The bspa archives do go way back just had a quick look. The rebels finished 16th out of 17 teams in 2002,17th of 18 teams in 2003,13th out of 15 teams in 2004. Good years not to include if your a somerset fan,mind you i think this season could be their best ever.
Surely riders are the best judges of tracks more so than spectators and quite a few over the years have had not so favourable comments about berwicks track aswell as other tracks
Slight correction to your comment the fire engine had been repaired but developed a new fault the night before the meeting which was the brakes were jamming on and it could not be risked on the track during the meeting and being unable to move it. I was told this by one of the promoters.
Ben barker on good bikes like when he was with the revolution team is still a top rider in the pl,obviously has other issues going on atm but he will get back to his best soon just hope its not this coming friday!