TEAM BASEBY RACING

Photo with kind permission of David Crane

On Saturday afternoon Mark had a practice at the Old Gun Site and declared himself fit for the Crusaders meeting at Rye House that evening.

Although not match fit Mark did well to score 7+1 from the No 2 position, with Aaron riding really well for 7 from the No 6 position.

Great to see both lads racing again although Mark is many meetings short of match fitness before he is ready to return to the Premier League Fen Tigers.

Aaron topped the scores for the Crusaders as they put up a good performance before going down 36-54 to the Redcar Cubs on Sunday.

The highlights for Aaron were winning Heats 13 & 15.

SITTINGBOURNE 'CRUSADERS’
1. Dean Felton 1, 3, r, 2, 2', f, = 8+1
2. Alex Cunningham 0, 2, 0, 0, = 2
3. Harland Cook 2', r, 4^, 2, fx, = 8+1
4. Mark Baseby ~ R/R
5. Aaron Baseby 2, 2, 0, 1, 3, 3, = 11
6. Rikki Mullins 1', 1, 0, 1, = 3+1
7. Daniel Berwick 2, 1', 1, fx, 0, = 4+1
Team Manager: Chris Hunt

REDCAR 'TLS/Simpson Racing UK' CUBS
1. Scott James 3, 3, 3, fx, = 9
2. Steve Jones 2', 1, 2', 2', = 7+3
3. Gary Beaton 1, 3, 1, 1, = 6
4. Jade Mudgway 0, 2', 3, 2', 2, = 9+2
5. Benji Compton fx, 3, 3, ex, = 6
6. Michael Mitchell fx, f, 1, = 1
7. Richard Lawson 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 1', = 16+1
Team Manager: Jason Pipe

Aaron will line up for the famous Wimbledon Dons next Monday when they race against Oxford in a challenge meeting at Reading between two clubs currently not in league speedway.

Wimbledon’s team is: Barrie Evans, Terry Day, Tom Brown, Matt Wright, Jay Herne, Lee Strudwick, Aaron Baseby

Over the last couple of meetings Aaron has had an unbelievable run of back luck with shedding chains.

This affected him at the meetings with Weymouth and Plymouth but hopefully we have worked out the problem and Aaron looks forward to taking his place in the Sittingbourne side that takes on Redcar this Sunday.

Mark has been able to go back to work now and is looking at getting back on a bike soon for some practice.

We are currently looking for him to be fully fit and ready for selection in early September.

All at Team Baseby Racing were really pleased to see our friend Barry Burchatt at the recent Mildenhall v Workington meeting. Barry looked well considering the serious injurys he sustained earlier in the year and it was great to see him up and about.

We wish him well as he continues his recovery and look forward to discussing with him his comment in this weeks Speedway Star that he would like to join Team Baseby Racing as a mechanic in the future 

Aaron is taking centre stage again this week.

Last Sunday he scored 7 points from the number 5 berth as the Crusaders went down to a defeat at Buxton including a run out in Heat 15.

This Sunday the Crusaders take on the Weymouth Wildcats and Team Baseby Racing will be out in force to support Aaron.

BUXTON HITMEN 61 SITTINGBOURNE CRUSADERS 31

Buxton
1- John Branney ~ X, 3, 3, 2' = 8+1
2- Paul Burnett ~ 2, 1, 1, 1 = 5
3- Ben Taylor ~ 3, 3, 3, 3, 2' = 14+1
4- Lewis Dallaway ~ 1, 2', 2', 3 = 8+2
5- Jack Roberts ~ 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15
6- Scott Whittington ~ 0, 0, X, 1 = 1
7- Gareth Isherwood ~ 3, 2', 3, 2' = 10+2

Sittingbourne
1- Dean Felton ~ 3, 1, 1', 4, 0, 1 = 10+1
2- Alex Cunningham ~ 1, 2, 0, F, 1' = 4+1
3- Nathan Irwin ~ 0, 2, 0, 0 = 2
4- Mark Baseby ~ Rider Replacement
5- Aaron Baseby ~ 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 0 = 7
6- Dan Berwick ~ 2, 0, 2, 1, 2 = 7
7- Marc Andrews ~ 1', F, 0, X = 1+1

In the Fen Tigers defeat at Sheffield last night Mark unfortunately suffered a compressed vertebrae.

Following a visit to hospital, Mark was released and was taken home overnight.

More information will follow.

At this time Team Baseby Racing will not be making any official comment about the postings about Mark, Nikko or the Fen Tigers on the British Speedway Forum.

Below is a picture, with thanks to David Crane, that shows the moment his chain broke at the weekend

With apologies for the lack of news recently on this site (due to work commitments) we can confirm that Mark is riding for the Fen Tigers against Sheffield away on Thursday night and then back at West Row for the return on Sunday.

Also on Sunday Aaron rides for the Crusaders at home to Sittingbourne.

Regular updates and news will now be back

In very difficult  track conditions on Saturday night Mark scored well but the Fen Tigers lost again, going down 39 - 53 to the Newcastle Diamonds.

After heavy rain earlier in the day the very grippy track rode well for the first few heats but then became very dangerous between heats 9 - 12.

After a number of falls and with some riders just riding round slowly the ref came down to the look at the track after heat 9 but after receiving a verbal onslaught from George English from Newcastle he decided the meeting should continue after some track work by Huggy.

Luckly for all concerned there were no serious injurys, although that was more down to luck than judgement !!

Mark started by taking a paid win behind Henning Loof in Heat 2.

He followed this with a third, two more seconds (including another paid win) before finishing with a third and a last as he tired.

During his middle heats, when the track was at its worst, Mark came back to the pits after every heat limping as the difficult conditions caused problems for this old injury, however he carried on and took extra rides when asked.

He will now rest this week to see if there are any post meeting injuries but should be OK.

Details by speedwayupdates

Mildenhall = 39

1. Michal Rajkowski............1,0,3,0 = 4
2. Jan Graversen...............0,2,6!,2*,0 = 10+1
3. Kaj Laukkanen..............1,2,1*,0 = 4+1
4. Jari Makinen.................0,0,1 = 1
5. Robbie Kessler............2,0,3,3,1 = 9
6. Mark Baseby.................2*,1,2,2*,1,0 = 8+2
7. Henning Loof ................3,0,0 = 3


Newcastle = 53

1. Josef Franc....................3,3,1,1*,2* = 10+2
2. Sean Stoddart...............2*,1,0,0 = 3+1
3. George Stancl...............2*,2*,1,3 = 8+2
4. Jason King.....................3,3,0,3,3 = 12
5. Christian Henry..............3,1,3,2 = 9
6. Jerran Hart.....................0,3,0,2*,2* = 7+2
7. Arlo Bugeja.....................1,1,2 = 4

In a very successful comeback meeting Mark scored 7 points from 5 rides as the Fen Tigers put up a good away performance before finally going down 40 -53 to the Redcar Bears.

Mark scored in every heat, with the highlight being a race win in Heat 8.

Hopefully there will be no negative effect on the injury on the long drive home so can Mark can continue his comeback at home on Saturday night against the Newcastle Diamonds.

After nearly 2 months Mark is ready to return to the Fen Tigers lineup having successfully come through a practice at Sittingbourne at the weekend.

Mark takes his place at reserve on Thursday night at Redcar against the Bears and then on Saturday night at home against the Newcastle Diamonds.

After a busy couple of weeks, Aaron has a weekend off as Sittingbourne dont have a fixture.

Unfortunately Mark is still not fit enough to rejoin the Fen Tigers this weekend and so Kyle Hughes replaces him again as the Fen Tigers take on PL leaders Somerset Rebels.

A very frustrated Mark is now taking advice from a sports injury specialist as he works on making sure when he does come back, he comes back fully fit.

Aaron hopes to continue his good CL form as Sittingbourne take on Boston at the Old Gun Site this Sunday.

On Saturday night Aaron won the Sussex Junior Championship at Eastbourne.

Having been excluded in his first heat, Aaron went unbeaten through the rest of the qualifiers and then posted the fasted time of the night to win the final.

Top 4 was:

1.Aaron Baseby
2. John Resch
3. Scott Campos
4. Nick Laurence

Well done Aaron, a great performance 

Today, Wednesday 21st May Mark failed his fitness test on his injured ankle and therefore will not return to the Fen Tigers on Sunday against Reading.

We are looking at buying Mark a special boot to give his ankle more support.

So this weekend we concentrate on Aaron as he rides for Sittingbourne at home to Redcar on Sunday.

Best of luck for Sunday ASBO 

All at Team Baseby Racing wish Barry Burchatt all the best and get well soon.

Barry was involved in a racing incident while grasstracking last weekend and had a life saving operation during the week.

We wish Barry, Paul and all the Burchatt family all the best and hope to see Barry soon.

Get well soon mate.

On Saturday night the Crusaders went down 33-59 to the Cobras at Rye House in their first meeting of the season.

Aaron had a decent first meeting after a difficult start when he broke the tapes in Heat 2 after they were held for a very long time by the referee, which happened all night.

Against a very strong Cobras team lead by new foreign import Andrew Aldridge and Lee Strudwick the Crusaders were always up against it with Mark having pulled out in the morning due to injury and Barry Burchatt having joined Workington mid week.

However there were some decent performances by the lads who look forward to the return at the Old Gun Site next Sunday.

Rye House = 59

1. Rob Smith........................0,3,0,1,3 = 7
2. Danny Betson R/R
3. Andrew Aldridge.............3,3,2*,3,3,2* = 16+2 PAID MAXIMUM
4. Lee Strudwick.................2*,3,2*,3,3,3 = 16+2 PAID MAXIMUM
5. Terry Day.......................0,0,1,2* = 3+1
6. Richard Franklin..............2*,2*,1,0,2* = 7+3
7. Gary Cottham..................3,3,3,1 = 10
8. Nick Laurence


Sittingbourne = 33

1. Dean Felton....................0,1,2*,2*,1 = 6+2
2. Harland Cook...................2,1,0,2,3,0 = 8
3. RR
4. Jerran Hart.......................0 ,6!,2,2,0,1 = 11
5. Daniel Berwick..................1*,1,0,0 = 2+1
6. Alex Cunningham.............1,0,T,0 = 1
7. Aaron Baseby..................0,2,1*,1,0,1 = 5+1

Having had a spin around Sittingbourne this morning (Saturday 3rd May) to check his leg, Mark has reluctantly confirmed that he is still not fit enough and therefore does not take his place for the Crusaders tonight against the Rye House Cobras.

Mark is gutted that he cannot ride tonight or be available to return to the Fen Tigers but we are making sure he is fully fit before returning.

We will be there tonight supporting Aaron.

Aaron and Mark are both due to ride for the Crusaders at Rye House on Saturday night in their first CL meeting of the season.

Mark is aiming to prove his fitness on Saturday for the Crusaders and then there is the possibility he will return for the Fen Tigers against the Rye House Rockets at West Row on Sunday. If not Matt Wright will guest.

The teams are:

Rye House Cobra's - Rob Smith - Betson r/r Andrew Aldrige - Lee Strudwick - Terry Day - Garry Cottham - Richie Franklyn

Sittingbourne Crusaders - Dean Felton - Harland Cook - Barry Burchatt - Jerran Hart - Mark Baseby - Alex Cunningham - Aaron Basby

On Saturday night the Fen Tigers, minus the injured Mark, beat the Kings Lynn Stars 46-44 at West Row to knock the Stars out of the Premier League Trophy.

In one of the best meetings seen at West Row for many years the Fen Tigers took Heat 15 5-1 thanks to Robbie and Kai which started amazing scenes as the promotion, management and team who were on the centre green to watch the final heat jumped around as the home crowd went wild !!

Mildenhall = 46

1. Jan Graversen..............0,1,3,1,0
2. Henning Loof................1,1,1,3,0
3. Kaj Laukkanen..............2,3,2*,2,2*
4. R/R
5. Robbie Kessler..............3,2,3,3,2,3
6. Matt Wright...................3,0,3,0,1
7. Jari Makinen...................0,1,0,0


Kings Lynn = 44

1. Tomas Topinka.................3,2,2,3,1
2. Simon Lambert.................2*,0,0,1*
3. Kevin Doolan....................3,3,2,3,0
4. Rusty Harrison..................1,1,0,3
5. Shaun Tacey....................0,2,1,1
6. John Oliver........................2,0,0,1
7. Kozza Smith......................1*,2,2,2*

The meeting was nip and tuck all night and was a great advert for Premier League racing.

To celebrate the first victory of the season, and another win against the Stars, Nikko was seen the following day sporting the new sticker produced by Enjay Designs (see below) 

Photo with kind permission of Tim Helm.

Team Baseby Racing are very pleased to announce that 2 new sponsors have been added over the weekend.

Mad Web Designs who host and run the official Mildenhall Fen Tigers website, and Chriss Davies Photography who takes the photographys for the site have joined the Team Baseby Racing stable and we thank Tim and Chriss for their sponsorhip.

Check out their websites at:

http://www.madwebdesign.co.uk/ and http://www.chrissdaviesphotography.co.uk/

Thanks Guys

Nikko

At the British Under 21 meeting at Weymouth on Saturday night it was a good performance from Aaron but a disaster for Mark.

Aaron scored well throughout the meeting to end up with 5 points which was a very creditable performance.

Mark however crashed in each of his first 3 rides while leading or in 2nd place and then withdrew from the meeting with ankle damage that could see him out for 7-10 days.

Having qualified for the British Under 21 final last year and with this years final at Arena Essex where Mark goes very well, it was a major disappointment for him but he is now concentrating on his recovery so he can get back to riding for the Fen Tigers as soon as possible.

Scores from the Under 21 courtsey of Speedway Updates:

1 Lee Strudwick..............2,1,3,3,3 3rd
2 Oliver Gay....................0,0,1,1,0
3 Andrew Braithwaite.......0,1,2,1,1
4 Lee Smart...................3,3,3,3,3 WINNER
5 Kyle Newman..............0,3,3,3,2
6 Barry Burchatt.............3,3,0,2,3
7 Daniel Halsey.............2,3,2,2,3 2nd
8 Mark Baseby..............0,0,0
9 Niall Strudwick...........1,0,1,1,1
10 Timothy Webster.......3,0,0,2,1
11 Adam Chandler..........2,2,1,0,1
12 Aaron Baseby...........0,2,2,1,0
13 Gareth Isherwood.......3,2,1,3,2 4th
14 Matthew Bates...........2,2,3,0,0
15 Gary Irving.................0,0
16 Nick Laurence.............1,1,2,0,2

17 John Macphail..............1,0,2
18 Brendan Johnson........2,0

Mark would have missed the Fen Tigers home meeting against Rye House on the following day, but after heavy rain from 2pm Sunday the meeting was called off by the referee at 4pm.

Following on from the unaccetable performance against Berwick the previous week the Fen Tigers came back to some form before eventually going down to Birmingham by 32-42 when the meeting was stopped after an horrendous crash in Heat 13 that saw both Casper Wortmann and Phil Morris taken to hospital with serious injurys.

For Mark the meeting went from the great, he won Heat 2 then posted a solid 2nd, a last and another win, before a second place. Then came the bad. Mark was involved in the first major crash of the day when he was taken wide on the first bend along with Birmingham captain, and ex Fen Tiger Jason Lyons by Birmingham reserve Jack Hargreaves. Mark and Jason both crashed heavily and after a period of time Jason Lyons was withdrawn from the meeting on medical grounds.

Although Mark was shaken, the major damage was to his best bike, which was a wreck, and will need major work on and replacing in the coming week. Mark bravely took his place in rerun but could only manage last place, on Aarons bike.

Finishing on 10 points from 6 rides which would average at 6.66 it was Marks best meeting so far this season, and its such a shame that his best equiptment is now damaged, however Team Baseby Racing will be working flat out this week to ensure Mark has the best equiptment with him for the visit of the Rye House Rockets next Sunday.

On a final note, Mark and all at Team Baseby Racing were very sad to hear the latest on the injured from the meeting and wish Jason Lyons, Phil Morris and especially our friend Casper Wortmann speedy and full recoveries.

Details with thanks to www.speedwayupdates.co.uk

Mildenhall Fen Tigers 32

1. Kai Laukannen...3, 3, 1 = 7
2. Barrie Evans (G)...2', 0, 0, 1', 0 = 3+2
3. Jan Graversen...0, 3, 1, 4^ = 8
4. r/r (Robbie Kessler)
5. Casper Wortman...0, 1, 0 = 1
6. Mark Baseby...3, 2, 0, 3, 2, 0 = 10
7. James Cockle...0, 1, 2 = 3


Birmingham Brummies 42

1. r/r (Kyle Legault)
2. Jack Roberts...0, 2, 1 = 3
3. Jason Lyons...3, 3, 3, ns. WITHDRAWN = 9
4. Adam Roynon...1, 1, 2', 2' = 6+2
5. Phil Morris...2', 2, 2, 3. WITHDRAWN = 9+1
6. Jack Hargreaves...2, 1', 0, 3 = 6+1
7. Lee Smart...1', 3, 1', 3, 0, 1 = 9+2

Team Baseby Racing are pleased to announce that, as expected, Aaron has signed to ride Conference League for the Sittingbourne Crusaders for the 2008 season.

We wish Asbo all the best and will be keeping this site updated via a Crusaders page once the CL season starts.

 Mark and Aaron will both take their place at the British Under 21 qualifier at Weymouth on Saturday April 12th.

Best of luck Mark & Asbo 

On Easter Monday the Fen Tigers suffered a second heavy away Premier Trophy defeat, this time at Rye House.

After a very difficult start, with the Fen Tigers suffering crashes and exclusions while conceeding the first 5 heats 1-5, the Fen Tigers turned things around in the remaining heats to finish up losing by 33-59.

For the second meeting running, young Dane Jan Gravesen was the pick of the Fen Tigers. After a dodgy exclusion in his first race Jan followed this up with 2 wins and 2 seconds to finish with 12 points from 5 rides.

Fellow Dane, Casper Wortmann also had a good meeting scoring in every heat, including a 5-1 with Jan, to finish with 6+2 from 5 rides.

For Mark it was another difficult meeting on a slippery track with no grip, he started with a third in heat 2, then had 2 crashes in succesive heats as he tried hard to find the racing line. He ended the meeting with a last place.

For the first time in the Premier League Team Baseby Racing rode together as Aaron was named No 8 and in Heat 9 the Baseby boys rode together. Unfortunately Mark crashed in this heat but it did mean that Aaron scored his first Premier League points. Well done ASBO 

Meeting details by Speedway Updates.

Rye House 59

1. Chris Neath 2* 3 0 1=6+1
2. Luke Bowen 3 2* 2 1=8+1
3. Tai Woffinden 3 2* 3 3 0=11+1
4. Tommy Allen 2* 3 2* 0=7+2
5. Stefan Ekberg 3 X 3 3 3=12
6. Danny Betson 2* 2 1 3=8+1
7. Robert Mear 3 2* 1* 1=7+2

Mildenhall 33

1. Kaj Laukkanen 1 1 2 2 1*=7+1
2. Lee Smart (G) 0 1 0 3 0=4
3. Jan Gravesen X 3 3 4^ 2=12
4. Casper Wortmann 1 1 1 2* 1*=6+2
5. Robbie Kessler R/R
6. Mark Baseby 1 X X 0=1
7. James Cockle X ef 0 2=2
8. Aaron Baseby 1 0=1

Well the weather forecasters unfortunately got this one right.

When Nikko turned up at the West Row track at 0800 in his capacity as Fen Tigers Meeting Co-ordinator the track was under an inch or so of snow with no chance of the meeting taking place.

This was subsequently confirmed when the track staff arrived and there was no choice but to cancel the meeting early saving riders and fans trying to travel in very difficult conditions.

With Aarons meeting on Saturday also cancelled, an Easter weekend of speedway for Team Baseby Racing has turned into maybe one meeting for Mark for the Fen Tigers at Rye House on Easter Monday, but with this weather...who knows 

Over the Easter weekend the Fen Tigers are due (weather permitting) to ride on Easter Sunday, at home to the Kings Lynn Stars and on Easter Monday, away to the Rye House Rockets.

In what should be a Easter festival of speedway it looks at the moment that the unseasonal cold weather, including snow and sleet may see one or both the meetings cancelled which the Fen Tigers could certainly do without after last Sundays home meeting against the Rockets was cancelled due to a waterlogged track at West Row and the subsequent heavy defeat to the Stars at Kings Lynn on Wednesday night.

The Fen Tigers need track time and meetings to settle down and get ready for the Premier League campaign so hopefully the above meetings will take place.

Again due to the weather, Aarons planned meeting for Arena Essex at Rye House on Easter Saturday has been cancelled.

Hopefully the weather will improve shortly.

On a cold damp Thursday evening Mark started his 2008 campaign when he took his place at No 6 for the Fen Tigers against the Elite League Peterborough Panthers in a "Challenge Match".

With some fans on the internet expecting a 75-15 whitewash the Fen Tigers gave a very good account of themselves by only going down 34-56.

The star of the show for the Fen Tigers was new boy Jan Gravesen who took two well deserved heat wins, totalling 8+1 points on the night.

For Mark, it was an impressive, if somewhat painful start to the season.

A third in Heat 2 behind fellow reserve James Cockle was followed by a last and then this was followed by a big crash when Kenneth Bjerre moved out on the 2nd bend and Mark was left nowhere to go and he high sided into the 2nd bend fence. Memories of last seasons, season ending collarbone injury, came flooding back but after being attended to Mark was OK to continue, all be it with a very large graze down his left buttock !!!!!

In true Baseby style Mark dusted himself down, got back onto the bike, and recorded a fine second place in Heat 12 before going out again in Heat 13 but this was one race to many as a very sore Mark came in last.

All in all a very good first meeting to the season for Mark, although if Aaron continues to shout that loudly and often when Mark is racing I am not sure his voice is going to last much longer.

There is a full practice on Saturday and then the Fen Tigers meet old rivals the Rye House Rockets at West Row on Sunday at 16.30 in the first Premier Trophy clash of the season.

(Mark was kitted out in his new Kevlars and Bike Covers against Peterborough, photos to follow shortly).

See you all Saturday/Sunday.

Nikko

Peterborough Panthers = 56

1. Hans Andersen 3 2* 3 N = 8+1
2. Sam Simota 1 3 1 2* 1 = 8+1
3. Kenneth Bjerre 3 3 3 N = 9
4. Morten Risager 2* 2* - Withdrawn = 4+2
5. Daniel King 2* ef 3 3 = 8+1
6. Henrik Moller 0 1 2*0 0 ef 0 = 3+1
7. Claus Vissing 3 3 3 3 1 3 = 16

Mildenhall Fen Tigers = 34

1. Kaj Laukkanen 0 1 2 2 2* = 8+1
2. Jamie Smith (Guest) 2 0 2 2! =6
3. Jan Graversen 1 3 0 1* 3 = 8+1
4. Casper Wortmann 0 2* 1 2 = 5+1
5. Robbie Kessler 1 ef Fex N = 1
6. Mark Baseby 1* 0 Fex 2 0 = 3+1
7. James Cockle 2 X 1 0 1* = 4+1

Pictures by kind permission of Steve Dixon

Well the season is nearly here and all at Team Baseby Racing are ready and raring to go.

On Monday the Mildenhall Fen Tigers have a Press and Sponsors evening starting at 4pm at West Row.

Then on Thursday 13th the 2008 Fen Tigers have their first meeting with a "friendly" at the Elite League Peterborough Panthers.

On Saturday 15th the Fen Tigers then hold an afternoons Press and Practice from 12.30 - 16.30 before the Preimer Trophy starts the following day at home against the Rye House Rockets with tapes up at 16.30.

There is no news on the Conference League front at the moment, but as soon as there is we will let you know.

See you over the coming weeks

Nikko & Team Baseby Racing 

Team Baseby Racing have received their new Racesuits and Bike Covers for the new season, from SF Racewear.

Mark and Aaron will be wearing matching Team Baseby Racing kevlars this season, and they also have matching bike covers.

The new suits and covers have been purchased for the lads by Commercial Manager Neil "Nikko" Day, who confirmed that he felt it was important for the team to look as professional as possible.

Speaking exclusively to this site Nikko stated "When I set up Team Baseby Racing for Mark, Aaron and Paul I wanted it to be as professional as possible. This started with the setting up of the website, which we try to keep as up to date as possible. I then went out to find the lads as many new sponsors as possible, to suppliment the amazing backing they already had from Potter Turf and Steve Ware, and we were really pleased to welcome Crazy Horse Custom Cycles, Wood Green Animal Shelters and KLO Solutions to the team as well backing from my father Frank Day".

Nikko continued, "As the new sponsors came on board we needed to decide where the sponsorship money would go, and decided that all the new sponsorship money would go on bike equiptment for the new season. That meant that the lads would have been left with new equiptment but with old kevlars and bike covers and therefore I decided that, as part of the professional image I want for the team, I would go out and buy the lads the new kevlars and bike covers to make sure that they looked the part and all the sponsors would get maximum exposure. I contacted Malc at SF Racewear and am very greatful for his help and advice. I designed the new kevlars and bike covers with Malc and I am really pleased with the results and would recommend them to any speedway/grasstrack rider looking for top gear at sensible prices".

The new Team Baseby Racing kevlars and bike covers will be seen for the first time at the Fen Tigers Press Day in March, with the first photos posted on this site later that day.

For details of SF Racewear check out their website at: www.s-f-r.co.uk

At the Fan Forum on Sunday night the Fen Tigers announced that their new No 1 for the 2008 season was ex GP star, Kai Laukkanen.

The experienced Finnish rider comes in on an mid 8 average and will spearhead the team alongside new Captain Robbie Kessler.

At a very well attended Fan Forum the fans were introduced to the team, with the exception of Kai who manager Laurence Rogers telephoned as part of the proceedings, and Grant, who arrives in the UK in early March.

James also turned up, eventually, and was greeted by cheers from the crowd and the odd comment from Presenter Kevin Long, who was on splendid form throughout the evening (and thanks for plugging the Website Kevin) 

With the full team now announced the next few weeks will see all the riders completing their preperations for the season.

Press & Practice date to be confirmed.

Mark will join Robbie Kessler, Jan Graversen, Casper Wortmann and James Cockle at the Fen Tigers Fan Forum on Sunday night.

Aaron, Paul and Nikko will also be attendance as we warm up for the new season.

The Fen Tigers are nearing completion for the 2008 season with the surprise signing of New Zealand Under 21 Champion Grant Tregoning.

The 19 year old joins the Fen Tigers as a full asset and joins a very young but exciting side.

There is still no news on the final remaining place - the all important No 1.

German international Robbie Kessler has been confirmed as this fifth rider to sign for the 2008 Fen Tigers and he will take the No 5 race jacket.

A vastly experienced rider, who averages over 10 points around West Row he joins on a bargin 5.79 average.

With the constant rumours surrounding Craig Watson and will he or wont he sign the Fen Tigers are still looking for an out and out No 1.

After weeks of speculation about the next signing, the Fen Tigers have announced that 19 year old Dane, Casper Wortmann has signed for 2008, and also as an asset of the club.

This means that Jasper joins 20 year old fellow Dane Jan Graversen as new assets to the club as the Fen Tigers build for the future.

With more announcements due over the coming days, the Fen Tigers could complete their line up by the weekend but the club are, correctly, not going to announce anything until signed contracts are received.

All at Team Baseby Racing welcome Jasper to the Fen Tigers.

In a difficult week for the Fen Tigers team building plans for 2008 last seasons rider of the year Kyle Legault joined Birmingham on a seasons loan from Sheffield, asset Chris Schramm confirmed that he would rather ride Elite League than Premier League next season and in even more shocking move Shaun Tacey decided to move away from Mildenhall after agreeing terms and could end up at Kings Lynn.

Team Manager Laurence Rogers has now got a lot of work to complete the side ready for next March.

More news to follow.

Team Baseby Racing would like to make it clear that despite some comments on certain web sites neither Mark or Aaron have agreed to sign for, or told any club that they would not ride for them, in the 2008 Conference League.

With Marks home meetings with the Fen Tigers also taking place on Sundays there has been postings that this has meant he has turned his back on Sittingbourne. Although it clearly means that Mark would not be able to ride in the majority of the Crusaders home meetings he is more than happy to ride in any away meetings possible and has not discounted riding for Sittingbourne, or any other CL side.

Mark and Aaron have grown up at the Old Gun Site and have the utmost respect for Graham, the volunteers and fans at Sittngbourne. They will never turn their back on the club and look forward to discussing the 2008 season with Sittingbourne or any interested parties.

Nikko

At the Fen Tigers Xmas Bash on Sunday the Fen Tigers confirmed the first 4 riders for their 2008 campaign.

Joining Mark at reserve will be James Cockle who joins on a years loan. James spent an unhappy year in 2007 with Sheffield and prior to that 2 seasons with Glasgow. A well known face around West Row from his days with Boston, James is looking forward to riding for the Fen Tigers after nearly signing for them in 2006.

The next rider, who has already been announced, was Jan Graversen from Denmark who signed as an asset for the club.

All three of the above were at the end of season do and signed their 2008 contracts in front of the fans.

The fourth rider announced on the night, could not be there as is was on holiday but the fans were very pleased to hear that veteren Shaun Tacey would be returning for another season with the Fen Tigers. Although spoken to by a number of other clubs (without permission of the Fen Tigers promotion) Tace has made it clear that he wishes to continue riding for the Fen Tigers and help the younger riders progress through the sport. A credit to speedway it is great to see Tace back again in the yellow and black.

More rider announcements will be made by the Fen Tigers shortly.

Mark will hopefully (work commitments permitting) be at the Fen Tigers Xmas Party this Sunday to sign his contract in front of the fans for the 2008 PL season.

See you all there. 

Team Baseby Racing can confirm that Mark has agreed terms to ride at reserve for the Mildenhall Fen Tigers for 2008.

It would come as no surprise to Mildenhall fans that Mark was offered a reserve spot from Laurence and Simon and it didnt take very long for Mark to agree to the terms.

He is now making sure he is as fit as possible for the new season and Team Baseby Racing are working hard on sponsorship so that we can buy the best equiptment possible for our first full Premier League campaign.

Hopefully Mark will be at the Mildenhall Fen Tigers Xmas Bash next Sunday to sign his contract. Further news to follow during the week.

Mildenhall Press release below:

Following on from their capture of promising Young Danish rider, Jan Graversen, the Mildenhall Fen Tigers have announced the second rider who will be in their 2008 line line-up.

Mark Baseby, who made such a good impression when called in to replace Mark Thompson in July last year, has signed on the dotted line to take one of the reserve berths in the 2008 side. The teenager, who doubled up with Conference League Sittingbourne last year, missed the end of season fixtures after injuring his shoulder against Newport at West Row on September 4th.

He has been back on a bike a few weeks ago and reported no problems from the injury.

He will be looking to also obtain a Conference League place for 2008 but his Mildenhal commitments will take precedence at all times.

He has been boosted by a local sponsrship deal with top custom motorcycle company, Krazy Horse Custom Cycles in Bury St Edmunds, which also involves his younger brother Aaron, who rides for Sittinbourne.

The Fen Tigers are also close to announcing a thrid signing for the new season and this rider may well join Jan and Mark at the Xmas Party on the 2nd December.

Following on from the sponsorship from Krazy Horse Custom Cycles over the weekend, Team Baseby Racing are pleased to announce that they will be carrying the logo for Wood Green Animal Shelters on their Kevlars and Bike Covers for the 2008 season.

Wood Green Animal Shelters is a registered charity that has been rescuing and re-homing animals since 1924. The charity takes in over 6,000 animals a year and has set national standards in animal care.

Based outside Godmanchester, near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire Wood Green are one of the largest animal rehoming centres in Europe and Team Baseby Racing are pleased to carry the charities logo next season.

Speaking about the deal, Team Baseby Racing Commercial Manager Neil "Nikko" Day stated, "This is not a financial deal and no monies have changed hands, but an awareness opportunity. I have worked closely with Wood Green in the past and I was keen that, if possible, we would carry the Wood Green logo throughout next season and I am very pleased and proud that Mark and Aaron agreed to support this worthy cause".

There is a link to the Wood Green Animal Shelters website on our Sponsorship page.

More sponsorship news to follow later this week.

Team Baseby Racing are very proud and pleased to announce that they have agreed a major sponsorship deal with top custom motorcycle company, Krazy Horse Custom Cycles.

Following on from negociations between Commercial Manager Neil "Nikko" Day and Krazy Horse owner, Paul Beamish a sponsorship deal was agreed on the 17th November when Mark, Aaron and Paul Baseby joined Nikko for a visit to the Krazy Horse Custom Cycle workshop and store in Bury St. Edmunds.

After a tour of the workshop the lads were allowed to sit on some of the custom bikes and Paul and Nikko also made sure they got into the act as well.

Commenting on the deal, Nikko said "We are really pleased to welcome Krazy Horse to Team Baseby Racing and hope that it is a long and fruitful partnership for all concerned".

Krazy Horse owner Paul Beamish said "We travel all over the UK, and Europe attending Custom Bike and Car Shows and we look forward to spreading the word about Speedway at these events through our sponsorship of Mark and Aaron".

Over the coming months we will providing updates and photos about Krazy Horse Custom Cycles / Team Baseby Events including a possible major announcement regarding Krazy Horse and a TV show in 2008.

In the meantime we have added a photo page of the Krazy Horse Custom Cycles sponsorship day and we urge you to check out their awesome site at: http://www.krazyhorse.co.uk/

Further sponsorship deals will be announced shortly.

Nikko

The new Pit Shirts have arrived as modelled below by Aaron & Mark

If you are interested in buying one please go to the Merchandise page.