szkocjasid

Just in the mood for a rant, feel clubs need to support each other more to keep Speedway alive. Last year Oxford & Birmingham were clearly miles below the strengths of the others, but that didn't bother them, now they are gone (Birmingham probably would be anyway). Now it's almost like Champ clubs are of the opinion "my league is fine, I don't care if the other 5 teams close" - I may be exaggerating obviously. But my original comment, was really to defend Prem clubs trying to keep their league alive. Anyway, I better mention Glasgow, as it's their page - looks a really decent side, Hodder as the weaker reserve & Hagon dropping down from second string to reserve, should boost his scores. Could be the best heat leader trio on the league. Then 2 exciting newcomers, if I was a Glasgow fan I'd be delighted.

That's a bit harsh on the Prem clubs, can't be easy with only 5 clubs "brave" enough to race in the top division, one of these not willing to race in a 5 team league apparently. If Glasgow were willing to be a Prem team then it'll all have been decided in a November AGM. Glasgow are clearly the best set to step up, but if they are happy to be a big fish in a little pond, can't force them to move up. A lot of what they do screams professionalism, feel they look like a "Premier" promotion.

1) Poole don't race every Wednesday 2) Danish clubs don't race every Wednesday 3) Danish clubs run squad systems

All good points

If Oxford could replace a rider who hardly ever turned up with a very promising youngster, it's possible they wouldn't look much weaker at all. Whether riders can live up to their potential is another question obviously.

I hope I'm not pedantic enough to call out spelling lol!

I would probably word it differently, both Poole & Oxford finished above the points limit so have to weaken. Assuming Masters signs, then Rowe strengthens Oxford's top end, but will it strengthen the team as a whole (maybe depends if they sign Rushen). Almost certainly will weaken Poole, even if they sign Cook, as that'd mean Bowes was effectively the replacement for Rowe.

Hook has upped his average every year he's been over here, so would be a good decision to retain him. While he may not find it so easy in the top 5, every rider has to make that step up eventually, unless you sign a career reserve. Besides you don't need all 7 riders to improve their averages to have a successful season, even if Hook can maintain his average in the top 5, that would be considered progress. Also from a purely "moral" standpoint, it'd be a shame for a rider to be dropped because he did too well!

I think Kerr is a better signing now, than he was a year ago. Last year his starting average was higher than his 2024 average, so it wasn't a surprise to see it drop. Of course I still expected him to do better than he ended up doing. This year he has scope to improve his average, especially if you look at his average for the 4 play-offs meetings (8.94). I wouldn't say he was a brilliant signing, but could prove to be an astute signing, especially as I can't see his average dropping any more.

If Kemp doesn't come back due to foreign commitments, who would be your preferred other heat leader?

But the 40 point limit agreed for 3 years was based on the same number of teams. If Prem clubs want to join the Champ, they'd have to vote on the limit again? I'm not saying it definitely won't be 40, just that they can't guarantee it will be 40.

I'd agree with that.

I wouldn't call it a u-turn, as until the AGM anything can happen. All Champ clubs must know there's a chance changes will be required because they don't know if there will be a Prem. If that is the case most Prem clubs would want to drop down. To me once the AGM was postponed l, all bets were off regarding the Champ team building.

This would fit just under the limit! Very strong heat leader trio & a stronger reserve than last year. Peter Kildemand - 8.05 Drew Kemp - 7.88 Nick Morris - 6.86 Jye Etheridge - 5.45 Danyon Hume - 4.97 Simon Lambert - 4.48 Max Perry - 2.29 Total - 39.98

I don't disagree with anything you've said, but I was replying to a post that said Poole should "break the bank" to sign Bailey.

If Poole refuse to move up due to costs, they are hardly likely to break the bank trying to win the Champ.

If winning at home is priority, to avoid crowds going down, is it worth signing Vuolas for that reason? Plus hoping he improves away obviously. Maybe not every club is the same & sone fan bases will still support when a club struggles though? If they did have a top 5 of Jeppesen, Batchelor, Vuolas, Zischke & Hook, could put Antti at 5 at home & 2 away?

The way things are going a 6 team Premiership would be a tremendous achievement ahead of 2026

Who would be your prediction / preference for 2nd heat leader?

2 brilliant signings for Edinburgh so far

I know it's a joke, but 1) it was Kennett's 3rd ride he got injured in, not 3rd lap. 2) Plymouth didn't break any rules. 3) the rules haven't been changed since then, so BSPL must think they're still suitable. 4) Have any injured heat leaders been replaced since then? While it's easy to mock Plymouth, no-one else has been in the same situation & done any differently (unless I've forgotten someone). Most recent examples are Jason Doyle at Ipswich last year (different league I know) & Erik Riss at Redcar this year, neither of those teams could find a heat leader replacement. Most recent heat leader signings have been "spare" riders coming back from injury (Nicholls) or a ban (Morris). Riders of this ability are not normally available to cover after the season starts. Better mention Poole now, I think Kennett would be a good signing for the Pirates if his average dropped to 4.00, for example.

But what can they do if they want a 6 team Premiership & not enough teams want to join them? They can't just make Poole or Glasgow move up.

Or people talking about Joe as a rider who hasn't been named in any teams 1-7. No different than any possible teams being put together.

Gotta agree with arnieg here. On average teams that started on 40, should end on 42. If clubs start next season on 42, that should be the same strength as last year's sides starting on 40. So a 40 point limit is weakening the league. If the limit was raised to 41, the league would still be weaker (statistically).

Perhaps an idea for next year is to run, 2 x Championships. A top league with a 45 point limit & a second league with a 40 point limit. Probably be easier to encourage an even split of 7 & 7 if it means stepping up to a "strong" Championship rather than the Prem. Still allows riders to double up. Hopefully still fit in the best non-gp riders in the new top tier?