george.m

Not the most entertaining night's racing I've seen at the West Lothian Wok, but still good to have the speedway season under way. Left tonight with a feeling of optimism for future Tiger visits with some good performances from our lads. Victor was the surprise package with two wins and has found a way of getting round the Dale. Dimitri grew in confidence and another who's found the way of getting round, albeit he needs to do so much quicker in future. Aaron looked good as you'd expect. Kozza obviously performs better on wider open spaces. As for our guests, Kenneth gave a reasonable showing; Agent Stevie didn't look anything like the rider of last year; and Ellis tried his best. With our full septet tonight, a shock win could well have been on the cards. For the Minions, Masters took over where he left off on Sunday and if he continues in this form will have an excellent season. Sedgmen impressed. Two Kevs ... well. I've not seen enough of Riss to comment and it's too early to judge. The reserves look promising and with more experience will be strong at home - especially Rob who impressed all evening. And finally, One Man and His Dog. He'll be virtually unbeatable at home this year, even when Aaron passed him in Heat 10 he had enough in the tank to reel him in and pass with ease. His only dropped points coming in Heat 15 (first bike - problems) when he struggled with a patch of the track - twice. Perhaps he should watch next time where his dog cocks its leg and avoid the damp patches! It's good to have speedway back again.

After the new palacial surroundings last week it's down to earth with a bump tonight at the Armadale Begging Bowl. Must remember to wipe my feet on the way out.

I'm sure Mr Porkie Pie teller will know for sure as he polices t'internet these days. Think it's something to do with fishul meeting versus challenge one

Minions Official Website plays up to the support, keeping the bitter and twisted tone of the last week going ..... The Tigers are missing number one Richard Lawson who was racing for Lakeside in their lunchtime home fixture. He, impressively, scored a paid maximum in that match. Just a shame that he couldn't have jumped on a plane to be with us tonight Erm. Something he might just be needing .... bikes! Seriously? Well I never...

Just seen Cook's selfie on FaceCook. Does he never learn? Join the Defence? .... more like Join the Dots!

Still 1 out of 10. Really must try harder. Can't even troll properly. What a tube!

Just checked the forecast for micro climate city and rain due to stop at 2pm and none after that.

With Paulco off on Swally Tours this weekend and currently working to pay for it, I'm left holding the baby - thankfully this weekend we become "pram friendly" at Glasgow! After last week’s Grand Launch of the all new Tarmacfield (all the Ash is gone now) it’s down to the serious stuff of a League Cup meeting against the Berwick Bad-nits. And yes we’ll have our new undersoil heating for drying out the track (OK I’ll admit it, I believed it for a split second …. OK an hour) For those who missed it, a speedway meeting took place last Sunday. Don’t go by t’internet social media reaction! What wasn’t missed by the Tiger’s Loyal was a Tiger’s win against – “them”. Our new team did us proud, both on the track and afterwards off it - saying the right things on FaceCook. How embarrassing was that last Monday night? Someone must now be wishing he’d counted to ten before bashing the keyboard. He really should’ve known better! Allegedly a well-known journalist was last seen wearing a mask on Tuesday. So back to the speedway …. Our boys are busy before Sunday. Good Friday some are using the E-Lites League for practice, others are at dog-friendly Armadug getting junior track practice and on Saturday the Bad-nits host us at the Bring-Your-Thermals Shielfield stadium. So by Easter Sunday our boys should have blown away the close season cobwebs and we’ll get to see them getting "dialled into" their new home track - speedway talk there – Nigel Piercedlip eat your heart out. Assuming the 4 brave souls who, out of a sense of duty, take to the trick track on Friday avoid going home in an ambulance (where have I read that recently?), the Tigs will line up as: 1. Richard Lawson – money on him breaking his own new track record 2. Dimitri Berge – yessssssssssssss he’s back! 3. Aaron Summers (no longer Ann) 4. Kozza (according to STV he has no surname) 5. Nick, nick Morris (ask your mum or dad) 6. Victor Palovaaaaaaraaaaa (sticking keyboard) 7. James Sargeant For the Banditos 1. Matej Cous Cous (no idea if he is, just wanted to type Cous Cous)) 2. Matic Voldrih 3. Kevin Doolan 4. Tam Jorgensen 5. Claus Vissing 6. Alex Edberg 7. Luke Crang And there you have it, we have 15 heats of 4 men riding around in circles for 4 laps to look forward to … The Winalot Tigers vs. The Berwick Underdogs. After last week, Glasgow Speedway is now “family” friendly – not what you’re thinking - no Minions this week – rather we now have a pram track, with no truth in the rumour the Second half will feature pram racing! However, please remember Rover can’t cock his leg in our new shiny den – so he can always "watch your car mister" on a nearby street! Come early … and spend your readies on Tiger’s Tat, bevvy and burgers – it all goes to a good cause!

Very naughty feeding lines like that ....

Couldn't care less what the result is as long as the boys get some good track time and get themselves match sharp for when the real stuff starts.

Ben Barker out of this Sunday's meeting with the Bandits, due to injury. Great pity I was looking forward to seeing his riding style round our track.

I thought he'd turned the corner after Heatergate.

Hands up, fair cop!

You don't post many funny things, but when you do ....

Now I didn't say someone was a "plank" ... are you?

Hope he's gone to the pub without his phone for his own sake.

Are you reading the same posts as me?

Edinburgh Monarchs Facebook page is kicking off tonight ......

We could always get Border Roofing to do the rest of the stadium. Then they could pass on some of our dosh to the Minions.

So nice to see one of the Monarchs faithless "applauding" the Facenna Bothers on the Glasgow Tigers Fans Facebook group. Only thing he could find wrong was the bar area - no seats for the elderly and no Lech beer. Refreshing to see a more grounded opinion from a Monarch. Well done that man ...... what chance of the same on BSF?

Exactly. The two Scottish teams need each other for the greater good, despite some on here doing their best to undermine it.

From Glasgow vs Edinburgh, 29th March 2015 https://www.flickr.com/photos/glasgowtigersspeedway/

Of course they do. What else wold you say? Unlike you, cameras don't lie. Just for you, as pictures don't tell the full story, I've added a movie.

Thought I'd post a few pics from today on Flickr. More to be added later. BSF members just click on the link. Can judge for themselves just how "waterlogged" the track was .... https://www.flickr.com/photos/glasgowtigersspeedway/

Well, what a day its been for the sport of speedway in general. To have new owners come into the sport and invest a considerable amount of money is manna from heaven. For us all, no matter the team. Good news for speedway and especially good news for the sport north of the border. I wish the new owners every success for the future, and maybe, just maybe, it may encourage a few others to do the same in other parts of the UK. The changes are full on from a distance, before even entering the stadium. Entering via a new ticket office, then straight into the club shop, fast food and hall of fame is a great idea ... and no doubt will increase revenues. Some of the changes inside were obvious, others had to be checked out as the large crowd in the main stand and 4th bend covered terrace blocked out the view from afar. A new covered area for handicapped spectators is a great idea and one to be commended, it reminded me not all are as fortune as me. Clean toilets (with PA system) and plenty of them, new stand seating, sponsor seated area, new stand walls and windows, ample catering, much improved food and realistically priced, proper female toilets, improved walking and standing surfaces ... the list goes on and on. For the first time, in a long time, I've come back from a speedway meeting not feeling my pockets have been dipped into. And I believe the good news is the stadium improvements are still work in progress. Only at Phase One of a two year plan. Great credit goes to all involved in making this happen ... and the many people (paid and volunteers) who've worked tirelessly to make this happen for the rest of us. This is now a sport in Glasgow that says ... "bring your family" and caters for them. Mine will be back ... by their own volition. Not because dad has dragged them. The racing today was of secondary importance. We all knew it had rained much of this weekend before the meeting, we all knew beforehand it was due to rain. So anyone who has any complaints about the racing should take a good look in the mirror .... it was never going to be anything else than what it was. Credit also goes to the riders of both teams who put in a big effort to put on a show. All 14 were brave and tried ... more than can be expected under the conditions. This wasn't about team sport, rather 14 guys participating in a dangerous sport, putting on a show for the paying public and showing respect to each other. The winning team today was the sport of speedway and that includes the small minded minority who can only see negativity in it. Yes, we'll have the usual attention seeking BSF posters picking gnat sh!t out of a haystack looking for faults today ... frankly, the chips on their shoulders are overshadowed by what is a breath of fresh air for the sport of speedway. If they want to have a game of "let's see who can pee the highest" then I'll take part in that ... in our new toilets, with piped music, hot water, drying facilities and the smell of fresh grout and not stale urine. Congrats to the new owners for putting their money where their mouths are, researching other tracks and putting it into place. I can rest better tonight knowing Glasgow speedway is in safe hands and will be there in the future because we have backers with the cajolies to do it. I hope, for the good of the sport, more similar people do likewise in other tracks across the country!