Steve Irving

Again, everyone seems to know who Chris Louis has sold Ipswich to. Is it Mayfield Sports Events LTD or is it someone else?

Ride for us this year and I’ll get you back in the GP series next year? Interesting theory and entirely plausible. Guess we’ll soon find out how ambitious they are, and whether they have any immediate influence. Finance shouldn’t be an issue.

Ipswich’ is by far the most interesting team building because it’s going to look a lot different to the ones we’re used to seeing. The others will just recycle most of what they’ve had before, Ipswich will probably look like a completely different team. And the added intrigue is nobody is too sure who is putting the team together. Is it Louis or the new guy? Or both?

There’s a lot of dreamers and pretend ITK’s on here, but Phil isn’t usually one of those to be fair to him. He didn’t seem in any doubt that Brennan was Sheffield bound.

They all do seem to be correct, so if that is a mistake then it’s the only one made. If he gets the 8% reduction as well as the British reduction, then that then creates a vacancy big enough for Chris Holder to add to the other options I mentioned earlier. A top three of Jack Holder, Chris Holder AND Woffinden, would be some spearhead in a weakened league of 37 points! Pickering would have to join either Ipswich or a potential sixth team if he wants a Premiership ride this year. Perhaps there is substance to the rumour he was pricing himself out of a return to Sheffield? No Brennan for Sheffield either. Both probably Ipswich bound.

If Woffinden has signed on again, that would leave 9.19 for last two. A 3 pointer at Six leaves 6.19. Janowski (already has three clubs?) Rew Ellis Tungate All fit. Would obviously mean no place for Pickering, Chris Holder or the rumoured Tom Brennan. Unless of course Woffinden gets a bigger reduction for spending the entire year out injured? And if it’s not a genuine oversight on the FIM website.

Iversen, Lawson, Simon Lambert..

Perhaps it’s been delayed again until Sir Christopher Louis decides to come back from his Hollibobs.

It’s even the smaller things like team suits. They take time to manufacture and produce, and you need to know what seven riders are going to be in them before you even start! You can get around that by going retro and chucking them all race bibs, but it isn’t ideal. It’s surely too late in the day for Ipswich? Not only has Louis got to agree a sale, the new people will have an awful lot to do in a very short space of time to get them to tapes in March/April. Not only all the red tape and administrative stuff, legalities, sponsorship, team manager, track man? Presenter? And an actual team of riders. Odds against I’d say but hope springs eternal.

Didn’t someone say Brennan was Sheffield bound? @PhilTheAce I think??

Media wise absolutely. Knowing the inside info of Speedway clubs’ signings, especially these days, I’m not convinced. No malice intended and as I’ve said, Steve is a sound fella and well respected, but I can’t ever recall him calling a correct signing on here before or breaking anything that wasn’t already known. Anyway, let’s hope @RoundTheBoards is correct and a deal is done for Ipswich to come to the tapes. The sport desperately needs them it’s as simple as that. Let’s also hope that Flagrag was correct and Ipswich have a top number 1 GP rider and a competitive team. Having lost Doyle (for now) and Emil to the League, it will be a boost to get another top liner over here.

I believe very little either. There’s one or two you’d take notice of, but the majority you wouldn’t hang your hat on that for sure. In fairness to @flagrag , he’s a good sort and well respected in his work so I’ve been a little harsh here. It’s entirely possible he’d heard an early snippet of what Chris Louis was putting together before the proverbial sh!t hit the fan. Think it’s safe to say that whatever he’d heard early doors, is now highly unlikely to come to fruition.

Oh but they do Shano. @flagrag said so. Cracking GP rider at number 1 👍🏻

There’s a world of difference between disclosing the intricacies of financials and delicate negotiations, and issuing general broader updates to keep supporters loosely in the loop.

Well no not at all. It was Louis himself that didn’t do what you’ve suggested. HE was the one putting the timescale on a potential sale, so when that then come to pass it was obviously ramp up the concerns of the supporters. Why would he be “damned” if he now came out and told the supporters that talks were still ongoing? At least that would give the supporters something to cling on to. Alternatively, if it’s all gone t!ts up, tell them. At least it would put them out of their misery. Either way, an update of some sort should now be forthcoming. There’s concerned supporters out there waiting for news on a daily basis. Must be like pulling teeth! Supporters as always, treated like mushrooms.