topsoil

Was impressed with him on Saturday night, on the pace with the likes of Barker and Doolan all night. Would be a very good replacement, probably an upgrade, if he rides the same as Saturday night past.

Small steps, at least it was a win tonight, for the majority of the meeting I didn't even think that was going to happen. Don't think we will get anything at Ipswich, but like I say small steps. Heat 13 was the best race I have seen at Shielfield this season, two really good riders, Lawson and Barker going head to head, Lawson got the better coming out of the second bend, Barker chased him for four laps, the classic cutback on the fourth bend worth the entrance fee itself. For me Hawkins was the trump card. Must say I was also impressed with Stefan Neilsen. He was on pace with Barker and Worrall and looks a good prospect. Richard Hall was rusty, to be expected, but showed glimpses. Obviously needs more track time.Could turn out to be a good signing though. And how good was it to see Liam Carr making a comeback after the meeting? Hopefully he will get a spot somewhere to re-start his career.

Nothing new about this in sport really, look at the number of times clubs pull players out of international football matches with slight injuries. Those who pay the wages will always pull the strings. How many times did Ryan Giggs develop a thigh strain before a Wales game? but it was okay for the next Manchester United match. Different situation, but same principles.

With the rain tonight and forecast tomorrow morning, certainly won't have a Dry House situation.

Not going to turn this into a Dick Barrie debate, but I will say this about him, you only need to read his piece in the programme each week to know that he has a hell of a knowledge of the sport and certainly would have a few tales to tell. He does give the mascots their moment, which they will probably take away good memories of. I do believe he tries to be entertaining, his attempts to wind-up the opposition fans are probably a genuine attempt at banter, but a lot of people find him old-fashioned and a few even offensive.

This never happens. First race rarely before ten past seven.

This is always the danger with riders involved in Grand Prix qualifying. Must admit I am disappointed not to see Barker v King, but these things happen. Hope I'm not jinxing it bur Berwick seem to have brought in better replacements than Ipswich (on paper). Covatti could be a big miss. Still, Berwick will need a big first leg lead, because they have a poor record at Foxhall. Thought from the start this was a tough draw and still do.

I have asked the same question on the Eastbourne 2015 thread and the question is appropriate to both Birmingham and King's Lynn. I ask this as a fan of a Premier League team. Having seen Birmingham (and King's Lynn) at Elite League level, how does the National League compare for fans? In terms of entertainment, quality, crowd levels. Genuinely interested as I haven't watched Elite or National League speedway on a regular basis.

Cheers for the feedback. My reason for asking about the National League was brought about after a lot of comment about the track I support becoming a gate and go track and support is suffering as a result of this. My own opinion is that the shape of the track does not lend itself to good racing, combined with the increasing speed of the bikes. One of the closest races I have seen this season was between Luke Crang and Nathan Greaves, two National league riders. I just wonder if the slower bikes might lend itself to better racing here.

I remember my first time at Armadale, the riders were introduced in the old-fashioned way, jumped on the bikes and went to do a couple of practice laps. Michal Makovsky obviously didn't realise how tight the bends were and almost did a wall of death. It was the sign of things to come.

Genuine question (from a fan of a Premier League team), now that Eastbourne have ridden a few meetings in the National League, how do you feel it compares with Elite League? Enjoyment factor, entertainment factor, quality of racing, crowd levels etc. Having never regularly followed either a National League or Elite League team I'm just curious.

That makes a difficult looking tie even harder, Probably our two most consistent riders this season to date. Thomas looks more and more confident each week and Claus looks very fast when he gets in front. Hopefully get a really good guest in place and the rest of the team firing. Even a win in the home leg would be a boost for the season so far.

A lot of things have conspired against the club in the opening few weeks. Ben's injury, the team's collective equipment problems and defeats to local teams haven't helped. The postponement last week, early on, when the weather at night turned out to be perfect. Fans chose alternative entertainment for the night. The hold up last night waiting for medical cover to arrive, on a cold night, meaning fans did not get a full night's racing. There are plausible reasons behind each of these, but unfortunately in this day and age, with customers expectations, it's just driving more and more fans away from the sport.

Richard Hall been announced as a replacement for Luke Crang. A change had to be made, Luke was just not ready for the Premier League, it was obvious to see. Hopefully he can get his confidence back up in the National League for Coventry. Makes us a bit stronger at reserve.

Not a great night for Berwick. Three home defeats from three in the League Cup. Crowd was poor tonight, especially when you take away the travelling support. Cold night I suppose but things are not looking good on that front. As for the track, I'm no expert but for me it's not the preparation that's the problem, it's the shape, just too narrow, which given the increasing speed of the bikes, means there are fewer and fewer opportunities to pass. Don't want to be the harbinger of doom, but I've just got a bad feeling about the future of the club. it has that sinking look to it. Hope I'm wrong.

I don't have a problem with people watching updates sites, I do it myself, for meetings around the country. I don't have a problem with people downloading racecards to fill in while they watch TV, if that's what they want to do, if it helps them follow the meeting, fine by me. If people are making excuses not to go, then what's on offer mustn't be good enough. The sport needs to make itself unmissable. For instance other sports face live TV, poor weather etc. but still manage to attract good crowds. That's because fans don't want to miss out. Whether it's the atmosphere, facilities, the product on offer is better, could be any or all three of those. The sport in general needs a right shake, from top to bottom, to help attract fans, sponsors, TV companies and audiences back.

Genuine question. What would be more beneficial to British speedway. Four to six test matches a year, or the same number of rounds of Elite League fixtures? Spread the Test Matches around the tracks, promote them like hell, try and get TV coverage, so the BSPA can make some money and spread the profits around the tracks. It would probably do the Britain team a lot of good as well, get the team used to riding with each other and against top quality riders at Grand Prix level intensity. Unfortunately I could never see the BSPA going for this, as British promoters, in the current financial climate, are too busy looking after their own back. In their eyes its all about survival rather than seeing the bigger picture.

Personally would love to see a return to the Test Matches, with Poland, Denmark, Sweden, USA, Australia, even Russia, Czech Republic. Half a dozen matches a season, some away, would be an ideal warm-up for the World Cup. But there is little chance of this happening with the current number of league meetings.

Good news that Liam Carr is fit to make a comeback, after the nasty injury. In an ideal world the Berwick team would be made up from seven local riders. But in the meantime just to see a local rider in the sport is encouraging. Hopefully start back in the NL, get his confidence back. Nicki Barrett has always been good around Glasgow. I'm actually quite surprised Glasgow haven't snapped him up yet. On a favourable average for what he would score there each week.

Nice performances from Thomas and Claus, both guesting tonight. Thomas 12 for Redcar in the (surprise?) win at Scunthorpe and Claus top scoring for Peterborough with 13 at Somerset. Hopefully the expected rain clears up in time to see the meeting tomorrow night. Even without Stead and Bellego, Sheffield have brought in quality replacements and it has all the makings of a cracker.

The forecast sounds like the perfect example where covers would come in handy. Sounds like another bad night for Alex at Ipswich, three retirements. But encouragingly, three heat wins for Claus at Redcar.

Big personal disappointment Stead and Bellego not riding, would have really looked forward to their clashes with Bandits top 4. Stead v Barker (when both fully fit etc.) is the type of clash that the Premier League should highlight. Bellego could be brilliant or ordinary around Berwick. Stead was awesome at Berwick last year. really like his riding style. Still a very close meeting call IMO.

Personally don't think they will. Mid table to bottom half I reckon. Reason for that is a lot of Premier League teams have got stronger this season, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Ipswich, Somerset, Workington, Sheffield (looking very strong until Simon Stead unfortunate crash) then you have Newcastle, Rye House, both look decent. Just on Simon Stead, I was sad on a purely selfish note to hear of his injury. I was looking forward to see the likes of him riding against Ben this season. If Ben gets himself fit and on good machinery, battles between him, Claus and the likes of Simon Stead and plenty others, would have been something to look forward to. Simon Stead was brilliant up here last season.

One in the eye for all the Jorgensen-bashers last night (one in particular on here, man of many names) who said all winter he wasn't good enough.

It's easy to come on here and fans to say sign this rider and that, what we never know are things like wage demands, does a rider want to ride certain nights, etc.