crescent girl

From Berwick website tonight: EDWARD AND RICKY: THE FUTURE: Edward Kennett’s future as a Bandit will also become clearer over the next few weeks. “As is pretty well known, Edward agreed to race for our club as a direct replacement for Ricky Ashworth” explained team manager Ian Rae. “We agreed with Swindon, with whom he rides in the Elite League, that he would stay on as a Bandit until Ricky was cleared to ride and had got in some solid practice sessions to see how he feels, and could declare himself fully fit again”. “This situation has not changed, but in the interests of total clarity, I would confirm that Ricky was last week finally cleared by the neurological and medical authorities to resume riding a motor-bike”. “However, he is by his own admission a long, long way from being race-fit, and is intending to go to as many circuits he can over the next couple of weeks – he has ridden out at Stoke already -- to try himself out on track, to get totally fit again and to ensure he feels comfortable in himself about coming back”. “Then, and only then, will Ricky be able to feel confident enough to offer himself to Berwick again – and at that time we will let everyone know the situation. Not before!” “In the meantime, everyone here at Shielfield is just so proud to have Edward Kennett in our colours, and now named in Britain’s World Team Cup squad – which is yet another first for the club, as we’ve never previously had a British WTC rider in our team”.

From Berwick club website tonight: WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL AT SHIELFIELD PARK IN AUGUST There will be a massive Eastern European invasion of Berwick-upon-Tweed on August 10th. Following the first round (of three) for the World U-21 Championship, riders from Poland, Latvia and Russia are leading the points table as the world’s very best young riders roll into town for Shielfield Park’s first-ever World Championship Final. This will be biggest speedway event ever staged in the border town, and pays tribute to the hard work by the club’s ownership since taking control less than five years ago. With riders from at least three other speedway nations joining the leaders, their followers will flood the town with visitors from all over Europe, for the World Under-21 Final on Saturday, August 10th. Following the earlier event at Pila, Poland, on June 29th, the current standings are: Patryk Dudek (Poland) 14, Andrej Lebedev (Latvia) 11, Kacper Gomolski (Poland) 11, Wladimir Borodulin (Russia 10), Piotr Pawlicki (Poland) 10, Mikkel Michelsen (Denmark) 8, Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland) 8, Nicklas Porsing (Denmark) 8, Adam Strzelec (Poland) 8, Tobiasz Musielak (Poland) 8, Vaclav Milik (Czech Republic) 6, Nikolaj Jakobsen (Denmark) 6, Mikkel Bech (Denmark) 5, Artur Cjaza (Poland) 3, Lasse Bjerre (Denmark) 3, Kyle Howarth (Great Britain) 1. “While Patryk Dudek is currently in – excuse me – Pole position, that situation can change in a heartbeat” admitted Berwick co-promoter Ryan Anderson. “We are so proud the FIM, and the British authorities, have awarded us this huge event” said co-promoter Ryan Anderson. “I take it as a massive compliment to our staff, who worked miracles in staging our first FIM meeting last season despite heavy rain before and during racing”. “We received so many compliments on the quality and work ethic of our track-staff, and on our overall presentation of the event – but to be awarded another, even more-important, FIM meeting so soon is really quite an honour”. “Speedway is without doubt helping to put Berwick-upon-Tweed pretty firmly on the map!”

The guy who just broke his arm, you mean?

Come on Andy!

I think that when (or if) Ricky Ashworth is declared fit he will resume riding for Berwick and Eddie Kennett will return to full-time EL duty with Swindon.

Meanwhile, back at the thread.... I see (today's Star) Allen Trump's trying to flog a third-hand one he bought off e-Bay. There might well be other second-hand ones around from tracks on the continent which have folded, etc. Promoters in the UK -- I think there are twelve needing fences -- will find them, and fit them. Costly, yes. Impossible, no.

A fair question. Why isn't he riding? To have a facility, Lions must have a reason.

A shocking post. As others have said, Lee Trigger appears to have erred on Saturday, but it cost the club nothing. We all know that it is easy to manage a team from the terracing, even easier at home on a keyboard. Where were you? Lee is obviously very committed to Plymouth Devils (which your suggestion of withholding sponsorship indicates you may not be) and I would trust the club's new promotion will treat your post with the contempt it deserves. His record of rider-recruitment is good, and your 'opinionated' post appears to be sadly driven by more than a comment on the decision to use his captain for a tactical ride. What's your agenda?

From the Berwick website today: Berwick’s speedway Bandits face a Devil of a time on Saturday night! That’s because Plymouth Devils are in town, featuring one of the brightest teenage prospects turned up by Denmark’s speedway production line in years – Mikkel Bech! The amazing 18-year-old from Glumso has already in his short career won third place in the World U-21 Championship and featured as a vital member of Denmark’s World Cup-winning squad – and here he is at Berwick, racing for Plymouth’s fast-rising Devils! “It was a magnificent coup for Plymouth new promotion to bring Mikkel Bech into the Premier League” agreed New Holland Bandits’ director George Hepburn. “It displays how strong our league has become this season, and it is interesting that none of the Elite League teams could convince him to join them. Well done to the Devils!” Berwick are without ace Edward Kennett, riding in Denmark on Saturday, bidding to reach the Grand Prix Challenge Final in August – the event which acts as a springboard to the 2014 Grand Prix series – but have booked in a rider who club boss John Anderson described as “the best possible stand-in”. He is Ben Barker, the chunky little Cornishman who just a fortnight ago provided what was by far the best performance at Berwick by any rider, home or visiting, of the year. “Watching Ben putting our guys to the sword while we nonetheless did enough to beat his Ipswich team was magical” enthused Anderson. “As soon as we knew Edward had to go off on his quest to reach the Grand Prix, there was only one name on our minds”. “The prospect of Ben Barker and Mikkel Bech clashing on our track is mouth-watering – I can only suggest to our patrons to get here sharp, in case they miss any of the action!” Saturday’s teams will line up: Berwick: 1. Ben Barker (guest), 2. David Bellego, 3. Robin Aspegren, 4. Matty Wethers, 5. Kozza Smith (captain), 6. Paul Starke, 7. Nicki Barrett. Plymouth: 1. Ricky Wells (guest), 2. Todd Kurtz, 3. Mikkel Bech, 4. Cory Gathercole (captain), 5. Mark Lemon, 6. Jake Anderson, 7. Chris Schramm. LIAM CARR and PAUL STARKE: The continuing progress of Tweedmouth schoolboy Liam Carr has been closely monitored by Bandits’ management, with a couple of significant career moves for Liam having taken place. The 17-year-old has been loaned to Buxton Hitmen for the rest of the speedway season, for whom he will contest National League racing – but only when not required by the Bandits! “We have adjusted our Premier League squad” explained team boss Ian Rae. “We now have an eight-man platoon, to give a little flexibility to the line-up. Paul Starke and Liam Carr will now share the seventh spot in our team, and we can use either of them for any match”. “This week for instance, Paul rides on Thursday at Redcar and on Saturday night at Shielfield -- but Liam will be in the New Holland Bandits’ team on Sunday afternoon, up at Glasgow”. HERE COME THE KIDS! In addition to the regular racing, a novel addition to Saturday night’s programme will be the Northern 125cc Championship, contested by young riders under the age of 15. With eight contestants, aged between eight and 13, riding 125cc powered bikes, the future of speedway in the north seems secure. Local boys such as Leon Flint (10) from Berwick and Kieran Douglas (13) of Cornhill will be on track alongside riders from Edinburgh, Newcastle and Cumbria. HOSPITALITY BECKONS: The hospitality packages offered by Berwick’s Bandits have become legendary in speedway circles. These very special evenings for the club’s guests open with a photo-session with one of their favourite speedway stars, followed by the club’s marvellous buffet supper and bar service during racing -- augmented by a revealing infield visit during racing! Bookings are now open for individual guests and/or party bookings at this Saturday’s match (v Plymouth Devils) and July 6th (v league champions Scunthorpe Scorpions). The cost is only £30 per person (including admission and a souvenir programme) and can be booked by contacting commercial manager Julie Newton on 07840-998845 or julienewton@me.com

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?