Sings4Speedway

IF it is who i believe then no chance of that situation happening. Quite likely to do alright but also likely to get some shale rash during the season. Will have done well to finish on a 5 point ave. Flint on the other hand has true pedigree and for him the skies the limit.

Possibly giving those who prepare their own race cards time to brace themselves..........

IF it is the rumoured rider he has been tracked twice by Rodgers before when ineligible. Once is a mistake, twice is careless

Or no passport if Rodgers is involved

Not seen Chattin ride loads but he does he does seem very hit & miss but has looked very impressive at times. Its very difficult for any riders coming in mid season and to make an impact in just one or two matches when all the opposition they are up against is already match sharp. I still feel the last rider for Brum will be a talking point (either good or bad) due to the very late announcement.

Phillips is head and shoulders above the other two on pedigree and if Scunny don't snap him up he will get picked up during the season elsewhere. The other two offer very little in terms of supporting cases other than looking ok at practice sessions

Woofers has a very valid point. How many of the Eastbourne faithful are even aware of the colour scheme change? Id imagine there will be some die hard supporters who will be quite upset about a neon green eagle

Similar tactic has been used by Eastbourne for several seasons and its a clever one. Get sponsors to cover the costs of the race suits and sponsor gets them at the end of the year. Designs will always split opinions but ive never been that keen on the plain yellow with red B so matching suits will always look better IMO plus its another way of attracting the signature of potential riders to be signed.

Wasn't convinced when the new colour scheme was announced (and still not sure if i am) but early looks at the new merchandise looks excellent, a real selection of visually appealing products, currently in style and marketed at sensible prices. Its these kind of initiatives that speedway clubs have been desperately lacking IMO.

I guess the question most will have to ask themselves is what is most important entertainment or winning? If every home match was a thriller but meant the Panthers lost in heat 15 for example would people still attend? Obviously the danger is home drummings with gate and go speedway which could affect crowds although ironically a season of massive home wins doesn't have the same effect yet is equally as tedious to watch.

Whilst i love the NL it is also a divisive league. Riders like Clegg & Davey are either hanging around for the easy money or keeping sharp to aid their development in higher leagues? Bowen & Roynon dropping down because they cannot cut it in the higher leagues or increasing the standard and providing invaluable advice? Verge & Wooley no genuine progression chances to the higher leagues or just slow burners? Its very difficult to make sweeping changes as there will always be riders /clubs who suffer as the NL serves such a wide purpose.

Id say its all down to interpretation. The majority of riders left out good or not have had time in the speedway leagues to prove themselves & have found their level. Much like many companies have employees who have progressed so far and then stayed in the same role for a long time as they have limited progression left in them. Unless new riders / apprentices come in the sport/company would fail in the long run. That said i have nothing against any of the riders left out and like the majority of them. Personally there are plenty of middle averaged riders going nowhere that need clearing out rather than the top enders but until a new breed come in and up their averages to take those places we will continue to be stuck with them.

Can't argue with the facts and that was entertaining

Good spot. Although another that has a fair run at speedway over the years?

As the majority of teams are now full it looks time to reflect upon those who missed out. Of the notable riders that have no rides this year the majority of the list have had a good run in speedway / in the NL so perhaps could be considered a cleanse? Luke Priest, Lee Dicken, Steve Boxall, Danny Halsey, Paul Hurry, Dan Greenwood, Richard Hall. Obviously there are few who have retired / moved up so the biggest names left without a NL spot are Hunter, Bowtell (yes has CL but arguably needs NL) & Possibly Mountain who wanted NL but doesn't fit.

You could make that argument about plenty of riders being "too good" same as many riders "not progressing" and blocking spots of other potential riders. Im not sure anyone is "too good" for the NL as riders & the product as a whole will only get stronger riding against stronger opposition.

Actually a very interesting point. With the addition of so many wind farms popping up everywhere what about the possibility of dual usage of the land? Given the gaps between these monsters surely a speedway track could be squeezed into one of these wind farms? (Obviously not the ones at sea). If teamed with electric bikes and electric bus/train/tram/monorail from the car park to the stadium it could be a giant leap into the future?

Definitely an interesting subject and could certainly spawn many more debates such as club bikes / pool of bikes etc. Seen quoted figures of 20 x 1 minute races for high end moto x so even if ratio's were fiddled with, bikes ridden flat out non stop it is easily conceivable that 10 speedway races could be achieved per charge. I also guess they could be charged via a generator so there are no excuses for any riders heading to Stoke The riders excuses would change a bit though. "My best engine is still at the tuners" would change to "My partner unplugged my bike to charge their iphone"

Just pop round the pits before a meeting for the sounds, riders love doing bike impressions. "I wanted it to be like brrrrruuuuhhhh but it was more like wrrraaaaaaah"

I have to admit the technology is out there, the future of most things is electric and it certainly on the face of things looks feasible. Obviously riding characteristics would differ and there are plenty of development questions such as battery life, over heating, etc but not impossible. Obviously there would be plenty holding it back as many of the current suppliers would lose all trade but there is plenty for it going forward. As for when? Thats a tougher question. Im guessing somebody independent will need to buy a couple of new electric mx bikes then break them down and fit to an adapted speedway frame and see how the prototypes go? Big gamble for a niche market though as im not sure what the noise/ housing issues are like in other countries around the world?

Would think there are several contributing factors including Rogers working with Davey previously, rider management perhaps being easier, a better reputation regarding equipment maintenance? There is no doubting that JPB is a huge talent on the bike but i suspect Davey is the better team man plus i happen to think he will improve greatly and prove many doubters at Swindon wrong.

#where'sSauly

Agree with that. Both lads need a little bit longer to progress and much better than being thrown in too early, failing and drifting away from the sport altogether like so many before them. The expectation is becoming greater which could leave to a huge anti-climax?

Just seems a little strange to wait so long to announce the final rider if its going to be a known entity like Tedham, Locke, Roberts etc and odd to overlook the previous mentioned for an untried rider like Whitehouse, Whitehead or Chattin? I have a suspicion it could be another promising Junior stepping up or a sneaky Aussie with a British grandmother but i have no idea who that might be.

I can see why many are backing Mildenhall but i think there are just a few too many question marks for me. Can Bailey & Ayres ride together? How will Jenkins react when Kemp joins him as a 3&4 combo? Has Bebee calmed his wild style? Will the Mildenhall track be the same 2 weeks running? If all are Yes then the team will want some stopping but if any are No then there could be some in fighting, hilarious Kevin Jolly outbursts and changes made? Only time will tell but i hope for all involved its the positive outcomes.