8th January 2002

Whilst Bish has had the rough end of sponsorship backing new teammate Neil Collins was pleased to have retained two of his Workington backers as he starts out a new chapter in his 25 year racing career. " Yes I'm really chuffed to have had calls from Lakeland Racing and John Moffatt to say that they will continue to back me at Somerset. I must admit I was expecting to have been back with the Comets in 2002 but it was seemingly not to be and here I am looking at making a new start with the Rebels this year. I had several options but chose to go with what looks like being an exciting side at Somerset. I've known Laurence Rogers for a long time and he has always been a good friend of all the family and he sold the Rebels to me. I think we have a side that will entertain with several of us having the potential to up our averages. I've also picked up a sponsorship from a Plant Hire Company in Somerset who are buying me an engine that Michael Lee is preparing, and they will also be backing me with tyres. I must admit I'm really looking forward to the coming season."
Collins was in action in the New Year Classic at Newport last Sunday where he scored seven points with a borrowed engine, winning his last ride defeating home man Frank Smart in the process. David Meldrum, riding in the Great Britain Lions Under 21 Test in Australia, scored 5 paid six.

The next Rebels in action will be Mario Jirout and Gary Phelps when they contest the Indoor ice meeting at Telford on Sunday February 17th. Jirout will actually be signing his 2002 contract on the ice at the event. One coach already booked up to support the duo and hopefully there will sufficient demand to fill a second bus. Merv Marsh taking the bookings on 01278 782198.
The offer on reduced priced season tickets has been extended to January 31st with demand having already exceeded expectations with a plea for the extra time to allow fans to get over Christmas. The prices will be pegged at £195 for adults and £130 for senior citizens and children. Those wishing to book seats in the stand can do so for an extra £20. All applications must have a passport sized photograph enclosed and sent to: Roy Atkins , 300 Bath Road, Bawdrip, Bridgwater, Somerset TA7 8DP. Please make cheques payable to : Somerset Speedway.

With the possibility of only six home meetings in the 2002 Conference League the Somerset side may struggle to hold on to some of its top men. Whilst team boss Ray Dickson keeps his cards close to his chest over his team line up until after the Conference League chairmen have had their next get together, the Somerset fans will be wondering if some of their favourites might be missing when the tapes rise on the club's third season in the division.
This though may not be a bad thing if the side, whose new name is still awaited to be announced, can produce a few new names and bring on some youngsters. The long term future of the club to produce its own resources depends upon the continued involvement in the Conference League.
The club's main move of joining the Premier League has seen them have to rely on loan signings but this is a short term situation. They can now start to sign their own assets and develop riders from giving them experience at Conference League level before progressing on to the senior side.
As Laurence Rogers points out this was paramount in their planning, "We always wanted to continue in the Conference League as this will allows us to produce our own riders and see them progress. The lads realise though that there will be a limited number of home matches but if the league is run as is being rumoured there will still be plenty of meetings. Ray Dickson has come up with a masterplan to keep the stand alone and two side clubs happy. He has been in touch with the League Co-ordinator Peter Morrish with the idea and will now wait and see if this is adopted."
"From our point of view the Conference League is highly important and for the riders we sign there is the opportunity to progress on into the Premier League side eventually. Also with the new ruling over use of riders in the reserve berths there may be opportunities to get some outings in the main side."
"The difference for us is that in contrast to last year we do not have to have the strongest side in the league so the pressure is off. This will allow Ray Dickson to use his squad to its best advantage and the club will benefit from this in the long term."
On the sponsorship front Ray Dickson reports that he already has two backers lined up and Richard Scriven, who is sponsoring the tyres for both Steve Bishop and David Meldrum, has indicated that he will be offering some help to the Conference League side as well towards their home tyre costs.