SteveLyric2

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?!

Torun issued a statement that he wasn't allowed to fly due to the risk of blood clots after his surgery - but was ok to continue racing on the continent!!!!

Someone on the bsf who also follows the polish scene put a link to a Polish 2018 Rider contract which although the translation is a bit iffy would seem to suggest the riders in the Polish Extraleague can ride in upto 4 leagues!! HOWEVER, I stress that the translation doesn't make it that easy to understand. Much more relevant (to me anyway) are the rumoured changes to the assessed current and former GP riders!!!

Whats the nightlife like around the Oaktree area?! I'm sure that Garry's regular presence in the Poole pits last year will have given him a fair insight into what he will have to deal with with JH!!!

Programme advertising (as well as track advertising/sponsorship) might be one of the few income generators for a club?! I presume like with Somerset, those clubs that also own their own stadia also have additional revenue from bars, catering and car parking (less any costs that go with them). For those clubs that rent their stadia they only get advertising, sponsorship and turnstile income - everything else goes to the Stadium owner!!

The point is he got his visa as it was 'sponsored' by Poole on the basis that they have offered him a 2018 contract. Having initially not reached agreement with Poole on some of the specifics (not financial - as MF stated)), he has looked at what other UK options may be possible and now a dose of reality is beginning to set in. MF has been quite clear in stating that CH was in every one of his team 1-7 options for the start of the season. I expect the starting line-up to be confirmed and announced very soon - especially as there is a supporters quiz evening scheduled for next Wednesday, 10th!! Its anyone's guess what mid-season changes may happen, but one thing's for sure - MF won't wait as long as he did with KK to ring any changes if riders aren't performing to their best?!

Where? Rye House, Leicester or Poole?? ha ha All this 'giving UK a miss' is bullrubbish because of his visa!!

Simple. get a database or several from other sources. Firstly try data from other sports -Poole have good relationships with other sports clubs - use the local print/audio/ local and regional tv media as well. Start an official (or support an unofficial) fan podcast. If you want a younger audience then target the college and University populations with special offers via twitter, facebook etc etc. Of course you have to provide the correctly packaged product once you've got them to attend............in the hope that they'll want to return on a regular basis!!

Yeah that 'marketing to attract a younger audience' should see loads of new young 'fans' at tracks waiting to see him race!! Shame he didn't include a list of all the tracks and dates that he will be racing at in the UK in 2018?! Or maybe I'll have to wait to see how many extra young fans turn up at Cardiff.......?! Or maybe not!!

Any news on the Polish Extraleague '3 league' rule being relaxed?

Surely they will use either or both during the season depending on the opposition, rider availability and any conflicting alternative major events?!

Both days will be available to all clubs (plus some Thursdays for Swindon) and I expect either or both to be used equally during the season.