Tsunami

He was in 2002 when he rode in my Gems team at Newcastle.

Yes now. I remember him as one of the Sam's. In the 250 races 18 months ago it was Sam Hagon Sam McGurk, Sam Norris and Sam Peters nearly every 250 race that year. Until Sam Norris got hurt.

Really good team who will be strong opposition.

Let's hope not. Once a slip, but twice is a problem.

The BSPA oversaw the 'Old Hands' criteria for many years without problems. Wayne Broadhurst was always the target for a good rider replacement, especially at reserve, but the new rule of "no more than 150 appearances" solved that problem. I remember that rule because of scull duggery by Ian Thomas, a nice story I might put on here someday.

Agreed it needs an age limit, with the proviso to catch the good older new riders.

Hagon, James and Harrison are 250 riders and about 13/14 years old, whilst Freeman is already a 500cc rider and just behind Palin and the Thompson Twins who are nearly a year older.

I agree, he is at least on par. Good lad with caring parents.

When he rode for BV Cubs in 2019, he started the season at no7 and scored a 15 point max in his first meeting. It was only a matter of time, but he quickly got to no 1 and stayed there till the end of the season. Cracking rider with excellent support, but the Thompson twins are just a smidge behind him. In the 500cc finals last year and 2019 the regular 4 riders were Palin, Thompson twins and Freeman.

Thompson twins are up there as well. I agreed about the doubt with Bickley. He has plateaued in the last two years. My rider Freeman is next along with Harry McGurk.

Agreed

Yes, and it worked, but what preceeded it wasn't.

It could and would be stopped when the team change is first submitted to BSPL office. Better to have set age like 21, but as pointed out on the Newcastle thread, you could still accommodate a rider starting late in life, but certainly NOT 30 year old.

OK. Let's start the season in August and then listen to the 'usuals' complain about restriction being lifted and no speedway to watch. You get done either way, but if you don't plan something, you are planning to fail.

Always will happen for some. Being at 7 against like riders and have 2 other riders just about them at 6 is far better than being shoved in against no 1's in many races. Yes, they need a bit of protection, but there are many who at reserve at home can often beat the middle order and reserves of the away team. Thats the way to progress.

For once I agree with you, and on every point. With COVID, Brexit, Poland and rider availability we were forced into bringing through the British youth which has never been in as good a shape for years through the BYC. I like the fact that an agreed plan has been developed, and all the clubs have agreed to a unified front on team selections, launch programme, and it's all aligned with the Eurosport and their launch. It doesn't really matter we have reduced the team strength, less costs going out of the sport with visas, flight, vehicles, lodgings and more concentration on Brits and especially the young riders. This is the sort of plan and unification that the sport badly needs to make future progress and build up British stock along the way. Only thing not hinted at is the possibility of a supremo to run the sport, possibility to be announced later when he has cut the ties that stops him from taking the post now. Well he has left now, so why hasn't Trump been announced. Having a personal interest in the sport, I sincerely hope it all goes well, and everyone thinks of the sport before their personal interest. Looking good.

NO. There are greater problems with the bigger clubs snapping up the top riders in each points band. If say there is a band 5 - 6.5 you know the poorer teams will get the 5+ riders, whilst the richer clubs will get the 6+ riders.

Done .

Done it.

I'm very envious of you.

Great news that local boy Danny Smith has signed a contract following on from the signing of Archie Freeman in December, They follow in the steps of the signing of Josh Embleton who signed a couple of years ago, and who has ridden ay National League level for a couple of NL teams with success. All three riders started riding a speedway bike for the first time at my free Training School held on a Sunday afternoons started in 2008. My reason for starting the school then was to bring on as many local youngsters in order to provide a stream of youngsters to stock the Newcastle teams. Thanks goes to all the helpers who helped me run the school, and though our combined efforts, we see in the signing of Josh, Archie and Danny the success of a venture which each club should have for the future of both clubs and the UK. In addition it would be wrong to omit 14year old Owen Booth, who had his first rides at my training school, is currently riding 125cc, and is showing great form in the BYC and looking to follow his fellow Diamond contracted riders.

And the old Stoke grader has recently been bought by Len Silver for use at Kent, after he damaged his own one.

Looks like you can stand down now Ruff.

You could do the sheeting during the day, put the air fence up and inflate it, stand at the door selling the programmes (sorry race magazine), grab a red flag, and sell ice creams when you are not busy. Only do one job at a time but, don't want to wear you out before reversing all those jobs after the meeting is finished or rained off. Happy days.

Not silly at all. I can't see one big league in this or the near future, so split leagues can get enough riders, with more of the best juniors and more doubling up when necessary. 6 rider teams Two leagues 6/11 Lower standard in the lower league with more young riders in the reserve positions. Controlled riding nights to allow for doubling up.