Sings4Speedway

I know the whole number 8 thing is a bit of a sham/PR stunt but Kings Lynn have signed Jake Mulford who has no team place in any other league and might be reliant on the Prem Jnr League (if it happens) for competitive laps and even then he might be deemed too strong for that.

Looking at the list of Number 8's have Kings Lynn managed to sign the a rider who has no team place in any other league (unless he drops in at Armadale which feels unlikely)

Match fixing inquiries will start . Seriously though i genuinely hope that the delays are all because actual closely guarded secrets are in place and some big hitters are willing to ride at Brum for sensible rates. Heart says one thing but head definitely can't shift the gloom.

Given how team building is going for Birmingham i think the year break (forced or otherwise) is going to be the best thing for Eastbourne longer term. Having everything in place in plenty of time will allow for both on and off track success.

Whilst the big fan draws do come early its also some strong opposition, Brum will have faced Leicester, Poole, Berwick and Oxford at home before the end of May if each of those is a hefty drumming how many will be turning up to watch in June?

As it happens the NDL is shaping up to be fairly well balanced and could be one of the better seasons for a little while. That said the diversity that IOW offer as a weekly spectator is pretty special and something that most clubs would undoubtedly be envious of.....a fixture list drawing a good home crowd without the curse of away expenses. Once again IOW lead the way.

and if he isn't interested in riding in the UK in any shape or form? nad if he was interested would he not be lining up a PL place also/instead? If the pockets are that deep the money would be better thrown at Kildemand or Musielak who would at least have some level of UK base in place. I feel for Brum i really do, i feel the spread of heatleaders could be better enforced but the reality is that Birmingham are in deep deep trouble and a wheel is yet to be turned.

Not insulted at all because the rider in question had worked thier way through the Scunthorpe winter series quite successfully following plenty of laps on Steve Lawsons private track. There are always exceptions to the rule and naturals on a bike but how frequently is even that happening?

Georgie Wood did the rounds with Paul Hurry a few years earlier but no takers then as he was a little raw and youth wasn't favoured as much. Brooks had a decent amount of amateur laps but Powell was peobably the most green as a switch over rider and showed in places but did dial in quickly. Obviously there was a time when grasstrack to speedway was the desired switch for more meetings but sadly its the other qay now with more speedway riders like Bowtell looking to the grass to boost fixture lists.

Im more than happy to see riders transition accross from other sports and be included because they are good enough. The original post was regarding signing riders who haven't even ridden a speedway bike yet so unless fragile Crutchlow fancies a crack i think it will be someone who knows roughly what to do. Sadly there only ever was and will be one Danny Ayres

I would find it extremely insulting to everyone involved if the 3 pointers were non speedway riders. They would be a danger to all other riders on track with them and insulting to paying fans and every other 3 pointer working hard to secure a team place. Develop riders through an academy sure but dont ridicule the NDL

Good point. I had it my head that it was the other way round for some reason but greensheets don't lie (often). The Courtney calculator is working overtime again.

If memory serves the Hopwood did get injured in 2018 but can't remember what and if it forced him out of 2019 or he sat out, Stoneman rode the early meetings on the IOW before hurting himself so would think he doesn't qualify? Either way its great they are both back Nathan is great entertainment to watch and if Hopwood is on a 6ish average and got fit whilst away he could add to that most weeks.

More shock comebacks in the team but Stoneman and Jenkins is a powerful top 2 and strong middle order with Hopwood and Hagon. Clouting will benefit from a change of track. Will run the numbers un a minute and see how close or far out it actually is? So the latest i can find are Jenkins 9.56 Hagon 5.75 Clouting 4.30 Stoneman 8.22 (2019) Hopwood 7.16 (2018) Total 34.99 So looks like just needs a point reduction on Hopwood and a pair of 3 pointers will fit?

If bikes could be located/sponsored the both Kingston and /or Ledwith would make attractive recruits on their average and around Iwade. Bit of inside knowledge and home advantage could prove crucial.

Does look a lot like there are strong IOW links with Bowtell, Morley and Verge all former Warriors. If they could get Powell it would be a powerful top end. Then just needs Widman and Sealey to complete the bottom end

Massive clown moment there! Completely forgot that (probably because i didn't expect it) good signing for any team this year and weekend track is always a lure. He would shine at Iwade and will be a very dangerous visitor.

With Armadale probably lining up close to last year it just leaves the remaining riders to split between Oxford and Kent. With Kent having 2 named and Spooner widely believed at Oxford that only leaves 3 heat leader riders to find, couple of 2nd strings and the reserves. Active riders like RTD, Harris, Powell, Stoneman could fill those voids with other comebacks potentially happening also. Biggest questions will be over the reserves positions and if there is any new/ready riders or if they will use older / previous experience ones?

But that was how the RS system was billed, as a non stop conveyor belt. It was obvious too many that it wouldn't happen/work and that it was just capitalising on a particular year with a stronger crop of riders than usual. If a system for succession is put in place then stick to it and do something to actually help it succeed. As ever the great 5 year masterplans get dropped after a year or two because they are flawed, ill conceived and poorly regarded by the idiots who introduced them in the first place.

Depends if he travels or is already going to be there anyways? Personally I think he is more likely to end up in a strong Oxford side but theres still an outside chance.

Obviously the "plan" to create positions in CL teams so riders were forced to move up and out of the NDL has been scrapped rather than expanded (because it was poorly thought out once again) but there still could have been dare i say it "sensible restrictions" placed upon team building in both NDL and CL. Its been seen time and time again when a 2/3 point reserve takes to the track with a 10+ heatleader and surprise surprise the racing is processional. If the Upper cap of averages was limited it would force the level of riders to be closer together and just might create better racing and development of riders. If the cap was a 10 point average then only two riders would have been ineligible from the NL (Gilkes & Thompson) if it was 9 those two plus Kinsley and Jenkins would be forced to move on. Hardly dramatic but would keep rider ability levels closer together.

I think a lot of people are overlooking how low Nicol's average is. He is currently 4th in the team below Brennan and if he can and likely will put 2 points on it this Glasgow team is very dangerous indeed.

Out of interest has that actually been documented anywhere? All i recall reading is that the number 8 would be involved with the club and if opportunities arise they might be included. Nothing about they must use the number 8 if the RS is missing or even any requirement for the number 8 to be at the track when a team is running RR (despite this being its original use)

Im expecting the top 5 to be similar in most predictions with only any real debate over the final play off spot. As usual a key injury can throw it all into chaos but for once lets hope not 1. Poole 2. Glasgow 3. Oxford 4. Berwick (assuming get strong 7th rider) 5. Leicester 6. Redcar 7. Plymouth 8. Edinburgh 9. Scunthorpe 10. Newcastle 11. Birmingham

I can see the Armadale side lining up exactly how it finished last season. It would be a team 2.5 points under the limit and means that Danny Phillips starts at number 1. I can only see RTD replacing Lewis Millar as any possible team strengthening and that would rock the boat a little.