gazzac

I see Mildenhall are now defending the National Trophy, which means from an Eastie point of view ( in fact most teams point of veiw) we now have all the league matches plus hopefully the playoffs to follow, a minimum of 8 NT matches, and the Ko Cup first round proper. If we perform as we have over the last few seasons in the cup matches add another 8/9 matches on top. Surely this year even more so than the last few years,the season should start before the end of March with preferably the NT and do away with the pointless challenge matches. Have a proper full day press and practice the week before to test machinery etc . If not will be the usual 6.00 on the last Sunday in October keeping fingers crossed on the weather with a poor crowd for what should be a blue ribband match.

So it is an old mates team after all. I hope Mark proves me wrong but still don't see him as a No1, a really good 3 or 5 , will be competitive but won't win it looking at Mildenhall's team like last year with BV. If Mark was signed before the points limit Jake would never get a team place unless it went up to about 43 which was never going to happen.

Very little in it, and if Knight had not posted that he was gutted not to be back when the limit was announced we'd be thinking it nailed on he'd be the last signing. Maybe they think we need a change to push that last bit to win the playoffs having failed last year.One thing we do need is a No1 who maintains his average to stay at No1 leaving Brennen and Wood at 3 and 5 being strong in those places, as well as if it is Mountain and he gets called away on championship meetings can get a decent guest rather than R/R . Just assuming now it is him, would not look good if it was Baseby having left Knight out.

If your last prediction of Mountain at 1 is right, will be a very competitive team again within the 39 points, and very strong at home. Will be there or there abouts again, and if Edwards moves on in leaps and bounds should still always have a strong reserve pairing if he swaps with Kelsey. As you say just need Kelsey to stay on and not have any injuries again.

Unfortunately you're right, 39 points was always going to lead to teams like this, for example Kent are looking to run Taylor Hampshire at 4 who may improve but not a rider you'd normally think of in that position. As usual we will be very strong at home.

Agree , although I like Mark, he's not really a No1, especially when we still have enough points to have Jake. So as it's not him hope we're going for someone thought of as an out and out No 1 .

Would be a great signing, still remember the performance he put in the season before last in the ko cup final when Birmingham came with an illegal no 1, kept the meeting alive , scoring 19 against the likes of Knight, Adam Ellis etc. from reserve. Do think it unlikely though unfortunately.

Just seen a few more of his videos on his Facebook page, very exciting looking rider in the Shanes style,if he can master a 500 around our tight track, he does look a really good 'find'. Well done to the Dugards once again.

Great to have him back, gives his all in every meeting above and beyond his ability some times and when you think of Eastie and the NL, with all the success we've had, he's been the constant factor. If he can improve his machinery a bit, will definitely be consistently an 8.00 plus rider.

Apart from using up all the points, would Connor Mountain be a better No 1 especially at home than Jake Knight? Would rather have Jake again really.

We could have Jake, but I think Mark has been 'promised' a team place, if the limit had been say 42.5 may have jigged a team with Jake as well, the moment 39 was known Jake was on Twitter saying he was gutted. Shame but the points limit will restrict us to a slightly mediocre team.

If you mean ready for a 500, probably not , will do one meeting on a borrowed bike, then we'll use guests for the remainder of the normal season, until the sharp end then we'll do our usual and have the next 15 year old wonder kid for the playoffs and cup finals. Sure this will be the case as it's so liked by most supporters. (I've been told before sarcasm gets lost in text, I am being sarcastic again, but stranger things have happened, Hurry assessed average etc! )

Think you could be right, but if that's the case, is a slightly underwhelming team, and leaving 0.41 spare.

Yep,does tend to give people the hump(or two)!

I think most people would agree a combination of 1and 2 is the ideal scenario, but surely the amount of teams in the league and the combined average of last year should be taken into account in some way. Last year was 39 , averages went up and this year less teams. Would have thought even putting it to 40 would not have threatened the development side, but may have made it easier for progressing 4/5 pointers to get a place, rather than 3 pointers who will falter.

As expected, Tom Brennen back for next year.

Totally agree, another fine example of diluting a pretty good product ( the nl) and making it less attractive for spectators and bad for the riders on the second/third rung of development as they could be frozen out over averages. Just not enough Kemps and Edwards to justify the points limit, will be a lot of poor 3 pointers in teams next year with a lot of poor races.

As they own the stadium can't think after all these year's they'd be selling up, but both have said how busy they are with their jobs.Perhaps they'll stay as ' directors ' of the club, but relinquish the weekly running of it. Perhaps after involving him after his injury last year making Mark Baseby team manager?

I know there's no real answer to a dying sport in a dodgy economic climate, but if it did go that way, there will only be a few tracks left open throughout the country, the few riders left who fancy an adrenaline rush will be paying for an afternoon riding, and no paying public at all. Just have a horrible feeling that's the way it will go.

Race clockwise?

Not that I agree, but a lot of people say we still have a training track, not a full size one!!!

Connor did say he wouldn't be drawn into further rider announcements until he knew the points limit, so perhaps more likely club or sponsorship news.

Yes you're right and of the choices think they would plan to build around those 2 being at reserve,but as usual all will depend on the points limit which I hope goes up at least a point, preferably a bit more.

Having given it a bit more thought as Jason should be one of the strongest reserves, maybe even better to go with another 3 pointer if possible, Kelsey at 2, who should compete there, but would leave a good amount of points left for the remaining 4 whatever the limit . You would think worst case would be Kelsey or Jason at reserve.