bigeddiechek

Well said!

Firstly, I didn't say that you have criticised the track, furthermore, I have never suggested that fans should advise on track preparation. I don't understand the dark art, and stated that I would genuinely be interested if anyone on here could shed some light on how it is done. I'm sure there will be some folk on here that do. Moving on from that, I completely agree with your post. Our riders know the shape, size, and topography of the track as an initial advantage. This should give them a head start over the opposition when it comes to adapting to surface conditions. Peterborough seemed to have no problem with that last night. Agree. I think last night might be a wake-up call that we might not be able to continue the early start without some "adjustments".

Yes, of course it does, and by quite a bit. I do agree that after the last 2 meetings a lot of people might not be too inspired to come back. Whingeing on here will do nothing to help that, is my real point. It doesn't achieve anything. Speaking to the promotion and providing constructive criticism is a much better approach, and they are always open to that, in my experience. I'm pretty sure they will have seen things the same way as we did on Saturday. I still haven't seen anyone on here that has criticised the track give an explanation of the process they would use to improve preparation. I'd love to see someone explain it to me, genuinely interested. Rather than make and observation that the track is sh#ite, why not say what they would do differently to make sure it isn't sh#te. The only reason I can think of is that they don't know and just really like a good old gurn.

Well, you do know this isn't real life: is it? If Jim is referring to me being disappointed with the result and some of the performances, then that is true. In terms of enjoying my night at the speedway, well I did: but I have said on here many times, I enjoy the banter and meeting up with speedway pals. Maybe that is why the "speedway haters" don't enjoy it? They don't get the banter part of it? Maybe the conversation all evening is about the track and how terrible the product is? If that were the case for me, I certainly wouldn't enjoy it, and I guess I wouldn't go. I just don't see any point coming on here and being critical, when I can air my views in real life. Maybe I just don't get that? There are lots of good things about the club and I prefer to spend most of my time talking about what I enjoy rather than obsessively greeting about dirt, grass, clay, wood, whatever surface a sport is being played on.

I take your points, Screm, and agree, but what do we do differently for the FIM meetings as oppossed to domestic meetings? I really don't see that much difference. When it comes to track conditions, you know by now that I rarely comment on it as - to be completely honest - I really do not understand it. Believe it or not I lectured on soil mechanics for a bit at University, and it is one of the most complex, unpredictable materials to work with. I would imagine that it is nigh impossible to have any track the same week in week out, although having it fundamentally similar should be achievable: but I really don't understand it. As long as riders are competitive, then I am happy regardless of the result. Last night too many of us weren't, and that is something that really shouldn't happen.

Sometimes more when I'm feeling decadent and have a pie for pudding

I still spend that, short reply as I am bloody knackered after my previous tome.

This is the real concern way ahead of rider performance and track preparation. The product has to be right, of course, and I do think we need at least one change to make use of the points. But we should step back and look at the countless threads on here. The majority are complaining about the sport, promotion bashing, and occasional rider bashing. One of my mates who came along is a motorsports freak. He enjoyed it enough to come back; he did recognise it wasn't one of the best meetings, although the Panthers and Claus gave us a few heats of good racing. He did wonder why people commented about the track so much, he actually found it very strange. He thought that it is the same for both teams, so what is the big deal? This will inevitably wear down those running the clubs for whom it actually looks like they are fighting a losing battle. The sad thing is it is the fans who are creating the battle with a barrage of negativity, and not coming through the gates. I bring a couple of people new to the sport last night and on here I get disparaging comments about it. I certainly don't want a medal for it, but at least I am trying in my own small way to address part of the problems that I can. It's almost as if fans actually want the sport to close down. Maybe that is what they want? Now, I agree, speedway has a lot of problems, but we - as fans - can address one of them by coming along and supporting our team. If we can't do that, then I guess we just have to accept that slowly but surely the sport will become extinct in the country, because if we don't come through those turnstiles, it will be gone forever. P.S. Jim, that is my real life opinion, in case you are wondering. P.P.S. A pleasure to meet proud panther last night, and well done to the Panthers with some hungry aggressive racing.

What an illuminating thread!

Erm...no, and no?

It's safe to say they were frustrated tonight, they're a passionate bunch and do more than their bit to support the team and the club. I guess if anyone has a right to vent a bit of frustration, it's those guys. It's also fair to say they give their support - and their criticisms - in real life, rather than the more feeble whom are only capable of doing so within the safe haven of the t'Internet.

I guess the danger of introducing a new face is that it is a risk when - overall - we have made a good start to the season. Still, nothing ventured, etc.

Can't really argue with that, much as I would like to...

It's not bashing, he has just looked like a rider who is in the autumn of his career. There's nothing wrong with that.

I honestly think some of them will only be happen once speedway has gone from Berwick.

I think Doolan is a shadow of his former self, sorry to say it, but I think a lot of fans feel the same.

The result aside, I thought that was a decent meeting, some good racing, just a pity most of our boys weren't going the right way.

At least it keeps us happy

Agree.

You're some man!

Well said that Horologist!

I hadn't noticed the updates, but I can't hear very well on the 3rd bend. That would really annoy me. Still enough to look forward to for me tonight, and will have 2 new recruits instead of the usual 1 in attendance. Pity Fish is missing, but still a bit of strength there to make for competitive racing!

I never find it short of breath-taking the amount of posts on this forum - in general - that are purely having a pop at the various teams' promotion. We should look at ourselves. A newcomer in the past year has commented "Why do people come to the speedway and just moan about it?". I couldn't answer the question. Lucky the Bandits 2012 group stand next to us and he joins in with them and has a great night. Maybe long-term exposure to the fumes turn folk into self important, fault finding, moaning barstewards?

I'd normally have found this funny, Screm, but remember it sounds as if they guy has a lot of personal difficulty. Hopefully he doesn't read this forum. Full of unthoughtful people at times.

Another great away result, well done to Jorgensen! Looks like David was flying!