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A Belle Vue fan has posted this on twitter...How mean of him.

Glasgow to finish bottom as I don’t like them.

Not to break the annual prediction it therefore is the same as last year and the year before. 1. Glasgow 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Edinburgh And before anyone from further along the M8 makes the point I have never got this correct yet.

It most certainly is much much dirtier round the back. Certainly don't want any mud at the front

So its now confirmed that speedway clubs do qualify to apply for some of the Govts 'Elite Summer Sports' fund following successful liaison between BSPL and Sport England. Well done to the BSPL Officers. According to SpeedwayGB some clubs have already submitted their applications!

Yes, the pool of riders isn't what is should be. All self inflicted of course. allowing riders to race for multiple teams, halving opportunities a lack of development for yonks (although some work in now taking place) no real pathway from grass-track - hundreds of successful riders came from GT to 2nd halves to long careers. This happened more by luck than design. But should there not be a formal relationship between British Speedway and Grass Track providing a pathway through? Good for speedway and good for GT too Oh, and by the way....I always pulled a great pint

People picking up the Glasgow comment but no one has yet commented the worse part of this post which is Josh Auty is a number 1.. he isn't and if he’s forced to be he will be the weakest in the league,

Best of luck to Plymouth they are certainly going for it. They will certainly put bums on seats assuming we can get attending anytime soon.

Its a nailed on prediction that someone predicts that its to early for predictors to predict what their predictions are...

Because some numpty keeps posting pointless guff and other idiots () respond

Well, these are special times. What has happened in the past, in every walk of life, far beyond speedway, has been swept aside by the global pandemic. While the Island promotion have every right to decline membership of this year's 3rd Division, it might be worth thinking that, if the team average had been set higher, say at 39 or above (as l have seen quoted as their preference) we might not have had an eight-club NDL this time around, with other teams unwilling, or unable to join the league under such terms. While having every sympathy for the deprived Island fans, l personally feel their promotion's withdrawal might be seen in hindsight as a somewhat excessive reaction to a decision which has been accepted by the remaining eight clubs - - with just a whiff of the terrible Coventry/Peterborough furore from a few years back....

I have heard that BWD may now be coming over to ride so would be available for a Championship team if a deal could be done Brum have 9.96 for a Brit and 9.71 for a foreigner... BWD will be on an 8.21 average (if my sums are correct)... So would fit... Regards THJ

The worst & best of speedway in Britain. All four are at the tapes p1$$ing about until the race starts at 1.17 then 2 riders giving it their all, swapping & changing for 2nd place.

Yes. Of coursey ou are right. What I'm talking about is getting the customer experience right before speedway can even contemplate being a viable business. As MikeBV rightly points out, it is madness that the employee dictates to the employer when they can and can't work. What works for the customer comes first. I did a lot of hospitality work in my youth and of course this meant weekends, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve and the like. If I'd have told my boss I can't do weekends or busy times, but I can do Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I'd be out of work.

Under the limit or not i would love to see Connor Mountain get a place and certainly think he could do a very good job in the 1-5. Far too good a rider to not have a CL berth this season.

This thread has really shown me that this forum has changed probably for the better. Wilky was a guy from 1968/9 onwards anyone could relate to his wife Jean she was a mega hero .She deserves mentioning supported him ( you do that if you love someone) from his Crash heart warming really loved him .

Berwick are going to be busy?

A new league for Poole here goes,having a quick look at the teams I'm going for 1 Leicester-Such a strong top 5 can't see past them. 2.Eastbourne-A very experienced top 5 in this league only newer rider is Brennan and he is going to be a class rider and solid reserves. 3.Poole-Probably the best top 3 in league but question marks over cook and keleher,Hume and Nielsen all for very different reasons if Nielsen can get back to his sunny form and both Aussies can hit 5.00 averages then will be a test for Leicester and the budgies. 4.Redcar-very good top end middle order and reserves just need a good signing to fill last spot and should comfortably make play offs imo. 5.Glasgow- solid side with plenty of scoring power at top end and a decent reserve don't think itl be enough in the end though. 6.Edinburgh-very good heatleaders but not quite enough in the lower end of team. 7.Berwick-solid team again experienced at this level but will lack heat winners. 8.Scunthorpe- again a solid team but lacking heat winners away especially 9.Kent-not a great team in any department tbh a season of struggle. 10.Birmingham- lack heat winners apart from bomber,only saving grace is they probably have one of the better reserves in Castagna which could save them in some meetings. 11.Plymouth- As much as they have arguably the best top 2 in the league the rest of the team will struggle especially away with tracks they've never seen before. 12.Newcastle - just can't see much hope for them,all hinges on roynon and Wright kicking on to 6.00averages to give them a chance of getting up the table.

Facebook page to keep an eye on https://www.facebook.com/liguenationaledespeedway/

That’s why I got 3 mate I think there are a lot of jealous people around and deep down I think they would all give there right arms to have either crump or pedersen in there team and we have both,I can’t wait reference where we finish in the league this season what will be will be but looking at all the teams so far I no which one I’d want to watch each week.

Will any tell the panel that they SAVED money last year?

Other idiots.... Eh?

Why are Poole still in the Premiership section?

1, Leicester 2, Poole 3, Eastbourne 4, Redcar 5, Edinburgh 6, Glasgow 7, Berwick 8, Plymouth 9, Scunthorpe 10, Kent 11, Birmingham 12, Newcastle

I personally think Craig Cook will come back in the best shape he has ever been and hungry for success and will be #1 with a bit to spare

And that is the continuing magic of UK domestic speedway - deluding itself that all is well. Or abig turnaround is just around the corner. A bit like the UK motocycling industry in the late 1960s.

Cook is head and shoulders above everyone at CL usually. Crump is the only one likely to even match him at that level.

I think the plan could be to get to 'Championship' level for the top league of say 12 teams, then maybe a 12 team league of slightly better than the current NL, made up of stand alone clubs and 'Colts' teams from some of those in the top league.. Let's be honest we are nearly there now with none of the riders who are competing being truly 'Elite', with only a very few able to even get considered to have the opportunity to compete at the highest levels in Poland or Sweden. If each team next year in the top league had two Rising Stars, with the 'best 24' in the top league, and 24 pretty much newcomers in the 2nd tier, I am sure it could put many clubs on a more financially even footing.. Fixed race nights would still allow plenty to double up so lots of meetings for those lads who have only a slim chance of getting fixed up in either Sweden or Polands top division.. The NL operating model has proven itself as a success when it comes to giving clubs who may have gone out of business by staying in the 2nd tier, (or already had) a chance to become profitable and has provided plenty of decent, value for money entertainment.. Maybe some within the BSPL have noticed that and seen an opportunity? A league that would sit between the current NL and the Championship standard wise might just be where the second tier can thrive and be a true 'stepping stone' to the top league.. Some do talk of a lowering of standards driving punters away, however when the worlds best rode here, double digit % drops in annual crowd levels were not unusual, so, I would suggest, those who still attend now are 'bomb proof' as far as following the sport goes, so a couple of years of 'reset" where every club can be secure of coming back to the tapes the next year, might not be a bad idea.. There is a world out there who would know hardly any of those who ride at GP level, never mind UK standard, so, using the Eurosport coverage, "names" and reputations could be built by those who appear in front of the cameras each week.. We who follow the sport may know they are not "top level" but the vast majority of those watching at home wont.. And they are the ones that need their interest pricking..

See R&R reply - just to add with regards the Warsaw contracts, that these riders are free to move teams whenever they wish. Riders without a contract/team though can’t join until the first transfer window.

Thats the point of my message it was a take it or leave it which is wrong!

In 2021 yes only replace a rider certified with Covid A Warsaw contract is sort of a temporary contract with a club(no guarantee's) which means the rider can be loaned out or sign a full contract later

I'd agree with this top 5....with Crump at no.1 !

godfrey spouting off in the star again saying the " iow" were told what to expect for this season , pity he didnt remember that in 2018 when comets told everyone that they were going to ride friday nights, he soon changed that to suit him shame he dont want to help the "iow" now.

The top Championship rider will be someone who wants to be no1 rather than riding for "the team", so Craig Cook it is.

Hi Gentelmen, as a newby on here my posts have to be approved, so I do not know how long it will be before this post appears on this thread. It just so happens I recently took my old 2 valve Jawa engine for restoration to a well known engine builder and tuner, and we chin wagged for an hour or two about speedway, he was also the man who did ( and will be doing) Grobauers engines, so he new first hand the problems, nothing to startling and I am not going to broadcast the details, but I understand the problems he had at Somerset. The tuner thinks Grobauer is a good prospect and could be a suprise package for the Brummies, given the right enviroment, and made to feel at home. Cant wait for the season to start

The problem being that even an applied Smolinski who would likely be the highest rated rider in the CL would still struggle to maintain a huge average. On that basis why break the bank to sign a rider just to use up available points? I suspect that number of leagues prohibits Rasser Jensen but maybe Hans Andersen is worth a punt? Plenty of other veterens are viewing doubling up in the UK as the way forward, would have kit here anyway and just has class. Hans and Connor Mountain would be a great finish to the team. BTW pretty sure Tom Perry has hung his kevlars up.

Lets hope he has sorted his lawnmowers out.

Snippets of info from the league(ligue Nationale de Speedway) facebook page. Speedway National League Season 2021 is pointing the end of its nose. Opening is fast approaching and the NSL schedule is constantly changing because of the pandemic. Despite this, clubs are working hard to bring in the best riders and paddock rumors are going well about teams for the upcoming season. At the time we write these lines nothing is definitely active but... We're talking about Mathieu and Stéphane Trésarrieu on the same team alongside Dimitri Bergé Racing for the Marmandese team!!! On the side of La Réole we also talk about the Czech driver Josef Franc, he would be the man of experience of this championship. He would come to shoulder Ondrej Smetana the man in the shape of last season. For Morizès, Long Track 2020 World Champion Lukas Fienhage would make his big comeback to the NSL, he will have to be a formidable customer, Chris 'Bomber' Harris would be replacing one more season on the NSL certainly alongside Richie Worrall. Tom Brennan would also make his return, the young rider is feeling with the Lamothe team. David Bellego and Mads Hansen are still negotiating with the clubs. Of course our French hopes will still be part of it. Gaetan Stella-Team GS , Jordan & Enzo Dubernard racing team , Steven Goret and everyone else will do everything they can to bring us as much show as possible on this 2021. edition. Looking forward to May 13th for the opening! Watch out anyway, everything can still change as the pandemic is evolving in Europe.

Not really, all it would take is Swindon restarting and one Champ team wanting some TV exposure and it’s back to eight. You really should cut out all this ‘us and them’ stuff, it benefits nobody.

They have tried to sign Martin smolinski according to the man himself on childsys check in on Instagram last night

Always nice to consider that lower prices should be what we enjoy. Sadly, in real life it is rarely true. Take my hat off to Eastbourne for announcing a £10 price for National League. Week-end tracks have always had an advantage over the rest, going back to my earliest days watching Speedway. They do seem to have all things ready and deserve to succeed business-wise. It ensures a future for Sussex fans. If clubs lose money, they disappear.

i thought it was the championship league i was looking at . well . its finally happened. poor elite league as they used to call it line ups . .BRRAAPPPP . more like BARFFF . championship is a far better product....... just ..

Been obvious for a long, long time hasnt it? Letting employees dictate to their employer when they will attend, and when they wont because of working elsewhere, so the owner becomes restricted as to when they can open for business, isnt on any of the many successful business plans I have seen used I must be honest.. Maybe opening when your customers want you to do so, just might improve things ever so slightly?

I can agree with arguments against Bates, but Bacon deserves a shot at the "rising star" scheme! He's improved every year & never had a Prem team spot - he clearly is still improving!

Personally, i don't like double headers. They are far too long winded. Too many late night marathons at the White City have scared me for life. It was only 26 heats in those days as well!

Each to their own I presume... Like all prices set, the customer will determine just how much £24 is regarded as VFM.... If enough pay to at least cover costs, or even make money, then the price set is the right one... Will teams just charge on these nights for one meeting only I wonder? (If they can do so logistically)... No disrespect but I would imagine a fair few wouldn't always be interested in staying behind to watch the NL lads so may actually get put off attending if it was £24 'all or nothing, take it or leave it'... Any away Championship team fans for example may want to get back home as soon as the main meeting finishes...

Is TRick making a comeback then? Otherwise think you're living on past glories, and not the real world in the championship.

I hope some of the racing makes up for the lack of overall quality. Just had a browse at the teams. All a bit of a mish mash. Poole clearly stand out as the team to beat as expected. Can’t see why anyone rates the budgies. Other than Eddie they don’t look that good, though it will be great fun reviving the rivalry and picking up our usual win at Arlington. Leicester look ok but it’s gate and go. Just have to get to the first bend leading and it’s all over. More passing on The Bidding Room. The rest? Nothing to see. By the way I see the name Paul Hurry in the Kent side. Is that old ex rider Paul Hurry’s son? If not.....hahaha.. As for Plymouth, having two old riders in Bjarne and Crump might get the crowd in for a few meetings but when they are trailing at the back that novelty will soon wear off. Still, this has to be better than last year.

For the first time ever I can honestly say that I am not too bothered where we finish in the league this season. Sure it would be great to be successful in our first championship season, but I just want to see some good racing with a Poole team that tries hard and displays that "Pirate Pride". I have only been supporting the Pirates since 2008 after my local team (Oxford) folded in 2007 and living in Buckinghamshire (100 miles each way) could only get down a few times every year. However, just before Christmas I took the plunge and moved to Poole! So now I am looking forward to being able to walk to every home meeting!