Sings4Speedway

Problem is Vuolas has been the most consistent comet (in a good way). Tate and batch have been the let downs but with a lack of available heatleaders would either get dropped? Bowes is still settling in whilst Hook and Foord are riding to their level. Sadly this year Workington is not a particularly well assembled team that relied upon Tate and Etheridge having a great year and thus far neither is.

Its also just clever PR. Obviously the original line up was competitive but also set so that Cairns would likely win or at least feature strongly. Now including Starke is an opportunity for him to prove he is better than anyone who might be after his place......

Could be an open and interesting meeting. Hopefully the final 3 don't irritate too much.

Lasted a bit longer than i expected. There is a huge difference between riders who have had to graft for places, positions and those who have it handed to them. Until the tail end of last season it was a constant upwards trajectory then the first blip and its all gone pear shaped. Right back to the NL match at Workington i suspected it would be a short career. Riders who want it enough find a way even through indifferent form, those who don't disappear.

The fact that yours is the first post in the NL section for 4 weeks tells you what speedway is becoming

Terrible rule change, negates the benefits of new Brits being on a 2.00 and any real incentive of signing home nation riders. Not surprising but none the less stupid.

Foord feels a surprise inclusion? Perhaps a few "no thanks" as would have expected Boughen, Jenkins, J.Thompson, Bowtell, Hagon and certainly Mulford would have been asked before Foord.....

Ouch isn't the NL suffering enough? If a female rider was good enough they would almost certainly grab a place however by far the best UK female is Katie Gordon who has strong links at Redcar and still doesn't get a spot. Publicity or not the interest in the sport is waning nationally and promoting novice/amateur level events won't help that.

Crikey id noticed he was a 5.00 i thought he was a 4. Initially thinking Coles/Smith were better options but when you consider Ablitt/Morley/Hagon were alternatives it makes you think.

I certainly get that Plymouth are up against it compared to some tracks for signings and aren't alone on the hit and hope approach it just seems a little more consistent. That said if Cluff comes good then it all becomes worthwhile but usually the early signs are more promising.

I know that Visa's, accommodation and the basics that go with it are higher than an equivalent Brit whos scoring next to no points. There might have been a few instances of greasing the wheels for a place over the years but don't think we are quite in the position of pay for rides yet.

Does make me wonder why season after season Plymouth ship in an expensive gamble. Baek, Turner, Goret all came in with debateable pedigree and Cluff is little different. There has to come a point in time where taking expensive gambles on riders with blind hope has to be replaced with some sensible team building.

Actually a very valid point from a business view. If whoever is signed is likely to 0-3 points a meeting is the logic that more local and hence less travel costs the most practical solution. Certainly Southern based alternatives like Springer, Vale or Scott would be more expensive (based purely on the number of home meetings). The other option would be to wait until Marson is released by Poole and sign him on.

Blimey the hype around riders after just a few meetings is staggering. Not slating anything that any of these mentioned riders have achieved (they should all be very proud of themselves) but the next big thing list changes weekly Rushen, Cairns, Summers Scott, Foord, Hagon,Boughen, Harrison, The Thompsons, Zach Waj and thats just a snippet of the list. If riders can enjoy the performances week to week and learn through the good and bad they have a chance of a decent career rather than living with the fanfare of a few good scores against limited opposition.

Smart timing if he wants a break/re-charge. Misses 2 Birmingham Bulls fixture but no Leicester Cubs matches. Bright young talent and hope he comes back stronger, theres a huge weight of expectation placed upon riders and often earlier than they are ready for it.

Would have expected a fair bit better from Troy to be fair, effectively 8 from 6 if you remove the double points from the tactical heat. Even in early season shakedowns riders need to get up to speed quickly and that can be seen by the score of Harris and the Thompson twins.

Hard not to see a big away win here. Hope the racing isn't too spread out and everyone gets through safely.

Because its in the rules and occasionally they are followed. However because they are Speedway rules they are largely useless. If Jamie had averaged 3.01 in a previous season he would have been forced to be in the 1-5 but he didn't and i was incorrect on this occasion as i thought there was something about named in a 1-7 previously etc (there isn't). In any declaration where 2 or more riders hold an identical MA (cannot be determined by a 3rd or more decimal point) then the re-declaration must nominate the hierarchical order. Where riders have a previous MA, then the higher placed rider from the previous issue shall retain the higher position Either way best wishes to Charlie and Max...hope they recover soon.

Just looked back in. With Kent tracking 3 x 3 pointers doesn't the rider with most experience (Jamie Etherington) have to start in the side rather than the rookie Nathan Hargrave? Strong debut by Rushen as expected but better than Cairns chatter is a little strong based upon one meeting. Whatever way these two clearly have a prospect of a bright future.

The concrete is probably an improvement on the previous rippled armco in regards to rider safety but those RSJ's look lethal. Padded jackets or not they are immovable structures that look like they could have scary consequences.

Would think that will need to be the case. If the dates have been agreed with the landlords all good faith would likely disappear is the steering committee back tracked. Sadly challenges are not always well supported but interest could be there. I guess it gives extra time to raise funds and build a stronger side.

Out of interest is Speedway GB entirely self funded via sponsorship or is there a hefty top up via the SCB and or the BSPL?

Think that will become clear enough in time. Im delighted for him that he has a team place and will be ecstatic about it but the skill set is way below the other six. Think grammer has let Rhys down. declining 2 offers, to be back at Kent. Ultimately potentially could have gone elsewhere but thought his Kent spot was assured. What happens for him now who knows as securing equipment for the start of a season is far easier than mid way.

6 good riders signed for Kent. Everyone including Naylor is surprised he isn't included. Certainly should be winning all the home meetings. Somewhere between 1st and 3rd in the table i suspect which is nothing to be sniffed at.