Flipper

BORYS IS BACK Berwick’s speedway Bandits – sponsored by A & J Scott of Wooperton – have announced another rider’s name as they prepare for a stunning opening to their 2012 shale-shifting season. He is Borys Miturski, the 22-year-old from Czestochowa, Poland who previously made one appearance at the border circuit when he energetically contested the 2010 Bordernapolis. “We’ve kept in touch with Borys since that night, and were surprised and delighted when he made contact to offer his services for the Fence-Fund Challenge.” admitted commercial director Phil Newton. As has been widely-publicised, Berwick’s speedway bosses are installing a £45,000 polyfoam safety-fence at the stadium and riders from all parts of the UK – and now, in the case of Borys Miturski, overseas -- have agreed to ‘race for nothing’ at the club’s opening meeting of the year to help foot the bill, making racing safer for the riders who will follow in their tyre-tracks in years to come! Elite stars Davey Watt, Adam Shields, Tomasz Piszcz and Olly Allen were among the first to put their hands up.. The club has also club confirmed Matej Kus of Redcar, Glasgow’s Josh Grajczonek, the diminutive Josef ‘Pepe’ Franc, and of course all seven of the 2012 A & J Scott Bandits. There is now just one more name to be announced to complete the opening-night line-up. “We have to understand that in this event, we are inviting volunteers – the riders will not be paid, and all turnstile takings and other receipts will go directly to top up our Fence Fund”. “What should be emphasised is that the guys who have responded to our appeal are proving themselves the ‘crème de la crème’ of speedway heroes. They are doing the meeting to – as Davey Watt has said – put something back into speedway. We are so proud that they are!” SPONSORS WANTED! To maximize revenue from the Fence-Fund event – and to hopefully ensure the riders who have volunteered their services can be compensated for travelling expenses – the club are seeking sponsors to aid in underwriting the riders’ paid-out costs. “We have rider sponsorships at only £50, for which sponsors will have their names in the souvenir match programme and – most attractively – get the rider’s signed race-jacket,” announced Julie Newton. “Plus of course there are some hospitality places still open at £35 per person, allowing sponsors to watch the action from the warmth of our hospitality suite while enjoying complimentary refreshments and a sumptuous buffet! “On the subject of the polyfoam fence, can I clarify that it will carry giant advertising panels, and the club is anxious to offer this space to local, as well as national organisations. “They’ll get their names and motifs emblazoned on it, of course” confirmed Newton. “But time’s getting tight. Just get in touch with me while there are still spaces to sell! Advertising and sponsorship enquiries to Phil Newton on 07955-211618 or phil@berwickbandits.co WE’RE TALKING TO A WORLD CHAMPION ON MARCH 2nd! New Bandits Ricky Ashworth and Michael Hertrich, BSPA Management Committee member David Hoggart and track guru Colin Meredith will be involved in a Talk-In at the Black & Gold in Tweedmouth (in the stadium car-park) on Friday, March 2nd. The biggest attraction on the night will however be 1991 World Speedway Champion Jan O Pedersen! Admission will be by ticket only. £3.00 only by calling 07955211618.

The next entrant into the Foam Fence Challenge at Berwick on March 17th will be announced on Friday evening, the 24th February at the Black & Gold. On the 24th February Berwick Speedway Supporters Club hold their AGM in the function room, whilst in the bar area Berwick Speedway staff, track staff, first aiders and stewards are invited to meet for their annual gathering to discuss the forthcoming season. Following the two meetings which are both scheduled to start at 7.30pm, there will be a Speedway Race Night. The action on the big screen will be provided by the brilliant GRT Media and is always entertaining. Tickets for the following weeks 'Talk-in' on Friday March 2nd featuring former World Champ Jan O Pedersen, Dave Hoggart, Colin Meredith and new Bandits Ricky Ashworth and Michael Hertrich will be on sale from the Race night. They are priced only £3.00.

Quite correct, Kasper contacted me early Tuesday morning to advise me that he'd been called up to ride for Team Denmark in an U21 4TT in Poland, effectively as a replacement for the injured Rene Bach. He was disappointed to miss out, as he is hoping to get a PL berth in the UK in 2012. The fit again Mitchell Davey slots into his place, eager to get some laps in before the Bandits fixture at Newcastle on Sunday evening.

www.berwickbandits.co Full Line-Up revealed

The meeting is most certainly ON. The track has drained very nicely, and is in good shape. The postponement of Berwick Rangers Reserve game this afternoon, gives more opportunity to get the track into excellent shape. Jason Lyons and Peter Kildemand are the riders who make up the sixteen. Lyons, Kildemand, Clews, Complin, Strozyk, Miturski, Porsing, Parker, Schlein, McGowan, Fisher, Haines, Proctor, Summers, Wright, Karlsson. reserves Sike & Blair

If Scunthorpe beat Workington on Friday, I think you'll find they are scheduled to meet Rye House at Hoddesdon on Sunday 24.10.10 with a 4pm start. If Workington overcome Scunthorpe, then the first leg of the Young Shield Final would be held at Derwent Park on Saturday evening 23.10.10.

Michal Makovsky has donated his own number 1 Race Jacket from his successful Testimonial Meeting earlier this season to be auctioned as part of his Testimonial Fund for 2010. If you would like to own this piece of history from the Bandits highest ever scorer, then it will be available to bid on from tomorrow morning, Friday 28th May at 8.00am via eBay. The item number is 150448697316 for easy reference. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to grab a what is going to become a collector’s item. This auction will end at 8.00am on Sunday 6th June. www.michalmakovsky.com for more details

NB Michal's Race Night, tonight 6.30pm at the Black & Gold, Tweedmouth. 50p tote in operation to provide some great family fun. More details via www.michalmakovsky.com

A great many thanks to everyone who contributed to this meeting, the riders, officials, volunteers, sponsors and above all the terrific supporters who braved the cold night air to enjoy 20 heats of entertainment crammed into just a little over two hours. Michal Makovsky Testimonial Committee

Check Official Michal Makovsky Website for the latest news, including the replacements for James Grieves and Ryan Fisher.

Ryan was included in the original line-up, but had a commitment in Poland, so had to withdraw, however he has subsequently made himself available to Michal only last week. During which time, Jason Doyle had been booked to appear, Ryan though readily agreed to 'race' with Mr Ermolenko, and support Michal. We did think to include an Edinburgh rider in the line-up, but circumstances have decreed otherwise, and I think we have a smashing line-up, of racers to put on a show for Michal. Come on down - there is no 'hike' in admission prices, due to the backing of great sposorship from local businesses and individuals. We thank each and everyone of them for their donations to Michal's fund.

A family ticket is available for two adults and two children for only £30. Children under 5 are free, 6-16 are £5.00.

check out Michal Makovsky Official Website for all the details. NB full 20 heats Individual + support races from Sam and Ryan (Battle of the US) - these will be good, can't say too much, as want to keep a little surprise for the spectators. No increase on normal admission charges - £14.00 for adults, £10.00 senior citizens and £5.00 for children. Full colour 36 page programme - an incredible bargain at only £2.00.

You are correct Ryan Fisher is riding, lining up alongside his USA buddy Sam Ermolenko in a series of demo rides, which Sam and Ryan are co-ordinating, to ensure maximum entertainment for the Berwick public. Ryan is one of the best showmen in the sport at present, and to be on the same track as the master himself Sam Ermolenko, was an honour that Ryan jumped at. The message is bring along your family, friends and work colleagues, as the evening is promising to be an un-parralleled humdinger of a meeting, where the stand-out GP boys will have to be at their best to stave off the opposition, all of whom are Shielfield experts.

GP star to replace the unlucky Complin Kenneth Bjerre is the man, Michal’s Testimonial Committee have turned to, to fill the spot, that was originally earmarked for Lee Complin. Lee was involved in a nasty crash on Saturday night, whilst leading his second race, falling whilst clear in front, and the following Paul Clews doing remarkably well to lay his bike down. Lee though was struck by Clews bike and the impact sustained resulted in a broken arm for the unlucky Yorkshireman. For news on Lee’s condition, please consult www.berwickspeedway.co.uk. This left the Testimonial Committee, with a blank space in the programme, and after sounding out a couple of riders, it quickly became apparent that Bjerre, was a tremendous replacement. The Peterborough flyer, and GP star can’t wait to tackle the fast bends at Shielfield once more, having not appeared at the circuit since his informative years with local neighbours, Newcastle Diamonds.

Michal will feature on Radio Borders Sports Show on Friday evening live, just minutes prior to taking to the track in heat 1 at the Scottish Open at Armadale Stadium. Listen in to Michal as he previews the action for this weekend, including the Scottish Open, and both legs of the Tyne/ Tweed Trophy vs Newcastle. He will also talk about his Testimonial Meeting, which now looms large, on March 27th, at Shielfield Park, with a very prompt 7pm start. Your chance to win tickets to Michal’s Testimonial Meeting, through an exclusive competition in conjunction with Radio Borders starting Friday throughout the day. Tune in for your chance to win one of 3 Family Tickets on offer. On Saturday night at Shielfield Park, prior and during the meeting with the Newcastle Diamonds, you could enter our raffle to win Michal’s 2009 speedway bike. This is decked out in Berwick Bandits livery, with Michal’s bike covers also part of the prize. The bike is Premier League standard, and is ready to race. You could be the owner of a speedway bike for only £5.00... that’s right only a fiver for a chance to own your own speedway bike worth over £2500. The raffle will continue through the 2010 season and will be drawn at Berwick Speedway's End of Season Party on October 30th.

Ryan Fisher checks in to Michal's Meet Flyin’ Ryan Fisher, was originally lined up to take his part in Michal Makovský’s Testimonial Meeting, but had to withdraw due to a booking in poland. However circumstances have changed and Ryan has pledged his support to Michal once more. There respect for one another is borne from some hair-raising clashes on the track in 2009, but although both riders are hard on the track, they are perfect gentlemen afterwards, and Ryan was only to happy to be able to lend his support to Mak’s big night. Fisher though had already been replaced in the main meeting with Aussie starlet Jason Doyle, however Ryan was quick to agree to still come to the meeting and take to the track and provide some entertainment alongside his American buddy, ‘Sudden’ Sam Ermolenko, with some demo rides, and I am sure the USA duo will delight the crowd with some great action on the track, as well as popping some major wheelies, no doubt.

OLLY IN TO REPLACE TAI Unfortunately Tai Woffinden will not be able to appear in Michal’s Testimonial on March 27th. Michal received a ‘phone call from Tai on Thursday to inform him that he was ‘required’ in Poland for an official team practice on the Saturday as well as the Sunday, which had already been noted. Michal quickly set about replacing Tai in the line-up, asking a long standing friend Great Britain star Olly Allen of the Ipswich Witches if he could ride, now that Chris Louis proposed Farewell Meeting has been postponed ‘til October. Olly readily agreed, again bringing the line-up to 15, with one rider outstanding. The final rider will be disclosed later today..

Michal has been invited to BBC Radio Newcastle studios on Thursday March 4th at approx 7.15pm He will be interviewed in relation to his up-coming Testimonial Meeting on the 27th March. Presenter Simon Pryde has taken a keen interest in Michal’s special year, following his appearance on the Total Sport programme in October last year along with Lawrence Heppell. Michal will join Simon Pryde with former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini and Newcastle defender John Anderson on the show Call them on 0191 2326565 or Text 07786200954 to ask Michal a question. You can listen live on DAB or 95.4fm (96.0fm in the Berwick area). Alternatively listen via the web at BBC iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio/bbc_radio_newcastle

You are correct, Ryan is unable to take his place in Michal's meeting due to a Polish commitment. Michal is in talks with several riders to replace Ryan, but is understandably disappointed to lose Edinburgh's top-man and will have to re-knew their rivalry in the Premier Trophy.

By this posting, I presume that you are a. Anti-Berwick b. Have not witnessed any of the racing at Shielfield in 2009. C. Have no respect for one of the greatest riders of the last two decades, and who said Sam will be 'pootling around' alone...

Sudden Sam Ermolenko, is to don his kevlars once more, to do some demonstration laps at Michal’s Testimonial Meeting on 27th March 2010. The added attraction of seeing the former world champion tackling the smooth Shielfield circuit, is sure to get many a pulse racing. Sam was only to glad to be able to help in any way with Michal’s Testimonial, honouring the 10 year Bandit. Sam was keen to lend his support, and by taking to the track once more, will revive memories of the Berwick faithful, who have seen the American legend capture the Bordernapolis title in the past, with a sublime display of skill. The USA great has many friends on Tweedside, and will be welcomed to the Borders on every visit - to which he has also accepted an invitation to Berwick Speedway’s now annual Pre-Season Bash, this year held at Berwick Holiday Centre on 6th march 2010 7.00pm start. I have been advised tickets are selling quick for this one, which includes a full variety show and buffet for only £10. Tiickets can be reserved for the 6th March event via email to admin@michalmakovsky.com.

Photos no online of the fabulous Forum/ DVD night held jointly by Michal's Testimonial Committee and Berwick Speedway, and raised a magnificent total of £2906 to split between Michal's Testimonial Fund and Motor Neurone Disease Association. Official Michal Makovský Website

Prior to fixtures being announced,Michal and his Testimonial Committee thought it would be prudent to sound out a number of riders, about the possibility of riding on the 27th March at Shielfield. We were overwhelmed with the response, with very few riders not offering their services. We decided from the outset to keep an up-to-date list of riders who were available and expressed an interest in riding, realising that commitments elsewhere would take a few off the list. Leigh Adams was a bid loss, but we are working on trying to find another top-line rider to replace him as we speak. Bunyan and Havelock were committed to a Prem Trophy fixture, as were Steve Johnston and Richie Hawkins. At present both Andre Compton and Chris Schramm are pencilled in at Shielfield, however, we a realistic to think that Workington will want their, top two riders at their Ope Meeting, and will 'utilise' them at Derwant Park. Tomasz Piscz has joined the line-up after approaching Michal about the possibility.

Forum/ DVD Night Sat 6th Feb - SOLD OUT All tickets for the event to be held on Saturday night coming, are now sold out. The organisers wish to thank CORNHILL VILLAGE SHOP MOTOR NEURONE RESEACH RAFFLE for Sponsoring the evening plus PAM THOMPSON, CARA HOUSE, CASTLEGATE, BERWICK for Sponsoring Guest accommodation.