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But if they had two strong reserves the lack of 3rd heat leader wouldn't have been a problem, look at Oxford for example, second best team in the league.

Season ticket holders of the Brummies will have free access to Warwickshire County Championship cricket matches whilst Warwickshire members will be able to attend speedway fixtures at Perry Barr in a reciprocal agreement. So regardless of which sport you like to watch, you could just buy the cheaper season ticket then? But realistically fans would probably want to support their "own" team.

There have usually been more than 6 teams in the NDL, so providing riders who didn't get signed this year, there should be riders out there to fill up new teams. I'd also recommend 6 man teams (5 rides each to aid development) and probably relax the 4.00 Champ rule.

100% agree with that comment, which I think applies to Starke

Don't see why so many people have a problem with this post. If Lambert rides as well as he did last year, then it will be interesting - could mean decent races against Lawson, Brennan & the Cooks. Lisa never said it would help Oxford win the Cup, merely that it could be interesting. She's entitled to her opinion, why are so many people bothered by it?

My first thought was far too long a tail, but that top 4 could probably win home matches on their own.

Very much agree.

They both have potential to improve & probably will. Think I'd avoid Hagon because he ended the season so poorly. Tbh it's not a major issue if they've got it wrong, can just swap the RS for another if need be.

You'd think so, signing him on 8, dropping to 7, then letting another team gain the advantage of his improvement throughout the season sounds like something Peter Schroeck would do lol!

There's no denying Joe has been a poor RS, but since he got dropped by Leicester he improved a lot at Plymouth, so I'd have given him another shot.

Who do you think will join in?

If it's a 40 point limit? Justin Sedgmen 7.92 Michael P Toft 7.80 Paco Castagna 7.11 Cameron Heeps 6.37 Lasse Fredriksen 4.67 New foreigner 4.00 Max James 2.00 Total 39.87 If it's a 38 point limit? Justin Sedgmen 7.92 Michael P Toft 7.80 Paco Castagna 7.11 Connor Mountain 5.65 Theo Pijper 4.43 Ace Pijper 3.00 Stene Pijper 2.00 Total 37.91

If there were no play-offs I'd agree with the risks you mention. But all they have to do is make the top 4. If the top 4 can get you close to 40 points away, they should get plenty of bonus points. Then it just comes down to having a couple of strong meetings to finish the season. It's easier to take risks with teams now, than it was in the pre play-off era. Or even when they started clubs had to be top 4 out of 9 or 10. Now it's top 4 out of 7.

Probably not, but till he's announced elsewhere, trying to think up realistic possibilities.

That comment confuses me, as the most promising young Brit since Robert Lambert, why would anyone accuse Leicester of favouritism if they signed Cairns? By all means go to a track which he thinks will progress his career (Belle Vue not Poole), but I wouldn't go to another track just to avoid riding for his Dad. For the last bit, if he wants to make his own way in the sport, should his Dad say "well you pay Greg Hancock for his training sessions then" lol!

If it's a 38 point limit? Rory Schlein 8.08 Leon Flint 6.68 Drew Kemp 6.46 Alfie Bowtell 5.07 Danyon Hume 4.87 Bastien Borke 4.84 Freddie Hodder 2.00 Total 38.00

Depends how many league matches they have left. If they planned it so they had only 5 league matches left (plus BSN, KOC & play-offs) Cairns could still be on a 2.00 average for 2026!

How can this happen in a "professional" sport, surely you'd double check figures when planning teams?

Dan can easily pick & choose his clubs, he'll be in high demand in both leagues. Joe may not have the same options & if he turns down a club could be left without a ride.

You talk a lot of sense, however I think Scott will be one of the strongest 2.00 riders next year, so these worries won't come into fruition. All the reasons you gave are why Archie Freeman shouldn't have been Newcastle's reserve years ago, rather than a top NDL rider imo. Biggest downside of Scott remaining in the NDL & picking up Champ guest bookings is the lack of fixtures in the third tier.

For this reason I find it very surprising that Cairns has a Champ team lined up already. Why would any 2.00 rider sign for Poole, knowing they will be dropped? In this case I don't think Mulford is one of the better "rising stars", so don't see him upping his average much. But even if he doesn't, will it be a risk putting Cairns in to the top division so early in his career?

But what about the Polish leagues, their clubs have to include 2 x Polish juniors in all divisions, seems to work very well for them if you look at their success at junior level. The RS system is just a (much) smaller version of that. If anything this system should being riders on more as if they're good enough they'll move into the top 5 (Brennan, Rowe, Dan T for example). The Polish juniors stay at reserve all year. I don't think it's anything to do with lack of riders, just wanting to give young Brits a chance.

Sedgmen averaged 5.82 from 5 matches for Brum, but his rolling ave is only 4.79. If his average went down it must be because he dropped some high scoring matches from his rolling ave, not because he was poor for Birmingham. Based on these figures, he'd be a great signing.

If it's a 40 point limit Dan Gilkes fits as 7th rider. If it's a 38 limit then Ben Trigger or Ace Pijper?

Who would you have at reserve instead of Scott? While he may not score lots of points doesn't mean there will be any stronger 2.00 options available. One thing Oxford have shown is their willingness to give youngsters team spots in all their sides.