'Mad Wellie' says goodbye.

The tapes will rise for the final time at Swindon's Blunsdon track this season on Sunday 9 October, with the staging of the Mad Wellie Farewell at 6.00 p.m. The meeting is of course in honour of character supreme Malcolm Holloway, who has amazingly enjoyed over 30 years of involvement in speedway, which included time with the Somerset Rebels, both at Conference and Premier League level.

It promises to be a fun occasion, when supporters will get the opportunity to see 24-riders compete in a knock-out style individual event, culminating in a ?1,000 winner-takes-all grand final. Looking forward to the meeting with typical enthusiasm, Wellie commented: 'I want everyone to come along and enjoy themselves - I certainly will! It will be fantastic to see the likes of former Robins' Richard Hellsen, Shawn McConnell, Brian Karger and Peter Nahlin back at Blunsdon, not to mention modern day favourites such as Leigh Adams, Joe Screen and Simon Simon. I'm really excited about it all and can't wait for Sunday to come around!'

The meeting will kick-off with the Mad Wellie's final ride, when, in an all-family affair, Malcolm will race against his two sons, Ashley and Richard, with nephew, Wayne, completing a unique line-up. The main meeting will then be run over 23 heats, including the grand final, interspersed with a couple of 'Fat Boys Club' races, featuring Mike Sykes, Colin Stratford, Martin Satchell and Bill Haynes.

Admission prices for the meeting are ?14 for adults, ?5 for OAPs and just ?1 for children. A special all-colour souvenir programme will also be on sale, priced at ?2. The full field for the main meeting is: Leigh Adams, Hans N. Andersen, Simon Stead, Edward Kennett, Joe Screen, Steve Johnston, Ronnie Correy, Chris Harris, Chris Neath, Richard Hellsen, Brian Karger, Shawn McConnell, Peter Nahlin, Glenn Cunningham, Paul Fry, Neil Collins, Mikael Teurnberg, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Emil Kramer, Patrick Hougaard, Billy Legg, Matt Bates, Danny Warwick and Ashley Holloway. 2004 Sprockets' Rider of the Year Nathan Irwin had originally been included, but is now unable to appear due to commitments with his Conference League side Boston.

There will also be a get-together of many former riders, as speedway historian Glynn Shailes has been busy mailing out invites to many track aces of yesteryear, including Pete Munday, Ken Middleditch, Dick Bradley, Bernie Leigh, Martin Yeates, John Davis, Geoff Bouchard, Barry Briggs, Neil Street, Mick Handley, Alan Grahame, Rolf Gramstad, Ian Williams, Mick Hard, George White, Glyn Chandler, Mike Broadbanks, Brian Meredith, Bob Kilby, Mike Keen, Ron Swaine and Norman Hunter. Apologies, for not being able to attend, have already been received from Ivor Atkinson and Buster Brown.