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I have to admit I keep trying not to put overly sarcastic comments on their FB posts about the last rider, when they put out an "are you ready for the 2025 season" video, I wanted to reply "ARE YOU?" Then when they have their UK weather chase special event which mentions "meet the riders" I wanted to reply HOW MANY? So tried to reply with gentle reminders that they still need a 7th rider, without appearing to slag them off too much.

You'd think landlords would want more fixtures / more rent, though

Yes, that was using riders starting averages for 2025.

Pretty simple to deduce, Joe Thompson instead of Ashton Boughen is 40.01. Considering Boughen was originally in Oxford's team, seems a sensible theory?

The Doyle, Sayfutdinov + Brennan trio will compete with opposition. I think they'll do far more than that, should dominate the strength in depth teams, maybe only Sheffield have a stronger heat leader trio? if they can get Thompson or Jenkins on a hot streak at reserve will be there at the business end of the season. I think their reserves will improve, but even without going on a "hot streak" expect them to be favourites. Flint + Rowe + Hume will probably be in and out of the reserve berth depending on who hits a run of form at the right time. Personally don't see Hume ever moving out of the reserve berth, Flint potentially could move out by the end of the season (by virtue of getting the easier rides) but it'll take a while for Rowe's rolling ave to drop (if it does) so expect him to be in the top 5 most of the season. Agree with your comments about Woffy, think he'll prove the doubters wrong. If Birmingham's top end are "excellent one week and struggle the next", that'll be an improvement on 2024 when they pretty much struggled every week. Like you, hoping Brummies can be better this season. But yeah, on the whole, sensible predictions.

I wouldn't go by to the stats section, as it says "these are not official averages" for example it has Hodder on 1.52, but he rides on the minimum 2.00. Ivacic should be 4.00 unless the rules have changed. If the rules have changed & foreigners can drop below 4, then I think he's the best option suggested yet.

I've never seen that anywhere, I really hope it's not true. Does nothing to help British riders get team places. If a foreigner can't reach a 4.00 average, should they really be taking the places of Brits at reserve? Look at Poland, they look after their own & dominate world speedway (except the SON).

Can't see any sub 4.00 rider turning them into play-offs contenders tbh

I have no way of knowing what any rider asks for, I can only assume a Champ standard rider wouldn't make himself unemployable at Champ level if he wants to ride in the Champ. I can only comment on what happened, when Leicester moved up a league, no one signed Dan T, despite his potential. To bring it back to Glasgow 2025, I think Tigers will be very happy with their new signing.

I can't deny there may be reasons why it's not ideal for certain clubs, but I just hope they look at the "bigger picture" and don't stop a former club coming back. There's far more clubs closing down than opening up in the least decade. I hope all teams will work together to make it happen.

Not at the start of the season - when nobody wanted him. Not mid season - when Birmingham signed them dropped him. At the end of the season - yes Plymouth realised he was good.

If Cook or Kvech step up to be a genuine number 1, then Lynn wouldn't lose 5-1s in the last 3 heats as they'd be beating top opposition riders. I do think they'll improve, but not to "genuine number one" level. However Lynn don't need that to be successful - they have great strength in depth. But even if they did, can't see them (or anyone) overcoming Ipswich. There actually the best club to overcome injuries, as long as the number 6 doesn't get injured, it's a team where r/r could work well.

I don't see a great reason not to let them in. It's only ONE extra home fixture for clubs. If a club has a rain off they have to fit it in, can't say "we have no spare dates" so I'd like to think that wouldn't be used as an excuse to stop them racing.

Amazing to think only 2 years ago not a single Championship club wanted Dan T, now look at him. Rival promotions will be kicking themselves that they didn't notice his potential.

Are they supposed to be team riding or was that an individual event?

There's nothing wrong with buying a physical calendar, it supports the club.

I think it's sensible to have one nickname for the combined team. See nothing wrong with them being called the Steelers.

It's just a poor joke imo. Riss was the rider for January in Redcar's calendar, Ace is the rider for February. So by turning over the month in the calendar, Riss is "replaced" by Ace. I don't see the point of the post, apart from trying to worry Redcar fans? Guess I don't see any humour in that!

I think Ben Trigger is being underestimated by many, he may be a slow improver, but he has increased his average every season. 2021 NL (3.77) 2022 NL (6.00) 2023 NL (6.34) Champ (2.13) 2024 NL (8.71) Champ (3.08) There's no reason for me to believe he wouldn't increase it again, especially at Plymouth. If the team had 3.00 remaining, I'd say he's a great signing, but with just under 4 remaining, you want to look for someone stronger, although I'm not totally convinced anyone named would be better. Jack Smith on other tracks - yes. At Plymouth - definitely not. Connor Coles is of a similar ability, he may average 0.1 more than Trigger, but if you consider travel expenses is that worth it? Stefan Nielsen - is perhaps the one with the biggest chance of averaging over 4, purely because he's done that before. Ben Morley - think he'd have to give up his NT spot to ride Champ, so probably less likely. Trigger actually has an average higher than 7 reserves signed in the Champ this year. Shame that how the points limit works, riders who can't reach the minimum 2.00 get more chances than riders around 3.00!

Yeah I was agreeing with you. Nielsen has been hard done by at times, but how last season for Birmingham was poor, if he could get back to his form of a few years previous, then he'd be the best option, but can he?

There's no chance a Champ side would prefer Ritchings to Trigger. Surely not even Peter Schroeck would do something as bad as that lol!

How about? Jack Smith 8.73 Jack Kingston 6.45 Sam Beebee 5.50 Alex Spooner 5.07 Josh Warren 4.93 Rhys Naylor 4.13 Sam Woolley 3.00 Total 37.81 Other options Luke Crang (5.49), Ryan Kinsley (7.67), Elliott Kelly (4.41), Jason Garrad (8.36), Joe Alcock (4.36), Kelsey Dugard (5.71), Adam Extance (4.00) & Josh Embleton (3.47). Some of these riders may have retired, but may also be willing to ride again? Just hope Mildenhall run.

I wondered that too. Expected at least some of them to be NL riders doubling up?

I agree, too many "ifs" to be confident. But Brummies fans can dream "what if"

I don't think Birmingham will make the play-offs, but that doesn't mean they can't make the play-offs. They have a lot of question marks, but if all those "maybes" get a positive outcome, then there's a slight chance of a top 4 spot. i.e Musielak rides like he did for Sheffield, MJJ rides like he did for Grudziadz, Zagar rides Perry Barr like he does the NSS, Rew continues improving, Vuolas gets used to the tracks after limited Prem outings, Edwards carries on his upwards trajectory. Jeppesen is the one I know least about tbh.