NEW COBRAS FOCUS, AS STRUDWICK & HAZELDEN COMPLETE SQUAD
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 10th January 2010
HAVING already announced the first five members of their 2010 roster, the Kart Raceway Cobras have completed their starting seven for the new season in the form of Lee Strudwick and Shane Hazelden. Although initial suggestions were that Strudwick might be heading away from Hertfordshire for 2010, the good news is that the British U-21 international will now be returning to Hoddesdon for a third term – and determined to build on what was a strong second half to 2009. He will have a starting average (excluding bonus points) of 6.26, with plenty of scope to get back to – and surpass – 2008’s 6.74 mark.

Hazelden, meanwhile, is already familiar to Rye supporters from his second half appearances. The teenager – previously 6th in the 2007 British U-15 Championship and winner of the U-15 250cc race at the Cardiff Grand Prix that same year - made two late season National League appearances for Newport last term, debuting at this level with an impressive paid 10 at King’s Lynn and then delivering an equally excellent paid 8 for the Hornets in the return against the Barracudas in Wales. He is recently returned to winter practice at Rye House following an October operation to remove the metalwork from a previous leg break and is now gearing up to his first full season of League racing.

The Cobras’ completed line-up is therefore: Jamie Smith, Kyle Hughes, David Mason, Lee Strudwick, Ben Morley, Marc Owen, Shane Hazelden.

The new-look squad reflects a changing approach by Rye House to the National League. In previous seasons, the single aim of the Rye management to this competition has been to use the league facility as a training ground for future Rockets' riders. To this end the costs have been kept to an absolute minimum, keeping the charges for the public as low as possible. But after two seasons at the bottom of the league table and only one possible future Rocket to show, a change of direction has been seen as necessary.

Most of the Cobras’ opponents in the National League have been putting together teams with a chance of success, which in basic terms has meant that riders are paid more money than the official rate. Rye House is taking a similar approach this season, and has put under contract riders who are well capable of league success while at the same time still including a number of exciting young prospects with good futures ahead of them. The result is a blend of experience and youth, with team members paid at a rate that reflects their overall ability. Although admission charges will have to reflect this change of direction, Rye House supporters will no doubt have a second team well worth supporting in 2010, which should lead to more seats in the stadium being filled for National League fixtures.

But not just for National League matches. The team's first opponents at Hoddesdon will be the American Dream Team on Easter Saturday (April 3rd). This international challenge promises to be a highly entertaining fixture with the Americans renowned both for their abilities on smaller, tighter circuits and for their showmanship.
 

DREAM TEAM STARTS TO BECOME REALITY
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 3rd February 2010
The American Dream Team which will face the Kart Raceway Cobras in an international challenge fixture at Rye House on Saturday, April 3rd, has its first confirmed representative. The American Motorcycle Association has announced its intention to field a mixture of youth and experience in recognition of the balanced need to develop new prospects while accepting the growing strength of National League teams in UK.

The first rider to be named is the youngest ever to appear for the Dream Team and he turns 15 only days before the British tour begins. Austin Novratil hails from Huntingdon Beach, California, and is described as the best youngster to have appeared on the USA scene in the last ten years. A racer since the age of 7, he was the 2007 Industry Hills Youth First Division Champion, and more recently won the 2009 AMA Youth National Championship with five faultless rides at Auburn last California when up against much more experienced performers. Many British promoters may well be watching his forthcoming outings for the Dream Team with an eye to the future.
 

NATIONAL LEAGUE AGM STATEMENT
By BSPA ~ Monday 1st February 2010
ALL 10 National League teams from last season will come to the tapes again this year - and the third tier of British racing has welcomed a new club. Dudley Heathens were accepted with open arms at a meeting of all club bosses at British Speedway's HQ in Rugby when the competition format and league structure for the 2010 season was agreed.

Heathens, carrying the name of the famous old Cradley Heath club, will split their home meetings between Wolves and Birmingham and are expected to take plenty of travelling support up and down the country. They join Bournemouth, Buxton, Isle of Wight, King's Lynn, Mildenhall, Newport, Plymouth, Rye House, Scunthorpe and Weymouth.

The league itself will feature one home and one away - a total of 20 meetings per club - and the top four will go into the play-offs with the top team having choice of opponents from the other three. League fixtures must be completed by September 12.

The National Trophy has been retained and certain starters are Mildenhall, Isle of Wight, Plymouth, Weymouth and Newport. Buxton are considering entering the mini-league and will make a decision soon.

Major event venues have been decided but dates are to be confirmed. The National League Riders' Championship will be at Rye House in October, the Fours will be at Mildenhall, holders Newport will host the Pairs and the Bronze Helmet will be at Poole.
 

BRING 'EM ON: THE AMERICAN DREAM TEAM
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 28th March 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras are in action for the first time on Easter Saturday (April 3rd @ 7pm) when they face the American Dream Team at Rye House. It is a radically revamped Cobras team that has been put together this season, yet one that still contains a mixture of experience and youth. Three riders return from the 2009 roster – David “Magic” Mason, British U-21 international Lee Strudwick and exciting now-16 year old prospect Ben Morley.

Providing added top-end power are doubling-up Rocket Kyle Hughes – a real sensation against Somerset – and experienced Premier Leaguer Chris Mills, who has been drafted in as cover for the injured Jamie Smith. (Mills is actually set to make his Cobras debut at King’s Lynn on April 18th, with Kurt Shields due to face the Americans in order to gain added practice.) The bottom end is taken care of by the fast-developing Shane Hazelden and 15 year old Marc Owen.

It is a Cobras side that is full of potential, but so too are Saturday’s visitors from California, who are celebrating their 5th anniversary tour – and their first ever visit to Rye House. The centrepiece for the tourists is Eddie Ingalls, who is heavily targeting British and other European clubs for a team spot in 2011 and is earmarked to represent the American national side for a second time in the World Cup.

Also set to feature are veteran “Fast” Eddie Castro and Tim Gomez, who was a part of last year’s World U-21 round at Rye. The West Coast squad also includes Perris Raceway’s New Year Classic winner Tyson Burmeister and 15 year old Austin Novratil, who is the US National U-16 Champion, plus Gino Manzares and freshman Josh Abbott.

Admission for this International Challenge match, and for all regular Cobras home fixtures, will be: Adults £12, Seniors £10, Children £3. A joint programme will be issued that covers Saturday’s fixture plus Easter Monday’s Premier League clash between the Silver Ski Rockets and Birmingham.
 

CHRIS MILLS SIGNS FOR COBRAS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Thursday 18th March 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras have moved quickly following Jamie Smith’s major calf injury by signing Chris Mills as a replacement No.1 during Smith’s enforced absence. The Essex-born rider posted a 5.12 Premier League average (excluding bonus points) for Sheffield in 2009, but had surprisingly failed to gain a starting role for this season. He was previously with the Isle of Wight, Reading and – for two years which netted a League title, two Knock-Out Cups and two Trophy successes – King’s Lynn.

The 26 year old will take Smith’s originally announced place in the Leicester team that faces the Silver Ski Rockets at Hoddesdon on Saturday (March 20th, 7pm start). With Kurt Shields now set to ride for the Cobras against the American Dream Team on Easter Saturday, Mills will make his National League debut in the Cobras team that travels to King’s Lynn on April 18th, following up with a home match against Mildenhall on April 24th.
 

COBRAS ROCKED BY SMITH INJURY
By Rye House Speedway ~ Tuesday 16th March 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras have suffered a major blow right at the start of the new season. New No.1 Jamie Smith suffered an on-track tumble at Monday’s (March 15th) Press and Practice session, and after feeling increasing pain admitted himself to hospital later that day. Doctors informed him that he had suffered a severely torn left calf muscle, have put him in plaster for three to four weeks and advised that the injury could well take between three to five months to heal.

It is the latest in a string of unfortunate injuries for the former World U-21 Finalist, and leaves the Cobras scrambling to find a new spearhead. Although they have approximately 11 points to play with within the team building points limit, team manager John Sampford describes the task as “trying to replace the irreplaceable. We were looking for Jamie to produce double figure scores home and away, and we are now in the position of trying to find someone on the market who can cover that gap, when there are very few available.”

Sampford and promoter Len Silver at least have a little time to work on alternatives. The Cobras’ first match of the season comes in a highly anticipated international challenge fixture against the American Dream Team on Easter Saturday (April 3rd @ 7pm), although their first National League meeting does not come until April 18th, when they visit King’s Lynn.
 

COBRAS CRUSH MILDENHALL
By Hertfordshire Mercury ~ Monday 26th April 2010
Kart Raceway Cobras 60, Mildenhall Fen Tigers  31 (National League)
THE Kart Raceway Cobras swept aside Mildenhall with ease on Saturday night to continue their impressive start to their National League campaign. Jamie Smith and Kyle Hughes both registered maximums, while Lee Strudwick was beaten only in his opening ride and Marc Owen missed out on a full house after falling in his last race. The 15-year-old had earlier finished just a second outside of Tai Woffinden’s all-time senior track record, posting an outstnading winning time in Heat 2 of 56.6 seconds.

The Cobras didn't have it all their own way in the early stages, holding a narrow 11-7 lead after the first three races. But after that the hosts pulled clear winning 13 races and posting five unanswered 5-1s, with the Fen Tigers unable to gain a single heat advantage. Luke Priest fought a lone battle for the Fenmen with a couple of wins, as former Rockets Danny Halsey - a guest replacement for Jerran Hart – and Barrie Evans – were restricted to just seven paid points between them. Mildenhall were also helped little by a run of five falls, including tumbles by both Halsey and Evans.

The most exciting race came late on, with Hughes zipping past Halsey on the last lap of Heat 13 to protect his full house. There was also real drama in Heat 15, as Owen and Halsey fought out a duel for second place behind Jamie Smith. Both fell in independent incidents within yards of each other, giving the referee little option to exclude both from the re-run.

Rye House scorers: Jamie Smith 14+1 (from five rides); Lee Strudwick 11+3 (5); Ben Morley 7 (5); Kyle Hughes 14+1 (5); Shane Hazelden 3+1 (4); Marc Owen 11+1 (5); Tom Stokes 0 (1).
 

BRING 'EM ON: DUDLEY (All go free)
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 25th April 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras will be back in the spotlight this Saturday (May 1st) when they take on newcomers Dudley in a FREE ADMISSION match at Rye House. That’s right: the stadium turnstiles will be left unmanned, with all spectators – children, adults, seniors – being allowed in without any admission charge… no strings attached.

On show: a Cobras team unbeaten in its first two starts and featuring the likes of breakthrough star Kyle Hughes, former World U-21 Finalist Jamie Smith, British U-18 Finalist Ben Morley and 15 year old prospect Marc Owen.

In the opposite side of the pits: a Heathens team that has itself made a strong start to the campaign, besting Buxton at home and then holding the Hitmen to a two point margin at High Edge, as well as restricting Scunthorpe to a 46-44 result in a second away match in the Knock-Out Cup. The Midlanders boast 2006 League Riders Bronze winner Lee Smart and 1997 Champion Jon Armstrong in their ranks, as well as former Rye man and recent British U-21 Finalist Richard Franklin and exciting shale newcomer and established grasstrack star Tom Perry. They also have another potential trump-card in doubling-up Birmingham Brummie Jake Anderson. The Aussie is covering for the injured Adam McKinna, and has already delivered paid scores of 18 (a maximum, at Buxton) and 15 (at Scunthorpe).

Dudley are publicising the fixture locally, and with a strong supporter base are currently taking coach bookings for the match. Everything points to a big crowd and competitive atmosphere, and supporters are advised to avoid early in order to claim their preferred spot.

The action gets underway at 7.00pm.
 

MASON NOT FEELING MAGIC AT THE MOMENT
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 19th April 2010
Rye House promoter Len Silver admits that David Mason is a major doubt for Saturday’s local derby at Hoddesdon between the Kart Raceway Cobras and Mildenhall. The Cobras captain took a heavy tumble after clipping the fallen Jake Knight in Sunday’s win at King’s Lynn. Silver is already taking precautions at this stage. “Although we won’t know David’s confirmed fitness until later in the week, we have placed him in the No.2 slot against the Fen Tigers in case he is unable to ride. If that is the situation, we will be forced to use Rider-Replacement and the No.2 slot usually works best to handle that facility.”

If Mason proves a non-starter against his former team, his next target will be race fitness in time for the Cobras’ next fixture, May 1st’s FREE ADMISSION match against Dudley.
 

BRING 'EM ON: MILDENHALL
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 11th April 2010
There is more local derby action to look forward to at Rye House on Saturday (April 17th). The Kart Raceway Cobras will be taking centre stage as they face off against Mildenhall in their first home National League fixture of the season.

Set to line up for the Cobras: doubling-up Silver Ski Rocket Kyle Hughes, former World U-21 Finalist Jamie Smith, 2001 League Riders Champion David “Magic” Mason and British U-21 international Lee Strudwick…. plus teenage prospects Ben Morley, Marc Owen and Shane Hazelden.

The Fen Tigers, meanwhile, can name British U-18 Champion Jerran Hart and former Rye man and 2003 League Riders titlist Barrie Evans to their own ranks. Also set to feature are Luke Priest, former Plymouth Devil Matt Bates, Oliver Rayson, second year Fenman Nick Laurence and ex-Pocket Rocket Joe Jacobs.

The action starts at 7.00pm.
 

COBRAS vs YOUNG STARS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 18th April 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras head to the highway today (Sunday, April 18th), as they travel to Norfolk for their first National League fixture of the season, at King’s Lynn. Initially forecast to sit out the first half of the campaign with a calf injury, Cobras’ No.1 Jamie Smith will be there to lead the team at his 2009 track.

Those supporters travelling to the Norfolk Arena should note that the start time is 7.00pm, and not 7.30pm as originally advertised.
 

ALL GO FREE ON MAY 1ST!
By Rye House Speedway ~ Thursday 15th April 2010
Rye House Speedway is delighted to announce the return of its previously highly successful promotion, with Saturday, May 1st’s National League fixture at Hoddesdon between the Kart Raceway Cobras and newcomers Dudley being designated a FREE ADMISSION match. That’s right: the stadium turnstiles will be left open, with all spectators – regardless of age group or numbers – being allowed in without any admission charge.

On show: a Cobras team tipped by many to challenge for silverware in 2010 and which features the likes of breakthrough star Kyle Hughes, former World U-21 Finalist Jamie Smith, British U-18 Finalist Ben Morley and 15 year old prospect Marc Owen.

In the opposite side of the pits: 2006 League Riders Bronze winner Lee Smart, former Rye man and British U-21 international Richard Franklin, exciting shale newcomer and established grasstrack star Tom Perry and – returning from injury – 1997 League Riders Champion Jon Armstrong.

The action gets underway at 7.00pm. Remember, its ALL GO FREE, so bring your family, friends and neighbours for a tremendous opportunity to sample speedway and help build the atmosphere on a night of excitement.

Bank Holiday Monday Admission Details
Just two days after the Cobras-Heathens match there is more action to look forward to at Rye House. Bank Holiday Monday (May 3rd) will see a double header meeting at Hoddesdon, with the Silver Ski Rockets facing their second Premier League fixture of the season against Berwick, and the Kart Raceway Cobras back on display for a local derby National League match against King’s Lynn.

Admission prices for the double header will be: Adults £20, Seniors £15, Children £5. A combined programme that covers both the double header and Saturday’s Heathens fixture will be on sale at both meetings, at just £2. The action starts at 2.00pm.
 

SMITH BACK FROM THE SIDELINES
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 11th April 2010
We’re glad to report that the rumours of Jamie Smith’s enforced absence have been greatly exaggerated. Despite initial medical reports that he would be sidelined for between three and five months with a calf injury, the former World U-21 Finalist has made a remarkable recovery, so much so that he rode in second half races at Ipswich on Thursday and won both his post-match outings at Rye House on Saturday night.

 He will consequently make his official comeback in the Kart Raceway Cobras’ National League opener at King’s Lynn next Sunday (April 18th @ 7.30). Chris Mills therefore also becomes “The Rye House Rider That Never Was”. Originally signed as injury cover for Smith, he has instead now joined Bournemouth following Jay Herne’s injury.
 

OUTSTANDING COBRAS FIGHT OFF AMERICAN DREAM TEAM
By Hertfordshire Mercury ~ Tuesday 6th April 2010
Kart Raceway Cobras 47, American Dream Team 46 (International Challenge)
THIS International Challenge was a pulsating match full of drama, twists and turns, with the Cobras sneaking victory in the last heat decider. Major contributions from new signings Kyle Hughes and Marc Owen, plus a solid display from the returning Lee Strudwick, played a key role in Cobras’ win. Hughes, who is proving a revelation in his doubling-up role for the Rockets - maintained his tremendous start to the new campaign by rattling up three wins, which could have been four had he not fallen in Heat 12 tumble. Fifteen-year-old Owen belied his tender age to race to a paid 12 record, while a further paid 12 from the reliable Strudwick tipped the balance in Cobras’ favour.

Kenny Ingalls (12 points) was the star of the show for the Americans, who received great support from Tyson Burmeister,(11). Both riders are chasing professional places in Europe next season. Veteran 51-year-old Eddie Castro rolled back the years to score a very respectable paid nine haul. The outcome of the meeting could have been very different however, as the Dream Team’s 15-year-old hot prospect Austin Novratil, who registered a magnificent 17 points the night before in Plymouth, was reduced to tears in the pits after a string of mechanical problems restricted him to just one point at Hoddesdon.   

The Cobras bounced back from an early deficit to take the lead at 11-7 following a 5-1 from Hughes and Strudwick in Heat 3. Their advantage mounted to 33-21 following further maximum scores from Owen and Ben Morley in Heat 8, and Hughes and Strudwick again in the next race.

The tourists staged a storming fightback to re-take the lead with just two races remaining. Tyson Burmeister held off Kurt Shields to win Heat 10 when nominated as a tactical rider, the resulting 7-2 bringing the Americans back to within seven points. That deficit was reduced to five points when Ingalls captured Heat 11 - with David Mason having to work his way past Josh Abbott for second spot - and then just one when Heat 12 race leader Hughes picked up drive and fell, gifting Burmeister and Abbott an awarded 5-1. Another visiting maximum, this time from Ingalls and Castro over Mason and Shields in Heat 13, completed the comeback by taking the Californians into a 42-39 lead, only for the Cobras to produce a final surge when it mattered most.

Strudwick was a comfortable winner of Heat 14, but all the real drama unfolded behind him. Marc Owen was stalking Tim Gomez and Austin Novratil until finding an opening on the very last bend. The resulting 5-1 took Cobras back into the lead at 44-43, with one race to go. Ingalls duly completed a hat-trick of race wins in the finale, but Hughes settled into second place and Strudwick kept Burmeister at bay in the battle for the all-important third spot to give the Cobras the narrowest of victories.

Cobras scorers: Kurt Shields 7 (from four rides); Ben Morley 2+1 (4); Kyle Hughes 11 (5); Lee Strudwick 9+3 (5); David Mason 6 (4); Shane Hazelden 1 (3); Marc Owen 11+1 (5)
Dream Team scorers: Kenny Ingalls 12 (5); Gino Manzares 3 (4); Tyson Burmeister 11 (5); Tim Gomez 4+1 (4); Eddie Castro 8+1 (4); Josh Abbott 7+2 (6); Austin Novratil 1 (3)
 

COBRAS END AMERICAN TEAM'S DREAM IN LAST RACE THRILLER
Rye House 47 American Dream Team 46 (International Challenge, Saturday April 3rd 2010)
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 4th April 2010
This was a meeting some five years in the making – but it was well worth the wait. The Dream Team’s fifth anniversary tour finally took in a first ever visit to Rye House, bringing with it a pulsating match full of drama, twists and turns, and one that was a true credit to both sides. Central to the Cobras’ ultimate success were major contributions from new signings Kyle Hughes and Marc Owen, plus a solid display from the returning Lee Strudwick. Doubling-up Rocket Hughes maintained his tremendous start to the new campaign by rattling up three wins – a number which would have been four but for a Heat 12 tumble - while 15 year old Owen steamed to a paid 12 record. A further paid 12 from the reliable Strudwick tipped the balance in the Cobras’ favour.

The pick of the bunch for the Californians were Kenny Ingalls (with 12 points) and Tyson Burmeister,(11) who both harbour realistic hopes of racing professionally in Europe in 2011. 51 year old “Fast” Eddie Castro, meanwhile, belied his 51 years to add a further paid 9. As his facebook blog calmly but accurately states, he is celebrating thirty years of racing and “still going strong, still going fast.” The meeting was, however a personal nightmare for 15 year old red hot prospect Austin Novratil, who had been paid for a monster 17 the night before at Plymouth but was reduced to tears in the pits after a string of mechanical problems restricted him to a lone point on this occasion.

Results-wise, the Cobras rebounded from an early deficit to take the lead at 11-7 following a 5-1 from Hughes and Strudwick in Heat 3. Their advantage mounted to 33-21 following further maximum scores from the young pairing of Owen and Ben Morley in Heat 8, and Hughes and Strudwick again in the next race.

Game over? Not so, as the tourists staged a storming fight-back to re-take the lead with just two races remaining. Tyson Burmeister held off Kurt Shields to win Heat 10 when nominated as a Tactical Rider, the resulting 7-2 bringing the Americans back to within 7. That deficit was reduced to 5 points when Ingalls captured Heat 11 - with David Mason having to work his way past Josh Abbott for second spot - and then just one when Heat 12 race leader Hughes picked up drive and fell, gifting Burmeister and Abbott an awarded 5-1.

Another visiting maximum, this time from Ingalls and Castro over Mason and Shields in Heat 13, completed the comeback by taking the Californians into a 42-39 lead, only for the Cobras to produce a final surge when it mattered most. Lee Strudwick was a comfortable winner of Heat 14, but all the real drama unfolded behind him, Marc Owen stalking Tim Gomez and Austin Novratil until finding an opening on the very last bend. The resulting 5-1 took Rye back into the lead, at 44-43, with just the nominated race to run.

Kenny Ingalls duly completed a hat-trick of race wins in the finale, but Kyle Hughes settled into second place and Strudwick kept Burmeister at bay in the battle for the all-important third spot to give the Cobras the narrowest of victories.

It was a fitting end to a thrilling encounter. Hopefully, we will not have to wait another five years to see the Dream Team back at Rye House.

Rye House scorers:
Kurt Shields 7 (4 rides)
Ben Morley 2+1 (4)
Kyle Hughes 11 (5)
Lee Strudwick 9+3 (5)
David Mason 6 (4)
Shane Hazelden 1 (3)
Marc Owen 11+1 (5)

Dream Team scorers:
Kenny Ingalls 12 (5 rides)
Gino Manzares 3 (4)
Tyson Burmeister 11 (5 rides, inc 6 as a TR)
Tim Gomez 4+1 (4)
Eddie Castro 8+1 (4)
Josh Abbott 7+2 (6)
Austin Novratil 1 (3)
 

COBRAS SHOT DOWN BY HITMEN IN CUP NIGHTMARE
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 30th May 2010
Rye House 38 Buxton 51 (National League Knock-Out Cup, Saturday May 29th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras have a proverbial mountain to climb if they are to retain an interest in this season’s Knock-Out Cup, after dipping to a 13 point defeat in the first leg of this second round tie. An un-forecast shower that began just ahead of the scheduled start time jeopardised the event and eventually delayed the racing by some 35 minutes. When the action did commence, it was a powerful Hitmen side that looked more at home in the wet, heavy conditions. Particularly impressive were young reserves Nick Morris and Robert Branford – just 15 and 16, respectively – who romped to 26 paid points between them and made light of the burden of covering for Charles Wright, whose night ended with suspected concussion after a Heat 7 tumble.

Talking of falls, there were plenty of them for the Cobras, with no less than six of the side hitting the deck at one stage or another. The night was definitely one to forget for No.1 Jamie Smith, who suffered two falls and a retirement in struggling to just paid 3. Only Kyle Hughes and Lee Strudwick managed to score consistently – at least in the races they completed – while Marc Owen’s night began brightly with wins in Heats 1 and 2, but ended prematurely when the teenager came down heavily in Heat 12. The resulting shoulder injury could well keep the 15 year old out of Monday’s next match against Weymouth.

The Cobras must have known it was not to be their night when, already 30-24 down, Smith, Ben Morley and the visitors’ Lewis Dalloway all fell in Heat 10, leaving Branford as the sole survivor in a bizarre 3-0 result. Hitmen 5-1s in both Heats 12 and 14 pushed the margin to 50-33, before Hughes and Strudwick regained some pride for Rye with a maximum of their own in a twice re-run finale.

The date for the second leg has been confirmed as Sunday, June 13th. This fixture replaces the originally named National League match between the two sides, which will now take place later in the season at a date yet to be confirmed.

Rye House scorers: Jamie Smith 2+1 (4 rides), Ben Morley 3 (4), David Mason 4 (4), Lee Strudwick 7+1 (5), Kyle Hughes 12 (5 rides, inc 4 as a TR), Shane Hazelden 2 (4), Marc Owen 8 (5 rides, inc 0 as a TR)
Buxton scorers: Darren Mallett (guest) 6+1 (4 rides), Jason Garrity 6+1 (4), Lewis Dalloway 6+1 (4), Charles Wright 2 (2), Adam Allott 9+1 (5), Nick Morris 13+2 (6), Robert Branford 9+2 (5)

John Sampford
Team Manager John Sampford was clearly delighted with Friday night’s Premier League result at Somerset. “It was a great performance by the side but it was a bit squeaky in the end. Thankfully, Linus came through for us with second spot in the last race. He had us worried because the bike seemed to lose power. He used his preferred machine at Ipswich on Thursday and he planned to use it again at Somerset. For some reason it lost compression and he had to switch to his other bike. Although that was OK for his first three races, for the last two he did tend to lose power. We have Workington here on Monday, and we are certainly taking nothing for granted in that one. Then, it’s Edinburgh in the Cup here next Saturday, with 12 points to pull back. We’ll be going for it, for sure. We want to be in that next round against King’s Lynn. If we all ride to the best of our ability, I believe we can do it.”
 

BRING 'EM ON: WORKINGTON & WEYMOUTH
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 23rd May 2010
Two days after the Cobras and Hitmen battle it out in an All-Go-Free fixture, there is Bank Holiday Monday action at Rye House in the shape of a double header. First on show: the Silver Ski Rockets against Workington in the Premier League. The Rockets and Comets will be followed onto the circuit by the Kart Raceway Cobras and 2008 National League Champions Weymouth. The Wildcats’ roster includes former Scunthorpe rider Byron Bekker and ex-Rye men James Cockle, Gary Cottham and Terry Day.

The action starts at 2.00pm. Admission for the double header is: Adults £20, Seniors £15, Children £5. A combined programme, covering both this meeting and Saturday’s Buxton fixture, will be on sale at both events priced at just £2.
 

BRING 'EM ON: BUXTON (FREE)
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 23rd May 2010
Don’t forget that this Saturday’s (May 29th) fixture at Rye House between the Kart Raceway Cobras and Buxton has been designated a FREE admission meeting. As with the earlier Dudley match, the stadium turnstiles will be left unmanned, with all spectators being invited in free of charge, with no strings attached.

On show: a Cobras currently pressuring for honours this season and featuring the likes of doubling-up Rocket Kyle Hughes, former World U-21 Finalist Jamie Smith, Lee Strudwick and exciting 15 year old Marc Owen. In the opposite corner: a Hitmen side that has already beaten powerhouses Dudley at Hi Edge – and held the Heathens to 49-41 on the road – as well as dumped Mildenhall out of the Knock-Out Cup by a 29 point margin and walloped the Isle of Wight 64-27.

The action starts at 7.00pm.
 

COBRAS FALL TO FIRST DEFEAT
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 17th May 2010
Mildenhall 48 Rye House 42 (National League, Sunday May 16th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras fell to their first defeat of the campaign, and the Fen Tigers achieved their first home win, in this tight encounter at West Row. Dudley’s Lee Smart was a late guest call up for Rye, who had No.1 Jamie Smith missing with illness, and the former 3-time British U-21 Finalist did not disappoint, with 11+1. However, it was 16 year old Ben Morley who shared in the early headlines, partnering Smart to 5-1s in both the opening race and Heat 5 as the Cobras took an early lead, at 18-12.

It was another 16 year old who helped turn the match the Fen Tigers’ way, however. Joe Jacobs featured in home maximums in Heats 7 and 8 – which gave the Fenmen a 26-22 advantage - and went on to win a further two races en route to a magnificent paid 17.

The final blow came when Smart and Kyle Hughes – after a dash back from Poland – succumbed to a 5-1 against Barrie Evans and British U-18 Champion Jerran Hart in Heat 13. The resultant 43-35 score-line left the Cobras chasing two maximums of their own for a draw. Jacobs made sure that didn’t happen by taking Heat 14, but there was consolation for Rye when Hart fell when holding second place on the third lap of the nominated race, allowing Smart and Lee Strudwick to nab a 4-2 and ensure the Cobras left town with a match point for their efforts.

Rye House scorers: Lee Smart (guest) 11+1 (5 rides), Ben Morley 6+2 (4), David Mason 3 (3), Lee Strudwick 8+1 (5), Kyle Hughes 5 (4), Shane Hazelden 1+1 (3), Marc Owen 8+2 (6)
Mildenhall scorers: Jerran Hart 9+1 (5 rides), Oliver Rayson 5+1 (5), Matt Bates R/R, Luke Priest 5 (5), Barrie Evans 13+1 (5), Nick Laurence 1 (3), Joe Jacobs 15+2 (7), Niall Strudwick (No.8) dnr

Match Points: Mildenhall 2 Rye House 1
 

NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS DRAW
By BSPA ~ Friday 14th May 2010
THE draw has been made for the National League Four Team Tournament which takes place at Mildenhall on Sunday, June 6 at 5.00pm. National League co-ordinator Peter Morrish said: “These shared events always provide great entertainment and I’m sure this will be no different.”

GROUP ONE: King’s Lynn, Dudley, Isle of Wight, Rye House.

GROUP TWO: Weymouth, Buxton, Mildenhall, Bournemouth.
 

NEW DATES FOR WILDCATS
by Rye House Speedway ~ Thursday 13th May 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras have new dates for their two National League fixtures against 2008 Champions Weymouth. The Cobras will now visit Dorset on Friday June 11th, rather than the originally scheduled date of May 21st, while the Wildcats will now be the Cobras’ opponents for the Bank Holiday Monday double Header at Rye House on May 31st.

The Cobras tackle highly rated Buxton at Rye two nights earlier (Saturday, May 29th @ 7.00pm) in what will be a FREE ADMISSION match, while the Monday double header will kick-start with Premier League action between the Silver Ski Rockets and Workington. Admission for the double header will be: Adults £20, Seniors £15, Children £5. The meeting will start at 2.00pm.

A single combined programme will be issued to cover all three Bank Holiday weekend fixtures. A home date for the Cobras’ Knock-Out Cup match against Buxton is yet to be announced.
 

COBRAS ON THE ROAD
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 12th May 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras, head to the highway on Sunday (May 16th) when they travel to Mildenhall in the National League. The Cobras will be putting their unbeaten record on the line, but will arrive at West Row buoyed by the experience of having already bested the Fen Tigers 60-31 in a first match at Hoddesdon. Supporters planning to travel to Suffolk should note the start time of 5.00pm.
 

ALL GO FREE - AGAIN!
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 5th May 2010
Following the successful offer available for last Saturday’s match between the Kart Raceway Cobras and Dudley, Rye House is pleased to announce the staging of a second FREE ADMISSION meeting this season. The date is Saturday, May 29th, when the Cobras will face highly rated Buxton in the National League (7.00pm start). Once again, the stadium turnstiles will be left unmanned, with all spectators being invited in free of charge, with no strings attached.

The “Free” promotion is also a special thank-you, designed to do its bit in making Rye’s extensive Bank Holiday racing programme less taxing on supporters’ wallets. The Saturday fixture will be followed by a Bank Holiday Monday double header when the Silver Ski Rockets tackle 2009 Young Shield winners Workington in the Premier League, followed by Knock-Out Cup action between the Cobras and either the Hitmen or Mildenhall, who are currently in the midst of their first round tie. The action for this meeting gets underway at 2.00pm.
 

COBRAS ECLIPSE YOUNG STARS TO MAINTAIN POLE POSITION
By Rye House Speedway ~ Tuesday 4th May 2010
Rye House 58 King’s Lynn 35 (National League, Monday May 3rd 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras made light of Kyle Hughes’ enforced absence to brush aside the Young Stars and complete a National League double over their arch-rivals. The victory also cemented the Cobras’ position at the top of the League table and took their record to four wins out of a possible four.

Rye quickly recovered from the surprise of an opening race Lynn 5-1 – when Darren Mallett and guest Barrie Evans finished ahead of Ben Morley and Jamie Smith - to reel off seven unopposed maximums of their own. The visitors were, in fact, permitted just one further on-track heat advantage, and that came from the same pair in Heat 15.

In between times, the Cobras virtually did as they pleased, with Smith riding untroubled after his first race retirement and both David Mason and Lee Strudwick each dropping points in just a single race. There were further double figure hauls from Ben Morley and Marc Owen, while Shane Hazelden collected a first race win in Rye colours on route so a best-so-far paid 7.

The Young Stars, meanwhile, were clearly relieved that originally programme absentee Darren Mallett was available for the fixture; the doubling up Star racked up three race wins and 14 points. Scott Campos was their only other race winner, although spare a thought for Cal McDade. The Scot looked certain to win Heat 9, only for the race to be stopped after Jake Knight had fallen at the rear of the field. McDade was then penalised 15 metres in the re-run for exceeding the two minute time allowance, and eventually trailed in behind Lee Strudwick and David Mason!

Lynn also lost Ricky Wallace to an arm injury after a Heat 6 fall. The Aussie joins Adam Lowe on their injury list, with the latter having suffered internal bruising to his leg in a tumble during Saturday’s home defeat by Mildenhall.

Next up for the Kart Raceway Cobras: a trip to West Row to face the Fen Tigers on May 16th, followed by home action against Buxton on the 29th.
 

COBRAS & HEATHENS HAMMER IT OUT IN THE RAIN
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 2nd May 2010
Rye House 46 Birmingham 44 (National League, Saturday May 1st 2010)
Rye House’s free admission offer generated a more than healthy crowd – and also a fitting advert for National League speedway, as both teams made light of the increasingly wet weather to deliver a thrilling last heat decider. With never more than four points separating the sides, big hauls from riders at opposite ends of the roster were pivotal to seeing the Kart Raceway Cobras home. No.1 Jamie Smith followed up his previous week’s maximum against Mildenhall with a 13 point haul here, while 15 year old Marc Owen went one better with a paid 14 record achieved despite requiring strapping to protect a broken bone in his wrist.

The Heathens, meanwhile, fielded no less than five different race winners, with Lee Smart and fast-improving newcomer Tom Perry the pick of their bunch. Smart, in fact, produced the race of the night in surging from third to first to win Heat 5, and but for a fall in Heat 11 - and an earlier tumble by Jake Anderson, who also hit the deck when leading – Dudley might well have snatched victory. That, however, would have been harsh on a Cobras side that battled to offset a quiet night from regular hero Kyle Hughes, a difficult return from injury for captain David Mason and early bike problems for Ben Morley.

Although never behind, the Cobras were unable to pull clear at any point, and a rare mistake from Owen which allowed James Sarjeant through for third spot in the closing metres of Heat 12 enabled the visitors to pull level at 36-36 with just three races to go. Smart and Anderson won the next two heats for Dudley, but the Cobras packed the minor places in each – with Lee Strudwick coming from the back for third spot against Tom Perry in Heat 14 - to send the teams into the final race still locked together at 42-42.

Fortunately for Rye, Jamie Smith popped out of the gate to claim the decider, with Owen settling down in third place behind Smart but ahead of Anderson to ensure the narrowest of wins. With both sides looking set to feature in the race for silverware this term, they may yet meet again at Rye further downstream in the championship play-offs or Knock-Out Cup. Time will tell on that one.

The Cobras will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they entertain arch-rivals King’s Lynn on Bank Holiday in the second part of a double header that also features the Premier League clash between the Silver Ski Rockets and Berwick (start time: 2.00pm). The Young Stars have named former Rye man Barrie Evans as a guest for the unavailable James Brundle, with Rider-Replacement in operation for Darren Mallett.
 

OWEN INJURY LATEST
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 5th July 2010
Following his serious crash at Scunthorpe last night (Sunday), Kart Raceway Cobra Marc Owen is set to be released from hospital today with x-rays having revealed a clean break to his collarbone. The injury is expected to keep the exciting 15 year old prospect out of action for some four to six weeks, but as team manager John Sampford admits, “In a sense we are quite relieved because it could have been much worse.”
 

COBRAS KNOCK DOWN HITMEN TO GO SECOND
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 28th June 2010
Rye House 48 Buxton 41 (National League, Saturday June 26th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras gained an element of revenge against the team that dumped them out of the Knock-Out Cup by taking all three match points in this League encounter. The result also leapfrogged the Cobras above the Hitmen into second place in the National League table. A tense, exciting match saw the lead change hands no less than five times, with no more than three points separating the sides until the final three races. The Cobras were nearly made to pay for a series of falls involving four of their team which cost them points opportunities – and also the services of Lee Strudwick who was withdrawn with bruised ribs after a Heat 11 tumble. The 21 year old expects to be fit for Wednesday’s Rockets’ trip to King’s Lynn, however.

In the end, a Heat 13 5-1 from guest Jerran Hart – in for the unavailable Jamie Smith – and Kyle Hughes pushed Rye clear at 42-35 and effectively guaranteed the match win, but the Cobras still had to sweat out a Heat 15 decider for the final match point. Two unsatisfactory starts for movement at the gate highlighted the tension, and an unexpected fall by Hart when on a 5-1 with Hughes left another nervous re-run. Hughes, though, held his cool to lead home Adam Allott and Robert Branford to maintain Rye’s 7 point winning margin. The doubling-up Rocket finished the night with 14 out of a possible 15 points. All the Cobras did their bit alongside him, with Marc Owen maintaining his remarkable run with another double figure haul and both Ben Morley and Shane Hazelden recovering well from early falls.

The Hitmen, meanwhile, look as though they could yet remain a National League force despite their enforced loss of Charles Wright, who is now with Premier League Redcar. Adam Allott was excellent for them, and they could have run the match even closer if Aussies Robert Branford and Nick Morris had been able to repeat their tremendous displays of the Cup match. We’ll forgive them for their “only” solid showings here, though, as they are both just 16! A special mention, too, to Jason Garrity. The 2008 British U-15 Champion tigered for every point, and was unlucky to suffer two falls, the second through losing a chain after passing Ben Morley from a 15 metres handicap for tapes touching. He received a warm round of applause from the crowd for his efforts.

Rye House scorers: Jerran Hart (guest) 8+1 (5 rides), David Mason R/R, Lee Strudwick 3+2 (3), Marc Owen 11+1 (5), Kyle Hughes 14 (5), Shane Hazelden 4+1 (5), Ben Morley 7+2 (6), Tom Stokes (No.8) 1 (1)
Buxton scorers: Jake Anderson (guest) 6 (4 rides), Mark Andrews 1 (3), Robert Branford 8+2 (5), Nick Morris 6+1 (4), Adam Allott 11 (5), Chris Widman 5 (3), Jason Garrity 4+1 (6)

Match points: Rye House 3 Buxton 0
 

OWEN SHINES AGAIN AS COBRAS PUSH DEVILS ALL THE WAY
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 26th June 2010
Plymouth 50 Rye House 40 (National League, Friday June 25th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras will consider themselves unlucky to come away empty handed after a battling performance in Devon on Friday night. They were in the hunt for an away match point throughout, and after trailing 34-26 at Heat 10 hit back with successive race advantages to narrow the deficit to 37-35 with just three heats remaining. Unfortunately, two of those heats featured experienced Premier Leaguers Seemond Stephens and Mark Simmonds, and the pair crushed Rye hopes by taking maximum points in their outings together.

Marc Owen was once again in sensational form. The youngster – still nearly two months shy of his 16th birthday – made his transition from reserve to the main body of the team a seamless one with three wins and a top-scoring 13 points. There were additional race wins from Kyle Hughes, Lee Strudwick and guest Todd Kurtz, while Shane Hazelden confirmed his improved form with a tremendous 5-1 alongside Strudwick over Lee Smethills. Hazelden and fellow reserve Ben Morley were also unlucky in the reserve race as the latter fell when the pair were holding a 5-1 position. It was the Devils who inflicted the 5-1 in the re-run.

Before setting out on the long journey home, team manager John Sampford commented “It’s a long way to go for no match points, but I was proud of all the riders tonight. Marc Owen was simply inspirational, but all of the side rode their guts out and battled for every point. We were just unfortunate to come up against their two seasoned veterans in both Heats 13 and 15. Those were the key moments.”
 

SMITH MISSES COBRAS FIXTURES
By Rye House Speedway ~ Thursday 24th June
The Kart Raceway Cobras will have to cope without Jamie Smith for this weekend’s National League matches at Plymouth (Friday) and home to Buxton (Saturday @ 7.00pm). The Cobras No.1 has work commitments away from the sport, with Rye calling on Newport’s Todd Kurtz and British U-18 Champion Jerran Hart as guest replacements on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The Cobras will also be missing David Mason for both matches, as the Rye captain remains sidelined with illness. Rider-Replacement will operate as cover in the No.2 position.

Looking ahead to Saturday, meanwhile, visitors Buxton will have a guest replacement for Craig Cook, who is committed to Premier League Cup action for Workington at Berwick that night. The Hitmen will also need to name a replacement for Charles Wright, who has been deemed ineligible for a doubling-up role after signing for Redcar because of his Premier League average, but they will still have exciting freshmen Robert Branford and Nick Morris in their line-ups, together with former Sheffield and King’s Lynn Star Adam Allott. The three combined for 36 paid points when the Hitmen were victorous at Hoddesdon in the Knock-Out Cup last month.
 

BRING 'EM ON: BUXTON
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 21st June 2010
The next action at Rye House sees the Kart Raceway Cobras take centre stage for their top of the table clash against Buxton. The precise date and timing of the meeting is subject to England’s involvement in the FIFA World Cup. If England are runners-up in their group and play their Round of 16 match next Sunday – or, indeed, are eliminated at the group stage – then the Cobras and the Hitmen will be out on track at 7pm on Saturday night (June 26th). If England win their group and play their Round of 16 match on Saturday, then our own fixture will start at 2pm on Sunday afternoon (June 27th).

Either way, the opposition comes from a Buxton team that has already brought about the Cobras’ exit from the Knock-Out Cup. This time, however, it will be League points that are at stake in the race for the Championship play-offs as the team currently third clashes with the team in second spot. The meeting will also be part of the British Speedway Promoters’ Association’s programme in support of Armed Forces Day, with service personnel being allowed in free of charge on production of valid service ID.
 

COBRAS EXIT KO CUP
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 14th June 2010
Buxton 63 Rye House 28 (agg: 114-66) National League Cup, Sunday June 13th 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras made an early exit from the Knock-Out Cup after a second emphatic performance from a powerhouse Buxton side. Already trailing 51-38 from the first leg, the Cobras’ trip to Derbyshire was always going to be a daunting one. The Hitmen are the team of the moment having roared to the top of the League on the back of recent away squashes of Weymouth (56-36) and the Isle of Wight (52-41), and been favourites to collect the Fours Championship last Sunday until rain intervened.

It was also a depleted Rye team that arrived at Hi Edge. Kyle Hughes was committed to the Rockets at Newcastle, while David Mason and Marc Owen – who re-aggravated his shoulder injury late on in the team’s win at Weymouth on Friday – were also absent. The Cobras operated Rider-Replacement for Hughes, with Scunthorpe’s Luke Chessell and Tom Stokes stepping in elsewhere.

The consequent result was not unexpected, as Buxton rattled up no less than seven maximum advantages – one a 5-0 after Stokes failed to beat the two minute allowance and Shane Hazelden spluttered to a halt – and a further four 4-2s across a rainy afternoon in the Peak District. The Cobras owed much to Chessell, who bagged their only two race wins, including a Heat 11 success against both Rob Branford and National League Riders Champion Craig Cook! (Chessell, by the way, is the son of former rider Mark Chessell and the nephew of both Gary and Martin Chessell. He was one place away from a place in April’s British U-21 Final after finishing fourth in a qualifying round at Mildenhall.)

Elsewhere, Lee Strudwick did his best to stem the tide with three second places – but also two falls – while Shane Hazelden soldiered through a full complement of seven rides – including four on the trot – for his five points.

It was not an afternoon to remember for the Cobras, but in fairness their real test will come when they travel to Plymouth on June 25th and then entertain the Hitmen on either the 26th or 27th in two vital League fixtures.

Rye House scorers: Jamie Smith 3+2 (4 rides), Kyle Hughes R/R, Luke Chessell 7 (5), Ben Morley 4 (5), Lee Strudwick 9 (6 rides, inc 4 as a TR), Shane Hazelden 5 (7 rides, inc 1 as a TR), Tom Stokes 0 (4)
Buxton scorers: Craig Cook 13+1 (5), Rob Branford 6+1 (5), Charles Wright 10+1 (4), Nick Morris R/R, Adam Allott 16+2 (6 rides, maximum), Lewis Dalloway 8+2 (5), Jason Garrity 10+1 (5)
 

COBRAS CLAW WILDCATS TO GO SECOND
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 12th June 2010
Weymouth 43 Rye House 52 (National League, Friday June 11th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras safely collected their second away win of the season – and four more match points – to jump from fourth to second in the National League table. Their nine point victory completed a quick double over the Wildcats, and they have so far lost just once in the League – at third placed Mildenhall.

Marc Owen returned from the sidelines to drop just one point in six starts en route to a monster paid 17. Kyle Hughes wasn’t far behind with 14, while Lee Strudwick added a further 10+1 and Shane Hazelden a super-solid 6+2.

Five different Cobras were paid for race wins, as Rye riders took the chequered flag in no less than ten heats, to make it an all-round team effort. It was the partnership of Strudwick and Owen that delivered the hammer blow, however, with 5-1s in Heats 8 and 10 elevating the Cobras from a narrow 22-20 advantage to a convincing 36-24 one.

A Tactical win from Tom Brown and a follow-up maximum from James Cockle and guest Mark Jones in Heat 13 gave the home side brief hope at 44-39, but Rye promptly wrapped up the victory with a 5-1 of their own from Owen and Hazelden in the penultimate race. Hughes then popped out of the gate to claim his fourth win of the night in the final heat and make sure of all four match points.

It is difficult not to sympathise just a little with Weymouth’s plight. The Wildcats have now lost all five of their League matches to date and memories of that 2008 title continue to fade. With Byron Bekker and Terry Day both absent through injury, they owed much to Tom Brown and James Cockle. The Welsh Wizard finished with paid 14, while former Rye man Cockle recovered from mechanical problems in his opening ride to weigh in with 12 points.

Unfortunately, there was also a sting in the tail for the Cobras, as Owen re-aggravated his shoulder injury at the end of the night, meaning he would miss Sunday’s Cup tie at powerhouses Buxton.

Rye House scorers: Jamie Smith 5 (4 rides), David Mason R/R, Lee Strudwick 10+1 (6), Ben Morley 2+1 (3), Kyle Hughes 14 (6), Shane Hazelden 6+2 (5), Marc Owen 15+2 (6)
Weymouth scorers: Mark Jones (guest) 9+1 (5 rides), Terry Day R/R, Tom Brown 14+1 (5 rides, inc 6 as a TR), Gary Cottham 3+1 (5), James Cockle 12 (5 rides, inc 4 as a TR), Richard Andrews 4+1 (6), Danny Stoneman 1 (4), Luke Wiltshire (No.8) dnr
 

STRUDWICK AND OWEN SET TO RIDE AT WEYMOUTH
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 9th June 2010
Both Lee Strudwick and Marc Owen are expected to ride for the Kart Raceway Cobras in Friday’s National League match at Weymouth. Strudwick had four wisdom teeth extracted, ruling him out of Sunday’s abandoned Four Team Championship, but has now made sufficient progress to make his track return in Dorset. Owen, meanwhile, has been out of action since taking a fall in the Cobras’ home defeat against Buxton on May 29th, but plans to wear a special shoulder support in order to ride in the fixture.
 

FOURS ABANDONED - NOW WHERE?
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 7th June 2010
National League Fours Championship (Mildenhall, Sunday June 6th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras will live to fight another day – although it is uncertain under what conditions – after Sunday’s National League Fours Championship was abandoned in the rain with two races still remaining in each Semi-Final. Jamie Smith (two) and Kyle Hughes had ridden undefeated to give the Cobras 9 of their 10 points and second place in their group. Tom Stokes had been a late call-up for Lee Strudwick, who was unable to take his place after having four wisdom teeth removed.

There were two delays during the action following falls by both Weymouth’s Byron Bekker and Bournemouth’s Mark Baseby. Bekker was forced to withdraw from the event after aggravating a recent injury in Heat 1 of Semi-Final 2, while Baseby reduced part of the safety fence to fire wood – but amazingly did no damage to himself – after losing control on the home straight in the re-run of the same race.

Those delays were to prove decisive as the heavens opened after the twelfth heat, leaving the circuit waterlogged. With both Semis incomplete, the BSPA will now have to decide the outcome. Options include re-running the entire event or allocating the Grand Final places to those teams placed first and second at the time of the stoppage and running this as a full, separate meeting.

Semi-Final 1 (abandoned after 6 races):

Rye House 10 (Smith 6, Hughes 3, Morley 1, Stokes 0), Dudley 10, Isle of Wight 9, King’s Lynn 6

Semi-Final 2 (abandoned after 6 races):

Buxton 14, Mildenhall 10, Bournemouth 8, Weymouth 3

John Sampford
The Rye House team manager offered no excuses for the Silver Ski Rockets’ heavy Cup defeat the previous night. “I very much wish it hadn’t happened, but it did. You can’t argue with the result; Edinburgh was the better team on the night, as simple as that. We’ve still got a big month ahead of us. We’re only out of one competition, and there are still others to go for. We need to regroup ourselves in time for this coming weekend’s two League matches against Newcastle, and then there’s the Premier Trophy Semi against Birmingham to focus on. We need to look forward, and not back.”

Friday brings an important National League fixture for the Kart Raceway Cobras, who will be travelling to luckless Weymouth, and Sampford is targeting a positive result – and a full team - in Dorset. “Hopefully, Lee Strudwick will be fit for that match. He’s had four wisdom teeth removed, which isn’t at all pleasant. I’ve heard of two being removed, but never all four. We’re also hoping that Marc Owen will return against the Wildcats. He had a run-out at Lakeside on Friday night, but had a reaction to his shoulder injury the following morning. He was unable to ride in the Fours but we are hoping he will be fit for Friday.”
 

COBRAS TARGET FOURS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 6th June 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras get their first shot at National League silverware today (June 6th) when they compete in the Four Team Championship being staged at Mildenhall. Their four team squad is Lee Strudwick, Kyle Hughes, Jamie Smith and Ben Morley. The Cobras have been drawn in Semi-Final group one alongside King’s Lynn, Dudley and the Isle of Wight. Group two, meanwhile, will comprise teams from Buxton, Weymouth, Bournemouth and hosts Mildenhall. Each Semi will run over eight races, with the Grand Final also scheduled across eight heats. The gates open at 3.30pm, with the meeting commencing at 5.00pm.
 

COBRAS ON THE ROAD
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 6th June 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras hit the road on Friday (June 11th) as the race for the National League play-offs hots up with a trip to Weymouth. The Cobras roasted the Wildcats 57-36 at Rye House on Bank Holiday Monday, and will be gunning for a quickfire double against a team yet to win in five League starts – and blitzed 56-36 by high-flying Buxton in Dorset on Friday – and also beaten at home by Newport in the Cup. Rye, will, though, be sweating on the fitness of Mark Owen. The exciting 15 year old took a practice spin at Lakeside on Friday, but reported continuing shoulder problems after his tumble against Buxton on May 29th.
 

MAKE IT A DATE IN JUNE
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 5th June 2010
With changes to the fixture list to accommodate the FIFA World Cup and various cup ties, here is the revised home programme for Rye House during June: Saturday, June 26th Cobras vs Buxton (National League) 7.00pm OR Sunday, June 27th Cobras vs Buxton (National League) 2.00pm (final date subject to England World Cup involvement)

The revised away programme reads as follows:
Sunday, June 6th  Cobras NL Fours @ Mildenhall
Friday, June 11th Cobras @ Weymouth (National League)
Sunday, June 13th Cobras @ Buxton (NL KO Cup)
Friday, June 25th Cobras @ Plymouth (National League)
 

COBRAS GO WILD AGAINST CATS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 1st June 2010
Rye House 58 Weymouth 23 (National League, Monday May 31st 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras put Saturday’s Cup misery firmly behind them as they calmly dismantled the Wildcats to keep themselves primed for a play-off place. No less than five of the side were paid for double figures, with Shane Hazelden particularly impressive in powering to his best score to date in Rye House colours.

Six different Cobras won races, with all seven paid for at least one win, as the team made light of Marc Owen’s absence through injury. The 15 year old is due for further x-rays this week after initial scans failed to accurately disclose the extent of the shoulder injury he suffered against Buxton.

The Cobras simply had far too much fire-power and consistency for a Weymouth team restricted to just four race wins and forced to contend with nine non-scoring rides. Former Rye star Danny Halsey – named as a guest for the injured Byron Bekker – and Tom Brown were the pick of the Dorset bunch, with two wins apiece, while James Cockle looked solid until taking a heavy fall when trying for the lead when nominated as a Tactical Rider in Heat 9.

The best races of the match? Kyle Hughes produced a dramatic pass of Cockle at the end of the second lap to win Heat 4, and also contributed to a super-tight Heat 15 when splitting Brown and Halsey on the second lap. Lee Strudwick’s victory in Heat 3 was even more memorable, however. The 21 year old trailed both Brown and Gary Cottham as the Wildcats threatened a 5-1 before surging outside the latter on the second lap and then rounding the Welsh Wizard for good measure on the final circuit.

Rye House scorers: Jamie Smith 9+1 (4 rides), Ben Morley 9+1 (4), David Mason 6+1 (4), Lee Strudwick 10+1 (5), Kyle Hughes 13 (5), Shane Hazelden 8+3 (4), Tom Stokes 3+1 (4)
Weymouth scorers: Danny Halsey (guest) 8 (5 rides), Terry Day R/R, Tom Brown 12 (5 rides, inc 6 as a TR), Gary Cottham 3+1 (5), James Cockle 6 (5 rides, inc 0 as a TR), Richard Andrews 1 (5), Danny Stoneman 5+1 (6), Luke Wiltshire (No.8) dnr

Match points: Rye House 3 Weymouth 0
 

NATIONAL LEAGUE FOUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
By Rye House Speedway ~ Tuesday 1st June 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras have named their quartet for the National League Four Team Championship which is being staged at Mildenhall next Sunday (June 6th @ 5pm). The four riders are Jamie Smith, Lee Strudwick, Kyle Hughes and Ben Morley. The Cobras have been drawn in Semi-Final Group 1 alongside King’s Lynn, Dudley and the Isle of Wight. Group 2, meanwhile, will comprise squads from Buxton, Weymouth, League Champions Bournemouth and host club Mildenhall. The top two finishers in each eight heat group will then meet in the Grand Final – also over eight races – that same night.
 

COBRAS vs NEWPORT - OFF
By Rye House Speedway ~ Thursday 29th July 2010
Because of huge interest in Great Britain's involvement in the World Cup Final it has been decidedto postpone Saturday's scheduled National League fixture between the Kart Raceway Conras and Newport. A new date - likely in September - is yet to be confirmed.
 

SCARBORO IN FOR UNLUCKY MORLEY
By Rye House Speedway ~ Thursday 29th July 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras have moved to cover for Ben Morley’s injury by bringing in experienced veteran Ricky Scarboro as cover. The 6-times East Midlands Grasstrack Champion – 34 this Saturday – has already had a brief shale run with the Isle of Wight this season, replacing Danny Hodgson in the Islanders line-up last month but then recently losing his own place to Lee Smethills. His previous teams include Boston, Mildenhall, Oxford and Sittingbourne.

Morley, meanwhile, has been released from hospital today (Thursday) following an operation on his broken ankle. He is due back in front of the medics in two weeks’ time for a fresh plaster cast, which will then remain in place for a further four weeks. Allowing for physiotherapy, it will be mid-to-late September at the earliest that the 16 year old can contemplate a return to action for the Cobras.
 

NEWS ROUND UP
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 25th July 2010
Saturday night (July 31st), the Kart Raceway Cobras remain on centre stage to face National League leaders Newport in another fixture critical to the race for the Championship play-offs. The Cobras will once again be naming a guest for injured No.1 Jamie Smith, and with Marc Owen still sidelined and Kyle Hughes away with the Rockets, they will be sweating it out that Ben Morley comes through a positive outcome on an x-ray on his ankle.

Meanwhile, despite a home reverse against Buxton on Friday, the Hornets continue to maintain a healthy advantage at the top of the table. They will be bringing the likes of highly rated teenager and doubling-up Newport Wasp Todd Kurtz, fellow Australian Mark Jones – a former double U-16 Champion – and former World Longtrack Finalist and British Grasstrack Champion Tony Atkin. Also set to feature is doubling-up Birmingham Brummie Kyle Newman, who is aiming to complete a hat-trick of League titles having won back-to-back third tier crowns with Weymouth and Bournemouth. The action starts at 7.00pm.
 

COBRAS BUCKED BY BUCCANEERS
Rye House 42 Bournemouth 48 (National League, Saturday July 24th 2010)
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 25th July 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras fell to their first home League defeat of the season at the hands of the defending National League champions – but only after a brave and battling effort. Already without the injured Jamie Smith and Marc Owen, and with Kyle Hughes committed to the Silver Ski Rockets at Workington, their cause was further disrupted by the early loss of Ben Morley, who aggravated an ankle injury suffered at Newport.

Throw in a number of lost point opportunities and you can see where this one was always headed. Morley was holding third place in Heat 3 when forced to withdraw with his injury, while guest Jerran Hart locked up on the second bend of Heat 8 to quickly relegate himself from first to last.

Lee Strudwick appeared en route to inflicting what would have been James Brundle’s only defeat of the night in Heat 13, only for the visitors’ Danny Halsey to fall and cause the race to be stopped. Brundle made no mistake in the re-run. Shane Hazelden also suffered two exclusions to mar an otherwise exceptional performance.

Special mention should be made of regular No.8 Tom Stokes, who stepped into a reserve slot for the night. The 16 year old won Heat 2 and finished the night with 4 points, a total which belies his underlying contribution and 100% effort.

An awarded 5-1 secured by Hazelden and Lee Strudwick after race leader Danny Halsey had fallen in Heat 4 gave the Cobras an early 14-10 advantage, but thereafter never more than 2 points separated the sides until after the final race. The Cobras led 40-38 heading into the penultimate heat, but a third bend fall by Hazelden left them on the wrong end of a 5-1 as the Buccaneers re-took the lead.

The Cobras woes continued into the finale. Needing a maximum of their own to sneak the victory, their hopes were quickly dashed when Strudwick was penalised 15 metres for exceeding the two minute allowance. Brundle then made a trademarked lightning start, with partner Halsey joining him at the front ahead of Hart and Strudwick to wrap up a Buccs’ success.
 

RYE ON SATURDAY: WHO'S WHO AND WHERE
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 21st July 2010
Both the Silver Ski Rockets and Kart Raceway Cobras are in action this Saturday (July 24th), forced into a number of changes for their home fixture against defending National League champions Bournemouth. British U-18 Champion Jerran Hart will guest for Jamie Smith – more about the Cobras’ No.1 – while Rye will also operate Rider-Replacement for Kyle Hughes (with the Rockets at Workington) and call Tom Stokes into a reserve slot alongside the fast-emerging Shane Hazelden.

The latest word on Jamie Smith is unfortunately not promising, with the Cobras‘ No.1 set for an extended run on the sidelines. The 2003 World U-21 Finalist has not ridden since suffering a knee injury in a Heat 15 fall in the Cobras’ 53-40 win at Scunthorpe on July 4th. Doctors originally recommended rest and minimising of any weight-bearing situations while the swelling subsided, but subsequent x-rays at that point have revealed the need for keyhole surgery.

Team manager John Sampford commented, “I really feel for Jamie; he is surely the unluckiest rider in the sport when it comes to injury. It’s also a double whammy for us as a team. Not only are we likely to be missing Jamie until into September but his average will be changing. We have him at 10.34 for our home matches against both Bournemouth and Newport (July 31st), but then he will slip to just below 9 effective the new “green sheets” on August 1st, which will restrict the number of opportunities we will have for a guest.”

Cobras team (alphabetical order): Jerran Hart (guest), Shane Hazelden, Kyle Hughes R/R, David Mason, Ben Morley, Tom Stokes, Lee Strudwick
Bournemouth team (alphabetical order): Aaron Baseby, Mark Baseby, James Brundle, Danny Halsey, Kyle Howarth, Karl Mason, John Resch
 

BRING ‘EM ON: BOURNEMOUTH
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 18th July 2010
With the Silver Ski Rockets in Premier League action at Workington, the Kart Raceway Cobras will take centre stage at Rye House this Saturday (July 24th). The Cobras face defending champions Bournemouth in another key battle in the race for the play-offs.

The Buccaneers – buoyed by Friday’s away victory at local derby rivals Weymouth – include former King’s Lynn Star James Brundle, five season Rye House man and former British U-21 international Danny Halsey and long-time Newport man Karl Mason in their line-up. Also set to feature are doubling-up Somerset Rebel Mark Baseby and 2009 British U-18 and U-15 Silver medallist Kyle Howarth. The action starts at 7.00pm.
 

COBRAS UNLUCKY AGAINST HORNETS
By Rye House Speedway ~ ~ Friday 16th July 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras can consider themselves unlucky not to come away with at least a match point in this battle between the top two teams in the National League standings. True, the Cobras managed only five race wins against the Hornets’ ten, and had little answer for the Hornets’ leading lights of Tony Atkin and Mark Jones. However, they also looked the better team in terms of strength in depth, with six of the side paid for 6 points or more. The home side in contrast certainly had a lopsided look with three riders - half its roster - contributing just 3 points between them.

In the end, the outcome was ultimately decided by a relentless run of misfortune for young Ben Morley. The 16 year old deserved better than four falls when placed for points, as his personal woes ultimately tipped the match the Hornets’ way.

The Cobras trailed by just 3 points at Heat 9, and although a 5-1 from Tod Kurtz and Mark Jones then pushed the home side clear at 33-26, they responded with a maximum of their own – courtesy of Kyle Hughes and guest Adam Allott (in for Jamie Smith) – against the same pair in Heat 13 to bring the score back to 40-37 with just two races remaining. With Atkin (twice) and Jones featuring in those heats, the final advantage was with the Hornets, but the Cobras will be out to even the score when the Welsh team visits Hoddesdon on Saturday, July 31st.

Rye House scorers: Adam Allott (guest) 9+1 (5 rides), Marc Owen R/R, David Mason 4+2 (5), Lee Strudwick 8 (5), Kyle Hughes 11 (5), Shane Hazelden 7+2 (5), Ben Morley 1+1 (5)
Newport scorers: Todd Kurtz 10 (5 rides), Mark Jones 12+3 (6), Tim Webster 1+1 (5), Tony Atkin 17 (6), Kyle Newman R/R, Tom Young 1 (3), James White-Williams 8+1 (5)

Match points: Newport 3 Rye House 0
 

NELSON NO GO
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 12th July 2010
Young Australian teenage sensation Tyson Nelson, who appeared for the Kart Cobras at Scunthorpe, has unfortunately been ruled ineligible to ride in the National League this season. His entry visa is for a tourist and he is therefore unable to race speedway professionally. The UK Border Agency - who oversee all immigration - have ruled that he is ineligible to ride, even as an amateur, in team events, but that he can take part in Individual meetings which are prescribed by the F.I.M..

At present the SCB have ruled that his inclusion in the Kart Cobras team at Scunthorpe was as legal as it could be given the information available at the time, and his 17 points will not be deducted from the score. The Cobras therefore retain the maximum 4 match points that they gained in their 53-40 success in Lincolnshire.
 

OWEN INJURY UPDATE
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 5th July 2010
FOLLOWING his serious crash at Scunthorpe last night (Sunday), Kart Raceway Cobra Marc Owen is set to be released from hospital today with x-rays having revealed a clean break to his collarbone. The injury is expected to keep the exciting 15 year old prospect out of action for some four to six weeks, but as team manager John Sampford admits, “In a sense we are quite relieved because it could have been much worse.”
 

NEW MAN NELSON SINKS SAINTS FOR COBRAS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 5th July 2010
Scunthorpe 40 Rye House 53 (National League, Sunday July 4th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras unleashed the secret weapon of Tyson Nelson on an unsuspecting National League, with the Saints feeling the brunt of his stunning debut. The 17 year old Australian – a World U-21 competitor this year – simply rocketed from the gate to reel off five straight wins, and eventually finished with an incredible paid 18 from seven starts.

With ample support from Kyle Hughes (13+1) and Jamie Smith (9+1), plus another steady performance from Shane Hazelden (6+2), the Cobras were in control throughout. They led from Heat 1, with a total of ten race wins – 5 of them from Nelson – ensuring the momentum stayed on their side of the pits.

The one negative came in the unfortunate injury sustained by Marc Owen in Heat 7. The 15 year old was brought down by former League Riders Champion Benji Compton on the fourth bend, suffering a dislocated collarbone in the process. He was taken to hospital in much discomfort.

On a positive note, however, the victory – and 4 match points – reinforces the Cobras’ second placed ranking in the National League table. Newport lead the way with 30 points, with the Cobras 4 behind (with a match in hand), 1 point ahead of both Buxton and Mildenhall.

Rye House scorers: Jamie Smith 9+1 (4 rides), Ben Morley 1 (3), Lee Strudwick 5+1 (4), Marc Owen 2 (1), Kyle Hughes 13+1 (5), Shane Hazelden 6+2 (6), Tyson Nelson 17+1 (7)
Scunthorpe scorers: Mark Burrows R/R, Gary Beaton 6 (5 rides), Scott Richardson 7 (4 rides, inc 6 as a TR), Gary Irving 13 (6), Benji Compton 5 (5), Steve Worrall 7+1 (6), Ashley Birks 2+2 (4)

Match points: Scunthorpe 0 Rye House 4
 

COBRAS' EDGE HOME AGAINST ISLANDERS
By Rye House Speedway ~  Monday 30th August 2010
Rye House 49 Isle of Wight 41 (National League, Monday August 30th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras kept their dreams of a National League Championship play-off spot alive with a hard fought victory over the Islanders in the second part of Bank Holiday Monday’s double header at Rye House. Kyle Hughes led the assault with a 14 point haul, and the Cobras’ No.1 was followed into double figures by David Mason, with Marc Owen not far off achieving that mark.

In a match where the lead changed hands no less than four times, the Cobras actually trailed 26-22 following a visiting 5-1 in Heat 8. They pulled a couple of points back in the next race as Owen and Mason finished either side of Danny Warwick in a heat initially stopped after three riders slowed coming off the second bend when appearing to think the red lights had come on, and then re-took the lead for good with a maximum performance from Hughes and Joe Jacobs in Heat 10. Follow-up 4-2s from the pairings of Lee Strudwick/Tom Stokes (riding through the pain of Saturday’s finger injury) and Mason/Shane Hazelden took the score up to 39-33, and a final late burst saw them home.

The Islanders, for their part, came preciously close to nabbing their first away match point of the season. Although producing only four race wins, they had a solid core in Paul Starke, Danny Warwick and veteran reserve Dean Felton, and would have kept the home side under real pressure but for a nightmare afternoon for British U-18 Champion Brendan Johnson, who managed just a single point. As it was, despite an Islanders’ 4-2 in Heat 13 that gave the visitors fresh hope of some reward at 41-37, a powerful close-out from the Cobras saw them finally clinch the victory with a 5-1 from Shane Hazelden and Marc Owen in the penultimate race, and then – needing a 3-3 from the final heat to seal the additional match point available – achieve just that with a tapes-to-flag win from Kyle Hughes.
 

NEW BOURNEMOUTH DATE FOR COBRAS'
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 30th August 2010
Following the rain-off of the original fixture, the Kart Raceway Cobras will now head to Poole Stadium to face Bournemouth on Sunday, September 19th. As with the originally scheduled meeting, the fixture will be the second part of a double header, with the Cobras’ match following directly after the Buccaneers earlier clash against King’s Lynn.
 

COBRAS' SEE OFF SAINTS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 28th August 2010
Rye House 54 Scunthorpe 38 (National League, Saturday August 28th 2010)
Lee Strudwick and guest Barrie Evans led the way as the Kart Raceway Cobras eventually pulled clear of a game Scunthorpe outfit in an intriguing National League fixture at Rye House. Strudwick dropped just one point in five starts, while Evans – substituting for Cobras’ No.1 Kyle Hughes who was away in the Potteries with the Silver Ski Rockets – was unbeaten until his final ride. Joe Jacobs and Marc Owen also played their part on their returns from injury, as did David Mason and – despite two falls - Shane Hazelden – as Rye ultimately eased home after things looked tight in the early stages.

A statistic of eight drawn heats sums up the closeness of the meeting, with the Cobras leading by just two points at Heat 5 before striking with four unanswered 5-1s. Their one major negative came in Heat 11, as reserve Tom Stokes fell not once but twice, suffering a suspected dislocated finger which creates headaches for the Cobras ahead of their next fixture at home to the Isle of Wight on Bank Holiday Monday.

Two showers in the couple of hours leading up to the meeting left the circuit a little tricky in the early stages, but both teams made light of the conditions to keep the full destination of the match points in doubt until the closing stages. The visiting Saints played their part in the encounter, belying their current status of not a single away match point with a hard working display. Wily veteran Mark Burrows and young prospects Steve Worrall and Ashley Birks were the clear pick of their bunch.

It was Burrows who featured in the race of the night when nominated for double points as a Tactical Rider in Heat 11 with the score at 36-24. He and partner Adam Wrathall seemed set for the 8-1 that would have brought Scunthorpe right back into contention when the race was stopped due to Stokes’ second spill. Lee Strudwick promptly made the gate in the re-run, only for a persistent Burrows to work his way past on the third lap. Partner Wrathall took a tumble on the very last bend to deny himself third place, however, and leave the Saints to be content with a 6-2 advantage from the heat. 5-1s from the Cobras pairings of Strudwick/Evans and Owen/Hazelden in Heats 13 and 14, respectively, then wrapped up the three available match points for Rye.
 

WEATHER HALTS COBRAS' TRIP TO DORSET
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 22nd August 2010
Bournemouth vs Rye House - Postponed (National League, Sunday August 22nd 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras’ scheduled National League match against Bournemouth at Poole Stadium on Sunday was called off ahead of start time due to wet weather. There is the possibility that the Cobras – and the King’s Lynn Young Stars who were also part of what would have been a double header – will return to Dorset on Sunday, September 26th, but this date is yet to be confirmed. The next scheduled action for the Cobras will be this Saturday (August 28th), when they play host to the Scunthorpe Scorpions in a National League fixture where all supporters will be admitted TOTALLY FREE. The action starts at 7.00pm.
 

COBRAS SUFFER DUDLEY DEMOLITION
By Rye House Speedway ~  Wednesday 18th August 2010
Dudley 67 Rye House 26 (National League, Tuesday August 17th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras fell to their heaviest defeat of the season as a rampant Heathens outfit powered to the top of the National League table. Their only saving grace came from newly installed No.1 Kyle Hughes, who sped to a couple of race wins en route to collecting exactly half of Rye’s points total. The U-21 World Cup Lion was also unlucky in suffering two falls, and came close to pipping the unbeaten Lee Smart to the finish line in a dramatic Heat 15.

It was effectively a case of “Hughes vs the Heathens” as David Mason was the only other Cobra to finish in front of a home rider – he bagged third place ahead of a determined Tom Perry in Heat 5 and second spot ahead of Ashley Morris in Heat 7. The Cobras were on the wrong end of no less than ten 5-1s, including four straight from the start, as Dudley had the match points mathematically in the bag by Heat 10. In addition to maximum man Smart, the Heathens fielded five riders beaten in just a single race to emphasise their all-round domination on the night.
 

JACOBS - NO BREAKS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Tuesday 17th August 2010
The Kart Raceway Cobras have received the positive news that Joe Jacobs has escaped without any broken bones from his fall at Buxton on Sunday. The 17 year old has, however, been left with a major swelling to his foot and ankle, which is currently preventing him from any weight bearing, and must wait until this has subsided before checking on potential ligament and ankle damage.

Jacobs will clearly not be a part of the team that travels to Wolverhampton tomorrow (August 17th) as the sixth placed injury-struck Cobras face a tough match against third in the table Dudley. Veteran Ricky Scarboro will, however, make his debut for the team at Monmore Green after being unavailable for Sunday’s match in Derbyshire.

The Rye House team is:
Kyle Hughes, Marc Owen R/R, David Mason, Ricky Scarboro, Lee Strudwick, Tom Stokes, Shane Hazelden.
 

COBRAS LOSE MATCH AND JACOBS AT BUXTON
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 15th August 2010
Buxton 58 Rye House 35 (National League, Sunday August 15th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras lost more than just a National League fixture at Hi Edge; they also lost the services of new signing Joe Jacobs. The British U-18 silver medallist – just 17 the day before – suffered a suspected broken bone in his foot when falling twice in Heat 10. He now joins a lengthening Cobras injury list that already includes Jamie Smith, Ben Morley and Marc Owen. At the time of Jacobs’ accident, Rye were still in with a chance of a match point at 36-24, despite conceding 5-1s in both this race and its predecessor. A 6 point Tactical Ride from guest Barrie Evans in Heat 11 gave them brief hope of a come-back, but the Hitmen reeled off maximum points in each of the four remaining races to ease home with plenty to spare.
 

WEST COUNTRY TRIP POSTPONED
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 14th August 2010
Rye House vs Plymouth (National League, Saturday August 14th 2010)
Persistent rain over a 24 hour period led to the lunchtime postponement of Saturday night’s scheduled National League clash between the Kart Raceway Cobras and Plymouth. The Cobras will try again at second placed Buxton tomorrow afternoon (Sunday, 15th) before heading to Monmore Green, Wolverhampton on Tuesday night (17th) to face third in the table Dudley. Their next scheduled home match is in two weeks’ time when they take on Scunthorpe in a Free Admission fixture on Saturday, August 28th. They’re also set to enjoy home comforts against the Isle of Wight as the second part of a double header that also features the Silver Ski Rockets’ Premier League clash against Stoke on Bank Holiday Monday (August 30th @ 2.00pm).
 

FOURS ALLOCATION SETS UP NATIONAL LEAGUE WEEKEND BONANZA
By Rye House Speedway ~ Friday 13th August 2010
Rye House Speedway is proud to announce that it has been awarded the re-staging of the National League Four Team Championship originally abandoned through rain at Mildenhall in June. And the new meeting will set up a real weekend bonanza with no less than two National League championships being decided in the space of less than 24 hours. The Fours event will take place on Saturday, October 2nd (7.00pm), the evening before the staging of the National League Riders Championship at the same circuit. The four competing teams - Buxton, Bournemouth, Dudley and the Kart Raceway Cobras – were with the exception of Mildenhall, who have since withdrawn from the League - the leading teams in the Semi-Finals when the original meeting was abandoned. The title will be decided over 16 heats.

Given the number of supporters expected in from around the country to make a full weekend of the two meetings, a special Two Day Event ticket will be on sale at the Saturday meeting, with pricing details to be announced when confirmed. A combined programme will cover both meetings.
 

WEEKEND ROUND UP
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 8th August 2010
It proved a learning experience for Shane Hazelden and new recruit Joe Jacobs as the 16 year olds had to contend with some of the National League’s more established talent. The Kart Raceway Cobras duo was on the wrong end of three 7-2s and a 6-3 – the event was scored 4-3-2-0 – to finish at the bottom of their round-robin group. The Championship was won by the Plymouth pair of Nicki Glanz and Mark Simmonds, who are both set to feature when the Devils face the Cobras at Rye House next Saturday (August 14th).
 

COBRAS V PLYMOUTH (NL) - PREVIEW
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 8th August 2010
THE Kart Raceway Cobras will maintain their chase for a play-off position when they entertain back-to-back Trophy winners and 2009 Championship runners-up Plymouth in the National League on Saturday (August 14th @ 7.00pm).

The Devils will feature their newly appointed National League Pairs Champions Nicki Glanz and Mark Simmonds. Glanz has been newly installed at No.1 in the Devon side’s line-up and marked his return to this country after a two year absence last month with a 15 point maximum and the Plymouth track record! Simmonds, meanwhile, has lengthy Premier League experience as the former captain of Exeter.

The Devils can also expect key back-up from Matt Bates and second former Falcon Seemond Stephens, who is a ten-time Cornish Grasstrack Champion.

Also joining the meeting will be the rider held by many to be the best ever in the sport’s history: 6-time World Speedway Champion and triple World Long-Track titlist Ivan Mauger. The Kiwi legend will be at Rye to sign copies of his new autobiography, “The Will to Win”.
 

COBRAS PAIR FOR PAIRS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Friday 6th August 2010
Joe Jacobs will make his formal debut for the Kart Raceway Cobras in tomorrow’s (Saturday, August 7th) National League Pairs Championship at Newport. The new recruit will be partnered by fellow 16 year old Shane Hazelden in the event. Jacobs will make his full team debut for the Cobras at home to Plymouth next Saturday (August 14th @ 7.00pm).

New Date For Dorset
Mildenhall’s withdrawal from the National League has enabled the Kart Raceway Cobras to bring forward their away match against Bournemouth. The Cobras will now be at Wimborne Road on Sunday, August 22nd, as the second part of a double header that will earlier pit the Buccaneers against King’s Lynn at 4.00pm.

The fixture change is a welcome one. The originally scheduled date of the 29th would have entailed the Cobras facing the daunting task three matches in as many days, with Scunthorpe due at Rye House on Saturday the 28th, and the Isle of Wight also visiting on the Bank Holiday Monday as part of a double header that will kick off with the Rockets-Stoke Premier League clash.
 

JACOBS CONFIRMED
By Rye House Speedway ~ Thursday 5th August 2010
THE Kart Raceway Cobras have moved to sign Mildenhall’s Joe Jacobs following the Fen Tigers’ closure. The teenager – 17 next Saturday – comes in to replace Jamie Smith, who is sidelined with a knee injury.

Jacobs has been riding motorcycles since he was 4 and trials bikes since the age of 8. A protégé of former international star Jeremy Doncaster, he was a Pocket Rocket at Rye in the 2008 Academy League, the same season he finished 4th in the British U-15 Championship. He has progressed well since then, with his two National League years with Mildenhall netting official C.M.A.s (excluding bonus points) of 4.10 (2009) and 7.17 (2010 to date).

Jacobs finished second in last Friday’s British U-18 Championship behind Brendan Johnson. He is set to make his home debut for the Cobras next Saturday (August 14th), on his 17th birthday, against Plymouth.
 

COBRAS INJURY UPDATE
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 4th August 2010
MARC Owen was back in hospital earlier this week for further tests and appraisals on his broken collar bone. The medical outcome was unfortunately less than encouraging, with doctors advising the 15 year old that he may remain out of action for another eight weeks. The news is another injury blow to the Kart Raceway Cobras Championship play-off ambitions. Jamie Smith (awaiting keyhole surgery for a knee injury) and Ben Morley (broken ankle) are also sidelined and increasingly questionable for track returns this season.

Finally, Mildenhall’s unfortunate withdrawal from the National League and subsequent expunging of all results has cost the Cobras four match points and pushed them down to 6th in the amended League table. They do, however, have matches in hand of all the teams above them, and will look to begin clawing back the deficit when they entertain Plymouth at Hoddesdon on Saturday, August 14th.

National League Pairs: Cobras Now In
Mildenhall’s demise has meant a last minute instatement for the Cobras in Saturday’s (August 7th) National League Pairs Championship at Newport. The Cobras will compete in round-robin Group Two alongside duos from Weymouth, King’s Lynn, Scunthorpe and Buxton.

Group One, meanwhile, will comprise tandems from Dudley, Bournemouth, Newport, the Isle of Wight and Plymouth. The two group winners will meet in a head-to-head final race to decide the title.
 

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEEKEND LATEST
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 29th September 2010
The countdown continues to this weekend’s double bill of National League championship action at Rye House. First on the agenda is Saturday’s National League Four Team Championship (7pm start), which will be sponsored by Silver Ski Holidays. For the Kart Raceway Cobras, it is the chance for one final surge for silverware after their 4th placed finish in the League. They will be sitting nervously ahead of start time, however, as key squad member Joe Jacobs high-tails it back from his international meeting in the Czech Republic the night before.

The three other finalists are all part of this year’s League Championship Play-Offs. Defending titlists Bournemouth boast a strong-looking spearhead of former King’s Lynn Star James Brundle, Mark Baseby and recent Rockets target Jay Herne, plus doubling-up Somerset Rebel Kyle Howarth. Buxton, meanwhile, will have to fend without 2009 NLRC winner Craig Cook – who is committed to Young Shield action at Workington, but will be back to defend his individual crown – but can still boast the fast-starting Adam Allott, exciting freshman Robert Branford and former British U-15 Champion Jason Garrity. Finally, Dudley have new prospects Tom Perry and Micky Dyer to augment the steadying influence of 2003 League Riders Champion Barrie Evans.

Bournemouth: Jay Herne, Mark Baseby, James Brundle, Kyle Howarth
Buxton: Adam Allott, Robert Branford, Jason Garrity, Jonathan Bethell
Dudley: Barrie Evans, Micky Dyer, Richard Franklin, Tom Perry
Rye House: Kyle Hughes, Joe Jacobs, Lee Strudwick, Ben Morley

Sunday afternoon (2.00pm start), meanwhile, sees the annual staging of the National League Riders Championship, sponsored by www.hireacanalboat.co.uk. A change to the line-up now sees Mark Baseby stepping into the main line-up at No.6, with Scunthorpe’s Steve Worrall taking a reserve spot. 

1. Nick Simmons (Isle of Wight), 2. Nicki Glanz (Plymouth), 3. Simon Lambert (King’s Lynn), 4. Lee Smart (Dudley), 5. Craig Cook (Buxton), 6. Mark Baseby (Bournemouth), 7. James Brundle (Bournemouth), 8. Adam Allott (Buxton), 9. Joe Jacobs (Rye House), 10. Darren Mallett (King’s Lynn), 11. Todd Kurtz (Newport), 12. Barrie Evans (Dudley), 13. Gary Irving (Scunthorpe), 14. Kyle Hughes (Rye House), 15. Kyle Newman (Newport), 16. James Cockle (Weymouth). 

Reserves: Tom Brown (Weymouth) and Steve Worrall (Scunthorpe
 

SATURDAY ROUND UP: MAD DASH FOR JACOBS IN FOURS
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 25th September 2010
It will prove a cross-continental race against the clock for Joe Jacobs next weekend, as the 17 year old bids to take his place in the Kart Raceway Cobras’ team that competes in the National League Fours Championship at Rye House (Saturday, October 2nd @ 7.00pm). The British U-18 star is riding in his first international meeting in the Czech Republic on Friday, but must then hot-foot it back in order to catch the first part of the National League Championship Double Header being staged at Hoddesdon at the weekend.

He will join colleagues Kyle Hughes, Joe Jacobs, Lee Strudwick and Ben Morley in the Cobras side that will take on quartets Dudley, Buxton and Bournemouth. The event is a re-staging of June’s abandoned event at Mildenhall, with the four original semi-final leaders – bar the now-closed Fen Tigers – meeting in a 16 heat Final.

Hughes and Jacobs Target NLRC
The title action doesn’t end on Saturday night, because the following afternoon – Sunday, October 3rd at 2pm – both Kyle Hughes and Joe Jacobs will be flying the flag for the Kart Raceway Cobras in the National League Riders Championship also being staged at Rye House. Hughes will be aiming to go one better than last year’s runners-up finish… and he’ll also have a chance for revenge, having lost out to Buxton’s Craig Cook via a last bend engine failure in a run-off for the title, as Cook will be back to defend the championship. For Jacobs, meanwhile, it will be a first appearance in the Final, after already claiming second place in the British U-18 Championship. He replaces broken collarbone victim Paul Starke in the event. The field also includes 2003 Riders Champion Barrie Evans, who is now with Dudley, fellow Heathen and Stoke Potter Lee Smart, King’s Lynn’s Darren Mallett – a key player for Glasgow at Rye a week ago - and Plymouth’s Pairs Champions Nicki Glanz and Mark Simmonds.

The full line-up – in riding order - is:
1. Nick Simmons (Isle of Wight), 2. Nicki Glanz (Plymouth), 3. Simon Lambert (King’s Lynn), 4. Lee Smart (Dudley), 5. Craig Cook (Buxton), 6. Mark Simmonds (Plymouth), 7. James Brundle (Bournemouth), 8. Adam Allott (Buxton), 9. Joe Jacobs (Rye House), 10. Darren Mallett (King’s Lynn), 11. Todd Kurtz (Newport), 12. Barrie Evans (Dudley), 13. Gary Irving (Scunthorpe), 14. Kyle Hughes (Rye House), 15. Kyle Newman (Newport), 16. James Cockle (Weymouth). 

The reserves are Mark Baseby (Bournemouth) and Tom Brown (Weymouth).

The meeting will be sponsored once again by www.hireacanalboat.co.uk.

Given the number of supporters expected in from around the country to make a full weekend of the two meetings, a special Two Day Event ticket will be on sale at the Saturday meeting, priced at £20 (no concessions) and £8 (children). Individual meeting prices will be: Adults £15, Seniors £13 and Children £5, highlighting the savings available. A combined programme will cover both meetings, priced at £2.
 

COBRAS SEE OFF DEVILS TO FINISH 4TH
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 25th September 2010
National League: Rye House 55 Plymouth 37
The Kart Raceway Cobras rounded off their National League programme by taking all three match points against the Devils, to finish 4th in the final League table. Given the Cobras’ run of injuries, plus the loss of four match points after Mildenhall’s withdrawal and a further three after the “Nelsongate” affair at Scunthorpe, that is not a bad achievement at all. Despite the final score-line, however, it was far from plain sailing against a Plymouth team that could have nabbed 4th spot with a victory of their own. They shocked the Cobras with a 5-1 in the opening race, and although Rye quickly levelled with a maximum of their own in the next race, remained competitive until into the second half of the match. Mark Simmonds and Nicki Glanz – both set to feature in next weekend’s NLRC – were in explosive form, and veteran Seemond Stephens added further stability.

Ultimately, though, a vulnerable tail and the absence of Matt Bates with a back injury proved their undoing against a Rye side that was solid throughout. NLRC-bound Kyle Hughes led the way for the Cobras, quickly putting a surprise opening race duck behind him to reel off five consecutive wins. He also featured in the races of the night, coming from behind to pass Simmonds, Stephens and Glanz in Heats 6, 10 and 13 respectively. The last of those was particularly thrilling, with Hughes finding the smallest of gaps between Glanz and the safety fence to drive past the Plymouth No.1 coming off the last bend of lap three.

NLRC competitor Joe Jacobs and Ben Morley both also blasted into double figures, with additional race wins coming from Lee Strudwick and reserve guest Jake Knight. Shane Hazelden plugged away throughout to score in all his rides. The teams were level 12-12 at Heat 4, before three consecutive 4-2s pushed the Cobras clear and a 5-1 from Hughes and Morley in Heat 8 took the score to 29-19. A 6 point Tactical win from Simmonds in Heat 9 gave the Devils brief hopes of a comeback, but the home side provided five of the final six race winners, bagging four heat advantages in the process, to make sure of the match points.

Rye House scorers:
Kyle Hughes 15 (6 rides)
Marc Owen R/R
Shane Hazelden 4+2 (4)
Joe Jacobs 13+1 (6)
Lee Strudwick 8 (5)
Jake Knight (guest) 6+1 (4)
Ben Morley 9+3 (5)

Plymouth scorers:
Nicki Glanz 10 (5 rides)
Jaimie Pickard 3+1 (5)
Matt Bates R/R
Seemond Stephens 11 (5)
Mark Simmonds 13+1 (5 rides, inc 6 as a TR)
Ross Walter 0 (6)
Bob Charles 1 (4)

Match points: Rye House 3 Plymouth 0
 

BRING 'EM ON: PLYMOUTH
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 19th September 2010
Fresh from their remarkable success at Bournemouth, the Kart Raceway Cobras wrap up their National League fixtures at Hoddesdon on Saturday (September 25th) with a visit from 2008 and 2009 Trophy winners, and 2009 Championship runners-up Plymouth. The Premier League-bound Devils are headed up by National League Best Pairs Champions Nicki Glanz and Mark Simmonds. Glanz has rapidly filled the Devils’ No.1 position since returning to this country after a two year absence, while Simmonds is remembered as a former Exeter Falcon. Both will also feature in the following weekend’s National League Riders Championship at Rye House.

Also in the Devils’ line-up are 10-time Cornish Grasstrack Champion, 2006 CLRC runner-up and former Exeter star Seemond Stephens, the fast-improving Jamie Pickard and – now back with the side after starting the campaign with Mildenhall – Matt Bates. With just one match point separating the two sides, a victory by the Cobras will ensure they finish above the Devils in the final League table, while a win of more than 6 (3 match points) will see Rye finish behind Championship Semi-Final qualifiers Bournemouth only on race points differential.

The action starts at 7.00pm.
 

MAGNIFICENT COBRAS END BUCCANEERS' STREAK
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 19th September 2010
National League: Bournemouth 44 Rye House 46
The Kart Raceway Cobras became the first-ever visiting team to win at Wimborne Road against the Buccaneers when they came from behind to beat the defending National League Champions in a thrilling last heat decider. It was an achievement that owed more than a passing nod to their two guests, Darren Mallett and Jake Knight. Both had already featured for King’s Lynn in the first part of this double header meeting – won 47-43 by Bournemouth – and both played important parts here. Mallett followed up Saturday’s impressive Premier League guest slot for Glasgow at Hoddesdon with two paid wins in this match, but was over-shadowed by Knight, who reeled off three successes from a reserve berth. One of those was against recent Rockets target Jay Herne, and proved to be the Bournemouth No.1’s only defeat of the fixture.

The Cobras also made the best use of their own resources. Lee Strudwick led the charge with 12 points, while Ben Morley pushed into double figures despite a Heat 4 fall and Joe Jacobs weighed in with a useful 8+1. Shane Hazelden was restricted to a lone third place, but it proved to be vital in the final analysis. Rye came from behind to tie the score on three occasions – once from 24-18 down at Heat 7 – before taking the lead for the only time after a 5-1 from 16 year olds Morley and Jacobs in the penultimate race. With the score now 43-41 in their favour, the Cobras needed a drawn result from the finale to exact revenge for the Buccaneers’ earlier win at Hoddesdon. They duly achieved it as Strudwick and Morley kept Mark Baseby at the rear of the field to follow home Herne and achieve a memorable victory.

Rye House scorers:
Darren Mallett (guest) 7+1 (5 rides)
Marc Owen R/R
Shane Hazelden 1+1 (4)
Joe Jacobs 8+1 (5)
Lee Strudwick 12 (6)
Jake Knight (guest) 10 (5)
Ben Morley 8+3 (5)

Bournemouth scorers:
Jay Herne 13+1 (5 rides)
Kyle Howarth 9+2 (5)
James Sarjeant R/R
Lewis Kerr 5 (4)
Mark Baseby 8 (5)
Ritchie Worrall 6+1 (7)
Danny Stoneman 3 (4)

Match points: Bournemouth 0 Rye House 3
 

HUGHES TARGETS GOLD IN NLRC
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 15th September 2010
Kart Raceway Cobras No.1 Kyle Hughes will be out to go one better than last year’s runners-up finish when he rides in the National League Riders Championship at Rye House on Sunday, October 3rd (2.00pm start). He’ll also have a chance for revenge, having lost out to Buxton’s Craig Cook via a last bend engine failure in a run-off for the title, as Cook will be back to defend the championship.

The field also includes 2003 Riders Champion Barrie Evans, who is now with Dudley, fellow Heathen and Stoke Potter Lee Smart, Isle of Wight Islander doubling-up Rocket Paul Starke, and Plymouth’s Pairs Champions Nicki Glanz and Mark Simmonds.

The full line-up is:
James Brundle (Bournemouth), Craig Cook (Buxton), Adam Allott (Buxton), Lee Smart (Dudley), Barrie Evans (Dudley), Paul Starke (Isle of Wight), Nick Simmons (Isle of Wight), Simon Lambert (King’s Lynn), Darren Mallett (King’s Lynn), Todd Kurtz (Newport), Kyle Newman (Newport), Nicki Glanz (Plymouth), Mark Simmonds (Plymouth), Kyle Hughes (Rye House), Gary Irving (Scunthorpe), James Cockle (Weymouth).

The meeting will be sponsored once again by www.hireacanalboat.co.uk

The NRLC will complete a special weekend at Rye House that opens the night before (Saturday, October 2nd @ 7.00pm) with the staging of the National League Fours Championship. This 16 heat final will pit the Cobras against Dudley, Buxton and Bournemouth.

Given the number of supporters expected in from around the country to make a full weekend of the two meetings, a special Two Day Event ticket will be on sale at the Saturday meeting, priced at £20 (no concessions) and £8 (children). Individual meeting prices will be: Adults £15, Seniors £13 and Children £5, highlighting the savings available. A combined programme will cover both meetings, priced at £2.
 

OWEN BREAK CONFIRMED
By Rye House Speedway ~ Tuesday 14th September 2010
Hospital x-rays have confirmed that Marc Owen suffered a broken ankle in Saturday’s full-speed collision with Newport’s Jamie White-Williams at Rye House. The 16 year old had only recently returned to the Kart Raceway Cobras’ line-up after breaking his collarbone.

The Cobras have two remaining National League fixtures, at play-off bound Bournemouth on Sunday (September 19th) and home to Plymouth (Saturday, September 25th). They will operate Rider-Replacement for Owen in the Dorset match, with Darren Mallett additionally named as guest cover for No.1 Kyle Hughes, who is committed to the Silver Ski Rockets’ cause at Newport the same afternoon.
 

COBRAS & OWEN CRASH OUT OF CONTENTION
By Rye House Speedway ~ Sunday 12th September 2010
Rye House 37 Newport 44 (abandoned after 13 heats – result stands) (National League, Saturday September 11th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras’ hopes of qualification for the National League Championship Play-Offs came to an end as they became the second Rye House team in one night to fall to Newport opposition. Worse still, they lost Marc Owen with a suspected broken ankle in a frightening Heat 14 spill. The 16 year old – who had only recently returned to the saddle after nearly two months out with a broken collarbone – tangled with the Hornets’ Jamie White-Williams in Heat 14, with the pair heading through the first bend safety fence at high speed. White-Williams was temporarily knocked unconscious by the impact, and both riders required 25 minutes’ treatment before being helped into waiting ambulances. With both vehicles no longer available at the circuit, referee Phil Griffin had little option but to abandon the match.

The incident marred what had otherwise been an absorbing encounter. The two teams were stalemated at 24-24 after eight heats, before a visiting surge netted three 5-1s in the space of four races and pushed the Hornets clear to stay. Ultimately, the Cobras relied too heavily on Kyle Hughes, who reeled off four straight wins but received only erratic support from the rest of the side.

In contrast, all the Hornets enjoyed at least one paid race win, with key contributions coming from Luke Priest and Tom Young. The victory earned the Welsh side top spot in the League table at the deadline date for the play-offs, and with it the choice of semi-final opposition. They will be joined in the final four by Dudley, Buxton and either Plymouth or Bournemouth, who need a match point from today’s (Sunday’s) trip to King’s Lynn to edge out the Devils.

This defeat proved the final straw for the Cobras, who have soldiered through a recent – and seemingly relentless - run of injuries. (One small mercy was the return for this fixture of Ben Morley, who had been sidelined for a month with a broken ankle.) Also playing a crucial part has been the loss of four match points following Mildenhall’s demise and the removal of a further three following the SCB’s reversal of their away win at Scunthorpe due to the ineligibility of Tyson Nelson.

The Cobras have two League fixtures remaining after the cut-off date: away at Bournemouth next Sunday (September 19th) and at home to Plymouth (Saturday the 25th).

Rye House scorers: Kyle Hughes 15 (4 rides (inc 6 as a TR), maximum), Joe Jacobs 5 (4), David Mason 5 (4), Marc Owen 1 (3), Lee Strudwick 6 (4), Ben Morley 4 (4), Shane Hazelden 1 (3)
Newport scorers: Todd Kurtz 7+2 (4 rides), Luke Priest 8+4 (5), Tim Webster 8 (4), Tony Atkin R/R, Kyle Newman 9+1 (5), Jamie White-Williams 3 (4), Tom Young 9+1 (5)

Match points: Rye House 0 Newport 4
 

NL FOURS & NLRC: Weekend Ticket Details
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 8th September 2010
As previously announced, Rye House will be presenting a special National League Weekend at the start of October, with the Fours Final – pitting the Kart Raceway Cobras against Buxton, Dudley and Bournemouth – being held on Saturday, October 2nd (7.00pm start) and the National League Riders Championship the following afternoon (2.00pm start).

Given the number of supporters expected in from around the country to make a full weekend of the two meetings, a special Two Day Event ticket will be on sale at the Saturday meeting, priced at £20 (no concessions) and £5 (children). Individual meeting prices will be: Adults £15, Seniors £12 and Children £5, highlighting the savings available. A combined programme will cover both meetings.
 

COBRAS' HOPES TAKE A DIVE ON ISLAND
By Rye House Speedway ~ Wednesday 8th September 2010
Isle of Wight 62 Rye House 33 - National League, Tuesday September 6th 2010)
The Kart Raceway Cobras were left with that sinking feeling, as their Play-Off hopes took a hit with this thumping in Ryde. Kyle Hughes, Joe Jacobs and Shane Hazelden nabbed the Cobras’ three race wins, with Jacobs’ success in Heat 8 sparking their only heat advantage of a 7-2. David Mason’s mid-match withdrawal with illness was a further blow.

The Islanders, for their part, looked a compact side around their own circuit. Six of their team were paid for at least one race win, with Danny Warwick and Lee Smethills both unbeaten and Paul Starke and Nick Simmons each dropping just a single point.
 

BRING ‘EM ON: NEWPORT WASPS (PL) AND HORNETS (NL)
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 6th September 2010
The next action at Rye House, this Saturday (September 11th), sees the race to the Play-Offs fast approaching boiling point in the shape of double header action. At 6.00pm – an hour earlier than the usual start time at Rye House – the Silver Ski Rockets continue their chase of a top four finish against a resurgent Newport Wasps side that looks a different proposition to the one humbled at Hoddesdon in April’s Trophy encounter.

Saturday’s fifteen Premier League heats will be followed by fifteen more as the Kart Raceway Cobras battle the Newport Hornets in what looks a super-tough encounter. The Hornets are already safely through to the final four and could still catch Buxton for top spot and the No.1 seeding slot.

Despite recently losing Mark Jones, who has returned home to Australia at the end of his six month work permit – Tim Webster has returned from injury as a direct replacement - they have added Luke Priest to their ranks following Mildenhall’s closure, and possess further danger men in doubling-up Wasp Todd Kurtz, former World Longtrack Finalist and British Grasstrack Champion Tony Atkin and doubling-up Birmingham Brummie Kyle Newman, who is aiming to complete a hat-trick of League titles having won back-to-back third tier crowns with Weymouth and Bournemouth.

Admission for Saturday’s double header is: Adults £18, Seniors £15, Children £5.
 

HERNE AND WARWICK ADDED TO NLRC LINE-UP
By Rye House Speedway ~ Tuesday 26th October 2010
The revised line-up has been announced for Saturday’s (October 31st @ 7.00pm) National League Riders Championship at Rye House, which is sponsored once again by www.hireacanalboat.co.uk. Rye House supporters will finally have a chance to see Jay Herne in action. Bournemouth’s Australian star was targeted for a Premier League spot with the Silver Rockets last month and finished third in this event last year. He steps in for injured team-mate James Brundle. Former Somerset, Reading and Berwick rider Danny Warwick has also been added to the field. “The Dreaded One” – now with the Isle of Wight – has been named as the replacement for homeward-bound Aussie Todd Kurtz.

The Kart Raceway Cobras will be represented on Saturday by 16 year old Ben Morley and 17 year old Joe Jacobs. Morley has been voted the “Mr Cobra” Rider of the Year for 2010, and also turned more than a few heads in his Young Shield appearances with the Rockets, while Jacobs has already made his mark this season with a second place finish in the British U-18 Championship. The field already includes defending Champion Craig Cook (Buxton), Best Pairs titlist Nicki Glanz (Plymouth) and Dudley Golden Hammer winner Simon Lambert (King’s Lynn). Also set to feature are former Newport and Exeter star Nick Simmons (Isle of Wight), Dudley’s Lee Smart – also voted Premier League Stoke’s Rider of the Year – and the fast-starting Adam Allott (Buxton) and Darren Mallett (King’s Lynn).

Pick a winner from that lot or any other dark horses, anyone? All in all, it looks a wide open field for the NLRC title. Plus, don’t forget that admission prices are just £10 for adults, with accompanied children under the age of 12 admitted FREE.

Line-up for Saturday:
1. Nick Simmons (Isle of Wight), 2. Nicki Glanz (Plymouth), 3. Simon Lambert (King’s Lynn), 4. Lee Smart (Dudley), 5. Craig Cook (Buxton), 6. Mark Baseby (Bournemouth), 7. Jay Herne (Bournemouth), 8. Adam Allott (Buxton), 9. Joe Jacobs (Rye House), 10. Darren Mallett (King’s Lynn), 11. Danny Warwick (Isle of Wight), 12. Barrie Evans (Dudley), 13. Gary Irving (Scunthorpe), 14. Ben Morley (Rye House), 15. Kyle Newman (Newport), 16. James Cockle (Weymouth). 

Reserves: Gary Cottham (Weymouth) and Steve Worrall (Scunthorpe)

Please note: in the event of Saturday’s meeting falling foul of inclement weather, the re-staging date is the following afternoon – Sunday the 31st at 2.00pm.
 

NLRC FALL-BACK DATE
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 25th October 2010
The 2010 season at Rye House comes to a conclusion this Saturday (October 30th @ 7.00pm) with the annual staging of the National League Riders Championship, kindly sponsored by www.hireacanalboat.co.uk. A revised line-up – to allow for injury cover for Bournemouth’s James Brundle and the Aussie-departed Todd Kurtz of Newport – is set to be announced imminently. In the event of Saturday’s meeting falling foul of inclement weather, the re-staging date is the following afternoon – Sunday the 31st at 2.00pm.
 

NEXT IN TOWN: THE NL FOURS AND NLRC (MORLEY IN)
By Rye House Speedway ~ Monday 11th October 2011
Originally postponed due to rain last weekend, the National League Fours Championship (sponsored by Silver Ski Holidays) and National League Riders Championship (sponsored by www.hireacanalboat.co.uk) will be staged as a single combined meeting on Saturday, October 16th, with a 2.00pm start. The Fours Final (Rye House vs Dudley vs Bournemouth vs Buxton) will now be staged over an abridged 8 race format, and will be followed by a full 20 heat NLRC, for a total programme of 28 races (plus any run-offs).

The breaking news as of press time is that Rye House have applied for Ben Morley to stand in for the unfortunate Kyle Hughes, and join fellow teenager Joe Jacobs as the Kart Raceway Cobras’ representation in the individual event.

Revised NLRC line-up:
1. Nick Simmons (Isle of Wight), 2. Nicki Glanz (Plymouth), 3. Simon Lambert (King’s Lynn), 4. Lee Smart (Dudley), 5. Craig Cook (Buxton), 6. Mark Baseby (Bournemouth), 7. James Brundle (Bournemouth), 8. Adam Allott (Buxton), 9. Joe Jacobs (Rye House), 10. Darren Mallett (King’s Lynn), 11. Todd Kurtz (Newport), 12. Barrie Evans (Dudley), 13. Gary Irving (Scunthorpe), 14. Ben Morley (Rye House) (tbc), 15. Kyle Newman (Newport), 16. James Cockle (Weymouth). 

Admission prices will be: Adults £16, Seniors £14, Children £5.
 

NEW DATE FOR NATIONALS: TWO BECOME ONE
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 2nd October 2010
A new date has quickly been found for this weekend’s rained off National League Fours Championship and the National League Riders Championship. The two events will now be staged as a single combined meeting on Saturday, October 16th, with a 2.00pm start. The Fours Final (Rye House vs Dudley vs Bournemouth vs Buxton) will now be staged over 8 races, and will be followed by a full 20 heat NLRC, for a total programme of 28 races (plus any run-offs).

Admission prices will be: Adults £16, Seniors £14, Children £5.

The planned fixture that weekend between the Kart Raceway Cobras and the American Touring Team has unfortunately had to be shelved for obvious reasons.
 

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND OFF
By Rye House Speedway ~ Saturday 2nd October 2010
with torrential rain yesterday leaving the track waterlogged, and the forecast of more wet weather descending during the evening and tomorrow, the decision has reluctantly been taken to postpone both tonight's (Saturday) NL Fours Championship and tomorrow's NLRC. Restaging dates will be announced in the near future.