mikebv

I would say for the NDL "anything should go"... As bike time is the priority of any Development League... Unfortunately, the top two leagues also run an "anything goes" system...

They do, however, it is a team sport... Which means there needs to be some emotional connection to "their team".. Otherwise no point in keeping the team sport concept... UK Speedway runs some kind of hybrid system which, sadly, doesn't do it any favours as it ends up as neither here nor there..

Will Tom now make that dinner in Poland?...

Certainly, and quite correctly, riders are covering all bases... Just like many have for a long time given they compete in a sport where you can get sacked for doing too well!!! I think the 2nd tier average will be slashed for several reasons.. One. To give clear demarcation between the top two tiers, meaning the league that gets sold to TV is truly a "flagship" one.. Two. The hoped for TV contract should encourage at least two teams to go into tier one, particularly as some tier two teams will be concerned what impact the much lower limit will have on their decent attendance numbers, (given tier two fans are used to watching tier one HL's, so might not see a lesser standard as worth regular attending)... Three. A lower points limit will mean more two and three pont riders needed so development opportunities for more UK riders in a league that doesn't include World Class talent, but is a step up from NDL. You can foresee one decent level No1, who won't ride in Poland, but Double Up, and maybe ride somewhere else in Europe, with, at least two riders, three points and under, in most teams.. Four. The Polish one league rule will pretty much remove most Europeans and Scandinavians from tier two, and remove the doubling up Aussies riding in Poland, who will stay in tier one if they choose the UK, which, given many live here with families will be their clear first choice due to visa requirements... In short. A great opportunity for the desperately needed reset, a huge opportunity to give more development opportunities to young UK riders, and something well, well overdue. With the 2nd tier becoming that bridge, (that it used to be), between the NDL to the Premiership, rather than being "too strong"... And ticks plenty of boxes many on here have suggested for well over a decade!!!

If that is the mean average of all the teams then why not?... That means the league doesn't get watered down.. Personally, as 14 heats, times 3 points, is 42, then that should be the average used... All seven riders, csn have had four rides each, so its up to the owners to build the best team...

But! But! But! I saw a photo of a "Blue Groove!!!! That's the important thing to mention, not the crowd of well over 2,000!!!! "Ahh! But how many of them of them will be back next time with the track looking like that?" Will no doubt be the question asked by some... "Pretty much most if not all of them, and maybe even more" will be the answer..

A suggestion which seems to be made every single year, to aspire to something and stimulate growth... Yet, instead, we dumb down every single year... Maybe using the mean average of all the teams would be a compromise?.. Meaning the lowest teams have head room, (but not unreachable head room), to improve, and the top teams don't have to decimate their septet by reducing loads of points...

GB, Sweden and Denmark ran full programmes, with the obvious risk of injuries... I would have thought that the organisers would have had the riders out in Poland for the week doing publicity for the meeting, and being in a "team camp" together... Adding a bit of "gravitas" to the event, particularly as it now isn't every season.. It looks just like another run of the mill meeting when nothing is done differently...

I would suggest for the riders below the top tier, those not on the top contracts, then whoever pays the most will determine that decision..

The Silver Jubilee of 1977??.

You would think the lead up week to the World Cup Final would be blank wouldn't you? Strange some leagues still run... Maybe not that important?...

Jonathan Chapman and Alex Brady also seemed to know what was needed in a modern day entertainment environment... "Modern thinkers? No thank you! We don't need them"...

Plus the likes of Silver and Thomas, and probably more... These were "Promoters" who genuinely reflected the definition of the word... Rather than nowadays where "Owners" would be a much more suitable name.. The real "Promoters" knew that getting locals to attend regularly wasn't always the major priority, (if they did then great), instead fhey wanted volume every week, even if some fans only visited once... The logic being that that even that one visit meant that person knew that the sport existed, and keeping the team in the local public awareness meant more chance of more visits further down the line.. In short, the more who read about you, the more who know about you, and therefore, the more likely they are to take a look at what you do... Todays Social Media world would be seen as perfect by some of the "old school" operators of yesteryear.... (If they avoided getting banned!!!)...

No, you only get banned for not turning up... Plus... Any ban for Bomber would mean about five teams short of a rider...

Saving a good few quid on a jet washer...

Wasn't the cunning plan that the cups were done and dusted "early" in the season?...

Clubs actively agree to meetings taking place (usually away from home), knowing their riders will be missing but will already have lined up a track specialist ringer, or two, or three, to step in.. I remember BV once riding at Arena with, I think it was, four missing due to Zagar riding in his National Championship and three others in GP Challenges.. They brought in three ex Arena riders and ran RR... They had their best performance there in years!!! NB. It goes without saying that any proper sport, one with credibility and integrity, wouldn't have countenanced such a thing taking place and the governing body simply wouldn't have sanctioned the meeting to be ran..

And a much bigger name, meaning many of the crowd would have turned up specifically because he was (supposed to be) there... Arriving a bit late, with bikes not spotlessly clean, isn't anywhere near the level of Michael Lee in his heyday of absences...

9.2 with bonus points... With age comes experience.....

The positive social aspect of how the sport was, shouldn't ever be understated... Even into the mid 90's the BV riders would be in the bar having a drink and signing autographs with the many fans who stayed to have a beer... Supporters Clubs across the country arranged away meetings coaches and held regular social events through the season... The operating model was always "a bit Mickey Mouse" (but obviously nothing like today's Guestfest version), however, the social aspect of the sport kept people engaged and invested in the teams, so therefore they attended regularly... Teams who were, most weeks, your own riders, or riders doubling up who had been loaned out by your team to a Div 2 track for their development... Nowadays it looks like Teams are put together the night before, with anyone and everyone in the frame to ride for your club on a adhoc, horses for courses, basis.. And, some riders will leave the stadium almost before Heat 15 has started if they have a very early flight the next morning from an airport miles away from the track they have raced on... The whole thing needs urgent review and a complete overhaul and reset... Start UK Speedway again...

If only the other six had "let them down" the same?... They would have been miles away at the top of the league!!!!!

Understandable view, however, who, of his level, would have replaced him at Poole and Ipswich if he hadn't took the places?... Hardly a queue at the door to ride over here is there?.. So much so, clubs sign riders knowing 100% that they will miss meetings.. (Usually away meetings, and quite often, at tracks their missing rider(s) don't always do too well)...

100% that is their plan... And fair play to them given the huge outlay they make in signing on fees and points money, and rehab for their injured riders, (regardless of where the injury happened or nationality of the rider).. With that level of money they pay then being used by riders to set up, and support through the year,, their racing in other leagues... As is obvious... The less racing riders do the less chance they have of injury... That will be the thoughts of the Poles... And it's fair enough, given riders don't have to ride over there if they don't like the terms and conditions.. No one is forcing them to ride over there...

Lawson gets grief for either being late or just on time, and for bikes not being spotless.. Yet holds down a full time job and has a young family... When the sport was in its halcyon days the minority were full time professionals, with the majority seeing Speedway as a very decent second income, with many able to earn in one night of Speedway what they earned for a week in their "main job".. Nowadays we have reserves trying to be full time professionals... It's total madness from a business and operating plan perspective.. Especially as winning any of the comps has no real value or worth...

Doubling Up is the perfect system for both riders and promoters... A poor night on Monday can be covered by good nights, up to four times, later in the week, and you can always pick up plenty of Guest bookings if your team isn't riding.. No major prize on offer, means no major pressure to perform, as does having no major number of adequate replacements for your place should you not perform... And promoters get to share the costs of these riders... A nice, cosy agreement.... And one which doesn't condition, or prepare, the better young lads, in any way shape or form, for racing abroad in much higher standard leagues, and international competitions...