Sings4Speedway

Out of interest is Speedway GB entirely self funded via sponsorship or is there a hefty top up via the SCB and or the BSPL?

Think that will become clear enough in time. Im delighted for him that he has a team place and will be ecstatic about it but the skill set is way below the other six. Think grammer has let Rhys down. declining 2 offers, to be back at Kent. Ultimately potentially could have gone elsewhere but thought his Kent spot was assured. What happens for him now who knows as securing equipment for the start of a season is far easier than mid way.

6 good riders signed for Kent. Everyone including Naylor is surprised he isn't included. Certainly should be winning all the home meetings. Somewhere between 1st and 3rd in the table i suspect which is nothing to be sniffed at.

The problem i have with the Plymouth side is that the gulf from top to bottom is vast. Joe can very likely lap Morgan around Plymouth and that genuinely creates a danger on track with the disparity in levels between the two. Ive not seen Charlie ride for some time but my impression is that he would be behind Morgan in most races. Its certainly nothing personal as Morgan is a charming gent who will absolutely win hearts its purely down to ability and readiness. As covered above Kai ward was thrown in early and not ready, he went away improved and now fully justifies his places. Just because a 15 year old shows a little promise doesn't mean they are ready for league racing (even in the drastically reduced standard and amount of fixtures). There was a point in time when the best riders from the MDL/NJL along with the cream of the youth rounds were fighting for reserve berths, now its nearly all riders who compete are getting places and some in the 1-5. There will always be surprise packages and riders who really do succeed but the approach of nurturing talent appears to be replaced with the attitude that if you throw enough mud at a wall some of it will stick.

That is what the league has become. It used to be team places for those who were good enough, now its about places for those young / local enough. I know what im expecting and do genuinely hope im proved wrong but i very much doubt it.

Sadly its a team that sums up my complete drop off of interest in the sport anymore. If promotions can't take anything seriously why should fans. Delighted for the few who will be completing their dreams of becoming NL riders, luckily its just a few home meetings as i can see the fixtures at Plymouth ending up a farce again this year.

For once it is actually fairly clear in the regulations.....both riders had averages (below their minimum assessed) so hierarchy said Lasse in the 1-5 010.3 TEAM DECLARATIONS Teams must be declared prior to the start of the season to the BSP Ltd office, to confirm it complies with the current regulations. Where the declaration or re-declaration complies with the current regulations it will be approved and confirmed in writing to the relevant Promotion. Should the declaration or re-declaration NOT comply with the regulations the reasons for rejection will be explained, in writing, to the relevant Promotion. Any appeal against the decision of the BSP Ltd office should be made to the SCB Co-Ordinator as per Chapter 18 of the Speedway Regulations. Changes must be made at least 3 days before the start time of the meeting at which it is intended to be used. In any declaration where 2 or more riders hold an identical MA (cannot be determined by a 3rd or more decimal point) then the re-declaration must nominate the hierarchical order. Where riders have a previous MA, then the higher placed rider from the previous issue shall retain the higher position.

use it or lose it by July

The problem with the bottom starts at the very top. If clubs were incentivised to run NL sides with reduction in fees etc it would be a greater encouragement. Same as the lower development leagues, charging the amounts to volunteers to be signed up members every year, entry fees etc is ridiculous. Yes all speedway is a business and it is foolish to jeopardise a clubs survival for the sake of running a NL side. Belle Vue openly say the PL side tops up the funds but others have run at a very affordable level, Len Silver turned a profit at Kent every season in a genuine stadium so it can be done. There is just a lack of willing at the top to make it worthwhile, the weasel wants the youth rounds to be the saviour of everything, Louis thinks 1 meeting a season will transform the sport. Half the promotions now don't care about 10 years time because they won't still be involved then (if there is any sport left to be involved with).

Thats a very fair point. If you say NL are £15 (at a push) that leaves 11 meetings @ £300 = £21.82 a meeting would make me panic what the on the gate prices will be!

On that rationale the GP's would be the best racing you can watch but in reality how often is that the case? No doubting that the track craft of world class riders on a decent track can produce brilliant racing but any riders of similar ability can produce that, i certainly don't buy that higher levels is required to produce excitement, in fact lower grades can add to unpredictability which brings anticipation in different ways.

Whilst a geographical league makes a decent amount of sense im not sure that Worky throwing their toys out the pram actually helps their case. If they entered something and didn't fully consider the ramifications is the right thing to do just change their mind?

After Goret, Turner and Baek we are hoping for 3rd 4th time lucky.....

Nothing green about Rushen who has raced at levels far higher than many in the side already. Can easily see him taking 6 rides a meeting with Meadows and Ingram getting 3 (yes its development league etc but it still relentlessly happens) until the first averages come out and then the cubs might have a struggle at reserve. Power top 5 though who might squabble amongst themselves for points.

6.59 feels like a high average for a rider who has been out for 8 years. I don't have that many notable memories of him but equally it was a better league back then so ought to be able to maintain that at least. I wonder who will be next on the comeback trail.....im hoping its Jon Armstrong.