| 21.8.'07: |
Richard rode in three meetings last week for three different teams!
On Monday he rode for Coventry against the Swindon Sprockets, scoring three points (last , 2nd, 3rd). On Wednesday he was at Birmingham riding for Newcastle Gems where, after a very tentative first ride, he improved to score a third in his second ride and a second in his third ride, also producing some great passing to gain his points. Thursday was a disaster riding at Swindon for Belle Vue. After his first ride his clutch was red hot and stopped working. After some frantic work in the pits we managed to get him out for his second ride and what looked like a seized engine turned out to be a seized clutch again!! We therefore failed to make it out for his third ride. Friday saw a return to action at Coventry in a second half with a win and a second. Again having to do his work from the back again to get his win. |
| 8.8.'07: |
Richard rode at Coventry on Friday against Wolves and scored 5 + 2 bonus points from 4 rides on a bike that was kindly lent to us by Billy Janniro's mechanic Rob.
We would like to thank Rob for his generous support, which is very much appreciated.
Rich also rode for Wolves against Newport at Monmore Green scoring an impressive 6+1 from 3 rides. Sadly, we did have some bad news straight after the meeting on Friday in that Richards grandad sadly passed away. He was always very supportive to Richard in his racing and we would just like to mention his passing as a mark of respect for his support over the last few years, he will be very much missed. |
| 1.8.'07: |
Rich rode for the Wolves Predators on Monday night in an Academy League
meeting against Somerset.
After coming third in his first ride, and finishing second in his next, in his last ride he did a great cut back around the first bend to gain the lead but the bike took off and went cartwheeling down the track !! - Luckily Rich managed to get off it and has only sustained what looks like a broken finger. Another bike totally wrecked apart from back wheel and engine, but Rich is okay and should be riding again at Swindon on Thursday for Belle Vue. |
| 20.7.'07: |
Since our last update Richard has had a few second half races at Rye House and Oxford and, out of twelve heats, has only been beaten once !!
Rich also rode for the Cougars at Coventry against Newport last Monday scoring a hard earned four points, comprising of a second and two thirds. There was some hard racing against some well known Conference riders. This weekend sees a busy schedule, starting with an Academy meeting for the Cougars at Somerset on Friday, an Academy fixture at Rye House against Arena on Saturday, and on Sunday the return match for the Cougars against Newport at the Hayley Stadium. |
| 3.7.'07: |
What a nightmare of a weekend!! - Friday's practice at the Millenium Stadium consisted of two,
one and a half minute sessions. Having just had his engine back we thought everything would be
fine, but the bike was missing badly and with no time to sort it Rich missed the second session
due to the bike not starting!!
After much deliberation we decided to change to his spare engine and after warming up on Saturday all seemed fine, but when Rich went to the start line in the biggest race of his career so far, he dropped the clutch and the engine died !! - As you can imagine we were all gutted, and Rich was inconsolable. After getting home in the early hours of Sunday morning, we agreed that, if we could get the bike sorted in time, we would go to Oxford that evening for a second half. The problem was so annoying, as it turned out that the wiring at the back of the stator had split. We went to Oxford, and Rich meant business. He was desperate to ride, and recorded three heat wins out of three, which was a small consolation after a miserable GP For Rich, although it was great to see Chris Harris do the business, and, along with all other British (and especially Coventry ) fans, we would like to offer 'Bomber' our heartiest congratulations on a memorable achievement and spectacular performance. |
| 22.6.'07: |
Great news !! - Richard has been asked to ride at Cardiff next Saturday as
part of the pre-Grand Prix entertainment. This has obviously given us all a lift
after a tough couple of weeks after Richards Nan passed away.
Rich also received three bookings to ride for the Rye House academy side this week; at Arena on Wednesday, Kings Lynn on Friday, and the return fixture with Arena at Hoddesdon on Saturday. Rich will also ride for Belle Vue academy team at Newport on Sunday. We Urgently need another rolling Chassis for Cardiff and have been looking for a good while, but so far without success. If anybody knows of one for sale, preferably including a Briggo dirt deflector, then please e-mail us ASAP- THANKS! |
| 17.6.'07: |
In Rich's recent Academy League match for Coventry, at Swindon,
the news wasn't good from the start, in that Coventry only had three riders. Matters
were to get worse when Sam Martin withdrew after losing a rear chain which wrecked the
back end of his machine!! The night improved though with Rich recording three seconds
and a third to score 7+1, and the Cougars eventually only lost by four points (19-15),
giving them a good chance of the bonus point in the return fixture at Brandon on June 25th.
Rich also had a second half ride at Rye House last Saturday, producing his best racing of the season so far, recording a win and two seconds in quite quick times. The fixture against Wolves, due to take place last Friday (June 15th.) unfortunately fell victim to the weather and is to be re-scheduled. Due to a family bereavement Rich has had to cancel his Academy League fixtures for Belle Vue tomorrow, and also Wednesdays meeting for Rye House at Lakeside. |
| 16.5.'07: |
Last Wednesdays meeting at Kings Lynn, in which Rich was due to be riding for Rye House in the Academy League fixture after the main meeting, was postponed and is to be re-staged this evenigng. Rich has again been asked to ride for Rye House.
On Monday Rich rode for the Coventry Cougars against Somerset in the Academy League, having three rides and scoring four points. The last of his rides being the best with a win over Somerset number one Jay Pickard. |
| 9.5.'07: |
Richard rode in the return leg of the Academy League against the Belle Vue Colts on 20th April. After getting a second place in his first ride, Rich didn't score in his final two rides due to an ignition problem.
On Monday, against the Wolves Predators, after a shaky first ride Rich rode well in his second to get a point for third place, and in his last ride was looking comfortable in second, being shielded by team mate Adam Roynon, when he lost a rear chain, which has made a big mess of the rear end of the bike, including a brand new sprocket and chain guard only purchased last night..Grrrrr! Rich has agreed to ride for Rye house Academy at Kings Lynn Tomorrow night Weds, a track he has not done too well at before but will be looking to correct that tomorrow !! On the sponsorship front; four people involved in speedway, who wish to remain anonymous, have come forward to sponsor a square each on his £50 scheme grid. They must remain totally anonymous, they just want the first letter of their names to appear in the square, so that will be C, D, J, and K. So, whoever you are, on behalf of Richard Franklin Racing; A very big 'THANK YOU'! |
| 18.4.'07: |
On Monday Richard underwent his BSPA assessment at Stoke. A newly introduced procedure designed to
establish the capabilities and safety of riders under fifteen,with successful candidates being granted acceptance to ride in this seasons Academy League matches.
Having passed with flying colours Richard made his debut for the Coventry Cougars at Belle Vue on Monday night in place of Adam Roynon, whose broken collar bone meant a space at number two. Rich Followed team mate Daniel Halsey home for a 5-1 in heat 1, after fending off the Belle Vue Colts riders for four laps. In heat four Rich did have some luck, but again followed his partner, Daniel Halsey, home for another 5-1. In heat 5 Rich was beaten by Scunthorpe's Scott Richardson, finishing in second place for another 2 points. An unexpected debut, and a successful return of six, paid eight, from a possible total of nine, plus a Cougars 22-12 away victory rounded off a very pleasing evening for Rich and his team-mates. |
| 31.3.'07: |
With the season just starting to get underway Rich has had a couple of rides this
season away from Brandon, as well as doing press and practice at there. Rich was
invited down to Rye House, a track we had never before been to, for a second half
ride with a view to riding for their Academy team when that gets up and running.
Unfortunately Rich was still a long way off being ready as he lost most of the
winter to injury again and was well beaten in all three of his heats, although he
looked smooth enough, and hopefully the speed will soon return!!
We have also done two practice sessions at Oxford, a track Rich has always liked for some reason, and looked well, especially towards the end of last Sunday's session, finishing fractionally behind Kyle Hughes, who will ride for Oxford again this year in the Conference. On the sponsorship front, John Clarke at Buildbase has kindly agreed to buy Rich his kevlars again, and Forcefield/Tpro body armour have supplied a full set of racing armour for this season. Also a big thank you to one of the veterans at Coventry, Geoff Friswell, and his wife, Frances, who kindly presented Richard with a cheque for £250 last Friday which we assure them will be well spent.. |
| 17.1.'07: |
The plaster on Richard's right arm was removed yesterday, which means that as soon as
it has built up a bit more strength, which should be in two to three weeks, he will be
able to resume racing. This is perfect timing for him to be ready for the start of the
2007 season, when he will again be the official Coventry Buildbase Bees mascot, as well
as racing competitively in the Academy League.
At the moment Rich senior and the family are hastily trying to get his equipment sorted in readiness. Any help anyone may be able to offer would, as always, be very much appreciated ! - If you would like to help, please contact us via either, the sponsorship enquiry form (which can be found at the bottom of the sponsorship page), or the scrolling link on the left of the home page. THANK YOU. |
| 12.12.'06: | This year's Academy League Grand Final, which again took place at the Brighton Bonanza event, proved to be a far less successful occasion than last season for Rich as, resulting from a couple of collisions, he has sustained a broken right arm. He is to attend Fracture clinic today to see if surgery is required and at present is in a full cast. |
| 17.10.'06: |
On Sunday Rich rode at Newport in the U15's Best Pairs tournament. Both he and partner Ben Reade were hoping to achieve a good result, and they
got off to a perfect start, taking maximum points from their first ride with Rich winning and Ben following him home. Their next ride, however, was
not so good with Rich finishing last after some clutch problems and Ben coming home third. Two points in their third outing, where Rich claimed second but Ben was unable to get amongst the points left them some work to do to keep in contention.
But, with Rich recording another second and Ben following him home, they were still in with a shout. In their final programmed heat the previously un-defeated Brendan Johnson touched the tapes and went off a 15 metre penalty and Rich held his nerve, and his line, to take the win with Ben coming third.
Although They didn't make the final, there was a run-off for third place between Rich's team on 21 points (14 of which were scored by Rich himself), and Brendan Johnson's team, who were also on 21 points. Brendan out-gated rich but Rich and Ben were where they needed to be, in second and third, which would be enough for third place. Unfortunately, coming into bend three, Rich's bike hit a big hole and took off. He managed to get off before the bike hit the fence but was clearly injured. Taking his time to get up he had clearly took a big bang to the head and also was worried about the pains in his wrist and fingers of his left hand. After spending the best part of an hour in the ambulance Rich felt he was okay to travel home and felt a lot better yesterday, although his bike is a write off, and being the only one we have this year, it looks like our season is over!! It's been a season of up's and down's, but lately the up's have far outweighed the down's and Rich finished exactly where we wanted to be in the U15 Championship. Rich is gutted that he didn't get a trophy yesterday but speaks confidently about winning next year. We also have Brighton to look forward to in December, and I'd also like to say a big 'Thank You' to Pete Seaton for the offer of the use of one of his machines if we don't get sorted out in time for that. |
| 15.10.'06: |
Having already successfully secured fifth place at the end of the Under 15 British Championship,
Richard is in action at Hayley Stadium, Newport, this afternoon in the Under 15 Pairs Championship,
where he will be hoping to achieve another good result to end the 2006 season.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the loss of the old guest book, which became necessary during the re-construction of the site. We hope that, having established himself in the top handful of under 15 riders in the country, this site re-vamp will also help him to achieve the heights of other 'Team spensites' current Champions; Conference League Riders Champion, Adam Roynon, and Under 18 British Champion, Lewis Bridger! |