Sings4Speedway

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.

Certainly a better looking Bulls outfit this year which should help rectify the poor impression the development leagues can give (the standard gulf within riders last year was far too wide). Does make me chuckle slightly that several development squads have already been named despite AGM not taking place until Feb.

Ooh what a great question that is. Would think Geary, Springthorpe & Strudwick will be near the top ?

Quite right. Add in that the element of anticipation has gone from the current society, everything is available instantly now, no need to wait excitedly all week praying the weather forecast is wrong and the match will go ahead.

Surely that would make far too much sense. Why save a team from extinction when he can buy a team (Ipswich) that wasn't up for sale.

Bets being taken upon when Jake Allen ends up at number 1? Or what stage of the season Harris ends up at reserve?

Another that has suffered from the reduction in lowest signing average. Did alright coming in at short notice and will probably do the same again this year. Kit needs updating badly but hard to see any motivation to do that without a team place.

Oops forgot about Leicester running on the days/nights that Leicester are not running. Its straight forward really Leicester say when they can run, then Leicester get told when the will run, so that Leicester can say when they can run before Leicester finally get told when they will run.

So much for fixed nights on the top two tiers then. In fairness to the NL there are stadium availability and potential grouping of matches by location to be considered BUT every team knows the risks of fixture clashes when signing double uppers and there is a guest system in place to cover this so im not really sure why there should be such a delay on the fixtures (at any level) being issued.

The big downside with Harris is the "he never knows" statement especially at the start of the season, he never knows how to get his bikes set up, he never knows any other excuse other than im struggling for speed and don't know why and he never knows any other response when he has an early mechanical failure but to put his hand out and say i need more money. Come play off time i suspect he will deliver but sadly as a guest and not the team he signs for.

Does PUK want to do the UK though? Has that actually been confirmed anywhere? Smells a bit like he isn't and Buster has demanded Harris be he replacement?

With all due respect those figures are meaningless without any supplied context. 2018 cost 30k but how much income did you receive, how much was your signing on figure? How much was covered by the mega sponsorship deals you have? 10k has been ploughed into 2019 already on what? and by who? Be very careful how you react to things even if you feel provoked as fans of the sport have long memories and outbursts however cheesed off you are will always bite you back.

Don't get me wrong i know team speedway is very well loved in this country and when done well its an excellent sight to behold but its clear it is struggling. But as my business vision would be to have a touring series of individual meetings (possibly pairs & 4TT too?) would that actually provide enough to keep a lot of tracks open? Probably not as the rough thought process in my head is to hire the venue and promote independently but the likelihood is that rents would be increased year on year as the series success took off. There are a lot of riders who pay pretty high fees to ride at amateur level and likewise grasstrack has the same approach but can still draw good crowds. Whilst not always a hit with the purists a mixture of solo and sidecar speedway at an event would double the spectator draw and entertainment value.

The difficult area for a 'blueprint' for the sports survival is should we be looking for a plan to sustain team racing or keep the discipline going? I can safely say that if i was going to even consider promotion it wouldn't be of any team but of one off events / possible series. Whatever level it would be at i would be looking to ensure entertainment was at the forefront.

So true. Although with food could be closer to £60. How many fans are lucky enough to have partners / kids who also really want to go to Speedway and who wouldn't choose a day/evening/dinner out for the same money and with a considerable higher level of luxury.

I appreciate the views of BV72 and the crowd approximations of the Belle Vue sides last season. The questions that will always remain a mystery are did either side break even independently? Do the Aces double entry fee and 5-6 times higher crowds generate any more money once wages are paid out vs the lower income but lower outgoings of the Colts? What percentage of Aces fans do you think would attend Colts meetings if there were no Aces side running? Im sure there is a large quantity that do both already but would the 5 times extra all simply walk away?