Sings4Speedway

From the whispers of others / postings on his facebook page he has a PL deal done so would be unable to double up/down.

Surprising but gives Mildenhall a decent top 4. Looks like Jolly is confident the points limit will be at least 38. Leaves gaps for 3 x 3 pointers though and as last season proved that can have mixed results. Kent and Birmingham started the season with the same team lay out and look how contrasting their two seasons were!

Bacon already confirmed as signed elsewhere but not yet released who. I suspect Ruddick is nailed on if he can sort his equipment out. Only other certainty is that it looks like no place for Kingston. BWD cant return until his PL average drops below 4.

Most likely right. I would still like to see the end of RR in the NL though. If its a development league it seems an immense shame for teams to repeatedly track 6 riders.

Bit like the wonderful Danny Ayres. If Lunna & Ayres spend some time at reserve together expect some very eventful heat 2's.

I think the above posts are similar to what I was saying. If the number 8's are required then give them the same riding rights as a number 6/7. i.e they can take the ride when someone touches the tapes / misses the two minutes, be the reserve rider switch if someone is under performing and take the RR rides. Im sure like most people on the sidelines I find it incredibly tedious waiting around for the RR rider who has been given extra time as they also appeared in the heat before.

For me the only changes I would like to see are; Limit the amount of times a team is allowed to use R/R. i.e twice home and twice away. Then the rest of the time the number 8's have to be used. Treat the number 8's like an actual reserve so that they can take any of the rides a reserve would take not just the R/R rides. If teams are required to have a number 8 they might as well be pushed towards using them otherwise its a pointless role. Other than that the current rules look alright to me. Not sure how many occasions the tactical rides have actually effected the overall result of a match this season? Fingers crossed for a 12 team league, 38 point limit would do for me and the pointless National Trophy to be dropped.

As JJ above has stated Surrey is not ideally situated for the MDL but im sure all teams would be greatful to secure the services of your nephew if he has NL experience (providing his NL average is under 5.00 & he has done less than 50 NL matches). Birmingham didn't have a MDL team this season but if they are planning on entering its good news. Coventry will definitely run. Not sure if Long Eaton (Leicester), Wolves, Milton Keynes or Buxton are running in the MDL next season but the first two aren't that far away. With any fortune Exeter might be allowed in the league this year but if not they often run MDL level events from Somerset.

B Johnson. No thanks never really rated him personally. J Kingston. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see him back at Kent butthink it will be a make or break season for him. Magic Mason. I would welcome back to Kent in a heartbeat on his reduced average. Definitely capable of upping that round Central Park, top notch equipment and would be brilliant around the pits.

Not sure how I feel about the Clifton signing? I have no issue with age in any way and there's no doubting that before he was forced into retirement he had huge potential (from what I have read). However by the time the season starts it will be 13 years since he has competitively ridden and the sport has moved on a long way in that time. Whilst experienced riders can be a huge help to any team I cant help thinking that Luke is going to need plenty of assistance himself to get up to speed? That said he cant do any worse than the 3 pointers from last year!

Happens up and down the country. There are loads of supporters that have helped out with running costs over the season & that is exactly what is, that season. Jon has been a fantastic servant to Stoke and Im sure he will get a warm welcome upon his return.

I definitely agree. There are some who are slow burners and some who just need assistance and as seen at Kent this year some who just do not have what it takes. My biggest irritation is a rider who just goes through the motions and just doesn't care. Passion and determination go a long way with fans.

Is piotr swiderski really 5.42 ? If so he seems a bargain on that average. A goes better on smaller tracks but would bolster away scores. Have you already got your two double uppers though?

Whilst I agree that there are issues within the sport and that the PL/EL do not do enough to support British riders (Brit point reduction?) is the NL the place to return to keep race sharp whilst waiting for a PL place? Given that most would not be able to double up it would be deeply frustrating to see riders start the season, get a PL call and leave a NL club in the lurch. I very much doubt there are many that would show the loyalty to the NL that Adam Ellis did this year.

It would be a shame if the above / similar riders don't get PL places but does that mean they should be able to return to the safety of the NL? With changes to limits of any kind there will always be casualties. Its important to look forward and keep the NL a competitive league from top to bottom rather than fiddle the limits to accommodate a few.

The British Under 21 champ should get a point reduction on his average. Likewise British Champ 2.0 off, runner up 1.5, 3rd 1, 4th 0.5. Not perfect but bigger incentives for the Brits riding in the competition and for the clubs who might sign them?

Well I got that wrong but Plymouth always confuse me with their reserve choices. Zak to Somerset, Shanes to Edinburgh or vice versa. Bailey to Scunthorpe and the Greenwoods ignored / priced out?

The points limit would have to go up a long way to accommodate Boxall. It would leave Kent with a very long tail with Boxall, Ayres & hopefully Shanes in the side. If Kent were going to use a high average number 1 id much rather have Morley over Boxall. Far more reliable in terms of performances, machinery & attitude.

Maybe although a return to Eastbourne would be more likely. I suspect from the end of last season he can go anywhere as far as Jolly is concerned.....or words to that effect

Good signing for the fen tigers. They were crying out for a dependable number 1 this season and in Armstrong they have that and a fans favourite. Should be good for the younger members of the team too.

I think whoever gets the signature of Bacon for the up coming season will be in a very strong position. Bargain on his average and strongly suspect he wont be back at Mildenhall. I was suspecting Coventry as the most likely but Cradley / Brum are also strong possibilities.

Agreed. Under performed last year but bags of potential and relatively cheap average. Although I also tipped Stoke as a title contender last year! Oops.

I don't think it was having 3 x 3 pointers it was more who they were. None of them kicked on and improved at any stage. To be fair the reserves only found out they had a place at the press and practice day and even then the order was changed. Until Len gets a better grasp of who is doing what in the MDL / junior championships Kent are always going to struggle to find 3 point gems.

I cant see Spiller, Perks or Crang (retired) being involved. Personally I predict: Plymouth - Shanes Somerset - Waj Edinburgh - D.Greenwood Newcastle - O.Greenwood / Blacklock Scunthorpe - AN Other / Bailey / Phillips But I have been way off before.

If he was a 3 pointer I would have said without question but on 4.49 he seems a little dear? For that amount of points Bowtell, Hume, Hunter are available and would all do a similar / better job. Bacon at 4.41 seems a bargain in comparison. However I wouldn't be to disappointed with Kelsey riding @ 2.