Islander15

Nope, only league. Not Trophy, KOC, Gold Cup or anything else.

Why didn't King ride?

7 days after 4 league meetings.

He averaged 3.68 for Sittingbourne. He did come back the next season and rode a few meetings but got seriously injured and I can't remember if it was enough to get a real average of 3.00 or he's still 3.68. Edit: I've tried looking it up and the BSPA site has him ending 2009 still on his 3.68 average in the team declaration but he may have dropped to 3.00 and the team just not redeclared after that I suppose. I've found him riding officially in 5 league meetings that year and 4 trophy meetings. But he did ride a few meetings the season after for Plymouth but as he didn't end the season it's as if he didn't exist on the BSPA site, as this is back in the days of the NL not having published greensheets!

You're right, the sixth name is Ben Basford and final name is David Holt.

It's a lot simpler conversion! Unless you already have a PL average, when you move from NL to PL you're always a 3.00.

BDJ's average is too high. They have 5.53 to play with and I've looked and really can't see anybody on that figure! Probably the best I found was Gareth Isherwood but I don't know if he's racing still or if Gary Cottham has stopped having headaches and fancies a return. I've haven't heard his situation for a while. Of course we don't know what Kingston's personal problems are so it could be a case of use R/R for 28 days and he'll have sorted himself out.

Look at Lawson then. Phenomenal in the Elite but average to good for a PL number 1, which he won't be when Morris moves up in May anyway.

Ayres' age does make him ineligible to DU this season. However when Chapman was signed by Plymouth despite being too old to DU it went to the BSPA and it was decided he could DU as the rule isn't designed to penalise late starters and Ayres would be able to DU also as he's in a similar situation to Chapman if a PL team came calling.

Bonus points don't count towards averages so why should they count them?

No idea and Birks thought the same.

Birks was ready to go before he was told he was ineligible.

There is a rule saying that and that's why some people were questioning if Poole were allowed a guest for Grajczonek on Good Friday (but there was a different DU reason allowing them to). Also the Isle of Wight weren't allowed a facility for Bekker in 2013 when he hurt his knee in P&P, I remember we had to use Neale away to Buxton who was without a team.

No you don't have to name a number 8. But even if you did, you don't have to give him any rides. You don't have to use R/R for Ben either. The management have chosen R/R instead of a guest as they put in the press release there's no suitable guests available. I wonder what the likes of Crang (now he isn't Redcar's guest), Hopwood, Stokes or Chessell are doing as they are riders that have travelled in the past or if they've even been contacted.

How may races is there?

That rule only applies to EL/PL doubling-up. The PL always takes priority over the NL!!

52-41 Eagles

Atkin guests for Ellis. Otherwise teams are full strength.

Don't we all!

I agree with the opposition point, but he's partnered with Banks anyway. Arguably the management think he's the 'worst' of the 3 pointers which is why he isn't at reserve. Imo I would normally have the best riders at 1 & 5 but the Brummies are very top heavy whilst having a third heat leader more than capable of holding his own!

anyone willing to text for speedway updates tonight?

Yes because I support the National League as well!! Another team in the league is good for the league, especially now given the professionalism (Brendan apart) that the Dugards have shown and I wish them the very best for a successful season and hopefully many more. What the NL is about is seeing Kelsey & Wood become your heat leaders! Myself, and several others on here, have seen some of those riders on many occasions and have simply been more realistic in our views.

This was also something I was thinking. Usually I wouldn't do it because you end up with a 'weaker' heat leader alongside a reserve, but once Zach gets going, in a couple of meetings, put him at 6 to partner Chapman twice which isn't weak and by the time he moves up put Wilson at 6 who will have found his feet by then. As you say it allows Ellis and Perry to go out and potentially win 4 races each and on paper you have a stronger pairing than Chapman & Banks as well!

ooh that was petty!

Posting through Eastbourne tinted spectacles maybe!