Sings4Speedway

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).

Newcastle broke the team building mould last year and could feature even more strongly if they repeat this year? Aarnio 6.83 Ludde 6.47 Wethers 5.78 Heeps 6.04 Morris 5.58 Perks 4.05 Clegg 3.25 Total 38.

To be honest win 99% of your home matches and pick up a few away points and Eastbourne will make the play offs whatever league. Then its a lottery as everyone knows plus being one of the few smaller tracks in the Championship will be an advantage.

I would expect Kennett, Wood & Brennan all to be involved, might be a year too early for Edwards but would make a handy number 8. As for the rest who knows? Morley, Ellis, Steve Worrall, Lewi Kerr? Any of those would form a formidable home side and would likely fit the historic Eastbourne mould of being a bit pants away.

No basis other than end of season speculations fuelled by the promotions press release. I certainly hope they do return to the tapes this year as i have had only good things about the current setup.

Whilst i completely agree with you Bob there is also the issue with promotions demanding certain levels of equipment. Even at NL most will be expected to turn up with 2 bikes every week. Add in that i have seen plenty of capable riders overlooked because a similar standard rider has the fancy kit, impressions certainly count. Obviously there will always be exceptions and riders will turn up with dodgy old bikes and succeed but its certainly the few rather than the norm.

Heard he was nailed on for Sheffield. Could actually be a useful asset to somebody despite your snidey comments.

Guessing not.

Thought Mark Riss had packed it in after his torrid time at Ipswich?

Alleged signing of Nicholls now announced at Leicester. Be interesting to see who the Eagles retain from last year but congratulations on another NL title for 2019. Edit. Begger it Weston beat me to it.

the problem is that in reality teams don't need to fill spaces with 3 pointers but they choose to gamble upon them. Brum 2018 was a prime example signed 3 big hitters and then had to pad out with 3 & 4 pointers. As it turned out the 3 point gamble paid off whilst the 4 point journeymen let you down. Stick the limit up to 42.5 and Brum 2019 will just track Bacon, Flint & Hume again with 3 pointers plugging the gaps.

You were probably cursed this year by having a strong team / a top heavy team. The top Brum riders were so dominant at home that results were largely predictable and with averages stretching between 3.00 (and actually less) up to 10+ in the same meeting sadly the racing will never be that entertaining. Im far from advocating the introduction of a 32 point limit but two teams of seven riders with averages between 3 and 6 is liable to produce closer contested racing.

Spot on. Plus lets not forget that points money isn't the only money in Speedway. Sticking local and building a good affinity with local sponsors and supporters can pay off much bigger in the long term. Bickley is a prime example as he has huge sponsorship established plus local supporters stuck by him and kept him in the side when if at another club it might not have been so forgiving and he rode out the storm and came good at the end of the season.

Think its highly likely. With Buster stating that he believes 3 tiers is best for British speedway allowing 2 teams to move up and sink the national league with others not returning to the tapes. If there are enough teams to make up a sensible NL i suspect they moves up will be granted but if not they will be confined to the lower level and be prepared for much grumbling......

The crazy bit is that now the only riders who are genuinely working full time, booking time off to race and funding it out of their own pockets just because they enjoy riding are the development league riders and yet they struggle to get track time anywhere and often when they do arrive are treated like 2nd class inconveniences. Its clear people want these riders who do it because they care and doing it because of pure desire and yet they are largely chastised as time wasting wobblers.

Its not just the engines though and in fact even if the motors stayed the same riders can find substantial savings year on year. Riders do not need new frames every season (and several young Aussies come over and compete successfully on 2nd hand kit), new bike covers are not constantly required, wheels don't need to be replaced just bearings refreshed, clutch plates don't need to be £40 a plate and replaced every meeting when others are available at £10 a plate and do a very similar job. The most light weight items don't need to be purchased at higher costs than standard. Replacing everything when it shows slight wear or shale rash has become a mindset and that needs to change.

There has to be an element of interests of the sport coming into play alongside interests of the clubs. The Championship has 10 teams confirmed at present and 12 with 2 x NL sides. The National league has 3 confident teams in Kent, IOW & Belle Vue then Stoke & Buxton likely but with constant question marks hanging over them and that's it, 5 whole teams. Without Coventry, Mildenhall & Plymouth in the league and two moving up it would create serious issues with the lower tier so maybe the move up has been put on hold until the fate of the other NL clubs is known?

Hands up who thinks they may have forgotten that small detail at the AGM?

Mega signature for Sheffield. Have to say i suspect the switch to weekends was likely a factor plus track size but certainly not afraid of some dirt on the surface. Shame the speculation didn't last a little longer though.

It would certainly be a strong benefit for both sides if a tie up could be reached BUT IOW are their own people and im certain they have riders in mind they would like next year (although Brennan, Brooks & Edwards would all flourish there). The latter two are certainly likeable riders and im certain Brennan is although he has started to show a petulant streak that would not fit well with the the Warriors ethos. However given the potential lack of clubs and therefore surplus of riders it may well be the case that doubling up/down from the NL is outlawed at the AGM this year?