crescent girl

A great team, their KO Cup demolition of the all-conquering Poole side was brilliant. Their big advantage, a big part of their success that season was the same seven riders racing right through without chopping and changing. Something many clubs (and supporters) should bear in mind in 2014 Matej is a "confidence rider" and will grow in confidence at Berwick, where he has close friends inside the Bandits' organisation, and a promotion which will encourage his return to SGP and WTC form.

Three very negative posts there, your glass definately half-empty! Hopefully, the positive vibes from everyone else will create the excitement you crave. As Liam Carr has not been announced as yet, I personally hope he will be signed up and not be driven away by such pessimism. Edinburgh would have him in a heartbeat, for sure!

Based on past years, will Winchester, Woodward, Grajczonek and Brady Kurtz not get automatic invitations as State Champs? Again as it has been, I presume ten are seeded, six join in from the qualifier? Which, apart from the State Champions above might be (given they have nominated) Holder, Batchelor, Watt, Schlein, Doyle and any one from Tungate, Smith or North?

AS available on the club website, contact Lovely Lani

You're not going to be funding a rider of Richard's quality and cost at the same time as you're funding an airfence and working out a budget which will avoid another fifty grand going down the tubes during the year. Be grateful for having speedway!

David Bellego was confirmed by club newsletter tonight. Newsletter also explains Paul Starke going back on deal to become a Berwick asset after being selected for Birmingham in the EL draft.

Carr in as No 7, yes. But Bandits need a better alternative that Paul Starke at No 6 to bolster Heat 2, etc.

If you've signed up to receive it, you'll have had your Newsletter tonight.

Well thought out, well set out. Good post!

No, I don't think anyone knows who you mean by "the right riders"? Pray tell.

Very good news, which confirms what was announced by Berwick's e-mailed Newsletter on Tuesday. Well done everyone, SRBF will use the funds to give Ricky support.

I think the directors have failed in their remit. Advertising and "promoting" this final meeting, only to then pull the plug with a somewhat feeble excuse of certain riders being required elsewhere seems about par for their course. Owners must feel it a last straw.

An interesting point, methinks

No-one in authority now seems to be caring about what has been identified as a critical problem over the future of the Tigers. Or are moves taking place behind the scenes? I feel sure their many well-wishers would like to know.

And it might be the last time........

Latest Newsletter has some great news... The club is just awaiting a few final sponsorship payments before finalising the accounting for the big Benefit meeting last month, but it is now clear the total figure, when independently audited, will exceed an amazing amount of £15,000. Organiser Dennis McCleary said 'It can never be enough, can it? However, it is money which wouldn't have been available to Ricky if we hadn't, with Sheffield's help, staged the big night. I have spoken with Dave Ashworth, and everyone seems very happy. As well as the riders, the volunteer staffing and things like free rent, ambulance cover and insurance we had extra help from folk who came in as independent gate checkers and suchlike, George English and his mum from Newcastle, off-duty licensed officials Willie Dishington and John Jack, plus of course all our own crew. Thanks, folks!' When a precise final total is declared, it will be announced by the Berwick and Sheffield clubs. To avoid a very real risk of tax implications down the line, the funds raised will be passed through the marvellous Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund (SRBF) who are ring-fencing all donations specified as being for Ricky Ashworth and who can then (as a registered charity) disburse the money to Ricky without fear of governmental interference.

I am unaware if Mr Gay reads these pages, but his good work in watching out for Klindt (especially) and Rene Bach at the starts suggests he was well aware of the criticisms being levelled (again, particularly at Klindt) on here pre-match. I would guess that Mr Dishington was equally particular at Edinburgh last night, as Klindt didn't get away with any of his speciality rollers, and was predictably dire as a result.

So you would specifically cold-shoulder the Tigers, and (presumably) travel to Armadale, Workington, Berwick or Newcastle to watch their racing? That's a serious question.

Now there's a project for you to get into, sir! Your credibility would sky-rocket if you could pull such a support team together for Liam.

Love the prospect of Taffy as team manager! About six months before April 1st, too. However, in the main the last two or three pages have been both interesting and constructive. So much better than endless lists of other clubs' riders who posters mistakenly believe would immediately jump ship at the prospect of becoming a Bandit next year!

The 2013 edition of FIM Standards for Track Racing Circuits was updated (prior to May 14th, 2013) to include a regulation that "at all Speedway meetings the use of an FIM homologated APD is compulsory"

One name to disregard is Liam Carr. He is nailed on very firmly to be in Berwick's 2014 line-up.

So what would you do, George? Become a follower of another club, or stop going to speedway altogether?

I'd hope Deek would get an invitation!

Klindt warned once. Hopefully that's a real yellow card. Really is a horrible cheat, always rolling.