Checkout this site for some Historic Falcons footage
The History of Exeter Speedway - the Falcons

With some excellent old photos
Sources - The Story of Exeter Speedway by Tony Lethbridge the Express and Echo and Tony Lethbridge.

2008 SWC CALENDAR 

2008 SWC CALENDAR CONFIRMED THE draw for the 2008 Speedway World Cup has been made along with details of dates and venues for the qualifying meetings.

Holders Poland will start their defence of the title on home soil at Leszno on Saturday July 12, where they will face Australia, Russia and the winners of the first qualifying round.

The second event of the World Cup will be on Monday July 14 and will feature Great Britain, Denmark, Sweden, and the winners of the second qualifier.

As in previous years, the winners of the first two events will go straight through to the Final, to be staged in Denmark at Vojens on Saturday July 19, with the second and third placed teams going to the Race-Off, also at Vojens, on Thursday July 17. The top two teams from this event also reach the Final.

The qualifying meetings take place at Miskolc, Hungary, on Saturday May 24, and at Ljubljana, Slovenia on Sunday June 29.

QUALIFYING ROUND 1
Miskolc, 24.05.08
Germany
USA
Hungary
Latvia

QUALIFYING ROUND 2
Ljubljana, 29.06.08
Italy
Finland
Slovenia
Czech Republic

EVENT 1
Leszno, 12.07.08
Poland
Australia
Russia
Winners of QR1

EVENT 2
TBC, 14.07.08
Denmark
Great Britain
Sweden
Winners of QR2

Source Speedway World

 
Loramski Print

Former Falcon favourite, Mark Loram, is the latest addition to the wonderful speedway paintings that Jim Blanchard produces and turns out as prints.

Jim has this painting completed, and if he has enough interest from around the country-,then he will get on the case and issue it as a limited edition print run. (He only needs about 30 commitments of interest from around the world to make this happen to produce a limited print run of 150)

This will be the second Loramski painting-This time in Ipswich colours

In Jims own words .."I have more or less finished the original painting which I actually started last November, but I just got back to it in the past two weeks. I also seldom paint riders in team colours, but as it is Mark, it just seemed right on this occasion."

I would be happy to make it available as a limited edition print of 150, if there was sufficient interest of say at least 30 or so prints. Size would be the same as the others at 640mm x 500mm (26" X 20") and price would be around £25. plus p&p.

Late News:- It looks like Jim will be running the new Mark Loram painting as a limited edition print as Mark has agreed to sign them all. 

Here are more examples of Jims Paintings.

 

 

Allen Trump Update by Gordon Ward

 
Toni Svab aiming for amazing comeback

Toni Svab is considering making an amazing return to speedway - just over two years after almost losing his life in a horror track spill.

Toni, who suffered severe head injuries and underwent a life-saving brain operation after crashing in the Argentinean Open Championship in January 2006. The 33-year-old Czech Republic international spent time in a coma in Bahia Blanca hospital before he was fit enough to fly to his Prague home to continue his recovery.

Now, only 26 months after an accident that looked to have ended his career, the ex-Falcon could be on his way back to resuming his racing career.

In a letter to the Poole Rider Equipment Fund committee member Stan Vatcher, Toni’s wife Adriana wrote: "A lot has happened since Toni's accident and our lives had been turned upside down. It's only now, 2008, that we are almost back on our feet, thinking of some new projects, of some normal' circumstances in which to base our lives."

Argentinean-born Adriana, whose mother and father both sadly died last year, added: "We have a daughter, too - Anna. And we ought to put our lives together for her sake, too.

"And you might have gathered that for Toni, the fact we are almost on our feet again, means something quite clear - speedway bikes.

"Yes, so there won't be any stopping him, I think. And before long, you'll hear his name being talked up on the racing front.

"Seeing Toni on a bike again might mean that our old Toni Svab is back to stay!"

Adriana continued: "People from all corners of Britain and beyond have been so supportive that it's been overwhelming.

Source The Dorset Echo

Southern Classic Speedway Bikes

 
Dedicated to the Bikes and the Riders of a bygone age.
Run completely for the benefit of the Speedway Racing Public
who remember the 'Good Old Days' with affection and nostalgia

It is specifically aimed at pre laydown Speedway and is run for the Members of Southern Classic Speedway Bikes to promote the events at which they display.

There are sections for 'Guest Bikes', and tribute sections for both Poole and Southampton Speedways

Checkout this new site as it says in the title dedicated to Southern Classic Bikes, if its bikes you are interested in then this is for you but it also contains some great nostalgic photos of some great riders from the past.

 

Site Here http://www.classicspeedway.co.uk/contact.htm

Events 2008

Monday 5th May - Popham Airfield - Aero/Auto Jumble
______________________________________________________________________

Saturday and Sunday 17th / 18th May
Bill Targett Memorial Steam Rally
High Bridge Farm, Colden Common, Eastleigh.
______________________________________________________________________

Saturday and Sunday 2nd / 3rd August at
Wimborne Grasstrack, Uddens, Wimborne - Both Days.
and
Bye Gone Days, South Gorley ,nr Fordingbridge is a 2 Day event,
but Classic Bikes will only be on Display on the Sunday.
______________________________________________________________________

Sunday 20th July
80th Anniversary / Saints Speedway Reunion
Sammy Miller's Motorcycle Museum, New Milton.

Many ex Saints Riders are promising to be there.
Bike Displays, Memorabilia - and it's free to get in.
______________________________________________________________________

Monday 25th August - Rustic Fayre at Potterne Park, Verwood.

 

 

Nick Simmons Testimonial Update

From Nick via Nevs

Hey all, Nick here again. Thanks for all you support of my meeting so far, it is appreciated.

With just over a month to go till my big day I thought I would keep you updated with the line up, so these riders I have spoken too and after checking their fixtures they have confirmed that they will be able to ride.

Billy Janniro
Chris Harris
Chris Holder
Leigh Lanham
Tony Atkin
Paul Fry
Edward Kennett
Craig Watson
Krzysztof Stojanowski
Lewis Bridger
Sebastrian Truminski
Chris Schramm
Michael Coles
David Mason
Niels Kristian Iversen
Marek Mroz

There is one more space to fill. 

I'll keep you all updated as things happen and thanks again, 

Nick.

SUPPORTERS CLUB MEETING
WEDNESDAY 5th MARCH

The next supporters club event will be at The Cat & Fiddle Wednesday 5th March 7.30pm Start.

Guest Speaker to be announced once finalised

Anyone wishing to either join or renew their membership can do so by either contacting a committee member at the next meeting or by post to :-

Robin Playsted (secretary),
Noirmont, 
23 Eastfield, 
West Hill, 
Ottery St Mary, 
EX11 1XN  

The cost of membership is as follows and remains the same as last year.

Adults £3, OAP's £2,Children £1

Why not join the supporters club for that small amount and show your support for The Falcons?- a small price to pay-Adult membership is about the same price as a pasty at Cardiff-The pasty lasts ten minutes-membership lasts a season.

Talking of Cardiff.......

The supporters club are also going to be running coaches to Cardiff for the British Grand Prix on June 28th.

Considering the huge rise in the cost of fuel over the past year the prices per seat are very reasonable at just £15 per seat (For the coach seat not a seat at the match meeting itself)
To book your seat on a coach or for further details contact Gordon on 01803315307 / 07971799824

 
Ritchie Hawkins Injury Update

Report by Dave T

I have just had a text from Rebels Press Officer, Ian Belcher, informing me that Ritchie will be allowed home at the weekend. Ian has left the following posting on the Rebels forum, which I thought might be of interest to you......

"Just had text from Mike (Golding) in Germany to say that Ritchie has made such good progress that the hospital are allowing him to fly home on Sunday. That's all the detail I have at the moment, so unless I hear any more from Mike, no doubt he'll update us at Ritchie's Fund Raising Dinner tomorrow night. Excellent news!"

Good news indeed, and it's good to see him making such good progress.

 

PS

Don't forget their is a fund raising event at the OTA Sat 9 Feb for Ritchie

 

SUPPORTERS CLUB AGM MONDAY 4th FEB 2008
 

Report and Photos on the Supporters page

 
Nick Simmons Testimonial

Nick Simmons has been granted a testimonial having been an Isle of Wight asset for ten years. Nick will be racing for Newport again this season and his meeting will take place at Queensway Meadows on Sunday 16 March. Several top riders have already confirmed that they will be taking part. Chris Harris tops the line-up along with Coventry team mate Rory Schlein, new Aussie champion Chris Holder, Jason Doyle, Davey Watt and former Falcon Paul Fry. Nick is hopeful that Jason Crump will also be riding, and looks forward to meeting up with many of his Exeter friends on the day.

 

The Following Letter Sums up Nick to a T

I was very happy to read in last week's Speedway Star of the news that Newport rider Nick Simmons has been granted a 10-year testimonial.

When Nick rode for the Exeter Falcons, he always gave it everything he had when flying around the outside trying to get into the points, and on many occasions hitting the steel fence as he made his move.

I'm sure Nick will not mind me saying this, but he will never make a world class rider. But he is a world class person.

Every week after riding for Exeter, he always came into the bar and sat with myself, my wife and our group of friends to say hello and talk about how the meeting went.

So many riders have spoken with the fans but Nick always went that little bit further to make you feel special.

We are all looking forward to March 16 so we can say thank you to Nick for the many hours of thrills and spills he gave us.

XXXX & XXX XXXXX
XXXXXX

 

PREMIER LEAGUE LINE UPS FOR 2008
Updated 20/01/08

BERWICK			BIRMINGHAM			EDINBURGH
Riders Left	0		Riders Left	0		Riders Left	0
Points Left	1.65		Points Left	0.03		Points Left	-0.04
1. Adrian Rymel	7.86		1. Kyle Legault	8.20		1. Ryan Fisher	8.00
2. Gugliemo Franchetti	5.00		2. Phil Morris	5.88		2. William Lawson	6.69
3. Tero Aarnio	7.00		3. Jason Lyons	9.38		3. Mathew Wethers	6.90
4. Guglielmo Franchetti	5.00		4. James Birkinshaw	4.80		4.Derek Sneddon	5.66
5. Michal Makovsky	6.99		5. Adam Roynon	6.21		5. Tomas H Jonasson	7.00
6. Adam McKinna	3.00		6. Lee Smart	4.00		6. Andrew Tully	4.29
7. Norbert Magosi	5.00		7. Jack Hargreaves	3.00		7. Aaron Summers	3.00
Total Points	39.85		Total Points	41.47		Total Points	41.54
Total Points Remaining	1.65		Total Points Remaining	0.03		Total Points Remaining	-0.04
GLASGOW			ISLE OF WIGHT			KING'S LYNN
Riders Left	0		Riders Left	0		Riders Left	0
Points Left	0.12		Points Left	0.56		Points Left	0.00
1. Shane Parker	9.73		1. Jason Bunyan	7.92		1. Tomas Topinka	9.24
2. Mitchell Davey	5.00		2. Cory Gathercole	6.04		2. Rusty Harrison	6.08
3. Trent Leverington	6.44		3. Krzysztof Stojanowski	6.81		3. Kevin Doolan	8.40
4. Ross Brady	5.40		4. Paul Fry	5.34		4. Kozza Smith	5.00
5. Robert Ksiezak	5.39		5. Glen Philips	6.30		5. Shaun Tacey	5.45
6. Lee Dicken	4.42		6. Andrew Bargh	3.53		6. John Oliver	4.33
7. Josh Grajczonek	5.00		7. James Holder	5.00		7. Simon Lambert	3.00
Total Points	41.38		Total Points	40.94		Total Points	41.5
Total Points Remaining	0.12		Total Points Remaining	0.56		Total Points Remaining	0.00
MILDENHALL			NEWCASTLE			NEWPORT
Riders Left	0		Riders Left	0		Riders Left	2
Points Left	1.73		Points Left	0.36		Points Left	9.56
1. Kaj Laukkanen	8.33		1. Christian Henry	8.21		1. Craig Watson	8.21
2. Grant Tregoning	5.00		2. Ben Powell	4.58		2.	.
3. Casper Wortmann	7.00		3. Josef Franc	7.83		3. Sebastian Trumanski	7.00
4. Robbie Kessler	5.79		4. Jason King	5.58		4. Tony Atkin	5.63
5. Jan Graversen	7.00		5. George Stancl	7.55		5. Marek Mroz	7.00
6. Mark Baseby	3.00		6. Jamie Robertson	3.08		6. Nick Simmons	4.10
7. James Cockle	3.65		7. Sean Stoddart	4.31		7.	.
Total Points	39.77		Total Points	41.14		Total Points	31.94
Total Points Remaining	1.73		Total Points Remaining	0.36		Total Points Remaining	9.56
READING			REDCAR			RYE HOUSE
Riders Left	0		Riders Left	0		Riders Left	0
Points Left	0.16		Points Left	0.63		Points Left	1.74
1. Ulrich Ostergaard	8.30		1. Gary Havelock	9.18		1. Chris Neath	7.80
2. Chris Mills	5.82		2. Tyron Proctor	5.00		2. Luke Bowen	3.93
3. Mark Lemon	8.77		3. James Grieves	8.47		3. Tai Woffinden	8.20
4. Tomas Suchanek	5.14		4. Josh Auty	6.19		4. Tommy Allen	6.53
5. Tom P Madsen	6.17		5. Chris Kerr	5.56		5. Stefan Ekberg	7.30
6. Jamie Smith	3.19		6. Dan Giffard	3.47		6. Robert Mear	3.00
7. Danny Warwick	3.95		7. Arlo Bugeja	3.00		7. Danny Betson	3.00
Total Points	41.34		Total Points	40.87		Total Points	39.76
Total Points Remaining	0.16		Total Points Remaining	0.63		Total Points Remaining	1.74
SCUNTHORPE			SHEFFIELD			SOMERSET
Riders Left	0		Riders Left	0		Riders Left	1
Points Left	-.04		Points Left	3.05		Points Left	6.19
1. Richard Hall	7.24		1. Ricky Ashworth	7.64		1. Jason Doyle	7.24
2. Carl Wilkinson	6.20		2. Joel Parsons	5.96		2. Simon Walker	5.07
3. Magnus Karlsson	7.30		3. Andre Compton	9.79		3. Emil Kramer	8.19
4. Andrew Moore	7.8		4. Paul Cooper	5.05		4.
5. Viktor Bergstrom	7.00		5. Ben Wilson	6.71		5. Brent Werner	5.84
6. Benji Compton	3.00		6. Lee Smethills	3.30		6. Stephan Katt	4.08
7. Byron Bekker	3.00		7. Sam Martin	3.00		7. Jordan Frampton	4.89
Total Points	41.54		Total Points	41.45		Total Points	35.31
Total Points Remaining	-0.04		Total Points Remaining	0.05		Total Points Remaining	6.19
STOKE			WORKINGTON
Riders Left	0		Riders Left	0
Points Left	4.65		Points Left	0.24
1. Klaus Jakobsen	7.00		1. Daniel Nermark	9.89
2. Ben Barker	5.84		2. Charles Wright	3.48
3. Jesper Kristiansen	7.00		3. Carl Stonehewer	8.49
4. Emiliano Sanchez	6.34		4. Craig Branney	4.98
5. Lee Complin	6.53		5. Kauko Nieminen	8.42
6. Barrie Evans	4.14		6. John Branney	3.00
7. Mark Burrows	3.00		7. Joe Haines	3.00
Total Points	39.85		Total Points	41.26
Total Points Remaining	1.65		Total Points Remaining	0.24