Sings4Speedway

Surely thats not an implication that riders are using 38mm carbs? Perish the thought that riders have been getting away with all sorts of dodgy tricks for years.

Totals 33.56/33.54 so leaves 6.44 syou you could fit Danny Phillips in on 6.25? The National League will always have highs and lows of riders coming through. It may be hit hard this year with several riders being required for higher leagues and potentially opting out but that's progression. There have been plenty of riders who have also signed on as 3 pointers with low expectations and done exceedingly well so hopefully this season will be the same.

2 minute timer on before every race. This is the allowed time for riders to get to the tapes, do any gardening and get still before tapes up. Once the 2 mins is up its green light on and let the tapes fly. Any rider who isn't revved up will get left on the line, might not be popular to start with but it would only be the riders who are to blame and im certain they won't get caught out more than once.

There is a huge risk when taking riders who have previously only ridden in one league and then subjecting them to ride in all 3. No argument that Tom Bacon was excellent this season at NL but how prepared is he or anyone else in a similar boat to switch from 40 meetings to 100+ ? How will the rider or equipment hold up? How will the planning and Logistics work out? Could they afford to do that? Some riders have excellent jobs outside of Speedway so would they put one career at risk to follow another? Any rider likely to line up in the Premiership will also most likely have a Championship place also or certainly should have. Unless they opt to give NL racing a miss and throw themselves into the unknown of higher leagues only Im all for the progress of British riders but sometimes the best interests of riders needs to be looked at in the long term rather than the immediate.

Very true. In fact the remaining unsigned British riders could ask a little more as they are required by all teams.

Well my theory that women are generally always right has been prove to be sound. As for what team the rider represents is sunk if the rider is owned by a NL team. Coin toss perhaps? Think that's how most of the rules are voted in anyway.

Good spot smarty pants

I believe its down to who holds the rider as an asset. If the rider is an asset of neither of the teams involved then it goes to which league level the asset holding club is based in. E.G Adam Ellis A rider signed for Sheffield & Swindon and these teams are in the promotion/relegation play off. Neither team holds his registration so falls back to being a Poole asset and therefore rides for Swindon.....

There is a huge risk when taking riders who have previously only ridden in one league and then subjecting them to ride in all 3. No argument that JPB was excellent in his debut season at NL but how prepared is he or anyone else in a similar boat to switch from 40 meetings to 100+ ? How will the rider or equipment hold up? How will the planning and Logistics work out? Could they afford to do that? Im all for the progress of British riders but sometimes the best interests of riders needs to be looked at in the long term rather than the immediate.

Yep thats it bring in the changes to the NL. The league where most riders would be happy ending the season breaking even. A league where riders juggle racing with full time jobs and will often have to sacrifice other aspects of life to continue racing. I would suggest popping in to the pits of a few NL meetings and seeing what reaction you get to your suggestion. Whilst the riders are at the start of their career they are also the riders most likely to pack up and walk away.

So on that logic Ellis Perks should be included in the team........

Good point mentioned on another thread. Is the limit of doubling up riders still in place? Kennett will want 2 leagues, Harris has made no secret he wants a Championship place and it certainly wouldn't surprise me if Nicholls, Watt and certainly Robson want to do both leagues this year? If the 2 double up riders rule is still in place it could take Kennett out of the equation? Im guessing with the others its first signed for a Championship team get to do both leagues and the rest have to lump it?

I think so. He was discussing whether his reserve partner would be Lanham or Jon Armstrong On a slightly serious note how about; 1. Kennett 2. Robson 3. Harris 4. Watt 5. Nicholls 6. Branford 7. Ayres

I think the addition of Lakeside to the NL is a huge plus for all involved. As a development league having a variety of track shapes and the required techniques to ride them is vital. Lakeside have the opportunity to develop a real home fortress and should be looking to build a team around that? Zach Waj & Ben Morley would be excellent value and i also wouldn't be surprised to Verge as a hammer either. Saul & Kirby could be entertaining but from my previous experiences of them more likely hilarious and when trying to convert existing fans to the joys of the NL the reserves need to be of the solid/composed type rather than wobbly shale sitters type.

I never get why more clubs don't run training schools / practice days especially in the early season. Its a complete cash cow. 30 riders @ £30 each is £900 a session. Yes there are other expenses as ever but medical cover only needs to be basic and there are riders screaming for early season track time and its a great way for clubs to boost their funds pre season.

Right here we go; Bacon Greenwood Chessell Mountain Perks Wood Knight Halsey Hughes Coles Priest Hopwood ignoring those who are lined up/in high demand elsewhere (JPB,Smith,Hume,Shanes etc) not that i think Phillips doesn't have potential but perhaps Newcastle just doesn't work for him?

I can certainly see the Pros & Cons however i do wonder that if there was little improvement over the course of 2016 why will that be any different in 2017? If a new 2.00er came in at the same level would they have a better chance of improving? There were some excellent No.7's this season and some disappointments and i don't expect the level in 2017 to be any different.

Both Berwick & Lakeside are about 3 1/2 hours from his current base. Given the proximity of teams in the championship this year Bridger is pretty well placed.

Im very surprised to see Phillips in so many 1-7's? Had a stinker last season in both leagues. Im assuming the view is a years worth of track knowledge? There are a dozen NL riders who would sign on a 2.00 and out perform Phillips. Don't get me wrong i rate the potential in Danny but he seems to have stalled over the past couple of seasons and im not sure "the championship" is helping him.

Definitely Greenwood & Hopwood, Liam Carr & Danny Phillips are certainly capable of much higher averages if they prioritise NL racing. For me Richard Andrews looks cheap on 4.26 plus i would put Kinsley & Hazeldon (if fit) in the category of riders capable of at least a points improvement.......

Im in the camp that he needs a little more time to get to the required level & my view is that riders should be developing in the NL not learning. That said the MDL is not what it was and is poorly subscribed by NL teams so little opportunities for riders to get to grips with tracks before taking league rides there.

Indeed. Few bargains in there and some riders with high averages that may hamper chances of being signed (all in my opinion) got to feel a bit for Sam Bebee though, due to the timing of his injuries he has been saddled with a 4.25 which given his limited experience seems a bit steep.

I never get the expectancy with Shuttleworth. He has been a 6 - 6.5 point NL rider for the past few seasons without showing any real improvement and not running in any of the tricky positions. Even for a cheap northern based rider there must be better options.

If the number of teams in the NL & points limit stays the same a 10+ rider could well become appealing. Last year teams were struggling to build teams near to the limit due to the lack of riders with established averages. That said there are plenty who have upped their averages from last season so it might level out but i would rather build a team with a 10+ rider and a longer tail that is up to the 40 point mark than a balanced team that only just gets over the 36 base line.

Im guessing Boxall would be a 10+ average. I don't think he is the force he once was but still a joy to watch especially at NL level providing he is on a reliable bike.