Sings4Speedway

I have no problem with Mr Smith. I have never seen him ride so will reserve judgement but a 2nd in heat 2 sounded promising and it did sound like an odd ref decision. As for Hoskins he seems to fall more often than Sheppard!

Who is going to supply the parts / service these engines when the time comes? If they all have to go back to Gerhard it would be a hell of a waiting time? Mid / lower tier riders still need to find the outlay in the first place. If these engines are circa £5000 and most clubs expect you to turn up with two bikes that's a hell of an outlay especially considering you can pick up a new or nearly new GM/JAWA for £2500.....

I didn't get up to this one as stupid work got in the way but it looks like the same old story? How were the Kent lower tier in terms of pace as the updates print a pretty alarming picture? Was Smith feeling the effects of his off and hence his replacement? 1 ride and the usual fall for Hoskins. Fingers crossed its the last time he gets a Kings jacket dirty (or in fact gets a Kings jacket ever!)

Sadly I fear I heavy beating also. Its an interestingly worded article namely it doesn't read as if its a definite permanent change? I don't read much into Hoskins @ No.8 fortunately. I think he is just local to the track and prepared to turn up with a bike just in case.

Didn't see that one coming! Does anybody know much about Jack Smith or ever seen him ride? All I can find is he won the Aussie 85cc Nationals in 2012 so he must be pretty young?

I completely agree that the Kings should be looking to win something every season and build a team accordingly. My comment was more aimed at success from this point in time. Thus far the season has been rotten, 2 bottom in the league, 3rd in the Nat Trophy table and both teams below in respective tables have a match in hand. However a turn around would inspire some confidence in both riders and supporters. Continue as things are and there will be some dejected faces around Central Park.....

More 2nd half opportunities would certainly help promote new & developing riders into the sport. The travel required for many of the MDL / NJL riders is quite staggering considering it is all done for love / progression. Some clubs embrace the MDL others treat the riders like 2nd half 2nd rate scum. Until we back the brits in terms of track time, sponsorship & opportunities british speedway will continue to decline.

If the unthinkable happens and Aaron was released he would be snapped up by another team and definitely return to haunt us. James had a very disjointed season last year and Danny was a bargain on 4.something so both were always going to increase their averages. You are right that the additional 2 x 5 pointers aren't out there though so rules that route out really plus I really don't see the Freemantle hype although ironically his failings were one of the best things to happen to Kent. I guess it depends what the fans call a successful season this year? From the current position id say winning the majority of the home meetings, few points away and finish top 5 would be a success? As for changes I think Danno will come good & Jamie showed improvement but im not sure any Kings fan has genuinely warmed to Adam? I think it will only take one to kick on and the others will follow, as it currently stands they get to hide as a group scoring a few rather than one individual.

Who has the most to lose? The Kings of defeat or the soaring Eaglets? The result does look predictable but there will be plenty of Eagle egg on faces if it turns into one of those nights!

The bigger questions are how fresh are these engines? All engines should be fast from a new build its about how they perform after the 70-80 races they predict? Has anyone actually run one that long so far? Until then its just hearsay regarding reliability and performance.

I know and did think twice before commenting My opinion is based on the team with the best 4 progressing / winning and I cant see Chapman being race fit / sharp on his immediate return.............could be worse though, you could be starting with Kirby

I thought last night both Danno & Jamie looked much improved. Jamie's pace had picked up and is clearly listening to tips on his technique. Danno got eased aside a little easily by Burnett early on but did mix it later and definitely looked more at ease. Sadly it wasn't the same for Adam who swapped falls for mechanical gremlins both during and after the meeting. Solid nights for Ben & Aaron who scored well despite two exclusions and if there was any consideration to drop him I think it has been firmly quashed. James was James entertaining but iffy gating. Not sure there is enough characters allowed to go into Danny but life is never dull with him in a team. Fair play to Stoke though. A solid night with dependable riders all doing a job. I feel on the night a draw would have been fair but.....

Sadly Kent can only run once a week so definitely at a disadvantage with practice compared to Eastbourne there, although with that approach so are most teams. Team weekends / bonding are an obvious plus but the happiest camp will always be that of the team that is in form, winning meetings and scoring points throughout the team. Character is only really tested when the chips are down and results are not going your way.

I think a lot of NL lads do have proper jobs that fund their racing with points money merely topping up the coffers. Does this also mean no Zach Wajtknecht or will the new averages be out by meeting day? I think Coventry & Eastbourne from group A, Cradley & Kent from group B, Then possibly the closest final in years & the result decided on an iffy decision......

Definitely agree that Danno is in the 2nd category, focus on the positives and enjoy his racing? He is local but that takes off some of the travelling pressures, weariness & expenses. He appears to be well liked and supported by his team mates which is always a huge help. Is he strong / physical enough to mix and compete for 4 laps? Either way I feel any venting by fans in his direction is more from frustration at him performing below his known ability rather than questioning if he does have what it takes?

Fingers crossed for a little luck tonight and that all chains behave. I believe Danny has got to the bottom of his bucking bronco issue and im sure James will welcome riding Central Park again. For the visitors Armstrong, Payne & Phillips look the major danger men but certainly could be contained and the boys have dealt with tougher challenges. The reserves look one of the leagues weaker pairings so will definitely be a night for Danno & Adam to step up especially Danno moving into the easier No.7 jacket. This should be a comfy win by 10+ tonight although it might be the final straw for some if its not!

Completely agree. However the track time is available if they want it. Most weeks there are MDL teams looking for riders so the opportunities are there if the riders want to take them. Adam is getting extra meetings in however he doesn't have the natural style of the other two. I can't help feeling Jamie has stepped up a season too early? but Danno should have been one of the hottest properties in the league. The question. Do you give the lads even more time and hope they show improvement or bring in other rookies and give them a chance to see what they can do? The answer? Not sure. The Rye bottom 3 are easier competition compared to others in the league and they took Kent apart. I feel if the boys do not find something against a struggling Stoke then perhaps its time for a new approach....

If the sealed route is taken then either clubs or the scb are going to need some deep pockets. As a suggestion only; There is a central pool of engines. These are delivered to the meeting on the day. Lots are then drawn to decide who gets which engine (one per rider plus two team spares?) Riders fit to bike on the day and set up as required (short practice session might be needed?) Engines removed after the meeting and returned to the central pool for the next meeting. That said based on the elite league alone if all teams were in action on the same day that's 8 teams x 9 engines (7 riders + 2 spares) = 72 engines minimum in the central pool. Even if the riders were made to rent the engines per meeting it would still require an initial outlay of in excess of £360,000 for the countries smallest league.

The riders that are getting the extra rides are the ones who want them and are prepared to travel. There are several MDL riders who are only prepared to ride their home track / weekend tracks against others who will travel the country just to be on the bike. Yes numbers are slightly down on last year but that is due to the success of the league and riders moving up into the NL and therefore long may it continue.....

A crazy night last night and now I agree with two AJ posts in a row

Oh dear indeed. I admit I did say on the way home would have to eat humble pie today. Think that a decent replacement for Chapman and R/R for Banks worked brilliantly for Brum and will continue to do so until Waj moves up into the main team. If Kent didn't have bad luck last night they would have had no luck at all. Ben had a disaster with chains, Danny seemed to have lost some of his powers after his haircut and rare mistakes from Aaron. Thank goodness for James Shanes. As expected Jamie struggled in the main body of the team and will need time to settle. Not sure what the issue is with Danno? Confidence, equipment but it looks like he is going to struggle even at reserve. Adam spent most of the night on the deck but for once got the decisions in his favour and again saved his best 4 laps for after the meeting. Sanderson couldn't be bothered with P&P so personally not interested in him and not seen or heard of Reece Downes doing anything this year so would imagine he is as rusty as Matt Saul looked. The answers? Not sure but I think Rye House on Saturday could be equally unpleasant. Oh and well done Birmingham. I concede you are not a terrible side and will not be bottom Adam Kirby was one of the reasons I didn't leave early last night. Having repeatedly seen the mayhem he has caused I cannot take my eyes off him. He reminds me of a large Russian bear riding a tiny bicycle except the bears have the ability to not fall off at the slightest breeze.

I completely agree with you there. I think grasstrack provides a much firmer base for transition than motor x. Familiarity with engines, carbs, and the basic style of racing. I still feel the MDL is a better feeder route given the experience of riding the tracks however I cannot argue with the success of grasstrack converts over the years.

No arguments with Georgie. Not seen Charley on the shale to be able to offer any comment. Sadly Grasstrack is on the decline though hence many riders switching/competing in both. There are pluses and minuses as ever but if its a route Eastbourne want to follow they could do a lot worse.

Personally (and I must stress this is purely my own opinion) whilst a 500 has more power to put down onto the track it is about usable power. Simply a 500 rider will have to shut off (briefly) whilst entering corners whereas a 250 can be wound on and left on. A 250 also doesn't drive as hard out of the corners and pull towards the fence. That said you still need a fair size set of plums to ride one to the max. As for finding new riders keep the 2nd halves going / invite more riders / run a purely amateur/unsigned rider meeting. That said the current promotion seem quite at ease at unearthing new or unfulfilled talent.

Tom will sign when he is ready and not before and I think the Dugards will provide the correct guidance. The lad has only just moved up to a 250cc machine so let him enjoy himself while he can before he faces league racing. 250 vs 500 times are a different debate for a different time.