Sings4Speedway

Sadly Kelvin if you pop along to some of the meetings you will be in for a nasty shock. I agree that is roughly the area riders should be at before moving into the M/SDL however there are plenty who ride in the inter / support class who compete. Sadly with the decline in number of amateur meetings being held around the country more and more riders are turning to the dev leagues as ways of getting additional track time (plus the benefit that there is no entry fee). Unfortunately whilst this slide continues it belittles the good work and name of the organisers and genuine riders competing who are capable and continue to get tarred with the wobblers brush.

I think the prices are pretty fair as you can buy direct and add a logo for marginally more however the main issue is that the merchandise all looks a little dull. this could be a factor because the I.T forman colour scheme and branding was bold and stand out whereas this just presents a blue polo shirt, cap, coat etc with small retro (dated) logo upon it. Whilst im certain the quality is good i fear this takes Eastbourne from leading the way to back to the run of the mill.

Whoops .......put the curse on that one!

The worst bit is that no hopers can get points off other no hopers. Of course there will be differences in level but a short time ago the league was made up of NL reserves, almost NL reserves and then riders who were working towards being almost NL reserves. Now its peppered with riders who do not compete in the top tiers of amateur meetings, riders who make 4 laps look difficult and a few who barely get a slide on. This difference in level is dangerous both to riders on track and the credibility of the leagues.

Pretty sure he pulled out of one meeting after his first ride due to a hand injury playing him up? Im certain i read he had injured it on a mountain bike but darned if i know where i read that.

Nit picking even if they did. If Glasgow didn't sign Bickley somebody else would have and it was his preferred option (after Worky). Lawlor by contrast was a shock(ing) signing but had a great opportunity in front of him and spurned it due to his arrogance. Fortunately the place has gone to someone who might actually appreciate it a little bit.

In reality it makes little odds if Belle Vue are attracting small or large crowds, if the sport continues to decline and lubs shut then there will be no opposition left. The spiralling costs that the promotions allow to happen are bleeding it dry. Add in the diversity of entertainments available today and the switch in blind loyalty to any particular club fading in an age of greater tolerance. The sport at present is being propped up by those who are prepared to buy into clubs and the fans who pay over the odds to watch it while they can.

Should just be quiet confidence. Berwick have a good looking side this year that might sail under the radar but will spring plenty of surprises. Think the Summers & NBJ can be a very potent spearhead, Etheridge & Doolan at 3&4 is a powerful engine room and Flint will get points at reserve. If Gapp & Coty spend the season swapping in and out of the reserve berth and getting points the Bandits could be tough to beat this year.

With respect are there enough 125/150 riders of a sensible level to be split between all the teams and who would be willing/able to do all the travelling for non guaranteed rides. 6 teams means 12-16 riders required, the youth rounds don't back up that there are that many out there willing to compete so its never been officially introduced. On a personal level i find the NJL format a bit tedious and lacking variety plus despite the drop in standard of the dev leagues the sport needs more riders and opportunities to hone their skills not less.

Uncalled for and unnecessary comment i feel. Especially for somebody clearly known in and around certain tracks. You may currently have a chirpy view of your local tracks but that can change very quickly.

In all fairness my biggest criticism of Stoke on previous visits has been how unwelcoming people were followed by the dubious state of the track. If those two are being addressed then the rest is purely superficial (well maybe a reliable power supply & actually getting the meetings pushed through at a sensible pace). But i quite like the rustic charm of Stoke so fingers crossed the fresh injection of enthusiasm continues.

Oooh new chairs......and a dreadful view out the window to really drag the corporate users in.

Glasgow have saved speedway as a whole a lot of time and money. I'd be surprised if we see Lawlor on a bike again as the dedication is massively lacking. He didn't really serve any proper apprenticeship and just lucked in at Belle Vue, he rides without a great deal of style or brains and is no particular loss. The sport is changing and the likes of Bickley will progress in a professional way and the likes of Lawlor will follow the paths of Bridger, JPB etc

Sadly MK don't have the scope within the lower ranks of the sport anymore to find / introduce riders not quite ready for the step up (as per the leagues initial concept) although in their defence they are not alone. The league though is becoming clogged up with riders who are just starting out in the sport rather than having a couple of years at amateur level then pushing for dev league spots, in turn this is dragging down the standard of the leagues and tarnishing the good names that the hard working volunteers are trying to protect.

I probably wouldn't make that statement in earshot of Len Silver...

Lynn used to supply plenty of space under cover for 2 halves, Cov had pokey corner round the back of the main pits used to have a bit of space in the back corner but not enough for 2 development league teams but certainly enough when a few juniors had a run out. Im told the new Belle Vue has a huge area supplied and the riders were very well catered & cared for (another loss for the development leagues).

In his defence he did. Its still a requirement to run under full racing regulations and therefore have a paramedic, scb referee etc on top of the cost of track hire hence making them treble headers although the crowds would have been improved if it was free entry. Given the number of development league riders that have featured in the Kent side over the past few years i would have thought it should be viewed and preparation for the future.

Along with Kings Lynn, Belle Vue, Rye house, Cov and im sure a few others. All most 2nd half riders really want is a bit of space, level ground and some level of light. There are plenty which do just that and plenty who just see the additional riders to accommodate as a nuisance.

I think the fact that Kent charged for the SDL meetings says a fair bit (considering riders at this level are not supposed to be paid points money). Plymouth hosted development only meetings in the past at no charge for entry. Sadly a bit of a gulf in class has crept into the development leagues but that is not to say they are not still important, far too many people believe riders just get on a bike and are an instant winner, learning the highs and lows prior to full league racing is a huge part of development for many riders.

Sneaky.....if i was in charge (and thank heavens im not) i would go with Kemp Spooner Rowe Ledwith Jenkins Ablitt Gilkes

Likewise i can't see why anyone would be offended or consider it begging if the clubs are asking for assistance / manpower. Financial aid is slightly different mostly from riders that gripes a little, especially when its the same ones year on year. But for clubs looking to improve things (and especially the dire/dangerous 2nd half pits at Brum).

What was with the random numbers on the Kent bibs at the meet the riders? Kemp 9, Ledwith 13 etc?

As far as i can see there were 4 over 40's in the SDL last season and possibly 1 in the MDL as i never actually know how old Craig Osborne is.

Certainly won't disagree about the craters in the Rye car park but they have been present since day dot. Lighting could be resolved by simply running on weekend days and negating the need for floodlights. The toilets do need an upgrade but that is a comment that could apply to almost every speedway venue. I am not saying the old place is perfect, far from it in fact but stating it is not fit for purpose seems hypocritical from the BSPA. I would still rather see a run down Rye House in operation than lose it forever.

Brave new world but surely a twitter vote is grossly open to abuse?