CardinalSin

I'd add Hawkins to that too. Took an age to get going last year as he wasn't planning on riding and clearly wasn't ready. But slowly got better and finished the season very well. A sub 4 point average will be comfortably improved on IMO.

On the official website it states "the new team race suits will be unveiled!" At the meet the riders event on the 19th. But press and practice is two days earlier on the 17th so surely they'll be "unveiled" then?

I agree with Baldy in that Tungate needs a big season this year to show he's really capable of not only being a number 1 in the PL, but capable of progressing to being a good EL rider too. He does seem to have a bit of a stamina issue which he needs to get on top of.

Spot on. Regardless of who is in the respective teams, it will also be good just to see some on track action again after a long winter.

On the refreshment takings, I'd expect them to go up nicely now that there's more choice and IMO better food than previously. I've not really been one to eat at Foxhall as quite frankly, and again IMO, it's been poor for years. But the new fish and chips on the second bend were fabulous!

It seems we were right to be concerned about Cam's hand injury after a below par performance in the Aussie 21's.. http://www.ipswichwitches.co/

5 weeks and 5 days

No probs.

I think it's highly unlikely they'll be sold full stop but if EL clubs sign them up next season and they double up in the PL, the EL may wish to buy them to avoid losing them in the event of fixture clashes. Where did I say 5 more years for Ipswich in the PL?

What makes you think that? The only thing he mentioned in the press regarding the EL is that if Ipswich had moved up, he may have stayed on as manager as it would involve far less travelling. Chris Louis actually said pre-AGM that he was going there with an open mind when quizzed about which league Ipswich would like to be in. I think the fact that at the time of the AGM, the future of Sky's financial involvement was at best uncertain with strong rumours that they wouldn't be renewing, made any decision a little easier. I'm the first to admit I don't like Ipswich being in the PL and I would dearly love to see the club back in the top flight, as long as we were competitive. But, I also don't think it was the right time to make that jump THIS season when Sky's continued financial input was unknown. Maybe now that a new 5 year contract has been secured, albeit allegedly on reduced terms, perhaps the promotion will make an application to rejoin the EL again next winter.

Disagree. When I look at the current standard of the lower end of the EL 1-5's, I don't think they're too far away already. Got to be honest I haven't really paid much attention to the EL team building this winter, but having had a good look yesterday I was shocked at just how poor most teams look and I mean the 1-5's, not including the youngsters at reserve.

Go ahead, because other than Nicholls many moons ago and King recently, I'm struggling to think of any. Whether those two will be at Foxhall in three years is open to debate as many things could happen between now and then. They may not progress as hoped and therefore find themselves out of the team. The riders themselves may decide that to further their career, a move to a different (larger?) home track may be beneficial for a season or two. But what I will say, is I'll be hugely surprised if either or both are sold and lost as club assets.

That's the spirit!!

Good to hear. With talented club assets like Heeps, Tungate and now Manzares to watch progress at Foxhall, hopefully more will follow your lead.

I've seen many posts on this thread mentioning riders from the golden age of the 70's and 80's. Yet surprisingly I haven't seen one mention of the "cowboy" John Cook! Easily one of the most entertaining riders of the 80's.

Maybe it will piddle down all night in rainy Manchester and get an early call off, whilst staying dry in Suffolk. Problem solved

Ahh yes good spot Badge.

I was thinking more Josh Grajawotsit or doesn't his average fit?

Think it was more than that, it was league meetings on Sky too but there you go, we'll see. And I think the managers role is a bit more complex than you've just described. If it was easy, fans up and down the country wouldn't keep moaning that their team manager has made wrong decisions or "missed a trick" regarding tactical moves.

Didn't he miss several Ipswich meetings through his Sky commitments though? Or is he now giving that up?

Then that is definitely a concern..

Anyone know if Cam rode in the Jack Young cup yesterday? He was apparently due to, but worryingly he seemed to struggle in the Aussie u21's and pulled out of his final ride.. Hopefully he hasn't had a reaction to the troublesome hand injury he had surgery on before Christmas.

Great to see Lanham fixed up, and surprised to see Poole back. He's on a bargain average for me and I'd have certainly taken him back at Ipswich this season.

It's the close season and the team was sorted a long time ago so very little to discuss. It's actually been pretty quiet on here since Aljackel departed! Most of the discussion on here was him trolling and everyone else biting. Separate the wheat from the chaff and you could probably cut the Ipswich threads in half.

I can understand the disappointment of Wealdstone and a few others to be honest. When we dropped a division I was bitterly disappointed, even though I fully understood the clubs need for the change as we were struggling the last couple of seasons in the top flight and crowds dwindled. The PL racing is good make no mistake about that, and don't be fooled in to thinking you're going to see riders wobbling around the track because that won't be the case. But for me, there IS something missing in the PL compared to the EL. I still go, and still enjoy it, but not as much as I did when we were in the EL even when we were struggling. I can remember a meeting against Coventry about 4 years ago now, big crowd and it went to a last heat decider. Hampel and Swiderski Vs Harris and Schlein. You could have cut the tension with a knife prior to that heat 15 with all four riders "gardening" at the gate for what seemed like an eternity. When Hampel and Swiderski flew from the gate the roar was deafening. I have yet to witness anything come remotely close to that in the PL. Like I say the PL is very enjoyable, but for me there always seems to be a little something missing and I definitely don't get the same buzz and satisfaction as I did when watching the EL.