Tsunami

Comedy Gold.

Probably I would as well, but there is then the risk of another injury and we are well and truly stuffed then. By bringing in ONE new rider we are least better placed if we do have injuries to still contest the RaceOffs. We will hear very soon.

With 9 other meetings taking place this day, who would you have recommended.

Funny then that TheScotsman liked your post, when in fact he had argued BWD was the best RESERVE in the PL in #12.

To be fair DTD, Barry did say that the coach drivers hours were running out, and they needed to leave then in order to get them home. Sods law again. Same thing happened a couple of years ago when a lot of buses had to leave the 4's at Peterborough, when there was still over an hours racing to go.

'My' note went in last night Rob at our collection. Mind you I had to borrow it from HT, but i'll pay him back on Sunday coming. Not be down today, but I hope it is a safe and Diamonds winning meeting for a change.

It is within the rules to exclude offending mechanics/hangers on, etc, from the pits, and also fine the rider for not controlling his pit crew.

Good idea about the Ben Fund though.

Yes, let's wait for an announcement.

Yes. As well as the Tall Ships visit to Blyth, there was a cycle race and also a Triathlon in progress, Just sods law that on the night that we have two long untimely delays due to fairly serious injuries, we were down on both ambulances and Doctors. The norm is two Ambulances, and it has been known to be three for a period due to fully kitted Land Rover type of crew carrier, as well as upto 4 Doctors available and sometimes all there during a meeting. We were told that Newcastle has more Doctors that the rest of the speedway clubs put together, due to the usual alternative of a paramedic. Tonight was just regrettably sods law. As to the actual meeting. Thought we were in for an easy win tonight with Hopwood in for Eric Riss, and RR for the injured Ryan Fisher. We hadn't worked on Bewley continuing to be his usual brilliant self at the moment, and other riders showing a bit of extra form. It led to some worrying moments of the possibility of a home defeat(heaven forbid) but we had managed to sneak a 6 point lead when due to the ambulance availability and possibly a curfew, it was agreed that the result would stand, and that the Ambulance would not be required to return too late to make another restart. We were happy with that, Edinburgh were happy with that, with the only regret was the two big smashes causing massive delays, whilst the riders received the attention they deserve. A sad night for both teams to lose very influential riders who will/could be sorely missed come playoffs time. Thoughts should be for the riders and their ability to concentrate on getting better as soon as possible. EDIT Forgot to mention that in addition to having the 'company' of HalifaxTiger, met KIRKYLANE on his travels. Was nice to meet you and hope you enjoyed your visit to the Somerset of the North. Without the crashes, this was still a brilliant meeting to watch.

Oh the irony. Someone having a bad hair day.

Phew. Although the training session was called off earlier this week for other reasons, it definitely turned out to be right, as with the rain and the track condition this morning, there was no chance of it being on. A lucky escape which could have been wasteful to so many people. Everyone had a lie in. Of course, with the valiant efforts of Jonny and his team this morning, it does mean that tonights meeting against Edinburgh DOES go ahead as programmed. See you all there.

Dave Pavitt tried to opt out of the League Cup starters and other cups which are held at the beginning and end of the season. The reason was there was virtually no tourists on the Island, and all the money made was from meetings in a short period mid season in school holiday time. The other meetings were loss leaders.

Pretty good I think now RD. Jonny been working on the track all morning, and the rain Jonny thought would stop at 2.00pm has stopped at NOON. No rain forecast and it's a lot brighter. If there had been a serious doubt I think it would have been called off early to save Edinburgh travelling. See you later.

Stuffed.

Yes.

Let's hope so.

And I stand by it.

But then I would not have met my favourite Team Manager.

Whilst some do, i don't think as many do look at the BSF now. I knew a lot of their signons, but most don't use them now, and i would say possibly only about 4 actually contribute anything now. Whether the others look in you don't know but, from personal experience and attitudes, i would say not too many. Too many have been bitten by coming on here and posting, and getting savaged for it by the usuals. Tends to piss people off if all or most are negative back. Interesting that George English never looks at the BSF, but you may not know, a current BSF thread is dissected and printed on one full page(A4) every week, and produced by Lawrence Heppell who works in the box at both Newcastle and Berwick. If you can get your hands on a Diamonds matchday magazine it is usually worth a read.

Mainly because the Football club owner has got the money to make more money, whilst speedway promoters don't but still try to keep the sport alive at their cost. But you knew that.

Your assuming that the meetings were called off after all the riders were at the track. Lately that hasn't happened with existing rain and more rain expected. SNAP SS. I don't think they do out of competition testing. Testing would normally be when riders turn up at the track with the intention to race. With continental riders, and foreign bookings, how would you know for certain where they were ?

I am sure there used to be an elderly lady sitting in a camping seat making you sign in, when I used to be visiting with the Diamonds.

It could well have been the July meeting, as I would imagine the people we were with would have taken us in the school hols. Many thanks for your and cyclone's comments. In my wasted years between 6 and 19, I used to cycle down to Belmont in Durham on the Sundays to watch Jack and Ronnie Tait(Swales), Lampkin, Leadbitter, doing scrambling.

Could have been advised to the BSPA office on Wednesday.