Tsunami

Well our expected victory overall didn't materialise, but we won our leg at home, the same as Worky did at their place last night. In saying that, I think it would only be fair if we had stopped our meeting as well at 10 heats, and we would have won the Ian Thomas Throphy by 2 points. Seriously though, Worky made us work hard and never gave up, and produced a very competitive meeting. Remember, this was not a normal pay night for them, but the riders riding for minimum expenses to make their contribution to both Worky's and Newcastle's air fence funds. Nice to such such a good crowd, like last night, which was heaving inflated by the travelling Comet fans. Nice to see them back on the road like they used to do. Worky must be doing something right I think. With the cold in the track, the track was a bit tricky, but the top riders showed how it could and should be ridden, and the overtakes coming out of the forth bend were breathtaking. So congrats to those who didn't treat the occasion as a nothing friendly, but rode it like a team league meeting. Worky fans no doubt are very happy with their septet this year, and I think our septet are equally as good and I think both teams will be there to there abouts come the playoffs. I forecast a successful year ahead for both teams, injuries permitting. The riders in the second half were a young Czech rider who rode at Berwick last night, and who also can claim to be the first rider to damage a panel of our air fence, and a young MotoX rider called Jack Hall on an ex Christian bike. He also rode on Practice day last week. Thanks once again to all those people who responded to the request to help out with the sheeting. The job got done, and I would like to thank them all.

Teams I expect to be the same racing order as last nights meeting at Worky. The Comets have a 6 point lead, so I would hope that they will pull that back in the first heats, and give us a decent victory. Best hope for Worky is if they are allowed, in this friendly, to use the TR's. Should be some good racing though as a lot of Worky riders have done well in past visits. Weather this morning is beautiful with sunshine, no wind, blue sky and no threat of rain. Track will be perfect as usual, so Worky have a chance, and I am sure we are going to see a pretty competitive meeting with some silverware at the end of it. See you there. Get there early if you want your usual space.

And then there was a poor signing of David Kajawa ? who probably should have been dropped before a wheel had turned.

Just a reminder of the need for helpers with the sheets tomorrow at 3.00pm, and immediately after the meeting. Can you spare an hour of your time please.

Let me know when you come up and i will show you around, and miss out anybody with corks on his hat.

The track is looking brilliant and certainly enhanced with the air fence. It gives the look of an arena, especially with the tidying up and chamfering of the grass edge which has also been moved in about 2 foot. Looking forward to our dark evening meetings as I think it is a sport made for lights. With long straights and tight bends it is a tricky track to ride, especially for someone brought up on say a Swindon/Sheffield type of track. I remember Robbie Kessler the first time he rode at Brough, just went straight on, and had to go right around the outside, while everyone else had rode it properly, and by this time were halfway down the straight ahead of him. He soon learned to make an earlier turn and returned a 15 max on one of his subsequent visits. Power isn't everything. Mauger always attributed Brough as an important part of his speedway education. He had been used to OZ tracks, but always said that "if you can ride Brough, you can ride anywhere". No surprise that several Kiwis have started at Brough on Ivan's advice. Anton Rosen is like when Ole came to Newcastle in the mid 60's. Nothing flash or out of control, just a rider learning all the time with solid performances everywhere he went. Pleased he is one short of a qualifying average , as he has stayed with us this season still on an assessed 7 point average. He will be number one in the team when the first averages come into force. He's a classy performer and by the looks of him when he has returned this year, he has returned a more open and happier chappy. He of course has Ludde to friend him, and it is no wonder he is happy having someone who speaks the same language in the pits and at home. He will be a top rider in the PL by the end of the year.

Agree with what Abbott has said as there are dogs regularly at Brough. (not going to enlarge on that one ). One would imagine that they must be on a leash, or small enough to be carried, and kept away from doggy areas such as their track.

Every Dane has a mission. To beat every other Dane.

Probably not. No such number as the more the better and the shorter time to finish the sheets.

Message to all helpers who put the sheets down at Brough. Sheeting starts at 3.00pm on Sunday and all Sundays when the training school is not on. When the training restarts in mid May, the start for the sheeters is 10.30am. If anybody else could come along and help, they would be very welcomed as numbers are currently very low.

Nobody is saying that except you, but you have to entertain the crowd in the quiet parts of the meeting. With the likes of you, you do and you're dammed, you don't do and your still dammed. Enjoy the TV.

Anders Henrikson.

Stood with his Dad and Pirate Nick(on here) and they said he hates it. Doesn't think he has good meeting at Brough.

Track.

Hates Newcastle.

If you can't get R/R, or some other facility, for a missing rider due to GP reasons, the rules definitely need changing. As it is, common sense kicked in, and as it happened RH didn't really need it. Well done to them, but this meeting not the result should be remember for a decent crowd and a return meeting for a great track and team.

Bit more white.

Team suits on there way, after a slight mishap. No doubt 99% of the fans will look forward to seeing them.

Bloody youngsters.

I think it still is. I remember when Swindon were in the PL, and we were the visitors, I was astounded to see junior races/meeting being held between the PL heats but it must have been allowed by the ref, as the junior races were on the training track inside the full speedway track.

Seems like a common sense stance given the reasons are quite desirable for speedway in general. Some would be pedantic and chastise the application of a sensible and logical decision, but I know you are not one of them.

On behalf of the many workers who actually carried out a lot of the work, many thanks for your acknowledgement of their efforts. It was a hard difficult start at the beginning of the year, with pouring rain very every week during a lot of digging and concreting. Rained off a couple of times, but the decision to start early this year was certainly justified. As you say, there is a great feeling of expectations and satisfaction with everything that is happening at Brough at the moment. Amazed at the attendance at Brough on Sunday with families basking in the sunshine, having participated with goods from 'our' snack bar. Yesterday was a business day of course, with interviews, photo shots, and vid of starts and mini races for the presentation put on by the 4 teams for the TV footage. It showed a combined effort with all 4 teams determined to show a united front to press home the sport and hopefully more coverage at local level from all the TV outlets. Everybody very complimentary about the condition and changes to the track surface and of course the new addition, the Black and blue air fence. Mention was made that the noise seems to be kept in the stadium which benefits the fans. Be interested to know peoples comments on the change in noises during races. At the night do, the Supporters Club hosted the Meet the Riders/Race night, with a full compliment of all team members. They had agreed to stay up for it, and the Lewis's were interviewed by George early on so they could disappear home because they have racing today, but we were all very grateful they had made the effort to stay and meet the fans. Next on interview, and early exit, was Robbo and Chris who both had a long journey's home. Christian, Ludde and Anton last on, and all riders very happy bunnies with their reception and the events that had been on during the last 2 days. With a canny attendance, and profitable raffle and race night, the night produced a tidy sum for the funds of the NSSC, which of course will all be used for the benefit of, and to help, the club and the riders. Looking forward to the clashes with Worky over the weekend. Don't miss it.

Unless you are Kings Lynn, most tracks produce a slick track for their first races of the year. It's easier to ride, and the surface is more consistent throughout the session with light grading.

We'll have them on stotties and Broon Ale by the weekend, Baggy.

We were fined £600 for Lindgren being missing from a rearranged to suit TV meeting at Berwick, which we then proceed to win. Took the rearrangement, understanding that their Swede would equal our Swede, Wrong.