Sings4Speedway

I would be surprised if Kelly gets a NL place this season and staggered if he ends up in the Champs unless he pays to ride.

Ability wise Rob will be in the mix with other reserves but can he kick on and do any more than that? He is a really nice bloke and my other main fear is that he will get beaten up at CL level and his track record for recovering from injuries isn't good. I wish him well but think he would probably be better suited sticking to NL and helping other riders develop.

On his current average he can pick any team he chooses. Whoever has landed his signature (if anyone is lucky) although the lure of Denmark may be too strong?

Announced. All signed a long time ago. Decent options are rapidly running out for Kent. Ellis widely tipped to be back at Brum, Bacon Poole bound and with Danish league also running on weds options are fewer still. Len has never been keen on the visa paperwork so its likely to be a European only side. Always have mixed feelings as should be a team who can gate but for entertainment it would be better with a team of crazy racers even if the track doesn't always lend to it.

I believe he largely gobs off, slates the lower leagues and ultimately drags down the name of the club and the hard work put in by others.

I was mucking around a little although from the little i know he has an eye on a return to grasstrack once his ban has expired so who knows.

Certainly not knocking Dan's achievements as they were excellent however 2016 wasn't a vintage year for quality reserves in the NL and Edinburgh held open auditions for reserves as they were desperate....he did grab the opportunity with both hands though.

Longtracker on the up but think he missed out on a spot in the series this year. Going places but big gamble as there are as many failures as success stories if heading down that route.

To be fair the list of riders above have all very different reasons for not hitting the heights in the CL and for several there is still plenty of time to do so. Not every rider is ready at a young age. The Thompson family are grounded and do know what they can and cannot achieve, Leicester have been behind these two for a good while so should stand by them through good and bad. Even if they don't make the grade this season they are getting good experience for the following year.

Thompsons confirmed and its a bold bold move from both parties. Certainly won't be the worst reserves in the league but could fall victim to strength in depth squads. A lot rides on these two young riders and as they progress and age they need to start being viewed as individuals and judged on their own merits accordingly.

Potentially it could stack up as a genuine business move especially if the rider is friends of the club and attracts more supporters than he takes away in points monies....i did say could.

In terms of viability it would only concern he home crowd as i suspect as many Plymouth fans would travel to Newcastle as vice versa. In terms of NL it depends how sensible promotions are as technically there are less potential team places for riders and therefore demands shouldn't be as high BUT there is often one side who scoops up the best available by putting together strong packages.

Massive signing and the first one in the UK that has genuinely excited me for a good few years. Will definitely try and get to either P'boro or Ipswich when he is in town.

Better version of what Somerset attempted last season. However needs 4 out of the top 5 to fire every week, strong side but cannot carry any passengers.

Wood is very suspect unfortunately. Brilliantly talented on a bike but lack of funding and understanding on what engines need to do has held him back at anything above NL. If he gets a lot of assistance at Kent he could be a good option but how deep will the pockets be with two sides? Morley seems a no brainer but that doesn't always apply. How long has Steve Boxall got left on his ban?

Only outside shout is Gilkes but thats if he fancies the step up, if he doesn't want closer to home like Leicester or Brum etc the rest are either else where or not at the level yet. Don' know if Adam Ellis fancies Champs next season but would be a good signing, Bacon as mentioned else where also. basically any strong gaters would suit Kent which is why its often odd that Len builds teams of racers.

Under decent instruction could reignite his career in 2020. Not excelled anywhere technical that i can recall so certainly a challenge although in a side built to keep him at reserve should favour all parties.

Crikey how many weeks on the sidelines for that lot.

the delay is the BSPA looking up the meaning of 'ratifying'

Would be great to have Danny back but suspect he will rejoin Scunny as for Alfie im personally staggered he gets mentioned so often and would struggle in any side.

Kings racing on a Wednesday night so very much still a strong chance it will be Nicholls.

Personally i don't think so but ive been surprised before plus the Nicholls signing is quite a carrot for any rider who is willing to learn.

Little mention of Drew from the presentation night, normally Len likes to make a fuss of returning riders so Gilkes, Ledwith & Mulford all being kept sweet (for whichever level) but Kemp, Jenkins & Rowe largely ignored so unlikely to see them back in either side.

The frustration with Kyle is that it seems to be said every season. That said he does seem settled at Eastbourne so fingers crossed this is finally the year he really kicks on.

Phillips has had backing and opportunities that many others have not. In reality he went from 3.00 - 4.98 in 2014, 4.98 - 6.38 in 2015 and that has largely been the sum of his progress. He stagnated in 2016 before his nasty accident in 2017 and has continued to be an average 6 point NL rider. In my mind signing these are the types of riders repeatedly spoils the sport, offer progress or move on and give someone else a chance.