Lioness

hey depending on who's doing the chasing I'm up for it....

Who me?

It was quite a while ago Colin, maybe as long ago as 2002-05 so there are probably only a few of us around who remember it

Me apparently Oh and the female off the ITV quiz show (The Chase?). (I think ruffdiamond is having a wee joke at what the injury I could have had as its played on ice )

Colin you and I have locked swords (civilly of course lol) a few times on other matters but I have nothing but 100% admiration for the way you tried to get something off the ground and in place. I felt for you at the time - you clearly stuck your neck out with a lot of people to try and get things moving and met apathy. You led the horse to water but..... Imo you did all you could At least you tried and did everything you could feasibly do to garner interest and action - I wonder how many of us could really look in the mirror and say the same. The FAST scheme mentioned by others was run in the earlier days of the forum and had not a bad input for 3 or 4 seasons. A number of forumers paid in I think it was £5 a month and sponsored riders who at that time were CL level and still to break into PL speedway. My memory is Ben Wilson, William Lawson, James Cockle and I think maybe 2 others one of whom may have been Ben Barker though I dont remember him. I will have something on it somewhere on an old hard drive but it was done on a very basic basis although there was a constitution, I recall there were wee cheap keyrings and we tried to do cheque presentations every month to the chosen 'sponsored' rider/riders at different tracks with different members doing the presentation - it was £100 per month it gave to the youngsters. Like everything else though it had its shelf life especially with the recession starting to bite and naturally it was one of the first things people would cut back on and it just basically ran its course at the time

I'm probably in similar shape to frosty knickers lol

Nah Gem, I've had a taste of national success now - I'd be out on the ice (one way or another! - for those who know of my injury last season! lol)

and that 'giggle' could rightly or wrongly cost an individual their career or livlihood as Starshooter has explained. it is a very serious allegation and one that stretches way beyond speedway and will have to be dealt with as such. Berwick are right (did I just type that? lol) not to make any comment on it just now. if it turns out to be a wrongful accusation Mr Lawson could find himself in very serious trouble. Thats the payback of social media

you were only the second car in the car park this week though - that confused us all lol.

Caught your driver out - his camera was still in its bag lol

Did they say why that was Paul? I too was pleasantly surprised by no long drawn out affair and racing starting on time. At one stage today I thought both teams were making it hard for themselves but in the end I felt the result was fair. Harrison should be getting credit for the way he laid his bike down in heat 4 to avoid a stricken Hawkins - and all credit to Hawkins the first thing he did when getting up and getting back to the pits was to acknowledge it but Rusty seemed to have hurt his hand/arm. Worrall was excellent and I thought Risager rode better than his points taly shows. If I was a Witches fan I would seriously question the choice of Manzares as a TR in heat 10 - seemed bizarre. Adam Ellis as Paulco has already said copped a sore one and best wishes to him for a quick recovery. From where I was he seemed to be going far too wide and had to lock to try and avoid running out of track - he had done the same the previous lap. not impressed with the majority of his team mates actions towards the pits staff when asked not to go out on to the track while Ellis was down but Im sure they've heard worse! Fox was a good guest today and Kasper worked his little cotton socks off (cos I cant put what we said at the track lol). Good scores from the top end and other from the re run of his opening race I thought Rusty again looked on fire

Cracking 2nd half too

Think you are being unfair on Rusty Paul. For me he has exceeded my expectations for this season. I can forgive the odd off day of a rider who IMO is clearly trying and doing better overall than expected

How very dare you Right thats it, bend over for a slap next Sunday lol (that'll make you run!

I came in at the same time as you Paul, if not a wee bit after you - as I said in the bit of my quote you cut out there were 2 open then but MD has pointed out there was only 1 at start time and I wondered if that happened all the time as I am never that late!

Actually it was Tom Perry and PalmToft Tigers had at reserve. You would have thought MPT would be a masterstroke but with bike problems that turned out not to be the case and in fairness I think even he would say he was a disappointment. Tom Perry on the other hand was a refreshing surprise and thoroughly deserves his chance in the PL. Great attitude, rode well, never gave up and looked pretty stylish. He was without doubt our 'star' of the guests for me My bugbear about the parade is shared by a few - they can have a 2 hour parade for all I care - just start the racing at the stated time! People who want to see the parade can, people who dont can arrive at (usually) 3pm to see the riders coming to tapes for heat 1. Wonder why there was only one gate open at 5pm - there were a couple open when I came in, do they tend to shut one gate near start time? Seems a bit strange if they do but you never know in speedway Bit harsh on the guy. He came and gave his all. okay maybe too soon for him but he never stopped battling. I think Shadders point here is a lot more valid tbh

I dont fully agree with you for once! It was enjoyable from the point of view we got the result but the entertainment value was far better last week - too many heats decided out of bend 2. Was great to see Wolbert hit the form he is capable of - I honestly feel if his chain hadnt gone he would have got the maximum. You could see the relief off his face in the pits. Rusty too was superb, for me he is proving to be the signing of the season so far, he has surely well exceeded expectations. Like you I was impressed by Tom Perry. re the Rockets, I am not a Kennett fan but I have to say he was good value today and never stopped trying all over the track for somewhere to get past. Boxall, yeah Rockets best man. I said before the meeting that Bowen seemed to dislike Ashfield and it looked that way a bit again today. Garrity really disappointed me - what have you done to him? He looked lack lustre and yet he was always a controversial on the edge racer when he has been here before. In fairness it was very very humid. Heats 3 and 4 were a dustbowl but they came out and gave the track a good soaking and then came out more often than normal afterwards and did a good job of minimising it so although I've been winding the track curator for the day up elsewhere, in fairness I thought they did a pretty good job of keeping it down

Im confused - Ryan Fisher isnt even riding?

a kick with a steel shoe at a guys most vulnerable area......I think its worse than a cheap shot. I've never bought into the Nicki hater stuff and thought he was an entertainer and bit of a pantomime villain - until now. Definitely overstepped the line big style and followed it up by driving at one of Zagar's pit crew as he sped off on his bike..... Im never usually in favour of bans, you have to accept and make allowances for it being a high adrenalin sport but that was well beyond making allowances. Shame that it took away a little (only a little tho) from what imo was a great GP with some excellent racing

especially as thre is none forecast for today either and its now err....raining! lol Did we not get quite close a couple of years ago with 5 guests and r/r v Edinburgh?

tempted to query if you are thanking the poster in particular or making a comment on the whole stupid idea!

local forecast has it dry from 6pm, showers in the afternoon. Its been very humid the last few days as well. http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/Scotland/Bathgate.htm

I suppose its a balancing act they have to figure out between double headers and back to back meetings Sunday/Monday. For me its a no brainer, Sunday/Monday when you face a 60 mile round trip just to get there means you pick one or the other that week so its 2 less full price admissions for the club in our case. Double headers on the other hand the promotion have to give gate concessions to get people through the gate so you get less overall on average for everyone than if everyone attended Sunday/Monday (which they wont). So there is the balancing act - do you lose more money with double headers or more with back to back?

No we read it the same way, its probably me in the way I have worded it. I meant I agreed that its good Berwick (and others) have gone down this route and I would emphasise the praise to the clubs rather than the no disrespct bit. Basically Im agreeing but wording it very badly! lol

I'd put it the other way round and applaud clubs who are giving a local youngster a go when needing an NL guest. i know its academic now. Ryan has come on leaps and bounds though in the last year or so and although he still has a fair bit to go the guest bookings he has got so far this season from clubs traveling north (he's had a couple of outings at Edinburgh) can only help. He's learning all the time which is good to see and keen as mustard