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Post by speedyguy on Jan 31, 2014 15:58:27 GMT
Lights, Camera, Action! Speedway and rock music have been surprisingly infrequent bedfellows over the years, even though they potentially have so much in common. At their peak, both fields offer drama and excitement, a sense of danger and power, and a total energy pump. The Rock “n” Racing Connection may have been missing in the past, but all of that changed at Rye House Stadium late last autumn when 2014 Testimonial man Luke Bowen, Tyson Nelson, Chris Mills and Marc Owen took to the track for the action sequences of a music video shoot for the You Me at Six single “Fresh Start Fever”. For those unfamiliar with them, You Me at Six are an alternative rock band that has enjoyed five Top 40 singles to date and struck Top 5 with their last two albums. After three earlier nominations, they captured the Best British Band prize at the 2012 Kerrang! Awards. Their latest album, “Cavalier Youth”, which features “Fresh Start Fever”, was released on Monday. As one of the racing participants, Luke Bowen remembers the day’s events well. “They filmed it on a Sunday, after one of our Training Days. It was a very long shoot because they needed the racing shots to be at night under lights. Unfortunately, it was absolutely tipping it down, but we had to keep going out on track again and again to get all the takes and shooting angles. You really had to be there to see the state of our bikes and kevlars afterwards! “The band itself was there for about an hour, as we were going in and out. There were loads of people floating about throughout – the film crew and actors - so we didn’t really get to meet them face to face. “They’re a big band now and they’ve made it onto the A-list at Radio One. I’ve listened to the song, and a few of their others, since the shoot. I do think “Fresh Start Fever” is really good, with a strong beat and catchy tune.” Although only briefly in the main chart when released last month, “Fresh Start Fever” has reached No.1 in the separate Rock chart. At the last count, the video had passed the 300,000 hit mark on Youtube. You can watch it yourself on Youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tYucGxToC4. You can also see a selection of stills taken on the day here. All photographs courtesy of Ian Bush. (Additional images are featured on the Rye House website, and available for media purposes on request)
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Post by speedyguy on Jan 31, 2014 15:59:54 GMT
More lights, camera, action
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Post by speedyguy on Jan 31, 2014 16:01:46 GMT
And even more lights, camera, actionAttachments:
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Post by speedyguy on Feb 2, 2014 14:23:42 GMT
Bowen’s Big Day: July 13th Silver Ski Rockets stalwart Luke Bowen has named Sunday, July 13th as the date for his Testimonial meeting. The event already has a name too – “Luke’s Ten Year Take-Off” – as a tie-in to his established nickname of The Bowen 747. That rare example of a single club career man, Luke is already excited about his big day. “It’s the day after the British Cardiff Grand Prix, which will make for a real party atmosphere weekend. “I’m hoping to finalise the meeting format in the next few weeks, but I’m aiming to have a little something for everybody, with one or two surprises thrown in there.” Sponsorship opportunities are set to be announced in the near future, with special social media accounts also planned to be set up to keep supporters right up to date with all Testimonial developments and breaking news. While his Testimonial meeting provides the obvious centre-piece to his racing calendar, Bowen is excited about the forthcoming campaign in general as he re-launches his career following 2012’s broken thigh. “I had one meeting last season, when I finished second in an individual event at Kent, but I’m even hungrier now after all that time off. I’m really looking forward to the season; I just want to keep riding, and riding, and riding. “I’m feeling really fit again, physically. My body’s feeling stronger and there’s been no recurrence of pain in my leg. OK, I’m not race-fit again yet, but I’m planning plenty of practice over the next few weeks so that I can be there come the start of the season. “I’ve also purchased two new engines from (former Grand prix star) Hans Andersen, so I’m going to be more than competitive.” Clearly, it’s all building toward a real “take-off” season in more ways than one for one of the sport’s most personable and loyal servants. And remember to put that key date in your diary: Sunday, July 13th.
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Post by speedyguy on Feb 3, 2014 10:54:58 GMT
Bunyan Wins North Island Title Rye House captain Jason Bunyan enjoyed a faultless afternoon at Rosebank yesterday (Sunday) to win New Zealand’s North Island Championship. The 8-time NZ national champion and newly nominated Auckland Grand Prix Wildcard went through the card unbeaten to take the title. You can see his Semi-Final and Grand Final victories here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fFdmq4Cuf0&sns=fb Bunyan’s next stop is Oreti Park in Invercargill this Saturday when he goes for a record-equalling New Zealand title No.9. Happy Birthday, Mr Promoter! Rye House promoter Len Silver celebrated his 82nd birthday yesterday in his ski resort in the French Alps. A heavy snowfall throughout made the day, by Len’s own admission, a “lazy” one. He also added that former Hackney Hawks star “Finn Thomsen called from Spain and everyone is being kind...but I am assuring them all that I do not feel a day older than 81!” Happy birthday, Len! Press and Practice Dates The 2014 Silver Ski Rockets will enjoy two press and practice opportunities at Rye House ahead of their East of England Cup opener at Peterborough on March 18th. The Rockets’ P&P dates are scheduled for the successive days of Friday, March 14th and Saturday, March 15th, with each session starting at 11am. Meanwhile, work on erecting the new air fence at Rye House will begin in earnest this month following the installation of straining wires and new posts back in November. The work will include new chain link fence in both straights with the back straight being made wider by 70cm. This should have the effect of making the racing even faster, so Chris Neath's track record of 55.1 seconds which was set back in 2010 may well be in danger this season.
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Post by speedyguy on Feb 4, 2014 19:33:33 GMT
Rye House Awarded British Semi-Final Rye House Speedway is proud to announce that it will stage a Semi-Final of this year’s British Championship. The date for the meeting has been confirmed today as Wednesday, April 30th, with a 7.30pm start. An exuberant Len Silver commented on receiving the news, “We were awarded a Semi-Final a couple of years ago, only to lose out to the weather. We are absolutely delighted to be awarded another round this time around. With a British World Champion, and a number of new Young Lions coming through the system, it is an even more exciting opportunity. “With six of this year’s Rockets team being British, there should be plenty for Rye House fans to cheer about as well.” Silver also explained the rationale for April’s mid-week date. “The event will be in addition to the week-end meetings either side of the Championship round. The date was chosen because it gave the largest possible range of rider availability, with only four Elite clubs in action that night. “With almost all the world class British riders available for selection, and with no riders seeded directly to the Wolverhampton Final, there is no doubt that we shall have a terrific field to thrill us on that Wednesday. I am sure that Rockets and many other fans will fill our stadium to see the action." The top seven finishers from April’s round in Hertfordshire will automatically qualify for the British Final at Wolves on June 16th.
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Post by speedyguy on Feb 9, 2014 17:54:19 GMT
Bunyan Wins Title No.9! Rye House captain Jason Bunyan has equalled Larry Ross’ all-time record by winning the New Zealand National Championship at Oreti Park. Last night’s title was Bunyan’s career ninth, and his third in succession, and came after a simply sensational performance in the Grand Final. Relegated to last place in the early stages of the winner-takes-all race, the Auckland GP Wildcard worked his way past 2008 Rye House Cobra Andrew Aldridge and Sean Mason, before giving chase to 2011 titlist Grant Tregoning and catching him right on the finish line! The result continues Bunyan’s remarkable record in the competition. A championship winner for the first time back in 2004, his only defeats since have been in 2007, when finishing third behind Andrew Bargh and Dale Finch, and 2011, when runner-up to Tregoning. Congratulations, Bunny! Rockets Ready to Celebrate The Silver Ski Rockets’ 2014 season kicks off a month early next Sunday (February 16th) when they have a stand at the annual Celebration of Speedway which is being staged at nearby Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne. Testimonial man Luke Bowen and team manager John Sampford will be amongst those manning the Rye House stand, with both also scheduled for interviews during the day. As in the past, the Celebration will feature indoor and outdoor bike displays, leathers, trophies and a collectors’ fair in the Events and Interviews Marquee. Paradise Park, of course, houses the National Speedway Museum, which will be open to visitors throughout the day. New exhibits on display in the Museum will include double World Champion Freddie Williams’ trophies and legendary Japanese competitor Junichio “Jimmy” Ogisu’s helmet and wire mesh (!) goggles. Entry to the Celebration of Speedway will be free, but with a suggested minimum donation of £5 to assist WSRA expenses and entitle that person to a complementary raffle ticket. As Paradise Wildlife Park will be open to the public as usual that day, there will be a separate entrance for the Speedway Exhibition, but your donation will still entitle you to visit the Wildlife Park with hundreds of animals. The event formally starts at 11am. The Wildlife Park is well signposted from the A10, but the post code for Sat-Nav purposes is EN10 7QA.
Air Fence Ad Opportunity With the new air fence at Rye House due to be installed within the next three weeks, a unique advertising opportunity has been created for local firms. A promotional banner measuring 5 metres by 0.85 metres can be fixed to the air fence for a one-off payment of £500 that covers a three year period and includes the supply and fitting of the banner. The advertiser will only be responsible for the supply of artwork. Interested parties should contact Len Silver via e-mail on len@silverski.co.uk. Quadrophenia Hits Rye House! The Silver Ski Rockets’ season may still be over a month away, but the sound of motorcycles and other racing machines will be heard in earnest at Rye House Stadium on Sunday February 23rd as the Quad Racing Association stages its annual Cavalcade of Speed. Practice action starts at 11am, with the meeting proper getting under way in early afternoon. As well as the excitement of the powerful Quad bikes, there will also be mini-bike action and a number of Speedway demonstration races. Licenced bars and fast food outlets will be open and it is expected that the action will take place no matter what the weather throws. Admission prices will be: adults £5 with children FREE. A race card will also be available. You can find out more about the QRA at www.qrauk.com.
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Post by speedyguy on Feb 14, 2014 16:29:53 GMT
Raiders Re-Born in MDL With the continual aim of being involved in the progress of younger riders, the Rye House management team of John Sampford and Len Silver have decided to enter a team into this season’s Midland Development League, with regular matches to be held during the second half section of Premier League events at Hoddesdon. Although a possible place in the National League had to be shelved in December, the move now successfully revives the Raiders name for 2014. With nine teams now set to be involved in the MDL, the side will face a minimum of eight League fixtures, plus one Knock-Out tie, at home during the season. Trainees from the Sunday School at Rye House, run by former England international Andrew Silver, will form the basis of the team which is expected to be led by Kent Kings reserve Daniel Blake, who is ultra- keen to get as much racing exposure as possible as he strives to become a major performer in the National League. Team manager John Sampford is now looking for local fans to rally round the juniors and possibly help with some sponsorship towards their travelling expenses. "The progression is now in place for everyone to see: Midland Development League to the National League, and on upwards to the professional levels of Premier and Elite. This is where the champions of the future are coming from, and I am delighted that Rye House is part of this exciting scene."
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Post by speedyguy on Feb 18, 2014 10:28:46 GMT
Quadrophenia Latest The Cavalcade of Speed being staged at Rye House Stadium by the Quad Racing Association is now less a week away, with a dateline of Sunday, February 23rd. The doors will open to the public at noon, with licensed bars and fast food outlets also available. As well as the excitement of the powerful Quad bikes, there will also be mini-bike action, plus six or seven Speedway demonstration races. New Rockets No.1 Edward Kennett is set to feature in that part of the programme, together with Testimonial star Luke Bowen and Steve Boxall, plus Kent Kings Ben Morley, Daniel Blake and Brandon Freemantle. The meeting is planned to go ahead regardless of the weather, so rain or shine the public will have a final chance to see track action at Rye House before the new air fence is fitted. Admission is: Adults at £5, with children free. A race card will also be on sale. Drier Than You Think Having arrived back in England following his annual winter in the French Alps, Rye House promoter Len Silver, duly made his way to Rye House Stadium yesterday (Monday) expecting to find water everywhere following some of the worst floods in living memory and the proximity to the stadium of the River Lea. His objective was to prepare the circuit for the Quad meeting scheduled for this coming Sunday (Feb 23rd), with his plan to attempt to dry the track as far as possible. To Len's total surprise and relief, he discovered that there was no water on the track at all, and that it was in astonishingly good condition. A day's work with the rotary grader dutifully followed, and by 3pm it was perfect for racing. As Len himself stressed afterwards, "This was undoubtedly due to the correction of the electrical fault that we discovered during my flying visit just before Christmas which ensured that our drainage pumping system worked perfectly all Winter...what a relief!”
On Friday, 14 February 2014, 13:04, Craig Saul <craigsaul@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: Raiders Re-Born in MDL With the continual aim of being involved in the progress of younger riders, the Rye House management team of John Sampford and Len Silver have decided to enter a team into this season’s Midland Development League, with regular matches to be held during the second half section of Premier League events at Hoddesdon. Although a possible place in the National League had to be shelved in December, the move now successfully revives the Raiders name for 2014. With nine teams now set to be involved in the MDL, the side will face a minimum of eight League fixtures, plus one Knock-Out tie, at home during the season. Trainees from the Sunday School at Rye House, run by former England international Andrew Silver, will form the basis of the team which is expected to be led by Kent Kings reserve Daniel Blake, who is ultra- keen to get as much racing exposure as possible as he strives to become a major performer in the National League. Team manager John Sampford is now looking for local fans to rally round the juniors and possibly help with some sponsorship towards their travelling expenses. "The progression is now in place for everyone to see: Midland Development League to the National League, and on upwards to the professional levels of Premier and Elite. This is where the champions of the future are coming from, and I am delighted that Rye House is part of this exciting scene."
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Post by speedyguy on Feb 26, 2014 0:09:12 GMT
Results from Sunday, Februart 23 2014 By DEREK BARCLAY QRA Cavalcade of Speed Quad Speedway (qualifying scores in brackets): 1st. Nick Wright (10); 2nd. John Dennan (9); 3rd. Chris Wright (1); 4th. Luke Cooper (15[M]); 5th. Carl Bunce (13); 6th. Rob Heath (6); 7th. Geoff Glover (9); 8th. John Elliott (6); 9th. Danny Smith (5); 10th. = Richard Shaw (3); 10th. = James Fletcher (3); 12th. Geoff Otway 1
Solo Speedway Competition: 1st. Steve Boxall (Rye House) 13; 2nd. Ben Morley (Kent) 8; 3rd. Edward Kennett (Rye House) 6; 4th. Daniel Blake (Kent) 4; 5th. Luke Bowen (Rye House) 3[M] Youth Speedway: 1st. Charlie Brooks; 2nd. George Fenner
Mini-bikes (qualifying scores in brackets): 1st. Shane Jordon (15[M]); 2nd. Colin Perkins (9); 3rd. Logan Whale (6); 4th. Nick Wright (0)
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Post by speedyguy on Mar 4, 2014 8:07:19 GMT
All the updates in regard to the 2014 season
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Post by speedyguy on Mar 6, 2014 22:39:27 GMT
Letter From NZ Rye House captain Jason Bunyan dropped promoter Len Silver a line this week which will also be of interest to Rockets supporters, as the now-9-times New Zealand Champion talked candidly about his preparation for the new season and his Wildcard spot at the Auckland Grand Prix…. “I have been keeping busy trying to get fit, with the loan of a spin bike from Grant & Sharon at Midas Onehunga, a motocross bike from Andrew at Elf and a nice set of scales from Graham Standring... it’s OK, I took the hint! I'm currently 3kgs lighter than when I saw you last, with the aim of losing a couple more! “I am really looking forward to fly boarding on Saturday - adrenalin junky that I am! “I did an interview last month on the Pits radio show - www.thepits.racing.org.nz/ondemand.htm - which can be found under the link for 19/02/14, and I understand that I am appearing in the Sunday Star Times this week. “I am currently working on some training dates to go and help the up and coming Juniors on the South Island this month, and I am looking forward to that, as helping the juniors is always rewarding. “On the bike front, two fresh engines are on their way from Denmark courtesy of the wonderful Brian Karger and Jesper Kristiansen - so I'm keen to get testing to find some base settings in the next few weeks. This will hopefully allow me to eliminate two of the four engines I would like to use at the GP, before I arrive at Western Springs on the 3rd of April for the first unofficial practice. My plan to eliminate two of the engines will mean I can use the sessions – only six minutes on the Thursday and Friday - to finalise a set up that I am happy with, rather than use the sessions to try all four engines.”
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Post by speedyguy on Mar 13, 2014 15:30:36 GMT
This is a reminder that the official Rye House Press and Practice days are scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, March 14th) and Saturday (15th). The 2014 Silver Ski Rockets, excepting New Zealand Grand Prix Wildcard Jason Bunyan, will be on the track, with media sessions also available and each session starting at 11am. The new air fence at the Rockets’ circuit will also be on show in its striking blue and yellow colourway! Rockets at Peterborough: Match Preview The Silver ski Rockets will continue to rev up for the new season as they head from their Press and Practice sessions to Peterborough for their first fixture of the year in the League Cup next Tuesday (March 17th). The meeting was originally designated as an East of England Cup challenge fixture, with the League Cup event set for April 15th, but a clash with the British U-21 Final on that second date has led to the League Cup fixture being brought forward to next Tuesday. The meeting will revive a traditional rivalry between the two sides which extends back forty years to 1974. The Rockets and Panthers have not clashed in the League since 1992, although the Hertfordshire club did achieve a memorable 46-44 away win at the East of England Showground in the short-lived League Cup competition that encompassed both Leagues in 2003. Peterborough faced a survival scare over the winter following their withdrawal from the Elite League, but new supremo Mick Horton has since ensured that the Alwalton club will see action for a 45th continuous season. He has also overseen the assembly of a strong Panthers septet, which is headed by the lone survivor from 2013’s squad in Testimonial man Ryan Fisher. The Fish is joined in a super-strong top four by Lasse Bjerre, former Grand Prix star Ales Dryml and captain Ulrich Ostergaard, with the roster rounded out by Brits Lewis Blackbird, Oliver Greenwood and Joe Jacobs. Team manager John Sampford is looking forward to the opener. “It’s been a long winter, and it feels like we’ve been sheltering from the wind and rain for much of it, but we’re pumped up and ready to go again. “Next Tuesday will be an excellent test for us. The Panthers look a very strong team for the year, especially around their own patch. And the Showground is a venue I do like to visit because of the different type of racing you see there. “It will be very early doors, with just a few practice sessions to work with ahead of the match itself. But we will be aiming to do as well as we can, and we certainly have riders who can perform well on a big track. “We will be operating Rider-Replacement for Jason Bunyan, who will be missing until after the first Grand Prix in Auckland. But on the plus side, Edward Kennett will be out to show what he can be about this year as our new No.1, Steve Boxall will be determined to maintain last year’s momentum with Kent, Matty Tresarrieu will be eager to perform as the totally “new boy” in town and Simon Lambert’s average looks a very false one. And, of course, we will be welcoming Jason Garrity and Luke Bowen back from injury.” Next Tuesday’s Showground match will be followed by another road trip – this time to Ipswich, also in the League Cup, on Thursday, March 27th – before the Rockets’ home opener against the Panthers in what has now become the first leg of the East of England Cup on Saturday, March 29th (7pm start).
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Post by speedyguy on Mar 18, 2014 23:59:48 GMT
The Perfect Launch Party! Peterborough 44 Rye House 46 (League Cup; Tuesday, March 18th 2013) What a start to the new season! The Silver Ski Rockets ventured into the backyard of one of the clear favourites for silverware in 2014, and emerged with a magnificent – but thoroughly deserved – 46-44 League Cup victory at Peterborough. It was a wonderful team effort that got them there, given that lynchpin Jason Garrity struggled badly all night with bike problems. Edward Kennett looked every bit the No.1 that he carries on his race jacket, scoring 13, while Steve Boxall soldiered through a heavy crash to weigh in with 11+3 and Mathieu Tresarrieu added an equally impressive 9, plus plenty of excitement. Down at reserve, Luke Bowen’s first competitive race since June 2012 netted an emotional victory, and the Testimonial star went on to finish with 7+1 on a track he has rarely visited. Simon Lambert rounded off the Rockets’ score-chart with a 5+1 tally that included a dramatic victory in Heat 8. It was a 5-1 from Bowen and Lambert in Heat 2 that set the Rockets on their way, and the visitors still led 16-14 heading into Heat 6, where a very heavy crash involving Boxall and Lewis Blackbird wrote off the former’s new bike recently purchased from former World No.3 Ryan Sullivan, blew out three panels of the airfence, and also miraculously left both riders fit to take their places in the re-run. Boxall and Bowen emerged with a 3-3 from that heat in one of seven consecutive drawn races that ensured that the score remained tight. Racing highlights during that sequence included a ding-dong battle between Lambert and Blackbird for the lead in Heat 8, with the Rye No.7 re-taking the advantage on the last lap, and Boxall’s last bend steal past Ulrich Ostergaard to capture Heat 9. With the teams trading 4-2s in Heats 11 and 13 – the latter saw Kennett inflict Ryan Fisher’s first defeat of the night – the Rockets headed into the penultimate race 40-38 to the good, only for Ostergaard and Joe Jacobs – despite a third lap puncture – to inflict the 5-1 that gave the home team the lead for the first time in the match. The Rockets weren’t quite finished, however, with Kennett dominating the final race and Fisher slipping to the back as Boxall came through on the third bend to join his partner for the match-winning 5-1. As Boxall himself reflected afterwards, “To finish with paid 14 in my first match back at this level was really good, although it could have been even more if I hadn’t written off my first bike. I took a really heavy tumble in that one, and was bent over backwards in the fall, so I will definitely be feeling sore tomorrow. “But I was really pleased that we got this result; pleased for the team, pleased for the management and pleased for the fans. “For Heat 15, I dropped a tooth on the back wheel from my previous race in Heat 13. Edward made the gate and pushed Ryan Fisher out for me to go through on the inside, and then we simply team rode home. It was a great feeling when we crossed the finish line.” An equally jubilant Rye House promoter, Len Silver, added, “I am so proud of the boys. The fact that Rider-Replacement for Jason Bunyan produced just one point and Jason Garrity couldn’t get going all night makes it an even more magnificent result. Just wait until we’ve got a full team and they’re all going well!” The next stop on the Rye House 2014 roller-coaster is Ipswich - again in the League Cup - next Thursday, before the team faces its first home meeting, against the Panthers, in the East of England Cup next Saturday (March 29th at 7pm). Rye House scorers: Edward Kennett 13 (5 rides), Steve Boxall 11+3 (6), Matt Tresarrieu 9 (5), Luke Bowen 7+1 (5), Simon Lambert 5+1 (5), Jason Garrity 1+1 (4), Jason Bunyan R/R Peterborough scorers: Ryan Fisher 12 (5 rides), Ulrich Ostergaard 9+1 (5), Lasse Bjerre 7+1 (4), Ales Dryml 6+1 (4), Joe Jacobs 4+2 (4), Oliver Greenwood 4+1 (4), Lewis Blackbird 2 (4) Match Points: Peterborough 0 Rye House 3
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Post by speedyguy on Mar 22, 2014 22:48:33 GMT
Bowen Testimonial Logo and Sponsorship Details Announced Planning for Luke Bowen’s Testimonial meeting at Rye House on Sunday, July 13th (2pm start) is now fully underway, with the testimonial committee unveiling the meeting logo and available sponsorship packages. The event has been billed as Luke’s Ten Year Take-Off, and Luke can now confirm that it will follow a Pairs format. The accompanying logo (attached) – which will also feature heavily in Luke’s testimonial merchandise – is dominated by his “Bowen 747” moniker and a silhouette of said airliner complete with vapour trail. It also carries the red, white and blue colour scheme that Luke has employed on his race suits and bike covers over the years. Sponsorship packages are now also available, and designed to suit all sizes of purse and wallet, right the way from Meeting sponsorship through to VIP/Pairs sponsorships to Rider and Race packages down to Tyre and Fuel programmes at £50. With the parents of younger supporters in mind there is also a special Mascot package, which like all is available on a first-come-first-served basis and priced at £50. This covers: · Admission for the mascot and his/her parent or guardian, plus a copy of the souvenir programme · The mascot’s name appearing in the programme · The mascot walking out on parade with their allocated rider · A small memento of the experience For full details of any of these opportunities, please contact Stephanie Babb of the Testimonial Committee in the first instance on 0790 197 6912. Attachments:
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