WestWallPoma

Latest Bandit Mail states: Anyone know what the improvements are / will be? As previously discussed, there's little room (pun intended) to widen the corners due to the pitch etc. Curious as at what they can do.

Aye. It's a short as it's allowed ; 100yd (100 to 130 yards). It could be narrower (at 70yard, min is 50) - but that would increase the gap between the spectators and the pitch, which personally I think is already too wide for football already. Fit a retractable surface along with the retractable roof ; that's the answer.

Bravo! Once it's gone, that'll be gone. Once described Berwick Speedway to a non-believer as pretty much that: Me: "Four lunatics at a time on motorbikes without gears or brakes making a ^&*-tonne of noise, skidding round a banked track for a minute or so, a baw-hair away from smashing each other into a fence - and they do this fifteen times, and there's beer and burgers and chips. And the fumes are worthy of the admission price alone." Him: "Sounds good. Saturday, aye?" *queue: chorus of angels*

Exciting stuff. After the doom and gloom of Nae Speedway at Berwick in 2016, to this ; quite a radical shift. On paper, and with certain riders elsewhere pulling out of the PL, this is a team capable to winning at trophy if they can stay out of the fence. I'm guessing the season ticket news referred to in the latest newsletter is either a 3 year jobby, or possibly a pay-in-installments jobby.

Dave Trownson with his decade or so at the Monarchs probably deserves a mention. I remember, as a laddie growing up in Edinburgh, him being the most popular rider amongst the kids at school who were into their Speedway. Even more popular than Penhall. He was always happy to chat and sign programmes for with the kids who hung around the pits close to the tea urn resting on that weird white banking at the Powderhall. Felt like he scored a maximum every week http://www.edinburghmonarchs.co/club_legends/article.asp?id=13

Really pleased we'll be seeing Seb back in the saddle for Berwick. He was guaranteed put in jaw-dropping laps around our track regardless of who gated. We need wins at home to encourage the punters, and I'm confident Seb will deliver. Well done everyone involved!

Barry! Have to say Child #1 was ambivalent when I told him the Bandits might be no more, but Child #2 was mortified. She'll be ecstatic when I tell her the news. FTR Child #2 is still all about the wheelies, while Child #1 was bored rigid this season. Specifically he felt there was no overtaking ; especially compared to the last three he's been to (he's wandered off half-way through a lot of GPs as well - they been no better). Do you think the Rangers will notice if I sneak in one night and cut out a deeper corner on the 4th bend? As I've said before, I always felt Saturday night was 99% there ; it's just the racing bit that's been a let down this past year. Anyhoo - looking forward now. Season Ticket time

Berwick, obtained a 3 year license in 2012. Under current circumstances, it may also have lapsed ; but they did at least get the GPQ, and World U21s out of it. The standard of racing at the World U21s was incredible ... might watch the DVD again tonight

Correct - I think it was, rather than shot down, pointed out that while financial contributions would help, the crux of the matter is the current owners are worn out. I fear that trying to manage a Speedway club in the UK is akin to pushing a wet turd up a hill with your nose. My personal point of view is that Berwick Bandits really aren't doing anything wrong. It's been well run, they've been open enough about the situation over the years, been good at tub-thumping when they've had to be, rarely embellished details for the sake of PR, when things have gone **-up, they've subsequently explained themselves and apologised when they need to. Everything is in the right place. The biggest problems I think, are with Speedway itself and they are not unique to Berwick or any other side in the UK. We've been to a half dozen meets this year, and this year the kids were bored silly. In past years, they've been absolutely buzzing post-race. Even named their cat after Kozza Smith. Truth be told, I was the same. Bored rigid. Sure - I appreciate the guys on their horses are sweating blood out there, but it's been rare to see any racing opportunity. The bikes are just far too fast. As riders spend more money tuning, the costs go up, as costs go up, the financial risks are even greater. It's no surprise to me that you see some riders coasting around Berwick one day and racking up the points elsewhere. Or vice-versa. Not sure what it was this year, as well, but normally there are at least two lines at Berwick you can take (inside, no brainer for the leader and outside, for the mentalists who are happy to dial it up on the straight and shower the 3rd benders as the sweep round). This year, the track hasn't had that. I know nothing about track building, but if you have only one line, it's stands to reason that pretty difficult to have anything remotely entertaining other than a procession. Your only hope of an overtake is to take 3 laps of shale in the face and pray the guy in front makes a mistake. I suspect the increased terminal speed of the bikes contributes to this single line factor too. It's too fast. Have I mentioned that it's too fast. Berwick should be commended for keeping it going as long as they have. Meanwhile the blazer wearers at the BSPA should be rounded up and slapped with a wet fish. My point is, Berwick have been fighting a losing battle. They changes have to come from above. Now - if we do have a club for 2016, I'd like to see the following implemented: 1. Sealed engines purchased by clubs for their riders (dislaimer: Aye, yir maw) 2. Fast-track system for NL riders, as per the EL fast-track - this has been a superb initiative IMO. Bit some EL clubs on the backside right enough, but they'll figure it out next year. 3. Online post-heat / race sponsorship system. Like a rider? Enjoyed a race ; contribute to a pot via paypal. This already happens at the meets where - if a riders engines explodes then cash is gathered to assist (no doubt with a contribution going towards Gideon & co) ; why not allow the online savvy to contribute as well. Might also help clubs appreciate that the social media foamers can (nay, do) make a positive contribution. 4. Live streaming via Youtube or something similar. There's absolutely no reason not to do it now. Rip up the broadcast contract as they current guys are making are complete Gene Hunt of the whole thing (I don't mean to include GRT in this - their DVDs are superb, but I also fear they are restricted with their broadcast mediums). There's simply no correlation between streaming and being there unless you have somebody chucking gravel in your face and you've burning castrol and sniffing the fumes while camped at your laptop. This would also help my previous point. Got a mate who doesn't know what Speedway is? Send them a link to the highlights and drag them along the week after. 5. Red and Green Shells, and Rainbow powerups. 6. I thought about this when I saw Coty give it the full beans on the banking. A pursuit-style heat or two. Teams pair up at opposite straights of the track and get N laps to chase each other down. Would help racers with team-riding, we'd see some technical riding (or not *coughs*). None that elbows nonsense on the 1st bend. Bonus points for catching the opposition before the heat ends. This could even be used as a replacement for double-points - as it is more of a challenge than anything else. 7. Mandatory donuts from the heat winner. Every time. Kids love it. Cheers!