smod

Bandits seem to be coming with Ricky Wells as a guest for Vissing and their new Swede (Mathias Thornblom) in Barker's place.

If you really find Screm's posts informative, you are either (a) very easly informed or ( Screm.

Berwick v Peterborough is on Sky -- Wednesday, July 8th

Good point. Berwick "supporters", if that's the word, never fail to amaze. Their club issues posters detailing the month's meetings and 500+ of them get a personal newsletter e-mailed to them at least once a week (two in the past two days) and still there are those who seem to have a death-wish for "their" speedway club. I'm not a Berwick supporter, but I certainly support Berwick's professionalism and public relations. I wish every club had the same enthusiasm in this day and age.

Old chestnut or not -- is it any older than the 'dodgy burger' story dragged out by Tigers' fans every time? You're each as bad as each other. Although the match-rigging at Edinburgh by Glasgow management surely did greater damage to the sport.

Or renew his licence!

He certainly turned up with all the toys. Huge ex-Bjarne Pedersen van, two cracking bikes, three mechanics and everyone in team uniforms. For a second-half? I think that'll be a new Panther all right -- but how does your supremo shuffle the pack?

Birks couldn't guest for Glasgow next Friday. Rule 17.7.1.2 -- can't guest at a track twice within 8 days unless replacing home No 1 or is an NL rider.

Speedway riders aren't employed by any club, they are self-employed. Your opinion is that Hall is holding a gun to someone's head. Whose?

The ultra-reliable XC Weather site has no rain on Hoddesden after 2pm on Sunday. A master stroke by everybody's favourite uncle in moving start time to 5pm. All systems go! Robert Branford will guest for Berwick in place of Stichauer, according to their supporters newsletter.

Richard Hall is quoted in current Berwick newsletter as saying how happy he is at the club, and mentions how Ricky Ashworth had told him how good the promotion and fans were up there. A happy rider is usually a productive rider.

Maybe Stichaeur won't be out too long. Your newsletter e-mail said the club expected to have more news of the severity of the fracture by tonight. If a change was to be contemplated on June 1 when new averages kick in, when do Berwick race again after that? Maybe Stichaeur would be fit again by then?

Possibly among the highest, although the offer of online discount has to be considered. A bit like Berwick's £15 being discounted by all children up to 16 being admitted free. Each track has swings and roundabout in pricing.

The very idea of smoking in a grandstand after what we've all been reminded of this week is quite incredible.

Your average PL riders pay-per-point today is easily three or four times what it was in 1998. How much was it to get into Shielfield to see that Isle of Wight meeting?

Something fishy here. You get a visa or you don't. A boilermaker from Croatia doesn't get a visa that is conditional on his making a set amount of boilers in a given period. It was Sheffield's signing of Ty Proctor mid-season last year that kicked off the whole "dodgy visa" scenario which has rocked speedway to such an extent. Is it because the visa authorities are based in Sheffield that they jump on Proctor and the Tigers in this way. But I repeat, it's decidedly fishy. I refuse to believe there is a clerk at Visa House or wherever, sitting each morning and checking speedway results, deducting bonus points and then going rushing into their bosses' office shouting "Ty Proctor's dropped below seven!" The article quoted at the head of this page states Sheffield have been informed he's out -- by who? The Visa people direct, or by the BSPA?

Actually both Worralls should be included. Rosco will be made to look a bit silly if his team slumps to defeat and then riders such as Garrity, Barker and Nicholls outpace his selections in the British Final.......

They're trying to sell tickets in advance, but as for being ticket only -- don't be ridiculous.

When it was clear there couldn't be an American pair in this open meeting, the promoter (OneSport) invited Tai Woffinden and Scott Nicholls to compete. For reasons best known to themselves, the BSPA/SCB refused Scott Nicholls start permission, despite his having accepted the booking and having no conflicting Belle Vue engagement. Despite everyone being aware and the BSPA (correctly) reminding everyone who would listen at every opportunity that this was an unofficial open event without any official status, Alun Rossiter became involved in (presumably) picking the riders and (worse) attending the event -- why? This was only giving credibility to an event our people have been anxious to rubbish at every turn. Why was only Scott Nicholls barred by the UK authorities from taking part? And -- will Rory Schlein be handed one of the wild cards for the British Final as a thank-you?

Berwick seem to have a better shape to their team with Hall. When Edberg is back, and with Barker now clearly riding as expected given his semi-final return and last night's 16+1, I'd expect their season to kick on. Nobody's whipping boys, maybe edging into the high half-dozen?

Is it confirmed that this is an afternoon kick-off on the holiday Monday?

Yes, that's how cup ties always work!

Correct.

Surely it is the Supporters Club which has declared the specific intention of helping with riders' finances? The VIP Club has been formed to help the promotion, I understand.

You've done it again, Sparky. A clear, sensible and informed post, shining like a beacon of light through the murk of bile and prejudice created by a number of your fellow-Bandit posters. You'll really have to stop being so sensible.