Leaderboard

Hi Everyone, Thanks for your comments and posts which I appreciate and read with great interest. I would like to say that in order to have a virtually amateur 3rd tier of speedway it needs to be either funded by the governing body or the governing body wave all its charges. The issue to put on any speedway meeting under the BSPL is that it is now a business and as a business it has have revenue and directors must act in the best interest of that business. How does the BSPL raise revenue? Through match fees, sales of rights (TV) and sponsorship. What do clubs have to pay excluding travel and riders points money and assume that all staff volunteer.... well BSPA Fees, SC license fees, Referee Fees, Insurance, Fixed insurance, Medical ambulance, Medical Paramedic plus advertising budget, program and so on.... so with everything before the plus.. for the IOW to stage speedway it is £1325.... oh then there is stadium rental on top of that too and this is before we can advertise, pay a rider home and away........ So let's look at the options for NL in my view to make it work. 1. Purely amateur (no paid riders as in motocross) and BSPL use money from TV deals to cover all costs associated with putting the meeting on. Entry for fans for say £5 and perhaps cover the clubs stadium rental. 2. Purely amateur and riders pay to enter (to cover costs would mean each rider for a 7 rider team had to pay £94.60 home and away) and the club is responsible for all costs which then raises some revenue for BSPL - Entry for fans for say £5 and perhaps cover the clubs stadium rental. 3. Structured pay scales, proper sellable product, with fans prepared to be entertained, a real structure to move forward, step by step progress, a club to be proud of. My personal view is the only one able to work is number 3... 1 and 2 will always be seen as an overhead and the same as the current push toward second teams in double headers. My fear is that 7 riders teams will be reduced to 5, then 4 and guess what we are back 20 years but without riders and promoters who want to support it. As for Buxton being drawn back in to the league... the opportunity is there but not taken, and I understand will not be either. As always keep safe and stay positive. All the best Barry

full team announced Leon Flint,Ryan MacDonald Greg Blair,Ben Rathbone, Kyle Bickley, kieran Douglas, Mason Watson

Instead of going on and on, bemoaning a lowering of rider quality and the regrettable loss of a club as a result of the drop in team averages, should we not be welcoming Newcastle and Armadale (after more than 15 years) and Berwick (after quarter of a century!) back to boost the division? If this format suits the majority, and can be seen to work this year, we might hope and pray that any such success can draw the loW and maybe Buxton back into a revitalised NL structure in 2022? Always look on the bright side (whistle)

I don't totally agree and would argue that as a result of reducing standards we have lost Isle of Wight (and that loss should not be underestimated). In addition, I am of the opinion that there were other reasons for Buxton finishing - not least that Sheffield were to ride on the same day. To me, its a matter of compromise (and indeed always has been). The double up clubs - particularly if they run double headers - want the league for development without the same need to attract paying fans. The stand alone teams still have an interest in development but need to make the product good enough to pull customers in. The NDL has, for years, achieved such a compromise but that has been torpedoed for 2021 by the BSPL imposing a points limit without any discussion or negotiation - its a been a case of take it or leave it. In my view - and I suspect in Barry Bishop's - that is what is most unacceptable. There seems to me a slight contradiction in what you are saying, too. You indicate that the league should permit a competitive Buxton to join, but then go on to state that winning the league - ie being competitive - should not be a priority. I'd point out that the latter view does not seem to be shared by double up club promoters, given that the NDL has been won for 2 out of the last 3 seasons by their teams. The way I see it, if the league is about development and not competition there is no need to reduce the points limit at all. Retaining 39 does not prevent the double up teams from putting out their developing riders, but it means that the product - and hence the ability to pull in customer - is not weakened for both Mildenhall and Isle of Wight. On a final note - and as I have said before - it is nonsense to suggest or even imply that the NDL has not performed its development function in the past. Every single British rider in Championship and Premiership teams started in the third tier, as did our GP representatives Tai Woffinden and Robert Lambert.

That's not the worst idea!

Another good post but some clubs will never be encouraged to give extra track time and coaching to riders . I have lost count of the time's juniors have there spot at the end reduced because a senior wants to test something. He then proceeds to do a start and 20 wheelies. please don't think the current crop of riders and those just behind them lack experience in racing. These groups have been at it for year racing nearly every week at amateur meetings and British youth level . Admittedly some are better than others but that's how things work but I don't see any of the dreaded wobblers everyone is worrying about.

I think the argument against running the NDL meeting first in recent times has more to do with the amount of shale (or lack of if) on the track. By the time the second meeting is run the track is like a badger's bum. This came to my notice when listening to interviews with junior riders who were used to racing after the seniors in double headers or second halves. I was surprised to hear these lads saying they would have to get used to riding with some shale on the track when they moved up to riding on a track earlier in the procedings.

I'm sure you will be made very welcome. Kent folk are a friendly bunch and viewing in our big grandstand is second to none with good facilities enclosed. It is one of the reasons that, when Arena closed, I have become a Central Park regular. For me, a comfortable seat during racing is a "must" nowadays. The only thing that bothers me ( not that much) is the 6.30 start time and 8.30 curfew, but at least I get home at an acceptable time. But I do sometimes arrive very close to start time and a couple of times I have missed the 1st race. No ones fault but my own, of course. Still annoying though.

Wallinger would be good value on his low average but I don’t think he’ll ride. By the looks of the latest IOW press release they are extremely bitter with the BSPA and Mildenhall but If IOW wanted to run in a more ‘ professional ‘ division they should have considered moving up. It is a shame they’re not running but it’s they’re decision.

Belle Vue Aces 1. Brady Kurtz 7.54 2. Steve Worrall 5.53 3. Dan Bewley 6.15 4. Richie Worrall 5.09 5. Charles Wright 6.51 6. Jay Etheridge 4.35 7. Tom Brennan 4* Total: 35.17 Remaining: 00.33 Ipswich Witches 1. Jason Crump 8.00 2. Cameron Heeps 6.30 3. Jake Allen 5.56 4. Jordan Stewart 4.00 5. Danny King 6.66 6. Anders Rowe 3.00 7. Drew Kemp 3* Total: 33.52 Remaining: 01.98 King's Lynn Stars 1. Erik Riss 6.61 2. Ty Proctor 4.43 3. Lewis Kerr 5.43 4. Thomas Jorgensen 5.90 5. Richard Lawson 5.78 6. Lewis Bridger 4.02 7. Ryan Kinsley 3* Total: 32.43 Remaining: 03.07 Peterborough Panthers 1. Bjarne Pedersen 6.91 2. Scott Nicholls 5.50 3. Chris Harris 6.01 4. Hans Andersen 5.79 5. Michael Palm-Toft 6.30 6. Ulrich Ostergaard 4.00 7. Jordan Palin 1* Total: 34.51 Remaining: 00.99 Sheffield Tigers 1. Troy Batchelor 8.82 2. Justin Sedgmen 4.00 3. Adam Ellis 6.25 4. Kyle Howarth 5.58 5. Jack Holder 7.49 6. James Wright 3.00 7. Josh Bates 4* Total: 35.14 Remaining: 00.36 Wolverhampton Wolves 1. Sam Masters 7.35 2. Ryan Douglas 4.66 3. Nick Morris 5.38 4. Luke Becker 5.27 5. Rory Schlein 6.65 6. Broc Nichol 4.00 7. Tom Bacon 4* Total: 33.31 Remaining: 02.19 To be updated daily, please post confirmed signings & averages if known

The thing is that a 35pt limit is unsustainable year on year. Every season in the region of 20 new riders (accepting that there are 7 teams) will be required and numerous lads from the preceding season will be dumped because their averages don't fit. One thing is certain : if the Isle of Wight promotion refused to ride using a 35pt limit this season, its very unlikely they will run in 2022 using the same figure.

Looks a great shape and you can really see it capable of some great racing on a par with Belle Vue.

As it looks like quite a few teams will be having double headers with championship and national league matches would it not make sense to run the national league matches to the old 13 heat formula with either 6 or 7 rider teams.Might just help to get full meeting over in alloted time if curfews are an issue.

Newcastle 1st, Plymouth 2nd We'll bring the excitement of Joe Alcock and Matty Wethers... I say that, but Matty is my favourite at the minute haha... But I do love Plymouth, I have a lot of family down there and lived down there a year myself (Before the team came back) Plymouth would be my 1st team if I lived closer, brilliant area of the country and amazing club

We will look forward to your visit.....but to be honest, the anticipation is likely to be more because you bring Jason Crump with you !

With Drew drawn to take part in a qualifier in Hungary on the 22nd I'm presuming we may be looking at a guest for our first home meeting due on the 20th.......

Hopefully Speedway in 2022

The average for each team should be about 42 at the end of each season, which is a 7 point rise, so "statistically" every rider should increase his average by one point! So you'd need to look at riders who increase they're average by more than one point as genuine improvers! However will that mean they have really improved or just that the league is weaker?

Yep and what will happen to these riders next season if the points limit is still really low?

It will be interesting to see how many times "30 heats of Speedway" actually get completed for those who run the double headers.. Maybe they should put the NL meeting on first? That would provide some motivation to ensure all done I am sure.. Simon Wigg always said there should be 'The Starter' before 'The Main Course'... And if an argument against it is there may be delays to the main meeting due to a possibility of more fallers, then these lads shouldn't be riding in the first place at a team level..

Come the end of a very short 2021 season , everyone will have improved their starting averages , and lots of back slapping saying how well the new lads have done.....the reality is that they will have just improved racing each other ....and not advanced one iota.

That is exactly why the problem is not just isolated to the NL! There needs to be a proper facilitation of British riders across all leagues that goes much further than the Rising Star programme. All that has done is push out other Brits like Mountain & Sarjeant and give Premiership places to riders not ready yet like Kinsley & arguably Palin. Whereas lowly assessed and unproven foreigners are still prevalent. In years gone by we've seen numerous NL heat leaders struggle to get Championship places or getting dumped at the earliest opportunity. There are persistent riders still about like Greaves and Hume (hopefully the Rising Star programme helps Danyon but what about when he averages 4.5+?) which I have admiration for, but too many others have been lost to the sport.

Bit harsh on Bebee. He's been so unlucky with injuries but has definitely improved

The NL has always been a hidden gem of ability and entertainment. Yes its got its faults but far less than the higher divisions which is why is a huge shame that it is being torn down to reduce the threat to higher divisions and only serve them rather than serve the riders and existing fans. There is a minimum standard people are prepared to pay for regularly and especially at current rates. I fear this year or next it will be tough to get £13-15 for a lesser product at stand-alone meetings especially with so few meetings to generate any bond/interest. Not sure genuinely how many clubs could accommodate double headers for two levels and would get support with price increases to fund it. I remember Peterborough recently asked opinion of would and extra £5 be ok for a NL 2nd fixture and was met with a resounding no.

You wont be disappointed

British patronage. The passport rule for the NL was brought in because of examples like BWD

Whilst i agree to some point that winning the league shouldn't be the be all and end all when running in the NL there still hasvto be aspirations of success otherwise we end with the nonsense school sports day ethos of everyone gets a prize. The cut limit still doesn't prevent the better funded clubs luring the most promising riders on board and still leaving disparity between the competing levels. Had the averages been reduced gradually and a decreasing cap on max averages like no over 8 this year no over 7 next there would have been a gradual shift of riders at the top out of the league, middle order riders moving up and probably 2/3 new riders per team per season. To encourage clubs to look at development of upcoming riders they could have started giving extra track time and coaching in readiness. What we currently have is a glut of new riders this season with experienced heat leaders in the same side, next year the current crop will be out and new inexperienced riders in with the heat leaders staying put.

Oh come on. Let's go the whole hog and get rid of the existing fans and replace them with their grandkids.

Personally I just want to see Brits fill team places in all the leagues first, then fill up spaces with foreigners, a riders age shouldn't go against him! While I have nothing against a "career NL" rider racing in the NL, I'm guessing it's not what the powers that be envisioned the league becoming! It just goes to show a low points limit doesn't guarantee riders with the most potential will get signed up, just riders on low averages will get signed up!

Fantastic post well thought out and a spot on assessment of how it should be

If it’s shown that the powers that be have got any interest in developing young riders ! Bet they couldn’t name half of them. I’ll do a whole meeting on Coffee !!

Sad that the current cronies of this once good sport have stifled one of the few bright hopes when it comes to running meetings as an entertainment. IOW have lead the way in how an evening of speedway should be presented engaging with fans etc just as it used to be in days gone by and probably this goes back in the late 60’s and 70’s and the days of leaping Len, dearly departed Dave Lanning at Eastbourne and the great JH at Canterbury. What is it the BSPL are thinking when they have/are driving clubs. out of business. Those in authority are probably taking a leaf out of dictator Boris Johnson’s book and do as I say. For those who run the sport they still expect the paying punter to turn up week in week out without question. If ever an independent enquiry was needed to investigate as to how speedway is run in this country, now is that time. I doubt that anyone of those who voted on these measures or sit on the board or are part of the committee, have the balls to be answerable for the issues by coming on this forum and deal with the questioning from those who really care about speedway in this country. The BSPL has no balls when it comes to being accountable.

So while Leicester are championing age discrimination why just stop at riders! Sack Stuart Dickson & sign a younger team manager, tell Rob Sensicall even though he's a great announcer he's being dropped for son Tom! Is Nigel Pearson they're press officer, cause he's no spring chicken, why not sack him for someone younger too?

I'm sure the Leicester promotion for rate Chattin & thought Trigger would be better, but to save face etc. used the "bringing on youngsters" excuse! While this may sound kinder than announcing they have no faith in Chattin's ability - they've publicly admitted to age discrimination!

This team is certainly going to put bums on seats and it has a look of one which could win handsomely or get clattered on any given day.

Looking at the teams being assembled, and what appears to be quite a long "tail" for most teams, would it have been better to run maybe 5 man teams in the NL? Or even 4 team tournaments? More actual teams maybe but less riders, with a much lower difference between standard. The difference in standard being so important when it comes to the entertainment served up. The best lads wont gain anything from beating the 'wobblers' and the lads 'wobbling' wont gain anything from getting hammered by the best lads.. You wont get a 'wobbler' to HL status in a season, but you might get a Second String there, so these "middle" riders are the ones who should be given priority places, and the most opportunity to race against their next level of rider.. Let the 2, and 3 point NL average lads race together in 'proper' second halves and see the NL place in a team as something to aspire to. Not to just be handed one so you can be a "makeweight" because your average fits.. Its great that we seem to have a joined up development path for riders, however the on track entertainment will be vital to maintain the public's interest.. Not sure seven man teams will deliver this given the difference in standard in virtually every heat..

With the year we have just had, can we not just leave the petty squabbles and attempted point scoring for now - NNH!! (No Numpties Here). Just focus on the speedway and be glad that you have a speedway team to support this year!

Exactly... "Older" riders should be allowed to ride in this league, despite what everyone argues... Put a team of teens together and it'd be carnage, and who are they gonna learn things like setups from???

G is for Geoff... As for A.H.....? Now let me think......

He has got worse since his name change- he was bad enough as Geoff 58 !!!!

Where payment of riders is concerned, each NL club picks up the tab for their riders home and away. So when Mildenhall ride at IOW, the Fen Tigers meet the wage bill for their team. If you run a challenge or an individual, you pay all 12,14 or 16 riders. Aside from the fact that challenge matches are likely to attract lower attendances, they could increase the clubs costs. i don't know the full reasons why they have withdrawn but the above might be one, and I know they were against any reduction in the points limit as it almost inevitably lowers the standard of the product at this level (something that is most important if you are a stand alone club but matters little if you are running all your NL meetings as double headers with a higher league match, as Newcastle apparently plan to). If the clubs were simply told about the points limit without any form of negotiation amongst members and the Warriors promotion believed that that would damage their business taking into account other factors - the lack of fixtures, likely difficulties with sponsors, the confidence of fans returning to stadiums following covid etc - its little wonder they withdrew. Why should they accept being dictated to without even the chance to discuss the situation by persons who don't even run an NL team ? Following the BSPL's approach to arguably the most innovative meeting held in Britain for some years - the 2019 NICE challenge - the chances of them going out of their way to accommodate the Isle of Wight promotion were non existent.

The IOW are the most forward looking club at any level, that I can remember seeing for many a long year. We're not privy to whatever the issues were to cause Messrs Bishop & Widman to withdraw from the BSPL, but whatever they were, the Board of Directors should have worked their socks off to ensure the club could continue to provide much needed entertainment for those that live on the Island, along with the holidaymakers. The sport just can't afford to keep losing clubs like this, and I just hope that sense prevails, and they can be welcomed back in 2022, because speedway is dying on its feet, at a fast rate of knots. Gutted for all you people across the Solent, along with all your sponsors.

First and foremost I'm supportive because I see the opportunities going forward not just for my lad but also every other junior riding coming through the system. Our family agenda so you are clear is to use the system to the best of our ability and progress through it. We don't want to be a team that blocks the system for other riders to be able to get a team place. If the boy don't make the standard then so be it but if he then misses out it's not the system that's failed it will be him . I do believe that no rider should have 3 spots and if a rider reaches a certain average he should be not be allowed 2 spots and definitely not one in NDL

All the more reason to increase the 4.00 starting average for new foreign riders. Not a pop at those teams that have taken advantage of this if they can as it's all within the rules. Whilst acknowledging how big a part foreign riders have to play, I think if you're serious about allowing UK riders to progress removing these low averages for foreign riders has to be considered.

off subject but just found out also the riders that paid over £130 for their licences last year without putting a leg over their bikes have now got to do the same this year not even a discount shocking from the scb what if it ends up not going ahead this year it’s hard times for everybody not just the governing body

Ermmm... bebee is only 19 and people are saying hes already over the hill? madness...

Things are not looking good again https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/poland-to-announce-tougher-coronavirus-restrictions-on-wednesday-14270998

Who knows, for some reason no one provides starting GSA anymore.

Announcement yesterday that the Warriors have withdrawn from the National League and won’t run in 2021 although some training sessions might happen when Covid regulations permit. Seems that some rules being imposed by the BSPL are the stumbling point.