Little Nicki

It may have been a better spectacle if King's Lynn had promoted, or had to promote, a No. 8 into their 1 - 7 rather than operating R/R, particularly as, in this instance, R/R scored a 4 x ride full maximum. Is Layne Cupitt not progressing, or did he have problems last night? After a winter spent in Australia in the World Champion's company, you would've hoped he would have learnt something and would kick-on, unless he treated it as a jolly.

Eastbourne started as a training and development track in 1928 and remained so for most years up to 1969. It has simply gone back to its roots and where it is best suited in the 2nd decade of the 21st century. With the facilities and knowledge available there, it should flourish in that arena and become one of the primary hot-beds of unearthing and developing young British speedway talent for the future, allowing riders to move on to the PL and EL, or whatever form British speedway takes over the next years.

The concern for Belle Vue must be, how many others will?

And, has been pointed out, Birmingham having a population 14 times the size of Scunthorpe's would help tilt the needle in their direction too. Doubt that the Brummies home crowd is 14 times the size of that at the EWR though.

Shouldn't we be saying isn't it great that NL riders of the likes of Adam Ellis have developed enough to be successful in the EL and haven't found it necessary to drop back down into the NL again? Or, isn't it great that Adam Ellis has developed enough to have successfully moved on to the PL and EL? (Fair enough Ashley Morris dropping back down to the NL this year, as he didn't have a PL or EL place at the start of this season. Adam Ellis had an EL place and was offered PL places.)

Oh dear oh dear. Usual ill-judged, incorrect and totally biased RP rant = & .

Believe there is no requirement for a MO (Medical Officer) outside of a speedway meeting. Minimum requirement is for a Medical Treatment Facility and two First-Aiders.

Ice skating teams? That sounds a fun sport. With a successful Premier League football team just down the road, it will be interesting to see if that has an impact on attendances at Wimpborne Road. Both Ipswich and King's Lynn have struggled to get their 1 - 7 in the same race-suits this season and, to be honest, look ridiculous. Maybe its just me, but always seemed to be able to identify riders by different riding styles and positions on the track. Could always identify a rider in the 70's/80's/90's by his leathers too. With only four riders on the track at a time, it shouldn't be too difficult to id each one, race-suits or no race-suits, be you a newbie or not. Even though it was done for a' good reason', when the SGP riders all wore Darcy suits I thought it made for more difficult identification. As Grachan says, race-suits make teams easier to identify, but harder to identify individual riders. Just my opinion of course.

Gee, when I read that I thought he'd come out of retirement and was riding again. Can only be a positive for the club.

A bit harsh on Hawkins, Shads. He's only had three meetings - hasn't won any of course, but only three so far (maybe four on Thursday).

Apparently its the tunnel that Hart is digging to escape from prison that has caused the problem with the sub-soil at the NSS.

The way that Tom Perry rode at Scunthorpe on Sunday and with Emil Grondal's ability, I could see the Panthers Reserves winning this by themselves on Thursday. Covatti apart, Ipswich look very down on fire power so far this season and the lack of home matches won't help them. Could be a long season for Witches fans.

I don't know about S4K, but personally it wouldn't bother me that much, as winning isn't everything for me. Yes, I like to see the team / rider I am supporting do well, but is not the be all and end all. Then, given some of the teams and riders that I have followed over the years, it is probably a good job that winning isn't everything to me. Each to their own of course.

It appears your response confirms my opinion and, as you say, your opinion is as valid as anyone else's. No doubting the entertainment served up last year and the BWD effect at Eastbourne. The NDL was there before Eastbourne fell into it and I'm sure that their fans are pleased that it was there to allow speedway to continue at Arlington. I believe it is just worth remembering the philosophy and raison d'etre that the NDL was formed on. Never forget where you were and where you are now.

Time will tell, HT. I have 'been there' too many times before to believe that all the jobs will exist still in a years time and with this in mind, most of the local folk will be sensible and review their spending patterns. The normal rhetoric is 'all jobs are safe' but after a 'business review' by the new owners a different outcome occurs. With such a low local population any distress will have an affect. On that basis, I would agree that it is doubtful that attendances will increase significantly in the near future. It is more important at the EWR than some other venues that visiting fans attend and enjoy the racing provided there. As you are someone who is able to travel around the country and attend matches at different venues, your views are always valuable and no doubt you will be able to compare Scunthorpe's speedway attendances logically against attendance patterns at other tracks better than most and more accurately than other posters on here, especially the Birmingham poster who, on another thread, was comparing attendances there with those when he visited the EWR. All I can say is that I am pleased that speedway exists still in Scunthorpe and am grateful to Rob Godfrey and all the others involved in making this happen.

So, you are not really a speedway fan then, or more correctly a true fan of the National Development League then? Maybe you should take your support west along the south coast, as I'm sure Mr Ford and his minions would welcome your support of a winning team. Yes, everyone wants to see their team / rider do well, but 'win at all costs', honestly? Yes indeed, it is the National Development League, not the Elite League, or even the Premier League. Eastbourne tried to compete in those and have now dropped down to the NDL. 'Win at all costs' should have no place in that league.

Is this meant to be funny? Why not name names? If its who I think you are alluding to, you only have to see who he is related to. And, as has been said, if he can go out and get a van sponsor, good luck to him. And of course, if you are aware of what is happening locally to Scunthorpe at present, you would appreciate the effect it is having on the local economy, particularly with a population of 72,500 - hardly an urban conurbation.

Agreed again, but I suppose it is down to the MC's definition of 'in the best interests of the sport'. To have tweeted the line-up for Saturday with RR at 2 and Harris at Reserve, you would assume that Eastbourne's management have already cleared this with the BSPA. No doubt Len Silver will be keeping a close eye on this. As Eastbourne re-arranged the fixture, the situation that has arisen is totally down to them. I can't believe that a club like Eastbourne do not have a rider available to cover for Philips absence rather than having to re-declare and using RR.

Agreed teaboy and as regards the Reserve Facility I believe in the NDL it is: - any rider not in a NL Declaration and whose MA does not exceed 3.00, or the No. 8 if applicable. I believe you do, as arnieg points out below, as it is down to how Eastbourne decided the hierarchical order: I see that Eastbourne specifically announced that Harris was to ride in the No. 2 position on 08 April: http://eastbourneeagles.co/news.php?extend.918 And that he is Declared as being in the 1 - 5 on the latest Greensheets: http://www.speedwaygb.co/files/downloads/nl16_issue_4.pdf So, after announcing Harris was in the 1 - 5 and declaring him there with the BSPA, Eastbourne then realise Phillips is on holiday and will miss the re-arranged match against Kent and will have to re-declare their line-up. Will they re-declare again once Phillips is available again? It's all starting to whiff a bit down at Arlington, but no doubt will add extra spice to the Kings match - unless it is postponed again. Might be worth a 500 mile round trip to watch this.

Not sure where he has got his info from teaboy, but I thought that Eastbourne had declared Luke Harris in their 1 - 5, with Powell and Phillips at Reserve so, like you, I'm struggling to see how they'll be allowed to use RR at No. 2 and drop Harris to Reserve if Phillips is missing.

Have you got any idea what is happening in and round Scunthorpe at the moment? What a clueless comment to make. I'm pleased that all is cosy for you in and around Birmingham, but for pity's sake, trying to score points as your crowd is bigger than our crowd. Beggars belief.

You need to ask the question? Do you have a clue what is happening in and around Scunthorpe? Next you'll be comparing attendances at Redcar to those at Poole. Words fail me with some people at times. Expletive Deleted.

Which Ellis will you be supporting on Thursday? Adam Ellis or Ellis Perks, as they are both riding in the U21 Final, or did you not know that? If one of them wins, will you claim them as 'one of our own'? Which Ellis are you saying will win the NLRC? Do you think Adam Ellis will still be riding for Eastbourne by the time the NLRC is staged? Uncle Len grizzling? It's called old school promoting and it's having the desired effect isn't it?

Great comment S4K. I don't know why it always surprises me when I read the 'win at all costs' posts by the majority of Eastbourne fans on here - though Cat In The Hat's are usually so ridiculous that they are laughable. OK you would like to see your team do well, but there are other considerations, particularly in a Development league. Still being naive I see. Never say never.

They got tonight's postponement of the match at Coventry on the cub web-site quickly enough today.