SteveLyric2

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.

Would they be the same exciting video clips that should be appearing on the club website and available everywhere (not just a coffee shop) on social media and could be properly targetted?

Disagree about a permanent shop. Much better to have a consistent proactive and interactive website with substantial social media activity which can also be advertised via more traditional methods around the town and wider catchment areas. Improved brand awareness is one thing but has to be supported by consistently good social media activity and up-to-date web news.

Yes

Ah but did it state that the team's one 8 & over rider would remain as the team's only named 8 & over rider even if his average dropped below 8 points? Or are people jumping to conclusions?

Thanks for your reply but I believe you may be a little out of date, as I understand (as has been already mooted on here) that the 9 point assessed GP riders will be reassessed to 8 points and that may only apply to those that are in the 2018 series?! ie it doesn't go back 3 seasons and any ex-GP riders that rode UK previously will be available on the average they attained then - unless it was so long ago that it needs to be reassessed again?! Lets not forget that the rider assessments are done 'independently' (used to be by Peter Oakes and may still be?!) rather than by the BSPA/SCB, who then have to agree them or not!? I may be totally wrong but as the saying goes - There is no smoke without fire!! Maybe the new year will clarify?!

Usually Thursday but Friday last week.

There is still doubling up - just no fixture clashes leading to missing riders.

If you've seen that written down anywhere as a 2018 rule, you may well be correct. Also can you please confirm what averages former GP riders will be on - ie for example those that are out of the 2018 series?

SGBP teams can still only have one 8 & over rider though!! That's 8pts for current (2018) GP riders as I understand it. Former GP riders that have ridden UK previously will have their former average I believe or be reassessed at less than 8?!

Well the first set of new averages will be interesting. If CH doesn't get it together immediately from the start of the season and Brady only drops 0.09 from his average, I wonder which (ex?) GP rider will be heading to Wimborne Road??

What average is Clegg then? He's shown on the Wolves website as 1.75 (rounded up to 2.00) and 2.00 on the BSPA list!!

So where are all the posters who were telling one and all that both Holders would be at the Oaktree?????

Nobody can sign CH unless Matt has officially released him!!

Charles Wright it is then!!