crescent girl

Last night was the cut-off point for next month's averages, and yes, Claus Vissing will be No 1 for June, at least. Steen Jensen's average won't change on June 1st like the others as he hasn't completed 4 away matches, which he won't do until (weather permitting, Bandits haven't had too many sunny Thursdays this year) after Redcar next week -- his average would change on June 5th. What his average will be then, I have no idea! Maybe someone can work it out. Bonus points don't count, and I'm not sure about Heat 15 appearances. If he moves up, the thought of any of the top five moving down is mouth-watering.

Well, there you go -- a worthwhile mission for you and your pals! Get a group together, agree a small weekly donation and ensure it goes to riders on Berwick's books such as Liam Carr and Stefan Farnaby. Sometimes the bigger scorers get the bigger hand-outs, when the strugglers need it more.

Luke Crang is Newcastle's chosen guest, and Aaron Fox is expected to be riding.

Berwick's e-newsletter people really excelling themselves today: IT'S MAGIC! No sooner had we checked (and indeed double-checked) all the official e-mails and notifications from the FIM, BSPA and PZM this morning, and promptly issued your Black & Gold Bulletin this afternoon -- indeed exactly seventeen minutes after it hit your in-box -- we had word that the PZM wanted to change their minds about their nominations for our GP Challenge! A little bit later on, yes -- with fulsome apologies from all concerned, came the news from Poland. Januz Kolodziej is out -- he'll now ride in a different round -- and 2011 World U-21 Champion (and runner-up in 2010 and 2012) MACIEJ JANOWSKI is in! Now, with apologies to Mr Kolodziej, that's a swap we'll take every day of the week! Maciej (he gets called Magic, although that isn't how his name is properly pronounced) Janowski is quite simply a probable future World Champion. Racing with distinction in Poland for Sparta Wroclaw and here in the UK for Poole Pirates (alongside his countryman and fellow Berwick contestant Przemyslaw Pawlicki) young Maciej has already had a sniff at a couple of Grands Prix as a track reserve, and must be immediately rated as one of the favourites for the top step of our podium on June 7th. The complete line-up, in riding order, for the meeting will now be: 1. Chris Harris (UK) 2. Jason Doyle (Australia) 3. Mathieu Tressarrieu (France) 4. Roland Benko (Hungary) 5. Tobias Kroner (Germany) 6. Kenneth Bjerre (Denmark) 7. Josh Grajczonek (Australia) 8. Maciej Janowski (Poland) 9. Linus Stundstroem (Sweden) 10. Tomas Suchanek (Czech Republic) 11. Matej Kus (Czech Republic) 12. Hans Andersen (Denmark) 13. Daniel Gappmaier (Austria) 14. Przemyslaw Pawlicki (Poland) 15. Theo Pipjer (France) 16. Craig Cook (UK) 17. Richard Lawson (UK) 18. Lewis Bridger (UK).

According to my Berwick sources (OK, the club's excellent e-newsletter) Matej Kus will be riding on June 7th, as Slovenia have failed to nominate a rider, and the Czech Republic picked up that nomination. Excellent for Matej, who is in fine form, and for local publicity and support. In addition, we now know that Hungary will be tracking 19-year-old Roland Benko (currently racing for Plymouth) with the final part of our jigsaw being the mystery man -- Austria's Daniel Gappmaier, from Sankt Martin, near Salzburg.

Berwick e-newsletter tonight confirms Hans Andersen and Kenneth Bjerre named as Danish contestants.

Thanks. Now sorted.

Yes, date wrong. Sorry -- can someone tell me how to change a topic title?

From today's Berwick e-newsletter: After the disappointment caused by last Saturday's unavoidable washout, we are hoping for brighter and better things this week, with your full-strength Bandits' squad aiming to maintain their 100% Premier League record against the Ipswich Witches, a team with some impressive recent Shielfield performanes on their CV. It will be intriguing to see the clash of two of the world's brightest prospects when American starlet Gino Manzares faces our own David Bellego in heats 1 and 8. Both youngsters are their nations' qualifiers for the World U-21 Championship (each had to wriggle through a run-off at his respective qualifying round) and at 21, both are going for the title in their final year of elegibility. Two bright young things. Let's see what happens -- tapes up, as ever, at 7pm.

Berwick e-newsletter today confirms Lewis Bridger added alongside Richard Lawson as stand-by reserves for this event. Also confirms practice will be open to public. Stadium open 11.45-2pm, Track shop will be available.

Now confirmed. Berwick riders all available, club have accepted 22nd as "third time lucky" date for restaging. Winners will race Edinburgh, June 6th at Armadale.

Meeting off, all registered supporters sent e-mail before 10 o'clock. A handy free service!

Probably. Berwick tonight said (in club Newsletter) that no re-staging date has yet been agreed, but they hoped to make an announcement during tomorrow's match against Scunthorpe. Bandits probably making sure all their riders are available that Thursday before confirming what otherwise looks a sensible date.

From Berwick's e-mail Newsletter to supporters tonight: FIM GP CHALLENGE - JUNE 7th Expect an invasion from the left-hand coast for this major event! With Workington's ace Aussie Josh Grajczonek on parade alongside former Comets (and local lads) Craig Cook and Richard Lawson, Derwent Park promoter Laura Morgan has perhaps wisely decided to postpone her PL fixture that evening, allowing Cumbrian fans to travel east in numbers, ready to lend their exceedingly vocal support to the trio.

Bugger that. As long as it isn't resolved until after 7.45 tomorrow night!

I don't think it is the case that the BSPA don't care, just that they were backed into a corner when Sheffield announced their changes to the world before they were maybe rubber-stamped. In the end, with the old 1-7 in force, they BSPA allowed r/r for Roynon, who was not surprisingly unavailable. Hopefully he won't pick up any suspension. Next thing is, what will Sheffield's team be on Thursday?

Facility for any FIM meeting, even World Finals, is r/r for David (unless he is No 1 in averages). Only time a guest is allowed is for an ACU licenced rider. However, with such an evenly-balanced side, r/r for any of them isn't the end of the world. What might be trickier is that the French authorities have now also entered David in the European U-21 Championship, which I think is one of the Mickey Mouse meetings, and for which we would NOT get a facility, and need to use an NL rider -- presumably Stefan Farnaby. But just think, no matter who goes to reserve if/when Steen moves up, they'll be just huge in that position. This is a really solid team, why even think of messing with it? Regarding the suggestion above, swapping David Bellego and Matty Wethers, I really like having David in Heat 8 and (especially) Matty in Heat 14.

What are the pies? Marky, they are delicious, is what! Burgers from first bend are certainly the best in British speedway -- and the pies from the hut on the fourth turn are just lip-smackingly great.

No big deal --- Stevie Worrall rode at Poole and Edinburgh on the same day!

Don't be daft! If Proctor's missing Berwick on May 3, Sheffield won't be racing Edinburgh in June.

Hmmm, that's one race. Same move pulled by Chris Mills (on Jensen) in Heat 2 coming out of second bend and (much-more dangerously) by Rene Bach on Wethers -- who was clearly going past him -- with a right turn two-thirds of the way down the back straight in Heat 7. Now I'm condoning, or praising, no-one. But your quote of "dangerous" works for both sides. Good enough match, though, track drying out spoiled things a bit. Took a bit too long to run on a cold night.

Not just Hull (although Tourettes is spot on). Those who were at the public meeting when the club was "saved" in late 2008 might remember John Anderson standing up, introducing himself and telling supporters he had no intention of falling into the "Ellesmere Port" trap of a new owner arriving with all guns blazing, buying a great but expensive team, winning the league and then having the club close down (forever). John went on to say he was there for the long term, and considered a revamp of track, lighting and the (then board) safety fence more important to the stability of a speedway club. This season, the opening night's programme carried the phrase "To succeed as a business, an ambitious promotion has to be seeking an audience far wider than any win-at-any-cost clique".

16.3 TEAM DECLARATIONS Teams must declare their Team prior to the start of the Season. Changes must be made at least 72 hours before the Start Time of the Meeting at which it is intended to be used.

From the Bandits' Newsletter: TIGER TALK Our visitors on Saturday are Glasgow's famous Tigers . Unusually, only one of their number this year is a former Bandit (you're trying to think who, aren't you?) but they will bring a vigorous mix of youth and experience -- they range in age from 18 to 40 -- to Shielfield and will provide a stiff enough test for the New Holland Bandits. Accompanied as always by their exceedingly-vocal fans, a night with the Tigers is never dull. Be sure to come along and join the fun -- and bring someone to hold on to!

You could check, you're pretty well-versed in computer stuff. Go onto Google Earth, see if there's anyone behind you.