Boothers

Spot on Sir! I did many years track prep at Cleveland Park (Middlesbrough) under Tony Swales in the late 70's. We'd start watering the track with hosepipes at about 2 in the afternoon (whatever the weather) whilst continually tyre packing - tractors and Tony's huge mobile home. I'd then be one of the rakers during the meeting (we only ever had 6 at Middlesbrough) pulling the sh(ale) back into the centre for the tractor to distribute wherever, after every heat without disturbing the flow of the meeting. Though maybe now at my age I should be thankful for the 'toilet breaks' after every 4 heats.

Fair enough. I know nothing. Obviously after 51 years my thoughts mean nothing.

Yes, and more rides. Can’t understand the decision to give Heat 15 to a Guest (Well done though Tate, you did everything asked of you) when you've got a debutant in your team who scored the same amount of points (technically more if you count bonus points) and should be seeing as much track time on his new track as possible.

Because his post is factual??

Please tell us what brings you to this unsolicited opinion? I'm sure if you scour the forums for hours you might find the odd quote here and there, but ask the fans and you'll find we're quite happy with what we've got (and hopefully more so at the end of the season).

Embarrassing

Great result for the Bears under the circumstances but let's remember that Poole won both their matches at the EA last year and whilst we came from 8 behind in 2021 to win, it was by only 6 points. Couldn't be set up better for Saturday night.

Yes people are very interested in this, but we're a quiet, reserved bunch us Bears fans. Currently raining but not heavily and my expectations are high for the meeting tomorrow but being merely a fan and knowing nothing of the state of the track who knows? I'm sure the Bears promotion will keep everyone in touch.

I agree with Boz (unsurprisingly). Once the track settles and the outside line is there Jake will be one of the best 2 pointers in the league. No disgrace in failing to score against more established riders. Danyon and Connor both showed signs as the meeting progressed. Jason was a bit 'rusty' but it was good to see both him and Connor take a spin after the meeting closed. Heat leader trio is the best since 1981 and I reckon barring injury Erik will be a top man. The future's bright, the future's Bear shaped (but I ain't saying we'll win anything, hoping yes but this is going to be a team worth watching - just wish we had some kind of home track advantage!)

Friday night/Saturday morning. If the riders don't want to ride, there's not much you can do.

James Shanes' average at the EA is just over 5 points (5.07 from 6 matches) and that should improve riding regularly at the best track in the country. Decent 2nd string with the 3 heat leaders.

If anyone seriously thinks that the Redcar promotion coerce or force riders to race, they need to take a good look at themselves.

Just with regards to track grading, I used to work on track prep with Tony Swales at Cleveland Park (Middlesbrough) during the 80's for many years. I was also 1 of 6 track rakers (remember them?). We would pull back the shale from the outside of the track into the inside and the tractor would do 2 laps of the track to distribute this shale after EVERY heat of the match. No-one complained then about track grading. And On last nights match I'm glad I kept all the Get Out Of Jail Free cards when I threw out my old Monopoly games.

Redcar Bears announce first signing for 2023. Welcome to the Bears, Harry Houdini!

So sad, Gent by name and Gent by nature, lovely man.

What a ridiculous call off. 10 minutes of rain after Charles' fall and it's off! Still Edinburgh got a point so that's alright then.

'Newcastle Speedway press officer, toughest job in the world. Did it 40 years, man and boy. (Not a dig at the Diamonds but any Fast Show fans will understand)

Just seen BWD has had a meeting with Alexander Armstrong to interview as Richard Osman's replacement. (Ouch! Sorry, just a friendly little dig there between rivals. Will probably come back to bite me on the bottom later lol).

....and technically Peter Complin is not a mistake.

Julie was a lovely much appreciated Lady (with a capital L) who ran the speedway office when I first worked at Cleveland Park giving out rain-off tickets after people had come through the turnstiles in the mid 70's and she used to give me my 50p earnings in a small brown envelope at the end of the evening. She was there (with brother Jimmy who used to run the pit gate) through all the years I worked at Cleveland Park unfailingly until it closed. It was a great pleasure to find Julie back in charge of the office when the STMP/MPA reopened in 2006. She suffered no fools but was admired by all who knew her at Teesside/Middlesbrough/Redcar. I think she would be very pleased firstly that she was remembered so fondly and secondly that the meeting normally involves a junior aspect.

It was on the version of Look North I watched.

Both Bowtell and .Edwards were listed as rising stars in the original list issued by the Men in Black but Edwards now has a 2 point average according to the last gsa's. I applaud Plymouth's astute use of the averages.

For goodness sake Birmingham do the right thing and concede the KOC to Redcar, at the moment you are just taking the mick and embarrassing everyone associated with the sport.

Thanks to Redcar and Kent for the prompt response to the unavoidable rain off. Ticketing arrangements seem to be very logical (in Speedway??). Well done both promotions.