LATEST NEWS ~ MAY 2008

RAJKOWSKI CAN'T RESCUE AILING TIGERS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Monday 12th May 2008
Mildenhall 30 Edinburgh 60 - Premier Division Speedway
A new signing couldn't inspire Mildenhall as they slumped to their second biggest defeat of the season, which leaves them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. The Fen Tigers should have been buoyed by the inclusion of Pole Michal Rajkowski, but instead they were comprehensively thrashed against the league's in-form side, as Edinburgh gained eight heat maximums, with the result beyond doubt halfway through. The Monarchs blistered away with two 1-5s, with Rajkowski hitting the deck in his first ride after catching team-mate Jan Graversen's back-wheel in the opening race.

Henning Loof and Kaj Laukkanen, against his former team, responded with a max in heat three and skipper Robbie Kessler put the Tigers just two points behind after a flying start to win race four. But the powerful Monarchs slammed in half a dozen race maximums in succession that secured victory. Laukkanen was beaten by both opponents from the back in heat five, as was Rajkowski in the next. The tactical ride failed miserably in heat seven when Kessler was shoved aside by American Ryan Fisher, leaving him to finish third.

Rajkowski showed glimpses of his talent in heat 10, racing the West Row boards with style and almost slicing under the Monarchs pairing who swiftly closed down his route through. Kessler halted the away maximums with another win from the tapes in heat 11, and Makinen felt aggrieved after a collision on the fourth bend with Derek Sneddon brought the pair down in heat 12, with the teenage Finn harshly excluded. Laukkanen won the re-run. Kessler lost out in a compelling duel with William Lawson in heat 13 and a race later was the highlight for the West Row crowd when Makinen tracked Fisher a couple of laps before rounding him superbly on the pits turn to gain his first victory for the Tigers.

Mildenhall
Kessler 11 (5 rides), Laukkanen 6+1 (5), Loof 4 (4), Makinen 3 (4), Rajkowski 3 (4), Hughes 2 (4), Graversen 1 (4).

Edinburgh
Tully 15 (6 rides), Lawson 12+1 (5), Summer 10+3 (5), Fisher 9+1 (5), Wethers 7+3 (5), Sneddon 7+2 (4).
 

MONARCHS VICTORY
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 12th May 2008
The Mildenhall Barmy Army Fen Tigers were well beaten 60 to 30 by the in form Edinburgh Monarchs. Mildenhall Promoter Simon Barton was extremely disappointed in the performance, “We were simply outclassed, they were sharper from the gate and we were just never at the races.” The only real bright spots for the Fen Tigers was a great maximum five one heat advantage by Henning Loof and Kaj Laukkanen in heat 3 and a from the back battling victory by young Finnish star Jari Makinen in heat 14. Michal Rajkowski had a debut to forget as he bit the dust in his first race after being unable to avoid the bike of Jan Graversen, after the young Dane had picked up a bit too much grip and slid off.

Team Manager Laurence Rogers said, “It was one of those days. We were on the receiving end of a powerhouse performance from the Monarchs who were in fine form. When we gated we scored but we simply didn’t do that often enough. There was a tremendous ride from young Jari in heat 14, hich clearly showed his potential. Jari was also very harshly excluded from his previous ride when Derek Sneddon clearly went into the back of him. The riders will all click together soon and when they do we will hand out some beatings.”

Mildenhall Fen Tigers 30
1. Michal Rajkowski 3, 2. Jan Graversen 1, 3. Kaj Laukannen 6+1, 4. Henning Loof 4, 5. Robbie Kessler 11, 6. Kyle Hughes (g) 2, 7. Jari Makinen 3

Edinburgh Monarchs 60
1. William Lawson 12+2, 2. R/R, 3. Derek Sneddon 7+2, 4. Ryan Fisher 9+1, 5. Matthew Wethers 7+3, 6. Andrew Tully 15, 7. Aaron Summers 10+3
 

TIGERS BOSS ROGERS GLAD TO TAKE MICHAL
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Friday 9th May 2008
Laurence Rogers expects the signing of Michal Rajkowski to inject fresh impetus into Mildenhall's performances as they move into the cut and thrust of league fixtures. The Fen Tigers team manager secured a loan deal for the 23-year-old Pole, who was released by Elite League basement club Belle Vue this week, during a business trip. Rajkowski takes the No 1 berth (on a 6.20 average) in a team that has won only once in 10 meetings this season.

Rogers said: "We beat two other Premier League clubs to sign Michal, and he is extremely keen to recapture the form that he showed last year with Newport. We are building an excellent relationship with the Belle Vue management, having also signed Kaj Laukkanen from them, and I'd like to thank them for helping to thrash out the deal quickly. Michal contemplated returning to Poland as he was very disappointed that his first stint at Elite League racing didn't work out, but he proved with Newport that he is a dependable rider. He is based in the UK and is totally committed to us. It will give us a settled side at last once Mark Baseby is fit again and that can only help boost confidence and performance level."

Rajkowski overcame a rough start to his UK career, dropping to reserve at one point, to achieve an almost seven point average with the Wasps, which included 14 double-figure point hauls. He makes his debut against in-form Edinburgh at West Row tomorrow at 4.30pm. The Monarchs boast a record of just one defeat in 12 and have progressed to the Premier Trophy semi-finals, making them formidable opponents. Promising Plymouth youngster Kyle Hughes gets his chance to impress as he guests in place of injured Baseby.

Mildenhall
1 Michal Rajkowski, 2 Jan Graversen, 3 Kaj Laukkanen, 4 Henning Loof, 5 Robbie Kessler, 6 Kyle Hughes, 7 Jari Makinen

Edinburgh
1 William Lawson, 2 Thomas Jonasson, 3 Derek Sneddon, 4 Ryan Fisher, 5 Mathew Wethers, 6 Andrew Tully, 7 Aaron Summers
 

FEN TIGERS SNAP UP RAJKOWSKI FROM BELLE VUE
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Thursday 8th May 2008
Mildenhall have swooped to sign Belle Vue’s Young Pole Michal Rajkowski after the Elite League club axed him from their side on Wednesday night following a home defeat against Eastbourne. The 23 year old from Rawicz was signed as a Belle Vue asset in the winter after a successful debut season at Newport last year. His form has dipped in recent weeks in the Elite League and the Belle Vue promotion believe that a return to the Premier League will help restore his confidence.”

The Fen Tigers have seen off two other Premier League clubs who were after Rajkowski and the signing cements a growing tie-up between the world famous Belle Vue Aces and Mildenhall. This all started pre - season when Aces bosses David Gordon, Chris Morton and Gordon Pairman alerted Tigers team boss Laurence Rogers that Kaj Laukkanen was looking for a Premier League team spot and the rest is history with the Finnish International joining the club.

This may start a more permanent tie-up between the clubs in the future as Rogers explains, “We have worked closely with the Aces promotion and must thank them for their help and support. I have tried to keep my finger on the pulse of what has been going on at various Elite League clubs and who might become available. By co-incidence I was in the Manchester area on business and took in the Belle Vue meeting on Wednesday. It was for us a case of being in the right place at the right time. It was not all plain sailing as two other Premier League sides were alerted to what was happening at Belle Vue and came in for him as well. Additionally he was naturally disappointed at losing his Aces team spot and was contemplating going home to Poland but after negotiating with his sponsors and advisers at MSJ we agreed a deal and he now makes his Mildenhall debut at home on Sunday against Edinburgh.”

“Certainly a tie-up with the Aces could be good for both clubs as we are in a position where we now have some very promising young riders on our books at Mildenhall and perhaps they may end up going the other way and joining Belle Vue eventually. We have now gained from two loaned riders in Kaj and Michal and the addition of Michal certainly gives us a solid look with potentially four heat leaders in Kaj, Robbie, Jan G and Michal plus the emerging talent of Henning, Jari and Mark.”

“He scored paid 7 at West Row last year including a heat win in the Premier League match. He may take a short while to settle in but on a 6.21 average I think he can increase on this. His first away match for us is at Stoke next week (May 17th) and last year he scored 19 in the league match and paid 11 in the K O Cup match there – so that augers well at a track we won at last year!!”

“We just need Mark Baseby to be back from injury and can then finally put out a full Fen Tigers seven rides – and that would be great. Mark is still suffering with his ankle and went to the hospital on Thursday but was just told to rest it – but he can’t wait to get back on track.”

TAME TIGERS GROUNDED BY ROCKETS
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Tuesday 6th May 2008
Mildenhall Fen Tigers 35 Rye House Rockets 56 - Premier Trophy
THERE was not even a hint of the previous weekend's derby match heroics against King's Lynn as Mildenhall were hammered by their other arch-rivals, Rye House. Led brilliantly by newly-crowned British under-21 champion Tai Woffinden, the Rockets were sharper from the gate and much tougher on a grippy, demanding West Row track. The Fen Tigers managed to stay in some kind of contention up to heat nine when they trailed 30-24 despite going down to three 4-2 defeats in heats five, six and seven, but from there it was downhill at helter-skelter speed.

There was no prize to be won as neither could qualify for the next stage of the Trophy, but there is always a huge amount of pride at stake but Rye House took the honours. They heaped humiliation on Mildenhall's embarrassment by inflicting three maximum heat wins in the final half-a-dozen races, including a 5-0 in heat 13 in which the two Rockets, Stefan Ekberg and Chris Neath, rode around unchallenged for four laps after Jan Graversen fell and Robbie Kessler pulled off the track after a controversial first-bend clash with Ekberg.

That was not as bad for the despairing home fans to take, however, as the heat 11 shocker in which the experienced Kessler, nominated as a possible double scoring tactical rider, was outgunned by the Rockets' rookie, Robert Mear. The youngster highlighted the gulf between the two sides by scoring three wins in his six outings - as many as Mildenhall's top three of Kessler, Graversen and Kaj Laukkanen managed in 17 rides.

Henning Loof and Matt Wright were completely off the pace for the Tigers, but there was at least another encouraging display by young Finn Jari Makinen, who appeared to have beaten Mear in a thrilling heat-eight duel, only for referee Dave Watters to add to a list of bewildering decisions by placing the Rocket first.

But the highlights were undoubtedly provided by Woffinden who, in breathtaking victories from the back against Kessler and Laukkanen, lived up to his growing reputation as potentially the best British rider since Cambridge's Michael Lee was world champion almost three decades ago.

Mildenhall 35
Laukkanen 12, Kessler 10, Graversen 4, Makinen 4, Loof 4, Wright 1.

Rye House 56
Ekberg 17, Woffinden 12, Mear 11, Halsey 7, Neath 5, Haines 4.
 

MONARCHS TO REIGN
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 5th May 2008
The Mildenhall Barmy Army Fen Tigers face tough opposition with the Edinburgh Monarchs on Sunday 11th May at 4.30pm. Edinburgh have made a great start to the season with away victories at Berwick and Glasgow as well as a hard fought draw away at Kings Lynn. This will make them extremely tricky opponents for a Mildenhall team with only one victory in the season thus far.

American Ryan Fisher will be making his first trip to West Row and even though he is only 24 years old he will bring a huge amount of experience with him. Riding in the Elite League for Belle Vue last year he will want to show the form that Edinburgh obviously thought he had when they convinced him to drop down to the Premier League. Mathew Wethers showed his liking for the Mildenhall track when scoring 16 points in the corresponding fixture last year and he has continued his improvement this season.

Team Manager Laurence Rogers said, “We are facing the in form team of the Premier League and it will be a difficult meeting for us. Kaj is looking forward to facing his former club.”

Likely Teams

Mildenhall
1. Rider Replacement, 2. Jan Graversen, 3. Kaj Laukkanen, 4. Henning Loof, 5. Robbie Kessler, 6. Kyle Hughes, 7. Jari Makinen

Edinburgh
1. William Lawson, 2. Thomas Jonasson, 3. Derek Sneddon, 4. Ryan Fisher, 5. Mathew Wethers, 6. Andrew Tully, 7. Aaron Summers

Mildenhall vs Edinburgh Sunday 11th May at 4.30pm
 

ROCKETS RIOT
By Mildenhall Speedway ~ Monday 5th May 2008
Local rivals Rye House soundly beat the Mildenhall Barmy Army Fen Tigers by 56 to 35 points. The meeting itself was delayed by over half an hour due to an electrical fault in the referees box which meant that the tapes could not be operated at the same time as the tracks start and safety lights. Paul Baseby, father of Mildenhall rider Mark, was fortunately on hand to solve the problem.

Mildenhall Promoter Simon Barton said, ”On behalf of Mildenhall Speedway I would like to apologise to everyone who attended the meeting for the delays and interruptions. We do like to put on well run entertaining meetings and we believe that in most cases we do. This meeting however was seemed to have everything go wrong. From false alcohol tests, electrical failures, long delays between races caused by falls, tapes exclusions and long delays between the green start light and the tapes going up.”

The Rye House rockets were able to quickly master the track conditions with Stefan Ekberg, Tai Woffinden and Robert Mear winning ten of the races between them. Stefan in particular showing his liking for the West Row circuit in heat 6 when he chased down Kaj Laukkanen for four laps before overtaking him on the last bend.

The best race of the day came in heat 8 between reserves Robert Mear and Jari Makinen. They swapped places throughout the race and Jari seemed to just beat Robert on the line. The referee however saw thins differently and awarded the race to Robert Mear much to the amazement of many in the crowd.

Team Manger Laurence Rogers said, “Bad day at the office with everything that could go wrong going wrong. We simply didn’t gate and we were not fast enough. Peter and Ian did a lot of of work on the track so our thanks go to them but obviously it wasn’t the normal Mildenhall track. The only bright spot was the emerging talent of Jari Makinen.”

Scores

Mildenhall
1. Rider Replacement, 2. Jan Graversen 4 + 1, 3. Kaj Laukkanen 12, 4. Henning Loof 4, 5. Robbie Kessler 10, 6. Matt Wright (guest) 1 + 1, 7. Jari Makinen 4

Rye House
1. Chris Neath 5 + 1, 2. Joe Haines (guest) 4, 3. Tai Woffinden 12 + 2, 4. Rider Replacement, 5. Stefan Ekberg 17, 6. Dan Halsey 6 + 1, 7. Robert Mear 12 + 1
 

BUDGET CONCERN HALTS THORP DEAL
By David Crane, Cambridge Evening News ~ Saturday 3rd May 2008
Mildenhall look unlikely to make a move for ex-GB International Paul Thorp after being linked to the veteran racer for the second time in four months. Fen Tigers team manager Laurence Rogers is not ruling out the 43 year old, but admits club finances could be a stumbling block. Rogers has 7.35 points spare as he seeks a replacement for long-term injured Casper Wortmann, who is back in his native Denmark recovering from liver and kidney injuries.

"Our supporters are again suggesting signing Paul, but it comes down to affordability," said Rogers. "We have to build within our budget and be careful with our finances, but I am not ruling him out. I have spoken to Paul a few times and he would love to come to us. He had 40 laps' practice at Stoke this week to get into shape after recovering from a minor operation. We are searching worldwide for a replacement for Casper and have a few weeks to do this."

Meanwhile, Rogers has admitted that New Zealand under-21 champion Grant Tregoning is unlikely to gain a spot in Mildenhall's revitalised team. The 19 year old, who was signed in January, has still failed to arrive in the UK following a series of visa hold-ups. Rogers said: "Grant is getting very frustrated with the whole situation. When he arrives, we will probably settle him into the Conference League. We brought in Jari Makinen who is doing well and improving all the time."

Mildenhall face arch-rivals Rye House in their final Premier Trophy fixture at West Row tomorrow (Saturday, 03 May) (4.30pm). Reserve Mark Baseby remains sidelined until he can weight bear on his damaged ankle. Matthew Wright guests in his place for the fourth consecutive meeting.

Mildenhall
1 R/R, 2 Jan Graversen, 3 Kaj Laukkanen, 4 Henning Loof, 5 Robbie Kessler, 6 Matthew Wright, 7 Jari Makinen.

Rye House
1 Chris Neath, 2 Joe Haines, 3 Tai Woffinden, 4 R/R, 5 Stefan Ekberg, 6 Daniel Halsey, 7 Robert Mear.