TheScotsman

Bankers.

And is it the battle for runner-up because the title has been awarded to monarchs?

Means Sheffo will win the group!

Fair enough - good luck to the lad. Hope he doesn't feel he has to try too hard.

Interesting. But a helluva gamble.

Always worked well against the weegies.

Is Barker still on £1300 a meeting?

Mitchell Davey!

Certainly tough luck for brendon Johnson and separately for Mr Perks.

Eh?

Long haul from Isle of Wight on a Thursday to Armadale on a Friday though!! But I wish you well and hope that something can be saved for this season (and beyond).

For gorgeous george - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSTivVclQQ0

Gutted about Mitch not getting the gig.

Jeez you are all heart.

More electrical problems at the Showground I see. Hmmm.

I heard the passport office had moved to Glasgow so maybe that's what's screwing up his application. Still a hell of a lot less than the grimble brothers have had to pump in to keep the weegies afloat.

Not begging - inviting riders to come for a trial. Great pity if Mitch can't get his passport sorted out in time but hey ho. I remember the vultures races in the olden days when second halfers would have a race at the beginning of the night with the winner getting the reserve spot.

Visited the Wall of Death a couple of years ago. Scary stuff when they swoop up to the top of the wall hands free!! And very loud!! They even had go karts on the wall. Guy's wall is huge in comparison and obviously built for pure speed.

Monarchs' Dick Campbell too I seem to remember.

No your key words were "at the half way stage last season as he was pretty woeful ". Erik was never that. Bear in mind he was world long track champion at that stage having been the youngest ever winner in 2014. He was team championships runner up in 2015 - can't remember where he finished in the individual in 2015, possibly runner up. He had barely ridden a speedway bike when he came over and it was a bit of a culture shock from long tracks to Armadale. Anyway back to Ippo and Paco...... I think the lad' will be ok if persevered with. Yes he never threatened the points scorers on Thursday but I said on the night that I expect him to do better away from home. I'm sure he was keeping it safe on his debut and he did look safe. And Ippo will still finish top 6 this season. Sarj will get used to having to sit still at the start and will eventually get among the points. Top 3 will score well and Risager will do what Risager always does. Ritchings did better than I expected but never looked that safe. Think it should be reasonably close today at Scunny.

Are you for real? Erik is streets ahead of Castagna. Was shaky in his first couple of meetings, but never woeful. Broke his collar bone early in the season. Ended the season as a match winner, having won most of his heat 14's during the season. Did you see him at Somerset? Going to have a big season this year I reckon.

I never understand the focus some folks have on a rider's age. So Cookie is no "Spring Chicken"? Hell he's only 28, compared to Woffy's 25!! And he's been riding 2 years less than Woffy - even more if you count Woffy's Aussie beginnings. And only 1 year more than Garrity. So Woffy and Cookie have another 10 years to go to match the ages of Harris & Nicholls. So Garrity might have a long wait.

Well according to the TomTom journey planner, I also use junction 58 so we'll see what happens. BBC is saying about 4 degrees at about 9pm tonight. Jeez that's cold outdoors especially up on that rickety scaffold. But I'll give it a go. What time do you guys normally get there? I usually aim to get there in time to grab a few chips and a drink and finish them before my fingers freeze up. Let me know if you want to meet up and I'll pm you my mobile number.

Gate 2.

Thanks Alan.