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6 rider teams would be a choice if they felt there wasn't enough quality to go around. But even keeping the 39 limit could ensure each team is competitive, if the mid-season signings return (Woffinden/C.Holder for example) with the dropped riders coming back (J.Holder/Ellis) there's more Prem standard riders to share out.

I wholeheartedly agree with the second part, but think the RS scheme works well for both leagues.

I honestly believe they made the rules so Josh Bates would fit (he was just under the qualifying averages in both leagues). But I think it's worked out ok tbh. If the rule was just U-21s, you could end up with riders well out of their depth in the Premiership. Plus they want to cater for any late starters in the sport I guess?

The rule was something like under 25 or 26 at the start of the season, so Kemp could have potentially 4 or 5 more seasons (unless he averages over 5.5) as a "riding star". That was the rule when it was introduced & I've not seen any changes announced since then.

Surely "we're" is refering to British Speedway in this case? If British Speedway is running one, two or three leagues? Then Oxford can decide which league to enter? Plus it says if we're running one two or three leagues, not of we're competing in one, two or three leagues.

Last year Flint fitted using Prem averages, but not Champ averages. So I figure they must use the Prem limit 5.50 average, for qualifying criteria?

As they haven't listed any changes to the RS criteria, I believe all of the 2023 "rising stars" are still eligible to remain in that role for 2024?

My top 20 of the season (weighted averages) 1. Ryan Douglas - 10.20 2. Richard Lawson - 9.95 3. Sam Masters - 9.86 4. Chris Harris - 9.69 5. Ben Basso - 9.62 6. Charles Wright - 9.53 7. Scott Nicholls - 9.47 8. Craig Cook - 8.87 9. Vadim Tarasenko - 8.59 10. Steve Worrall - 8.56 11. Danny King - 8.54 12. Rory Schlein - 8.53 13. Josh Pickering - 8.47 14. Lewis Kerr - 8.24 15. Richie Worrall - 8.03 16. Tom Brennan - 7.97 17. Michael P Toft - 7.95 18. Ben Cook - 7.87 19. Jake Allen - 7.64 20. Kyle Howarth - 7.61

why the rush by the team or rider to decide? The AGM hasn't been started yet.

Not sure that would be any better, let's say for example 9.00 = grade A, 8.00 = grade B, 7.00 = grade C etc. An 8.99 rider is the same grade as an 8.00 rider. But a 7.99 rider is a whole grade below 8.00. Doesn't matter where the cut-off is, some riders would become far more valuable than others! The use of averages certainly has it's flaws, but it's the best system available imo.

I counted guest appearances (so more realistic of a riders form)

I use a minimum 16 rides home & away, Laguta didn't ride enough away to qualify. Would have been (8.59).

I agree it looks weak, but in theory, every team should look weak.

My top 20 of the season (weighted averages) 1. Emil Sayfutdinov - 10.61 2. Jason Doyle - 9.86 3. Robert Lambert - 9.62 4. Tobiasz Musielak - 9.33 5. Jack Holder - 9.28 6. Max Fricke - 8.92 7. Tai Woffinden - 8.84 8. Brady Kurtz - 8.75 9. Dan Bewley - 8.20 10. Sam Masters - 8.00 11. Jaimon Lidsey - 7.92 12. Ryan Douglas - 7.53 13. Charles Wright - 7.39 14. Danny King - 7.30 15. Luke Becker - 7.16 16. Josh Pickering - 7.09 17. Richard Lawson - 6.98 18. Vadim Tarasenko - 6.97 19. Chris Holder - 6.94 20. Nick Morris - 6.89

The Premiership needs Birmingham much more than Birmingham needs the Premiership imo. The other clubs are likely to want to avoid a 5 team league at all costs. So hypothetically Brummies could say we'll ride under the following conditions XYZ?

We've seen that happen this year with the top riders, off the top of my head Tai Woffinden & Charles Wright went hurtling into the fence unable to get their "rocket ships" back under control. Many years ago riders were better at "saving it" but the super fast bikes & slick tracks these days don't help avoid it.

How about? Plymouth Lewis Kerr 8.39 Ben Barker 7.42 Jye Etheridge 5.91 Dan Thompson 4.86 Alfie Bowtell 4.49 Joe Thompson 3.51 Adam Roynon 3.41 Total 37.99

A few years back Prem & Champ teams both had to have 2 x Brits in their sides, but that ruling lasted about ONE season. Shame clubs can't agree to keep rules like that long term.

If it helps Brits get team places, I have no issue with that. If they are good, they'll reach their 5.00 assessed averages, if they are not so good, why sign them over Brits in the first place?

Or Mildenhall?

I disagree, he has the ability to be a 3.00 - 3.50 Champ rider, (4.00 in a lower league) which is better than a 2.00 rider, not everyone makes it into the team.

I am please Sam has got a Champ spot, has certainly improved in the NL for Workington, plus it's good for Comets fans to keep some of last year's team. However I do believe he will be one of the weakest reserves in the league, so wouldn't call him a "good signing". Even with a lower limit, it's a massive step up from the NL to the Champ, but they've all gotta try it at some stage, but if there's no NL, feel that will hinder him. Most first time Champ riders, get to double up between NL & Champ for a season or two. But I'm not sure if he's even had a guest Champ appearance yet?

How much does a manager effect a teams fortunes. Cami I'd considered by many to be a poor manager, regularly makes odd heat 15 choices, doesn't put his top 2 at 1+5 (a nit pick of mine) gives his weakest rider an unnecessary 4th ride - but still won the league. Stuart Dickson has a reputation of being a good manager, tactically astute, but his changes made Leicester worse & didn't help Birmingham much. Pete Adams has won many titles, but in recent years Wolves had made the play-offs but then proceed to lose home & away on the semis!

Glasgow have built a good team every season since 2015, since the Facennas took over, they've always been a top 4 club (I think). Not as successful as Poole, but that doesn't mean they can't build a strong team.

Trying not to pick just the best 7 riders (using their finishing team positions). 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 2. Ben Basso 3. Jaimon Lidsey 4. Charles Wright 5. Jason Doyle 6. Ben Cook 7. Dan Thompson