TheScotsman

That's a blow. Was hoping he would come on board.

Crazy stuff! We usually get out to Ippo and Mildenhall a few times a year for bangers and stocks etc. Must say the facilities at Ippo are now excellent. The crowds are always excellent too. There have been a fair few posts on the BSF about Ippo moving up so some people are still keen. The full Harkess article is interesting........http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/speedway/speedway-monarchs-boss-dismisses-league-merger-1-3186403 If he's right there may not be that many PL changes track-wise. And Cookie back next year hopefully though 2 x 3 pointers would be a big gamble unless they are 2 good ones.

Interesting quote from Alex Harkess in the Edinburgh Evening News................ Harkess said: “Leicester have hinted they would like to move up, but they are the only Premier League club who have stated a preference to race in the Elite League.” So no interest from Ippo in moving up then?

Doubt anyone's got money for transfer fees. Given that Cookie has stated again that he wants to double up then it's hard to imagine him not being at Edinburgh. But a fee would pay for the air fence! If he xfr'd to an El team I suppose it would give them priority on fixture clashes.

Cookie is trying to get a team(s) abroad as well. But can't survive on the limited number of meetings in the EL. You say he has mastered Edinburgh - I think his away average is better!! Think Doyley is probably thinking along the same lines. Doesn't do the PL any harm to have a couple of top notchers in the league. Not sold I'm afraid. Can't see much improvement on that average and if Cookie is taking up 25% of the points limit and is not likely to improve his average much then the improvement has to come from somewhere else. Having said that, Deek's performance at Ippo at the end of the season was most impressive. Now if he rode like that every match........................!!!

I like the idea of the 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6 - assuming Joe and Mitchell are fully fit and ready. Points improvement in all of them, though Cookie's might not be very much!!

Both will be in PL next season.

From looking at the SCB's Speedway Regulations, there may well be one more season at 42.5. I quote.............. 17.7 An ELITE LEAGUE Team’s initial Declaration must not exceed 42.50 points, nor must it exceed 42.50 points when re-declared (either permanently or temporary) except where the MA of the introduced Rider is equal to, or lower than the Rider being replaced. 17.8 A PREMIER LEAGUE Team’s initial Declaration must not exceed 42.50 points (for 2013/14) 17.9 A NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE Team’s initial Declaration will consist of 7 Riders whose total MA must not exceed 40.00 points (for 2012, 2013 & 2014).

OK no worries. It'll be interesting to see your lists next season.

Well done for working this out BB. Any chance you could do the final whole season list (with figures too) rather than the final "last 10 matches"? Well done to Cookie for being at the top the whole season!!

Dangerous riding is dangerous riding. I didn't say he set out to put Joe in hospital but he was disqualified for dangerous riding.

Indeed there are 15 heats to go but I wouldn't bet 50p of your money that Edinburgh would be able to keep it close without Tabaka. Claus, Max & reserve(s) are not going to score what Joe would have. Max has gone off the boil recently and I think Deek didn't trouble the scorers the last time there. Somerset may well deserve the title I don't dispute that. It's just a shame that some dangerous riding (referees words) has spoiled the spectacle and put Joe in hospital.

Joe had had an exclusion and a 2nd and was ahead of Morris when he was put through the fence. However the bigger effect will be on Monday when I don't think r/r is going to rack up the double figures Joe would probably have picked up. Good. Saves me having to reply.

Shame that Morris putting Tabaka in hospital with his "dangerous riding" has probably decided the title.

But there are other sports where players can play in different leagues (even in different countries) and for higher ranked teams in the same club in the same league. No thinking of spectator sport but it does happen elsewhere.

Who says he doesn't want to? His aim is to ride in Sweden as well as double up in the UK. However there is more to it than just wanting to ride over there. You have to find a team that also wants you and for a relatively unknown rider (as far as the international scene is concerned) that is not that easy. Particularly with the average he would start on. So what is wrong with doubling up in the UK as well? At least the PL provides regular employment which is more than can be said for the EL.

Totally agree about removing the reserve's eligibility for 7 rides - totally skews matches when a team has a really strong/improving reserve (e.g. Lewis Kerr to name only one) and gives him 7 outings every match. First thoughts are that you are also correct about the nominated heat 15 advantage, but I think I would like to see some stats showing the results since it was introduced and whether it really did give top heavy teams an advantage compared to well balanced ones. Somerset would seem to prove your point in the PL but Brum were top of the EL table with a well balanced team so I'm not sure about that one. I think doubling up/down has got a bit out of control and I'm not sure how that can be reversed. However in terms of priority, to me it's simple - if one of the teams has the rider on their retained list (I hate the word asset!!) then they get priority. If the rider is on loan from a third team then either the PL or the EL team pays the primary loan fee and gets first call.

Had to read this twice just to be sure I hadn't misread it!! What an imagination. It's not Poole we're talking about. What other dates have Edinburgh got available? Tomorrow? Yep can surely get the programmes and publicity sorted out that quickly. And if redcar is called off tonight?

Silly me - there would also be an NL derby with the Kings Lynn second team. See how attractive the NL could be - local derbies every other match

Or you could drop down to the NL and have local derbies with Mildy and the Kent mob!

So not that much talk then really!!

Only the same few of you talking about it - frequently!!

Plonker! Ever seen THJ try to get round the Dale? Time for a new fishing rod. Cookie is a much better rider.

More likely his heat 2 fall when he didn't clear the track when just perhaps he might have. As the announcer commented - they are heavy things these speedway bikes!! But there again he did manage to come off another twice so who can tell I must say I was surprised that he did clear the track in 14 and ditto Schramm the bam in heat 7 given that Ippo were losing both races. Sad that it becomes a surprise when riders don't just lie there till it's stopped.

Strange niggle that one - any true cynic would think he doesn't go well up there He should take a leaf out of Sneddon's book and overcome his demons Cheers HE.