crescent girl

Very good news, which confirms what was announced by Berwick's e-mailed Newsletter on Tuesday. Well done everyone, SRBF will use the funds to give Ricky support.

I think the directors have failed in their remit. Advertising and "promoting" this final meeting, only to then pull the plug with a somewhat feeble excuse of certain riders being required elsewhere seems about par for their course. Owners must feel it a last straw.

An interesting point, methinks

No-one in authority now seems to be caring about what has been identified as a critical problem over the future of the Tigers. Or are moves taking place behind the scenes? I feel sure their many well-wishers would like to know.

And it might be the last time........

Latest Newsletter has some great news... The club is just awaiting a few final sponsorship payments before finalising the accounting for the big Benefit meeting last month, but it is now clear the total figure, when independently audited, will exceed an amazing amount of £15,000. Organiser Dennis McCleary said 'It can never be enough, can it? However, it is money which wouldn't have been available to Ricky if we hadn't, with Sheffield's help, staged the big night. I have spoken with Dave Ashworth, and everyone seems very happy. As well as the riders, the volunteer staffing and things like free rent, ambulance cover and insurance we had extra help from folk who came in as independent gate checkers and suchlike, George English and his mum from Newcastle, off-duty licensed officials Willie Dishington and John Jack, plus of course all our own crew. Thanks, folks!' When a precise final total is declared, it will be announced by the Berwick and Sheffield clubs. To avoid a very real risk of tax implications down the line, the funds raised will be passed through the marvellous Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund (SRBF) who are ring-fencing all donations specified as being for Ricky Ashworth and who can then (as a registered charity) disburse the money to Ricky without fear of governmental interference.

I am unaware if Mr Gay reads these pages, but his good work in watching out for Klindt (especially) and Rene Bach at the starts suggests he was well aware of the criticisms being levelled (again, particularly at Klindt) on here pre-match. I would guess that Mr Dishington was equally particular at Edinburgh last night, as Klindt didn't get away with any of his speciality rollers, and was predictably dire as a result.

So you would specifically cold-shoulder the Tigers, and (presumably) travel to Armadale, Workington, Berwick or Newcastle to watch their racing? That's a serious question.

Now there's a project for you to get into, sir! Your credibility would sky-rocket if you could pull such a support team together for Liam.

Love the prospect of Taffy as team manager! About six months before April 1st, too. However, in the main the last two or three pages have been both interesting and constructive. So much better than endless lists of other clubs' riders who posters mistakenly believe would immediately jump ship at the prospect of becoming a Bandit next year!

The 2013 edition of FIM Standards for Track Racing Circuits was updated (prior to May 14th, 2013) to include a regulation that "at all Speedway meetings the use of an FIM homologated APD is compulsory"

One name to disregard is Liam Carr. He is nailed on very firmly to be in Berwick's 2014 line-up.

So what would you do, George? Become a follower of another club, or stop going to speedway altogether?

I'd hope Deek would get an invitation!

Klindt warned once. Hopefully that's a real yellow card. Really is a horrible cheat, always rolling.

Whoever Bandits choose for the top of their team, there can be no doubt Liam Carr should be offered the final place he fully deserves after his scoring in both leagues over the past couple of months. Liam will be riding for Edinburgh again tomorrow night in their last play-off match, as they clearly think highly of him. The club's latest newsletter reminds people that as Liam is still at school he cannot earn money to build up his equipment for next season in the way older lads might be able. They highlight a case for local sponsorship of a local lad. I see Tourettes is buying him a race-suit, any other offers out there?

But if the points limit is drastically reduced (as it will be) an effective No 1 might be much lower-averaged. Speculation has to be put on hold until after the BSPA meetings.

Hansen was good on Saturday, looked professional, very polite and eager to please and was well-turned-out. However, isn't he maybe just exactly one of the "journeymen" some of the folk on here are so set against? He is also not an asset (Wolves?) and as such the club might be better looking elsewhere.

Track wasn't great last night. I don't think Alan Bridgett was in his tractor -- is he on holiday? If so, it showed!

Despite the usual suspect critics, Shielfield track has been impressively-good over the past few seasons. Over the long piece, the preparation team do an excellent job. The past criticism of the recently-improved Brough Park and continual complaints over Redcar this year were (Newcastle) and are (STMP) much more valid.

Why surprised? Was it that the Sun had stuff about Berwick? A good plug for Ricky's meeting, surely?

Have had a text to say it was announced at Armadale tonight that Joey Ringwood of Glasgow and Edinburgh's Jo Tobacco have been added to the line-up for tomorrow.

Makes signing up all the more sensible, as it is free -- they're giving away a five-meeting free pass for next season -- and as was emphasised repeatedly on Saturday night, there are times when subscribers will learn information faster than on website, etc. Including, it seems, this time!

You will find that surprisingly few have established +4 at PL level. It is a good rule (a shock in itself, that) as it is designed to prevent "experienced" guys dropping into NL and then filling their boots with PL bookings. Moving forward, Liam Carr raced against Witches at Edinburgh ten days or so again and collected 5+2 from three races -- book him up quick!

Of course the promoters want to keep them. Because they make money. Which is rare enough these days.