szkocjasid

I was there for the afternoon meeting, later saw the evening meeting on Anglia TV. London Docklands Arena was the name. I do remember the leak in the roof.

I think they've done well to have a set of clear rules for the different foreign leagues, far better than what was previously the case. However they've already broken this new ruling with Celina Liebman signing for Workington on a 4.00 average, as she's ridden in the U24 Extraliga should be 5.00. Also interesting to see new foreigners can sign for a Prem side on a 3.50 average. Does that mean the minimum average for foreigners is no longer 4.00 & current riders can drop below that now?

In an ideal world, yes it would look good for a riders pits crew to look smart / wear similar attire if more than one. The simple question is who's going to pay for it? Plus what happens if a mechanic falls ill & a one-off replacement is needed? Do they have to pay for spare uniforms (in every size) or ban the mechanic if he's not in the correct attire?

I hope the GP qualifiers for 2025/2026 are decided in this meeting. As well being a national champion & the Cardiff wild card spot, should encourage top riders to attend.

Big shame, I used to love test matches in the 90s. Not a fan of a match against the rest of the world, feels very meaningless, compared to racing against another nation. I'm remember GB vs Australia test matches at Champ level previously, you'd think Champ clubs would be clamouring for more of these to fill up a empty fixture list.

Seeing comments like this 4 years later, quite sad now thinking I'd settle for a track in a field with a clubhouse

Normally the weakest rider in this meeting has been a Prem second string / Champ heat leader. So can't see Celina beating anyone if that remains the same. I understand why Belle Vue are using her - for publicity / ticket sales, but not sure they could claim she's there on merit as a strong rider.

Would be a good signing if willing to ride in the Championship.

I'm guessing they're waiting for a pre-season practice showdown between a few prospects for the last spot?

Personally £23 sounds bit steep to me. I'd have thought they'd try & keep it lower (£20) to pack the place out, anywho thinks it's worth £23, could still donate the extra £3? Also are the riders racing for free / expenses only? I always thought they did, but I remember reading an interview with Simon Lambert last year, where he suggested it was like getting paid practice? So when I see comments like "it's for a good cause" to make people who who are questioning the price look bad, I think if it's for a good cause why are the riders getting paid? Plus the Ben Fund always used to get the fines issued from the BSPL (or was it the SCB) which apparently stopped a year or two back. Why would they take money away from such a good cause? That seems far worse than a fan suggesting £23 is too much!

I agree it looks a very small fixture list, plus I'm surprised that they have big gaps between fixtures. Although they'd only have 5 home matches if they raced in the NL, so 8 is an improvement on that. IoW tend to have all of their racing squeezed into a couple of months, obviously designed to get the most out of the holiday makers.

It's possible he improved racing in Sweden, but he struggled to average 4 when last over here with Scunthorpe, looks a weak signing with 6+ available imo

Probably the closest the league has looked in some time, any of 6 clubs can make the top 4, with possibly only Ipswich 99% certain to make it?

I think it was changed due to a situation a couple of years ago. From memory the top 2 teams in the league agreed to race each other (Peterborough & Wolves?) regardless of whoever finished top, maybe due to stadium availability? So for thier last league fixtures, it would have been harder to entice people in as they've admitted there's no difference between 1st & 2nd.

Can't say I'm a particular fan of it. If I was Chris Harris, I'd be upset they make it look like he's very chubby. Should have shown the size Ace Pijper would wear perhaps?

Of course everyone has differing opinions, but I think Berwick look a strong team at home this year.

If there's a rider shortage then having a low limit makes sense, means clubs have to use NL riders to compete. If the limit is higher, the richest clubs can pick more heat leaders & weaker clubs can't compete & we get another league of the haves & have nots like last year. This year's limit seems to have worked well, Plymouth had a team (till an injury occured) and there are plenty sub 6.5 riders for Workington to choose from.

I think many have far too high expectations of Kemp. Last year at Scunthorpe he averaged less than 5.5, while racing plenty of meetings from the easy number 7 position. So to expect him to get near that from a tougher position in a higher division (getting stronger) is a near impossible ask imo. I certainly hope he can do it, would be great news for GB.

If true can't see the logic in that. Now that clubs have far fewer fixtures should be easier to find dates, unless you're at Poole who make all the finals. If Newman held his testimonial at Plymouth no such worries about spare dates there. Also what if clubs don't have planning permission to race on Sundays?

Horrific pictures, get well soon Nico

Number 6 is far harder than number 7, so if Kemp can reach 4.00 he'll have done well imo

Can't disagree with anything you've said, good comments

Wolves were allowed a facility for Becker despite him starting the season injured so were Scunny when Zaine Kennedy didn't arrive, but Plymouth were not allowed a facility for Dan T when he got injured before making his debut for them. I assume Scunthorpe & Wolves got "special dispensation" because Becker & Kennedy had ridden for them in the previous season?

I'm sure it's the promoters who vite for the rules regarding missing riders, so they won't have too harsh a rule i.e having to use a 3.00 NL rider in case it ever happens to them!

There's no such rule as NL guest anymore, if you don't qualify for a facility then they'd be able to use a guest up to 75% of Kemp's average.