topsoil

Part of the BT (or whoever has the rights at the time) deal, like the British Final was this year. would like all the Major Events televised and sponsored. Make them a bit more prestigious.

In an ideal world I would like to see two or three Test Matches a year, along with under 21 internationals to give the youngsters experience. But the chances of this happening are between slim and none. It would be great if these matches could be televised, sponsored and entrance fees subsidised so that a big deal is made of them.

If the averages fit I would have Robson in an instant. But aren't there restriction to building above 42 points to replace a rider during the season, if the rider you are bringing in has a higher average than the one he is replacing? Mind you, I was also told that Robson turned down an opportunity to guest on Saturday, despite having no meeting. He has always gone well at Berwick in the past and I've always fancied seeing him in Berwick colours full time. Then there is the obvious problem that Robson also rides for Rye House on a Saturday night

Argh, so close, even if the heat 15 result was inevitable, just to it away after the great comeback. Actually a good meeting, some good racing, maybe not as good as some meetings this season, but passing in maybe half a dozen races. There was also a few well strung out. Disastrous start from Berwick, Douglas finishing last in heat 1, a 5-1 against Howe / Gappmaier in 3, the 5-0 in heat 4, things were looking bleak. Then the comeback. You could almost put all the Berwick riders into the same category tonight, couple of really good rides, couple of poor ones. Just think a win would have lifted the club so much. The neutral would have loved this.

That's why I asked who the reserves were before saying thought Newcastle were favourites.

Huge task for Berwick tomorrow night, just hoping the riders can all raise their game with their backs against the walls. King and Schlein both go well at Berwick and Heeps was very good last time out. It will take a big upset to pull something off, but if they do it will be an amazing feeling.

Happy with 39 tonight, better than a lot of Armadale visits in the past. Yes, Edinburgh were without Masters and Wells, maybe that accounted for a bit? But overall can't complain with that tonight.

Barker, yes please, after his last two visits.

That's good, didn't want the pairs line up to be affected by the Grand Prix. Quite fancy Newcastle to win this.

58-32. Mind you given our recent history of injuries and the number of riders who had to withdraw from meetings at Armadale lately, I'll be happy to have all 7 riders end the meeting in tact.

Anybody know when the Grand Prix reserve get announced? This might affect the line up. I'm looking forward to this meeting as much as the Grand Prix the next day. Great track and usually great racing in front of a big crowd. Last year the semi between Glasgow and Edinburgh was awesome. From a personal view I'm just glad my team are there this year, we normally miss out.

Find it strange that you want to start a discussion thread about a match you are not interested in. If you were that interested you'd be there.

That's certainly my outlook. I'm there to see four riders, any four riders, hopefully with close racing. I don't get hung up on guests, rider replacement, doubling up, tactical rides, because it's still four riders dong four laps. I also go for the social side, a laugh with the group I'm with. As a result of this, I enjoy the meetings I go to.

Not much fun being a Berwick fan this season. The team most matches these days is unrecognisable due to injuries. Granted, Brough Park is never one of our happier hunting grounds, but I thought that with the absence of Lambert and Worrall (S) we would get more than usual. Had it not been for Richard Lawson that would have been very embarrassing. Whether or not Lewis Bridger is returning or not is questionable. If he isn't, then there is no question, that something has to be done, or else this season is going to rapidly down the drain and fans will disappear even more. There are still nine home meetings left, so there is still time to get something out of this season, even if it is just a run of wins at home.

And to think there are those who say Tai does nothing for British speedway

After the injuries he's suffered and the enthusiasm he still has for the sport, I wouldn't deny him anything.

No rain offs at Berwick yet this season, all due to covers. There would have been 4 or 5 meetings called off without these. Not to sure if any other clubs have avoided a cancellation yet this year.

Well, a difficult task just got a whole lot harder, without Lewis Bridger and now Nick Morris. Hopefully a good guest can be found at short notice. Looking back to the last Redcar visit there are a few talking points. Jason Garrity got a 4 ride maximum, obviously he is missing this time, although MPT goes well at Berwick. Ellis Perks was a match winner at reserve, but now he is up into the main body of the team. Ben Barker is in great form right now. And if he puts in a similar performance to Kevin's testimonial last week we will be in for a treat. Jye Etheridge missed the last meeting through injury and David Howe withdrew from the meeting with injury. Berwick will look for both of those to score well as they are both in decent form. Danny Gappmaier also suffered from back pain that night and scored only 1. Good weather forecast for tomorrow, hopefully a good travelling support, more of the cracking racing we've seen in the past few weeks and please no incidents like the David Howe / Danny Ayres crash the last meeting. Got some good racers spread through the two teams, looking forward to it.

39 points at Peterborough is a very decent effort considering the injury to Morris and already with Bridger injured. Joe Jacobs did okay with 5, but have to say David Howe and Jye Etheridge have turned out to be good signings. Captain Kev played his part as well. Luck has to change soon for Bandits.

Breaks in the races are necessary really, to prepare the track, but what needs to happen is the fans needs to be kept entertained in these periods. During the past year or so I have been lucky enough to go to a number of different sports, ice hockey, basketball, T20 cricket, rugby league, all of these sports have breaks in play, but in these breaks the fans are kept entertained by various things. It doesn't take a lot of effort or money. Interviews, quizzes, sponsored giveaways (tickets, T shirts), to even daft little things (this was at the rugby league) like two fans fighting with pillows in a ring, to fans racing on space hoppers. Ten minutes should be easy to fill, have the weekly raffles during one of them. I don't see the need for an interval after heat 10 if there is a track grading break after heats 4, 8 and 12 say.

Both Matty Wethers and Joe Jacobs rode at Kevin Doolan's testimonial last night and would both do a job for somebody I reckon

I don't think there is anything wrong with the basic product. People get hung up on guests, doubling up and how this can be explained to newcomers. Well don't. Let them concentrate on the basic product of four fast, dangerous bikes. But fans need to be entertained for the 90 minutes / two hours the meeting lasts. How do you keep fans entertained during the breaks between racing? There are various ways, music, interviews, competitions, whatever you choose. But never let the public get bored. That is a cardinal sin. Basic facilities are also important. Remember you are competing against football, rugby and other sports clubs with beautiful all-seater stadiums. Knowing the clubs will do everything in their powers to ensure the meetings go ahead is also important. How many fans have given up travelling because they have been bitten before travelling to an away meeting, only to find it postponed. The most basic of principles, give the fans value for money and a night / day out they will enjoy. The sport also needs to build a lot of bridges with the national press. I still find it hard to believe in this day and age how a highlights package can't be put together for TV. Or a podcast available for fans to download and listen to. Anything that gets the sport more exposure. Promoters also needs to promote the sport more, both locally and the BSPA on a national basis.

I don't think there will be any instant improvements, it could be a long haul, but I honestly do think there are green chutes, because there are some good young riders being introduced to league speedway, who came through the youth championships. Long may this continue. I also think the Championship is a good product this season. Almost every team has a couple of cracking riders. The riders championship, pairs and fours have the potential to be great meetings this year. Personally I don't mind doubling up / down, as long as it doesn't affect too many meetings with absentees. I have nothing against Nick Morris riding for both Berwick and Swindon, I can put up with him missing a couple of meetings a season. In an ideal world you would have every rider having only one team, but until more riders are brought into the sport that might be more difficult. I am also very impressed with the use of covers at Berwick. Hopefully other tracks will follow suit. Yes there is still a lot wrong with the sport and there is a long way to go, but there has definitely been positives coming out of the season so far.

Berwick offered free admission to helpers on Friday night. It normally take around a team of 12 to lay covers. It's £15 admission for adults. Therefore effectively it should cost £180 (lost takings). Compare that with the cost of a rain off. Any promotion not considering this would be daft.

No Bridger, no worries. I will be the first to admit I thought a defeat was on the cards when I heard Lewis was missing, but what a performance to get the win tonight. Jye Etheidge must be in the form of his life. Great win for Luke Ruddick as well. Everybody chipping in with points is the pleasing part. Must be a huge sigh of relief for the promotion. Looks like the club have turned a corner. Covers got the meeting on (again), nice night, good crowd, good win.