Sings4Speedway

I can't say i have noticed a band of Weymouth supporters but suspect they must be there. Have noted Reading, Exeter & Milton Keynes all having a dedicated band of travelling support so its clear the love for some is still there. On a slightly separate not i hope / prey that Weymouth can find a home venue for the upcoming season, surely Swindon would be able to accommodate them? Its only half a dozen 2nd half meetings a season but means a lot to so many.

2.19 LEAVING THE COURSE/CUTTING THE COURSE This rule has been completely reworded. Last year it read as ‘The Clerk of the Course may exclude a competitor(s) who permits a wheel/wheels of his/her motorcycle and/or sidecar to cross the defined edges of the track, or who displaces marking flags with motorcycle/sidecar or any part of the person, unless such action was taken in the interest of safety or due to the action of another competitor.’ Any competitor(s) whose motorcycle crosses the defined edges of the track markers/white line – with any wheel – will be disqualified unless, in the opinion of the Clerk of the Course, the action was taken in the interest of safety for other competitors, or the competitor involved was forced ‘off course’ due to the actions of another competitor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Probably long overdue but is this a heavy handed approach? How consistent are Clerks of Courses going to be? Is everyone subject to this ruling of just lesser riders? How long until a final finishing order is affected by this change?

Much appreciated although not sure how accurate it is? Stoke valued at a whopping £580 is clearly a huge over valuation or some dodgy accountancy!

Track is certainly better at Kent than it used to be but does largely favour the brave who are prepared to go out to the dirt and go round the outside / find the drive off the bends. very easy to defend going into a corner and without mistakes its incredibly rare to see an inside pass.

I have to agree that a switch to Saturdays would most likely increase crowd levels at the start of the season but could well see them tail off as other competition for things to do increases. The same as the very competitive Kent side that has been assembled this year will keep some fans flocking back week on week but if they start hitting 60+ points against most teams there will be several that slide away again as the level of entertainment drops (that said everyone's views of what makes the sport entertaining differs hence its current woes).

Certainly a very sad outcome and whilst the reasons for not running are various the over riding fact is that largely clubs don't want to host these teams. This is shown even more prominently by Weymouth having a promotion, naming half a squad and then having no available track. With so many midweek tracks it makes a league even harder to be sustainable and despite the willingness of many riders (which is often over looked when NL team selections are considered) this year will see another mass of cobbled together away teams and ultimately more riders lost to the sport.

The latter makes sense (as i see no sense at all in anyone signing Hurt-all). With the points left its seems almost certain to be an assessed foreign rider....wonderful for British Speedway

Better off without him as is the whole of Speedway, if you don't like it Berge then begger off. Got enough problems as it is without the incredible sulk kicking off every year.

Huge thanks for the list (who would have suspected Liam Carr would have been bottom). Plenty of long forgotten names in there along with loads of established ones too. By my quick rough count there are over 90 riders in the list that have been declared in full league 1-7's at some point. Think thats very impressive.

Taking the early part of this comment, some of the "best" / closest racing i have seen regularly features 250cc speedway machines, the lack of power actually enables the riders to take a few more liberties and are forced to look for additional grip from the track. Given the nature of UK tracks these could be a much more practical solution however they wouldn't resolve the cost reduction element.

Fortunately Stoke host an MDL team (although not overly cooperatively) so the opportunity is there IF the reserves take part in it. They will always have the advantage of getting dialled in to the track already so should be capable of taking care of any challengers but often hide from it as they are not brave enough to risk losing their place.

Certainly commendable but lets be honest Drew was already good as a 14 year old, if he was average / bit better than average would Ipswich have been so accommodating? Its not a jab at the Witches alone, the majority of clubs wash their hands of any level of responsibility towards the future of the sport.

But at least everyone will know where they stand. Pay up at the end of each meeting and a rider will turn up for the next (considering how easy it is to do via bank transfer these days). Should never be situations where riders ride for 9 meetings without getting paid. No pay, no ride but no risk of being banned.

When it comes to local riders clubs need to do things for the future and then there will be some local riders available. However everyone looks to someone else to do it and then moans when the pickings are scarce. Why does Ipswich not run competitive second halves any more or a development league side? They will host a youth round this year because they were forced too (along with all top flight clubs). Who was the last local rider that Ipswich genuinely went out of their way to help out?

The current crop of wasteful riders cannot but there are plenty of future riders coming through who can and would.

Thats it latest average rather than latest Prem average. Appreciated, good job the rules are nice and clear and easy to follow.

With reduction isn't Barker 5.85? (6.00 x 0.975) Or have i missed him gaining a Prem average somewhere? Thought he would revert to start 2018 Rye average like the others?

Got slightly bored but a very quick look at the archives for 2012-2014 shows just how many riders progressed through the MDL into the higher leagues (ive only listed full time places and not unattached guests as that would make it even longer. Many notable names along with some wasters but still impressive and a credit to all those involved in organising and 2 fingers to those who brand it the wobblers club. Max Clegg Chris Widman Andy Mellish Tom Woolley Shaun Tedham Adam Kirby Jack Kingston David Holt Josh Bates Daniel Greenwood Lee Geary Conor Dwyer Tyler Govier Martin Knuckey Adam Portwood Ellis Perks Oliver Greenwood Liam Rumsey Connor Coles Nick Laurence Danno Verge Ryan Terry-Daley Adam Sheppard Connor Dugard Danny Phillips Martin Wrathall Luke Chessell Matt Williamson Rob Shuttleworth Adam Extance Sam Woods Nathan Greaves Luke Crang James Shanes Martin Knuckey Lewis Rose Josh Bailey Connor Mountain Ryan MacDonald Arron Mogridge Lee Payne Reece Downes Sam Chapman Layne Cupitt Stefan Farnaby Tom Bacon Ben Basford Robert Parker Danyon Hume Jason Garrad Paul Bowen Ryan Kinsley Alex Wilson Danny Ayres Luke Harris Jamie Couzins

Just wondered as the Sheffield fans took to the NL standard meeting that took place last year? Plus with the promotion having a lower division side based at Leicester adding an MDL side into the mix would create the full conveyor belt for potential rider progression and offer extra races to any fans who wanted to view it.

More a hope that Long Eaton will run again rather than realistic visions but maybe the new promotion could really start to put together a conveyor belt? (we can dream) Sheffield popped into my head again as the move to Sundays "may" mean an earlier start time / more time prior to curfew? To be honest the Bulls don't have one decent bike between them and that will always hold them back and will halt any of their progress long term. Hellowell is probably the best female rider competing in the UK at this current time however that is not what speedway is about.

Out of interest is there any plans to include an MDL team again now the team is racing on the weekend?

Bulls squad (or most of it) is is on the Brum website, Weymouth have been leaking riders through social media channels. For the most part its encouraging to see the majority of sides returning to the tapes again although question marks remain over P'boro & Kents involvement. Would be nice if Sheffield & Leicester (Long Eaton) could track sides again especially with the switch to weekend race days.

Likewise its great to look back and see the humble beginnings which grew so rapidly in just a couple of years. Far too many dismiss the league and its racing but the list of riders who have progressed through the MDL and into NL and beyond is extensive so a great many owe you, Nigel and all the other volunteers a huge debt of thanks (if only the bspa were as supportive).

Found this which is very informative http://www.spensites.co.uk/mdl.html#mdlabout Good news is you are both correct.

Bit of a poisoned chalice really. Certainly needs some organised figures to take part and effectively communicate their (their teams fans opinions) whilst remaining objective. There is clearly a danger that each individual could go with an agenda that only benefits their own team and/or there could be disregard for teams not within the same league. However if the group of individuals can get together and communicate the views of British speedway from the terraces including the huge mistrust in those running the sport things could be moved forward. Whoever takes up the places from each club i commend them for doing their bit which is more than most of us can say we are doing.