for bad luck to allow the Devils right back into contention in the very next race. David Mason was the first to suffer with a fall on the fourth bend when on for a potential 5-1 with Morley, then his partner encountered chain problems in the re-run to gift Plymouth a 5-1 of their own. A fall by Daniel Blake in the next race enabled Plymouth to grab a further 4-2 and pull the score even closer, at 42-38. The final two races were shared, however, to maintain the Cobras’ advantage, although Kyle Hughes' tremendous 17 point haul was a key component to the Devils bagging a match point for their efforts.
 

COBRAS TAKE SHAPE FOR 2010
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 2nd December 2009
The Kart Raceway Cobras can already confirm five of their starting line-up for the 2010 National League season, with at three new faces on the way to Hoddesdon. Formerly with Plymouth, Kyle Hughes has already been named to the side in a doubling-up role that also includes his spot with the Premier League Rockets.

Also new in town is exciting prospect and former Hoddesdon second-halfer Marc Owen, who spent the tail-end of last season with the Newport Hornets on passing his 15th birthday in August. A key factor in the youngster's decision to sign Rye House forms for 2010 has been the availability of several experienced tutors at Hoddesdon, not least former World Champion Michael Lee and Alan Mogridge.

Completing the trio of newcomers, and heading up the Cobras? strike-force will be Jamie Smith. The former World U-21 Finalist, who has enjoyed Premier League experience with the likes of Somerset, Hull and Reading, had an injury-shortened 2009 with the King?s Lynn Barracudas, although, interestingly, his average for the year of 10.34 was bettered only by Scunthorpe?s Simon Lambert?. on 10.35.

The captaincy of the team has been awarded to long serving David "Magic" Mason who has already started training and a weight reduction programme to ensure he is in fighting shape for the Cobras in the new season. Back at Rye in the closing stages of 2009, the former League Riders Champion will once again represent the club he led so successfully when the track re-opened in 2000, and his personal interest in helping younger riders will certainly be invaluable to the team in 2010.

Finally, Southend-born Ben Morley, who will be 16 ahead of the start of the new season, has continued a heavy programme of practice since the season just ended and looks firmly on track to surprise many of his more experienced opponents in 2010.

Says promoter Len Silver, "Both John Sampford and myself have vowed not to have a bottom of the table side in the new season. The acquisition of a powerful spearhead duo, the solidarity of David in the middle of the team, plus the inclusion of Ben and Marc and also two more of the sport's outstanding juniors will certainly produce what we seek - a really competitive team which at the same time achieves our permanent overall goal of training young riders to be future Rockets."

2009 captain Daniel Halsey has left Rye House to join Bournemouth, while Jamie Courtney has now linked with Kings Lynn. Lee Strudwick will also be seeking pastures new but has yet to find a berth.