Wee Eck

I think Blobby has just earned the Monarchs their first snake of 2023…..

I think the answer to your last question is Neil Vatcher and the British Youth Championship, and the GB Academy who carry out their work with no charge to the riders. Everyone else seems to get a reward including the tracks that events are staged on. And who are all these ex and current riders you refer to? Are any of them being paid by the “new and upcoming” riders?

Interesting point. But from my reading of the SCB rules, “contracted” relates to being contracted to a team, not a club. Probably academic anyway as I would hope SRBF would step in to help almost any rider who asked for help.

I was quoting from the SRBF’s objectives and aims. Under those, it appears any speedway rider contracted to a British team or riding for Team GB is eligible for support from the SRBF. It doesn’t say they have to be riding at a licensed track (or even speedway).

You’ve misunderstood what I was saying - I was referring to the SRBF, not SCB events insurance. The two are separate.

Looking at the SRBF’s “objectives and aims” they refer to speedway riders contracted to a British club or riding for the Great British team. So a non contracted rider, whether that’s riding in amateur competitions or the Nora league, or any other similar events is not included, but a contracted rider is covered regardless of the event. That then would extend to any non-contracted rider riding in UK open events so, for example, the five then unattached riders who rode at Belle Vue’s Peter Craven Trophy last year would not, strictly speaking, have been eligible for support. Fortunately, that was never tested.

I couldn’t be bothered trying to work out who he rode for in 2021 but reckoned he hadn’t been “no slouch” at Poole in 2022. Jake looked a real prospect when he rode for Somerset but hasn’t really kicked on. Maybe 2023 will be the year he puts his slouchiness behind him and shows his true talent?

Lawson’s last three years’ averages (all averages taken from declarations at the beginning of next season) are something like 8.31 (2020) 8.40 (2021) and 7.97 (2022) allowing - I think - for Brits 2.5% reduction. Over the same three years, Allen has gone 7.28, 7.88, 6.14. So Allen’s best is poorer than Lawson’s worst. And Lawson had his worst of the last three in 2022 not the best years in the last two. In addition, I can’t see when Allen last rode at Poole to be “no slouch” there I’m sure he must have in 2021 and/or 2022 but I’ve not found him! Much will depend on injuries with both teams carrying riders who are injury prone but overall, I’d be stunned if Scunthorpe get as far as the play off finals though things would need to go horribly wrong for them not to make the play off mini leagues. Meanwhile, I can’t see beyond the Pirates making another finals appearance but maybe this time, Glasgow will come out on top?

Am I right in thinking that’s also run under NORA rather than SCB/ACU?

Interesting Facebook post this morning about a new league involving Isle of Wight, Sittingbourne, Plymouth and Cradley Heath which, being headlined as Nora will be run without BSPL involvement.

Don’t be daft. But you do get three snake cards which shift Edinburgh to the bottom of the league every time Blobby has a whinge about the cheque book Tigers. Did you really expect ladders cards as well?

Define the conflict of interest, please, as I don’t see any. I see a group willing to invest in British speedway at not just team, and league but also at national team level and goodness me, we need more like them.

I thought it was a really good meeting. But then I’m not a supporter of either team. It is a very tight track and was clearly struggling with it being a very hot day but most of the riders got stuck in thought clearly some - McGurk, Morris and Pearson - found it too tough. Birmingham just lacked the riders to be able to compete. 2 heat winners all night isn’t likely to keep you close. But, if you look at the league result a few weeks later, you’ll see Pearson learnt from his first visit

I think the compilers forgot. The two PL meetings on the Thursday will have riders missing and limited guests available.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/zuzel/relacja/144156/turniej-darcy-ward-invitational

Usually, there are more pages on the Poole thread than any other but, until Kyle Newman was announced, Glasgow were “winning” that battle. But thanks to the usual suspects, particularly HGould, Poole have romped ahead and are currently 125-122. So the Poole promotion and it’s supporters should give a big clap to HGould for helping to promote the Pirates. It seems everyone’s a Pirate at heart…..or wish they were!

In my cheek, cheeky!

At least mc131 spotted where my tongue was……

Certainly did. He made the top 10 of riders who competed in all 4 rounds. In 10th place. Mind you, there were only 12 (including Michael West who I’ve not heard of) who did that. I can’t imagine why no one’s signed the near 30 year old Keleher

Bluey Roynon…..

Is all the talk of Newman and Roynon being the last two based on anything other than their averages fitting? If there’s some truth, in my opinion it’ll be the poorest Poole team since 2009 when they only managed to avoid being last because Belle Vue were even worse!

If, and it’s a huge if, Emil is allowed to ride outside of Poland (and riding in Poland is undoubtedly a smart bit of work by PZM) then he will be able to pick which other league he will ride in. As he wouldn’t need a work permit to ride in Sweden - and it’s closer to Poland and pays better - why would he choose UK? Also, and another huge if, if he was to sign for Ipswich on what would have to be a very expensive deal, wouldn’t Doyle demand to be paid the same? Where’s all the money coming from?

I think that top four looks about right. Redcar, Plymouth and Glasgow have built strong teams and Poole always manage to get up towards the top of their league. Edinburgh’s performance will depend on what Craig Cook does - if he has a season like 2022, then, even with Pickering’s expected continuing improvement, the loss of Masters will hurt them. Scunny I just don’t see what the fuss is - unless it’s expected that they’ll do well from the return of the aggregate bonus point. They’ll score well at home but are rarely a good travelling side. Berwick and Oxford may surprise a few but the only surprise from Birmingham is - despite rumours and expectations - they’ve again put together a very weak team. IMO

Not sure about the forum bit

I am happy to stick to my views, borne from knowledge rather than conjecture. My comment on the funding was that PC didn’t put any money in to Kirky Lane, something you confirm. On the topic of the NSS, again, I stick by my comments. I don’t know how much money George put in to BV over the years but as far as the NSS was concerned, he was shown as a creditor for around £90k when BV went into liquidation in 2016/17. I am told that PC was never consulted by Chris Morton or David Gordon as far as the NSS is concerned. His recollection to the contrary is not correct. I’m sure Mort has told you that and told you why.