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Post by admin on Nov 6, 2014 21:23:47 GMT
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Post by davet on Nov 6, 2014 22:17:50 GMT
That's what I call a long weekend!
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Post by admin on Nov 6, 2014 22:32:35 GMT
That's what I call a long weekend! Oh yes  Must have been thinking how long they need to come up with a positive suggestion  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2014 22:54:14 GMT
I heard six promoters can't attend and they are using 4 x promoter replacements and 2 x guest promoters from Poland.
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Post by admin on Nov 8, 2014 10:34:53 GMT
So who is representing us? Attachments:
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Post by admin on Nov 12, 2014 13:35:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 15:54:07 GMT
Expect to see a couple of Poole assets lining up at Leicester next year then. |
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Post by admin on Nov 14, 2014 12:00:39 GMT
Oh to be:
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Nov 14, 2014 12:46:03 GMT
Oh to be: I dare say a few things will leak out they normally do, followed by a BSPA press release from Harkess saying this was a difficult AGM but some hard decisions were made and he would like to thank the members for all pulling together for the sake of the sport and everything is now rosy and in full harmony. Changes 1. White helmet colour will be changed to pink because that will attract younger fans. 2. Only current league champions will be allowed to sign new riders on 4.00 assessed averages, everyone else will be on a minimum of 5.00 3. Len Silver appointed BSPA Chairman because he is the only person in the UK that thinks their is nothing wrong with the speedway in this country, his guide dog and nurse will share the vice chairman duties. |
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Post by admin on Nov 14, 2014 15:34:45 GMT
followed by a BSPA press release from Harkess saying this was a difficult AGM but some hard decisions were made and he would like to thank the members for all pulling together for the sake of the sport and everything is now rosy and in full harmony. I think that they spend Friday working on that so that they don't have to do it at the end after 3 days when they realise what a state the sport is in and that they've now got to sell it to the keyboard warriors of the BSF |
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Post by admin on Nov 15, 2014 8:51:38 GMT
Any truth in the rumour that at the recent BSPA meeting one track proposed 6 fast track riders with the addition of one rider of GP 9-15 place quality? This would enable them to cut costs further but still charge £17 because of a GP type presence? I did hear a promoter had proposed they increase the fast track riders to 3 next year at a recent EL promoters meeting and that he thought most supporters were stupid. Then another promoter reminded him nearly all EL clubs owed money this year and everyone had lost money because of lack of support and that perhaps it wasn't the supporters who were stupid. One assumes that he lost the vote and Fraud and the Leicester spanner prevailed? Toys out of the pram  The Vortex Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook has stood down from his position within the BSPA as vice Chairman to concentrate his efforts solely on the Club.Jon Cook commented: “It’s been fun and an honor to fill the role but after three years as Vice Chairman plus two before that on the Management Committee it’s time for someone else to do their stint. These are challenging times for the Sport as we’ve seen with the loss of two Elite teams and, therefore, this is a sensible time for me to concentrate fully my Speedway time on the Hammers.” hammers web |
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Nov 15, 2014 9:07:40 GMT
I did hear a promoter had proposed they increase the fast track riders to 3 next year at a recent EL promoters meeting and that he thought most supporters were stupid. Then another promoter reminded him nearly all EL clubs owed money this year and everyone had lost money because of lack of support and that perhaps it wasn't the supporters who were stupid. One assumes that he lost the vote and Fraud and the Leicester spanner prevailed? Toys out of the pram The Vortex Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook has stood down from his position within the BSPA as vice Chairman to concentrate his efforts solely on the Club.Jon Cook commented: “It’s been fun and an honor to fill the role but after three years as Vice Chairman plus two before that on the Management Committee it’s time for someone else to do their stint. These are challenging times for the Sport as we’ve seen with the loss of two Elite teams and, therefore, this is a sensible time for me to concentrate fully my Speedway time on the Hammers.” hammers web So basically he has jumped ship because it's now becoming challenging, thankfully he won't be missed, does anyone remember the utter pigs ear he made of the EL KOC, that's aside from the yearly mess he made of the fixtures. |
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Post by admin on Nov 15, 2014 10:13:19 GMT
One assumes that he lost the vote and Fraud and the Leicester spanner prevailed? Toys out of the pram The Vortex Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook has stood down from his position within the BSPA as vice Chairman to concentrate his efforts solely on the Club.Jon Cook commented: “It’s been fun and an honor to fill the role but after three years as Vice Chairman plus two before that on the Management Committee it’s time for someone else to do their stint. These are challenging times for the Sport as we’ve seen with the loss of two Elite teams and, therefore, this is a sensible time for me to concentrate fully my Speedway time on the Hammers.” hammers web So basically he has jumped ship because it's now becoming challenging, thankfully he won't be missed, does anyone remember the utter pigs ear he made of the EL KOC, that's aside from the yearly mess he made of the fixtures. He must have done some good though? Can't all have been bad? As you say though, not the most credible time to jump ship. |
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Nov 15, 2014 13:25:57 GMT
So basically he has jumped ship because it's now becoming challenging, thankfully he won't be missed, does anyone remember the utter pigs ear he made of the EL KOC, that's aside from the yearly mess he made of the fixtures. ? Can't all have been bad? As you say though, not the most credible time to jump ship. Really, can you think of anything. He has shafted us on fixtures more times than I can remember and we aren't the only ones, do you remember BJERRE missing both matches at Lakeside one year because of the Danish Final, coincidence yeah right. Yet another person who has made a good living out of speedway and unfairly benefitted his club in the meantime. |
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Post by admin on Nov 15, 2014 15:37:53 GMT
He must have done some good though? Can't all have been bad? As you say though, not the most credible time to jump ship. Really, can you think of anything. He has shafted us on fixtures more times than I can remember and we aren't the only ones, do you remember BJERRE missing both matches at Lakeside one year because of the Danish Final, coincidence yeah right. Yet another person who has made a good living out of speedway and unfairly benefitted his club in the meantime. I don't take that much interest tbh so no I couldn't produce a good points/bad points list. He's just one of a collective group of self interest administrators as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully he'll now have time to put a decent side out at all times from now on? Traditionally a Lakeside visit is one to try and be double booked for! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2014 20:38:41 GMT
I heard six promoters can't attend and they are using 4 x promoter replacements and 2 x guest promoters from Poland. Apparently due to a clash of dates the promoters from Poland have been told they have to attend their own meeting or face a €100,000 fine. BSPA now looking to move AGM to May 2015 |
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Post by admin on Nov 16, 2014 16:39:48 GMT
Danish champ Niels-Kristian Iversen believes British Elite League bosses should meet earlier to set out the rules for the following season as he waits on their plans for 2015.
Club owners gather this weekend for the British Speedway Promoters Association annual meeting where the team-building criteria and fixture list structure will be set for the Elite and Premier Leagues.
NKI has become one of the busiest riders in the sport, competing for Polish champions Gorzow, Swedish silver medallists Indianerna and hometown club Esbjerg in Denmark, as well as racing in the SGP series.
Teams were due to race 36 meetings in this year’s Elite League, which dropped to 32 following Birmingham’s closure, plus the play-offs.
Next year’s eight-team league is likely to see each side race 28 meetings, which should prove more manageable.
Iversen will wait to see what is decided by the BSPA this weekend before committing for 2015, and he wishes the league format could be set earlier, as it is in Poland, Sweden and Denmark.
He said: “We’ve just got to see what happens with the British league and King’s Lynn – how everything is going to be there and how many meetings there will be. It’s crucial how many meetings there are. This year I would say I had a few too many at times.
“If it’s between 30 and 40 meetings again, it might be pushing it a bit. But if it’s going to be less, I’d definitely be quite interested in doing Britain again. We’ll have to see what happens over the next couple of weeks and how they’re going to run it. That’s up in the air now.
“We know what we are doing in all the other leagues and it’s always the same in Britain – they’re always the last to put out the rules. I don’t get why it’s so difficult to have that promoters’ meeting just after the summer so that everyone knows what they’re doing.
“It would be awesome if you could sign a two-year deal in Britain instead of going from year to year and not know what’s happening. It’s always nicer when you can look a little bit more ahead.”
sgp
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Post by admin on Nov 16, 2014 17:02:20 GMT
BRITISH SPEEDWAY AGM STATEMENT (Sunday November 16, 2014)
BRITISH Speedway bosses have completed their three-day AGM in Warwickshire – where arrangements have been made for the 2015 season.
The AGM was attended by all clubs who completed the 2014 Elite and Premier League campaign, and new vice-chairman Chris Van Straaten has stressed the views of supporters have been strongly taken into account over the weekend.
Business has been completed for the two senior leagues, and the National League AGM will take place on December 9.
That meeting is set to include an application for membership from Eastbourne, who were in attendance on the first day of the conference.
Peterborough also left after the conclusion of 2014 business and have asked the Association to give them 14 days to confirm their intention to run in 2015, and that period has been granted.
Van Straaten said: “Eastbourne have received permission to put their Elite League licence on ice for one year, and at the end of 2015 they will make a further decision.
“They have been valuable members of the top leagues for a number of seasons and we’re sad to see them go, but we understand their reasoning and they will be applying for National League membership.
“Peterborough took no further part in any voting or discussions after 2014 business, in case they don’t run, which is the right thing to do, but we have left the door open for them to come back into the Premier League within 14 days if they can.
“Everybody else was very positive in wanting to run, and as usual there was a very harmonious atmosphere. Naturally, as always, there were areas of heated debate, but that’s what democracy is all about, and we have come to solutions which suit the majority.
“We are very happy with the way the AGM has progressed. We have tried to correct items which were wrong, having listened to the views of supporters, and we all feel positive about 2015 and beyond.”
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Alex Harkess (Edinburgh) remains as Chairman for the last of his six-year stint in the position.
Chris Van Straaten (Wolverhampton) takes over as Vice-Chairman, with George English (Newcastle) and Rob Godfrey (Scunthorpe) remaining on the Management Committee.
Former vice-chairman Jon Cook (Lakeside) did not stand for re-election, with Keith Chapman (King’s Lynn) joining the Management Committee. The reserve member, to cover any absence across the Association, will be David Hemsley (Leicester).
Van Straaten said: “Jon wants to take time out of Management Committee business and focus on Lakeside matters, and we thank him for his hard work and contribution over the years.
“We’re delighted that Keith Chapman, who has done so much for King’s Lynn Speedway over the last decade, has joined the MC and I’m sure his experience will be invaluable.”
OVERALL ISSUES
*The 2015 BSPA AGM will be brought forward by at least a month and will take place within the racing season. This enables clubs to hold discussions with riders regarding the following season prior to the end of the existing campaign.
Van Straaten said: “This is a huge step forward, and both leagues agreed it was the way to go. We need to be able to do our business earlier. We’re always the last nation to be able to talk to riders, but next year we will be able to do it considerably earlier.”
*Both Elite and Premier Leagues have adopted a system of three points per home win. All other league scoring remains unchanged.
English said: “Teams used to get two points for a home win of six points or less, but that meant some home supporters were leaving disappointed that they’d dropped a point.
“Everything else stays the same with a point for away teams keeping within six points, but every home win is worth three league points.”
*In the 2015 season, there will be only one Tactical Ride available (both Elite and Premier Leagues), which will be if a Team is ten or more points in arrears. Timing of availability of this facility remains unchanged.
*When a rider is unavailable to his club as he is required to race in a re-arranged fixture abroad, there will now be a facility available (in both leagues).
*The Yellow & Black helmet colour will return in 2015, rather than Yellow only. This is in response to comments from supporters regarding identification of riders under floodlights.
MAJOR EVENTS
The six Major Events from 2014 will all return.
The Premier League Pairs will, as usual, be staged at Somerset on the night preceding the British Grand Prix – Friday July 3, 2015.
Dates and venues for the other events – British Final, British Under-21 Final, ELRC, PLRC and Premier League Fours – are to be confirmed, and it is intended that the ELRC will be run at an early stage of the season, prior to the start of major International events.
ELITE LEAGUE
*Competing clubs: Belle Vue, Coventry, King’s Lynn, Lakeside, Leicester, Poole, Swindon, Wolverhampton.
*Elite League: Each team meets each other twice at home and twice away for a 28-match programme. Play-offs for the top four teams as before.
*Points limit: Raised from 32 to 34 for the top-five members of the team.
Van Straaten explained: “The basis for that is we understand that some second-strings were falsely high, and rather than tinkering with averages or working out a system of taking a percentage off, we raised the overall average to make allowances for that. This will enable clubs to track very competitive top fives.”
*Fast Track System: This has been enhanced for 2015 with an increase in quality, as additional riders will be invited to join the scheme.
Neil Vatcher has assumed control of the system, and will be sending invitations to riders, who will be split into two categories. Elite League promoters will meet later in November for the draft, and clubs will include one rider from each category.
A list of guest riders for Category 1 will also be available, as there was an issue in 2014 with obtaining suitable replacements on certain race-nights.
Van Straaten said: “2014 was an innovative year with the Fast Track and the new format, and it was important to look at things which weren’t quite right and improve upon them, rather than throwing it straight out.
“I’m pleased the BSPA have taken that stance because for the most part the response to it was tremendous, but there were one or two adjustments which were needed, and we have tried to listen to the fans.
“We would like to sincerely thank Phil Morris for his work with the Fast Track this year, we were pleased with the effect it had on the league, and we are happy to now have Neil taking over responsibility for the scheme.
“There were riders this year who perhaps could think they had unfairly missed out, and the likes of Ashley Birks, Adam Roynon and Josh Auty will now have the option to come in.
“The fact that we need less riders, with only eight teams, has improved the quality of that Fast Track pot of riders immensely.”
*Doubling-Up: This option is now restricted to two years per rider, effective from the 2015 season onwards. Two places in the top five of the team are available for a doubling-up position, as before.
*Elite League Fixtures: These will be compiled in a manner sympathetic to those riders competing in the Grand Prix series, with free weeks in the build-up to major meetings.
Van Straaten said: “We want the league to be open to anyone in World Speedway who wants to be here, and hopefully this will encourage some to have another think and conclude that Great Britain is not as exhausting as it was.
“We have the full FIM list for next season, we know all of their dates, and we are attempting to make it more hospitable for the top riders to race in the Elite League, although obviously you can’t force them to!”
*Signing Window: Although the transfer deadline remains in place, a window will open for seven days prior to the Elite League play-offs to enable clubs to replace injured riders with riders from outside the league.
Should guests be required in the Elite League play-offs, it is no longer permissible for these to be selected from riders competing for clubs who have also qualified for the play-offs.
*A revised Elite League race format will be in place for 2015 to primarily address the issue of the visiting No.4 not competing until Heat 5.
PREMIER LEAGUE
*Competing clubs: Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ipswich, Newcastle, Plymouth, Redcar, Rye House, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Somerset, Workington. TBC: Peterborough (see above).
*Points limit: Unchanged at 42.50
*Premier League: Each team meets each other once at home and once away for a 22/24-match programme. The two ‘extra’ home and away fixtures which were built in for 2014 have been removed.
The league title play-offs will still be contested by the top six teams, but no longer under the mini-league system. Every tie will be on a knockout basis, with the first and second placed clubs progressing directly to the semi-finals. Quarter-finals: 3rd v 6th and 4th v 5th. Semi-finals: 1st v 4th/5th, 2nd v 3rd/6th.
*Premier League Knockout Cup: This competition is to be sponsored by Travel Plus Tours in 2015.
Draw: Round 1 – Newcastle v Scunthorpe; Sheffield v Edinburgh; Ipswich v Berwick; Rye House v Workington; Plymouth v Peterborough. Bye – Glasgow, Redcar, Somerset.
Round 2 – Glasgow v Newcastle/Scunthorpe, Sheffield/Edinburgh v Redcar; Ipswich/Berwick v Rye House/Workington; Plymouth/Peterborough v Somerset.
*League Cup: Unchanged from 2014 with three groups of four teams (or one group of five should Peterborough return).
*In all two-legged aggregate events in the Premier League, there will be no tactical rides permitted.
English said: “We’ve run for several seasons without tactical rides in the Knockout Cup, and we’ve now extended that to all aggregate ties.
“We’re very hopeful that the league will consist of 13 clubs, and to that end Peterborough were included in the KO Cup draw.
“It’s been done in such a way that it can be altered if they don’t make it to the tapes, but we all sincerely hope they will be able to run.”
TEAM GREAT BRITAIN
Great Britain manager Alun Rossiter will remain in his position for 2015.
British Youth co-boss Phil Morris has stood down, and the BSPA would like to sincerely thank him for his efforts. Neil Vatcher will now assume overall control of British Youth and Junior events, which are flourishing with rider numbers in the 8-14 age groups having doubled to over 50 in recent years.
English said: “We have every faith in Neil to do an excellent job, the news he has brought is very encouraging, and we understand we need to be helping our young British riders.”
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2014 18:56:56 GMT
so the lunatics are still in charge of the asylum! How many more nails are needed to seal speedway's coffin?
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Nov 16, 2014 19:36:40 GMT
so the lunatics are still in charge of the asylum! How many more nails are needed to seal speedway's coffin? So basically this yeas AGM has decided 1. 3 points for a home win 2. Only one tactical rider match 3. Yellow and Black helmet colour replacing yellow 4. A facility will now be allowed for riders required to ride in a re arranged fixture abroad It truly beggars belief doesn't it, but after the last few years it doesn't come as a great surprise, they just don't have the collective brains to sort the problems. |
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Post by admin on Nov 17, 2014 9:23:42 GMT
so the lunatics are still in charge of the asylum! How many more nails are needed to seal speedway's coffin? So basically this yeas AGM has decided 1. 3 points for a home win 2. Only one tactical rider match 3. Yellow and Black helmet colour replacing yellow 4. A facility will now be allowed for riders required to ride in a re arranged fixture abroad It truly beggars belief doesn't it, but after the last few years it doesn't come as a great surprise, they just don't have the collective brains to sort the problems. The attention's in the detail though. It didn't take 3 days to come up with those gems. Those just divert everybody from delving deeper at this point. The real decisions will come out later or will be continued to be made up as required as the season progresses, as the BSPA wings it through another AGM with its annual positive statement! It got a bit heated on Saturday evening allegedly but there was a good cabaret: some bloke called Nero playing a fiddle? |
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Post by admin on Nov 17, 2014 23:20:52 GMT
IPSWICH co-promoter Chris Louis has described the weekend BSPA AGM as “the most positive meeting that I have been involved in.”
The Witches boss admits he was in cautious mood heading into the conference but is now excited about the year ahead as he starts work on the 2015 line-up at Foxhall.
Louis said: “The unfortunate side is Eastbourne moving into the lower tier, but at least they remain in the sport and it will be a massive boost to the National League to have a club with such a strong history of nurturing young British riders. Peterborough are also working extremely hard to remain in the sport and have been handed a short extension to declare their intent to run in 2015.
“With the Elite League strengthening one of the Fast Track Reserve positions, a committee working on youth development and a stronger National League, it means that the Premier League should be able to implement a hugely successful Fast Track system of their own in the near future, to bridge the gap between National and Elite Speedway. Add to that a restriction of two years for riders to have the opportunity to double-up between leagues and we are making steady, but very positive moves in the right direction.
“A few minor rule changes are mainly the result of listening to the most important people involved in our sport, the fans, and I believe they are all very positive. I believe fans of all three leagues up and down the country can look forward to an exciting season of racing ahead, safe in the knowledge that the sport is once again moving forwards.
“I am looking forward to concluding our team plans for 2015, it truly is exciting times for the sport in this country.”
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Post by admin on Nov 17, 2014 23:29:50 GMT
ROSCO POSITIVE FOR 2015 (but not quite as positive as Louis!)
SWINDON co-promoter Alun Rossiter is pleased with decisions taken at the sport’s AGM over the weekend.
Rossiter, who will also remain in charge of Great Britain next season, is now set to work on his club’s team-building for the 2015 Elite League campaign.
He said: “I’m very happy with the AGM, there were many positive things to come out of it and it’s now a case of planning ahead for next season. You can’t re-invent the wheel and none of us were expecting to do that, but I think we’ve made some sensible changes which should improve the product.
“And looking further ahead, I think it’s a massive step forward to be holding next year’s AGM in October.
“That is going to make things so much easier with talking to riders, we’ll know exactly what we’re doing and we’ll have a fixture list in place so much earlier so we can properly plan ahead.”
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Post by admin on Nov 18, 2014 15:31:32 GMT
Can't see why we're given 14 days but Berwick are running? They don't seem in much better shape?
BERWICK promoter John Anderson has stressed the club still needs to make arrangements for sponsorship before team building can take place ahead of the new season.
The Bandits plan to start the 2015 campaign with the resurrected Tyne/Tweed Trophy against Newcastle in the final week of March.
Anderson said: “All I can say at present is that to date we have no-one signed up! We are still actively looking at various avenues of sponsorship and to get a team on track for 2015 will need financial support – and we are out, trying to find it or look for folks to come forward!
“With permissions from clubs who own their contacts, we are talking to several guys and one rider, a proven Premier League top heat leader has already notified us that this is the club he wishes to join in 2015, so that is something else we are chasing up as well, but there is a lot to sort out before we can make any sort of progress. Sponsorship investment will allow us to firm up terms with riders, that’s for sure!”
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Post by admin on Nov 18, 2014 15:37:02 GMT
The Scorpions were recognised at last weekend’s BSPA AGM for the standard of their circuit, with the award decided by marks given throughout the season by Speedway Control Bureau referees.
Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “We had a good winter, and it enabled us to get the track exactly how we wanted it. We had a motorway blade going around for several days. We also put down some new material – and it just made it amazing. There was so much grip from inside to outside, and it meant there were so many different racing lines.
“A lot of effort goes in each and every week to preparing the track. To have a good circuit is a big selling point to visiting supporters, as they know they are almost guaranteed top entertainment, so I am relieved more than anything to get the award.
“I put myself under pressure to get a good race track, and the award is a reflection on the track staff and all the hard work they put in. It is something for them, to be the best track in the country.”
The Elite League award went to King’s Lynn, with preparation of the Norfolk Arena circuit under the control of promoter Keith Chapman.
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