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News round-up for 2007
See Reports 2007 section (above) for latest match action details
Tuesday November 27^th, 2007
Two signings and prospect of new track Boston Barracudas staged a very well attended presentation evening on November 23 at the Pinchbeck Social Club near Spalding where a healthy sized audience waited anxiously for news of next season and of the club’s future. Almost all of last season’s team were present and that added considerably to the fun and enjoyment with Paul Cooper doing an impression of King Kong complete with full fancy dress suit while Kieran Morris bravely cavorted for the whole evening in an outfit that would have had Defra announcing a new breed had he ventured out of the building. The rider of the year award was shared with Simon Lambert and Matthew Wright both achieving an identical score in a vote conducted among supporters and both riders were delighted to be regarded so highly. The mechanic of the year award was won by Paul Wright (Matthew Wright’s father) who was equally delighted with his recognition. Local “celebrity” and former grass track rider Jack Bell made his annual award to Simon Lambert and briefly spoke in his inimitable way about the future as he saw it. At this point Boston co-club chairman Dale Allitt thanked everyone for their support during 2007, although noting that he had been disappointed at times with the attendance figures. He pointed out the very satisfactory performances on track that had led to success in the Conference Pairs event and a place in the play-offs and KO Cup semi final. He thanked Michael Chinn, the owner of Staffsmart, the club’s main sponsor, for his very generous support of the club in 2007 and for agreeing to continue that into 2008. He also advised the audience that Mr Chinn would build the club a track in the Boston area if a suitable site was available. Such a move could not happen before 2009 but Allitt pledged to give this matter the fullest possible attention during the coming months. Dale Allitt thanked everyone for their contribution to the club and paid tribute to his two partners Malcolm Vasey and Mick Smith for their work on behalf of the Barracudas. He said: “There is so much to be done to stage a speedway match and I can’t thank the staff enough who help us to put the sport on at Kings Lynn. On race nights it has to work well and our staff ensure that happens.” He then announced that he would be receiving help to raise funds for next season from former co-chairman Stephen Lambert who would return to the club in the capacity of commercial manager with particular responsibility in the west of the club’s catchment area. He thanked everyone for attending and then announced the names of the first two riders to agree to represent the Barracudas in 2008. Tumultuous applause greeted the news that Simon Lambert and Joe Haines had agreed to ride for the club and although there were plenty of other ideas for the rest of the team this could not be finalised until the Conference annual meeting which, he hoped, would follow shortly after the main BSPA AGM. He said: “This is a tremendous start to our team building and those two would be the envy of any Club.” Clearance to announce the pair had been given by King’s Lynn, Workington and Wolverhampton and the Barracudas were grateful for the level of co-operation received from those clubs. Without doubt Boston have reached agreement with two of the best young men in the land. At the end of 2007 Lambert was looking very ready to fulfil the potential he has always had while, at 16, Haines will probably be the best teenager in the sport with a neat but attacking style and a racing ability far beyond his tender years. Malcolm Vasey, who was suffering from a sore throat, took the microphone and warmly thanked Dale Allitt for his personal contribution in 2007 which had helped keep the club alive and also that of his wife Jenni and family during a period of considerable difficulty following a road accident affecting their son, Matthew. Following the presentations the entertainment was provided by the Calypso Disco courtesy of Paul Frieston and Glynis with dancing going on until the midnight hour.
Tuesday November 13^th, 2007
Counting down to presentation evening Preparations are well in hand for the Boston “Staffsamrt” Barracudas annual presentation evening which will take place at Pinchbeck Village Hall near Boston on Friday November 23 from 7.30 pm until late. A few tickets remain available and these can be reserved by calling 07768 073284, the cost being £10 each which includes a full buffet meal and also music and dancing provided by Paul Frieston’s Calypso Disco. All of last season’s team have been invited and the event will provide an opportunity for the club’s promotion to make some important announcements about the arrangements for 2007 and the longer term plans for the club. Co-promoter Dale Allitt said: “These are quite important matters and I want the opportunity for our real supporters to hear the news first and this would seem the best way to achieve that. There is good news to come but if we are to be successful we have to ensure that our sponsorship levels are maintained due to the ever rising operational costs that we face. “We are very upbeat about the future of the club at present and it is fair to say that we could be on the cusp of our best opportunity of moving forward but that cannot happen unless the ways in which people support us which are mainly sponsorship and direct support through the turnstiles are maintained. “I don’t want to say any more now, we will deliver our important statements about a number of issues at the presentation evening but folks must know what a battle we have year on year while we remain in exile and that is the point I am making.” There will undoubtedly be the usual level of fun and games at the Presentation Evening with former Boston grass track rider Jack Bell presenting his own prize for the season and no doubt delivering a tale or two in his inimitable style. The club has launched a new website which will be updated very regularly as soon as there is any news to report especially with regard top the new season. The URL for the website is the www.bostonspeedway.net address.
Tuesday October 30^th, 2007
Positive outlook for the 2008 campaign Although the ink is hardly dry on the pages of the 2007 final programme Boston co-club chairman Dale Allitt is already putting together an action plan in readiness for the 2008 season. This is a vastly different situation to that which surrounded the future of the smallest club in speedway, as they like to be known, at the end of 2006 when the Barracudas seemed destined to return to the history books. Just 12 months after an initial announcement that the club would close, the new promotion are confident that not only will they run in 2008 but they intend to leave nothing to chance in their detailed planning for the new season. Allitt said: “With a year behind us and also a very sharp learning curve, it is time already to put what we’ve learned into practice so that next season we can continue along our planned route towards a permanent home of our own. I would stress that although this is being pursued with renewed vigour, we are at still short of the green shoots stage at the moment. But there is a plan in an embryonic state and one of the aims of the club is to return to the Boston area sooner rather later. Next season we will operate at King’s Lynn again and I have had some preliminary discussions already with Jonathan Chapman and will continue these soon. There are many things that we have in mind and I intend to devote my attention to sponsorship and examine ways and means of improving what we can offer our sponsors. It is very easy to merely take peoples’ money but we want to give them something of real advantage in return such as better advertising through the success of the club and we want to try and do more for them on match days and make them feel the very important part of the club that they are. Last season we always seemed to be rushing around but we have to make time for the people that are supporting us in every way but especially our sponsors. They are the lifeblood of our club if not the whole sport and at the present time we could not exist without their financial backing and in return for that we shall try hard to improve what we can offer them.” Boston are also anxious that the Conference League continues to develop and that it remains an attractive option for existing teams and also for any potential newcomers. Allitt said: “I am looking forward to the next meeting of Conference chairmen and there are some very serious issues to be considered. The most important issue is the situation governing team strengths and the equalisation of the teams at the start of the season. It is very important that the supporters of all teams feel that their club has a chance of doing well and that the entertainment provided at our matches is worth what we charge to our customers to see it. The two go together and if we can get the first part right the second will lead to better attendances. It is time to take a fresh look at the situation of grading systems or other methods of equalising team strengths and I hope that the Conference League will grasp these problems and consider how best to take this issue forward.” Various Boston riders have been in action since the Barracudas completed their own fixtures. Simon Lambert has successfully taken part in two cup finals first with parent club King’s Lynn and then guested for Redcar at Birmingham on Sunday, his return for the Bears including a vital race win at Perry Barr. A number of the Boston “Scottish clan” plus Wayne “MacDunworth” took part in the Hethersfield Gold Helmet competition at Ashfield and although the meeting was truncated because of the rain, Adam McKinna was runner-up in the event.
Tuesday October 23^rd, 2007
Select team makes good impression The “Staffsmart” Boston Barracudas rounded off their season when a “Boston Select” quartet finished third in the Big Bang 2 event at Mildenhall on Sunday. It was a most enjoyable afternoon with warm sunshine enhancing the meeting and it was a real privilege for Boston to feature such great names in their side as Lewis Bridger, Kevin Doolan, Carl Wilkinson and James Brundle who, together with Matthew Wright acting as reserve, certainly made their presence felt at West Row. Indeed, Carl Wilkinson’s epic battle with Chris Schramm provided the race of the day while Lewis Bridger’s overtake down the back straight that took him from last to first was also the move of the match in many people’s eyes. It must be stated, however, that from the outset the Elite League class of Peterborough stole the show and with three new track records along the way the Panthers dominated proceedings. For the rest it was a battle to see who would be runners-up. And although Boston looked likely to fill that position, they fell away towards the end and eventually took third place. Result: Peterborough 38, East Anglian Select 27, Boston Select 22, Mildenhall 21. Boston scorers: Lewis Bridger 11, Carl Wilkinson 5, James Brundle 3, Kevin Doolan 3. Positive reflections and thoughts for future With the season now at an end for the Barracudas the club’s promotional team and their supporters can reflect upon a good season of results certainly the best the set-up has enjoyed for a number of years. And plans are being laid in readiness for next season and beyond. Discussions are beginning to open up on a number of fronts that may ultimately provide a more secure long term future for the club and news about these matters will be regularly reported as the winter months go by. The club has noted with interest the comments of some other Conference League clubs recently concerning the approach to gradings and other matters. Boston team manager Malcolm Vasey said: “Last week Mike Bowden of Plymouth suggested a need for averages to be introduced to control team strengths. And I think that would also be our view. The present grading situation is one of the most urgent problems facing the Conference League and since we have to be able to market this level of speedway to the public, it must be seen to operate on a level playing field. This has proved difficult in my view with the grading system which creates anomalies with some really good riders graded much lower than their actual ability because of the age limitations within the grades. That in itself creates a serious flaw in the distribution of strength around the teams and is something that must be addressed in my opinion. “The use of averages would create a much more accurate measure of ability but there would still be flaws because of the very rapid development that certain younger riders can achieve at this level these days. But with averages there would be far fewer anomalies and the imbalance created by the existing grading system would definitely be reduced. In addition, opportunities for younger riders could be protected by limiting teams to the use of only one rider over 25 or some other appropriate measure that needs to be agreed.” Vasey added: “Efforts also need to be made to more accurately assess riders with experience in other countries because that can cause problems too. It is vital for the sport that third tier racing is able to continue and it was gratifying to see so many ex-Conference League riders in the Premier League play-off matches between Rye House and Sheffield. Only Stefan Ekberg was not an ex-Conference League rider and several of them have appeared at that level during this season. Added to that is the fact that many of the present Premier League teams came from the Conference League which helped them to either re-establish themselves at Premier level or they were new teams able to enter the sport at its lowest level and move up. Can speedway do without that input?” All-in-all, it would seem that there will be plenty of significant importance to discuss when the Conference League chairmen meet this winter.
Tuesday October 16^th, 2007
Team boss salutes strength of conquering rivals Boston Barracudas team manager Malcolm Vasey reflected on the club’s losing finale to the 2007 speedway campaign, notably in the disappointment of losing out to a powerful Scunthorpe side in the semi-finals of the conference League play-offs. He said: “Defeat at home to Scunthorpe is never something that we or our supporters take to easily. But we recognise the special talents of the 2007 Scorpions and I rate it as possibly the best third tier team of all time although there is a case to argue for the Peterborough team of 1997 and the Mildenhall team of 2004. Peterborough were similar in many ways with David Howe, Oliver Allen and Simon Stead burgeoning youngsters. But at that time, doubling up in the way that it happens nowadays, was not an option and therefore it is hard to say whether at that stage of their careers that particular trio would have matched Tai Woffinden and Josh Auty at a higher level. Also, Scunthorpe are so strong in depth and there lies the difference in my view.” After the concluding match at Rye House, which also ended in defeat, co-club chairman Dale Allitt called the Boston riders together and thanked them for their efforts throughout the season highlighting the winning of the Conference Pairs and the two semi-final places in the league play-offs and the KO Cup as worthy achievements for a side that suffered plenty of injuries during the course of the season. Elsewhere, Matthew Wright won the Shareholders Junior Championship at Mildenhall on Sunday with fellow Barracuda Darren Mallett in third place to cap a successful afternoon in the Fens and not without some support from the Boston area in the crowd. Also taking part were Boston reserves Adam Lowe and Kieran Morris who filled the reserve berths for the event and rode well enough when called upon to take the place of injured riders. A Boston select will take part in the “Big Bang 2” meeting at Mildenhall on Sunday (October 21 at 4.30 pm) when an appropriately structured select side will face Mildenhall, Peterborough and an East Anglian Select hoping to lift the prize. Boston have their regular No. 1 James Brundle who will be joined by former No.1 Carl Wilkinson while Kevin Doolan and Lewis Bridger will add power ready to take on the strength of the opposition sides. Allitt said: “The afternoon promises to provide great entertainment with the Big Bang in shape of the fireworks at the end and although we are a composite team they all have at least slight Boston connections and I hope our supporters will come along and help us to win it and enjoy a good afternoon at West Row.” The club are now awaiting dates of meetings with other Conference League clubs in order to address the issues raised during the 2007 season and to start planning effectively for 2008. Clearly the re-engineering that could take place at a higher levels within the sport will impact upon the Conference League but Cudas officials reckon it is essential that some aspects of the league are reviewed and where possible improvements considered.
Tuesday October 9^th, 2007
Wide dismay at semi-final encounter outcomes The whole of the Boston Barracudas set-up were bitterly disappointed with the two results against Scunthorpe at Normanby Road — each resulting in a heavy mauling in the KO Cup and then the first leg of the Conference League play-offs, both at the semi-final stage. Many of the team felt that they did not do themselves justice and while it is true that one or two riders looked out of touch, it must be said that Scunthorpe are clearly one of the best sides at Conference level certainly since the introduction of the grading system and arguably since the introduction of speedway’s third tier in 1994. Cudas’ co-club chairman Dale Allitt said: “We still have an opportunity to try to beat them again at King’s Lynn on Friday and we intend to do our very best to do so.” He was referring to another crunching encounter with the Scorpions immediately after the King’s Lynn fixture against the Isle of Wight at the Norfolk Arena. “I am totally convinced that we will give them a real run for their money on Friday and you just never know. Some of our riders were quite distraught after Sunday and are determined to improve matters at home.” The Barracudas complete their fixtures with a League match at Hoddesdon on Saturday when they face the Rye House Raiders. The club would like to end their season on a high note and feel that their achievements in 2007 should not be lost in the midst of a series of defeats to such a good team as Scunthorpe. Allitt said: “We won the Conference Pairs and we reached the semi finals of the KO Cup and the play-offs and these are the best collection of results that Boston have achieved for some time. Not only that, but we had more than our fair share of bad luck with injuries but always managed to come out of each situation with an appropriate solution so all in all I have to be pleased with that. The riders deserve a lot of credit and it upsets us when people, especially on the internet, fail to make allowance for the strength and quality of the opposition.” Boston were bemused to learn on Monday that despite having to shoehorn in their two semi-final fixtures with Scunthorpe following the rain off two weeks ago, that Plymouth have been allowed to decline to race their KO Cup final at Scunthorpe this weekend despite the possibility that the clubs will meet in the play-off final as well. Boston team boss Malcolm Vasey said: “I understand that we had to comply with the tight fixture schedule partly because of pressure from Plymouth who now seem in no hurry to get on with their programme. It will be a major disappointment for the league if the weather should close in and cause further difficulties.” Friday’s Boston match at the Norfolk Arena follows the Kings Lynn v Isle of Wight Premier League fixture which will start at 7.30pm and admission will be £15 for the two matches with concessions admitted for £11, juniors £5 and under-11s free of charge. The match will provide a final opportunity to see at first hand riders of the ability of Tai Woffinden and Josh Auty who will grace the higher leagues within speedway full time next season and also Chris Holder of the Isle of Wight tipped by many to be the next Australian world champion. It should be a night to remember. Boston complete their league fixtures at Rye House (Hoddesdon) on Saturday evening (7pm start). It is understood that admission to this match is free as a generous thank you to Rye House supporters and obviously this will apply to any Boston followers present. The Barracudas have been forced to change the date and venue of their presentation evening. This will now be held on Friday November 23 at the Pinchbeck Village Hall near Spalding.
Tuesday October 2^nd, 2007
Fixture log-jam forces Boston in cup-tie shuffle Once again the cruel hand of fate has interrupted Boston’s plans and damaged their chances of a major success with the inglorious weather taking centre stage last Friday leaving Boston’s hopes of a cup upset against the might of Scunthorpe somewhat in tatters as numerous great minds combined to try and find a way out of the fixture chaos that the Barracudas are facing. Every possible fixture permutation was examined and for one reason or another rejected — some not financially viable and some logistically impossible when allowing for travelling and work commitments. There is a need to complete the Cudas’ KO Cup semi-final tie in time to allow the winners the opportunity to race against Plymouth, conquerors of Weymouth and the emerging team from the other half of the draw. There is also the need for Boston and Scunthorpe to meet in the two legged play-off semi-finals with the attendant risk perhaps of another postponement somewhere. Ultimately, after considerable reflection, the Boston promotion decided to accept the offer to hire Scunthorpe’s track at Normanby Road this Friday evening (October 5 at 7.30 pm) to stage their home leg. This and the proposals made for the remaining Boston fixtures this season have been accepted by the BSPA with the Scorpions visiting King’s Lynn on Friday October 12 for the second leg of the play-off semi-final. The first leg of the play-offs is at Normanby Road on Sunday afternoon and that should provide yet more excitement as this series between Lincolnshire’s two speedway clubs develops. Boston co-promoter Dale Allitt said: “It was the only equitable situation that did not impact on the staging of the final and hopefully the weather will be kind to us this time. I understand that some of our supporters will find the 65-mile journey to Scunthorpe a problem but I do hope that they will bear with us and try and make it. We are going there to try and win and there have been bigger upsets in speedway. We are very grateful to the Scunthorpe promoters for allowing us to use their track in this way it was such a serious fixture log-jam and at least we have a solution that we can manage. Trying to get a team together for a short notice midweek fixture is virtually impossible given the travelling involved,” suggested Allitt. No such problems would exist if the club had its own track in Boston and club officials say they feel it is a social disgrace that they and their followers remain exiled at King’s Lynn after eight years where they have to play second fiddle to the Premier League Kings Lynn Stars. They believe the time is overdue for at least some member of the Boston Borough Council to champion their cause for a track of their own and direct some corporate municipal effort into the exercise. Officials say it is a sad fact that on the edge of the town a lightly-used facility is based that was built with the aid of council taxpayers’ money and is surely a drain on the public coffers. The feasibility of offering the Barracudas a permanent home there or elsewhere is surely now becoming a must for the authorities. The galling feature of Boston racing at Normanby Road in Scunthorpe instead of in their own borough is that the facility used by Scunthorpe is on land designated by that club’s council for such use something that does not appear to exist in Boston. Cudas’ chiefs say this situation continues to rob the borough residents of an entertainment feature and the local economy is denied the revenue that such activity as regular speedway racing would bring. Boston’s main sponsor “Staffsmart” are keen to direct financial help to such a project and will work with the club and the council to ensure the achievement of a dream. Last Sunday Boston fought back in terrific fashion at Scunthorpe to go into the second leg just six points adrift of their powerful neighbours. It had looked a gloomy picture in the early stages but Boston fought back with tactical ride successes for Simon Lambert and Boston man of the match Paul Cooper who was devastating after a disaster in the first race. Boston team boss Malcolm Vasey said: “Paul Cooper helped lead the fight back and then Simon Lambert’s heroics in heat 14 were simply unbelievable. I know Scunthorpe had some problems but so did we with Matt Wright losing the use of his No 1 bike just before the parade and Simon also lost power in his final ride. Paul was amazing dishing out advice to the other riders about where to ride the track he really is a top guy.” Looking ahead to the weekend Boston feel that they can eliminate Scunthorpe from at least one of the competitions. Lambert said: “By Sunday we will think it is our home track and that could set us up to complete the task next week. Similarly six points adrift on Friday and this lot fear no-one. It just could happen. If the season was just starting we would be the ones to watch and we are out to show that.”
Tuesday September 25^th, 2007
Mouth-watering clashes are in prospect What a treat in store for speedway fans in Lincolnshire and North Norfolk during the next two weekends with Boston and Scunthorpe going head to head in first the Knockout Cup semi-final, these mouth watering matches taking place on Friday (September 28) at King’s Lynn (7.30 pm) with the conclusion 48 hours later at Scunthorpe on Sunday afternoon (3.00pm). That’s one bill of excitement. But things don’t end there because the two clubs will meet again in the Conference play-offs semi final seven days later at each venue in a complete repeat performance. It all adds up to four matches that would grace any Conference League scenario at any period in the history of this level of the sport and the equal of some of the great Boston and Mildenhall matches of the not-too-distant-past. Barring any last minute hitches the “Staffsmart” Barracudas will be at full strength for both fixtures this weekend alternating their No.1 with James Brundle racing at King’s Lynn and then making use of Paul Cooper’s superb track knowledge for the return leg at Scunthorpe. Boston team boss Malcolm Vasey said: “Both of these lads have been outstanding for us since they shared the No.1 role after Jon Armstrong’s departure and it is quite appropriate that we use the two in this way. We have looked very closely at the two sides and have highlighted one or two points that will form the basis for our attack on the Scorpions and we hope that this will perhaps give us an edge. But you know there are 14 great Conference League riders taking part in these matches and as we saw in our double header two weeks ago, inspiration can come from just about anywhere.” An added bonus will be that James Brundle can expect some support from King’s Lynn fans on Friday while Sunday may see some travelling support from Sheffield for Paul at Scunthorpe. Indeed James is looking forward to racing in front of as many Stars fans as possible given his recent departure from the King’s Lynn side. It is clear that these fixtures are not just about the riders in the No.1 race jackets but also an opportunity for other Boston riders to continue the high level of performance that they have displayed recently to reach their present position. To do that the club has seen outstanding performances from their captain Simon Lambert and his partnership with Matthew Wright has been devastating for opposing teams in recent weeks. Wright has hit his best form of the season and possibly his career and is attracting guest bookings from the Premier League. He was the man of the match at Sittingbourne when the team took a few heats to get into their stride and that follows other top performances since his return from injury. Lambert underlined his liking for the Normanby Road track at Scunthorpe before a problem with his coil followed some kind of carburration problem prevented him reaching the final in the David Nix Memorial Trophy last weekend. Simon’s sudden loss of power on his second bike impacted upon Darren Mallett who was close behind, his evasive action leaving him at the back of the field. In fact Mallett rode as well as ever at Normanby Road last weekend something of an encouragement to all at Boston. Club co-chairman Dale Allitt said: “All of our riders are reaching personal heights. I would cite Adam Lowe’s racing against Buxton as a personal best and the Scottish lads have also been strong even though Adam McKinna has struggled a bit with his knee. Cal McDade has all of his old enthusiasm back and at the start of the season we said that the team would improve. Well, that has happened and anyone getting in the way of us now will know that they have been in a match. We surprised Scunthorpe when they came here five weeks ago but we have cranked it up a notch since then.” Some great battles will be fought out starting at King’s Lynn on Friday. They pose key questions upon which that KO Cup final spot may ultimately depend. Can James Brundle get the better of Messrs Woffinden and Auty, the latter will want to seriously improve on his showing the last time the clubs met? Will the dynamic partnership of Lambert and Wright cope as well with what Scunthorpe can throw at them as they did with Jon Armstrong, himself a mighty warrior at the Norfolk Arena. Will Adam Lowe sweep around the opposition by using the dirt line to great effect like he did last time out for Boston. These are just some of the battle ground areas that will decide the outcome of the first leg and it may be that the tactical battle will form the centre spread at Scunthorpe. It is a totally intriguing situation with the current champions and KO Cup holders possibly looking over their shoulders a little more than is often the case as Boston seek to announce themselves in the best way that they know how and every one present is in for an absolute thrill packed weekend. It is another one of those ties that provides spectators with an opportunity of seeing at first hand a real battle of all talents at Conference level. Boston come into the series on the back of three victories while Scunthorpe have lost three times all season in all competitions. There is the opportunity to see the prodigious talent of 16-year-old Tai Woffinden, the Conference League Riders champion and British Under-18 champion crowned with both of those titles after outstanding performances in the last 10 days. He is arguably the best 16-year-old the sport has seen and in fact races for the Premier League Riders Championship when the clubs meet on Sunday. Josh Auty has been signed by Elite League Coventry in readiness for his career at the highest level and Boston will challenge these two with scant regard for the reputations that they have built for themselves. This really is an opportunity to see, smell and feel the action in a sport that is regaining its popularity on a national scale with the Boston management still hopeful of a return to the Borough in the future. They have been looking at a possible option for the last few months but want to go into any project with the noise of their supporters ringing in their ears. What better chance to do that than against the might of Scunthorpe? Probable team line-ups: Boston (at Boston): Brundle, McKinna, Lambert, Wright, Mallett, Lowe, McDade Boston (at Scunthorpe): Cooper, McKinna, Lambert, Wright, Mallett, Lowe, McDade Scunthorpe: Woffinden, Haines, Auty, Cockell, TBA, Richardson, Bekker. (team to be revised for Sunday’s fixture) Tickets for the Barracudas’ annual presentation evening will be on sale at the match this taking place on Saturday November 24 at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Boston. The price of tickets is £10 each and numbers are limited. In the past, demand for this event has always exceeded availability and those wishing to attend are advised to get their tickets as soon as possible.
Tuesday September 18^th, 2007
Riders still busy despite team inactivity It’s very much the lull before the storm for the Boston Barracudas as they have a second blank weekend ahead of their blockbuster Knockout Cup semi-final against Scunthorpe — with both legs taking place over the last weekend of September. This does not mean the Cudas’ riders are idle, however, with various riders taking opportunities to ride in the Premier League where a bad season for injuries has bitten into the resources of many clubs. Matthew Wright has had a couple of outings for Mildenhall and shown up very well and also did extremely well to finish second in the Alan Pearce Memorial Trophy at Birmingham on his first visit to the new track at Perry Barr. It was a disappointing night for Boston captain Simon Lambert who was all at sea in the Conference League Riders’ Championship Final at Rye House. It was particularly surprising in the light of his double figure return for Birmingham at King’s Lynn just 24 hours earlier. Shane Waldron has suffered a further setback in his effort to return to action before the end of the season. The unlucky teenager had targeted the British Under-18s Final at Wolverhampton earlier this week as the date for his comeback but a minor car accident has left him with ankle damage and has delayed his hopes of a return to speedway. The annual Barracudas’ presentation evening will take place at St Thomas Church Hall in Boston on Saturday November 24 and tickets are now available at £10 each. Entry includes a full buffet supper. The ever-popular Calypso Disco, courtesy of Paul Frieston, will provide music. Tickets will be on sale at Boston’s remaining home meetings.
Tuesday September 11^th, 2007
Play-off spot is all but secured A tremendous weekend for the Barracudas ended on a high note when the three Conference League points gathered at Sittingbourne just about put Boston into the play-offs with one match to go against Rye House. Events began with a superb evening on Friday when the five points on offer were snapped up in the double-header fixture with Rye House and Buxton. This double triumph was followed up with victory at Sittingbourne and three more precious points in the bag. Most pleasing of all for Boston was the high level of individual performance from the whole team and the way that they pulled together at the Old Gun Site after a disastrous start, on a track that had deteriorated during a long day, was quite exceptional. On Friday evening the reserves had to dig deep when Adam McKinna was injured in the first heat of the second match of the double header and although Cal McDade was feeling very weary he produced points at vital times with some electric gating. Adam Lowe stepped up to the plate towards the end of the same match when after a fairly heavy fall in heat 11 he took the route that can best be described as the “outer limits” brushing his way around the safety fence to notch six paid points in his last two rides with some of the bravest riding seen from Boston this season. Team boss Malcolm Vasey said: “You cannot single out anyone because the whole team weighed in all weekend with massive contributions. I believe that was Adam Lowe’s best match for Boston but Matthew Wright was also exceptional in almost every race he was in and for Darren Mallett to come back from a broken collar bone and take nine races on Friday evening was amazing, especially when we considered leaving him out of one match. Not only that, but he was paid for 23 points during the evening. Let’s also not forget that Simon Lambert is getting over a horrendous crash and that James Brundle was sidelined with tonsillitis a few days earlier. Adam McKinna has had his share of injuries and with James he led the revival in heat five at Sittingbourne before catching his foot in a rut and being ruled out of the meeting with a very swollen knee. And finally, who was out on the track with his bike when Mallett had a problem at the Old Gun Site? Yes, Simon Lambert playing his captain’s role to the full, so generously ensuring that our overworked reserves did not have to take any more extra rides and Darren obliged with two wins on Rambo’s bike. This was a real team effort every single one of them gave his all and our supporters can be very proud of them.” Boston are without a fixture this weekend and the only definite fixture ahead is the KO Cup semi-final with Scunthorpe which is spread over the final weekend of the month at King’s Lynn on September 28 and then at Normanby Road two days later. These will be mouth-watering fixtures for the supporters of both clubs with the Scorpions anxious to avenge the blemish on their League record that Boston made when the two met at King’s Lynn in August. Co promoter Dale Allitt said: “We are already planning for these matches and have one or two ideas up our sleeves. We had a bit of a plan last time and I still don’t think anyone quite worked it out, at least nothing I have read would suggest that they have.” This week is a big week for the Conference League with Simon Lambert representing the Club in the Conference Riders’ Championship at Rye House on Saturday evening (7pm). Matthew Wright has been named as a reserve and the two lads could do with support at the event. The field is very strong and well worthy of support on the terraces.
Tuesday September 4^th, 2007
Everything’s on the line for Barracudas Just about everything is on the line for the Boston “Staffsmart” Barracudas this weekend as they fight to consolidate a position among the top four of the British Speedway Conference League which would give the club the massive boost of a place in the play-offs for the championship. They also have a KO Cup semi-final coming up shortly, but at the moment their attention is highly focussed on play-off qualification. On Friday evening (September 7) at King’s Lynn (7.30 pm) the closing scenes of a dramatic Conference League season will be played out with double header fixtures against Rye House and Buxton from which the “Barracudas” hope to take the five points available to them. They then travel to Sittingbourne on Sunday (12 noon following Sittingbourne v Plymouth) to face a rejuvenated Crusaders side hoping to collect three more points from a win including the aggregate bonus point. A successful weekend as outlined above would virtually assure the Barracudas of a play-off place with the return fixture at Rye House to be arranged. The club are hoping that their many fans in Boston and South Lincolnshire will turn out in force on Friday to help inspire them to the victories that their efforts this season undoubtedly deserve. It has been a wretched season for the club with an inordinate number of injuries to contend with as well as many problems with fixture postponements because of the weather. In spite of these difficulties, they have acquired riders like white rabbits out of a magician’s hat to maintain their challenge always trying to maintain a level of team strength appropriate for a play-off challenge. The matter is just about in their own hands with the recent demise of Plymouth who face a very tough season’s end and Boston believe they have the team to take them further. Team boss Malcolm Vasey said: “We really deserve to do well enough to qualify and the lads are well up for it. We are the only club to register a league win over Scunthorpe this season and we believe that we can improve upon that during these last few weeks if we make the finals. Friday is going to be like the Alamo and Custer’s Last Stand all rolled into one with a massive prize for us if we can achieve our goal.” With riders beginning to return to fitness there is a growing confidence in the camp that they can make the play-0ff series. Darren Mallett will test his broken collarbone at King’s Lynn on Wednesday and is optimistic of riding in Friday’s massive double-header fixture at home to Rye House and Buxton. Co-club chairman Dale Allitt said: “Darren’s return will make a big difference to us if he can hit form quickly and knowing Darren’s determination I am sure that will be the case. We are quite literally asking everyone with an interest in the Barracudas to come and support us on Friday and see thirty heats of thrilling white knuckle speedway because that is how it has to be for us this week. “We are determined right through the side to win all three matches this weekend, we are at Sittingbourne on Sunday and judging by their recent results that’s no easy matter either. But we do need a noisy home crowd on Friday and I can promise you that we will do all in our power to deliver the goods. We also face the return of Jon Armstrong to the Norfolk Arena who started the season with us and is now at Buxton and we look forward to some exciting races with Jon who goes so well at King’s Lynn. “If we can make the play-offs anything could happen and we will have a good crack at anybody. Those who came and saw us beat Scunthorpe can expect more of the same that’s how it’s going to be. This is the big night of the season and our determination throughout the team is running very high I can tell you.” Boston are currently fifth in the league table but feel that they can outscore at least one of their other main rivals for a top four spot. Skipper Simon Lambert said: “Some of the remaining fixtures look difficult for the other teams battling it out with us and I feel sure that nine more points will get us into the play-offs. We can get eight of those this weekend and that is our target. I am also asking for a whole lot of noise around the first bend area on Friday.” “Come out and help us win the battles” was Lambert’s plea. Rye House have delayed selection due to injuries affecting Cottham and Laurence but the pair are making progress and expected to be fit. Teams: Boston (all three matches) Brundle, McKinna, Lambert, Wright, Mallett (prov), Lowe, McDade. Rye House: Karlis, Mear, Cottham (prov), Halsey, Laurence (prov) Norton. Buxton: Armstrong, Hodgson, James, Taylor, Dallaway, Starke.
Tuesday August 28^th, 2007
Injury problems continue to mount for Cudas Boston “Staffsmart” Barracudas have a serious collection of injury problems ahead of Friday night’s fixture against Oxford and have been forced to make an emergency re-declaration in order to field an appropriate team for the visit to Cowley (7.30pm). At the present time Darren Mallett, Shane Waldron and Simon Lambert are all ruled out through injury, Lambert being the latest to suffer injury problems when he crashed out of the match between King’s Lynn and the Isle of Wight at the Norfolk Arena last Friday. Boston co-promoter and team manager Malcolm Vasey said: “There is a great deal that I could say about that particular situation and we are very unhappy that Simon was used as a guest without the Island team complying with our request about this matter before going ahead. This is becoming a problem for Conference League clubs and while we did discuss this with the Islanders, final clearance was never given and they were advised to clear the matter with King’s Lynn, which they never did. “Last week Lambert was named by Workington for their visit to King’s Lynn and although the match was rained off, we had not even had the courtesy of a request from them. It is not right and some discipline and courtesy needs to be brought into these matters. Under normal circumstances we are as helpful as anyone but we are entitled to common courtesy surely. If people call us and then ignore what we tell them, what was the point of the call? Worse still how do they get away with not even calling us at all? It is an intolerable situation. I would suggest that riders be limited as to how many times they can guest at one venue. I would certainly not like to see the same rider lining up against my team every other week. Lambert is a King’s Lynn tack specialist and, as such, is in demand at the Norfolk Arena when visiting teams have reserves out injured. But the situation has got out of hand and something needs to be done about it.” Looking ahead to the Oxford match the club have secured the services of Jamie Pickard who has finished a loan spell at Stoke and clearance has been given by Plymouth co-promoter Mike Bowden for Boston to take the Midlander on loan. Vasey said: “We are very grateful to Mike and I can confirm that Jamie will take up a reserve berth against Oxford with various other adjustments taking place in an attempt to minimise our injury problems. We are also very anxious not to suffer any further injuries otherwise we will be in meltdown. Jamie is pleased to be joining us on loan and having seen him recently at Stoke I feel that we are very fortunate to have acquired him albeit temporarily. Boston have other possibilities in mind and are likely to announce another signing shortly but are waiting to see how their injured riders recover in the next few days. They have a double-header fixture at the Norfolk Arena on September 7 when they face both Rye House and Buxton and will want the fullest possible squad available for those matches. The news about Simon Lambert is that he has no broken bones and is racing against time to try for next week. He has severe burns on various parts of his body, lots of bruises and is generally very stiff and sore but a week and half should perhaps see him fit to race again. Kieran Morris went to hospital for surgery on his shoulder last week but the hospital doctors are pleased with his progress and surgery may not now be necessary for the young Scot. Shane Waldron and Darren Mallett are both keen to get back to racing as soon as possible and will be ready sometime during September and as far as the Barracudas are concerned the sooner the better. Ben Johnson is now about a month away from riding again after his car crash in April. It has been a very difficult season for the Barracudas and yet they are still on the verge of the Conference League play-offs and have a Knockout Cup semi-final against Scunthorpe to look forward to. They are the only team with a League victory over Scunthorpe this season. Team to ride at Oxford: James Brundle, Cal McDade, Wayne Dunworth, Matthew Wright, Adam McKinna, Adam Lowe, Jamie Pickard.
Tuesday August 21^st, 2007
Remarkable victory serves to spur Cudas It turned out to be another yet another remarkable weekend for the Boston Barracudas, starting with a spectacular 46-43 victory over arch rivals Scunthorpe on Friday followed up by consecutive days rain-offs at Rye House and Sittingbourne. The victory over the Scorpions was Boston’s first defeat of the old enemy for almost two years and was achieved with a massively improved team performance. And while much has been made about problems in the Scunthorpe side due to missing riders, Boston went into this match without the services of Shane Waldron and Darren Mallett. Boston feel that their victory over Scunthorpe will spur them on for the rest of the season and they feel that a play-off place has been brought within their grasp after their disappointment against Oxford seven days earlier. Hero of the hour was James Brundle who won an demanding heat 15 in style to clinch the match but was quick to point out that the result was very much due to the efforts of the whole team. The rider said: “It was a team victory. Everyone had a part to play and contributed to the result. I always felt that I could win heat 15 but all of the lads rose to the occasion throughout the match and we got what we deserved.” The two teams meet in a Knockout Cup semi-final and Boston’s victory has perhaps forewarned the Scorpions that their recent invincibility can be threatened. One of the main reasons behind the Barracudas’ improvement was the quality of the track that the staff at King’s Lynn were able to provide after a slightly drier previous day and no rain on the actual day allowing the track to be somewhat more grippy than that for the Oxford match. Keith Chapman carried out the preparations prior to the match and produced an excellent racing surface that allowed riders of both teams to provide some excellent overtakes right throughout an exciting meeting. The remainder of the weekend was frustrating with the Barracudas on a high and ready for just about anything. The Rye House match was called off early on Saturday while the situation at Sittingbourne initially provided hope for a possible late start but eventually referee Chris Gay, in consultation with both teams, had to call it a day as the rain seemed to be set in for the afternoon over the Old Gun Site. Boston have a free weekend over the bank holiday period to prepare for what should be a cracking match at Oxford at the end of next week.
Tuesday August 14^th, 2007
Crunch time for Cudas’ play-off aspirations Two four-point defeats in 48 hours have left injury hit Boston “Staffsmart” Barracudas’ play-off qualification hopes in serious disarray to say the very least. And the club are taking a complete back-to-the-drawing board approach to the present situation. While there was at least one obvious contributory factor to the defeat at home to Oxford last Friday when an ultra slick surface seemed to suit their opponents more than themselves, but that would seem to be only part of the problem and the defeat at Buxton has left the feeling among the all three Boston promoters that some straight talking is the order of the day in certain quarters as the club search for ways and means of improving on these narrow defeats ahead of three matches in three days this weekend. The fact that the first is at home to Scunthorpe on Friday (August 17, start time 7.30pm at the Norfolk Arena) should provide all of the impetus necessary to help to try and mount a general recovery at the expense of the best team in the division. Cudas skipper Simon Lambert said: “We have to go into that match against the Scorpions believing that we can beat them. And on the right track and with the right effort I am sure that the task is not impossible. This is the last stand in many ways and the situation is that the Barracudas must really beat Scunthorpe in what heralds the start of another hectic weekend with a Saturday (7.30pm) match at Rye House followed by a Sunday trip (12 noon start as the first part of a double header) at Sittingbourne. Lambert certainly led from the front in all three of the most recent matches in the past week (a 46-46 draw at Stoke followed by 47-43 defeats at home to Oxford and away at Buxton). His effort off 15 metres in the dry gulch-like conditions in heat 14 against Oxford may have been only partially successful but it proved, as Oxford’s Danny Betson also proved, that passing was possible despite the slick nature of the surface. At Buxton the match was won and lost in the first three heats when the Hitmen established a six-point lead that they defended successfully despite Boston’s best efforts to catch them and eventually forcing a last heat decider that turned out to be in vain. “ Boston team boss Malcolm Vasey said: “It was very similar to what happened the last time that we were there and we have to find a way of not giving them a start. We have reached the point of no return now as far as the play-offs are concerned and we need a mighty effort to try and snatch something from Scunthorpe on Friday. We proved in the second half of our fixture at Normanby Road what can be done and we have to start with heat one this time. “We are looking at one or two options and it is not impossible that there will be a change ahead of Friday but whatever we have to be right at the top of our game otherwise it will be the usual story. Success on Friday requires good management, some great performances and a great deal of support from the terraces to rally our lads in the face of what will be the usual invasion from North Lincolnshire. I would urge our supporters to turn out in force the lads need you and this is the moment. If you only come from Boston once a season this is the time we really need you.” Looking at Boston’s injury list it seems that only Kieran Morris has any chance of racing again this month and that is by no means certain. He also has to have surgery on his shoulder at some point but provided that his damaged knee is better by the weekend he may be considered. Darren Mallett is beginning to feel improvement in his broken collarbone but cannot be considered for racing before September. Shane Waldron is in good spirits although frustrated by his lack of track action since breaking the splint bone in his leg at Cleveland. Shane hopes to race in the British Under-18 Championship final that is late in the season and could be in action for Boston before the end of next month if his present improvement is maintained. He is having oxygen tank treatment under the aegis of Brian Simpson in Ipswich and is working hard to keep his upper body as fit as possible. It is quite possible that he will be fit in time for the KO Cup semi final in late September. Ben Johnson is about a month away from being able to ride again and he is not likely race in the Conference League this season. It has been a tale of woe for Boston once again on the injury front and like other clubs they look at the number of older riders who would like to race in the Conference League but who cannot be fitted in because of their grades. This is a matter that may need some attention during the winter.
Tuesday August 7^th, 2007
Play-off hopes hinge on vital 10 days The Boston “Staffsmart” Barracudas’ season could be determined during the next 10 days when, with six possible matches, it is vital that their points return is sufficient to boost their claims for a place in the Conference League play-offs. They are at Stoke this Wednesday (August 8, 7.30 pm start) before taking on Oxford at King’s Lynn on Friday (August 10, 7.30 pm) in what is seen as a must-win match. The Cudas then travel to Buxton on Sunday (3.00 pm) before another similar round of fixtures next weekend. Team manager Malcolm Vasey said: “At the very least we must win two of our matches this week and I feel we can take them all. Friday is a massive match with both Oxford and us desperate to progress in the competition. But we both have injury problems in what may well be a defining point of the season. If we start as we finished at Scunthorpe last Sunday I am sure that we can do it. The atmosphere at home to Stoke last week was much better with a bigger crowd and we need that again to lift us over this hurdle. It will be electric and we have a lot to prove against Oxford who we have never beaten at this level in seven attempts. No other club has the Indian sign over us like Oxford and we must produce some great racing on Friday to beat them.” Once again fate lent a hand in Boston’s troubled season injury-wise and yet another rider has ended up on the injury list as Darren Mallett broke his collar bone in a heat 15 crash against Stoke. Vasey said: “The strange thing was that Darren got a puncture as he went to the line and Matt Wright loaned him his bike. Darren crashed out on the final lap and broke his left collar bone and we are likely to be without him for about five weeks. We have to hope that we get no more injuries because we are so depleted and we will be in meltdown if we lost another rider at this point. “Last Friday neither Paul Cooper nor James Brundle were fit to ride and Cal McDade came back to take Kieran Morris’ place following his problems at Cleveland. It is very difficult to field a side that is competitive and yet within the grade limit. But we have managed to do so with Adam McKinna doing well in place of Shane Waldron.”
Tuesday July 31^st, 2007
Never a dull moment on the Cudas front