Sings4Speedway

For once it is actually fairly clear in the regulations.....both riders had averages (below their minimum assessed) so hierarchy said Lasse in the 1-5 010.3 TEAM DECLARATIONS Teams must be declared prior to the start of the season to the BSP Ltd office, to confirm it complies with the current regulations. Where the declaration or re-declaration complies with the current regulations it will be approved and confirmed in writing to the relevant Promotion. Should the declaration or re-declaration NOT comply with the regulations the reasons for rejection will be explained, in writing, to the relevant Promotion. Any appeal against the decision of the BSP Ltd office should be made to the SCB Co-Ordinator as per Chapter 18 of the Speedway Regulations. Changes must be made at least 3 days before the start time of the meeting at which it is intended to be used. 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.

use it or lose it by July

The problem with the bottom starts at the very top. If clubs were incentivised to run NL sides with reduction in fees etc it would be a greater encouragement. Same as the lower development leagues, charging the amounts to volunteers to be signed up members every year, entry fees etc is ridiculous. Yes all speedway is a business and it is foolish to jeopardise a clubs survival for the sake of running a NL side. Belle Vue openly say the PL side tops up the funds but others have run at a very affordable level, Len Silver turned a profit at Kent every season in a genuine stadium so it can be done. There is just a lack of willing at the top to make it worthwhile, the weasel wants the youth rounds to be the saviour of everything, Louis thinks 1 meeting a season will transform the sport. Half the promotions now don't care about 10 years time because they won't still be involved then (if there is any sport left to be involved with).

Thats a very fair point. If you say NL are £15 (at a push) that leaves 11 meetings @ £300 = £21.82 a meeting would make me panic what the on the gate prices will be!

On that rationale the GP's would be the best racing you can watch but in reality how often is that the case? No doubting that the track craft of world class riders on a decent track can produce brilliant racing but any riders of similar ability can produce that, i certainly don't buy that higher levels is required to produce excitement, in fact lower grades can add to unpredictability which brings anticipation in different ways.

Whilst a geographical league makes a decent amount of sense im not sure that Worky throwing their toys out the pram actually helps their case. If they entered something and didn't fully consider the ramifications is the right thing to do just change their mind?

After Goret, Turner and Baek we are hoping for 3rd 4th time lucky.....

Nothing green about Rushen who has raced at levels far higher than many in the side already. Can easily see him taking 6 rides a meeting with Meadows and Ingram getting 3 (yes its development league etc but it still relentlessly happens) until the first averages come out and then the cubs might have a struggle at reserve. Power top 5 though who might squabble amongst themselves for points.

6.59 feels like a high average for a rider who has been out for 8 years. I don't have that many notable memories of him but equally it was a better league back then so ought to be able to maintain that at least. I wonder who will be next on the comeback trail.....im hoping its Jon Armstrong.

Both Father and Son are ambitious. They have spent thousands of pounds and completed as many miles trekking across the UK and Europe to get the boy where he is today. Belle Vue was chosen for NL for the racing circuit and for CL they will be looking at where is the best possibility of silverware. Track record says thats the Pirates so a fairly easy assumption to make.

Wasn't the multiplier going to increase by 0.1 every season until it reached 2 so that doubling up would be reduced 🤣

The problem is that its a results based business and if Rider A doesn't have the kit and Rider B does they will get picked even if A has more ability. Then its over to the promotors, even at NL the requirement is to arrive with 2 bikes of good standard therefore a van is required and it goes on. The sport should be easier and more accessible to get into but with track time limited and the weasel actively shutting down training schools/amateur events whats the point? Could anyone hand on heart say to parents of a child looking to go into a form of motorsport that speedway is the best option?

Starke even past his best is well capable of sticking a point on his average and possibly two. Vinnie may have fitted average wise but not with the club image. Big crashes, unable to finish meetings due to no machinery and the crowd incident are all not in keeping with the clubs professional outlook.

JPB was definitely a natural on the bike but the biggest change he needed was attitude. Yes his bikes were rubbish but his preparation was worse. He was easily marketable to sponsors but the effort wasn't there so didn't even make it as far as Lewis Bridger.

Didn't think Rushen was old enough at the start of the season? Certainly not green though and has been all across Europe already. Not quite Cairns level but will likely more than double his starting average.

Did not expect that line up. Broadhurst should be a strong signing but the rest looks a bit average. Hard to see many race winners apart from Scott but equally not many last places either. Don't see enough strength to get the necessary away results and mount a challenge to the big 2.

Half a season. I like and rate Jamie and he has great support but he is still green.

Closest i could find was Luke Clifton who will be 43 next season.....although Rob Hollingsworth and Mick Skinner are both north of 60 and would still do a good job at reserve.

Not sure Leicester would go with 2 green reserves but hard to argue with the strength of the side. Foord, Springer and James all got plenty of improvement in those averages

Ooh this could get really messy, especially if riders are signed and then a switch to a potential north/south split occurs. North - Edinburgh, Workington, Middlesborough, Belle Vue & Scuffield South - Oxford, Leicester, Birmingham, Kent & Plymouth (can't see Kings Lynn bothering if its a 5 way split) North looks ok and would open a path for Glasgow to join 2026 but South would be nervous with 2 only established teams and the others re-joining this year and Plymouths reputation of NL hokey cokey might make future seasons less viable......that said when has Speedway ever planned for the future.

I like Tom but his away form was average for Leicester and was often riding in the easier positions, not sure it will be confidence boosting for him if he scrapes 6 in NDL fixtures however.....because he is doubling up he hopefully will have the extra track time and setup tips to help with that. Phillips is just in his 20's but sadly hasn't been the same since his nasty crash at Mildenhall. Same as Halder really, every time he gets going he takes a tumble and sets himself back. Will be interesting to see how many take places in both Development competitions?

I can and will accept that im an opinionated so and so and that personality clashes can certainly occur. However i do agree that Ben is just a kid acting like a kid in a grown ups world. There are many younger riders who conduct themselves far more professionally off track. That said i am glad he has secured a place at Leicester and builds on the opportunity.

Which means the Triggers could conduct themselves better. My interactions have not been as frequent as many but i can't say that they have ever left a positive impression off/around the tracks.

Its not always just a numbers game.

Weaker league yes but Spencer is no number 1. Phillips and Halder and just enjoying the latter years. Ben Rathbone promised much and thus far ahs delivered little. Don't think much of Ace or ward but Stene has a bit of something about him. safe to say im glad its not my local side as i personally couldn't get behind that team.