torpointfanatic22

Very good point this. There have been a few riders who have done exactly this. Seemond Stephens didn't start speedway until he was in his 30's albeit he rode several years at PL before dropping down to the NL. But Scott Anderson is a classic example of when he was up at Scunny. When the grading system was in place the BSPA penalised riders over 30 if my memory serves me correctly and Scott had he grade raised by at least 1 point despite only having limited experience, (Malc can probably correct me on that). Anyway whilst I totally agree with limiting the riders over 25 in each team, it should be based on experience rather than age. So maybe only 1 rider over 25 with minimum 3 years experience or something like that.

Has anyone got the individual scores for this one? Thanks in advance

Courtesy of the speedway updates site... KOPIOWANIE TYLKO ZA ZGOD¥ ADMINISTRATORA Please remember that these updates cost the texter and updater money, please don't ruin it for others by posting the score up before the updater has had a chance to update this screen All Updates will appear in this window, please feel free to post any comments below. Trackside: 21stcentury Updater: Mikeyt Dudley Heathens = 54 1. Lee Smart - 3, 2, F/x, 3 = 8 2. Micky Dyer - X, 1', 3, 3 = 7+1 3. Tom Perry - 2, 2', 2, 3, 1' = 10+2 4. Jake Anderson - 1', 3, 1', 3, 2, = 10+2 5. Barrie Evans - 1', M, 3, 1 = 5+1 6. Ashley Morris - 3, 1', X, F/x = 4+1 7. Richard Franklin - 2', 2, 2, 2', 2' = 10+3 Plymouth Devils = 41 1. Nicki Glanz - 2, 1, 2, 0, R = 5 2. Jaimie Pickard - 1', 0, 0, 1' = 2+2 3. Matt Bates - 0, 0, 2, 1 = 3 4. Seemond Stephens - 3, 3, 1', 4! = 11+1 5. Mark Simmonds - 3, 3, 6!, 2, 3 = 17 6. Bob Charles - X, F/x, 0 = 0 7. Ben Reade - 1, 0, 1, 0, 1 = 3 Heat Results Heathens won the toss and take gates 1&3 Heat 01: Re-run: Smart, Glanz, Pickard 3-3 Line Up: Smart, Dyer, Glanz, Pickard Comments: Stopped! Dyer picked up a touch too much drive on the inside of turn 2, clipped Pickard who bailed out before the fence. Up immediately and perfectly ok. Dyer discluded. Re-run: From the gate and well spread. Sponsored by www.enjaydesigns.net Nice to see Smarty taking time to talk to the 2 young Dudley reserves as they come out for heat 2 Heat 02: Re-run: Morris, Franklin, Reade 5-1, 8-4 Line Up: Morris, Franklin, Charles, Reade Comments: Race stopped. Charles failed to turn going into turn 1. He hit Morris and high sided, credit to Reade for laying his bike down quickly to avoid his team mate. Morris briefly got off the bike and fell to the floor holding his leg. All riders up quite quickly though and back to the pits under their own steam. Charles is discluded. Whilst waiting for the re-run, Smarty is again out on track chatting to Perry this time. (Updater comment: Seems like Lee is doing a great job up at Dudley, good to see). Re-run: Even start between Morris and Reade. Morris moved over to cover Reade on turn 1 and 2 to clear off for the win. Dreadful start and tentative first lap by Franklin gave Reade a healthy head start but Franklin got on with business and reeled in the Plymouth man, making an inside pass on him on the back straight of the final lap. Sponsored by Steve Dixon www.stevedixonphotography.co.uk Heat 03: Stephens, Perry, Anderson, Bates 3-3, 11-7 Line Up: Perry, Anderson, Bates, Stephens Comments: Tapes to flag win. Anderson always close but way slower than Perry who was blocked throughout by his partner. Perry finally found a little gap coming off the last turn and almost passed both of them. Sponsored by: Speedway fans, we will take your favourite picture and turn it into an awesome one-off gift, check us out at www.createaclock.co.uk Heat 04: Simmonds, Franklin, Evans, Reade 3-3, 14-10 Line Up: Evans, Franklin, Simmonds, Reade Comments: Gate to flag win but decent pressure by Franklin. Evans disappointingly half a straight behind them. Reade reasonably close to Evans. Sponsored by Friends of Edinburgh Speedway http://www.foes.info/ Heat 05: Anderson, Perry, Glanz, Pickard 5-1, 19-11 Line Up: Perry, Anderson, Glanz, Pickard Comments: Anderson from the gate. Perry missed the start badly and then compounded it by trying to turn as though he was at Monmore, almost ending up on the centre green! From what must have been at least 30 metres back, he reeled in the Devils pair who were side by side 30 metres ahead of him. He passed Pickard outside on the back straight of lap 3 and Glanz a lap later. This kid is a star in the making!! Sponsored by Splod Heat 06: Re-run: Simmonds, Smart, Dyer 3-3, 22-14 Line Up: Smart, Dyer, Simmonds, Charles Comments: Stopped! Charles appeared to 21stcentury to hit the curb on turn 1 and fell on his own. He had virtually cleared the track with the other 3 still on home straight. No need to stop what had developed into a great race. Smart moved Simmonds out turn 1 and 2 to allow cut back for Dyer. Simmonds tried to dive bomb the pair going into turn 3. Shame! Re-run: Gate to flag win for Simmonds. But he was under plenty of pressure from Smart. Smart on outside but then tried a huge cut back coming off turn 4 of lap 3. Slight misunderstanding between the Heathens as he found Dyer in the way which ended his challenge. Sponsored by Heat 07: Stephens, Franklin, Morris, Bates 3-3, 25-17 Line Up: Evans Franklin, Morris, Bates, Stephens Comments: Evans misses the 2 minutes and is replaced by Franklin. Gate to flag win for Stephens but good pressure again from Franklin. He just seemed to lack that little bit extra to sneak through. Some confident looking heat winners for the visitors tonight. They're going to make us work for it! Sponsored by Merlin Heat 08: Dyer, Franklin, Reade, Pickard 5-1, 30-18 Line Up: Dyer, Franklin, Pickard, Reade Comments: From the gate. Dyer gets it together to win by a mile looking fast and comfortable. Pickard slipped off turn 1 but got straight up to finish. Heathens 12 clear now, so Simmonds to don the Black and White helmet in heat 9. Sponsored by Heat 09: SIMMONDS, Perry, Anderson, Charles 3-6, 33-24 Line Up: Perry, Anderson, SIMMONDS, Charles Comments: Simmonds takes a tactical ride for Plymouth. Brilliant race! Simmonds and Anderson gate together. Simmonds moves Anderson out on turns 1 and 2. Perry made a clever turn from gate 4 down to the curb to pass both down the back straight. Simmonds though went back passed Perry exiting turn 4 of the opening lap. Perry then spends 3 laps all over Simmonds back wheel on the inside and outside. He almost got half a wheel infront a couple of times but a good ride by Simmonds to hang on for 6 points under massive pressure. Credit to both! Sponsored by inthedirt clothing - inthedirt.co.uk - facebook.com/inthedirt Heat 10: Re-run x2: Dyer, Bates, Stephens 3-3, 36-27 Line Up: Smart, Dyer, Bates, Stephens Comments: Unsatisfactory start as Bates jumps it, all 4 back. Re-run: Stopped! Heathens on an easy 5-1 when Smart takes a heavy fall on turn 4 of lap 2 after his chain snaps mid bend. He has taken a whack in the family jewels but otherwise seems to be ok. Will be re-run because Stephens was so far behind he hadn't completed 2 laps when the race was stopped! Smart discluded. Texter says, it was lucky Smart was on the outside when he fell else it could have been a lot worse for the team riding stars! Re-run x2: From the gate and well spread out. Dyer flying now! Stephens about quarter of a lap behind and even popped a mini wheelie on the back straight of laps 3 and 4. Is that really the guy that won his first two rides!? Sponsored by INTERVAL NOW SO GO GET A REFILL ON THE COFFEE, TEA OR BEER FOLKS!! BACK UNDER WAY!! Heat 11: Re-run: Evans, Glanz, Pickard 3-3, 39-30 Line Up: Evans, Morris, Glanz, Pickard Comments: Stopped! Morris ran into the back of Glanz because he was so much quicker going into turn 1. Neither really to blame as Morris desperately tried to turn under Glanz to avoid his back wheel but without brakes he had no chance! Morris discluded which is right 21stcentury supposes because Glanz was ahead, under perfect control and didn't change line. Unfortunate! Re-run: Evans comes to the party with a great ride. Made the start initially but a good turn from Glanz saw him lead going into turn 3 for the first time. Big handful around the outside by Evans to scrape passed as they cross the line into lap 2. Not room for a fag paper between the riders!! Sponsored by Heat 12: Perry, Franklin, Bates, Reade 5-1, 44-31 Line Up: Perry, Franklin, Bates, Charles Reade Comments: Reserve change sees Reade replace Charles for the Devils. Comfortable for the Heathens but Bates not tailed off although not close enough to challenge. Somehow the Heathens worst gaters found a start at the same time and from the opposite gates to the ones they'd prefer! If this were a game show they should shout BANK because I bet they don't do that again this season lol!!! Sponsored by Heat 13: Smart, Simmonds, Evans, Glanz 4-2, 48-33 Line Up: Smart, Evans, Glanz, Simmonds Comments: Smart from the gate but pushed all the way. Evans worked Glanz for a couple of laps and then passed him inside turn 1 of lap 3. Sponsored by Art and Stitch for all your sewing and art supplies www.artandstitch.co.uk Heat 14: Anderson, STEPHENS, Reade, Morris(F/x) 3-5, 51-38 Line Up: Anderson, Morris, STEPHENS, Reade Comments: Stephens takes a tactical ride for Plymouth. Brilliant turn 1 and 2 from Anderson to go around Stephens as he tried to push him out. Stunning turn 3 and 4 from Morris to come from nowhere at the back to pass both Plymouth riders as they levelled off for the home straight. Sadly Morris then slides off on his own at end of home straight lap 3. He's gone down at high speed and given the fence a real crack. But after a few mins he has walked away. Race awarded. Sponsored by Splod Heat 15: Simmonds, Anderson, Perry, Glanz(Ret) 3-3, 54-41 Line-up: Perry, Anderson, Glanz, Simmonds Comments: Devils win the toss and take 1 and 3. Glanz lapped after having a bike problem on lap 1 and retires. Perry had a bike problem on lap 2 but nursed home for the point. Anderson almost got a line on turn 1 and 2 of the opening lap to get around Simmonds but went too wide and it was game over after that. Anti climax really! Oh well! Decent smattering of good races with a few crackers thrown in. Few points went begging for the Heathens tonight but we never looked threatened in truth as even when the Devils were winning races there wasn't back up for heat advantages against us. So the Heathens set the target at 42 Buxton and Newport to chase. One final note, Chris Kerr and Ty Proctor are now having a practice. Kerr in his Brummies kevlars, Kerr in his Aussie ones! Both due to ride in an individual meeting a Perry Barr next week. Sponsored by Deadlock Clothing - www.deadlockclothinguk.com ************************* Comments: Teams now confirmed. Quick mention for the Plymouth fans who have made the trip. There are 3 little groups that the texter has spotted. Good on them for making the long journey! The centre green announcer had a chat with them about whether they are from Devon or Cornwall! lol. Congratulations to the Heathens on all 3 league points. Well done to the Devils who I think kept the score down well. Thats all folks, big thanks to 21stcentury for his brilliant, fun and detailed texts and to you all for watching, good night. © 2005-2010 All meetings are copyrighted to Speedway Updates, permission must be sought and we must be fully credited before they are used elsewhere.

Updates will be here... http://speedwayupdates.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=dud&thread=6946&page=1

David Gough has broken his ankle after a crash last Friday night and will be replaced by Bob Charles I believe in this meeting.

This looks a cracker, I have made an executive decision and will complete a nice 10 hour round journey from Cornwall for this Mon the Brits!!

There is no doubt that this whole thing stinks. I believe Bowden has made a good move in bringing in Glanz, the problem is he should never have dropped the one asset the club has that has a real future in the sport. If he were serious about going PL surely Starke would have been a nailed on choice for reserve probably alongside Glanz. Yet again Bowden has stuck with the old boys, which is totally wrong. But as a previous poster has said, this has all come from a poor decision to re-sign both Stephens and Simmonds at the start of the season, giving Plymouth a much too top heavy team. With the exception of Starke, the 1-7 that Plymouth started the season with had zero improvement in it! Yet again Bowden has showed everyone that the old boys will always come first no matter what and the long list of quality British riders to come through the ranks and then be forced out at Plymouth continues...Chris Johnson, Adam Roynon, Ben Hopwood, Kyle Hughes, Paul Starke...who's next???

Totally disgraceful! Not a shock as the 'click' will never be broken up! The sooner the BSPA implement rules to restrict older and foreign riders in the NL the better! Whats even more laughable is that other than Pickard, Starke was the only one to increase his average, justify that Bowden! Disgusted!

Roger for once, I have to agree with you. The crowds have steadily dropped over the past 3 seasons or so, and the promotion not following through their promises has definitely been a reason for that. Im not convinced all would come back just by moving up to the PL, although I, like you think a number would. The key will be improving the product. Exciting team to watch, good track to provide good racing, and better facilities for the fans are all needed if possible.

LOL! I give up!

Scribbler, Ben thank you for your support but I expected such comments from this blinkered supporter. I type things as I see them. If the home or away team get luck, rub of the green or whatever then I will say so. As stated on this forum I have no problem with Plymouth losing, I just want to see good, honest speedway, no matter what the result. On the night, Plymouth deserved to win, I dont doubt that, my point was merely that had those refereeing decisions gone the other way, which as you say sometimes they do, then Rye could have got a point from the match. I was answering a comment raised by Shadders in the first place explaining why Kyle didnt score as many as he had anticipated. Yet you as always jump straight in and have a go! I have seen many posts from you on this and other forums and you change your opinion as often as I turn my lounge light on, so I take absolutely no notice of anything you say on here, so there will certainly be no offence taken!! You say all I do is moan about when we lose and never praise the team, I think you need to re-read my posts over the past 2 years as you will be proved wrong! My opinion on the current situation at Plymouth speedway unfortunately means i find it hard to make out positives sometimes, to be honest I think the club needs a total overhaul and the 'click' needs to be removed before the club can progress. Yet again though I dare say you will shoot be down as im being negative towards the Devils, however I think forward and the bigger picture, and think back to all of these broken promises that Mr Bowden has given the fans, and his reluctance to get rid of the old and use younger developing riders, which is what Rye House brought down to the SBA and gave it a ruddy good go, for which I take my hat off to them and their promotion. Unlike certain riders wearing the Devils colours that merely poodle around at the back if they miss the gate! But then being a 'good' friend of Mr Bowden I'm sure you are right and we are all totally wrong!

Kyle was very unfortunate in heat 13 as there should have been a re-run in my opinion as Seemond definitely jumped the start although Kyle was off the graveyard that is gate 4 anyway! Likewise in heat 15 he was off gate 4 again but actually got 2nd on the line although the ref gave it the other way. Those 2 heats were the deciding factors imo and both had dodgy refereeing decisions that could and maybe should have gone the other way!!

Joe Haines is the new British under 21 champion, congratulations to him!!! KOPIOWANIE TYLKO ZA ZGOD¥ ADMINISTRATORA Please remember that these updates cost the texter and updater money, please don't ruin it for others by posting the score up before the updater has had a chance to update this screen All Updates will appear in this window, please feel free to post any comments below. Texter: CHK Updater: Mikeyt Line Up 1. Kyle Howarth - 0, 0, 2, 2, 2 = 6 2. Richard Franklin - 1, 1, F/ex, 0, 1 = 3 3. Robert Mear - 2, 3, 1, 1, 2 = 9 4. Jerran Hart - 3, 2, 1, 2, 2 = 10 5. Josh Auty - 3, 2, 3, F/ex, 3 = 11 6. Scott Campos - 0, 0, 1, 0, 0 = 1 7. Aaron Baseby - 1, 1, 0, 1, 0 = 3 8. Kyle Hughes - 2, 1, 2, 3, 1 = 9 FOURTH 9. Joe Haines - 2, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 14 WINNER 10. Lewis Bridger - 3, 3, 3, 2, 3 = 14 THIRD 11. Kyle Newman - 1, F/ex, 0, 2, 0 = 3 12. Brendan Johnson - 0, 0, 2, 0, 1 = 3 13. Paul Starke - EF, 1, 2, 1, 3 = 7 14. Simon Lambert - 2, 2, 0, 3, 1 = 8 15. Steven Worrall - 1, 2, 1, 1, 0 = 5 16. Tai Woffinden - 3, 3, 3, 3, 2 = 14 SECOND Reserves Joe Jacobs John Resch Ref is Jim Lawrence Heat Results Heat 01: Hart, Mear, Franklin, Howarth...60.05 Line Up: Howarth, Franklin, Mear, Hart Comments: Sponsored by www.enjaydesigns.net Heat 02: Auty, Hughes, Baseby, Campos...61.6 Line Up: Auty, Campos, Baseby, Hughes Comments: Sponsored by Steve Dixon www.stevedixonphotography.co.uk Heat 03: Bridger, Haines, Newman, Johnson...60.6 Line Up: Bridger, Newman, Haines, Johnson Comments: Johnson fell and re-mounted on bend 1 of lap 2. Sponsored by: Speedway fans, we will take your favourite picture and turn it into an awesome one-off gift, check us out at www.createaclock.co.uk Heat 04: Woffinden, Lambert, Worrall, Starke(EF)...59.6 Line Up: Worrall, Lambert, Woffinden, Starke Comments: Sponsored by Friends of Edinburgh Speedway http://www.foes.info/ Heat 05: Haines, Auty, Starke, Howarth...59.5 Line Up: Starke, Howarth, Auty, Haines Comments: Sponsored by Splod Heat 06: Bridger, Lambert, Franklin, Campos...59.2 Line Up: Lambert, Bridger, Franklin, Campos Comments: Sponsored by Heat 07: Re-run x2: Mear, Worrall, Baseby(F/rem)...60.6 Line Up: Newman, Worrall, Baseby, Mear Comments: Tight 1st bend Baseby went down, up, ok and walking back to the pits, all 4 back. In re-run Mear was well in front when Newman did a pirouette on lap 2, fell and is excluded. CHK says the racing thus far has been poor, whoever makes the gate is winning and the riders are all strung out practically every race! Sponsored by Merlin Heat 08: Re-run: Woffinden, Hart, Hughes, Johnson...59.2 Line Up: Hart, Hughes, Johnson, Woffinden Comments: Woffinden jumped the start, all 4 back. Sponsored by www.methanolpilot.com - dedicated to helping speedway Heat 09: Woffinden, Howarth, Campos, Newman...59.9 Line Up: Campos, Woffinden, Howarth, Newman Comments: Sponsored by inthedirt clothing - inthedirt.co.uk - facebook.com/inthedirt Heat 10: Re-run: Auty, Johnson, Worrall...60.7 Line Up: Johnson, Auty, Worrall, Franklin Comments: Re-run without Franklin who is excluded (not sure why though)!! Sponsored by Heat 11: Haines, Hughes, Mear, Lambert...59.5 Line Up: Hughes, Haines, Mear, Lambert Comments: Sponsored by Heat 12: Bridger, Starke, Hart, Baseby(Fell)...60.4 Line Up: Starke, Hart, Bridger, Baseby Comments: Sponsored by Thinking about getting a website? - www.brightstardesigns.co.uk - The Bright Light In Website Design Heat 13: Lambert, Howarth, Baseby, Johnson...61.2 Line Up: Baseby, Johnson, Lambert, Howarth Comments: Sponsored by Art and Stitch for all your sewing and art supplies – www.artandstitch.co.uk Heat 14: Hughes, Newman, Starke, Franklin...61.0 Line Up: Franklin, Starke, Hughes, Newman Comments: Sponsored by Heat 15: Re-run: Woffinden, Bridger, Mear...59.5 Line Up: Woffinden, Bridger, Mear, Auty Comments: There will be a re-run without Auty who fell and is excluded. Woffinden was leading at the time. Auty was lying 3rd but on the bend 3 of lap 2, Mear went up the inside of him fairly in CHK's opinion. Auty then drifted and fell, hitting the exact same part of the fence he hit last week when riding for Coventry. CHK says it was deja vu! Re-run: At last a good race, Woffinden got it but only just although CHK thought Bridger got it!! Sponsored by Deadlock Clothing - www.deadlockclothinguk.com Heat 16: Haines, Hart, Worrall, Campos...59.3 Line Up: Haines, Campos, Hart, Worrall Comments: Sponsored by Heat 17: Re-run: Bridger, Howarth, Hughes, Worrall...61.2 Line Up: Howarth, Hughes, Worrall, Bridger Comments: Hughes lifted badly at the start! Sponsored by Heat 18: Haines, Woffinden, Franklin, Baseby...59.5 Line Up: Haines, Franklin, Baseby, Woffinden Comments: Sponsored by Heat 19: Starke, Mear, Johnson, Campos...60.5 Line Up: Mear, Johnson, Starke, Campos Comments: Sponsored by Heat 20: Re-run: Auty, Hart, Lambert, Newman(Fell)...60.0 Line Up: Auty, Lambert, Newman, Hart Comments: The racing seems to have livened up in the last few heats!! Sponsored by Semi-final: Haines, Hughes, Hart, Auty...58.7 Line Up: Haines, Hart, Hughes, Auty Comments: Haines and Hughes through to contest the final. Sponsored by GRAND FINAL: Haines, Woffinden, Bridger, Hughes...59.2 Line Up: Woffinden, Bridger, Hughes, Haines Comments: Haines goes round everyone on 1st bend and wasn't troubled he becomes the new British Under 21 Champion!! Sponsored by ************************* Comments: Line up confirmed. Crowd is poor! After 20 qualifying heats the top 2 point scorers will go straight to the grand final. The riders finishing in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th after the qualifiers will go into the semi final, the riders finishing 1st and 2nd in the semi final will then go on to contest the grand final. Congratulations to JOE HAINES, the new British under 21 champion! Thanks for watching and good night! © 2005-2010 All meetings are copyrighted to Speedway Updates, permission must be sought and we must be fully credited before they are used elsewhere

Whos that then?

Dont worry the star never get it right, Newport will be up there this season, I have no doubts about that.

As far as i know the 3 qualifiers are being held at Plymouth, Weymouth and Mildenhall on the eves of 9th, 10th and 11th of April. Does anyone know the format or line ups for these? Are there going to be seeded riders like the past few years?

I believe the date for this meeting is Sunday 15th of August.

So with just 4 starting spots remaining to fill for the 2010 NL season I wondered how people saw the league this season, here is my opinion... Bournemouth First up then, last years champions, well it was always going to be tough to emulate the side they put together last season and there was next to no chance of replacing Jerran. I was also surprised to see Kyle Newman left out, but team building is a tough job. Either way they still have a very powerful top 3 this year. Herne and Mark Baseby are exceptional around Wimborne road and will also score well away. Marks brother Aaron will have a tougher job in the main body, but I expect a big season from Danny Halsey, he has been a bit stale over the past couple of seasons at Rye and needed a move. I also see a lot of improvement in young Howarth. Key man: Dan Halsey Prediction: Were never going to be as strong as the all conquering 09 side but will still be there or there abouts, should squeeze into the top 4. Buxton I predicted them to be dark horses last year and so it proved, and with Cookie back this season they have one of the top riders in the league. Although the Hitmen have had to pretty much rebuild from scratch they look decent so far. Allot should score well on the big tracks and young Morris is tipped for very big things. Buxton do need another big hitter though and if Birko fills the void then their top 3 will be outstanding, even if the team would end up a touch top heavy. Key man: Nick Morris Prediction: Much depends on their final 2 and how good Morris turns out to be, could be the dark horses again but I think they will just miss out on the playoffs. Dudley Well im just delighted we have another team in the NL if im honest. On a serious note though, what a team the Heathens have put together. A quality heat leader trio, backed up by youngsters all looking to achieve big things in the sport. They're final rider needs to be a good one, as its likely they will start at reserve. I also worry about Mckinna missing matches as they can't have a guest for him. But for me this side impresses me and it should be a good debut year for Dudley. Key man: Ashley Morris Prediction: I worry if the PL comes knocking for Taylor and Smart, but on paper I fancy this Heathens side to have one of the better away records and for that reason could well top the pile. Top of the tree. Isle of Wight What a nightmare 09 for the Islanders with injuries galore!! The team for 2010 doesn't really excite me im afraid. Simmons will lead the side well as ever, but i worry about his commitments with Berwick which may take its toll as the season goes on. Hopwood and Johnson dont look particularly strong as heat leaders based on what i saw of them last season and Warwick has gone backwards at a pace recently. The reserves dont do much for me either, so although they will compete well enough at home, I feel a disappointing season on the cards for the Islanders fans. I hope im wrong. Key man: Brendan Johnson Prediction: Not enough top or bottom end strength to be challengers for me, they could struggle. Kings Lynn What a signing in James Brundle, I would be surprised if he drops a point at home this season! With Davies in the side I fancied them for top 4 but unless their replacement is a very good one i think they will just miss out. Mallett and Courtney will give Lynn a good spearhead, but as with last season I see this side being exceptional at home but poor away. Key man: James Brundle Prediction: Unless their last signing is a top one, bottom half for me. Mildenhall Jerran Hart is a cracking signing and will be one of the top riders at this level. Its also great to see a young, all British side and a very good one at that! Strong top 2, with Priest and Bates (who I wanted back at Plymouth by the way) giving good back up. Priest though probably needs to step up and push towards an 8 point average which he is certainly capable of. Jacobs at reserve could be a trump card too. My only worry is Harts availability as he will be crucial for the Fen Tigers success. Key man: Jerran Hart Prediction: Good all round side for the Tigers which should see them maintain a strong reserve throughout the season. Top 3 contenders. Newport I like this Newport team a lot. Plenty of youth, with the helping hand of the evergreen Tony Atkin. Newman is coming back from a nasty injury so may struggle early season, but I expect the lad to come on well this year. As for the rest, I dont know much about Mark Jones but Kurtz has bags of potential and could even be the Hornets number 1 as early as the first set of greensheets. Tim Webster is ever improving and the fast gating White Williams will do well at reserve. Key man: Todd Kurtz Prediction: Plenty of improvement in this side and for me it will be between them, Buxton and Plymouth as to who takes 4th spot. Being totally unbiased I will tip Newport to just miss out. Rye House Arguably the best top 2 in the league, and in Morley and Owen they have some quality youngsters coming through. My problem is the middle order, I just dont know if Mason and Strudwick will be strong enough. Either way they will be a very entertaining side. However if Hughes is unavailable they cant have a guest and therefore may struggle early in the season when he isnt there. Key man: Ben Morley Prediction: Like Newport there is plenty of improvement in this side, I just worry about the middle order. Bottom half finish for me. Scunthorpe Simply cannot fault Scunny for their development in British talent. They have not only lost a lot of their young stars, but have also had to contend with other teams all looking stronger than last season. Isherwood and Irving should improve a lot and Wrathall looked useful last season. They will probably get some hammerings away from home, but as the season goes on the Saints will get better and better. Key man: Gareth Isherwood Prediction: Think this season will be hard work for the Saints, but great experience for the youngsters. Bottom of the pile im afraid. Weymouth The poorest Weymouth side i have seen since they returned to the league in my opinion. Bekker will be consistent everywhere and score quite well. I saw Tom Brown at the New year classic and he looked a shadow of his old self and he will need to be a big scorer for the Wildcats for them to do anything this season. The middle order doesn't look particularly strong either. Cockle will need to get back to his form of mid season last year to trouble the top riders and at reserve they look very very weak. Key man: Tom Brown Prediction: I simply dont see the top or bottom end strength in this years Wildcats side and like the IOW could be the biggest disappointments this season, hope im wrong though as previous battles with Plymouth have always been great. Mid table at best. Plymouth Well i haven't hidden my disappointment at Plymouths side this year and the lack of good youngsters is frustrating. Saying that with the experience of Simmo and Seemond, Plymouth will always be strong at home. Losing Kyle is a massive blow and we haven't really replaced him. Wright has never been good at Plymouth but away he could be stronger. With a poor bottom end, the key for Plymouth will be whether Paul Starke can step up and Lee Smethills can find his old Oxford form. If they do, then despite being very top heavy, the top 5 should be strong enough to be around the playoff spots. Key man: Lee Smethills Prediction: The top 5 is on paper really strong but the bottom end is so very weak. Hopefully we can sneak the final playoff spot.

Thank you all very much for info, im very grateful.

Hi guys, I was after some info. Back in the 70s in one of the world finals held at Wembley there was a crash involving Barry Briggs or Ivan Mauger or maybe even both im not quite sure myself as im only 25, but have heard people talk about it. I wondered if anyone could tell me what year it was in particular? And also if there are any dvds or footage of this meeting? Thanks in advance (i know im being vague and hopeful but thats all i know) Regards, Mike

Ah I wasnt made aware of this! Still a good rider though.

Ben Hopwood was very unlucky! He tried hard and wasnt even on his own machinery!! As for the meeting itself, well as expected the meeting was fairly tedious with very little to talk about, but having attended these meetings over the years, the weather and track condition normally dictates that. It annoyed me greatly the amount of withdrawls last minute and therefore the product was affected, again not unexpected in these meetings though. Now on to the positives, the crowd looked pretty big, and it was great to see Adam Roynon back on a bike, even though he looked very tentative (which is totally to be expected) hopefully he can get back to where he was as the new season progresses. Steve Boxall was terrific today though and for me deserved his victory, he really attacked the track and gated consistently well. Although his average may not be that high at PL level, on todays form he could do a great job for either Worky, Somerset or Rye.

Well towards the back end of last season there were a few announcements regarding this meeting as to who would be riding. Well the list released in the local press today leaves me gasping for breath if im honest. Although things can change between now and then. The list of riders as in todays paper are... Not in rider order... 1. Seemond Stephens 2. Ben Barker 3. Chris Harris 4. Tai Woffinden 5. Edward Kennett 6. Chris Holder 7. Lewis Bridger 8. Jason Bunyan 9. Mark Lemon 10. Emiliano Sanchez 11. Mark Simmonds 12. Kyle Hughes 13. Tom Brown 14. Paul Starke 15. Olly Allen 16. Bjarne Pedersen Now if that doesnt wet the appetite I dont know what will!! Format is 20 races with a grand final for the top 4.

Definitely coming up from Cornwall for this one, Roynons return alongside Mads, Ben and Niels. So far a very good looking line up!! God knows why Werner is in the line up though

Have just heard Kyle Hughes finished 3rd in this, behind Eddie Kennett and Olly Allen. Dont have any more details at this stage but well done to Kyle, he will be a great 3 point signing for the Rockets next season!!