TheScotsman

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.

Oh the irony.

Anyone know what the seating options are for this season?

Heat 1 = false start. Banker.

Sounds like a plan.

I would expect there would still be banking, not flat, but just without the camber. I thought Robson said a couple of weeks ago it had been removed.

We'll see! But to be honest I could do with a more restful season to recover from the stresses of the last 2. Yeah might do. I'm thinking about going along on Thursday to give Auty some support - no wait, Tungate isn't around any more! But I could still give scunny a shout! I'll wait to see if the weather is acceptable and if it is I'll probably be there so can try to catch up with you guys.

Certainly pleased the camber has gone.

I stood at the side of that seating area a couple of years ago when we walloped you in the league cup. We were nearly killed by the Ippo fans charging to the exits after heat 13!! So where do you sit baldyman? Right at the top?

Tried a few places - even the 4th bend! Most often in the new sitting bit, between the 2nd bend and a point opposite the start. You? Might look on eBay for some second hand night vision glasses!

Shame about that. It's the main thing that spoils it for me. Though I prefer lighter colour shale with fewer bumps but that's a personal preference! Can't be ar*ed travelling to Peterborough this year so will probably have to do some extra stints at Ippo and Rye.

So the lighting will still be bad this year?

Good signing. Worky looking not bad - just need to keep fit.

Totally agree HKP.

Great quote by Guy Martin the the paper this morning - "I don't give a sh*t about F1 racing. I've got no interest in it at all.". Have to love the man!!

Might as well just call them all off then and give the British title to Cookie.

Cookie = total legend. Nice to see Mitchell is getting some practice in ahead of the new season.