Wee Eck

Yeh, ok. I’m not convinced Newcastle will end up bottom but I couldn’t by **sed coming up with a new list

I think Somerset have just moved into pole position and shoved everyone down one. Poole now 5th bottom

Bound to win the 300 class then. Or did MD get it wrong?!

You should know better than to believe every word of a press release. It’s some of the truth, but is it the whole truth?

Sorry. That was a typo by me! I missed one crucial word. What I meant to say was there was there are no promoters licensed at more than one track. CVS was shown as such more than 10 years ago, but that was changed. There is a rule, however that an individual who is a director and or a shareholder at more than one track, they still are liable for the activities of the all three businesses they are involved with

I think you’ll find that there are promoters licensed as such at more than one track.

I think Paul was down the pub when the deal was being discussed with Jason Crimp. Meanwhile, I suspect the Poole management were kept fully informed about negotiations with Jason Crump

I really don’t think you can compare the two

My recollection was he was banned because of his behaviour as a Birmingham promoter. The ban was implemented after he’d walked away from Birmingham but tried to come back as a Cradley promoter when Cradley rode at Birmingham. Something like that anyway.

Smolinski is first reserve

Everyone’s entitled to an opinion. Even eejits. How can you over-rate someone who’s won four world championships?

That’s a good load of accusations from someone who supports a team who a few years back had a promoter who was barred by his stadium landlords from attending home matches. So, one by one, name the 2-3 changes made “at some point before mid-season” over, say, the last three seasons. Name the assets signed and then “dumped” only to be brought back when someone else had “honed their skills”. You can go back as many years as you want for that one. How did the “cheat” their way out of the KO Cup and what relevance is Newcastle. There are 12 teams in the league and they would all have to agree to any changes. Why would the other 11 help Poole?

Buzz Burroughs? He’s definitely retired

As I said, I’m not doing anyone down but your point is valid. I suspect that lack of involvement with and, truthfully, interest in the lower league and its riders, has caught the Poole management out. Without changes, the Pirates will be nowhere near the play-offs. But, if league structures stay the same, I’d expect them to come storming back in 2021. Meanwhile, the Poole faithful are in for some exciting racing as the fearless young riders, coming through from the British Youth Championship strive to prove they’ve got what it takes, and the old heads show those young whippersnappers that experience isn’t easily overcome.

I know you’re the great defender but.....the three number ones were only 7th, 17th and 20th in the top 20 riders by GSA in last year’s Championship. It would be easy to spin each individual rider, or to do them down, but I won’t do that. And I don’t think there will be any lack of effort from the team. But my opinion, and that’s all it is, is that Poole’s starting 1-7 is too top heavy and will therefore be vulnerable to better balanced teams.

When it’s laid out like that, it looks a really weak team but I assume that the predictions of greatness for Poole in 2020 are dependent on some (most? all?) of the above list being replaced during the year.

Maybe not Poole track experience but Josh MacDonald has plenty of Championship track experience

Shame that. Everyone thinks he’s entitled to reductions for everything else, so I thought it worth a go

I seem to recall he has joint Australian and British nationality so wouldn’t need a work permit. But, would that mean he was eligible for the 2.5% “British” reduction?

Thank you for your responses which, other than the unnecessary kick about finances (which I’ll return to in a moment) are appreciated. It seems that the NT has been abused in the past with the essence of creating opportunities for up and coming riders being overlooked in exchange for a win at all costs mentality. Because of this, it’s my view that there should be severe restrictions on which riders can be included in an NT only team, perhaps something like under 18s or first season after NJL/MDL/SDL only. It should also be a ride for expenses league for any non-NDL team. Whilst applauding the efforts of Newcastle in entering an NT team, using Leon Flint would have been an expensive error (and that’s no slur on Leon who I expect to get rides in all three “professional” leagues this year) It’s one of the bees in my bonnet that Speedway is the only Motorsport that pays novices to learn their trade. It cannot be a coincidence that it’s also a Motorsport that is loss making.

Can someone explain the value of those teams just riding in the NT please? The stepping stone between the NJL and SDL/MDL is surely the NDL so why insert another step, especially if it’s going to be filled with riders beyond the first stages of “development”? It can’t be to do with making money for the promotion as I’d hope that Newcastle’s admission price is the same whether or not there is a double header.

I don’t follow. What does this mean, please?

Was that when an Edinburgh promoter was Chairman?

Absolutely not. Though it did lead to rule changes. And, of course, the same rider, but this time riding in the 1-5, and for the team he helped beat in 2010, was again on the winning side in 2014.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-51428182