Negotiations are still ongoing as organisers try to sort a revised date and venue for the North v South team challenge meeting that had to be abandoned due to weather conditions on the Fat Cats Track near Doncaster last month.

Nearer home, Greg Fisher from Dalton who has won the prestigious Bridgestone British Masters Championship for the last two years, and has supported the series for 17 years, is moving up to the even more prestigious Acerbis National Motocross Championships next season.

He’s planning to race in the MX 2 class with his trusty Kawasaki.

The championships will have a strong Furness connection next year; former champion Paul Coward from Kirkby, who finished fifth in the over-40 Vets class this year despite an irritating back injury, has already registered for 2020, no doubt hoping for an even better result.

Barrow’s Dee Jay Walker intends contesting it again, along with a few rounds of the Bridgestone Masters series too.

The Acerbis is readily accepted as one of the best run series in the calendar, taking in most of the major motocross venues in the UK.

Most classes are already full, which is tantamount to all the hard work that Darren Hudson from Askam and his team put in organising it.

The second round will be held on the Route 44 track at Haverigg in April, which is now accepted as one of the best of its kind in the country.

It’ll give local fans chance to see some of the country’s top riders in action against our local lads.

Walker intends doing a few of the Bridgestone Masters rounds too on his 250 Yamaha, along with the Askam schoolboy duo of Jamie Keith and fast-improving Finley Pickering,

Provisional dates are set for:

Fat Cats, Doncaster, March 28 & 29,

Haverigg, April 18 & 19,

Hawkstone Park, Shropshire, May 8 & 9,

Wroxton, Banbury, June 6 & 7,

Landrake, Cornwall July 25 & 26,

Farleigh Castle, Bath Aug15 & 16,

Culham, Abingdon, Sept 5 & 6.

Pop them in your diary for next year.

* The Furness branch of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle club hold their next monthly meeting this coming Thursday night at the Newton Arms in Dalton, starting at 8pm.

If you have an interest or own a Japanese machine that is over 15 years old, pop along as you'll be made most welcome.

During the year, the club hold regular runs out and quiz nights etc.

* Due to the present long standing chairman and secretary Paul Taylor reluctantly having to stand down due to complications following an operation last year, the following members were voted into new positions at the club's recent AGM.

Gary Chelton takes over the role of club chairman whilst Jan Smith takes on the job of club secretary. Paul, being a founder member of the club, will of course still be in the wings to help and advise if needed.

* I’ve been receiving inquiries as to the date and venue of this year’s Furness & South Cumbria Motorcycle Sports Awards night.

I’m afraid, after over 20 years of organising them. it won`t be taking place this year.

Ageing years and minor health issues have reluctantly prompted my decision and I`m afraid no one has come forward and offered to take over.

My thanks go to everyone who supported the past evenings and my thanks to the staff at the Soccer Bar for such an excellent venue.

I’m rounding up all the various awards and trophies etc and intend on returning them to the original donators.

* There's some good news for local motocross competitors, as Paul Coward is to reopen his practice track at Kirkby in Furness.

The relevant authorities have inspected it and found that Paul has complied with all the safety and medical requirements and granted him a course certificate.

He plans to open the venue from 5pm until dusk on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer.

Sessions will be divided between schoolboys and adults. Contact Paul on 01229 889203 for full details.

* Due to some editorial changes within The Mail, this will be the last page published on a Friday.

Starting next week, it will be appearing in the Thursday editions.

Please inform your colleagues and other regular readers. Thank you.