What an all-action weekend! (From South Wales Argus)

What an all-action weekend!

1:20pm Saturday 27th June 2009

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Like everybody else I'm really looking forward to the South Wales Argus Welsh Open Championship tomorrow afternoon.

The management have put a very interesting mix of riders together and there will be a lot of interest in the appearance of two unknowns in the shape of Jonas Andersson and Andreas Westlund.

Both are 19-years-old and this will be an opportunity for the fans to see somebody different, for the lads to showcase their riding talents and for Newport Speedway to have a first look at their potential.

Over the years many Scandinavian riders have come to his country to compete in such individual meetings as the Welsh Open and have been snapped up and gone on to establish themselves in Britain.

Riders such as Kenneth Hansen who is now at Peterborough and Ludvig Lindgren who is with Birmingham spring to mind in the past few seasons.

This event follows the British Grand Prix at Cardiff this evening so Jonas and Andreas are assured of a large and appreciative audience plus being seen by a number of promoters who stay over for the weekend.

I also notice that Lubos Tomicek is travelling over from the Czech Republic and Krzysztof Stojanowski from Poland to give a real international flavour to the tournament.

As for who might pull off a title that was first contested 45 years ago and for which this is the 21st staging?

David Howe of the Scunthorpe Scorpions and England has won it three times while Kevin Doolan of the Workington Comets and Australia won the Prince of Wales Trophy at Queensway Meadows on March 15.

As for a Wasp – well Paul Fry is a previous victor and wouldn't that be popular with the home fans if the old boy climbed to the top of the rostrum again!

A reminder to Newport fans that the first race is at 1pm so they will need to plan to arrive early to claim their favourite viewing spot as we know that loads of speedway fans from home and abroad will be descending on the stadium to round off their weekend in South Wales with some more first class action.

On the personal front there is some frustration to report. I had my latest examination on Tuesday at the Royal Gwent Hospital and was hoping to get the all clear to resume riding.

The medics tell me that my right leg is healing well but I have to go back in a month's time for another set of X-rays.

I have been informed that it could yet be two months before I will get the final clearance to race. Fingers crossed that's it is sooner.

As you may know I have been granted a testimonial meeting by the sport’s authorities in recognition of my service to Newport Speedway. This we plan to hold at Queensway Meadows in October. More details to follow but that is one race meeting I definitely want to compete in!

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