szkocjasid

"We will field our 2023 side with Leicester building a team based on start of season averages and we will be announcing details of their side shortly" That seems quite unfair on Leicester, at first glance, especially with Poole being at home. But I guess Leicester could pick 7 riders who's averages have gone up?

Newcastle certainly showed how difficult it was to get heat leaders riding on a Sunday, can't see Sunday's working for Champ speedway these days.

Of course the BSPL are going to recommend thru go into the Champ, hardly gonna recommend they close down or join Nora are they! Which begs the question, was the recommendation in the best interests of the club or the BSPL?

I've seen this comment many times & I'm not sure why? Cook was having a fantastic season, had upped his average and was out performing Pickering, until the incident against Poole, which I can only assume affected him badly. It's not like he never finishes a season, I'm sure it's the first time he's not finished a season (unless injured). Even so, teams use guests all the time, don't understand how that could be considered as negative

I think it was something like: 4* 3.50-6.50 3* 3.00-3.49 2* 2.50-2.99 1* 2.00-2.49 Something like that, I remember Flint (just below 3.5) being a lower grade than Bickley (just above 3.5). Very lopsided looking averages, as it was basically designed to allow Josh Bates to be a RS in the top division.

If the limit is 38 & teams should end up on 42 (on average) every rider should be looking to put 0.5 on their ave without even improving. But like you say, with some of their main rivals gone, anyone on 8+ averages could be looking at an even bigger increase.

I wouldn't have advised that - if the NL continues. Lots of very promising riders have struggled in their first Champ season... but if the Champ is weakened next season, he may not have than concern. Probably be irrelevant as the NL looks over (sadly).

I agree Poole are definitely favourites, but some suggested it was all over already, that's certainly not the case & who I would be arguing against.

If the NL disappears as seems to be the case, it will certainly cause issues for the Championship. In the past when a decent young Brit (4-5) point rider has missed out on a team, he's been able to sign for a NL side to keep "race fit" even if he'd normally be above NL level. So Champ teams would have replacements ready to jump in to cover injuries / poor form. Now it would be harder to anticipate a rider keeping his equipment "up to scratch" with no racing available. Similar thoughts about the 2.00 juniors who jump in to cover injuries to reserves (Luke Harrison for example) gonna be an awful big step from second half racing against fellow juniors to racing in the Champ!

Technically doesn't have to happen again, Scunny would settle for 44 points lol!

Totally agree, mega respect for riders aiming to move up in the sport & leave the Championship behind. It's only in the last 5/10 years, that the very top Champ riders have decided to stay & double up "forever".

I'm sure Poole will be the happier of the two teams, but this is far from over, given Scunthorpe drew at Poole in the play-offs.

The problem is ahy club can say they are going to have a good season, but the riders have to do it on track. The last two seasons I thought Lynn looked good (not many others agreed I'd admit), both times based on always having a strong number 6, so as a fan I wouldn't belittle their team selections. On the other hand Birmingham have twice said they've got a play-off strength team, but it's looked to me (and everyone else) like a near-bottom team.

You realise how successful Poole are when a thread gets made up because they didn't win EVERY available (7 man) trophy in 3 seasons!

Is there a reason why Belle Vue & Oxford are using reserves? They've not got 4 riders out injured have they?

If it's a case of cough medicine accidentally taken then yes 6 months ban seems ok, but as Speedway doesn't run 12 months a year, a 12 month ban seems more sensible, otherwise someone failing in September gets virtually no punishment, but someone failing in March would practically miss a full season? If it's alcohol or illegal drugs gotta be a 2 year ban imo

If that fits, looks an incredible team

The Glasgow reserves should get a point in heat 2, so Tigers top 4 only need to score 38 points between them. At most tracks I'd fancy them, but they've not been so great at Poole. Exciting lead for the neutrals, but Poole will be wishing it was less, Glasgow be wishing it was more.

Without meaning to sound mean to Cami or Complin, that's literally his job. A reserve for a team using r/r has to be prepared for 7 rides. The most important meeting if the year, gotta make sure he can do 7 heats if needed, ask the club for help with a mechanic, make sure 2 bikes are set up, club could plan when to grade the track to give him extra time. It could end up being the difference between winning the league & finishing second.

Except from the team manager lol!

When about a dozen people disagree with you on the r/r ruling, is it not time to consider, you may be the one who has the rules wrong?

Pre- meeting I think Glasgow would have been delighted with a 14 point win. But after such a great start, may feel it was an opportunity missed not to have a bigger lead. I don't think there's anything "borderline" about it at all, to make a mistake once is bad (but he got away with it), to make the same mistake the very next meeting is horrendous.

You mustn't understand the r/r rule, as many have said Ace only needed to take 3 rides. So I'll say Brown was incompetent with his team managing today.

Not forgetting the r/r ride at all, Complin can take his 4 rides, 2 x r/r outings & one of Ace's rides for his 7 heats. If Ace takes an r/r outing, Complin can take 2 of his rides. Can't see how anyone can defends Brown's team managing here.

Doesn't suit the top team, as either the 2nd or 3rd best team gets 2 big play-off crowds, while the table toppers only get one.