phillwhitewasmad

How right you were

Mixed feelings on this scunny through and through but the boys a raider and proud of it so I'm off for a draw

The latest fixture in the NJL calendar took place at Berwick where the Border Raiders beat the Ashfield Giants 23-13 The meeting opened with an easy 5-1 to the home pair of Kev Whelan and Kieran Douglas over Mark Mcilkenny and Dale Lamb. Ht 2 brought a 3-3. Sam McGurk won the heat followed home by tge Giants pairing of Corban Pavitt and Jack Wright . Raiders youngster Luke Harrison had the misfortune of an engine failure just as the tapes rose. Ht 3 saw the Giants pair more competitive from the gate but it didn't take long for the Raiders to get in front to take yet another 5-1. Ht 4 was the race of the night. Giants Pavitt swooped across from gate 4 as the tapes rose to take a lead which he kept to the finish. However what went on behind him was a tremendous tussle between the other 3. Wright was holding 2nd place but was under real pressure from the Raiders pairing. Harrison was trying the outside with McGurk on the inside. The Giant was still 2nd as the three of them came out the last turn but with Harrison looking to go round him, Wright moved out just that bit further to block that challenge which allowed the 4th placed McGurk to charge up the inside to nick 2nd on the line. A Giants 4-2 but a fantastic race and just a pity the video company don't film these races. Ht 5 saw another determined effort by the Giants pairing with Dale Lamb in particular looking like he was getting to grips with the place. Whelan was well clear so the battle was for second between Lamb and Douglas. Lamb held on to that spot before a determined Douglas found a way past to secure another 5-1 and paid maximums for both the home 500 riders. Ht 6 saw Pavitt make another fast start with McGurk behind him. We were back to another entertaining battle between Wright and Harrison for third spot. It was nip and tuck between the two again but this time Harrison wasn't to be denied and found his way through to take third behind his partner. Raiders 23 Kev Whelan 8+1 Kieran Douglas 7+2 Luke Harrison 1+1 Sam McGurk 7 Giants 13 Mark McIlkenny 1 Dale Lamb 2 Corban Pavitt 8 Jack Wright 2+1

Good meeting and don't think the score reflects the racing on show

It's ok at the moment weather looks good for the day

In fairness I would of been disappointed at the loss of fixtures but still wouldn't of seen the need for the outbursts we have had. Also the njl only accounted for 10 of our fixtures and five of those clashed with other opportunities to ride. I do like the way Scunthorpe run the mdl meetings when they mix the 125/150 class in with the old format so you ride after heats 2.4&6 gives all riders a bit of a break

Not sure you can say the listed riders started in the mdl would admit the honed their skills there. Youth speedway is on the up and I do feel there are plenty of opportunities for all levels of rider and cc that a compromise can be come to, to solve the problem. Seems a lot of needless effing and jeffin and general unpleasant comments from those who don't agree and want things there way or know way

Six 500 hundred heats is still the same four riders in the mdl format so your point is what

Not a fan of double points rides or giving someone 7 rides however don't think in Scunthorpe's case last year that any of last seasons losses were due to these rules. It was more a case of the better side won on day and in general even the heavier home defeats were full of good racing which is all we want to see. Do feel though tracks should be prepared so they can be raced and not just ridden no setting them up for a huge home advantage where the visiting team is searching for the dreaded setups for the first 10 heats its usually game over by then. Think scunthorpe is a good example plenty of dirt and racing lines grip is usually pretty even through a meeting and as the dirt moves out those who want to chase it can, those who don't can be just as quick on the slicker inside line.

I'm from scunthorpe and would like to add the lack of a winning team keeps many locals away the product it's self is very good if you view every meeting as a neutral as I do win or loose as long as I'm entertained not to concerned by the result. However the town has an attitude of if they ain't winning I'm not going and this follows the same pattern with the football club.

I attended the youth awards on Saturday and as such I would say having seen all of these kids ride I can see the green shoots of recovery coming through. Neil Vatcher is doing a brilliant job getting them track time at a variety of tracks. With the gtr engine coming through as a cost cutter to the riders and the general up turn in the economy ( it makes us happier)I can see a rise in popularity over the next few years not to the level of football but back to pre recession levels. Let's try to be more positive and enjoy our sport.

Me to mate but seeing half the meetings is better than no meetings at all

Earlier start is good news warmer weather and more time to watch second half either MDL or NJL and still home early.

Not sure what you mean

Jeremy Corbyn is a lunatic wouldn't want to go on anything he says.

No not yet but when there is I shall sample a few

Been to the track today and had a look round the new bar corporate area very impressive addition to the field of dreams.

How about six man teams no doubling up down left or right. Then start year one with a 45 point limit and the following year all teams can build to the points limit the champions achieved. All riders get 5 rides no long term guests or rr for injured riders 10 days only as that facility. If a rider is injured during a meeting his rides can be taken by a team mate who has the same or lower average as the oppositions top averaged rider in the heat.

From a scunthorpe point of view I expect them to entertain me on a weekly basis. Can't see them losing to many at home but do see lots of closely fought meetings which could go either way happiness is 46/44.

That's good news then for the future any info on them yet i.e. Are parts interchangeable can the 250 be converted to a 500 by changing the top end.

Just a thought but are they doing a 250 engine. Would seem strange that any youngster coming through would have to go down the jawa route then change to the gerhard, surely the powers that be need to look at those coming through as well as those already riding.

Wilko has been at a similar average now for a few year don't see him improving on it but can't see a massive reduction either. Seems to be mr dependable in the middle order can see him riding at two so if he maintains his average throughout the season it will be job done

I would say mid table mate a lot will depend on Wallner at reserve

So with the team named and only mid November how do we keep this thread alive.

Yep already preparing and think it's going to be a 9 average target for him