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What the same Ty Proctor who averaged more than Thomas Jorgensen (in the same team) who was pretty much our rider of the season? The same Ty Procter who averaged more than Heeps, Auty, Palm-Toft, Kerr, Rose, Bates & Robson amongst others. Think people are doing him a disservice. He'll know most of the Premiership tracks, seems to be a good team man and ridden very well at Lynn previously. it might work, it might not but I'm at least going to give him a chance before writing him off.

Signing riders on an average achieved a number of years ago, when they were learning their trade and have clearly now improved is unfair and illogical and works against those riders who have progressed and improved during the same period but continued to ride in the UK. It is a problem which is easily avoidable. All riders should be assessed on their most recent performance. If they have not ridden in the UK the previous season a formula can easily be calculated to convert their Polish, Swedish or any other league average to a UK average. It would be transparent and fair to all, so why isn't it done?

Is it just me who finds people who hold grudges several years later irritating? Also please let me know which second division teams that Tungate, Fricke, Vaculik, Pieszczek, Andersen, Iversen, Doyle, Batchelor, Thorsell, Kasprzak, Kurtz, Woryna, Szczepaniak, Holder, Jeppersen, Andersen, Lambert, Cook, Bellego, Masters and Musielak are riding for this year as I think I must have missed it

This is not a new argument and it's not an anti Poole thing. I and others have raised it previously and it has been discussed on many occasions. The idea of team building points limits is to create a level playing field and the skill should be in selecting riders who are likely to improve their real average not identifying riders who have not ridden here for a few seasons and have an out of date unrealistically low average. To be a level playing field all riders, wherever they have ridden, have to be available on an average that reflects their current ability. It was wrong that Musielak was signed on his old average and it would be totally wrong if Drozdz achieves a 4.50 average for Belle Vue this year, becomes an asset and then in 4 years time, when he is a top rider in Poland, we bring him back on that average. It destroys the credibility of team building point limits when some of those points are realistic recently achieved averages and some are plainly not.

So now we've established Poole are going to win the league at a canter... I'm wondered whether people think Brady Kurtz is better than Nick Morris?

Really makes me think a points limit is nonsense. Teams should build to whatever they wish, as long as they have three British riders in the team. Reserves must be British u21. Teams with 42.5 are still not equal so allow teams to build to whatever they wish.

COVENTRY Speedway are delighted to welcome Martyn Macdonald as their new team manager for the 2018 season. Martyn will take charge of the Bees for their National League campaign with home matches taking place at Leicester’s Beaumont Park Stadium. Although this is his first appointment as a manager, Martyn will be a familiar face to many, as he has been involved in the sport for nearly 30 years – several of them spent at Coventry. He was a regular in the Brandon pits working with a number of riders – including former World Champion Greg Hancock, Stuart and Scott Robson, Martin Smolinski and more recently Kacper Woryna. Martyn was also a member of Steve Worrall’s pit crew when the Belle Vue rider appeared as a track reserve in the 2016 British Grand Prix at Cardiff. His active involvement dates back to 1991 when he was a member of the track staff at Middlesbrough’s former Cleveland Park venue, leading to him helping riders such as Jonathan Swales, Stuart Swales and Shane Parker. Martyn, who lists Martin Dixon and Kenny Carter as his favourite riders of all-time, is qualified in general and aeronautical engineering and has been working in NHS mental health since 1999. And he says he’s keen to establish a strong rapport between the riders as they look to make a success of the season. He said: “It will be different from my point of view because I’ll have to get to know people a lot more, rather than in the past it just being the ones I helped. “But quite often team management is something that people in the pits area decide they want to progress to. “That was what I thought myself, I felt I’d really like to do it, and the opportunity is there to see what I can do. “I’m looking forward to trying to bond the seven riders together to make a successful team out of it, and being more in charge of an overall outcome than an individual one. “We’re going to have a pre-season get-together to get to know people, and also hopefully have a few practice sessions at Leicester to get the winter cobwebs out of the system. “I’m also looking forward to working with Jon (Armstrong) as captain, and he’s been really helpful to both myself and Mick (Horton) with building the team, because he knows these lads first-hand. “The aim is for everyone to help each other, and there will be a briefing before and after each meeting, because if you have any issues the worst thing that can happen is you drive home with them - so hopefully we can get things resolved on the night, and all push on together for a good season.” ENDS

WOULD personally place Peter Collins ahead of Mark Loram, great though he was, in every respect. Too easy to forget just how supremely talented PC was.

Its an impossible argument. One did it, the other might have. Its not like comparing two 7 times world champs in a sport from different eras, which is hard enough. Worth watching the documentary on youtube about Mauger.

Like you I cant see where he done anything wrong. the language used by Mr Rogers was perfectly acceptable and he made no accusations as far as I can see. Basically he asked for clarification. Nothing to see here!

Strangely enough, before Tony came to Britain his name was always spelt Richardsson in the foreign results section of the Speedway Star; So Sidney may have something there! For me, Rickardsson will always be the guv'nor. 6 wins from 9 gp's including 4 in a row, in 2005 was phenomenal.

Majority did not want you, unprofessional spouting off, amateurish, wind your neck in!!!! But you have my full backing. Very confusing and contradicting post. Everyone should be free to respond directly to personal damning accusations.

But no information was given. Only a request for clarification. As for the bit I have highlighted I have to refute that statement. All it means is that I have a different opinion to you.

I bow to your superior knowledge and being, I disagree can't see a problem. Each to there own view

Certainly take your point and in hindsight I'd agree with you but I'd imagine very few people foresaw how good Musielak was going to be last year for Swindon. Of course your two Poles may not live up to expectations but their achievements abroad suggest they will make a mockery of their starting averages. The point is they are far better riders than when they last rode here. And to quote you lot anyone could have signed Musielak

over time yep

Belle Vue Wolves Swindon Leicester Somerset Rye House Kings Lynn Poole My table based on integrity (the worst sins being signing ringers, voting for one over eight & not signing one over eight)

Shovler always hypes up Poole every year so will wait to see what they do in April and May.

Take your point and don't necessarily disagree but the reason Poole are head and shoulders above the rest is the failure to reassess riders accurately. Things would be much more even had that been done.

Just one meeting? Have you forgotten qualifying rounds plus those what you call ‘just one meeting’ we’re like pressure cookers...go give your head a wobble

Nurse!

Well I don't think the budget would stretch to the likes of the Lambert deal. I think both Kennet and Scott have berths in the Premier, but that won't pay them to ride in the PL alone as they don't do Poland, Sweden or Denmark either. They will both need for financial seasons, to have a supplement to their earnings especially on marginally lower money in an easier league like the Championships. If they had signed the other way around, their Championship salaries would have been higher than they can expect now. They won't be cheap, but I would think at least they will be at every meeting unlike one that we know. Funny enough they are both at Rye House alongside Robbo, what's to say Scott's travel could be combined with a hitched ride with Robbo to half his driving. No doubt there will be a plan to get him to Brough every Sunday and Glasgow, Edinburgh, Berwick fixtures will just be combined as two days racing instead of just one home meeting. Let's see what happens in the middle of next week. Never know we might have another couple of riders announced by then.

Good job it was one off World Finals Ivan won, Shudder to think how many he would have won in a GP format!!

I've jut read LaurenceRogers posts and can't see what he's said to upset anyone, I think it's a good thing when officials give there opinion even if we don't agree with them

It's an age thing.For me Neilsen and Rickardsson where the men.I watched M.Lee from 14 and if you look up his ave's you'll see how good he was at a young age before he went off the rails.

'They have very little to even challenge Glasgow or Lakeside'. What does that even mean?

Forget Iversen and go for one of the following to get a number that has less commitment. Lindgren Hamper Zagar Pawlicki All have said they would look at riding here and all have good points to make them a better choice.

so if were talking about entertainment / box office, who would be your choice. Mine would be Loram / Ward / Gollob every day

is it not a good idea to have a local team visit on your first meeting of the season . they bring starved supporters as your team also have starved supporters . its a win , win situation and helps the club out in terms of funding . @ wucky we are certain to have newcastle as our first oppo @ home . no grumbles here at all ...

Richardsson was very good i was never a big fan of his to be honest and he would not be in my all time top five riders ever riders Mauger,Fundin,Briggs,Olsen,Nielsen would all be above him but anyway only my opinion how is your strawberry picking going in Aussie?

don't knock it.would be a cracking meeting to get the season underway.not running scared are you?

havnt read all the posts but people arent seriously saying ward was a better rider than mauger are they ???

Do you mean when they fail ?

i think what he is saying is you have to go through lots of meetings to get to the final

there is a difference between the leagues , but not huge one sarj @ reserve for leeeceesteer and @ reserve for glaaasgooow . . only the odd one or two good prem stars that cant be in our league. but that could change if the powers that be cave in and then both leagues will be the same , except for the prem promotors charging more to get in for what is basically the same product . yes , there is a small gap , but not a huge one . there was a time when a good no 1 would make a reserve for a top league team . how things have changed ..

Silly to suggest that any team 'aims to come bottom' but the team is obviously built to a tight budget. Would rather be a big fish in a little pond than the other way round but it is what it is and we'll see how things go. Nobody fancied Swindon this time last year, and I'm not for a minute suggesting this team will win the title, but it could do better than many think if a couple of riders have a breakthrough season. I also accept that most people will think this is the eighth best team in the league, up to the club to prove them wrong.

Now Sarj is on board the management are probably thinking that stronger start gate elastic is needed! Not a good idea. In these times where health and safety over rides everything, there is a potential injury risk to spectators on the 4th bend if Sarj catapults himself backwards due to an over enthusiastic start and the start tape remaining intact. Joking aside, if he can learn to trap at BP ( without being penalised) he should outscore all visiting reserves and maybe some second strings.

Concentrating on his cars apparently.

Depends which world you live in. Rather then controlling the costs and concentrated on the sustainability of this sport, the bosses felt it right to pay the extravagant fees required by the top riders, even to the point of self destruction.... This has driven up admission fees, and by getting rid of the second half's , it cuts down on VFM once enjoyed by the fans... Looking at the majority of Stadiums , most are in a poor state of repair, this is also caused by the lack of funds. It appears to me the riders has all but bleed this sport dry and now turning their backs when their fees are questioned... Sometimes I wished, I never lived in the real world

Good post. It was interesting reading last weeks speedway star about how to attract a younger audience to speedway. Unfortunately the things that first hooked us 40 somethings in the 70's and 80's was as described in the star "the strong aroma of Castrol R, the throaty roar of the 4 stroke 500 hundred cc engines. Add to that the speed and the crackling atmosphere on the terraces for the big matches under the lights and you had a magical experience as a kid. Move on 30 years and the smell has gone and so has the noise ,taking with it the atmosphere in the stands ,a somewhat watered down version to what we had .Watch some old footage from the 80's on Youtube and you can hear the crowd before each race starts. Is it any wonder youngsters are not hooked any more, todays machines are also not compliant with the tracks in this country any more, it might be fine in Poland but only the new purpose Belle Vue is anywhere near of the shape and preparation required. As someone who was hooked, I'm now unhooked on what I'm watching in Britain, most of the time the racing is poor, processional strung out stuff with little excitement, speedway is lucky that many of those over 40 still attend out of habit and the social side rather than the excitement of what they are watching. Unfortunately the future looks grim, the machines are not going to change and neither are the tracks on which they race. Speedway in Britain may have been in decline since the eighties but it has been more rapid since 2011 when the new silencers were brought in.

“No doubt”? Hmmmm if you mean being able to lean and bunny jump your bike this way and that way, Darcy was brill, but if you mean honed skill and dedication over twenty years with the trophies to show for it, there’s only one winner. It’s tragic that we’ve been robbed of Darcy, but his temperament casts doubt on whether he would have applied him self sufficiently to become another Ivan Mauger.

Mark Loram, Joe Screen, Kelly Moran.......all more talented than Ivan Mauger on a bike but it takes something special to become a multi world champion. For all his talent Darcy hadnt got there when his career cut short...................but to say he would have been world champ time and again is a bit much

Looks Like the League Title is all yours Shovvy, I guess Its all yours to lose....Then again with the backdrop of choking that has gone on previously..... one can never be quite sure. Anyway Allow me to be the first to offer the warmest of congratulations on your Title win. Or to on the other foot..... I'd like to offer you £1 a bucket for ya 541te

Powerhouse lineup. Once the new lads get dialled in they should dominate. No weak links and even our number 7 is stronger than some other sides number 6. And if Shansey does find it tough at certain tracks we have a rock solid number 6 to cover. Last season I felt the team had journeymen happy with their position in a heat after the second bend. Matt Ford has tried to eradicate this issue and bring in a team of racers. Riders who are not happy to settle for a point but want to score more. Happy days.

Only on paper at the moment just like last year untouchable better to wait and see I think

Brady Kurtz Chris Holder Linus Sundstrom Josh Grajczonek Mateusz Szczepaniak Kacper Woryna James Shanes Wow! That's got to be the team to beat this year. If the Pole's perform as Matt and Middlo hope, and Holder makes a bit of a comeback, we should be near untouchable.

They are clearly running scared. If Sundstrom and Shanes are the final two, Poole will have a powerhouse team which would be stronger than any completed team so far. Comparing Swindons team, which if I am honest looks a bit flat and lacklustre, to Pooles is like comparing a two day open bottle of Lambrusco with a couple of extinguished fags floating on top, (Swindon) to a chilled bottle of Krug. (Poole)

SCB's thin veneer of intelligence is once more stripped away by his rancid and repugnant ageism. It's a familiar argument - "I know a pensioner who's well-off so every one of them must be." It's as intellectually and morally bankrupt as "All these foreigners are taking our jobs". I do wonder if he's got a problem with his parents or other elderly relatives, given the sick bitterness and prejudice he continually shows to the elderly. In another recent thread he came up with what were superficially intelligent comments about the way forward but which were invalidated by his comment "Stop pandering to the old, they'll be dead soon", or words to that effect. I'll leave you to consider for a moment just how repugnant that is. Don't be taken in by someone who is obsessed withe speedway rule book and averages. It doesn't make them intelligent, merely fixated. I had to correct him ages ago when he was spouting this regulation and that to point out that he was completely ignoring the key part of the rule book, the supplementary regulations which are issued during a season and regularly amend those rules., I remember SCB complaining about the car park at a certain track on the basis that it was damaging his very expensive car. Lovely chap. I'd park mine outside ;-) If people were singled out for such abuse on the grounds of race, gender or sexuality they would be rightly condemned by most reasonable people in society and in many cases prosecuted. So why is ageism allowed? Speedway may have an age profile that could do with reducing. The SCB's of this world would achieve that by making the sport hostile to the elderly and forcing them out on the basis that the young and 'cool' (i.e. his own perception of himself) are put off by the sight of geriatrics viciously sitting down because they can't stand up for two hours and callously drinking hot drinks from a flask because they know that the stuff on sale at the track is awful quality and overpriced. Shame on them! It's not the elderly that are the problem, it's the shallow, ignorant outlook of certain people at the other end of the age spectrum. Still, there's one consolation, given the modern trend to despise the old by the time he gets to be in that age group life's going to be pretty appalling for him. Yes I have attacked the poster, and I have not one iota of apology for doing this. I've posted some strong views on here over the years but they have all been based on a deep love of and concern for the sport, and not my ego. I had my brief spell in the spotlight and I can tell you I am much, much happier sitting quietly in the shadows now. When I see SCB's posts I see raw ego. I worked with a few TV technicians like him in the past and you would sometimes get those who developed appalling arrogance through working in the industry. I thought I'd seen the worst.......until now. I remember years back Sittingbourne getting their only away Conference League win at Newport. Almost everyone on the BSF were congratulating the then Crusaders on finally getting a win. One kid wasn't though. He went through every decision made in the match, every pass and incident, desperately trying to prove that the Kent side hadn't deserved their win. Ever since then I've been waiting for SCB to grow up. Seems like I've got a longer to go. Still, I'll probably be dead first, eh? Rob McCaffery - aged 60 and expecting the basic state pension only, if that when I can finally afford to retire. You see, instead of building up a career I spent too much time with speedway. I'm now partially disabled so have to have a seat at a track even if it's a folding one which SCB so despises. After 46 years of course I don't deserve a small concession on the admission in my advancing old age.....It would be nice to be able to enjoy the sport in my final years without having to put up with prejudice from this shallow clown.

Sings is passionate about his speedway, I don't always agree with him but he does always make his points fairly and sensibly. And tbf to him, I would of had the same opinions as him 2 seasons ago. Since a family member joined the team in 2016 I have been more active around the pits and riders etc and have more of a feel for the work behind the scenes. I think because Chris and Len are not as active on social media as say Connor Dugard, or not as active on forums as say Jane Moss it's easy to assume all things outside central park are unknowns to the kent management but they are as proactive as anyone else. And riders like Rowe,Thomas,and even Shansie don't just fall into your lap. The problem is with youngsters is, that not only does the sport have to fit around thier schooling, but also around the parents employment. So riders will usually prefer thier local track or a track that races at weekends. Anyway looking ahead with the side we have so far. Luke Bowen - At this level as good a number 1 as is possible. And the last couple of seasons he really has grown into a proper skipper. If you stand back and watch him off track he knows which riders to put an arm round, and which riders who respond to a kick up the arse. Something pointed out to me at Stoke away at the end of the season was he was talking the the two riders as a pair before more or less every Heat. Always has Immaculate equipment. And interacts with the fans as if everyone is a lifelong friend. Jack Thomas - Having progressed so far in two seasons, Jack should be looking at this season as his final National League Campaign before jumping in with the big boys. To do this he will be needing to challenge Luke for the number 1 jacket. Comes on a bargain average really too, when you consider the number of mechanical failures in points positions he suffered . level headed, polite lad. And he interacts with the kids through to the pensioners so naturally and professionally. But with a joker in him as well. Nathan Stoneman - Mr excitement, you can never relax until all 4 laps are completed with Nath. 100 percent trier with bags of potential and the ability to go all the way. Needs an injury free season and could well make it a 3 way challenge for Lukes vest. Proper genuine likable joker, and him and Jack together are quite the double act. Came in last year with a bit of a rep for poor equipment but last year I don't recall any issues at all. Anders Rowe - Anders had a great first season and will hopefully continue his progression towards the business end of the speedway pyramid, it should not be forgotten that he will still only be 15 when the season starts at easter. Very quiet and shy lad and much like Jack comes with great, clued up, and level headed parents in the bits. Another with immaculate equipment, and hopefully will come back more physically developed. Taylor Hampshire - on a 4 point average this can only be a great signing. Came to kent towards the back end of 2017 with brum in a challenge match and scored a big double figure score and rode for us at Stoke at number 5 and gave a good account of himself. Most knockers of him say he has bad equipment but I can't see uncle Len allowing his equipment to be sun standard. Jacob Clouting - Somebody I ve heard has a good solid style but may lack a bit of speed initially but apparantly has good equipment. But to be honest I ve only seen pics and vids, so can't really judge fairly. So a proper number 1 and skipper, and 5 riders with potential to up thier averages, I think we look in good shape. Personally I d like to see James Laker given his shot at 7.