Paul ‘Burbo’ Burbidge Speedway Reporting Revolution on Twitter continues, part 4

Drawing upon the full majesty of the 13 years of his ‘independent’ speedway reporting career, Bournemouth University’s finest media graduate  and Britain’s speedway reporter extraordinaire Paul (Burbo) Burbidge’s digital social media profile continues to hollow out and infantalise the news content of the speedway reporting landscape. It is access all areas, “I write news for Speedway GP website and manage speedwaygp social media. I’m also Speedway Star’s Chief News Writer” albeit without meaningful insight or independent analysis.

Mostly banal dictation typist for the Speedway Grand Prix organisers, its “stars” and headline sponsor Monster Energy, the line between news, fact, vested interest and opinion is easily blurred.

To brighten the speedway reporting universe (while he further reduces its credibility amongst ‘proper’ sports journalists), here’s some Burbo 2016 highlights from his must read Twitter account:

7 January

Worrying times for Polish #speedway when they are forced to merge their First and Second Divisions due to the lack of clubs.

24 February

Thoroughly enjoyed @nigelpearson & @Kelvin_Tatum‘s Poole show tonight. Insightful & entertaining!

12 March

Can’t make tonight’s @SpeedwayBenFund Bonanza at King’s Lynn due to a wedding, but here’s hoping for a huge crowd. Great cause

19 March

Beyond gutted for Belle Vue and British #speedway. Lot of angry people, and understandably so. But this stadium cannot and must not fail.

20 March

Landing at @HeathrowAirport, when the plane dramatically pulled up. We had to go around due to a swan on the runway! Couldn’t make it up!

22 March

First, the National #Speedway Stadium fiasco, now Plymouth’s closure. Let’s hope 2016 only gets better from here for the sport.

30 March

No other top #speedway nation makes its #Speedwaygp riders qualify for the national final. Should @TWoffinden & @BomberHarris37 be seeded?

25 April

Never nice to see a true Pirate like @DavidWatt24 dropped, but @BPmotorsport35 is on fire and deserves a shot. Hope Dave is fixed up soon.

30 April

People of Australia, looks like you can watch the #SlovenianSGP live on Fox Sports 5 at 3am (Sydney time). Spread the word and go to bed!

3 May

Love the new #SpeedwayGP podcast, featuring some of my interviews. Great job by @Torquesport to bring it together!

6 May

If riders like @CraigCook111 can’t join clubs due to rules in the promoters handbook, this secret rulebook should be made a public document.

6 May

As long as the BSPA make rules and keeps them secret, there can be no trust. Any rule governing British #speedway must be public knowledge.

7 May

No Brits in the #SpeedwayGP qualifying semis so far. @DannyKingRacing is our final hope in the Abensberg QF on May 16. #speedway

8 May

Great to talk to @TheTalkingThumb about his @WALK4D43CY. £100 to walk the Cardiff track with some SGP stars and get a t-shirt is a bargain!

28 May

Even though I never met Krystian Rempala, it never ceases to shock me when a rider pays the ultimate price. #RIPKrystian #speedway

31 May

If @max_fricke carries on scoring like this, he could end 2016 a World U21 champ, #AusSGP wild card and Aussie SWC star. #speedway

9 June

Just heard our captain for the flight to Billund is Bjarne Pedersen. Clearly @poolespeedway aren’t keeping you busy enough, @BPmotorsport35!

17 June

@UEFAEURO @UEFA Your stadium regs ban professional cameras. Tell the security staff in Toulouse that small cameras are not banned. Disgrace.

25 June

Being in Prague is like standing in a hairdryer. It’s going to be a scorcher for tonight’s #CzechSGP! I’m going for @Chris_Holder23 to win.

25 July

Struggling to think of a nicer place to spend a summer’s evening. #Vastervik #Sweden #speedway #MonsterEnergySWC

23 August

He inspired with his racing, and now he inspires with his courage, positivity and determination. #StayStrongDarcy

27 August (after two riders premeditated sacked during interval day before)

I have to admire @PboroPanthers‘ ambition. What a coup to get @kenneth_bjerre at PL level. That’ll shake things up in the title race!

3 September

Having lunch in Vetlanda ahead of a huge afternoon of #speedway. I fancy @DuzersTeam, Kasprzak and local favourite @LjungPeter to qualify.

9 September

Russian star @EmilRacing89‘s van spotted on the motorway heading towards Teterow. Is he heading to the #GermanSGP?

[er, no]

15 September

Never thought I’d see the day @ALindbck returned to @poolespeedway. One of the best natural talents to wear Pirates colours. #speedway

16 September

Can’t see @BomberHarris37 being short of 2017 offers on a 6.77 average. For his sake, I hope the transfer fee Bees ask isn’t off-putting.

19 September

Not long now folks. Get the #BritishSGP date tomorrow! #speedway

24 September

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Stal Gorzow kitchen range. Apron, oven glove and draught excluder. #legend

25 September

Poole star Bjarne Pedersen took an awkward tumble at Zorro’s meeting. Twisted his knee, but he raced fine in the re-run. #speedway

25 September

Bjarne Pedersen pulled out of the final of Zorro’s farewell due to a knee injury. He’s not looking likely for the semi at Wolves. #speedway

4 October

.@Jasondoyle43 has overcome more bumps in the road than a London taxi en route to the top. This is just another. He’ll bounce back in 2017.

4 October

If @Jasondoyle43 hits this year’s level in 2017, he’ll be his rivals’ worst nightmare. Title race will be over in September. #speedway

22 October

Huge congrats to @GregHancock45 – his greatness gets greater. No.4 and counting … #SpeedwayGP #GrinToWin

29 October

RIP Dave Lanning. Had the pleasure of meeting him several times. Great commentator, promoter and gentleman.

4 December

Just seen @UniaLesznoKS‘s season ticket prices. Cheapest is 190 PLN – £35 per year or £5 per home meeting. Puts UK speedway in perspective.

16 December

After losing @doniversen, signing @Chris_Holder23 is the perfect tonic for @KLSpeedway. If the 2nd strings fire, Stars are title contenders.

21 December

It’s going to take more than a lick of paint to fix Coventry Stadium – look at the state of this!

25 December

To all my followers around the world, I hope you and your loved ones are having a fantastic #Christmas! #MerryChristmas