Latest News:
| 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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