Sings4Speedway

Think the reserves above are spot on with Wirtzfield & Bursill. Can't see Campos back after missing so many meetings and will be tough to fit Morley or Bowtell back, likewise the new lower points limit makes Widman a tough signing anywhere. Any of the Eastbourne conections would be good for the side but i suspect it will be headed up by Danny Ayres, he loves the Island & the Island loves him.

Just goes to show that sometimes even the "brighter NL promoters" make a mess of it. The limit has been set to encourage new blood and promote closer standard throughout the sides then they all sneak off and sign one big hitter. I don't like restrictions of any point and upper average limits don't really work BUT if promotions realised that signing balanced sides throughout the league would create a better and more sustainable product over all thing can start to make positive steps forward.

Can't argue there but then ive felt the NL prices have been creeping up in some areas too much already. £14 NL , £16 Champ & £18 Prem is too short of a variance for standards on show for many. Ive always cared more about the spectacle than the level but there is a reasonable chance i would drive further (and spend more on fuel) to watch Champ level at Eastbourne if the visitors to Kent are poor.

They have been sharp enough whenever i have seen them. Granted often on very slick tracks but setting times quite a bit quicker than current decent NL reserves, lets not forget they will continue to have large sponsorship packages and all the help from Leicester Speedway. Do i think they are as good as Kemp/Flint this year? No do i think they will add 5+ points to their averages yes.

Im wondering im Leicester will be able to track the lowest starting averaged division winning side? I agree with the above i think Mountain is ready to move on but Thompsons are a certainty, throw in the potential of McGurk, Palin, Mulford & Ablitt its practically sorted already with maybe a Tom Perry type rider for a bit of experience. Only danger might be those who don't want to be outshone by the Thompsons and race day may also be a factor. But ultimately im prepared for a very dangerous Leicester team already.

The problem is that you could reduce the limit to 22 points, promoters will still track 6 x 2 pointers and one 10. But there are plenty of 2 pointers about including several from this year and a bountiful crop of new riders ready to make the break into their debut year. The 6-7 point riders i feel sorry for are the ones who just achieved that average, those that have been rattling around that mark for years are just clogging up the league and need to be shipped out as they are not doing anything but taking up team places. I agree that there is a very high likelihood of some riders peaking too early and hitting big averages due to the lessened format which should have been looked at (X% reduction end of season due to weakened structure?) but the sport has opened doors in the leagues above so finally the opportunities are there and perhaps some should be grateful as those potential chances were not afforded to many.

Thats what i suspected but as usual no actual rules defined (shock horror)

Because we appear to be the only country that does not prioritise our own riders and we blooming well should.

Anybody know where NL riders who have already competed stand with the new 2.00 averages? If a rider competed this season and stayed on 3.00 as they didn't achieve above do they get re-assessed to a 2.00, the average they actually achieved or stay a 3.00?

Never thought i would be pleased to see Cradley back but .........

Think things will work out ok in the NL this season and its certainly great to see Cradley back and Mildenhall stay on although i echo everyones best wishes to Buxton. There is still a place for a few of the big hitters as i can see teams tracking 3 x 2.00 1 x 9/10 still leave 20 points for 4 riders split 6/4 give or take. Will mean that riders have to take the chances and move up rather than sit tight / see out careers in the NL. Considering the feared numbers im glad the NL looks as strong and providing the right development league riders move up the racing will be continue to be good as like all leagues there is gulfs in class in that too.

I like this or at least moving the reserve race back in the program. The reserves have all the pressure and best points scoring opportunity in heat 2 (the first look at the track for some and often with setups far from perfect) if it was run later in the meeting or as suggested twice how many think the results would remain the same.

In all fairness the reserves aren't poor although some are probably getting moved up a season early. The problem is that the top end is too strong. Changing the averages would have resolved this IF the promotions had taken it in the spirit it was intended and built strength in depth rather than create vast gulfs in their own teams. Its available in the rules so they have done it but its short sighted as the product as a whole will suffer.

You say that but with most NL clubs charging £13-14 its still not exactly a bargain rate.

The prevention of Premiership heat leaders also being heat leaders in the Championship. Once those riders hit real averages they will be forced to ride in the top tier only meaning the Championship will be filled with Prem 2nd strings, Full time champ riders and NL double uppers. Might not sound exciting on paper but the gulf in standard is greatly reduced and the quality of racing will be improved.

I have no idea why they build the moto x track in the middle? Using the car park would have been challenging enough for even the most seasoned rider.

Quite possibly although as ever nobody actually says what they mean. If the reason was we will grant a licence for a max crowd of 600 due to inadequate parking / viewing areas and CL is not sustainable at those numbers it would make sense. But not sure what actual facilities are actually required vs what are just nice to haves.

What is the facilities difference between running Championship & National League? Tracks should be licenced as safe or deemed unsafe, there can't be any middle ground. The attitude of don't worry about NL riders they only poodle round has been holding the sport back for years.

Have to admit that posters good , bad & indifferent from the Eastbourne supports group are largely fair, funny and entertaining. Losing that and the inter club banter will be quite a loss for the forum and teams involved. The rivalries between Kent, Brum, Mildenhall & Eastbourne are now likely to fade away as the Eagles try and strike up new challenges but with Leicester or Somerset the closest team geographically it feels like that could be hard to achieve?

Im a fan of both Atkins & Rowe and think they both have big futures but it does show show letting riders keep their Championship averages was a big mistake. With respect to them both and i think they will both improve as the year goes on how are the two youngsters supposed to appear competitive when lining up alongside the likes of Schlien, Harris & Covatti. Long term the average reduction should make the Championship more competitive but in the interim it could be a bigger gulf in standard than ever.

Whilst Eastbourne are a team that seems to possess the worst kept secrets in speedway it looks like positive noises are starting to emerge. Jon Cook plus the step up to Championship, Wood & Brennan likely to be at reserve all good but the best news is announcements of a 3-5 year plan at Arlington Stadium....with the uncertainty hanging over the club those kind of timescales must be considered a huge boost.

Couldn't agree more about the transparency needs actual official released coverage including the outcomes. Examples that spring to mind are Eastbourne vs Mildenhall & Steve Boxall. Each one should have been given one club press release stating their own case, a bspa/scb press release stating the the verdict/punishment and then its case closed. As things stand its always whispers and rumours, get stuff out in the open, even the bad stuff openly discussed dispels any rumours that things are worse.

From what ive seen/read the two clubs have been invited to join the Championship & quite rightly both are taking their time to decide (while the bspa assumed the invitation would be immediately accepted) . At some stage all businesses need to decide if they want to risk being higher in the market place or remain with the solid dependable customer base they have. Id be happy for Brum either way as long they remain afloat and the numbers add up. A lower standard Championship is hard to charge much more admission for, a lower standard NL would almost certainly need a reduction in costs....either way its squeaky time for the Mason's

Think several will be hoping it doesn't get sorted if its Jason Pipe

Certainly the lower points limit creates a headache but it also offers up a new approach and new riders plus different promotions perspectives on things will decide who they sign. For example i see Starke on 5.88 & BWD on 6.00 as bargains you look likely to put 2 points on each. However the young progressing Brits like Morley & Shanes could struggle to land a place in either league now (although i hope not).