Season’s briefings

Friday: 6.30-8pm: Press & Practice, Shielfield Park followed by Meet the 2026 Bandits with Greg Blair, Black and Gold (estimated start 8.30pm).

Saturday: 6pm: Ben Fund (featuring Peter Kildemand, Victor Palovaara, Nick Morris) at Glasgow. Buy tickets Buy stream Donate to SRBF

There’s been plenty of internet searching, revised routes and changed stopovers but even war in Iran couldn’t keep your R.E.D Bandits, powered by STS, away from the Borders.

Travel plans had to be hastily rearranged but Reid, Nick and Jack Smith – who took the opportunity to catch some pre-season sun and surf in Perth – are all safely in the UK and raring to go.

So it’s full steam ahead for 2026.

Will this be the year that our play-off drought is broken? Will it be the year we reach the BSN Series knockouts for the first time? Will it be the year we get past the first round of the MAXICab Knockout Cup at the tenth attempt?

None of these questions will be answered this week but there is a chance to get a glimpse of the seven carrying the hopes and dreams of the management, supporters and sponsors alike.

Press and practice is an ideal opportunity for those returning – PK, Nick, Jack – those new to the cause – Victor and Lasse – the one whose done more laps of Shielfield than anyone else but spent 2025 as a Comet – Jye – and the British speedway rookie.

That would be Reid Battye who is already a familiar sight around his new home town, pounding the cliff paths as he simultaneously shakes of the effects of jet lag and builds up to peak fitness for his new adventure.

A visit to our training track at Duns on Sunday and a blast on the beach near Cocklawburn the following day allowed Reid to get used to his new machinery.

There’s also been a trip to Shielfield Park to have a look at his home track. “It looks awesome, I can’t wait to get out there and start working out the racing lines,” he said.

Ω But it’s not just been having fun on a bike and getting to know new surroundings – there’s also been plenty of hours spent in the workshop.

And a busy workshop it is on the outskirts of Berwick where Jamie Robertson, along with Mark Courtney and the riders themselves have overseen the building, preening and primping of machinery in readiness for the off.

Reid Battye, Nick Morris, Lasse Fredriksen and Peter Kildemand are based in the established workshops while Jye Etheridge and some locally-based non-Bandits are regular visitors.

Ω It’s a busy week for Nick and Jye who will be setting off on the first of many long-haul road trips from the Borders on Thursday.

Jye has the slightly shorter run to Owlerton for Sheffield’s press and practice while Nick stays on the M1 headed for Leicester’s P&P and a link-up with Berwick boss Stewart Dickson who has had a busy couple of weeks in the east Midlands repairing damage at the Hydroscand Arena are some serious vandalism at the stadium.

Happy snaps posed for then it’s back on the road and a quick bike wash before our own public unveiling of the 2026 R.E.D Bandits, powered by STS, racesuits and riders.

Ω This year we are combining P&P with our popular season launch party in the Black and Gold. Entry to the evening, choreographed and hosted by Mr Saturday Night Greg Blair.

Entry is by donation with all proceeds going to Berwick and District Cancer Cars. The charity will also be collecting at the season opener against Edinburgh on 4 April so bring along some cash if you can support this worthy cause.

Those of us living in north Northumberland are only too aware of the remoteness of our home town when it comes to hospital treatment.

With the nearest A&E 56 miles away, the treatment centres at Newcastle another ten miles down the road and even the Borders General nearly 40 miles distant and all poorly served by public transport, just getting to appointments or treatment can become a huge challenge.

Founded in 1992 by Violet Carter and Kathleen Horsbugh, two Spittal residents who were struggling in just this way, Berwick Cancer Cars  has grown from a vehicle car to the small fleet – all driven by volunteers – who make thousands of trips every year to and from hospitals.

The figures are mind-boggling. In February 2026 alone the Cancer Cars helped 48 clients, making 102 trips and covering 12,355 miles.

Few families are lucky enough to be untouched by cancer so knowing you can call on this wonderful charity at one of the most challenging times of your life is a huge bonus. While the drivers volunteer their time keeping the fleet on the road and in top condition is challenging so they rely on collections and donations.

If you want to donate directly, learn more about the charity, use its services or volunteer then the Berwick and District Cancer Car website will show you how. Donate here

Ω Nick, Peter and Victor are supporting another charity close to the hearts of Berwick fans, the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund, racing in the 2026 Ben Fund meeting at Glasgow on Saturday.

Nick of course is a former winner of what has become the official curtain-raiser to the season. If you’re not making your way up to Ashfield but still want to contribute to the fund then go to the SRBF website. Alternatively BSN is streaming the event on behalf of the SRBF. It is not included in any of their streaming passes but can be bought for £14.99.

Ω Season passes remain on sale. Adults £199, concessions £189. Cards will be available for collection on April 4. Buy season pass

Ω Hospitality packages are still available for the visit of Edinburgh. £45 per head. To book or for more information email club@berwickspeedway.com

Ω Redcar Bears are the first Championship club forced into a team change – albeit temporary –  Nikolai Klindt replacing Charles Wright. The Redcar skipper crashed heavily in the season opening challenge match against Newcastle at the Ecco Arena, suffering shoulder dislocation and fracture. Wright fell in the final heat of the meeting with the Diamonds already victorious thanks in no small part to nine points from Victor Palovaara on his seasonal debut