Berwick 2015

[crescent girl]

plenty of reading in tonight's Banditmail..........

 

LUKE BACK IN ANGER: Our young recruit Luke Crang, who has spent many winter hours in the gym working his way back to fitness after sustaining back injuries while racing for Workington at Redcar last July, has now been back on his bike in anger, pushing himself to confirm his return to rude health.

Luke reports no ill-effects, and will continue to find track-time wherever he can in the coming weeks leading up to the season's start. He is also racing in the National League this year, and will be on parade at Brandon for the Blaze's press day on March 13th.

 

NEW REGULATIONS: As the new season approaches, we thought we should go over a few minor amendments to the regulations governing Premier League speedway in 2015. None are game-changers, and some seem (in our eyes) unecessary, however the powers-that-be want to refine a few things. Let's see.....

Firstly, if a home team wins a match -- whether by one point of forty points -- they will be awarded three league points. If they win by six points or less, the visting team will get a bonus point, but this year a win is a three-pointer, regardless of the scoreline.

We will see less black-and-white helmets this term. In PL matches, a losing team can only use the tactical facility once, it being available when a team is ten or more points behind the opposition in heats 5 through 12 (inclusive). The tactical facility willl not be available during the PL play-offs, in the KO Cup or the later stages of the League Cup.

The PL play-offs will again be contested by the top six clubs in the final table. However, the format of the play-offs is refined. This year the third-placed club faces the sixth finisher in one quarter-final and finishers four and five meet in the other. The winners then progress to semi-finals, where the winners of the first quarter-final face the table-toppers, and the runners-up race against the team coming out of the second quarter-final. Obviously, the two winning semi-finalists then contest the Premier League Championship Grand Final.

One other minor adjustment -- welcomed by traditionalists -- is the full-time return of the yellow-and-black helmet to replace yellow for the fourth rider in a heat. This at the request of referees, who have found it difficult to distinguish between white and plain yellow covers under murky conditions.

 

BENFUND BANDITS: Two of our Dixon Building Bandits will get an early-season run-out on Sunday, March 8th in the annual BenFund Bonanza event, to be staged this year at Swindon. The meeting will comprise a quadrangular tournament between Australia, England, Denmark and Poland.
The Danes have announced Thomas Jorgensen in their team, and Ben Barker -- who has the magnificent record of turning out in every single Bonanza meeting so far staged -- will be in the English squad, alongside Edinburgh ace Craig Cook and Glasgow's latest big-money signing Richard Lawson.

In addition to the BenFund event, Ben will have another meeting under his belt before arriving at Shielfield for our Press & Practice session (on Saturday 21st March) when he will be at Ipswich -- his 2013 club -- to take part in the Witches' annual Billy Sanders Memorial event on Thursday 19th.

 

MUSIC POLICIES: While we are aware that spectators come to Shielfield Park on a Saturday night to watch motor-bikes going sideways rather than attend a disco, we have at times received intense communications from customers who want to comment on the music played between races.

Of course, we carefully read all suggestions, and in this instance find that -- of the minority who care -- there is virtually no common ground!

Experience tells us there are about 5% of our weekly audience who want bang-up-to-the-minute thumping modern pop, hip-hop and house music, 5% who want the hit sounds of their rock'n'roll youth and a further 5% who seek gentle background music without any interference to their chatting! But that in truth, the remaining 85% don't give a hoot what we play.....

In short, we certainly cannot please everybody -- but will continue to provide as variable a mixture of music as possible between races, incorporating old ones, gold ones, new ones and blue ones -- and we will continue to pass all requests for any particular artistes or musical styles to our presentation team. Enjoy!

 

KO CUP: This season's Premier League KO Cup competition will be sponsored by Travel Plus Tours. In the first round, your Dixon Building Bandits have been drawn to race Ipswich Witches (home leg is on May 9th, away return at Foxhall Heath on Thursday, 21st). The winners of this tie will face either Rye House or Workington in the quarter-finals.

 

PRESS AND PRACTICE: Our official Press'n'Practice session this year will take place on Saturday, March 21st. All contracted riders will be in attendance of course, and will take to the track after their usual photo-calls and media interview sessions. The Track Shop will be open, and sales of VIP Club memberships and our various season ticket packages will be available.

 

 

THEO PIJPER: Although Theo raced as a Bandit for only a short period (in 2007) he has been a respected visitor since first arriving in Scotland in 2002 to join Edinburgh Monarchs, and spending a couple of years more recently on loan to Glasgow Tigers.

We also remember last year, as the rain lashed down on Shielfield and we desperately dragged our track covers out to try to get the planned GP Challenge meeting on, Theo -- who was to be racing -- was right in there among our soaked staffers, pulling covers around with the best of them!

All of which means we are happy to advertise that Theo Pijper's long-awaited Testimonial will take place as the season-opener up at Armadale on Friday, March 20th. While the full line-up, or indeed the format of the meeting, has not been announced yet, we do know Claus Vissing was one of the first riders to be named for the event. (In fact, Claus' appearance will be sponsored by the Dixon Building Bandits!). We will be reporting on further additions to the field in our Banditmail issues leading up to his big night.

 

 

RICKY'S MEET: As we have previously noted in our Banditmail, there will be a meeting at Sheffield on Sunday, March 22nd (the day after our press'n'practice session) to add to funds raised for the rehabilitation and continuing recuperation of our grievously-injured Bandit Ricky Ashworth.

Detail;s of the event are now emerging, and some of the names of riders taking part. Our own Ben Barker will be racing for Ricky, along with (among others still to be announced) Simon Stead, Freddie Lindgren, Peter Karlsson, Jakob Thorsell and Chris Harris.

The meeting itself will be a 20-heat individual event, plus two semi-finals and a final.

 

 

VIP CLUB MEMBERSHIPS BUILDING UP: With only six or so weeks until the bikes first roar again, it is tremendous to report the Bandits' promotion's initiative in setting up the new VIP Club is being rewarded by memberships coming in - are you in the Club as yet?

Ryan Anderson announced the first of what will be several extra offers to boost membership of the new VIP Club, announcing that every tenth member signing-up to be a Bandits' VIP will receive free admission to the regular-season meeting of their choice during 2015.

"This won't be the last wee extra we've got up our sleeve for VIPs" he confirmed. "We want to draw our fantastically-loyal and enthusiastic family of Berwick Bandits together, and what'll happen with this part of the deal is that every tenth VIP, member number 10, 20, 30, etc, will quite simply be invited to come to the next meeting -- or another night if they can't make it -- as our guest. When season-ticket holders join as VIPs, they will receive a free pass for a friend to use"

"We will have further benefits for members in addition to what's already been announced" Ryan went on. "But we wanted to tell people about the free ticketing idea right away, so they can apply for membership sooner, rather than later, and hopefully get one of the lucky numbers!".

For an annual membership fee of £20, VIP supporters will be afforded the opportunity to make a privileged pits visit for a few heats during a meeting, and then spend a further couple of races viewing proceedings from the centre-green. Members will also be invited to make the presentation of a VIP award to one night's most-entertaining rider and -- if they have kids who attend matches -- can nominate their young 'uns to be mascots.

Further, VIPs will receive a 50% discount of tickets for dances, etc, organised by the promotion, on certain nights they will receive a generous discount on merchandise from the Club Shop and on booking hospitality will be granted 10% discount if a full party (30+ visitors) is booked in.

To join the VIP Club, and those who have already signed up -- and you just might be a 'tenth member' -- contact Lani Rae on lani@berwickbandits.co or call 07775-227535.

[bjcol]

plenty of reading in tonight's Banditmail..........

 

LUKE BACK IN ANGER: Our young recruit Luke Crang, who has spent many winter hours in the gym working his way back to fitness after sustaining back injuries while racing for Workington at Redcar last July, has now been back on his bike in anger, pushing himself to confirm his return to rude health.

Luke reports no ill-effects, and will continue to find track-time wherever he can in the coming weeks leading up to the season's start. He is also racing in the National League this year, and will be on parade at Brandon for the Blaze's press day on March 13th.

 

NEW REGULATIONS: As the new season approaches, we thought we should go over a few minor amendments to the regulations governing Premier League speedway in 2015. None are game-changers, and some seem (in our eyes) unecessary, however the powers-that-be want to refine a few things. Let's see.....

Firstly, if a home team wins a match -- whether by one point of forty points -- they will be awarded three league points. If they win by six points or less, the visting team will get a bonus point, but this year a win is a three-pointer, regardless of the scoreline.

We will see less black-and-white helmets this term. In PL matches, a losing team can only use the tactical facility once, it being available when a team is ten or more points behind the opposition in heats 5 through 12 (inclusive). The tactical facility willl not be available during the PL play-offs, in the KO Cup or the later stages of the League Cup.

The PL play-offs will again be contested by the top six clubs in the final table. However, the format of the play-offs is refined. This year the third-placed club faces the sixth finisher in one quarter-final and finishers four and five meet in the other. The winners then progress to semi-finals, where the winners of the first quarter-final face the table-toppers, and the runners-up race against the team coming out of the second quarter-final. Obviously, the two winning semi-finalists then contest the Premier League Championship Grand Final.

One other minor adjustment -- welcomed by traditionalists -- is the full-time return of the yellow-and-black helmet to replace yellow for the fourth rider in a heat. This at the request of referees, who have found it difficult to distinguish between white and plain yellow covers under murky conditions.

 

BENFUND BANDITS: Two of our Dixon Building Bandits will get an early-season run-out on Sunday, March 8th in the annual BenFund Bonanza event, to be staged this year at Swindon. The meeting will comprise a quadrangular tournament between Australia, England, Denmark and Poland.

The Danes have announced Thomas Jorgensen in their team, and Ben Barker -- who has the magnificent record of turning out in every single Bonanza meeting so far staged -- will be in the English squad, alongside Edinburgh ace Craig Cook and Glasgow's latest big-money signing Richard Lawson.

 

In addition to the BenFund event, Ben will have another meeting under his belt before arriving at Shielfield for our Press & Practice session (on Saturday 21st March) when he will be at Ipswich -- his 2013 club -- to take part in the Witches' annual Billy Sanders Memorial event on Thursday 19th.

 

MUSIC POLICIES: While we are aware that spectators come to Shielfield Park on a Saturday night to watch motor-bikes going sideways rather than attend a disco, we have at times received intense communications from customers who want to comment on the music played between races.

Of course, we carefully read all suggestions, and in this instance find that -- of the minority who care -- there is virtually no common ground!

Experience tells us there are about 5% of our weekly audience who want bang-up-to-the-minute thumping modern pop, hip-hop and house music, 5% who want the hit sounds of their rock'n'roll youth and a further 5% who seek gentle background music without any interference to their chatting! But that in truth, the remaining 85% don't give a hoot what we play.....

In short, we certainly cannot please everybody -- but will continue to provide as variable a mixture of music as possible between races, incorporating old ones, gold ones, new ones and blue ones -- and we will continue to pass all requests for any particular artistes or musical styles to our presentation team. Enjoy!

 

KO CUP: This season's Premier League KO Cup competition will be sponsored by Travel Plus Tours. In the first round, your Dixon Building Bandits have been drawn to race Ipswich Witches (home leg is on May 9th, away return at Foxhall Heath on Thursday, 21st). The winners of this tie will face either Rye House or Workington in the quarter-finals.

 

PRESS AND PRACTICE: Our official Press'n'Practice session this year will take place on Saturday, March 21st. All contracted riders will be in attendance of course, and will take to the track after their usual photo-calls and media interview sessions. The Track Shop will be open, and sales of VIP Club memberships and our various season ticket packages will be available.

 

 

THEO PIJPER: Although Theo raced as a Bandit for only a short period (in 2007) he has been a respected visitor since first arriving in Scotland in 2002 to join Edinburgh Monarchs, and spending a couple of years more recently on loan to Glasgow Tigers.

We also remember last year, as the rain lashed down on Shielfield and we desperately dragged our track covers out to try to get the planned GP Challenge meeting on, Theo -- who was to be racing -- was right in there among our soaked staffers, pulling covers around with the best of them!

All of which means we are happy to advertise that Theo Pijper's long-awaited Testimonial will take place as the season-opener up at Armadale on Friday, March 20th. While the full line-up, or indeed the format of the meeting, has not been announced yet, we do know Claus Vissing was one of the first riders to be named for the event. (In fact, Claus' appearance will be sponsored by the Dixon Building Bandits!). We will be reporting on further additions to the field in our Banditmail issues leading up to his big night.

 

 

RICKY'S MEET: As we have previously noted in our Banditmail, there will be a meeting at Sheffield on Sunday, March 22nd (the day after our press'n'practice session) to add to funds raised for the rehabilitation and continuing recuperation of our grievously-injured Bandit Ricky Ashworth.

Detail;s of the event are now emerging, and some of the names of riders taking part. Our own Ben Barker will be racing for Ricky, along with (among others still to be announced) Simon Stead, Freddie Lindgren, Peter Karlsson, Jakob Thorsell and Chris Harris.

The meeting itself will be a 20-heat individual event, plus two semi-finals and a final.

 

 

VIP CLUB MEMBERSHIPS BUILDING UP: With only six or so weeks until the bikes first roar again, it is tremendous to report the Bandits' promotion's initiative in setting up the new VIP Club is being rewarded by memberships coming in - are you in the Club as yet?

Ryan Anderson announced the first of what will be several extra offers to boost membership of the new VIP Club, announcing that every tenth member signing-up to be a Bandits' VIP will receive free admission to the regular-season meeting of their choice during 2015.

"This won't be the last wee extra we've got up our sleeve for VIPs" he confirmed. "We want to draw our fantastically-loyal and enthusiastic family of Berwick Bandits together, and what'll happen with this part of the deal is that every tenth VIP, member number 10, 20, 30, etc, will quite simply be invited to come to the next meeting -- or another night if they can't make it -- as our guest. When season-ticket holders join as VIPs, they will receive a free pass for a friend to use"

"We will have further benefits for members in addition to what's already been announced" Ryan went on. "But we wanted to tell people about the free ticketing idea right away, so they can apply for membership sooner, rather than later, and hopefully get one of the lucky numbers!".

For an annual membership fee of £20, VIP supporters will be afforded the opportunity to make a privileged pits visit for a few heats during a meeting, and then spend a further couple of races viewing proceedings from the centre-green. Members will also be invited to make the presentation of a VIP award to one night's most-entertaining rider and -- if they have kids who attend matches -- can nominate their young 'uns to be mascots.

Further, VIPs will receive a 50% discount of tickets for dances, etc, organised by the promotion, on certain nights they will receive a generous discount on merchandise from the Club Shop and on booking hospitality will be granted 10% discount if a full party (30+ visitors) is booked in.

To join the VIP Club, and those who have already signed up -- and you just might be a 'tenth member' -- contact Lani Rae on lani@berwickbandits.co or call 07775-227535.

at last a bandits up date

[screm]

at last a bandits up date

 

Most of which we knew already.

[bjcol]

 

Most of which we knew already.

old news is always the best

[Indy]

BANDITS SUPPORTERS CLUB - A.G.M. - This Saturday, 21st Feb, 7.30pm @ The Black and Gold. The AGM will be followed by a QUIZ NIGHT.

 

Come along and catch up on what's been happening and what's planned for 2015! 'Mon The Mighties!!!! Lisa Youngman x

[screm]

BANDITS SUPPORTERS CLUB - A.G.M. - This Saturday, 21st Feb, 7.30pm @ The Black and Gold. The AGM will be followed by a QUIZ NIGHT.

 

Come along and catch up on what's been happening and what's planned for 2015! 'Mon The Mighties!!!! Lisa Youngman x

 

Hopefully there will be a big turn with lots of new members, though you would've thought the club might've put this in their last news letter.

[customhouseregular]

As an impoverished pensioner with no transport and 50 miles from the nearest track, I don't get to watch speedway. BUT...if I could I would get to Berwick.

 

The team looks good, the stadium and track look good and I reckon the racing will be good.

 

Can I be an honoury (?) supporter?.

[Robinh88]

take an oath, and you will be one of us!

[screm]

take an oath, and you will be one of us!

 

Take an oath to who though, clearly this is something I have yet to do.

[Shadders]

As an impoverished pensioner with no transport and 50 miles from the nearest track, I don't get to watch speedway. BUT...if I could I would get to Berwick.

 

The team looks good, the stadium and track look good and I reckon the racing will be good.

 

Can I be an honoury (?) supporter?.

Mostly processional. You're not missing much

 

 

 

Hopefully there will be a big turn with lots of new members, though you would've thought the club might've put this in their last news letter.

I'm sure it was just an oversight. Perish the thought that the promotion would be pushing their VIP club to the determent of the supporters club Edited February 19, 2015 by Shads

[customhouseregular]

I swear by the Almighty Bandits etc. etc.

[smod]

I see Glasgow's new bosses have closed down two old-established supporters groups and instigated a new one to who they appointed their own committee. Yet no-one seems to be complaining.

 

Berwick aren't doing that, they've just created a new VIP level which offers people a chance to join in, and get benefits, if they want to.

Edited February 20, 2015 by smod

[Robinh88]

who cares, get on with the racing...hopefully a good one for the Bandits!

[YAMYAMBANDIT]

I see Glasgow's new bosses have closed down two old-established supporters groups and instigated a new one to who they appointed their own committee. Yet no-one seems to be complaining.

 

Berwick aren't doing that, they've just created a new VIP level which offers people a chance to join in, and get benefits, if they want to.

Supporters clubs should always be independant of the club

[crescent girl]

who cares, get on with the racing...hopefully a good one for the Bandits!

 

Have to say it: Good post!

[YAMYAMBANDIT]

I see Glasgow's new bosses have closed down two old-established supporters groups and instigated a new one to who they appointed their own committee. Yet no-one seems to be complaining.

 

Berwick aren't doing that, they've just created a new VIP level which offers people a chance to join in, and get benefits, if they want to.

Thats what happened with the supporters club, all decisions were made by the commitee, can't see the logic in replicating something you already have for £10.

[Heedthebaw]

Thats what happened with the supporters club, all decisions were made by the commitee, can't see the logic in replicating something you already have for £10.

I would think it looks like the supporters club will not have the benefits this year though ? ?

[tyretrax]

I see Glasgow's new bosses have closed down two old-established supporters groups and instigated a new one to who they appointed their own committee. Yet no-one seems to be complaining.

 

Berwick aren't doing that, they've just created a new VIP level which offers people a chance to join in, and get benefits, if they want to.

No point It's their game.

[Shadders]

I see Glasgow's new bosses have closed down two old-established supporters groups and instigated a new one to who they appointed their own committee. Yet no-one seems to be complaining.

 

That's exactly how Nazi Germany started Edited February 20, 2015 by Shads

[Fromafar]

I would think it looks like the supporters club will not have the benefits this year though ? ?

That could also lead to the Promotion not having hand outs from supporters club,it might benefit the riders more in future.