The Rye House Rockets from Hertfordshire visit Queensway Meadows on Sunday afternoon for Premier League action against the Newport Wasps with tapes up at 2.30pm.
The Rockets have been one of the most consistently successful clubs in the division during the past five seasons with League Championship and Knockout Cup Final victories to their credit.
They are led by ex- Newport Maverick and Wasp Chris Neath who spent the formative years of his career at Newport's 285 metre shale oval and who can be regarded as a track specialist. Chris skippers quite a young team many of whom have graduated from the Rockets National League squad but also included is Andrew Silver as the most experienced number seven in British Speedway. Andrew is a former League Riders' Champion and England international who made a return to the sport this season after over a decade in retirement. Andrew is the son of the legendary Len Silver who is the club owner at Rye House and at 77-years-young is still the track curator and active promoter for the North London circuit. Andrew has lost none of his style and dash despite now being 42 but Newport's captain Paul Fry at 44 is probably the liveliest rider on the home side!
New boy on the block this season has been Swedish youngster Linus Sundstrom. Linus has been a consistently good scorer from the off and will be looking forward to his clashes with compatriot Jonas Andersson who makes his home debut as a Wasp.
Jonas will not be alone in displaying his paces in a Newport racejacket for the first time at Queensway Meadows. For the other new signing Leigh Lanham will also share that moment on parade. The highly experienced Lanham has spent over a decade riding in the Elite League for the Lakeside Hammers and the Ipswich Witches and is expected to have a big impact on the crucial heats thirteen and fifteen in the match formula.
The Wasps will complete a three meeting commitment having ridden at Edinburgh on the Friday night and Berwick on the Saturday night before dashing back to South Wales for the Rye House fixture. So no rust in the system for Andersson and Lanham who both impressed in last Sunday's Welsh Open Championship. The Rockets will have also raced the night before at home.
NEWPORT WASPS:
1. Leigh Lanham
2. Chris Kerr
3. Jonas Andersson
4. Paul Fry (C)
5. Jordan Frampton
6. James Holder
7. Shelby Rutherford
RYE HOUSE ROCKETS:
1. Chris Neath (C)
2. Luke Bowen
3. Linus Sundstrom
4. Rider replacement for Joe Haines
5. Robert Mear
6. Tommy Allen
7. Andrew Silver.
Rye House boss Len Silver and Newport PRO Gareth Rogers have worked together to write: 'A COCKNEY'S TALE' the life story of the longest serving promoter in British Speedway and which is scheduled to be produced this summer by LCD Publishing whose proprietor is Coventry Speedway co-promoter and lifelong Exeter fan Allen Trump.
It will chronicle his childhood among the Fascist threat in East London in the 1930s into the Second World War blitz and his evacuation to South Wales. Followed by his post-war National Service as a motorcyclist in Egypt and his background as a top class cycle speedway rider leading to a professional career as a speedway rider including the highlight of Len winning the League Riders' Championship in 1962 as an Exeter Falcon. A feat repeated by his son Andrew 25 years later to the day.
The transition from Hackney rider to Hackney promoter from 1964 to 1983 is coupled with his success at Rye House in the 1970s and 1980s. A period that also saw his elevation to England team manager, World Final track curator and management committee member of the British Speedway Promoters' Association. All up to the modern days of success with the Rye House Rockets of a new generation. In fact, Luke Bowen who rides at Newport on Sunday is the son of Kevin Bowen who rode in Len's Championship winning squad of the early 1980s. Gareth Rogers started his speedway involvement as announcer at Somerton Park, Newport before working alongside Len at both Hackney and Rye House in a general management role.
Meanwhile the start time for the fixture at Queensway Meadows on July 12th against the Edinburgh Monarchs is scheduled to start at 5pm. Explains club owner Steve Mallett in his Waspland Whisperings column in the Newport matchday programme this week:
'Obviously the track staff have to work hard on hot afternoons to keep the circuit from getting too dusty. However, we also want to see if a later start time is more convenient for fans who may have other commitments during the day. We will monitor the experiment and keep fans updated'.
Steve has also appealed to fans to get behind SWARM the supporters' organisation which raises money to help the Wasps riders with fuel, oil and tyres through social activities and other initiatives. Further details of SWARM and flexible membership payment methods can be obtained from Helen Horder on 07976 755684.
Fuller club details can be found on www.newportwasps.co.uk with results and updates on the club hotline 09068 664676.
Newport Cycle Speedway club are staging this season's British Under 16s Team Championships at Spytty Sports Village on Saturday 11th July. Twelve teams have entered with tapes up at noon. Included in the Newport team is Jack Harrold son of Wasps' announcer Jason. For more general information on training and fixtures contact Colin Simmons on 01633 660249.
