Sings4Speedway

After the spineless actions against Kent last season the weasel is back. This time shutting down the Mercians Amateur Speedway club. They had opted to run under a different governing body (who can blame them) but the Leicester venue have been told its SCB events or non so the club has been forced out. We are talking about good honest people who have done far more for the sport without ever seeking the praise that Vatcher clamours for. The sooner he steps aside and allows someone to act in the overall interests of the sport rather than a select few the sooner the slim chances of a recovery will be. As it stands its another big nail in the coffin of British speedway.

Pearson was an enigma when he came over as he was/is a far better rider than he was delivering. Leibmann clearly has pace but can't gate and that will have to drastically improve if she is to ever get near her assessed average. It strikes me that she is happier having the pace dictated by at least one rider in front rather than be there and set it herself. McGurk could keep his place but solely because there are limited riders coming through. Both he and his brother have been raised on bigger circuits and lack the technical side of thier riding which will always continue to hurt thier progress.

I believe for it to count as gambling there has to be at least a chance of a positive outcome.....

Makes sense for Cairns, best track in the country, guaranteed spot for next season so no need to worry about averages AND not signing for Leicester means his Dad can be in the pits at his meetings and focus on being promotor when Leicester are running. William looks as promising as Luke Harrison did during his 'breakthrough' period and if he follows on he will be doing alright. Probably the most positive footnote is Belle Vues intention to run in the NDL next season, i just hope there is enough quality in the league to challenge Cairns. and other emerging riders.

I reckon even i could make my way out of a maze within a month, although David Bowie doesn't make it easy.....

Like making Dayle Wood cry?

i 1000% agree with you. League Speedway offers very little in terms of credibility and in fact often only serves to generate animosity between fan groups who both adore the same sport. IOW are pushing boundaries and building something that actually looks to be a sustainable product (something few others could argue about league speedway) and the US style handicap meeting taking place this week is at the top end of Warriors entertainment.

A few clubs over the past couple of seasons have asked riders not to compete in Nora and a few riders have told the clubs to poke it (not saying any of the competitors that took place in the latest meeting were in that situation), there have also been clubs who were fully behind their riders getting extra laps in and keeping sharp. I think the backlash against the BSPL/SCB would be far too large if they were to try and impose sanctions on any rider competing under another banner. IOW in association with NORA are trying something innovative and different which is scary to the established order, it is also very much a work in progress and often a product that works better on the big open spaces of the smallbrook circuit than may suit other mainland venues.

I like Tom but he does tend to rapidly raise his average in the first half of the season then trim it back down to a more signable 5ish in the latter stages. He's a smart enough rider but im yet to be convinced that he would mix it in a more physical league and his bikes could do with a decent cash injection bu at only 24 there are certainly worse options out there / already riding in the CL.

Bit of a blooper.....sadly exposes my lack of interest in the NDL this year

Catch 22 really. A 10 point rider and a 2 point rider in the same races are never likely to create great entertainment. That said there are also a decent amount of new riders who aren't struggling with the step up Killeen, Boughen, Harrison, Hagon etc. The sport has always succeeded when those who were good enough got and held places and always stumbled when those places were filled by riders whos average fitted. Some of the riders struggling would possibly fare better at another track? The bigger concern is the very short list of riders ready to take 2.00 positions next season if the system persists.

Edinburgh did it in the NDL last season, although Edinburgh have been making up the rules in the NL since they rejoined.

Not shocked sadly. Nice lad is 'enry but never really delivered to his capabilities as he is a very talented motorcyclist. Few injuries over the years have hampered progress along with often experimenting too much with kit and a reluctance to move away from Plymouth teams and better himself on bigger tracks. That said he had a good few years at it and experienced more success than many will ever get near.....all the best for the future.

Current form Matt Marson would be worth a look. Nearly 2 points higher average than McGurk at the same NDL track and far more technically gifted.

The fact that Oxford have been continuing with Spooner in their named 1-7 is fairly laughable however i confess it had escaped me that they didn't have the option to simply run RR and were choosing 3.00 riders to fill gaps. Sadly the fact that Woods was potentially the best available option then says a whole lot about the state the sport is in.......oh and Happy Birthday Sam 31 today.

Just going off the regulations. Not saying its a good ruling but theres no requirement to use an unattached 3 pointer this season C Absent 6 and/or 7 by MA - G who must be in an NDL 1-7 or an unattached rider eligible to participate in the NDL 013.1.6 Guest Rider (G) Replaces an absent regular team member subject to the following: - a) assumes the position and MA of the missing rider b) must be in a current NDL team declaration or any unattached rider eligible to race in the NDL c) a rider may ride as a guest (in an official meeting) at a track only once in an 8-day (within that league) period, unless he is replacing the home teams #1 d) a guest rider in a double header shall count as one meeting only e) the guests own MA must be the same or lower than that of the missing rider A rider can Guest twice at the same track and only once for the same team, in a season. This does not include unattached 3.00 point riders eligible for the NDL

Hodder is almost 20 years younger. Yes Garrad has a better current NDL average but Oxford have raced most of the poor teams thus far and had more home fixtures etc. Garrad is willing to put it about but thats mostly desperation rather than ability.

6 or 7 can be replaced with a guest from another NDL side and with 5.07 for Spooner and 5.68 for Butcher either side could have looked for a stronger option. Both Ward and Simpson are both ex Leicester riders and Dayle Wood turns up to the opening of a crisp packet, any of those would have been an improvement on Woods and Fellows certainly strengthened either sides chances. Sadly the lack of will to win in the strongest fixture of the season thus far sums up how far the league has fallen.

Top of the table clash and lazy guest bookings could cost both sides a chance at the title. Oxford could have taken their pick and a strong reserve would have made a huge difference to the fixture. Whilst the cubs took the points the aggregate score is pretty close and would fancy Oxford to better that result at home should the title depend on it.

Its not Oxfords first foray into starting meetings either in the wet or leaving it far too late to call off when the forecasts are incredibly poor. I do appreciate that forecasts can be wonderfully unpredictable but i feel having boxed themselves in with multiple teams and therefore limited fixture days Oxford will always push on with fixtures even if it looks unwise, perhaps its a risk they are just willing to take.

Could / should be a strong line up with top two from each side plus 4 wild cards to suit home interest.....in reality many won't fancy it and a 3rd of the field will be made up of reserves, like many others this used to be a real flagship event that i would seldom miss but not anymore

I like Vinnie but he is absolutely over riding at the moment and that never ends well. As for the line up top tow by averages plus Foord, James, A.Pijper and S.McGurk would be a cracking lineup. Genuinely hope that its very close to that to be come a well supported event but sadly in speedway its often not the case

Ive a feeling that NDL riders champs takes precedence over other fixtures.....At £15 its better priced than the U21's and probably more open/competitive......Would have to think that Hagon is favourite though which might add a few more undecided home fans.

Classic inconsistency from the SCB though Richie had to pay his fine by a certain time.....Complin has to pay his fine across the 20months of his ban although likely the case that if he fails with any instalment the ban continues to run

Starke was local-ish and cheap. Bit harsh on Hume although he has been poor on the road his home scores have been good and 2024 average is up on his starting number. It always looked a bit early for Hodder and the lack of a consistent wing to be taken under and guided by has seen any progress stall but to suggest Mason Watson as a replacement is madness, might save a couple of quid on travel for the home matches but will need a guest for all the away ones that are a bit far.