Latest News:
| 2009-11-01 |
Final update of 2009 |
Richard's season drew to a close last friday 23rd October as a reserve in the Kenny Smith memorial meeting at Scunthorpe, Although Rich didnt get a competitive ride he was just glad to be involved in the meeting for Kenny who gave Rich so much encouragement since he started riding at Scunny a few years ago!!
Previous to that Richard had two individual meetings in the U18 British final, finishing 6th overall and after winning his first ride, looking like he had never been away after spending 8 weeks on the sidelines, only to record another 5 points from 4 rides, later discovering he had bought some less than impressive fuel !! The following Thursday at Sheffield was the young gun meeting with Rich finishing an impressive 5th overall, and not having ridden at Sheffield for 3 years made the semi final but could only manage 3rd so didnt progress to the final !!
Overall Richard's season has been a real up and downer scoring well home and away then a couple of weeks out after a crash during his international call up at Kings Lynn, came back well again, only to have complications after a routine Appendix op which resulted in 8 weeks out of the saddle, and a wound that is still not healed 11 weeks on !!
Some time out over the winter should right this and Rich intends to work on his fitness and to try and get 2 new motors for next season.
Rich would like to thank all his sponsors for this season, and would like to think he can repy their faith next year when he hopes to have his first full season in the National League, injuries permitting...
|
| 2009-09-17 |
Richard Update |
Richard has missed the remaining four home league meetings for the saints this season, as he was admitted to hospital on 7th August for a seemingly straight forward operation to remove his appendix.
Needless to say but complications developed and an abcess formed causing massive infection in the wound. The decision was made to open the wound back up and leave it to drain and heal from the inside and Richard has to have it dressed daily at his own GP surgery.
Nearly 6 weeks on and the wound remains open, although last week the stitches inside the stomach were removed and seems to have triggered the healing process as what was an 8 inch by 2 inch wound has now closed to 3inch by 1 inch in just over a week.
Richard has been given the all clear to ride in next fridays U18 final at Scunthorpe providing the wound is fully closed and is hoping to get a few practice laps in early next week. He did have a ride out on his own last Thurs after the Coventry vs Wolves meeting but was a little bit sore on the friday morning afterwards.
He is still hoping to get a couple of Premier league meetings as a guest before the end of the season to measure how far he has progressed this year, and maybe even open meetings to round the season off and put himself in the shop window for next season.
|
| 2009-07-14 |
The Big Update |
Since the last update Richard has had quite a few meetings and has been scoring fairly solidly , both home and away.
With a 9 point haul and top Saints scorer at Weymouth on 22nd May, then on to Buxton on Sunday 24th scoring 4+1 and on Bank holiday monday 25th May against Plymouth at home scoring 4+2, Rich then had a short break of almost 2 weeks and then a home meeting against IOW 5th June accumilating his best score so far this season of 13 points, and the following night 6th June away to Rye House Rich was dissapointed against his old club to only score 6 but we really struggled to find the right set up, in fact the set up we used at Rye all of last season was nowhere near the mark!!.
The following week saw a home and away with bournemouth on consecutive nights with the away meeting on thursday 11th June scoring just 2 , the following night Friday 12th June saints became the first team this season to take a point off Bournemouth securing a home draw and Rich scoring 6 points.
Rich then returned to Academy league action as the captain of the Coventry Cougars against Belle Vue Colts and in the home leg on Friday 19th June dropping just one point, the return on Monday 22nd June also just dropping one point and securing the double over the colts for the first time in a number of seasons!!
Friday 26th June and an away fixture at Newport the night before the British Grand Prix with Rich being taken out in his first ride but saints were awarded the 5-1, Rich then had 2 lasts but produced the pass of the night on new aussie wonder kid Todd Kurtz to record a great 2nd place and saints nicking a point for only losing by 6 points.
Last Tuesday 7th July Rich got a call to be drafted into the GB U21 side to face Australasia in a test match at Kings Lynn on Saturday 11th July, after the excitement had died down Rich was determined to make the most of his oppurtunity and was really focused come start time on saturday night!! Rich was put at number 5 and was out in heat 4, he made a good gate and was in 1st place but got passed on the back straight by both Aussie riders but Rich screwed open the throttle to regain 1st place but at the same time was on the outside of Shelby Rutherford when Shelby lost a chain and control of his machine and ploughed into Rich who in turn hit the fence hard and his bike followed through causing him great discomfort. Rich withdrew from the meeting with a suspected broken pelvis / hip, but after a nervy 4 hours in casualty nothing was broken apart from his bike, and Rich was able to return home with the family battered and bruised in every department.
Rich has had to withdraw from this Sunday's saints meeting away to Mildenhall but all being well should be back in the saddle next week when the Saints return to the Eddie Wright Raceway against King Lynn in the KOC.
|
| 2009-05-04 |
Latest from the Franklin Camp |
| Rich had kicked off his league campaign with the Jotun Paints Scunthorpe Saints in a bad fashion and was determined to put it right in his next fixture, an away tie at Kings Lynn on 18th April.
Rich had a good night overall with a total of 8 points including a heat win and was deffinately in better spirits on the journey home compared to a week earlier!!
Next Fixture was a home tie Against early league leaders Mildenhall on Saturday May 2nd, Once again Rich was at number 3 and his riding partner in the first 3 heats was Saints captain Byron Bekker.
Heat 3 was his first ride and after watching heat one Rich decided to make a couple of changes to his set up and it backfired terribly as he ran a last, with not much time to make changes heat 5 arrived and Rich blasted from the gate to partner Bekker for a 5-1 and a much needed heat win. Heat 9 was next and another 5-1 for Rich and Byron and yet another decent gate, something that has been missing recently.
Heat 12 was the next ride and a challenging ride against Barrie Evans who has been bagging up recently everywhere he has ridden, Rich was once again in contention from the start and after looking quicker than Evans Rich blasted underneath him on turn 2 to grab another heat victory his third on the trot!! Saints cruising to an easier than expected victory 57-38
With a near 3 week break from league racing now next meeting is an away tie at Champions Weymouth on the 22nd, another away tie at Buxton on 24th and a home tie against Plymouth on 25th.
|
| 2009-04-17 |
Troublesome start |
| Richards season kicked off in the wrong way on Monday 13th April with a home fixture against the reigning league champions Weymouth.
Richards first ride produced 1 point on the wrong end of a 5-1 followed by a last place, for his third ride he changed bikes and made the gate and was pulling away when on the third lap had an engine failure, so all in all a very bad day at the office!! Another poorly engine and down to one motor and the season has only just kicked off!!
Off to Isle Of Wight on Tuesday 14th for U21 semi final. Hoping things improved from Monday Richard had a very tentative first ride as he hadnt ridden here for almost 3 years, but then got his head in the game and recorded a win, 2 seconds and a third finishing on 8 points and missing out on the semi final by a solitary point, but a big improvement on Monday and all in all a good night and more importantly experience of being involved in a top meeting and whats needed to progress at this level.
Saturday sees an away league meeting at Kings Lynn a place where Richard has had good and bad meetings on the past with the last being an 18 point max, so more of the same would be great!!
|
| 2009-03-22 |
Winner of Winter Amature Series |
| Richard Finally claimed the title of Winter Amateur series winner at Scunthorpe last saturday 14th March!! After an eventful previous round when Rich had a puncture whilst challenging for the lead in the final, Rich did enough by making it 5 out of 5 A finals in the series.
After only dropping 2 points from his qualifying 5 rides Richard needed Saints team mate Adam Wrathall to finish behind him to take the title and the pressure was off after another Saints team mate Kyle Howarth beat Adam in the B final which ensured Rich the Championship before taking to the track for the all important final.
Richard also took part in Coventry's press and practice event which took place on Friday 13th march, and what an omen that turned out to be when after 3 impressive rides his 4th came to an end with a bang when blowing his favourite Coventry engine.
Attention now turns to getting in a few practices or 2nd halves before the Saints National league campain kicks off against last seasons Champions Weymouth Wildcats on Monday April 13th at the Eddie Wright Raceway, followed by an away trip to Kins Lynn on Saturday 18th April.
|
| 2009-01-14 |
Winter Amateur Series |
Richard rode in the 3rd round of the Winter Amateur series at Scunthorpe on
Saturday. Having problems starting the bikes in the artic conditions racing
finally got underway and Rich recorded a tentative ride for a 2nd place in
his first ride, In his second ride he had a heat win but was struggling to
cope with the greasy start line and was almost the full first bend behind
when he took to the track for his third ride and finished 2nd. After trying
numerous changes to try and get some grip his fourth ride produced another
2nd place and another bad start. Ride 5 was a different story and Rich blasted
from the gate and never looked back winning in fine style and a reasonable time
considering the track and weather conditions. Finishing his programmed rides
with 12 points he was straight into the A final and lined up against the 2009
Workington rider Richard Lawson, Craig Cook, and Scott Meakins, Rich made a
good start and hit the first bend in 2nd position although at the 3rd and 4th
turn Lawson dived up the inside to push Rich into 3rd, Rich battled hard and
nearly regained 2nd place a couple of times but just didnt have the drive to
hold the position but made it count coming out of bend 4 on the last lap passing
Lawson for 2nd place. Another decent day and still striving to win his first ever
individual event which on this showing will not be too far away.
Rich would like to remind any possible sponsors for the forthcoming season to e mail in the first instance through the website or to maz.franklin@btinternet.com
|
| 2008-12-05 |
Richard Signs for Scunthorpe |
Scunthorpe Speedway are delighted to announce that 16-year old Richard Franklin has become an asset of the club
and will ride for the Saints side in the newly formed National League next season. He joins Carl Wilkinson,
Viktor Bergström and Byron Bekker on the club’s asset list with another Saints’ rider set to be added next week.
Franklin, who was only eligible to sign as a club’s asset after turning sixteen four weeks ago, had an impressive
first season in the Conference League, averaging over six with the Rye House Cobras.
Commenting on the signing Saints Team Manager Malcolm Vasey said “Richard is an outstanding young rider. His
2008 season was marred by injury but he demonstrated his ability in the British Under-18 Final. He scored seven
points but would have scored more but for an unfortunate fall. Like all club assets he has been signed with a
view to him riding for the Scorpions when he is ready and everyone at the club will do all we can to help him
develop to that point. I’m confident he has a glittering career ahead of him and thrilled to bits that he has
come to Scunthorpe”.
With the Saints going for a fresh young side, full of potential to develop, Franklin is expected to line-up as
one of the second-string riders with James Sarjeant and Kyle Howarth starting the season at reserve. Byron Bekker
will be side’s number one whilst waiting in the sidelines, until he is fifteen in May, is Ashley Morris, another
of the fine young crop of British talent that is currently coming through the British Under-15 Championship and
Scunthorpe’s amateur meetings. Franklin feels it is this commitment to youth that set Scunthorpe apart from other
clubs “I really like the way the team is being built at Scunny this year with a bit of experience and some
exciting fifteen year olds to add a bit of unknown. Not many teams will have seen some of the lads ride and we
may well surprise a few teams away from home”
“I have always felt close to this club. The people have always been friendly and very supportive, even when I
broke my leg three years ago. The support I received from people was amazing and on my return in the Under-15
Championship two seasons later they just seemed pleased that I was back riding, although not very well at the
time”
“I may have signed for Scunthorpe last season but had committed to ride for Rye House in November but didn’t
actually receive a contract until nearly the beginning of the season, at which point I was told I would have to
race-off for my team position as reserve!! In that time three other clubs had spoken to me about signing but I
kept my word to ride for them. I feel I did okay there, and John Sampford (Rye House Team Manager) was great with
me, but it was just unfortunate that I broke my wrist at a crucial time. Otherwise my average may have been
nearer eight rather than just above six. I never heard anything from Rye after our last home meeting so when
Scunny approached me I made my mind up almost straight away”.
“I get on great with Malc Vasey and Rob Godfrey and was impressed with what they had to say and how much they
thought of me. I feel I need to kick on this year and try and improve away and definitely improve my gating. I
have had some great help from my friends (and Scunthorpe Track Photographer) Steve Dixon and Debs as well as
John Clarke from Buildbase, Gary and Colin from Tengtools and Trevor Eadon of Vegaracing who does my engines.
It is important that I try and raise my profile and attract some more sponsorship and stay in the main body of
the team next year. I love the track here and have tested the safety fence a few times. I must say it has
stood up well. It is good to hear Wayne Carter will be available to help us all with our set-ups so things
look good and I cant wait to get started”.
_____________________________________________________________
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| 2008-11-04 |
Rollercoaster Year |
Richard rode in his last meeting of the season on Monday 27th October in the U18
British Final at Scunthorpe, After a heat win in his first ride, Rich was then fell
excluded in his second ride after passing Brendon Johnson round the outside but
failed to hold on. Then recorded a third place and another heat win, leaving him
in a situation where he needed to finish 2nd or higher in his final ride, to make
it into the semi final. Failing to make the gate he passed Jay Pickard and chased
hard to catch up with Eventual Podium rider Jerran Hart, was looking good for Rich
as he lined Hart up for the pass when his primary chain snapped and luckily he
stayed aboard his machine but was retired from the race.
In a way Richards season was reflected in that one race of so near yet so far but
he has learnt a lot this year and enjoyed his first season of proper league racing.
Has had to take being dropped from the Cobra's team when he was outscoring two of
the top five riders, and suffered a triple fracture of his left wrist in June. But
once again he bounced back with several double figure scores, and also scored
solidly away from home at reserve. As yet we dont know what he will be doing next
season but a few clubs have expressed an interest in his intentions and now he is
16 he is available to ride in two leagues if required.
Rich would like to thank Steve Dixon in particular this year, without him and Debs,
Rich would have at times struggled for machinery, and is always on hand to offer
encouragement and moral support, as well as great pics. A Big thanks also to Trevor
Eadon at Vega Racing for his advice and fast turn around of his engines this year,
and to all other sponsors and people who have helped Rich out in his first season
in British League racing.
|
| 2008-10-21 |
Busy Time |
Quite a few meetings to report as the Rye house Cobra's season comes to an end
Starting with the home meeting Against the Boston Barracudas on Sunday 21/09/08
And another solid home performance from Rich with two wins two seconds resulting
in him being given his first ever heat 15, but it came totally out of the blue in
fact he was on his way to get changed when he got the call and finished last but
10 paid 11 from 5 rides and a comfortable win for the Cobras.
Next was the twice rearranged fixture away to Sittingbourne Crusaders on Sunday
28/09/08 Rich started well with a paid win but then ran a last, his following ride
was amazing lifting coming onto the backstraight out of turn 2 hitting the safety
fence but manging to stay aboard his machine and record a fantastic win over
seasoned crusader Dean Felton then ran another last and ending with a paid second,
totaling 6 paid 8 from 5 rides and a defeat by 2 points to the crusaders!!
The final league meeting against the Weymouth Wilcats was on Sunday 12/10/08 the
Wildcats pulling off a spectacular win against Plymouth the previous night were
sure to provide a stern test. Rich started off with a win in heat 2 followed by 2
consecutive paid seconds a last and another win in his final ride, finishing with
8 paid 10 from 5 rides and a much unexpected victory for the Cobras. And yet again
a solid performance from Rich in his first conference season.
18/10/08 saw the conference four tournament at Stoke and Rye's team was made up
of Rob Smith, Andrew Aldridge, Gary Cottham and Richard Franklin, after persisitant
rain the meeting looked unlikely to run but the start was delayed for half an hour
and racing got underway. Rye started well with a win for Aldridge, a second for
Smith and thirds from Cottham and Rich, The second round of races saw thirds for
Smith and Cottham and a great heat win for Rich in what turned out to be the fastest
time of the night, Leaving Aldridge just needing to beat Scunthorpes Ben Hopwood to
progress to the final. Unfortunately Aldridge missed the start and finished last
ending the night for Rye House but Rich showing once more that he can more than
hold his own in this League.
Richard is in the line up for the U18 British Final at Scunthorpe to be held
on 27/10/08.. Update and pictures to follow.
|
| 2008-09-22 |
September news |
Richard rode at Redcar on 4th September for Rye house in the much awaited Conference
league meeting, Due to commence at 6.30 pm there was a torrential downpour at around
6 which looked like it would curtail the meeting, the track staff worked furiosly
to clear the surface water and as the meeting was a double header with Redcar vs
Boston to follow and a lack of dates available the meeting was declared on!!
Richards First ride was tentative and a last place but in his next ride he blasted
out of the start getting to grips with the track and recording a very fast race win,
followed by a second, a third and another last although he was Rye house's second
highest scorer on 6 points the meeting was never in doubt and a fairly routine win
for Redcar.
After a 2 week lay off mainly due to the great British weather Richards next meeting
was an U16's challenge for Rye House vs Kings Lynn at the Norfolk Arena on weds 17th
September.
With both teams matched like for like this promised to be a cracker of a meeting and
certainly delivered exactly that. Richard recorded a faultless 18 point Maximum for
his team and was well backed up by Marc Owen, Jack Butler, John Resch, Joe Jacobs,
and Jack Hirst who all contributed well to the score and a victory for Rye 53-43.
Pics to follow from Steve Dixon!!
Sunday 21st September saw a return to racing at Rye House in the conference league
against a high flying Boston side who needed the victory to finish top of the
league before the play offs commence.
With the track being very wet and not at all usual for Rye, Rich rode well in heat
2 to record a win, followed by a second , a win and a paid win and was rewarded his
first ever heat 15 ride in the conference league. Not at all expected Rich was a
little un prepared and made a hash off the start to finish last, but never the less
a much needed victory for the Cobras.
Two meetings now remain in the official Rye House Cobras fixture list, an away
visit to Sittingbourne on Sunday 28th September, and Weymouth at Rye House on
October 4th.
|
| 2008-08-25 |
Crash, Damage, Repair |
Richard rode at Somerset on Friday 15th in an academy league fixture for the
Coventry Cougars, The side were hammered by the maximum score 30-5, Rich
crashed in his second ride smashing his new mudguards and damaging various
bits on his bike but unbeleivably he got off the bed in the first aid room
to take his 3rd ride and very nearly gained 2nd place after chasing down Andy
Braithwaite for the whole four laps.
Friday 22nd saw a second half ride at Coventry and once again Richards luck
wasnt in as his engine seized and high sided him causing sustantial damage to h
is bike but luckily he escaped any injury.
On to his track return with Rye House Cobras on sat 23rd Dad feeling very nervous
after the previous two outings, Sittingbourne were tracking a very strong side but
Rich blasted out of the start for a heat victory in heat 2 in his best time ever at
rye of 58.4 seconds, followed by two paid wins following home team mates Lee
Strudwick, and Terry Day, this left him on a maximum going into his final
programmed ride but totally missed the gate and was held up on the inside by
team mate Garry Cottham coming last but finishing the meeting with an impressive
7+2 from four rides, and more importantly a victory for the Cobra's 54-36.
Following the main meeting Rich rode for the Pocket Rockets against Ipswich scoring
two wins and a second earning 8 points.
No meetings this week and a chance to get the machinery sorted and both engines
going off to Vega racing for servicing.
|
| 2008-08-13 |
Back in the saddle |
| Richard had a good return to the saddle after having the cast removed
from his broken wrist, having 8 practice laps at Coventry on Fri July 25th,
he then had another 2 week lay off to get his machinery ready for competition.
His first meeting was a academy match for Coventry Cougars as captain on Fri 8th
August and flew to a first heat victory followed by 2 seconds for seven points,
then a second half at Rye House on sunday with 3 wins from 3, and another Academy
match for Coventry on Mon 11th August with 2 wins and a second gaining 8 points from
9 in an 18-12 team victory. |
| 2008-06-10 |
Broken Wrist |
| Richard was involved in a collision in heat 2 of the Cobras meeting against
Plymouth on saturday which has resulted in Richard needing surgery on his left
wrist which will take place tomorrow (Monday), The wrist is broken in 3 places
and requires at least a six week lay off period..More news to follow |
| 2008-05-25 |
Highs and Lows |
Richard rode at Kings Lynn for the Cobras on Wednesday and to be honest had a bit
of a shocker!! His first two rides were very difficult partly because of very
grippy track conditions, and more because of Richards gating. He recovered in
the later stages and in heat 12 looked very quick but again his gating was below
par and although faster than the other riders the damage was done at the starting
tapes! Finished the meeting with 3 paid 4 but Rich was desperately dissapointed
with his performance.
Richard was dropped for the meeting at Rye on Saturday against the Redcar Cubs and
although dissapointed he was pleased to see the Cobras record a hard earned win in
the final stages of the meeting, Rich had a stormer of a second half to stake his
claim for his team spot and stormed from the start in 3 out of 4 starts to hopefully
put the gating gremlins to bed!!
|
| 2008-05-14 |
Progress |
Richard rode at Sittingborne for the first time on Sunday, for the Rye House
Cobras in the KO Cup 2nd leg. Having never seen the track before,he flew from
the tapes in his first ride and was a clear leader before getting into trouble
on the first and second bend on nearly every lap but managed to hold on to 2nd
place to secure 2 points, then followed two pointless rides, before Rich finally
got dialled in for his last ride. He didn't make the gate but produced a great
pass on Aaron Baseby to gain another point, and overall another win for the
Cobras and into the second round draw.
Rich was in action at Coventry on Monday 12th producing a three
ride maximum in the second half, and producing his best time of the
season at Coventry of 64 seconds.
Pics from steve dixon to follow
|
| 2008-05-06 |
7 paid 10 |
Richard had a cracking start to his conference league career, scoring 7
paid 10 against the Sittingbourne Crusaders at Rye House on Saturday.
Rich got off to a flyer gaining a paid win with team mate Gary Cottham,
followed by another paid win in a R/R ride with Rob Smith, followed by a 3rd
place in heat 7, Then Rich had a bit of a downturn in fortune losing his fuel
cap which led to carburretor problems. Then another paid win in heat 14 with
team mate Lee Strudwick secured the win for the Cobras and a very satisfactory
Debut. The return fixture for the second leg is on Sunday 11th may. |
| 2008-05-01 |
Debut |
Well it is finally time to go racing!!
On this coming Saturday I will make my debut for the Rye House Cobras
at home to Sittingbourne.
I am really looking forward to it and i will let you all know how I get on
Richard |
| 2008-04-08 |
Back on a bike and into the Under 21's |
Since my last update in which I crashed heavily at Coventry, I
was invited to take part in the first U21 Qualifier at Kings Lynn last
Wednesday 1st April as 1st reserve , basically if anybody broke down or
pulled out then I was in.
I managed to get a solo practice ride after heat 16 , then Ben Hannon withdrew
from the meeting after a heavy fall so I was required to take a ride in
heat 18, where I totally missing the gate but started to gain on the leaders after
a couple of laps and almost gaining 3rd place, but it was all about experience and I
was happy to be involved at this level.
Another 2nd half at Coventry on Friday with more bike problems and a retirement
in heat one then on a borrowed machine a last then a very good 3rd considering
the bike was geared wrongly and totally different to my own machine.
Then on to Rye House on Saturday for a 2nd half meeting where I recorded two 2nd
places and a third, I was just happy to have some trouble free laps after all our
recent machinery problems.
This week sees another 2nd half program at Coventry and Rye House before I
get down to buisiness with his first league fixture of the season away to Boston
on Sunday 20th April.
Richard |
| 2008-03-25 |
Bit Of a Tumble |
After missing the gate he had to work his way through, one of the riders in
front of him 'locked up'.
Richard clipped him and headed for the fence at high speed, fortunately the
fence and his bike were worse off and after xrays the diagnosis is a broken
knuckle on his right hand.
Richard is determined to be back in action again this weekend.
|
| 2008-03-17 |
Official Debut |
Richard made his official debut in a second half of the Coventry v Sheffield
Inter League Challenge on Friday night at Brandon.
The former Coventry mascot had two second half outings, coming up against
Jake Knight and Adam Chandler, winning both races in impressive fashion.
Richards fastest time was 64.2 seconds, only one second slower than Billy
Janniro's win in heat 14 of the meeting, quite impressive when, although the
Bees were not under great pressure from the Tigers of Sheffield, Richard
wasn't from his opponents..
|
| 2008-03-07 |
Signing |
Good News for the start of the season.
I have been offered a team place with the Rye house Cobra's for 2008.
John Sampford is hopefully going to be giving me my debut in the first meeting
of the season against Arena Essex.
Fixtures to follow.
Rich |
| 2008-03-07 |
More Good News |
Rich was given a further boost to his career on Friday (7th March),
the Coventry Bees press/practice session.
He was asked to appear in second halves of Coventry' fixtures,
commencing next Friday after the challenge meeting with Premier
Leaguers Sheffield Tigers.
|
| 2008-02-20 |
Academy Meeting update |
Richard rode in the 2nd academy meeting at Scunthorpe on sat 16th, after some
problems with the bike during the week everything seemed to be working fine as
rich recorded a third, second , third from his first 3 rides. Then gated to win
his fourth ride in one of the fastest times of the day. Richards fifth ride didnt
go so well as he gated and was well in the lead when the bike gremlins reappeared
causing richard to hit the fence as the engine missfired, Rich did amazingly well
to stay on but retired from the race, leaving him with 7 points from 5 qualifying
rides.
The spare bike was used in the C final and again Richard flew from the gate and
was well clear going into the last lap when he hit the big hole on the first/second
bend launching him and the bike towards the fence, taking out 2 fence panels and
landing on top of the bike. Luckily Rich was ok after a ride in the Ambulance
suffering a severly bruised hip and some cuts and swelling to his right hand/
fingers. Once again though Rich showed he is more than ready to make the step up
to the conference league and is looking forward to returning to the track soon..
Pics from Steve Dixon to follow |
| 2008-02-13 |
New Website & Important Date |
Hi Everyone
As you can see I have a new website for the 2008 Season, which has been built
by Bextec Solutions.
Dave at Bextec will be keeping the wesbite up to date throughout the season
with all my news and results, while Steve Dixon will be updating my gallery
on a regular basis.
Now my important dates so far are that I will be riding in the next amateur
meeting at Scunthorpe on 16th March, where I finished 5th in the last one and I have
also has been invited to practice with the Rye House Raiders squad at their Press &
Practice day, so I will keep you informed how I get on.
Richard
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