We are delighted to announce that Andy Nurden, of A C Nurden Building Contractors, Plant and Skip Hire, has agreed to sponsor a complete sert of overalls for the track staff at Blunsdon. The overalls will be blue with A C Nurden on the back and an embroidered Robin on the front together with the member of staff's name.

The overalls are available in the following sizes : Medium (38-40 inch chest), Large (42 - 44), XL (46 - 48) and XXL (50 -52).

Track staff at Swindon should let Graham know which size and their preference for a name as soon as possible. Email here.

On behalf of all the track staff at Swindon I would like to thank Andy for this very generous offer. We will be featuring an interview with motor cycle mad Mr Nurden in the new couple of weeks.

Revised Fixture List.

Please note that Eastbourne will now visit on Monday 28th April (possible Sky meeting).

Add Sunday 29th June (the day after Cardiff) for the 60th Season Party Invitational meeting.

Remove 3rd July v. Eastbourne. This is now a reserved date.

I have just received this notification. I will speak with Gerald tomorrow (Saturday) but as I write there would seem to be little point in anyone coming along on Monday. Clearly, if you could make it on Thursday that would be most appreciated.

DUE to a severe weather warning for Monday, Swindon Speedway has switched their 2008 Season Launch to Thursday 13 March.

Regrettably, because of the late change, supporters and fans will not now be able to come along and catch their first glimpse of the riders in action.

Promoter Alun Rossiter said: ‘It’s a great shame that the public will not now be able to come along and I realise that many people will be disappointed by this. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about the weather and the forecast for Monday is dreadful.

‘There is good news, though; Travis McGowan has had the plate removed from his shoulder and reports no side effects. He will be taking to the track with all of the other riders on Thursday.’

A revised schedule for Thursday 13 March follows:

1.00 p.m. Coffee reception in the Legends’ Lounge for press, media, sponsors and guests. Informal opportunity to mingle with the 2008 Robins.
2.30 p.m. approx. Press photo call in the pits (for stills).
3.00 p.m.-3.15 p.m. approx. Riders take to the track for practice. Opportunity for action photography and filming by members of the press and media.

We do hope that you will be able to attend on the revised date and we look forward to welcoming you. To assist us it will be greatly appreciated if you could please respond by return, indicating your intention to attend or otherwise.

RSVP to Commercial Manager Paul Oughton at one of the contact references below:
By post to: Swindon Speedway Marketing, Prospect House, Peverell Avenue East, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 3WE.
By email to: paul.oughton@swindon-speedway.co.uk
By phone or fax to: 01305 755607 (office) or 07917 117007 (mobile).

SWINDON ROBINS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM PARTNERS PEBLEY BEACH HYUNDAI, REDCARE LOGISTICS AND A.C. NURDEN LTD.

SIXTY SUCCESSIVE SEASONS AND STILL GOING STRONG!

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE BY ROBERT BAMFORD
SWINDON SPEEDWAY PRESS OFFICER

Notes taken from Track Staff Meeting
Held in The Paddock Bar, Abbey Stadium
13th February 2008

Gerald Richter welcomed a large turn out of old and new track staff to the meeting.

Health and Safety

He emphasised that the meeting was principally concernd with Health and Safety issues.  Gerald is responsible to Mike Hunt for Health and Safety amongst track staff; Mick has an overarching responsibility for Health and Safety.

Gerald asked that everyone attending and wishing to work at the track during the season should read the Health and Safety (H&S) sheet very carefully before signing it and should indicate any areas where they feel they would benefit from extra training to help them complete their work more safely.

All track staff must ask either Gerald or Mick if they are uncertain about any aspects of what they are being asked to do or about anything that they feel uncomfortable about relating to race nights.

He emphasised that no mobile phones are to be used on the centre green and no filling in of programmes would be tolerated.  Staff on mobile phones or filling in programmes cannot be aware of all that is going on around them and will be a danger to themselves and others.  Staff using mobiles or filling in programmes will be asked to leave the track and pay for entry at the main turnstiles.

Passes

There had been a number of problems with the Pass System over the last couple of years.

In 2008 all Track Staff will hand in their passes at the gate when they arrive.  Anyone without a pass will be asked to enter via the main gate.

At the end of the meeting the passes can be collected from Mick Hunt.

All track staff are obliged to be at the stadium until 15 minutes after the end of the meeting.  If anyone needs to leave earlier they should let Gerald or Mick know in advance.

Mick emphasised that all staff must be available to help take down the air fences, putting away the boards by the pits and cleaning up equipment before they leave.

If possible, as much notification of holidays and absences should be given to Gerald or Mick so that relief arrangements can be made.

Forms

Two forms were handed out at the end of the meeting.  One asked for contact details whilst the other was the H&S form.  Both forms must be handed in to Gerald or Mick.

Gerald asked that track staff provide waist and shirt sizes in case we get new track uniforms this year.

Photographs

Photographs were taken on the night for track passes.  Track Passes will be issued on, or before the first meeting of the season.

Next Events

Two days of “Behind Closed Doors” practice on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th March starting at 2.30pm.  These will give us all a chance to get to practice our own work.

Monday 10th March Press and Practice, again from 2.30pm onwards.

Thursday 20th March first meeting of season against Esatbourne.

Conclusion

Gerald ended the meeting by reminding track staff that they are as much of a team as the riders in the pits and that, overall, track team spirit had been excellent last year, we had set new standards that we much maintain and that he was confident of another very good year.

Copies of the forms can be obtained by emailing a request to Graham Cooke

Important Update

All those attending the track staff meeting on Wednesday 13th February must enter the stadium via the main gate and not, as previously stated, through the Pits' Gate.

Explain to the person on the main gate that you will be attending the Track Staff meeting in the Paddock Bar - they should then ask you to sign in.

The meeting will start at 7.30pm prompt.