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The obvious standout team is the Tigers from Owlerton, two former World Champions and a rider who would have made the podium in the GP series this year but for injuries. However they are surely the oldest top 5 in the league, with Pickering being the spring chicken of the top 5 at 27. Not sure there is much room for improvement from any of them and the reserve pairing could well struggle. Ipswich have a great top 2 but can they maintain the standards they set last season? Rew should improve but is unlikely to get anytime at reserve this season and the sophomore slump condition could hamper him. Two inexperienced reserves again. Can Ellis get back to where he was a few years ago is the question. I think the Witches will struggle to finish in the top 4 of the league but if they do they're dangerous in the play-offs, like last year they came from nowhere to deny Belle Vue a spot in the final. Considering his progress in the GP's in my opinion Bewley had a fairly poor season for the Aces so should improve his starting figure and must surely be better away from home in 2024. No more can realistically be expected from Kurtz following a solid season last year. I'm not sure on Lidsey, he had Wright backing him up all last year but won't have that next season, you'd think he should improve further with more experience of British racing. I didn't realise Cook is as old as he is. Blodorn won't be swapping between reserve at top 5 this year but is good at the NSS and is getting better away. Mountain has more experience than those in the same position as him at Foxhall & Owlerton but lacks their potential. I like the Leicester septet, Fricke is as good as anyone except Sayfutdinov on the GB tracks and the 4 others in the top 5 should all average over 7. Kemp seemed to have a new lease of life at Beaumont Park having missed out on a spot in GB at the start of last season and maybe he will finally start to reach his potential. The Stars are another team that don't really appear to have a weak link in their septet. Basso seemed to suffer from second season syndrome in a struggling Panthers team last year, Tarasenko & Wojdylo also rejuvenated the Alwalton team mid season last year but how well will they adapt to a different home circuit? Musielak has been excellent for Sheffield in the last two years, but as a Tiger with Jack Holder also in the line-up the expectation of being the #1 wasn't completely on his shoulders where as it is at Saddlebow Rd. Rowe like Kemp needs to start realising his potential. The Oxford team has too many question marks for my liking to be considered as potential table toppers but will be in the mix for the play-offs, Janowski is a great addition to the league but hasn't been at his best in recent GP series, it is probably a year (or two) too early for Boughen but fair play to Oxford for giving him the opportunity I hope it doesn't hamper his progress. Klindt & Tungate always blow hot & cold. Sadly Birmingham seem a fair way off the other teams in terms of strength, it is a big ask for Pawlicki & Milik to come in as a top two when both haven't ridden in the UK for many years and there is no obvious third heat leader to back them up, Brennan may grow into that role or Lampart could hit the ground flying. One thing is for sure the Brummies will have strength at reserve all year, it should be Flint's final year as a RS. Table prediction: Leicester Belle Vue Kings Lynn Sheffield Oxford Ipswich Birmingham

It has, on the first bend.. absolutely cracking view from there too

Pirates TV rewind stream once again, tonight at 7:30pm on YouTube. Pirates vs Brummies : Championship : Aug 23 https://youtu.be/Nmw6BoWOhBs

Good gater, not a bad trait for plymouth.

Everyone is of course entitled to their opinion, but predicting Ipswich to finish second bottom is a bit of a bonkers take. In the words of Les Dennis, if Ipswich finish second bottom I’ll give you the money meself

Saw them at old fire Station Carlisle a couple of weeks ago, a brilliant group and a good nite out. Was sold out for 2 nights

Maybe, the plot thickens?

He did have a poor season,a lot attributed to illness,but there is no doubt he is a class rider if getting back to anything near his best.

At this point, he's going to be the cheapest option to bring them to tapes with 7 I'd imagine, even if it's short term until they can arrange for someone better to come in. He has said he's hoping to be back on a bike by the spring, can't see him committing to coming back over here though. Riss would be the other choice but on his average you'd have thought he would have been in the side over Covatti already if he wanted to be back over here again this year.

I don't know why they would want BWD, must be a few better riders than him on a 8 point average, maybe patryk Wojdolo might fancy doubling up.

Interested to see that Pidcock Motorcycles have extended their Stadium Sponsorship for another two seasons.http://www.leicesterspeedway.com/news.php?extend.32437 One advantage Leicester have over many clubs is an exclusive lease on the stadium which provides them with a naming rights opportunity. All the same its great to see they have secured the deal.

You'll be telling me next that you don't believe this? - Keith Chapman said“There are no hidden agendas to what has gone on over the past 18 months"

'Tis now... https://britishspeedway.co.uk/cab-direct-championship/bears-go-for-knudsen/

Not on the British Speedway Website. Jorgensen is still listed in the 2024 announced line ups.

Lighten up, we don’t want the atmosphere on here to be as heavy as the Plymouth track.

Were you hoping it would be on the BBC 6 o’clock news? It’s been on everything else !

I’ve not looked at 2024 rules but it’s been the rule for some time that a facility was available for a rider included in an initial declaration, that is at the start of the season, injured before they can take their place so facilities were available for Becker and Kennedy, part of the initial declarations, but not Thompson who was named in a redeclaration. No dispensations required.