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I'd agree with the "rising star" system being used in the Champ, but don't think Spencer would qualify due to his age. Don't agree that they shouldn't be dropped, it's a sport & a business. Plus that brings in other issues, Workington not being allowed to drop Etherington who wants to be let go or a rider who turns 16 mid-season (Will Cairns) not getting signed as no "RS" is allowed to be dropped, meaning he has to ride in the top 6! It's no surprise Spencer has been dropped as he wasn't scoring well & has been given plenty of matches. There's no guarantee Whalley will do any better as the jump from NL to Champ is massive, but can't blame Plymouth for trying something new.

You don't really need great tactical nous, to know that you should give an unbeaten reserve extra rides. Ok Kye lost a 5-1 in heat 14, but he was unbeaten up till then, but only given his 4 rides!

I don't think Workington could have signed anyone who could win them the league. Who's gonna beat Poole over 2 legs? While I think Kemp is a good signing, not sure I see Workington picking up a couple of away wins to make the play-offs. But hopefully for them, will win enough at home to avoid the wooden spoon.

Kennett is riding on a par with everyone except Masters imo

Care to admit you were wrong & maybe apologise to Kennett?

Called that well

I've never understood the argument that fans will find something else to do when there's big gaps between meetings & not return? By that logic fans wouldn't come back after the winter break, having found something else to do!

The exclusion of Dan T, is one of the worst decisions I've ever seen. No idea what the ref was thinking, even worse that he had a video replay to watch. As others have pointed out, Monarchs can't blame the result on that, as a Wood exclusion would mean no Morris as a tac sub in the following heat. Monarchs pretty disappointing not being able to win, with a guest performing far better than Paco has this season. Sunny now look well set for the play-offs.

I wasn't there, but based on scores alone, Mountain deserved an r/r outing.

As long as they race the same team on the Friday / Saturday, both teams have the same travel to make. So no advantage either way.

Seems pretty simple to me, when heat 10 came along, the Scunny team manager had decided his reserves were going better than Harrison, so saved Mountain's r/r ride till heat 14. If he wanted to leave himself with more options could have used Mountain in heat 10, then when heat 14 came around chose between Harrison & the 2 reserves to go out. Mind you, you could wonder why after the team manager decided the reserves were going better than Harrison, then Harrison ran a last in heat 10, why didn't he replace him in heat 12? As it turned out, Harrison rode better. But part of me feels, if you're leaving Harrison in his 4th ride hoping he'll improve, why remove the chance of a r/r outing in case he improves? For example had Harrison won heat 10, then also heat 12, would they want to give him heat 14, leaving Mountain without a r/r ride? I think I'd rather err on the side of caution, plan to give a team rider an r/r ride, then replace them in a programmed ride if necessary.

I agree with you to a degree, but Jakobsen was signed on a 5 but averaging 3, so couldn't have any complaints if he was dropped.

I've seen GP riders racing in heat 8 against "rising stars" many times. It's kinda a half hearted effort to protect that heat anyway, which is pretty pointless to me. In the Champ clubs can put a stronger reserve at 7 so he gets a protected heat, but a weaker reserve at 6 getting harder rides. Even it the weaker reserve is at 7, he can be dropped from heat 8. Also the second highest averaged rider could ride at 2, a fully fit & on form Craig Cook could ride at 2 if Workington so desired! If the top 2 had to ride at 1&5 & the weakest reserve at 7 (not being allowed to be replaced in heat 8, like in the Prem) then yes make heat 8 a protected heat by all means.

Claus Vissing & Jacob Hook would fit in place of Cook & Jacobsen. Currently think the team looks quite weak with Foord in the top 5. Dropping Jakobsen with the promise of a spot next year (on a 3.00 average) could work?

Why? They weren't nailed on with Bewley, who is better than Doyle!

Not a great many options to replace Castagna, maybe give MPT a 28 day contract, see if he can impress? If he doesn't bring Paco back.

Brennan would put them miles over the points limit!

As I understand the rules Workington will get a "facility" for Cook for 28 days, after that, it's a "75% guest" only.

Hodder is averaging more than Perry this year. He had a higher average (riding in a tougher position) last year. Glasgow made the right choice. Now if Perry keeps improving, then good for him & good for Workington, but that doesn't mean Glasgow made an error.

As long as they don't have a missing reserve r/r should work well for June.

Cairns is on a rolling average already, had one last year, got a new average in May & June. July average is very likely to put him into the top 5.

Surely it benefitted Plymouth, Workington & Edinburgh most as they signed 8 pointers dropped by other clubs?

Dayle Wood had a similar situation racing again Armadale, wearing the wrong helmet colour & I thought how did the team manager not notice that? Didn't return to the pits though. My understanding of the rule is riders can't return to the pits after a false start, but can if there's a crash. Obviously a time saving plan, but agree with others who have said, just use the 2 minutes allowance to keep meetings flowing.

My understanding of the rules are Riss could soon only be replaced by a 75% guest, so is Kennett better than a guest of 5.68 or below?

As he would come in at reserve, maybe this would be a move that re-ignites Jenkins season? Can't see Sunny looking to bring in a new overseas rider, so Jenkins could be the most likely signing to replace the injured Gilkes. Get well soon Dan