REBELS NEWS PAGE

Povazhny Completes Line Up For Rebels Anniversary Meeting
Wednesday 10th March 2010

Following on from the news of Emil Sayfutdinov’s appearance at Somerset’s 10 Year Anniversary Meeting being staged at the Oak Tree Arena next Friday [19th], the field is now complete with the confirmation that his fellow countryman and 2001 Russian Champion, Roman Povazhny will also be in the line-up.

“We were looking for a varied field when compiling the line up for the meeting,” said Somerset Promoter Debbie Hancock, “and one that contained a number of riders who would not be riding on a regular basis in the UK this year.”

“Of the riders named, something like eight of them will not be with British clubs this year, with five of those riders not having ridden in the UK for at least a couple of seasons now.”

“We are extremely pleased that Roman was able to accept our invitation to come and ride in our Anniversary Meeting, he is the type of entertaining rider that should thrive at the Oak Tree Arena.”

“We will be opening the turnstiles a bit earlier than usual on the night, at 5.15pm, this to allow those fans who wish to attend the Memorial Service to get into the stadium in good time for the start of the Service at 5.45pm.”

With Sayfutdinov and Povazhny’s participations now confirmed, it means there is no place for Magnus Zetterström, despite the Somerset management leaving a place open for ‘Zorro’ for as long as they possibly could.

“Magnus was invited to compete in the meeting, but since he qualified for this year’s Grand Prix series, his feet haven’t touched the ground, what with getting bikes, his pit crew etc ready, plus dealing with his sponsors, which is essential for any rider, in addition to which he recent got married.” Hancock explained “We really wanted ‘Zorro’ to ride in the meeting, but despite continually trying to contact him and leaving numerous messages he just couldn’t confirm in time whether or not he would be able to ride in the meeting.”

“Whilst it is obviously disappointing for the Somerset fans that Magnus will not taking part in the meeting, hopefully the quality of the field we have assembled will more than make up for that.”

In the meantime, Somerset will be holding their Press Day next Wednesday [17th], two days before their big celebration night, with the afternoon session getting under way at 3pm for the media, sponsors and season ticket holders, the gates being opened to the general public at 6pm, with the riders expected to take to the track at approximately 7pm.

The full riding order for the 10 Year Anniversary Meeting;

1) Charlie Gjedde (Denmark), 2) Roman Povazhny (Russia), 3) Grzegorz Walasek (Poland), 4) Lewis Bridger (England), 5) Emil Sayfutdinov (Russia), 6) Lee Richardson, 7) Niels-Kristian Iversen, 8) Zdenek Simota (Czech Republic), 9) Hans Andersen (Denmark), 10) Lubos Tomicek (Czech Republic), 11) Cory Gathercole (Australia), 12) Steve Boxall (England), 13) Mark Lemon (Australia), 14) Jason Crump (Australia), 15) Sebastian Ulamek (Poland), 16) Shane Parker (Australia), with Ritchie Hawkins and Tommy Allen as the two meeting reserves.

Sayfutdinov To Ride In Rebels Anniversary Meeting
Tuesday 9th March 2010

Emil Sayfutdinov, one of the hottest properties currently in world speedway will be riding in the Somerset Rebels 10 Year Anniversary Meeting that is being held at the Oak Tree Arena next Friday, March 19th. That is the sensational news announced by the Somerset promotion, Sayfutdinov confirming his participation to the club yesterday afternoon.

The 20 year old Russian set the speedway world alight by following up his brace of World under 21 titles in 2007 and 2008 with nothing short of an amazing debut year in the World Championship Grand Prix series.

If finishing in 3rd place overall wasn’t enough, Sayfutdinov won the open round of the series in the Czech Republic, the youngest ever winner of a Grand Prix, and followed that up with two more victories in Sweden and Slovenia.

Somerset promoter, Debbie Hancock could not contain her delight when announcing the news that Sayfutdinov will be coming to the Oak Tree Arena;

“It is really fantastic news that Emil has agreed to ride in our celebration meeting, “ she said, “and I would like to express my thanks to Ashley Holloway, Emil’s engine tuner, for helping to arrange the fact that he will be coming to the Oak Tree Arena for our Anniversary Meeting.”

“It was exciting enough to have riders of the calibre of Jason Crump, Hans Andersen and the like in the field, but receiving the news that Emil would be coming over to ride as well really sets the seal on the meeting.”

“The night promises to be something very special and I would like to remind fans that we are not imposing any increase on admission prices for this meeting, they will be the same as for a normal Somerset match, which must represent excellent value for money, where else could you see a field of this stature for an adult admission price of just £13, plus kids 10 and under will be admitted free of charge.”

SREF Hold Fans’ Forum At Oak Tree Clubhouse
Saturday 27th February 2010

The Somerset Riders Equipment Fund (SREF) held the last of their winter fund raisers at the Oak Tree Clubhouse on Friday evening, which took the form of a Fans’ Forum.

A good number of Rebel fans took the opportunity to come along and pose questions to the Somerset Management Team about the forthcoming season that gets under way on 17th March, an additional bonus for those attending was the unveiling of the team’s 2010 race kevlars and bike covers, which are yellow and blue, the colour’s of the Swedish National flag, in honour and memory of Emil Kramer, the Somerset rider who tragically died as a result of a road accident in Sweden last December.

The evening raised almost £250 for SREF’s funds, which are used throughout the season to help the Somerset riders with their equipment cost.

Simota In For Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting
Saturday 27th February 2010

Czech Republic rider, Zdenek Simota, is the latest to be confirmed for the Somerset Rebels’ 10 Year Anniversary Meeting that is taking place at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday 19th March.

Simota, who has ridden for both Reading and Peterborough during his time in the UK, brings the total number of confirmed riders to 14, leaving just two spaces left to be filled in order to complete the 16 rider field.

The Somerset management are hopeful that those two ‘vacancies’ will be filled within the next few days as they await calls back from riders they have invited to compete in the club’s celebration meeting.

Meanwhile the draw for the riding order of the meeting was made at the Oak Tree Clubhouse during Friday night’s Fans’ Forum, it being;

1) Charlie Gjedde (Belle Vue & Denmark), 2) to be confirmed, 3) Grzegorz Walasek (Poland), 4) Lewis Bridger (Peterborough & England), 5) to be confirmed, 6) Lee Richardson (England), 7) Niels-Kristian Iversen (Peterborough & Denmark), 8) Zdenek Simota (Czech Republic), 9) Hans Andersen (Belle Vue & Denmark), 10) Cory Gathercole (Somerset & Australia), 11) Steve Boxall (Somerset & England), 12) Mark Lemon (Newcastle & Australia), 13) Jason Crump (Australia), 14) Sebastian Ulamek (Poland), 16) Shane Parker (Somerset & Australia)

Walasek Latest Addition To Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting Line Up
Wednesday 24th February 2010

The line up for Somerset’s prestigious 10 Year Anniversary Meeting is rapidly coming together, the already top quality field has been further enhanced with the news that the 2004 Polish Champion and member of last year’s Grand Prix series, Grzegorz Walasek has confirmed his place in the starting line up with Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock acknowledging the part played by her Poole counterpart, Matt Ford, in arranging Walasek’s participation;

“Matt was very instrumental in speaking to Greg and arranging for him to take part in our Anniversary Meeting, and I would like to publicly thanks Matt for all his help in this respect.”

Like a number of those already confirmed for Somerset’s big night, Walasek has not ridden regularly on these shores for a number of years now, his last full season being back in 2006 when he lined up for Poole, the club with whom he first tasted Elite League action in 2000.

“We said all along that we would try to put together a field that would befit the occasion, and I think that we have shown our intent to make this a meeting to remember with the names of those riders that have already confirmed that they will be amongst the 16 riders taking part.” Hancock continued, “Whilst we have a good number of Grand Prix and International calibre riders, we have also included riders from the 2010 Somerset side and we are still hopeful of naming a couple more ex-Rebels to complete the line up.”

“In some respects it is hard to imagine that at this time 10 years ago where the track is now was still just one of Dad’s fields, with just an outline of the track marked out on it. If memory serves me correct, the actual digging to construct the track started 10 years to the day on February 24th, and I think I can say without fear of contradiction that we have come a long way since then!”

“One thing that we have always been blessed here with, apart from what is widely acknowledged to be one of the best speedway tracks in the country, is really fantastic fans who turn up here every Friday throughout the season come rain or shine to support the team, and it is as much as a ‘thank you’ to them that we wanted to put together a high quality field for our 10 Year Anniversary Meeting.”

World Champion Crump To Ride In Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting
Tuesday 23rd February 2010

Jason Crump, the current World Speedway Champion, has confirmed that he will be amongst the 16 riders lining up for Somerset Speedway’s 10 Year Anniversary Meeting on March 19th.

That’s the exciting news the Rebels management had been hoping for, with Crump’s confirmation made all the more of a coup by virtue of the fact that the World number 1 is not planning to ride on a regular basis in the UK this year, so his appearance at Somerset’s celebration meeting will be one of the few opportunities that British fans will get to see him racing here.

Crump’s victory in last year’s World Championship Grand Prix series was the third time that he has lifted speedway’s ultimate prize, his other titles coming in 2004 and 2006. Additionally Crump can count a World under 21 crown as well as twice being a winner of the Australian National Championship amongst his impressive list of major titles that he can list on his speedway CV.

For Crump, riding in Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting is almost a-kin to him returning to his roots as the 34 year old was actually born in Bristol, as his father Phil, a third place finisher himself in the 1976 World Final, was one of the sport's top riders of the 1970’s and 80’s riding as he did for Newport, Bristol and Swindon.

“To say that we are over the moon that Jason has confirmed his place in the line- up would be an understatement,” said a delighted Debbie Hancock, “the field already had a star studded ring to it, but to have the current World Champion is really something special.”

“I know that Jason was very disappointed that he had to pull out of Mark Lemon’s testimonial that was held here at the Oak Tree Arena towards the end of last season due to his well documented arm injury, but he did say at the time that if fit and other commitments permitting, he would come and ride in our Anniversary Meeting, and true to his word he confirmed his participation on Monday morning following his return to the UK from Australia.”

“In keeping with last season, three-time World Champion Crump is not planning to be competing full time in the British Elite League this year as he looks to retain his World Crown, and so his appearance at Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting could well be one of the few opportunities for fans to see him riding in the UK in 2010,” Hancock continued, “We are very honoured that he has chosen to make one of those rare appearances at the Oak Tree Arena.”

Two More Confirmed For Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting
Saturday 20th February 2010

Eleven down, five to go, that’s how the line up for Somerset’s 10 Year Anniversary Meeting stands with the news of two more confirmed starters, they being Lewis Bridger and Lubos Tomicek.

After spending just a single season in the Conference League with Weymouth in 2005, Bridger’s potential was such that he made the jump directly into the Elite League as he joined Eastbourne, with whom he has spent the past four years, although 2010 will see the 20 year old Bridger lining up in new team colours with him having joined Peterborough for the forthcoming campaign.

The current British under 21 Champion and a finalist in last year’s World under 21 Championship, Bridger also won the British under 18 title back in 2006 and was a member of the Great British side that competed in last year’s Speedway World Cup.

Tomicek first came to the UK to ride for Oxford in 2003, but moved into the Premier League the following year, joining Newcastle in the process. Further spells with Oxford followed until the Cheetahs demise in 2007, when he moved on to Lakeside.

Injury curtailed his 2008 campaign, and the 23 year old Czech appeared lost to British speedway until he was signed by Belle Vue in August last year in a raft of changes that also saw Jason Crump join the Aces. Unfortunately, though, his time with the Manchester club was to only last 4 matches, a broken collar-bone coming as a result of a fall involving team-mate Kevin Doolan forced Tomicek to sit out the rest of the season, but now fully fit he is looking to resurrect his British career in 2010.

Further rider confirmations for Somerset’s prestigious celebration meeting are planned for the forthcoming week, and it is hoped that at least two, if not three, of the outstanding five places will be filled by Grand Prix calibre riders who will not be riding on a regular basis in the UK this season.

Rebels Make Contingency Plan For Injured Herne
Thursday 18th February 2010

News that Somerset’s Jay Herne has suffered a knee injury whilst competing in the recent Australian Long Track Championship has thrown the proverbial spanner in the Rebels plans for the start of the 2010 season, which is now just 4 week’s away.

Initial thoughts that Herne would recover sufficiently to take his place in the Somerset septet receded with the news that the 25 year old required a skin graft on the damaged knee, but as club promoter Debbie Hancock explains the Rebels have options available to them;

“While we hope that Jay will be fit for the start of the season, skin grafts can take a time to ‘bed in’ and we do not want him to rush back if he is not 100% fit. With this in mind we have made contingency plans to bring in a rider in for the short term, should needs dictate, to cover for Jay’s absence.”

“We received a reduction in Steve Boxall’s initial starting average to 6.88 from the BSPA Management Committee, which was double his 2009 Elite League average with Poole, and gives us 5.84 to play with should we need to bring in any short term replacement for Jay.”

Emil Kramer Memorial Service
Monday 15th February 2010

Somerset Speedway will be holding their planned memorial service to the late Emil Kramer at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday 19th March, service to commence at 5.45pm and will be conducted by The Reverend Simon Lewis, Priest in Charge of the Local Parishes for The Diocese of Bath & Wells. The service will take place prior to Somerset's 10th Anniversary Meeting that is being held that same evening.

After consultations with the Church it was decided to move the service from the local Parish Church due to the envisaged large number of supporters and riders who wish to attend, especially those past & present riders who are attending the club’s Anniversary Meeting.

A Golden Oak Tree will also be blessed and dedicated to Emil as a lasting tribute to his memory and a number of collections, plus merchandise, will be available which has been organised by Somerset's Riders Equipment Fund (SREF), all proceeds from which will go to Emil's daughter Nelly's Trust Fund.

As a tribute and in memory to Emil, 2010 will see the Somerset riders wearing new team kevlars in the Swedish National colours of Yellow and Blue, as opposed to the club’s traditional colours of Red and Blue.

Fans are reminded to note that the 10 Year Anniversary Meeting itself will commence at 7.15pm, with the pre-meeting rider parade taking place at 7pm.

Ulamek Confirmed for Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting
Saturday 13th February 2010

Over half the rider line up for the Somerset Rebels 10 Year Anniversary Meeting is now confirmed with the news that Poland’s Sebastian Ulamek will be taking part, along with three of the 2010 Somerset septet, namely Shane Parker, Cory Gathercole and Steve Boxall.

Ulamek’s appearances in the UK in recent years have been quite few and far between, the last time he raced on a regular basis in British Speedway was back in 2007 when he spent a second successive season with Swindon, this following on from spells with Wolverhampton, King’s Lynn, Oxford and Coventry, with whom he won the Elite League Championship in 2005 after joining the Bees late on in the season.

A former Grand Prix rider and member of various Polish World Cup squads, Czestochowa born Ulamek was crowned Continental Champion in 2001 and has consistently been one of the sports top performers for well over a decade now, and his inclusion in Somerset’s celebration meeting further enhances the international flavour of the event, with riders from Australia, Denmark, Poland and UK now taking part, and it is hoped that this international flavour will be extended further when the remaining rider confirmations are received over the course of the next few days.

Richardson To Ride In Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting
Wednesday 10th February 2010

The fifth rider for Somerset’s 10 Year Anniversary Meeting has been confirmed as Lee Richardson, who finds himself without a British club for 2010 following his well documented winter team issues, so his appearance at the Oak Tree Arena for Somerset’s celebration meeting is all the more of a coup for the Rebel Promotion.

“We are really excited to have Lee lining up for our 10 Year Meeting,” said Debbie Hancock, “he is a rider of undoubted quality, being Britain’s record points scorer in the World Cup, and a former World under 21 Champion.”

And Richardson may not be the only rider in the line up who will not be a regular in British Speedway in 2010;

“If things all go to plan, then Lee could be joined by possibly another 4 riders who will not be riding for a British club this year, so their appearance at the Oak Tree Arena could well be one of the few opportunities to see these riders competing in the UK.”

“At this stage I obviously cannot say who those riders will be until we receive their full confirmation that they will be competing, but all I will say is that if all the riders we have invited to take part in the meeting accept, then it will be the best line up of riders ever seen at the Oak Tree Arena, which is our way of thanking the fans for their superb support of the Rebels over the past 10 years.”

“As well as having a top quality line up, we are inviting as many of those riders who have donned the Rebel race-jacket during our first 10 years to be a part of our celebrations on the night.”

Fans are advised to take note of the fact that the meeting will have an earlier than usual start time with the riders’ parade at 7pm and the tapes up on the opening heat being at 7.15pm in order that as much time as possible is given to get all 23 heats completed before the 10pm curfew time.

SREF’s Fans’ Forum At Oak Tree Clubhouse
Monday 8th February 2010

The Somerset Riders Equipment Fund (SREF) are holding another of their winter fund raisers at the Oak Tree Clubhouse on Friday 26th February which will take the form of a Fans’ Forum whereby fans can put questions to the Somerset Rebels Management team, the Forum to be followed by a game of skittles with a prize being awarded to the highest scorer.

The Evening gets underway at 7.30pm, tickets being priced at £3.00 and will be available at the door on the night itself.

Two More Confirmed For Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting
Friday 5th February 2010

Following hot on the heels of the confirming Hans Andersen and Mark Lemon as the first two confirmed starters for the Somerset Rebels’ 10 Year Anniversary Meeting on March 19th comes the news of the next two confirmed riders, both of whom hold a unique place in Somerset’s history, namely Belle Vue’s Charlie Gjedde and his Danish compatriot and Peterborough star, Niels-Kristian Iversen.

The two riders are not only amongst a select band of just 13 riders who have posted maximum scores as opposition riders when visiting the Oak Tree Arena in official competitions since the Rebels made the step up to join the Premier League in 2002, but Gjedde was the first ever visiting rider to record such a feat, his maximum score coming when Swindon were the visitors in July 2002, whereas Iversen is one of only two riders, Australian Craig Boyce being the other, who has posted a ‘full house’ on two separate occasions.

Gjedde, the 1995 Danish under 21 Champion and a member of the Danish side that lifted the Speedway World Cup in 2006, first came to the UK in 1998 to ride for Swindon, but after spending the majority of his British career with the Robins, has ridden for Belle Vue for the past two seasons, and albeit that injury has restricted his appearances for the Aces, he is back in 2010 for his 3rd season with the world famous Manchester club.

Like Gjedde, Iversen is also a past winner of the Danish under 21 title, his victory coming in 2002, and was a member of the same Danish side as Gjedde that won the Speedway World Cup in 2006.

After a brief flirtation with British speedway with King’s Lynn in 2001, Iversen really came to prominence when signed by Premier League Newport in 2003, and it was whilst with the Wasps that the 28 year old raced to his two maximum scores at the Oak Tree Arena, the first coming in the July of that year, quickly followed by the second just two months later.

Iversen was to spend just a single year with Newport in the Premier League before moving into the Elite League, initially having a two year spell with Oxford before moving on to Peterborough, where he has remained ever since apart from a year spent with Wolverhampton in 2008.

The Somerset Promotion wish to remind fans that there will be no increase on normal admission prices and that season tickets are valid for what promises to be a highly competitive night of racing and entertainment.

First Two Riders Named For Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting
Wednesday 3rd February 2010

The Somerset Rebels promotion has named the first two riders that will compete in the club’s 10 Year Anniversary Meeting that will take place at the Oak Tree Arena on Friday 19th March, these being Hans Andersen and ex-Rebel Mark Lemon.

2007 Danish Champion, Andersen, who will be lining up for Belle Vue in the Elite League in 2010, and is one of the 15 permanent riders that will compete in this year’s Grand Prix Series, the 29 year old having won 4 Grand Prix Meetings prior to this year’s competition and has twice been a member of the Danish World Cup winning side.

Andersen’s participation in Somerset’s Anniversary Meeting will be the second time that he will have appeared at the Oak Tree Arena, the first being in September last year when he took part in Mark Lemon’s Testimonial Meeting, after which Andersen had nothing but praise for the Oak Tree track.

And it is that ‘Testimonial Man’, Mark Lemon who is the second rider to be confirmed as taking part in Somerset’s celebration meeting, providing a link to Somerset’s past having spent the 2003 season in Rebel colours.

Since then Lemon has ridden for the likes of Exeter, Stoke, Reading and Newcastle, with whom he spent the remainder of the 2009 campaign after being released by Newport in July.

Always a popular visitor to Somerset, Lemon is one of what is hoped will be a number of ex-Rebels that will competing in the club’s 10 Year Anniversary Meeting, with three of the 2010 Somerset side and a host of top international riders making up the 16 rider field.

The meeting format will be that same as used in the Grand Prix, namely 20 qualifying heats, with each rider having 5 programmed rides, after which the top 8 scorers will progress to the semi-final stages, with first two in each semi-final moving on to the Grand Final itself.

The Somerset Promotion are pleased to announce that there will be no increase on normal admission prices and that season tickets are valid for what promises to be a highly competitive meeting.

Oil Waste Collector
3rd February 2010

A lot has been said about the new silencer regulations, but a change in the rules that seems to have gone un-noticed is a requirement for a tank to collect the waste oil emitted through the breather.

The new regulations say that a bike must be fitted with a 300ml waste trap connected to the end of the breather pipe, and anticipating numerous botch up jobs, with coke cans etc they have said that it must be of a properly constructed nature.

Dave Thompson (Dave T) attended the training school at Newport on Sunday, and bumped into Tom Browns dad, Terry. He showed Dave a purpose built tank, designed by Tom, for use on his bikes, and said that Tom was prepared to get them made for any other riders who require them.

They are extremely well made from high grade aircraft aluminium, and weigh just a few of ounces, so weight won't be an issue, and they have a capacity of 320ml. They are designed to fit between the frame tubes, just in front of the rear wheel, and can be fitted with three readily available push on clips, that not only hold it securely, but allow it to be removed in just a few seconds.

The cost at the moment is £40.00, and you have been out and bought the clips you can install one for under £45.00. Terry said that if they can get a number of orders together the cost may even be less than that.

Dave has sent a few photos that he took to show how it is fitted, and the tank itself. If any one is interested, they can contact either Dave with their name and phone number, and he'll pass them on to Tom, or if you wish you can contact him yourself. (number to follow.)

Oak Tree Arena To Stage Speedway Championship Meeting
Sunday 31st January 2010

The Oak Tree Arena, home to the Somerset Rebels, has been awarded the staging of the prestigious 2010 Premier League Pairs Championship meeting, it being the fourth time that he highly acclaimed track will have staged the event.

The Premier League Pairs is one of the ‘Super 7even’ series of Championship meetings that are staged during the speedway season, and is one of the three Championship meetings that are specifically for the Premier League, the others being the Premier League Fours and Premier League Riders’ Championships.

The meeting brings together the top two riders from ten of the fourteen clubs that constitute the Premier League and has been scheduled for Friday 9th July, the night before the eyes of the speedway world focus then on Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium for the British round of the Speedway Grand Prix series.

“Everyone associated with the club are extremely honoured that we have once again been allocated to stage the ‘Pairs’ here at the Oak Tree Arena,” said Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock, “It bears testament to not only the excellent racing that the meeting has produced over the previous three years that it has been staged here, but the fairness of our track as in those three years, Somerset have yet to actually win the title!”

“With the British Speedway Grand Prix being held in Cardiff the following evening, the Pairs is an excellent way to start what promises to be a great weekend of speedway action, with fans taking in the Pairs action here at Somerset before they head off to Cardiff the next day. Not only that, but the meeting is also excellent for the local community and businesses, with such an influx of fans using the area as their base for the weekend, it provides a boost to the local economy, which just helps to illustrate how the Somerset Rebels can be of benefit to the region and local community”

SREF Hold Successful ‘Mr & Mrs’ Event At Oak Tree Clubhouse
Saturday 30th January 2010

The Somerset Riders Equipment Fund (SREF) held another of their winter events at the Oak Tree Clubhouse last Friday, it taking the form of a ‘Mr & Mrs’ Competition, with SREF’s funds being swelled by a further £275 as a result of the evening.

With new Somerset signings for 2010, Steve Boxall and Tommy Allen, both of whom used the occasion to sign their 2010 Somerset contracts, and Shane Parker, together with wife Anji, attending the event, it saw Shane and Anji taking part in the competition, as did Somerset team manager, Steve Bishop and his wife Debbie together with a number of couple from amongst the fans.

After a series of ‘qualifying heats,’ the head to head final saw Steve and Debbie Bishop taking on Shane and Anji Parker, the Bishop’s eventually coming out on top to win the competition.

Also during the evening SREF had ‘Emil Kramer’ ribbons available for fans to purchase by way of a £1 minimum donation, the ribbons being in memory of Emil following his tragic death as a result of a road accident last December. The ribbons, which will also be available at the club’s press and practice day on 17th March and at Somerset’s initial home meetings, are yellow and blue in colour to represent the colours of the Swedish flag, and the monies raised are to be used for the benefit of Kramer’s daughter, Nelley.

Any fans who wish to apply by post for one of the ribbons can do so by contacting Di Phillips by email at dianecomanche@aol.com for further details.

Ritchie gets Elite League call up.
Saturday 30th January 2010

Somerset Rebel, Ritchie Hawkins, has received a call up from Elite League Ipswich to be their number 8 for the 2010 season.

For Peterborough based Hawkins it will mean that whilst he will not ride for the Suffolk side on a consistent basis, he will be ‘on call’ to cover for the Witches should any of their team reserves not be available. Additionally Hawkins could be used as a standby rider should Ipswich utilise the rider replacement facility to cover for an absent rider and would, in those circumstances, be eligible to take any of those rider replacement rides.

The former British under 21 Champion has been getting a first hand look at the Ipswich track in recent weeks as he has been helping the management their with extensive work that has been taking place in the remodelling of the Foxhall Heath raceway as he explained;

“It was great to get involved with the work on the track – I am convinced that the changes are going to mean more exciting racing this year and I am really looking forward to that”.

Steve Boxall becomes a Rebel
Tuesday 19th January 2010

The ‘Dickies’ Somerset Rebels have secured the services of Steve Boxall to fill the team place left vacant following last month’s tragic death of Emil Kramer in a road accident in his native Sweden, Boxall joining the Rebels on a 7.45 starting average.

Originally without a team berth for the up coming 2010 season, Boxall certainly put himself in the ‘shop window’ with a stunning performance that saw him emerge victorious in the New Year Classic meeting at Newport at the start of the month, a victory that was made all the more impressive by virtue of the fact he was riding borrowed machinery!

The 22 year old started his speedway career with Rye House, being a product of their Conference League side, and was the winner of the Conference League Riders’ Championship in 2005, as well as being a part of the Rye House side that won the Premier League and Premier Trophy that same year.

After ‘doubling up’ between the Conference and Premier Leagues with Rye House, 2006 saw Boxall move full time in the Premier League and was a member of the Rockets side that won the Premier League for a second time in 2007.

Canterbury born Boxall decided that the time was now right for a move up into the Elite League and signed for Belle Vue in 2008, but a shoulder injury sustained almost as soon as the season got under way was to keep him on the sidelines for the remainder of the season.

He returned to action at the start of the 2009 campaign with Newcastle in the Premier League, but was released mid-season by the Diamonds as a result of a team ‘shake-up’ that saw them sign Danish rider Rene Bach, but Boxall was quickly snapped up by Elite League Poole as replacement for their Polish rider, Karol Baran.

“Steve is a rider with proven ability, but has not had the best of luck over the past couple of years what with injury and the mechanical problems that seemed to plague him last year.” Said a spokesperson for the Rebels, “He showed, however, exactly what he is capable of when winning the New Year Classic at Newport at the start of the month, and we believe that he has the ability, as well as the desire, to do an excellent job for the Rebels.”

“He will be teaming up with riders that he knows well in Tommy Allen and Ritchie Hawkins, so he should feel right at home, and I know that the Somerset fans will be backing Steve, as they do all the riders that don the Rebel race-jacket, all the way.”

“We are not signing Steve as replacement for Emil, which would be an unfair burden to place upon his shoulders, but as a rider that we feel will compliments the other six riders in the team and one that once he settles in to his new surroundings will perform well for us.”

Rebel Gathercole In South Australian Speedway Championship
Sunday 17th January 2010

Somerset’s Cory Gathercole followed hot on the heels of 2010 team-mate Sam Masters excellent showing in this weekend’s Australian under 21 speedway Championship with an equally good performance in the South Australian State Championship held at Gillman Speedway earlier today.

As probably expected, the meeting was dominated by the three Elite League riders that were amongst the 16 riders vying for the title, with Peterborough’s Troy Batchelor securing the Championship crown, thus making it a hat-trick of victories for the 22 year old.

Gathercole qualified with relative ease for the ‘B’ Final, scoring 10 points from his 5 rides, and although a fall in his last ride whilst in second place denting his final total, this did not affect any chances that the Somerset rider had of making it directly through to the Grand Final as these had already effectively been decided by that point of the meeting, as had Gathercole’s place in the ‘B’ Final.

With the Elite League trio of Batchelor, Cameron Woodward and Ty Proctor booking their place in the Championship Final, with just the winner of the ‘B’ Final joining them to decide who would ride away with the title. Unfortunately for Gathercole, he was headed home by Sheffield’s Josh Auty, and so just missed out on a place in the Grand Final and ultimately finished in 5th place overall.

South Australian Speedway Championship;

1st – Troy Batchelor (Peterborough)
2nd – Cameron Woodward (Eastbourne)
3rd – Ty Proctor (Wolverhampton)
4th – Josh Auty (Sheffield)
5th – Cory Gathercole (Somerset)