Sings4Speedway

9.78 looks to be a whopper of a number 1 who will it be? Personally thought they would be better keeping Hopwood & using the points to bolster the reserve berths? Cottham would have fitted? Or as Murphys law dictates Dugard would have fitted and Eastie would have always had one rider running riot at reserve as he & Andrews (when fit) would have continued swapping places.

Can't argue with that at all. I was hugely impressed with the reserves. Both have always been smooth but there was a lot of speed to go with it. Don't think ive ever seen Danno make such consistently good gates and ride such hard first corners. Thomas was robbed of a point at Arlington and another couple at Home with a snapped chain but was still very impressed. Clifton was a little more raw than i was expecting but is clearly fast and once he has shaken out the rust he will be flying. What impressed me the most was the moral on the centre green at the start. All riders joking together was something that seemed non-existent last year. Opponents will come tougher than a misfiring Eastbourne but this team looks like Central Park could become a fortress and there are plenty of points to be picked up on the road.

I think this side has a very solid top 5 and one of the best 3/4 combos in the league. My concern would be the reserves and wouldn't surprise me to see Piper replace Saul sooner rather than later. The downside is that all are prone to a shocker from nowhere but i have IOW down as my dark horse team to be very near the last play off place.

IF Hopwood has gone to accommodate Perks plus a new number 1 then that is extremely had on him. Whilst a new signing is clearly required to cover the very unfortunate Hughes the Eastbourne merry-go-round is becoming a concern? How many riders will question signing for Eastbourne in the future with the high rider turnover?

Good reply from Eastbourne today but Coventry must be kicking themselves. Knight excelling on a bigger track and Woody finding more power to post a good score along with solid points from Hopwood and guest perks. Reserves still look a huge concern and I expect changes in the not to distant future.

I suspect Ben Wilson will run riot but that about it. Best vs worst reserve combos (and there are a few dodgy pairs) looks like a painful watch for Potters fans.

Agreed. I proposed a selection of names without any consideration of other meetings running. Pesky bank holidays confusing what day of the week it is. As a business decision its quite clever as there will be no travel expenses that need paying. Rye might get away with it as the Mildenhall heat leaders are solid but not spectacular but i suspect the damage will be done elsewhere. Fingers crossed for good weather as im looking forward to the double header at Rye and checking out the stadium/track improvements.

I completely agree in this instance but that is the way the Raiders team has been built this year an off night for Ben or Rob and your screwed. If R/R was limited to twice at home & twice away it would give fringe riders more track time, limit the damage teams with stand out reserves could do & get the meeting actually flowing but still provide cover for when a last minute withdrawal occurs.

A convertible in South Wales? That's as rare as a speedway promoters morals........

That was last year plus Adam shouldn't have been far off that? This year the prices are up again. Obviously those paying the higher money are expecting higher results and therefore there will be higher pressure on the riders.

Blooming R/R. When will the powers that be and who champion how the NL is a development league do something about this rule and give riders on the fringes a run out rather than those already within teams.

Looks like Edinburgh are going to go over the barrel here. Either the few remaining decent riders will turn up and demand crazy money or they get a lesser standard rider on the cheap?

For his progress i hope Ben does get extra rides as its the bigger away tracks that he needs to conquer if his career is to kick on. If Somerset isn't to Karger's liking you may have a problem.

Im guessing it will be cursed R/R again? Would enable Priest & Woods to take a ride each then cover the others with whichever reserve is doing less poorly or Banks. Not saying its right as i hate R/R and would much rather see Banks take all 4 rides and see what he does but thats the rules. Who would everyone want as a guest? I figure it will be Ollie Greenwood, Bowen or Clegg?

Test rider only meaning he can stick with his GM engines. Not currently looking a wise decision.

I think this should be a safe home win. Kennett, Lanham & Robson should all fare well but i can't see much assistance and think the Rebels reserves will run riot on their home track. I hope for a full 15 heats and a safe night of entertainment for all but Rebels to hit 50+

First MDL challenge meeting takes place on Sunday. 3 new faces and 5 experienced campaigners take to the track to try and gain a psychological advantage for when the league starts in anger and of course gain some precious track time. Mildenhall ‘Stonefield Farm Shop’ Fen Tiger Cubs 1. Robert Parker 2. William O’Keefe 3. Connor King 4. Alex Spooner King’s Lynn Lightning 1. Adam Portwood 2. Lewis Austen 3. Stephen Whitehouse 4. Luke Harris

Yep VAT on 20% of their cash takings just like everyone else My point was that despite there being untold additional expenses that i hadn't factored in even a wally with a calculator and too much time on his hands could see the figures just don't add up.

Rough on the lad. Made good progress last year. Any ideas what he has done?

Whilst there may not be many PL riders on £100 a point there are others who are turning down those offers looking for more. The NL has riders on £50 a point and not all of them heat leaders. Ultimately the riders can ask for whatever they like its the promoters responsibility to work out if they can afford it and offer deals accordingly. The rich clubs already have first pick so that wouldn't change but if the majority of teams were offering £50 per point for example there will be some who say i can't afford to run for that and retire and yes there may be a few more NL standard riders in the PL for a couple of years but at least the clubs will be sustainable and still in existence.

Based on very rough hypothetical maths. 800 people @ £15 = £12,000 Half this for stadium costs etc = £6000 Half this to cover away meetings = £3000 Based on an average 45 points per meeting that gives £66.6 per point that could be paid out on average. 450 people @ £15 = £6750 Half this for stadium costs etc = 3375 Half this to cover away meetings = £1687.50 Based on an average 45 points per meeting that gives £37.5 per point that could be paid out on average. The top figure shows just enough to put a PL team together but you wouldn't get first pick of riders, the bottom figures would only sustain NL and infact the admission would have to be reduced. The fact is that the bubble has burst in Poland and its burst here too its just that we are not admitting it. Clubs must sign riders they can afford.

Missed out / dodged a bullet with Lambert. Even Rye's new deeper pockets couldn't afford him and as proven by Plymouth signing riders / paying wages you can afford is even more apparent now. Whilst i don't advocate spreading the misery of riders losing their places it does seem slightly galling that the likes of Holder, Kurtz, Newman & Brandford are without whilst Lykke & Karger are included.

Not sure what the possibility of riders, officials and any other person who takes a wage from the club accepting a reduction in order to get the teams to the tapes this year?

Horrendous times. Now is not the time for any finger pointing etc but it does make you question who does the budgets? I mean if you are only getting 450 people a week then don't pay wages based upon 700-800 attendee's. Either way i hope all the riders get fixed up soon and hope they can recoup some of the expense they will have undoubtedly laid out. Perhaps this opens the door for an Exeter revival?

Not sure if Kent will bother with one this year? They aren't required within the rules so i guess they will just book someone if required. With the curfew as it is i would imagine its pretty hard to get a rider to come along and stand around all evening with the uncertainty of even being able to get a few practice laps in at the end. Matt Saul was last years number 8 but i don't recall him ever getting a ride anyway.