SteveLyric2

Because there was too much difference between EL and NL - and NL meetings would often be scheduled in the same week as the EL meetings (occasionally even as a double-header). That's not what the 'Super League/Cup' idea is attempting to do. You would have the One SGBP/SGBC league (split regionally if required), PLUS if there are 5 or 6 teams financially prepared to run in a 'Super League' then each of those teams could include 2-3 GP-level riders who could not partake in the lower league fixtures.

What Middlo actually said was that they thought Hans 7.75 average was too high to get any improvement! I tend to agree but only time will tell.

THJ has said he's only doing Poland and Sweden in 2018.

MF has explained that Shanes is his preferred option - but it depends on the average of the final rider!! James will still get 2 league action cos if he's not at Poole he'll be at BV .

If you read my earlier posts correctly I am saying IF and only IF a handful of clubs can afford it?! There are probably only 5 or 6 clubs in a strong enough financial position to consider it - not the whole sport. As an example lets say 5 clubs in a Super League - that's 8 fixtures (4 Home/4 away) for each club using 2-3 top guys who wouldn't then be allowed (as they wouldn't want to be) to take part in the other championship-level league fixtures. The CL league could be run as one league or split into 2 regional leagues with play-offs etc using only the current lower-end Premiership riders and the current Championship riders - many of whom are the same guys anyway. There are clearly many fans (some lapsed) that want to see the top guys as there are also many fans happy to still watch Championship League standard. Best of both worlds.

Thanks Flagrag. I thought there might have been some sort of swap deal involving Hans and Kim now that Messrs Ford and Bates seem besties??!!

I wonder if the FIM have the balls to insist that the Poles confirm what they indicated back in the meeting in November?! In addition to the Polish 3xleague rule, clubs (or at least their fans) are also awaiting further clarification/confirmation on exactly what averages former GP riders will be on - especially those that have ridden UK previously?! In addition, confirmation of how the one 8& over rule is applied after the first or second set of averages. People have made assumptions eg each 8+ rider in the starting line-up will remain as the 8+ rider even if his average drops below - thereby stopping any other 8+ rider from being signed other than to replace the original 8+ guy?! But is that correct? It may seem sensible but nothing announced or confirmed officially!!

The track didn't seem to give him any problems when KL won at Wimborne Road last season!! ...and if all goes to plan with the final signings then Holder will start as a 2nd string!! Can't wait......

Szczepaniak is 4.54 and Shanes on 2.88 (2.5% discount on 2.95 for James) so 7.85 left for the final rider. Matt won't take up all that 7.85 so he'll have a bit extra to play with when the team is redeclared if necessary?!

My personal enjoyment as you put it would see me enjoy speedway at both 'Super Cup' and 'Championship League' level. To explain further - The 'Super Cup' team could have say 2-3 'top liners'. The other 4-5 would be eligible for the Championship League fixtures, providing a decent number of fixtures for the majority of riders. The 'top' (GP) riders are only seeking a handful of meetings at best. With the right pricing differential and balance of team strengths in each competition, I don't see why it couldn't work?!

Holder to Rye House??????????!!

Was Kim Nilsson not considered for a return in 2018 or did he rule himself out for some reason?

If the 'days of top riders are really gone' then why the need to introduce the 'only one 8 & over' rule?? Surely if clubs can't afford them then they wouldn't be signed?! If only a few clubs can afford them then why not let them have a small 'Super League' (or Super Cup) with minimal fixtures?! If those fixtures were not supported in sufficient numbers or sponsorship then drop it!! All the other spare dates in the fixture list to be filled by the 'One PL/CL League' fixtures. Its not the same as a PL club running a NL team with minimal attendance. Surely that appeals to the majority of fans who have the choice of everything the sport can offer.

No official confirmation of either part of that sentence, but I believe the first part is correct but the latter part isn't?!!

Sorry, have I missed something? Who are these clubs that have 'fallen by the wayside' due to financial issues?!

The thing is that even if when Brady retains his 8 point average, he is unlikely to stay at number one in the Poole team anyway!! PS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIDDLO.

Considering the other 3 finalists had all had at least 2 meetings as a warm-up to Round 1, I would think Brady will be relatively happy with his 12 points in his first meeting since Melbourne GP.

It is as simple as that - BUT there are other realistic options involving at least 2 other 'quality' riders!!

Its true that the sport as a whole cannot afford the top boys BUT there is a handful of clubs who could afford some of them so why not go for one big league (of approx. Championship level) and allow the handful of clubs to also run a 'Super League' set up if they can afford it and reckon they can attract the crowds? The likes of Wolves, Poole, Rye House, Glasgow, Sheffield etc are backed by a combination of successful businesses and sponsorship and could easily operate a top league on a set night and also run a Championship-level team in the bigger one league? It could be the best of both worlds.

No conspiracy. Matt gave Hans permission to talk with other clubs and Hans has agreed terms with Leicester (Hans is a Poole asset as all of the Frost assets passed to Poole as part of their financial involvement with the club. Same applies to the likes of NKI and Bjerre)! However, Matt also told Hans that no deal would be ratified until they have had a final discussion. Matt has a number of team options - mostly involving Holder who appears to still have problems of his own to sort. The announcement of Hans still being in Poole's possible plans could be merely to add pressure on Holder to sign or it could also be that the Poles have not made their promised relaxation of their 3 League rule, and MF is looking at either or both Holder and Hans - both of whom fit with Shanes at reserve. There are other possibilities which do rely on the Poles decision which may well delay the final team announcements - or it might just be a delay of a few days so that an announcement can be made at the Fans Quiz night on Wednesday?! NB. A further issue is that MF could be waiting to ensure that Poole's 8 pointer Kurtz doesn't suffer any serious injuries in the Aussie Championships?!

Might have to wait a bit longer to announce the 7th rider. MF hasn't given his permission yet!!

So, Option 1 - Holder, Andersen, Shanes Option 2 - Andersen, Sundstrom, Shanes Option 3 - Holder, Sundstrom, Shanes Option 4 - Andersen, AN Other, AN Other Option 5 - Perm any 3 that fit within 17.89??

Speedway Star is saying Hans to Leicester, so presumably MF has given his OK?! That only leaves Rye House, Belle Vue(Unlikely) and Poole as realistic options for Chris Holder!! NB. Mark Loram and Tony Rickardsson have previously been announced for the 70th Anniversary meeting on 23rd March.

So it seems that the rumoured re-assessment of certain assessed riders has indeed been re-assessed. The original 'independent' assessment has been assessed as being wrongly assessed so has been re-assessed for the coming season. I expect to see an announcement about the re-assessed assessments fairly soon. In fact I would assess that it will happen sometime before March - although I may well have to re-assess my assessment.

Despite Hans tweeting before Christmas that he is unlikely to be lining up for the Pirates, things may not have gone to Matt's preferred plan. Either way Hans has always had Poole-based sponsors wherever he's ridden (Meridian Lifts) so may simply be calling in en-route to Leicester?!