Arch Stanton

Still going ahead.

Why not? They’re all here, all have their equipment and brand new Kevlars ready to go, and the season hasn’t been written off. Rather than sit around doing nothing I’m sure they’d prefer to have a spin for a few hours if the chance is there.

All riders in the country and “ready to race”. If all riders are here wonder if press and practice will still go ahead as planned? Can you practice without medical cover?

Doesn't really sound like a man who is not totally committed to the UK this season and only intends to do a handful of meetings..

Better off cancelling it surely? Can’t do all the press photos with only 5 members. The practice part sure, let the remaining 5 get some laps in but the photo shoots need postponing until all 7 are together.

Mike Bacon, local journalist from the Ipswich Star with his prediction.

Agree just take the grandstand out of the equation, still enough space around the track to stage the meeting surely? Was looking forward to this so disappointing.

Might come along to this. Good to see some Speedway

Was going to say the same, think they had us 33’s rank outsiders last year

And all a year older. Natural decline. Personally I think they’ll all finish with very similar averages to which they’re starting the season with. Time will tell obviously.

There’s a few teams who have question marks, ours at Ipswich is another. Will Crump hold his own and average 7+, or will it prove a disaster and he struggles around the 5 point mark. None of us are sure. Very much looking forward to the 26th at the Showground, might have a better idea of both teams then. Just nice to have the season upon us again and have some racing to watch.

Yes that’s another concern with Andersen especially. All well and good saying his average is low because of injury, but when you get to that age these injuries take their toll on the body more than the younger lads. As I say I wouldn’t write them off as a play off team, I’m just unsure as to what this team is capable of. I’m not as convinced as others seem to be that a few are on bargain averages for various reasons and there’s good improvement in them. We’ll see

Nicholls 41 Andersen 39 Ostergarrd 38 Iversen 37 Harris 37 Some experience that! That has to be a concern for me. People saying some of these are on bargain averages, but at this stage of their careers they’re going to be very inconsistent. Not sure about this team TBH. Wouldn’t be surprised if it made the play offs or had a stinker of a season. I’m on the fence.

Ostergaard confirmed.

But he may not have been offered a place by Peterborough at that time. IF he has now been offered that place, then you’d expect him to withdraw from the Ben Fund.

“Nicholls’ return leaves Panthers with one spot to fill in their side, with suggestions now being that they could go back down the “experience” route for that place”.

Nicholls would be a superb reserve. If these two complete the team it’s a play off team IMO. I’d even fancy you getting victories at Foxhall with Nicholls getting 7 rides. As long as he’s replacing Harris

You have absolutely no idea this is the case at all.

Think I’ve read the word “Seth” more times on here since Crump signed than Crump himself!

Yes. Crumps decision is purely a racing one.

I’ve seen a few saying this, but he’s just done an interview with Mike Bacon of the local paper, who asks if any family are coming with him. He goes on to say his son Seth has one more year at school, and his wife will come over a few times during the season. So maybe it’s purely a racing decision from his part?

I’m not even gonna bother having a bash to be honest. Swindon look a touch better than the rest, but apart from them the rest could literally be in any order.

He’s always loved Foxhall, after a month or so I can see him scoring well at home. Nobody can be expecting him to hit the ground running so we’re going to need to be patient and not make knee jerk conclusions after a few meetings. He’s going to have to show something in the early meetings mind you to show that there is something still there. I remain on the fence and it’s just a wait and see situation. Nobody can confidently predict what’s going to happen which makes this the most intriguing signing of the winter. We also have to remember this isn’t a half decent heatleader who was a 7-8 pointer who is making a comeback, it’s a rider who last posted an average over 11 in a much tougher league. I don’t think an average of between 7-8 is unrealistic. We started with Harris on an inflated average last year who dropped over a point and half and we still made the play offs so even if his average drops as most are predicting, it doesn’t mean the end of our chances.