I have seen the future. The future is secure.

The future of Scottish Speedway is in safe young hands.

It seems like only yesterday when we would stay behind at the end of a meeting to watch wee Blair Scott and wee Barry Campbell merrily knock each other off their bikes in what was loosely termed the 2nd half.

To have a proper 2nd. half (i.e. half of the whole ) then the 2nd half should have lasted just as long as the preceding half (i.e. 16 or 14 heats).

The Scott - Campbell encounters usually lasted 3 laps. Of course they were not trying hurt each other, it's just they rode together so nervously close and one or sometimes both would make an error and down they came. Now both are full members of the team and riders expecting to put one over on the kids are in for a wee surprise.

Must mention also the other young 'uns. Paul Gould, Neil Hewitt and for Glasgow the McDonald brothers. All served the ride fast, fall off, get up and ride faster apprenticeship and all six look to have a future in the sport.

Of course I could beat all of them - but why should I, it would only destroy their confidence.

Anyway, the good thing about having home grown youngsters in the team, apart from the fact we don't have to put up with any naff foreigners for a season, is they bring along home grown girlfriends.

Now call me old fashioned but I still think one of the most beautiful sights to see is a pretty girl covered head to toe in 1st bend dirt trying to write on a programme covered in 1st bend dust.

Sadly they, having served their first bend apprenticeship, retire to the safety of the back straight where they drop from being beautiful to cute.

Cute's OK but a puppy is cute, a kitten is cute, the quiff of hair flapping across Bobby Charlton's bald spot was cute.

No, beautiful is dirty, bleary eyed, straggly matted hair and damp, the cute bit is where the dust has stuck to the lipstick making the mouth look like a rubber doughnut - Ah bliss.

Of course I could take the girlfriends away from the younger riders - but why should I, it would only ruin their confidence.