szkocjasid

If anyone is planning to take Northampton into the Prem, they must know the Prem needs them more than they need top tier racing. Should be in a strong position to dictate that heat leaders get shared out etc. Could say the same for Oxford, if they'll only be left with Birmingham's riders, stick to Champ racing?

Agree, a very hard final to predict, maybe slightly favour Poole as they seem to be able to "step up" when it matters most, plus Glasgow may not be able to find a reserve guest to score points at home.

I would imagine Dan T may go Prem only along with Poland / Sweden? I'd think Tigers would want to hold onto Harris & Nagel at all costs. Assuming the points limit doesn't chance, I'd stick with Hodder & Perry*, most clubs will have at least one 2 point reserve, Tigers pair will have a bit of experience over some. While everyone wants stronger reserves, doesn't always mean. ore success, last year Glasgow started with Pijper & Smith didn't make the play-offs. This year Scunthorpe, Oxford & Edinburgh have had at least one strong reserve, while Workington are a lot stronger at the bottom end compared to last year, but had a less successful season. If Glasgow could fit in 6 of this years 7, would mean a powerhouse top 4, but running with 3 reserves! * unless they can sign Cooper Rushen / Jordy Loftus

I'm not denying it's heat advantages, I'm not saying the rule isn't simple. I'm asking, why are two 4-2s better than a 5-1 and a 3-3 to decide a tie? Normally they are of equal value.

I agree wanting the second leg at home could be beneficial from that point of view, no advantage over 30 heats (unless it's a tie). A good away performance could mean a big crowd. Only danger is having a 30 point away loss, meaning a poor home crowd.

Can someone explain the logic behind the rule. If most heat advantages decide the tie, what's the reasoning behind two 4-2s being better than a 5-1 & a 3-3?

Can't really trust the clubs to get all the fixtures on to allow re-stagings tbh. The fact 3 finals are having to be raced in October despite clubs having fewer fixtures these days, shows that. In an ideal world I'd agree with you. My plan would be to never let it go to a ballot (thankfully this didn't) by adding more ways to decide a tie.

Agreed, I don't understand some people being adamant that the second leg at home is an advantage. Poole had home leg first in KOC Semi & final & won. Redcar had home leg first in KOC semi & won. Edinburgh had home leg first in KOC against Workington & won. Oxford had home leg first against Scunthorpe in the KOC & won. Poole had home leg first in the P/O semi & won. Surely that's far too many instances to prove there is no "second leg at home advantage"?

I don't mean this time, rules are in place. I mean for future occurrences, to try for a more satisfactory decision (if they don't want to have a re-staging).

One suggestion would be to look at the scores after heat 14 in both matches, i.e Glasgow having an advantage of an extra heat at home. This would've been an aggregate win for Redcar. The bizarre situation is, had the heat advantages been a tie, it would've been a ballot to decide who goes through, I can't think of a more unsatisfactory way to decide a tie.

Rules are: – If aggregate scores are level but the second meeting has been abandoned then aggregate point is given on countback of heat advantages (most 5-1s, most 4-2s etc) over the two meetings. But I'd much sooner hear the news that no-one is badly injured than confirmation of the result.

I'm almost certain there won't be a replay, there will be a long list on how to decide a tie. Of course main concern is with anyone who may have been hurt? Hope it's nothing serious & match abandoned for another reason, fence damage for example?

The same 3 clubs have 3 competitions to finish, Redcar & Poole in all of them. Couldn't really hold off any longer, matches need to be raced. If they had finished the KOC & BSN especially earlier in this season, then maybe they could've planned around the Prem final?

Could go either way, wouldn't call either team favourites

Apart from Fricke, I don't think there were any other "stonewall" wild card options. Doyle & Vaculik had a few issues with injuries, but still wouldn't have challenged for a top 7 spot. The best non-gp riders made it through already (Madsen, Dudek, Jepsen-Jensen). With no obvious picks, I would've gone with next in line in GPs / GP challenge, certainly not Woffy. Fricke - yes Then 2 or Doyle, Vaculik, Michelsen or Thomsen. If the organisers are choosing wildcards for clicks & publicity, I'm half surprised they didn't go for Hannah Grunwald along with Woffy 🤭

The problem with that, is a club could practically use the same guest in every home match. Mind you home riders don't ride "every week" anymore.

Maybe just keeping his average low for next year, then putting in the effort "when it matters". I don't like it, but the rules almost encourage it - if that is the case of course!

When they first announced SGP2 before I read that it was just a new name for the U12s, I thought a competition for the 16th-31st best riders in the world would be interesting. Top 3 into the GPs? Winner of each round gets a wildcard in following GP? Probably fairer than SEC as Aussies & Yanks get a equal chance of qualifying.

I'm not so sure, Poole won on aggregate by 12 points, so even another 6 point home win, will put the pressure on Redcar, especially after this loss. I think Poole will get a bigger win though, as they'll be high on confidence after rescuing another final.

That's actually embarrassing by the SCB. With the amount of matches riders miss for foreign meetings seemingly perfectly acceptable, this where they draw the line!

That's a bit harsh on Joe, who as the weakest of the 14 riders can't be expected to score much. Maybe Jason Edwards is a target. Does that make him a "let down"?

Normally I'd agree with you, but don't think it will matter in this case. Buxton didn't get great crowds & they've not ridden league Speedway since before COVID, so it's different to the Reading situation. That being said I think Buxton Hitmen rolls off the tongue, so I wouldn't have changed it, but don't see it affecting crowds.

Jeppesen is nearly a point above Zach, if his average fits, of course he's be preferred to Cook. Can't see it happening unless Poole move up.

My memory is when the GPs first started the U21 Champ qualified for the following season. I think Crump, Mikael Max & Jesber B Jensen, got in this way. It got dropped as the U21 Champs weren't always GP standard, even when it was a 24 rider field.

If it's supposed to be the top 15 riders in the world, then you wouldn't get lots of new faces every year. Doesn't bother me as long as they qualify by right. I don't see why the SGP2 Champ should get a spot, as above GPs should be for the top 15 riders, irrespective of nationality, age, gender etc. just because a rider is the best U21, doesn't mean they are amongst the best 15 seniors. I would be happy with SGP2 Champ getting a spot in the GP Challenge, if they are good enough, they'll qualify.