Wee Eck

Acknowledged. But, with less than a week to go, there are still only 5 riders announced. And, to paraphrase Shania Twain, three of them don’t impress me much

Has anything been confirmed about Pearson - and Ellis - yet or is this all speculation? Vissing is a great signing and one I certainly didn’t see coming. He’ll do a solid job for the Brummies for sure

Is that a hint that LR has been “let go”? ”….a lot of work put in by the new shareholders” and “….things on and off track are looking promising”

Is the 4-3-2-0 scoring not only in the Super Heat? It would be good to have an explanation why this has been done. There were only 2 drawn meetings out of 20 (?) last year so hardly a major issue I’d have thought?

There are rules about tapping up but those don’t stop a rider going where he wants. Ask Swindon about Adrian Miedinski - on Swindon’s retained list but wouldn’t ride for them.

The retained list system is a private mechanism between promoters and so, as long as it doesn’t contravene equality diversity or, indeed, modern slavery legislation, there cannot be anything illegal about it. It is designed to provide a financial framework in the case of default. It has nothing to do with “employment” partly because no riders are employed. All teams have to have a minimum value of riders on their retained list but they cannot stop any of “their” riders signing for another team so there is nothing for riders to challenge. Promoters could challenge the system if they wanted but, so far, it seems they choose to work within the existing rules.

Yeh, you’re right there. Like Poole. Or, before Kennett packed it in, erm, Plymouth. And they’re not the only ones - how about Leicester, Redcar or, arguably, Scunthorpe. if a rethink is required, it’s to cut the number of teams down to fit the riders available. When Oxford were allowed in, Birmingham should have been refused as, despite all the hot air coming out from Perry Barr, there is no way they can put together a competitive team for the budget that seems to be available. In my opinion

I must admit to wondering about this. I’m not sure about Max. I think he’s got an English partner and that was one of his reasons for coming back to UK, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Lebedevs stays in Europe now. Maybe Josh Grajczonek could be persuaded to bring his new partner over to UK for a “few” weeks?

I think Plymouth have known for a few weeks now…..

You’re getting picky now - you know he meant to write much more worser…..

I think that was what I was trying to say - Wright will start the season as third heat leader. I can’t find his average but assume it’s higher than 6.00. Then, if it is Lebedevs, the expectation is he’ll be better than Charles and so will take over the third heat leader role when he gets his first real average.

The Lebedevs rumour has been getting stronger all week and, subject to all the usual paperwork sounds like it’s going to happen. Suggestion is an average of 5.5 or 6 with maybe Jake Allen joining him. That would then tie into all the heavy hints from the “in the know brigade” of one familiar rider and an exciting new face and also that the “exciting new face” would come into the team below Charles Wright but be expected to take over as third heat leader during the season. Maybe not as strong as the Bewley/Thomson combo but should be good enough to give the Aces faithful something to cheer about

Yes

The ISLB members certainly used to be UK, Poland, Sweden and Denmark only. It worked reasonable well when Alex Harkess was both it’s chairman and the BSPA chairman as he got Sweden and Denmark to stand with UK in opposing the Poles. When Buster took over, it is alleged he didn’t attend the meetings so UK lost its say.

Enjoy it while you can. He’ll be back soon enough….

I doubt it was.

I have told you the truth. And Adrian’s departure was not connected to this in any way. He announced his departure long before the matter of using, or not using Bewley was finalised.

In the same way, those involved in sponsoring Leicester City or the Leicester Tigers are unlikely to be potential sponsors of Leicester Lions. There is competition for sponsorship in all markets but that doesn’t mean that every sport competes for every sponsor

That’s most of the story but it missed one vital element: the Poles agreed to drop the two team maximum rule ONLY if other leagues allowed them (a) to run any night they wished and (b) that their league had priority over riders at all times. This then could adversely affect every Premiership meeting with riders being missing. I’m surprised any team sided with BV on this. Unless there’s one that isn’t using riders also signed up in Poland, but I can’t think of any

Leicester? What about Glasgow, Wolves/Birmingham?

I see that Justin Sedgmen is riding at North Brisbane on 19 March. Cutting it fine if he’s got a UK team place

But it is. BSPL have given Birmingham a special dispensation to use Tai on a 13.5 average for home meetings only. They will be allowed to use up to a 9 point guest for away meetings

Polish authorities. But the inevitable (alleged) strings attached meant it was a non starter.

Haggling over rates of pay only works when there is a plentiful supply of riders which there is at the end of a season. The longer teams go on trying to get riders to sign, the higher the price will be. At this stage, Birmingham (and Belle Vue) will have to pay inflated rates often for lesser riders. If they have managed to get a sponsor’s licence, then expect Justin Sedgmen in the team. He’s a solid rider but has never got beyond being a lower league consistent second string and now, at the age of 30 has to be more “dependable” rather than someone with potential. If Adam Ellis really is in the frame, Birmingham just have to come to an agreement but not one that rewards him for under performance which is what fixed price deals do. I’m sure LR is skilled enough to come up with a stepped formula that will provide an incentive to perform.

Where are you seeing that?