Sings4Speedway

As much as its rough on Scott & Eddie i am glad that for once the rules have been stuck to. Should riders/clubs be notified a season in advance of the changes, possibly but whats done is done and all parties can move forward aggrieved or otherwise

Possibly although perhaps a blessing in disguise? As for other unsigned riders on a 3.00 Connor Locke would probably be a good fit for Birmingham. Done his learning on the job as he has held league places a little too early but could really suit Brum.

I think Spooner will be pushing his luck if he intends to stay unattached again this year? Seems more likely he will feature at reserve than risk getting an average as an unattached rider and risk being frozen out. That said whoever it is will most probably get 3 rides a match anyway with Flint, Cupitt & Walker swapping into the other reserve berth which rightly or wrongly is one of the keys to success in the NL.

Always a slight anti climax when you finish the announcements with reserves / second strings but certainly potential there. Halder should be a decent reserve and Ryan Mac has the ability as proven in the development leagues but needs to get over his stage fright and transfer it to the next level. If Ruddick can sort out his poor machinery and sometime reckless streak he should hold his average. Theres certainly entertainment in this side and i think meetings at Beaumont will be good to watch at NL level. Possibly a little unfortunate that the top tier side is actually decent for once as any of the previous seasons may have seen a few defectors to boost crowd numbers.

Yep welcome to speedway. Interested in having a ride around on your own while you learn how to actually ride a bike? You may be lucky to live near one of the few existing training tracks (most of which the governing body disapprove of) Progressed with your learning and want to test your abilities with some racing? There are a few (amazing) amateur events running but they are very limited (most of which the governing body disapprove of) Got good at the amateur meetings and want to showcase your talents? Here you are extremely unlikely to get any laps after a meeting unless your face fits despite only asking for 5-10 minutes additional time unless you can get one of a few precious places in the (amazing) development leagues. Got a development league place? Now you can drive up and down the country for the "chance" to get 3 very rapid rides after the main meeting providing the main event hasn't dragged out due to prima donna antics, excessive interviews weather watching etc in which case it will be cancelled and you will be sent home with nothing but loads of expense incurred. Like i said welcome to Speedway you are our future, still want to stick around? I must add that all those who run practice days, amateur meetings, development teams along with the band of volunteers are truly amazing beyond words and are the reason the sport continues in this country. Without you it would be finished already so i salute you all.

Gawd knows. the way things are heading they can probably replace them with 7 point championship riders

Providing Cradley use / can use all the named riders in every meeting then it doesn't really matter if they go up/down as its the same as any other starting 7. The only issue comes when a rider is unavailable its then the question of should the guests be based upon the original starting average or current average? Oh and riding order of course as Kemp & Edwards are most likely to hit averages higher than Dwyer has during the season so that should drop him down to reserve? Been said several times but Cradley & the NT have little to gain credibility wise as if they win everyone will accuse of cherry picking if they lose (and i personally don't think they will win overall) there will be many chuckling. That said still nice to see them on track.

More than likely but at least he tries

Very good question and does seem a slightly bizarre move from both parties? Why would Cradley want a rider who is only doing 8 meetings and would be very rusty compared to others & why would Dwyer turn down a full team place to just do 8 meetings? I assume that his average will remain the same as effectively he is taking a year out from league racing the same as Chessell is starting 2018 on his 2016 average?

Obviously the major issue that the SCB object to is that it will not be run under their banner and therefore they deem it unlicensed along with some petty personal vendetta's. There have been threats like this made in the past towards riders competing at Lydd i believe but as far as i am aware no action has been taken against anyone in the past. The big issue now that is scaring many off is will they use the new venture to finally act and make an example of one/a few? I personally think its mostly sour grapes because in principle it sounds like a good idea that would benefit all involved with precious track time but because it isn't a SCB ratified idea it must be a bad thing although what the SCB are actually doing to aid the future of the sport is often questionable.

I would be very surprised if many riders hadn't been in touch with Belle Vue regarding a team place. Shame for Connor as he has progressed very quickly but would have benefited with one more NL season

If thats the case then so be it but i don't see the current colts line up as a play off side. That said being a little more vulnerable will make things more entertaining at home matches.

IF Woodhull, Dicken & Bowen was the route the Colts go down i suspect it would be Bowen at 2 (although im sure ive read somewhere that the SCB/BSPA decide in these situations?) However the more i think about it the more it seems unlikely. There are strong riders out there without teams and Payne would be a big risk. Bowtell not signed anywhere seems a little alarming and he would fit perfectly along with Lee Dicken?

Always tough on a forum. The best most exciting team by quite some distance could be announced and there will be some who view it as boring easy home wins every week. From an outside point of view it looks like Coventry are putting a good side together in a league where entertainment is plentiful plus a Sunday afternoon may be a more tempting spectating time than Saturday nights / the new early week slot. Time will tell but personally i am glad to see Coventry back on track.

This argument has been rolling since way back in the youth days and hopefully will continue for many more years with many national titles contested between them. Both have strong speedway families, practically personal practice tracks and sponsorship that could rival many elite riders. If both of these do not make it big in the sport there are serious questions to be asked.

I get the feeling Paul will be involved with the team in some way but be surprised if it was through riding? Would you want to sign a rider who has had no competitive action as an injury replacement anyway? Plus what crazy average would he come in on? A re-assessed higher tier average? His NL average divided by 2 (9.00 / 2 = 4.50) Anything goes these days but i feel Hurry would be better suited sticking to the Grass/Longtracks if he wants to keep riding

Think you should be alright with Hume? Only Isle Of Wight run on a Thursday? If he only has 3 Sunday clashes & 1 Saturday the very worst case is he would miss Buxton, Covenry & Mildenhall Away on the Sundays & Stoke/Eastbourne on the one Sat. However if the planners cannot negate at least half of that i would be worried.

Not been up for a while but the stadium has been vastly improved upon compared to what was there but the task to bring it in line with some of its rivals is vast. Obviously the motorcycle dealership has taken priority and is finished? But from day one there was always a potential issue with lack of promotions knowledge regarding rules, riders and the loop holes within the sport. The track improvements last season along with the step up in league papered the early cracks but this years team does look very ordinary and unless a spectacle is produced at home Rye may find the crowds drifting away yet again.

Agree with that. Weekly speedway can be a chore whilst fortnightly on occasion makes it more of an event. Plus obviously Somerset have ensured they are running every week during the summer holidays to maximise potential crowds. To make this happen there had to be gaps open up somewhere else

As stated above decent signings. Glad Luke has found a place on the back of a good season last year & if Phillips can rediscover some of his pre injury form it looks a very potent side. Not sure i can see Dwyer getting a place? Suspect Hunter, Halder + 3 pointer to complete the team?

Don't think the result for this one is in too much danger. Needed Knight, Bailey & Hopwood to make a spectacle of it. Whilst Gilkes is a talented developing rider i think the current Eastbourne reserves will batter the challengers and the result will be decided from the 6&7 berths

Didn't realise Andy's injury was that bad? Any news on his recovery? You thought right. Ben Woodhull & Bickley included. Neither surprise signings with Bickley nailed on. Hope the Woodhull's can keep up with so many hobbies on the go.

Ive always been an advocate that if you are good enough then you are young/old enough. The higher the quality of the league the higher quality of rider you will produce. Both Tedham & Woods have had a few years in the league now and are both still 3 pointers. I can see the sense in opting for the younger rider as they have longer to develop and some riders develop slower than others.

Drop me an invite if you do plan one. I'd love to create a kind of "flash mob" for the hard work everyone on the Island is doing. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could get everyone who was thinking of visiting to go for the same meeting? Boost the gate by 50-100-200 who knows? Would certainly keep Barry & team busy greeting all the first time visitors

Not really any riders available or willing to use up the points? Slightly strange choice as I thought if it was a 3 pointer it would be Tedham. That said if any rider deserved a little luck this season it's Sam so I wish him well.