SteveLyric2

So I agree it is another simple enough option but still only another opinion - but that would surely mean the likes of Schlein would be a heat leader and Lambert a 2nd string, as examples?! And how would you work out averages for team building purposes within the limit? Taking someone like Hans Andersen, whose average on your suggestion would be somewhere between 8.33 and 6.45 - I'm sure you have the figures??!

But if there was a definitive BSPA list, it would have been a lot longer than 24 riders. Why wouldn't the likes of every GP rider not be on it - they are all of HL standard. No club knew in advance of the AGM which riders would be available and which wouldn't, otherwise why aren't the Emils, Lagutas, Vaculiks, Hancocks, Gollobs etc etc not on the list?

Why would he be? How would the BSPA at the time of the AGM know that he was intending to do EL again?? Of course he is of HL standard by his last average but Not on the list!!!

We can all put forward arguments as to why a certain rider should or shouldn't be on a HL list - but my understanding is that the BSPA list was only based on riders who rode in 2015 PLUS any new foreign riders that would be assessed at 6.50 (Did I not read originally that it was a list of only 24 riders - or did I imagine that?) If Shamek (on 6.75 I think) chooses to return then he is of HL standard but not on the official list so anyone could in theory do a deal with him. His riding position will be determined by the order of the 1-5 averages in the respective team. Unless of course there is a new rule that allows clubs to place their 1-5 in whichever riding order they like - with an appropriate race format of course??! Nobody is cheating or manipulating - or if you still believe they are I should wait to see Swindon's confirmed 1-5 and riding order.........!!

No it doesn't. Sundstrom, Larsen and Mads didn't race in 2015 so won't be on the HL list!!! Neither are they 'new' riders so won't be assessed at 6.50

I thought Zielona Gora were bankrupt and likely to be replaced by Rybnik??!

You never know there may be another rule change that allows each team manager to put his 1-5 in any order??!!

Buzz (6.48) is not on the HL list because he didn't ride in 2015 and is not classed as a 'new' rider and assessed at 6.50. However I understand that Buzz will line-up in one of Poole's 3 heat leader positions, with Hans as a 2nd string because aside from how his average was attained - Hans finished as a 2nd string. By the same token Davey Watt will be on the HL list as he ended as a heat leader (and imo will be one of Poole's final 2 along with Holder.) Danny King (6.48) also finished as a Bees heat leader despite how his final average was attained and has been re-employed on that basis. Finally good luck to KK - I'm really enjoying the comments and general support from many Bees fans!! Hee hee.

Then, as others have said, you've made a very brave decision - one that I hope for your sake doesn't prove to be a wrong 'un!!

Oh I'm gonna love to see how this thread develops.........!! You mean like most promotions you don't have a clue about the age demographics of your customer base?!

It is/was to Swindon - its why they signed Darcy Ward and would probably have won it too!!!! They have a 5-year plan!! Buster said so!!! Except it bankrupted some teams RP..........!!

So Rybnik go Extraleague!!!

Wolves and Leicester could do little about it because decent riders don't want regular Monday or Saturday racing. Swindon were knackered mainly because of the nasty injury to Miedzinski - nothing to do with the points limit!!

Certain posters were cracking on in similar vein about the points limit in the season just gone, when the EL had one of its most competitive seasons for a long while with 5 of the 8 teams in constant touch of the play-offs right to the end. It was injuries and poor performances from riders who were expected to score better that led to the bottom 3 being left behind - 2 of which had a GP rider in their line-up - nothing directly to do with points limits. One of the reasons that the EL continues to lose its top riders - in addition to all the extra travelling, staying in hotels, lower pay etc - is because when they do race over here they have less and less serious competition. That's my 'blinkered thicko from the South Coast' view!! Lets just carry on driving the sport into the ground by pandering to the lowest common denominator.....!

It doesn't really matter what the points limit is within a few points either way. All clubs start from the same team building position - zero and upwards.

BT Sport must be rubbing their hands with glee now that the only way to see yet another GP rider (NKI) will be on their channels.

Pretty much what your Promoter and new BSPA Chairman has said!! League amalgamation and racing on Fri/Sat/Sun within 2 years I reckon.

I suggest you have a read of this week's Speedy Star Speedy17 - in particular the interview with Vaculik!!

I believe Rosco also said in the same statement that amalgamation would come within a couple of years!!!

Actually EIA that's not entirely correct. All we've had is an announcement after the first part of the AGM. We've had nothing else official after the 'cooling off' period and the AGM Part 2 - except for the confirmation of MC positions!! Other opinions have been taken from a variety of individual club statements - some of which appear contradictory - which would presuppose that some clubs have a different understanding of the proposed rules than others! I believe that what is or has been finally agreed by the BSPA is then submitted to the SCB for their approval and announcement, which usually comes around the end of November, no matter when the AGM is held.

Totally different scenario. Matt Ford wouldn't accept it because it was a con - later admitted by Rosco - which caused a major falling out between them, which has now fortunately healed!

My My what big airbags you have?? Full of the usual bull$#!t fumes!! Matt Ford is certainly way out in front of most promoters in many things - but certainly not the first to supply a doctor's certificate (as required by the rules) in support of a rider's absence!!

Not sure Swindon would allow anyone else to speak to him about a contract?! Rules is rules don't you know?!

Nice article on/by Martin Vaculik in the SS this week. Has a great friendship with Matt Ford and loves the Bournemouth area. Not interested in a full EL season because of all the travelling and staying in hotels. Could be interested in a short-term (March/April) contract?! Something for some to chew on........

Well they are swimming in cash now aren't they?! (Thanks Matt!!)