NEWS » espect for the Anthem + those t

Ipswich Witches captain Danny King tells Sky Sports about the life of a speedway rider during the winter months...Having jetted around Europe, racing lap after lap of a speedway track for the best part of seven months, it is no surprise to hear that Danny King takes time to relax once the season has finished before turning his attention to the next campaign.I dont do much until Christmas, I try and have a bit of family time, said King, who also represents Coventry Bees. I try and sort my contracts out which is really important and which I have done this year. I always like to get that done before Christmas so I can relax and enjoy the festive season. Obviously you are keeping fit and training and once Christmas is out of the way I start my bike assembly.We are also jumping around speaking to sponsors and it goes really quick. I know its four months off, but I can assure you it does not feel like that. We are also jumping around speaking to sponsors and it goes really quick. I know its four months off, but I can assure you it does not feel like that. Danny King In the world of speedway, rule changes and poor performances can make it quite feasible for a team to change all seven riders from season to season, meaning a lot of movement in the winter transfer market, and the 29-year-old talks us through the process of sorting out contracts.Its different for everyone really, said King. Mostly clubs will phone you, some riders do have agents, so in that case they will phone them. Normally the club knows what riders want to go there and in return the rider knows what clubs want him to go there. Its quite clear really and then it is down to negotiations. A speedway rider must secure a new contract ahead of the new season You have a bit of say on where you go, but most of the time we have to wait for the AGM [Annual General Meetings] to finish because the promoters cant start building their team without knowing the team average and that sort of stuff. But if I wanted to go to another club, that club would have to get permission from my parent club to speak to me and once we had that we can sit down and open negotiations.There is a lot more to a speedway riders winter than sorting out club contracts. Essentially riders are a business, and like any other business they need as much income as possible to be able to run, which is where sponsors come in. The role of sponsorship can never be underestimated in the sport and the Ipswich rider explains how to obtain sponsorship and the difficulties he faces. Searching for sponsorship is also a regular task for King King said: Its one of the most difficult things in any sport - getting sponsorship. Its important they know what they are getting in return. Its easy to go and get some sponsorship, get some money and never contact them again.I like to invite them down to meetings throughout the year. We put them in hospitality boxes and try to support them in that way, because without them it wouldnt happen. Sponsorship is a huge part of any sport but especially speedway.Nine times out of 10 you hear about potential sponsors through word of mouth; someone who knows someone who likes their speedway and wants to get involved. If you are targeting companies that you know are not your normal speedway companies, like your bigger firms, then it is a case of writing to them.Despite the continuing stresses and strain during the off-season, King insists he would not swap his role as a rider. But the 29-year-old retains his desire to compete He said: Its the adrenalin side of things. Its a strange concept really, its a 500cc bike with no brakes on a fenced circuit. Its that risk factor, its the whole package of speedway. As for why we do it - I dont know, the best way to describe it, and Ive heard people say it before, is its like a drug, you get addicted.Once it is in the blood it is hard to get out. Once youve had a taste of speedway you want to keep going as long as you can. I feel very blessed that Im lucky enough to do it as a job and I want to keep going as long as I can. Air Force 1 Herre Norge .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. Nike Tanjun Norge . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. http://www.airforce1norge.com/nike-juvenate-norge.html .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Air Force 1 Svart Norge . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. Air Force 1 Dame Norge .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons.RENTON, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin tweeted Thursday that the team will honor the country and flag in a demonstration of unity prior to Sundays season opener against Miami.When approached in the locker room by reporters, Baldwin declined to elaborate further saying, youll see on Sunday.Former Green Beret and one-time Seahawks long-snapper Nate Boyer later tweeted that he had spoken with the Seahawks players about their plans and wrote, what the team will do is a powerful sign of unification + respect for the Anthem + those that fight for our Freedom!In an interview with Fox Sports Radio later Thursday, Boyer expanded on his tweet .I spoke with the players, and they realize that 9/11 is a very importannt day in our nations history.dddddddddddd The Seahawks, and probably every team, will be honoring those who serve in camouflage, and also those in blue who served on such a difficult day, Boyer said. Shortly after 9/11 our country seemed more unified than I had ever experienced, and was the most unified it has been since I have been alive. Since that date, we have grown farther apart in our unity. Standing together this Sunday is key to making progress. What the team will do is a powerful sign of unification.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '