freddyfivetoes

Absolutely, totally insane to run against the Cup Final. This is not something we should expect from the new Ashfield leadership. As suggested, postpone date or at the very least delay the start.

This might quieten his critics. The Berwick programme last weekend (Straight Talking) said Max's talent was "as obvious as a banker's greed" and there should be no doubting that.

Not so much! Glasgow got 31. Leicester got 31. Berwick got 37. Credit where it is due, I think!

Brilliant quote, Phil! I see we only have two places in the semi -- so am I right in thinking Jason G wouldn't have been in it anyway? Thus, are all the quotes above here about "he's withdrawn on cost grounds" and "lack of ambition" in fact simply a crock of shyt? I love some of the posters on here..........

That is correct. However, there are virtually no PL clubs who pay for even a star rider's flights these days, let alone a reserve. Berwick are respected for having, and sticking to, a budget -- a business plan. Much the same as most of their their previous promotions, right back to the Taylor family, have done. They have the smallest potential audience market in any of the three leagues, yet the club has made ends meet for 45 years. It is possible -- probable even -- they will never win the PL, and if they do they won't have 'bought' it. Be happy they are still offering Saturday night entertainment, featuring international sportsmen from all over the world in such a sparsely-populated area.

A few people (with local agendas?) will disagree, but the majority of British speedway followers will wholeheartedly agree with you. Including the Sky crew, who are taking their cameras to Shielfield Park next month to cover Berwick v Newcastle -- another feather in the cap for the Berwick track, high presentation standards and promotion. Well done, Berwick!

Not a lot of airfences on that list, is there?

Which concerns Berwick v Redcar how? There's an International thread for your Dudek Appreciation Society.

1) Because he has excellent equipment, and on occasion has shown he can score points. 2) Because, based in the north, he is a better option to the clubs who have invited him to ride (no-one twisted their arms) than a guy from the south in terms of travel money, etc, and 3) I'd like to hear your idea of any "young British lads" who can do as good a job AND are prepared to travel to Glasgow, Berwick or Redcar for the same financial deal?

Is that the first time you've had to apologise about the size? Everyone retires in time, and Dick appears to be doing so gracefully. As was quoted in Saturday's programme, he'll be back when Steve Hayward is on holiday, as well as (I imagine) at meetings such as the World U-21 Final. I can think of two regulars on here who will be delighted. From everyone else, thanks Dick!

Good post! I have been at Leicester three times, twice early on when the only complaint I would have had was the quite awful presentation by the announcers(s) and again last season in high summer (remember that week?) when the presentation had improved vastly. I saw nothing much wrong with the track and the racing. Good lord, places like Ipswich and Berwick have one or at most two ridiculous critics who make themselves laughing stocks by their continual sniping at their hard-working, well-respected promoters. Leicester seem to have a shed-load! C'mon, you've got speedway in your city, ffs! Get behind it.

Soory can't help, not at this one. Elliot? Is he Mike's brother?

Idiot. You'll be one of the clowns who cheer at Derwent Park when it is announced a visiting rider has broken bones in a crash?

Edinburgh is OFF on Friday! Bandits begin the year at home on Saturday now. Wrap up warm!

It matters. They have different gates in Heat 2 for a start.

Real argument against team suits appeared in Berwick's own programme last season. That they are fine, except when you change the team/get a guest/have an injury, etc. Then the new guys doesn't wear a suit and it all looks far less professional than no suits. Imagine Manchester United turning out on Saturday with eight guys in red shirts, two in blue and another in training gear.

From a good source, the semi-finals are 'seeded' by ability -- they take the top half-dozen from the EL (I'd guess Harris, King, Nicholls, Kennett, Woffinden and Bridger) allocate them three and three, then the next six (top PL guys) and do the same, etc. Only 'fixing' of the draw is when a rider's club have a HOME fixture the same night. So Redcar & Ipswich wouldn't lose riders to the Sheffield semi, and Somerset or Scunny will keep riders out of the Edinburgh meeting. Both Swindon (Thursday) and Lakeside (Friday) have reserved dates, so possibly riders might be steered away from those dates, if fixtures are reallocated. Otherwise, it'll be a straight 50/50 on ability, so both semis will have a fairly equal line-up.

How very strange! The two 'forum fannies' who most of us immediately thought of when Crescent Girl made that post, seem to be the very two to have immediately posted negatively against her! So -- no respect then? Unfortunately, I can't make this event, as the live GP from Auckland will have sapped my energies and I'd expect to be asleep not long after tea-time on Saturday -- but I do look forward to reading about their testing questioning. Or not!

Very good post, George. I regret to observe that, and don't everyone start screaming, the FORMER Glasgow administration had a lot to answer for in driving a wedge between the two clubs and their respective supporters. That was then, this is now. There is a new face to the Tigers. Work between each other, although in public be deadly rivals. That was the original meaning of the "Old Firm" in football -- two rival clubs making sure of their joint financial success!

A really good move by new promotion tonight. A Tigers' rider and bike, plus people handing out leaflets explaining speedway and detailing Ashfield fixtures, will be installed in the foyer at Braehead before and during the Clan's ice-hockey match. With regular crowds of over 2,000 and many people of the same demographic which lends itself to supporting speedway, this is a fine bit of PR by the club. It only takes 1% of the tonight's hockey people to decide to investigate speedway for the club to get something like £250 back at the turnstiles at the first meeting -- if half of them come back after that as regulars, make that £3,500 over the season!

Absolutely right! However, this is something we've had quoted from several sources, and it appears to be going to be the case. I readily agree about breaks for grading, etc -- and the long pause between Heats 14 & 15, and the natural break after that when a winning team parades before the junior league (or whatever) racing. But I do understand it has been decreed from on high that there has to be a mandatory interval after Heat 10, and my questions are: is this going to be forced upon us -- and why?

The new Heat 10 rule you mention doesn't seem to be public knowledge, has been vaguely mentioned here and there but nothing seems to be written in stone. There is also the question about an interval being mandatory, which might be fine at a track which owns all the catering, etc, on a warm summer evening -- but surely it won't be enforced on a night like last Saturday with a wind-chill factor of -5C? Or is 'mandatory' what is says on the tin? Again, we haven't seen anything written down.

MM left Glasgow at the end of the 2012 season. Is now concentrating on Workington.

I am told the new Glasgow presenter was at Berwick on Saturday, watching and learning. They then had a chat with Dick Barrie after the meeting.

That is quite awful. People on here have earlier condoned riders opting for the southern testimonials this weekend. I hope this information makes them realise how small-minded people can be. I too, feel like Lulu -- 'disgusting' isn't nearly harsh enough a word to use.