Sings4Speedway

Its a team format that Eastbourne fans are not used to due to the Dugard based promotion having a better level of awareness whilst Jon Cook builds teams to have a strong top end and long tail. I think this year will be a learning curve for both fans and promotion as the demanded levels of success will not come as frequently this year.

The way the side has been built if any of the top 3 has an off night the team will always be in trouble. Obviously the loss of Brennan is hard, Morley & Wood are scoring around their averages and very limited options for replacements. The Eagles were never likely to get anything at Somerset this year so need to just focus on performing at home rather than silly track prep that catches the home team out more than the away side.

In all honesty the standard of riders in the Prem is much closer than it has been in many previous years. If you have riders of closer averages then the racing has a better chance of being closer. Next level down in the champs there are 10 point riders and 2 point riders on the same track at the same time, that is never going to produce close racing.

True although Eastbourne ran against the GP and that will always hurt crowd numbers. Brum has a team that is struggling on track and that struggles to generate a crowd, Somerset might be the opposite with too much home dominance? Leicester are clearly benefiting from running on a race night that suits their fan base better along with a finally improved track.

Not sure i follow your point. The NL points limit is designed to promote development league riders into the league (ready or not) and push the achievers up and out so in that sense it is working. In the two higher divisions it will always be broken all the while riders have two separate averages especially when they can be signed in the close season on the most recent average. Using Ben Barkers numbers as purely an example: Current Prem ave 5.63 Current Champ ave 6.77 If he doesn't sign for another Prem side this year next year he will be available in the top flight on his latest Champ average divided by 1.6 so potentially 6.77/1.6 = 4.23. Same rider, same division 1 year on available almost 1.5 points lower, anyone else expecting pre-planned manipulation occurring.

To attempt to create separation between the Prem and Champ sides as the level was previously incredibly similar. Buster wanted his top flight to be more superior in standard.

Cheers. It was whether previously achieved or not is allowed that i was unsure of.

Has to drop the Cubs i suspect but Perks has never lacked ambition so would think the NL would be dropped like a stone given the opportunity arising.

Spot on. I have heard other promotions say in the past that if they thought about it too much they would cry as running Speedway is often out of love rather than financial sense. As much as id love to see a team back at Rye house it makes much better financial sense to run flat tracks, practice days & amateur events where riders turn up and pay to ride. If i was pushing the boat out maybe a few combined events/challenge fixtures with low points money but low entry fees. Sidecars might be a step to far at Rye but there is certainly a chance of making some money out of the venue but it won't be huge amounts.

Ironically the costs associated with challenge matches are potentially higher as Kent would have to pay both sides out of their takings. Obviously this could be negated by paying riders less per point for these meetings as they are glorified practices, money spinners, unattached rider racing opportunities. With only 8 teams in the NL so 7 home meetings its entirely possible to run one every other week May-July with fillers in between so spectators have the option of weekly or fortnightly attendance?

The twitterings inside ZagarRacing's head

However IF Zach 4.29 + Shanes 3.15 = 7.44 - 0.01 to bring side under 42.5 limit = 7.43. 7.43 x 1.5 = 11.145 (can't remember where the round up/down starts). However 11.14 - 6.36 (Pickering) = 4.78 (which would be enough for Garcia or Bacon). Brave move to drop Waj but would create a title winning side in my opinion.

I hold a similar opinion although i do not visit Kent nearly as regularly as i used to for a multitude of reasons but price is high on the list. Perhaps the options of A&B fixtures could become utilised and prices adjusted accordingly? Current high price for meaningful matches and £10 for fillers/dead rubber meetings. Coming up there is the Home National Trophy meeting against the IOW when the table is likely to be decided by then, fortunately Leicester then visit to add some excitement before KOC time and yet another challenge match.

Again its dependant if he has previously achieved over 4.5 at Championship level and if previously achieved is allowed or if its current average only that applies?

Can't see Zach going anywhere personally. As for Shanes his 3.15 x 1.5 = 4.72? From the Champs riders to pick from. Now they either need to be 4.5 or above (or have previously achieved 4.5 or above?) at Championship level to be eligible. So Nielsen doesn't fit, Kemp cannot do all 3 leagues, Starke & Doolan not even close. Only viable option is Sarj the tape breaker or Ayres if he has previously achieved over 4.5 (and that is allowed?).

Big chance for the Brum reserves to clean up tonight and for Stoneman to get in the good books early. Monarchs top 5 looks stronger though so Ellis will need to clear up to keep this close i fear. Sadly the 2nd half looks a dreadful contest and the reason that the dev leagues are generating a bad name for themselves.

Spencer is one of the under the radar riders for this year, certainly natural on the bike and brave (with a slight naive streak?) but was always held back by dreadful machinery, ive not seen him this year but if that has been upgraded he could prove to be a real asset.

There's no debating that tracking unattached riders and giving themselves a chance in the shop window is very admirable (and cheap) but it does create a gulf in class in the meetings. Very disappointing that Clifton didn't take part considering he was billed to attend for a long time but anything could have occurred to prevent him riding so until announced won't comment further. I still think these meetings are expensive though with the riders on show, especially as the class difference can be wide. Not checked the fixtures but maybe the Fururama events would be a better bet on off weeks?

Have to feel for Tom not just because of the nasty injury but because he has seen his average leap and then picked up the break. So whilst he was definitely performing well its not a "true" seasons average. Huge plus is that he is an emerging talent with strong links at Eastbourne so there will always be a place for him when he is ready which is not something every rider can rely on.

Apparently im not allowed to bash Wally or Shelby anymore as there have been tears so its back to Whitmore

Cradley swift in making a change to cover the unlucky Brennan and bring in Jack Smith to the side which makes them look a force again. The reserves are starting to fire which must be encouraging for Heathens fans. Not sure what Halsey's issues are setup, fitness, technique? but he doesn't seem to be taking to the Monmore track all that well? With regards to the 2 x 2.00 pointer rule does anybody know if one of the current increases their average can another be brought in? Because this side could look very dangerous if Whitmore is swapped out.

Thats it. Riders had to achieve a 3 point equivalent average, namely achieve 4.50 in the Champs (guess that increases year on year?) Does anyone know if the average has to be the riders current one or does achieved in the past also qualify?

That would make sense and will be the case however the room for exploitation is there. In a few seasons the conversion rate will be 2. A decent rider finishes the season with a Prem average of 7 and Champ Average of 8. The following season the rider can either be signed at the start of the year into the Prem on a 7 average again or sign Champ only, wait to the 1st set of averages to be released and be available on a bargain 4.

Whoops "For Accounts" should have said "From Accounts" meaning those who i have spoken to who attended confirmed that the gulf between Couzins and the others was plenty wide enough. Obviously Laker & S.Wooley get exceptions as they have not been full time NL riders but O'Keefe was Kent rider and was being bettered by infrequent visitors which says enough to me (without the confirmation of those in attendance).

Is he allowed to do all 3 leagues? had a feeling id seen that he couldn't so if he signed for a Prem side he would have to step down at Kent?