SteveLyric2

Fixtures are always announced towards the end of January - especially this year with the season not starting for some til April. Promoters have had the draft list for a couple of weeks to recommend any changes to try to avoid any rider clashes with any fixtures elsewhere. Thought they might have been in this week's Star - or maybe next week's.

I think it was '95, but my memory isn't what it was!! Anyway Poole's first away Challenge is at Somerset on 3rd April as part of the Rebels 20th Anniversary season. Still to be decided who Covatti rides for on the night?!

Nice positive statement from the Team Manager on the Panthers website - new signing hopefully confirmed/announced by the weekend.

So are you suggesting that crowds are 'dwindling' more at Premiership clubs than in the Championship?!

Its the standard of racing thats important. Having the so-called top riders in Poland and Sweden doesn't guarantee consistently good racing. Yes it may be fast but just as processional - if not more so - as UK racing often is. The standard in the SGBP last year was good and the competition the closest among the 7 teams for several years.

Why is it a 'sad situation'? Poland and Sweden operated 7-team top league without too many issues. The only difference is money .

Why shouldn't a 7-team Premiership work when its worked fine in Poland and Sweden?

As an outsider looking in, it would be interesting to know exactly who issued the press release/statement, as no management individual is mentioned in it?!

Where is Neil Watson when the fans need more explanation?! Lets hope Bomber is not lost to the sport as he said when Rye House folded that he needed 2 clubs to make things pay - or he would quit!!

No need to - with his contacts at home and abroad, he probably has a dossier on every rider currently available to ride in the UK!!

Thats their trading name. The company HQ is in Christchurch. There is a company video now available via the Pirates website that also states they are the UK's Number 1 - with over 50 franchises currently operating. Just had it announced on BBC South Sports round-up too! (The kevlars or race jackets will probably have Poole No.1 Pirates on the Front and No.1 Carpet Cleaning on the back??!!)

The SS confirms it'll be the 31st for the next signing.

Yes new main team sponsor - the UK's Number 1 Carpet Cleaning company. So another season for the Pirates to 'clean up'!!

Maybe the BSPA averages have already had the 2.5% reduction applied - where appropriate?!

Thank you.

So a newly merged thread which hopefully can be kept on topic. (Thanks Phil for locking the original thread and removing some of the posts which had been taken over by various warring parties with nothing to do with Poole - for once!!) Poole 1. Jack Holder 2. Brady Kurtz 3. Nicolai Klindt 4. Josh Grajczonek 5. Richie Worrall 6. Nico Covatti 7. Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen

Yeah but it doesn't list all the riders/teams so far!!

Notwithstanding any British % reduction the 'final' 2018 averages (according to BSPA website) show the Ippo 2019 signings as:- Lawson 6.72 (6.55 with reduction) King 6.52 (6.36 " " ) Pieszczek 6.50 Heeps 4.72 Allen 4.56 making 29.02 , ( 28.69) leaving 13.48 (or 13.81) for the last 2.

Same as what they use in Poland, Sweden, Denmark etc!! Just coming into line..........!!

Can you please point me in the direction of the 2019 rules!!?

In the Chris Harris interview in this week's Speedway Star, he reckons he is still waiting for payment for 9 meetings for Rye House!!

Just throwing this in - any chance of Krzysztof Buczkowski?

Poole v Kings Lynn, Elite Shield, Thursday 11th April - Pirates' first meeting of 2019!! Announced at the fans quiz last night! (PS, Referee Craig Ackroyd - hopefully!!!?? )

I couldn't disagree more. Chris is hungry again and with much progress with many of his off-track issues, he can now focus on his speedway again. Just need the UK visa situ to be finally and fully sorted and we'll see him back racing at the top in the Premiership again.