crescent girl

Two very valid points. Especially the VAT. Something the SCB, or BSPA, could and should investigate immediately.

There are six (I think) different designs of soft barriers, from three or four manufacturers, currently approved by the FIM. Needless to say, these will all be priced differently. With an increased market, there has to be an incentive for other manufacturers to create a design and submit it for approval by next year. Not least in the foam-fence market, as this is generally throught to be the best way ahead. Market forces being what they are, clubs may find increased competition among manufacturers will bring prices down.

For a regular poster who usually makes some sense, might you have a head-in-the-sand attitude to the soft barrier issue here? It was well enough known, and well-discussed, by promoters at their meetings that this was coming, even if the official confirmation was only presented to everyone earlier this month. PS: I don't know, as I wasn't too well and couldn't go on Saturday.

Every promoter got the news from the ACU/SCB at the same time. This is an FIM edict, and surely wasn't unexpected. Full marks to clubs like Berwick who acted in good time, avoiding an emergency fund-raising situation

They grade clockwise at Berwick. Doesn't everyone?

Interesting meeting coming up at Shielfield Park, with the Heathens making a first-ever visit (they did race at Berrington Lough in 1991) for an NL-level challenge. Bandits are offering the night at £8 for adults, kids free as usual. Gary Flint is the mover and shaker, and had undertaken to pull in heat and rider sponsorship to cover the various unavoidable costs (ambulance, insurance, medical cover, etc, etc) of running a meeting at any level these days. Heats or riders can be sponsored for £70, anyone generous enough to take a heat and a rider gets their package for a bargain price of £100. Anyone who can help out with a bit of backing, please call Gary Flint on 07597-057413.

Following the big success of their Sky meeting, Berwick have taken another step toward their goal of keeping the club's activities very much in the public eye. Taking the link below announced by their Facebook site (it also appears on the club's website) speedway people from anywhere can sign up to receive a regular free newsletter, straight into their e-mail inbox, by simply clicking onto: http://eepurl.com/yVtjv and offering an e-mail address. The club's commercial arm will send regular updates, with links to club videos and rider interviews. They will aso use the service to confirm weather at home and away matches, as well as advising any late changes to line-ups. Absolutely free, and with the e-mail bulletins coming in direct to our inboxes, this saves any need to go looking for news on the website or Facebook. It comes to you!

Superb!

I think she gets saddled with dim questions through her earpiece. When interviewed on the grass last night by Dick Barrie, Charlie Webster seemed a different girl, giving bright, witty answers, and acknowledging the magnificently-rowdy crowd on the third bend. The Grand National winning jockey was also a good interviewee. A happy, cheerful night, despite the result.

About five years ago, Sky were to broadcast Isle of Wight v Berwick, but the powers-that-be reckoned the Bandits would be poor opposition, and parachuted Reading into the date a fortnight prior to the meeting instead. As it happened, the Racers were pathetic, and scored about 25 points in the poorest Sky contest ever. The same week, Berwick were (temporarily, I admit) top of the PL table. Meaning -- you just never know. Remember also, just last season the Bandits beat Rye House 50-39 with just four riders after both reserves went to hospital during Heat 2. Seven heats had only one Bandit! This could still be a classic, and I hope it is. You just never know.

How come Robin Aspegren is riding for Berwick, then?

While I have no inside knowledge, I'd guess the installation of Nigel's "studio" on the third bend might mean that walkway to the hut could be closed tomorrow. Suggest stocking-up with pies, etc, from the "chuck-waggon" on the first turn before heading around to the best vantage point in speedway.

You really are a cynic, aren't you? If the Berwick promotion have shown us anything, it is that they make every effort to tell their public when a rider is going to be missing, through injury or anything else. Website shows 'probable' line-ups, no doubt there'll be another media brief and website posting before Tuesday.

Saving himself for Tuesday!

At what point in time are people going to realise that Polish-licensed riders cannot race in the Premier League? One of the best rulings ever made by PL promoters.

Just as well the meeting is on Tuesday. Weather looks foul all day today, anything planned for tonight would probably have had to be postponed. Maybe the tide of good fortune is turning Bandits' way at last?

Ever since he raced there so well for the Bandits, Mitch would certainly be keen to return to the OTA. I can confirm Lu's statement. He was been offered to your management more than once.

You have expert neurological qualifications?

Eddie didn't suggest there was any time limit on the deal when he spoke on the mike. With Ricky Ashworth's situation clouded by neurological doubts, there will be no question of any short-termism to the loan. If and when Ricky is declared 100% fit again, a choice will be made by all concerned.

Nice of the BSPA site to acknowledge Eddie's new club, eh? In recent seasons Bandits have had Paul Clews and Ricky Ashworth in the British Final, but we'd have to go back 22 years to have had a Berwick rider in the British Final with every chance of winning it!

Matty Wethers and the reserves will cover for Bellego, and should make a fair fist of things. Not least with Kennett in three of them!

Bandits have made some great mid-season signings in recent years. Seb Alden and Magic Rempala come to mind, and I feel pretty confident Eddie Kennet will make it three in a row.

Meaning?

To add to the event, it was announced during Saturday's match with Workington that Grand National-winning jockey Ryan Mania will be an added celebrity attraction at the Sky event. He won the race on board 66-1 shot Auroras Encore. Because he comes from Galashiels, a lot of people in the borders had backed him -- he'll certainly get a big welcome!

Aw c'mon, don't start critcising what was only a positive comment on what we all know can be a very tough audience to convince.