Halifaxtiger

Sheffield by 6.

I must admit I thought it would be between the previous seasons league and KO Cup winners (or runners up given Mildenhall's success last season). That's certainly how the EL & PL ones work. If it is was the case that Dudley were chosen because they were the holders, that begs the question as to how Mildenhall were the opponents given that Scunthorpe had won the league.

I must admit I am still mystified as to how Dudley got into the National Shield in 2012 (if it was and is a competition on the lines of the Elite Shield). Scunthorpe had won the league the previous season, Mildenhall the KO cup. Dudley didn't even get into the play offs. Surely Scunthorpe or Stoke (who actually topped the NL table in 2011) would have been more deserving opponents for the Fen Tigers ?

And when they want ridiculously slick tracks that produce crap racing which would have the fans deserting the sport in droves - and that is the main point of criticism of Leicester Speedway - would you still do that ? I only have speculation about the riders demands for the surface at BP and the management's agreement to that but, as I have said, one rider certainly described a disgracefully slick track there as 'mint'. Every fan would describe it as the precise opposite. Every fan is aware of the risks that riders take and is appalled when injuries occur. The reaction of the speedway paying public to the death of Lee Richardson, the astonishing crowd at Lakeside for his memorial meeting and enormous funds raised for his dependents are testimony to that. No fan would wish for the preparation of a track that endangers them any more than climbing on a 500cc bike without brakes in the first place. But that does not mean that their demands completely override those of the spectator paying for the privilege. In my experience, it is entirely possible to prepare tracks for good racing that are safe (or at least not dangerous) for those participating. In truth, you did it every week at Redcar and its never been the same since you left - in my view, it went from being one of the best racing tracks in the country to one of the worst. I again only have speculation on the matter, but I was told that that was down to the demands of one rider.

Accepted, but why no PL or NL fixtures ? I think Mick has a point and that in these days when every fan through the gates is valued not having fixtures on a bank holiday is a missed opportunity.

I would have thought that was fairly obvious. To attract new ones and retain the ones that they have. What have you have probably missed is that the appalling track surface that produced a dreadful gaters paradise of a meeting against Plymouth last year was described by Magnus Karlsson as 'mint'. He might have liked it, but no fan did. And since when in any commercial exercise (apart, perhaps, from government) do those getting paid dictate to those doing the paying ? If fans want tracks surfaces that produce excellent racing (and they all do) then any promotion should do everything possible to ensure that they get it. As long as the track isn't dangerous, riders opinions should not count in the slightest.

I do think there needs to be a sense of realism here. Even on the best tracks it is likely that the majority of heats are won from the gate and the number of very good races are few. I also think there is some cause for optimism and that to judge the new shape on the basis of one meeting is unreasonable. My only fear at Leicester is that the surface will be prepared for the benefit of the riders not the spectators and that is simply not on. I base that fear upon two consecutive matches last season (against Scunthorpe and against Plymouth) when the track went from being the best I have ever seen it (and proof that BP can be as good as many and better than some) to an appalling gaters paradise, apparently at the behest of the home team. Tracks (and this does not only apply to Leicester) must be prepared with one person and only one in mind: the paying fan.

Quite possibly, although its rare for me to be such an optimist

I think you are right on all points here. I thought the track was a little better than before and may improve further, especially if further shale is added and the surface is prepared for the benefit of the spectators rather than the riders. Sheffield did a lot better than I, and I suspect most others, thought. I think that we all knew Stead would be a top PL performer, but based upon last night Wells might get up to the sort of average that should be expected of him. The eye opener, though, was Hall in a very impressive performance indeed. What's more, Albin deserved more points and Koppe definitely showed promise. Its very early days, but it could just be that Sheffield might not be the chopping blocks that some (including me) predicted.

I don't think they would. On the other hand, some of these foreign riders are anything but inexperienced. The best example I can give is Cameron Heeps. He made an enormous impact on the NL, and not just at Mildenhall. Ask anyone from Dudley - I can say with some honesty that people went to meetings just to see him, and that's precisely my point. The thing is though is that the NL is as much a commercial operation as the EL or PL - they rely on gate income in exactly the same way. Allowing one attractive foreign rider (and one hardly means that the league will be 'full' of them) will scarcely damage the main aim of the NL but could help those tracks to stay in business.

My view on allowing foreign riders into the NL is based upon the fact that NL teams aren't just training tracks (there are only 2 double up teams in the NL, and if those planning to come in in 2014 do so the percentage will reduce further) they are commercial enterprises. As such, they rely on gate receipts and other income just as much as their PL & EL equivalents. The addition of one foreigner who can provide a great deal of colour and make the team line up far more impressive (Cameron Heeps at Mildenhall is the obvious exmple) will help to attract new fans and retain existing ones. I think that that is very much worth the sacrifice of one GB youngster's place.

I think that the presence of the likes of Atkin and Armstrong is immensely beneficial to young riders in the NL and it why they should be allowed to continue there. I can remember a few years ago Tai Woffinden thanking Wayne Carter for the benefit of his experience when they were team mates at Scunthorpe in the old CL, and that will apply to Atkin and Armstrong too. The NL recognises that by allowing one rider over 30 in each team. I think NL teams should be allowed one foreign rider per team. The way I see it, it doesn't matter if they are from Australia or Uzbekistan, they won't be riding for team GB. Having one rider will not damage british youngsters to a huge degree (after all, its correct name is the NDL) and will allow teams to be more attractive to paying spectators.

Never had a problem myself (quite the opposite in actual fact) but I do know some who have. Many congratulations from a very proud sponsor Best wishes to Paul, Julie, Beth, Daniel and of course Adam for 2013.

I think that's true but their remarks can be ignored. Equally, though, there are those who won't hear a word against the team or the promotion and who aggressively attack anyone who even questions any aspect of the line up or the running of Sheffield Speedway, however reasonable those comments might be. They even go on to suggest that fans should simply be grateful that the team is running. To my mind, the latter is just about as low as a promotion (or its supporters) can get, because it implies that fans should just turn up whatever the circumstances and that they have absolutely no responsibility to attract paying customers. That's not just nonsense, its a disgrace. All being well see you, Squall & Spinny Junior on the 11th April, when no doubt I'l put the mockers on your boys again

As someone who watches a lot of NL speedway, I think you have made the right choice and don't think BP's suggestion that Kerr will be riding EL in the next few years is an unreasonable one. Starke is a decent rider, but to my mind he doesn't have anywhere near the same potential.

No, he's mine. No, he's mine.

That depends how you define 'negative' To some on this thread it is questioning the team or promotion in any way - in other words, you can't be critical at all without being labelled with that tag. To me, being negative is not having a good word to say at any point, being positive being the complete opposite. Both are almost certainly motivated by prejudice,are equally ridiculous and should equally be ignored. Fortunately, there is a third way - being realistic. By that, I mean coming to a judgement about the teams prospects on what we actually know from past seasons and the rider performances. I don't think its difficult. Spinny's excellent post above is both a typical example of that and a typical example of his contributions to this thread in that he says what he thinks (and, I suspect, what most think). You could do worse than simply read any posts he has made on this subject.

Andy Hewlett has confirmed on Facebook that he has a planning meeting on 11 March with the Council.

I wouldn't disagree on price but the quality very much depends on the supplier. Some are much better than others.

Its the potential track at Avonmouth that they are trying to get planning permission for.

You can follow Bristol here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/303424497468/

I think Mildenhall have a cracking team full of youth, potential and promise - I'll be surprised if they don't make the play offs. Throw in Toothless Bob's excellent racing track and West Row will be a very good place to go to watch your speedway next season.

I think you have a good signing there. I was a little disappointed with his progress last season because at the end of 2010 he was on fire and looked a PL certainty. If he can get back to that potential, he won't let you down.

I think you are right and would be genuinely surprised if anyone disagreed. Taking into account that Steady is a local boy and a former (and very popular) Tiger, I'd say he's one of the best signings made by any club in any of the leagues over the winter.

Yes, to my knowledge.