Boobs

Well, they have to be congratulated. Again.

The Redcar track has been so bad for the past three weeks, no amount of rain could make it any worse

Assessed riders get a true average after 4 home, 4 away official fixtures. While never sure if League Cup/Premier Trophy matches are considered official, it seems likely the three Tigers will be reassessed in the near future. Their new averageswill kick in 7 days after the final home or away meeting in the qualification process, they don't wait until the next month's general issue of new figures.

Quarter past five? Those Sky Sports people have some clout. We should get then involved in speedway!

Glad this is moving on from track/team/presentation/promotion moans. I cannot believe Bandits would choose to use r/r for Bellego (not least if Dyer is available) instead of having Micky in and using r/r at No 1. Was the announcement referred to an official listing of the line-up, or just a notification of Bellego being away?

From website: Berwick’s speedway Bandits have again fixed the eyes of the speedway world on Berwick-upon-Tweed. Sky Television are to screen the Premier League clash between north-eastern rivals Berwick (who are sponsored in 2013 by New Holland Agriculture) and Newcastle Diamonds live on Sky Sports at 7.30pm (parade at 7.15pm) on Tuesday, May 21st – with the images beaming to over 20 counties worldwide, including leading speedway nations such as Australia, Poland, Denmark and Swede SKY PRICES: For this meeting, to encourage as many as possible to attend – and bring friends to be seem on TV too – admission will be a flat £10 for all over 15, and all accompanied kids come in free! SKY TIMING: The live broadcast will begin at 7.30, but there will be a parade around 7.15, and with Sky in town there will be a lot to look at even before that. Doors open at 6pm, with plenty going on…. DRESS UP FOR SKY SCREENS: The Bandits’ management have invited their supporters to fill the screen, and give viewers a big show. “We want to put on a BIG show!” said promoter John Anderson. “Some folk, I know, are already planning to come in fancy dress – great! We will have a prize to award to the best fancy dress captured by the cameras, so don’t be shy! “We really want viewers to sit back after the broadcast and say “Gee, these folk at Berwick have some great fans” – so we’re asking our spectators to bring every flag they can lay their hands on, and make as many funny banners as they like! If they aren’t TOO rude, the Sky people will pick them up, and viewers all over the world will lap them up! DON’T WATCH IT LIVE! The border club’s promotion have emphasised that, with this being a once-in-45-years chance to be part of live speedway going around the world from Berwick, locals shouldn’t be tempted into sitting at home to watch it! “That’s what your Sky-boxes are for!” said club director George Hepburn. “Come out to the meeting, bring the kids in free, pay your tenner, enjoy it all as it happens, and be able to say ‘I was there!’. Then and only then, go home and watch it, and yourself and the family, all over again!”

Here we go: news from this morning: Teenager Nick Morris, the Australian youngster who raced for Berwick’s speedway Bandits several times in 2012, will be back in black-and-gold this weekend, riding as a guest for the border club at Shielfield Park this Saturday, and again over in Cumbria at Workington on Monday night. The Bandits (sponsored by New Holland Agriculture) have been required to start the 2013 Premier League campaign without skipper Ricky Ashworth, still suffering the after-effects of a high-speed crash at Edinburgh, which left him with severe concussion and no prospect of an early return to racing. “We cannot ask Ricky to rush back onto the bikes” said club director George Hepburn last night. “He has had a couple of bouts of concussion in short order recently, and the neurologists have ruled he needs a bit of rest to fully recuperate. When it comes to a head knock, we just can’t be too careful”. Morris, who races for Elite League champions Swindon and for Somerset, will be a popular guest. after his valiant efforts for the club last season, when he contributed to a late end-of-season surge, culminating in their appearance in the final of the Premier Challenge Trophy. Born in Canberra, he is already an Australian international, despite being only 18. In a minor reshuffle of riding order, stand-in captain Kozza Smith will move to No 5 in the weekend line-up, with ultra-popular Swedish star Robin Aspregen lining up in the No 3 tabard. Saturday’s teams: Berwick ‘New Holland Bandits’: 1. Nick Morris (guest) 2. David Bellego, 3. Robin Aspregen, 4. Matty Wethers, 5. Kozza Smith (captain), 6. Alex Edberg, 7. Nicki Barrett Workington Comets: 1. Richard Lawson (if fit), 2 Rene Bach (r/r - Danish semi-final), 3. Rusty Harrison, 4. Tero Aarnio, 5. Kyle Howarth, 6. Ashley Morris, 7. A.N. Other. HOSPITALITY BARGAINS: For their next three home speedway events (May 4, 11 and 21st) Bandits are offering specially hospitality packages to individual bookers for only £29 per person, for which patrons will be treated to a pre-meeting ‘meet the Bandit’ reception on the infield, and a group photograph, a match programme, the club’s reknowned buffet supper and generous bar service – plus an opportunity of meeting, and presenting a bottle of celebratory bubbly to – the evening’s ‘Most Entertaining Rider’. All booking to Commercial Manager Julie Newton at julie@berwickbandits.co or on 07840-998845. MOD NOTE NB Title Edited Again to comply with forum rules on posting topic titles

Berwick certainly seem to be promoting this event, with £10 admission, usual kids free admission and offering prizes for fancy dress and banners. Have to hope they -- and Newcastle -- do the PL proud.

Fine, if you say so. However, given some of the statements you've put on here in recent months (honeymooning at Bahia Blanca was a classic) some of us will probably discount your post as dribble

He got the next best thing, he's riding in the Sheffield semi-final tonight. Isn't it sadder that the rider who (some say) was the best in show on Tuesday lacks the ambition to go further in the sport? The World U-21 isn't the long haul of recent years, Jason Garrity would face one qualification meeting overseas (which I would say he'd be able to get a little financial help in travelling to) and if successful there, three rounds of the Final, one of which is in the UK. He would learn so much more from competing among the best U-21's in the world than he will from sitting at home. Sorry, Jason. Wish you would reconsider. Britain needs her best for the coming years..

That should give Nigel some background noise to shout over! Third bend at Berwick is a fabulous vantage point for watching speedway

Why do you only crawl out from under your stone to make a putridly-slanted anti-Berwick remark? Off you go, we'll see where you're off to by the silvery trail.

I think it is probable Berwick's early team declaration this autumn may have with hindsight worked against them and forced them to leave last year's loanee (Dyer) out of plans, as Edinburgh hadn't at that time announced a team and would almost certainly have not made a rider like Dyer available for loan until they were certain he was not required at Armadale. The oft-hinted reason for his leaving Edinburgh wouldn't have prevented a hard-headed and experienced promoter like John Campbell from using him if he thought it best for the club's potential scoring. I also note Berwick's repeated -- and approved by most onlookers -- determination to use club assets whenever possible. This means it was only the decision of Sebastian Alden not to ride at PL level which has prevented two other assets (Alden and Albin) being in the declared final squad. Last Saturday apart, Edberg appears to have had decent enough returns at Berwick for a second reserve (compare his scores to riders such as Davey at Redcar or Jacobs at Glasgow) and the witch-hunt against the lad appears to be misguided.

Hopefully, the trolls, fannies and idiots who follow (but clearly don't support) Berwick Bandits can put their usual bile and spite aside for this ultra-important occasion, and join the club's real fans help generate goodwill and a big attendance for the match. The eyes of more than the BSF will be on Berwick that night, and it would be wonderful to see everyone taking that extra step to make it a a proper celebration of the sport at a track where the promotion have done (and spent) so much to improve their product.

In respect of Ricky Ashworth, the obvious answer is to ask Seb to help out as a temporary "injury replacement"? He surely owes the club that much?

Or better still, the public hanging of a couple of the worst culprits!

Is Ricky Ashworth able to race? Ended his night at Armadale with another heavy crash.

Certainly hope your wishes are granted, but guests would only feature if one of the No 1's (Robbo or Ricky) was missing..

GP Challenge last season, BenFund Bonanza in March, World U-21 Final in August -- and now Sky bringing cameras to Berwick next month! Build a foam-fence and they will come! Fabulous news for the north, and a "stick it right up you" for the two or three promotion-haters on here!

Yes, he isn't 21 until later this year. But why bring this up on this thread? Poles can't ride in the Premier League, so if you're wanting a team change, that's a no-no. If you want to start discussing the U-21 meeting -- and yes, let's do so -- we want a thread in the proper section, no? David Bellego will be hoping to qualify for the three Finals, but he isn't there yet, of course.

That is a great point. No matter the excellence of the facilities, a 'perfect' track produces the most boring racing, and forces riders to take inordinate risks in trying to pass. To an extend, Odsal had this problem, as have many one-off big meeting venues. The great tracks (Hyde Road, Cradley Heath) had several racing lines. This new one must -- must -- be designed to produce that kind of racing, otherwise speedway is right up crappy creek. The mention of a Rugby League pitch on the infield is a little worrying -- I truly hope this won't force the circuit to be made too square and/or too narrow?

Absolutely.

Why? Every day is an anniversary of something. Having a prestige meeting on this date is actually an opportunity for Lee to be mentioned, rather than forgotten. But to be "surprised" is a bit naive. IMO.

As previous poster told you, he didn't just look quick, he was quick -- quicker than the winners of Heats 12 & 14 in the match!

At least they get a guest for both riders