*JJ

I once spoke to David Hemsley; he said that he wanted a fast speedway, which is why the track had such long staights. (It seems that he wouldn't listen to Sam Ermolenko). The track has been altered three times to try to correct this error ...

Doubtless, but what I meant was, why did it stopped being used, whenever that was, and could it not be used again if Shielfield Park is unavailable some time? Anyway, hopefully I will be up there with the Brummies match.

What happened to the track at Berrington Lough? I noticed recently that it is in the OS map as 'disused speedway track'.

Actually, the name 'Mercia' is very much alive, being used by the Army the Police and the Girl Guides to mention but three without taking any thought!

Is anyone surprised?

I've been in KL, RH and Coventry pits; they didn't seem to have. Or do you mean that they let you in some corner? The old BV certainly didn't.

Yes, I know all about that, having helped a rider who had to use this space a few times! Most stadiums have GL riders parked up some corner on the dirt ... Which is why I am glad that the Birmingham promotion is doing something. The only other track which has second-half pits is Stoke.

Er ... there weren't any second half pits, dire or dangerous, which is why they are being built now! As for the original question, everybody and his dog knows that the 'fan' in question is not the sharpest tool in the box.

Who were the 40+ riders? I must have missed that. And why shouldn't women ride?

Isn't there DL speedway at Northgate?

Use rev limiters?

You think that top riders will spend any less? Two valve engines aren't going to change things. Or do you think that everyone will buy 1970s Jawas?

You could give the present team a chance first?

Many sympathies ... not having a husband or wife, I used it as another forum; the NL site was quite good, as was the MDL and amateur FB pages when we were involved in them, but now it is just the Championship

When we (Birmingham) were in the National League, I used to follow the Facebook page for the NL, but I can't find an equivalent one for the Championship. Does anyone know of the correct Championship Facebook page?

Because all riders would then have to spend thousands on buying new cyliner heads for their engines!

Yes? That is what I meant.

It's what happened at Cradley: I am astonished that they haven't had a 'mysterious fire' at Brandon, or an Irishman with a bulldozer.

This is only too true. If someone wants to be a Speedway Rider, they buy a bike and take it to a 'training session', where they ride round trying to slide ... eventually they can do this but it is just by watching others, hardly anyone tries to give any advice, never mind 'training'.

The speedway at Perry Barr rigidly finishes at 10pm. No other form of motor sport takes place at the stadium: it's in the Planning Permission.

There are speed cameras on all gantries!

People who don't go to the Brummies keep repeating this mantra, but it's not actually true. Have you been there this year? The promotion made a great effort to attract new and young fans, generally successfully.

I wondered what had happened to him. He was showing up well at the Brummies at one time.

Apparently, yes and two. And to answer DC2, Birmingham have signed a Dane, Tobias Thomsen, as an asset (probably because of this rule) without him riding for the team.

When he rode for Birmingham in 2009, he was obviously headed for the top: he was faster than Jason Lyons, and not many could say that. But then he was injured ... I hope that he has decided to retire now.