Sings4Speedway

I love Lewi Kerr, tough as nails and a nice bloke so glad to see him fixed up anywhere and think he will improve further next year. Newman offers value on an average year on year but somehow always seems to finish on almost the same number and doesn't really offer any level of improvement. Brennan will be back but the rest seems unlikely, be daft to give Bowtell or Wood another go and not sure the value is in either Kennett or Lawson. So would be expecting something like 1. TBC 2. Nichol 3.Brennan 4.Newman 5.Kerr 6.Spiller 7.Edwards

Im pretty sure they ran 500's & 125's. It was mooted to include 250 heats in the MDL a year or so ago but there was a shortage of available riders even then. A quick look at the youth rounds this year shows 8 riders as the best entry in the class and that included the unfortunate Sam Norris, Sam Peters & Eli Meadows who were all riding 500 machines already.

I would say that Halifaxtiger is a highly reputable poster and vast supporter of the sport rather any blinkered allegiances. He is fully entitled to keep his sources private as discussions locally are not always intended to be on the record but often incredibly accurate and incitement. The promotion at Plymouth have stated upon their own forum that financial increases are required and large sums if a step up in league is required. Facts will become evident as unless the tide of losses is stemmed then the current promotion could step away from the club and the risk of losses is even higher in the upper leagues.

Certainly an interesting addition and does offer up a way of rider development without the huge rush to jump on a full 500cc bike. That said the 250 class in the UK is shrinking at an alarming rate with the new in favour choice to jump straight from 125 to 500! That said multiple races of the same 4 riders could become quite predictable but the concept is sound

There is a potential golden opportunity here for a few forward thinking individuals like Barry Bishop potentially Connor Dugard and others to create something out of nothing here. While those above lose their heads in the immediate mess a chance has arisen for those with a bit of grey matter to do something slightly radical and make a viable product that could ultimately save British speedway in the long term.

If the moves are being made to prop up the top leagues then the sport is definitely not in a good way. Especially if NL is going to be the sacrificial lamb. Maybe those remaining can form an entertaining mini league based from Rye House & Mildenhall with each club hosting a couple of teams as that could present a draw at weekends if priced correctly. Im not sure Kent would want to move up but could survive although not as the big fish in the pond anymore. Plymouth will likely last a season or so then be lost forever as the losses as a tuesday night track would be horrific. Worst of all is all the MDL type teams that have been run by volunteers for good while seem like they will be drummed out by the mafia stepping in on their toes. If the sports focus at the top is the priority then it will kill its own roots and that is the beginning of the end.

Looking ahead to another very uncertain winter. Driven largely by the mess of the clubs in the leagues above and much will depend how they are structured before a NDL is even considered. Throw in the clubs closing/defecting and its alarming times ahead (unless there are those above who would welcome a drop down?) I just can't see Kent wanting to risk the year on year sustainability with a move up, IOW are building but carefully and the Mildenhall promotion are new in also. However its the riders who i feel for most as many have put a lot in this year in preparation for getting or maintaining team places next year and could be forced out altogether. I would certainly be hesitant as a rider if i was planning on any purchases over the winter.

Bold move as the status of the leagues above is largely unknown at present and feels like a last roll of the dice for the current promotion.

Better riders? Apart from Ben missing it was one of the strongest Laurels that Len has lined up for years. That said once a couple of high profile withdrawals kick in it was a bit of a non event. Has a rider ever qualified for a semi final on 1 point before? Best wishes to Lambo and congratulations to Bowen 747, bow out on a high and enjoy your retirement.

With respect it was largely a strong heat leader level field and he only completed 2 rides. That said i do think Spooner is quite light on several key skill set areas and has had his frailties masked by the help he receives at Kent. Mulford on the other hand scrapped away for good 7 point return.

With the greatest of respect the rider who said he is quitting and off to Australia should have got the answer of enjoy the flight and the written off van on the M5, get another one from your insurance. Pandering to riders is a big reason why the many clubs are in trouble and that kind of behaviour shouldn't be tolerated in the NL. Far better to oust the riders at the time (X has left the club because he didn't show the level of commitment we required/expected to maintain his place) the sooner there is a return to it being a privilege to have a team place rather than a rite the sooner the sport can start t get up off its knees.

I have no record of this but im sure i read somewhere that NL was the only option for Cradley as they wouldn't be allowed to enter the higher leagues without a track of their own? Anyone else have any recollection of this or of course know if what was said/heard is factual asit only comes from my cloudy memory.

Price tag is often a bone of contention but at the level you suggest maybe the NL can return to a proper £10 sport? Whilst the 'names' will be missing if the NL is a sub 6 pointer league the racing will likely be closer and more entertaining as you have riders of closer abilities in every race. At present a 2.00 rider can be out on track with 10+ average riders and whichever league it is that is unlikely to produce anything other than strung out races. By reducing the gulf in standard between riders is likely to improve the entertainment also?

Personally i think that cost reductions can and should be driven by the promotions. These guys are driving themselves out of business by paying riders over the top money. If they all stuck to their guns and paid reasonable figures riders would need to look at how to either generate more income via actively seeking their own sponsorship and/or reduce the amounts spent on bike parts and focus on maintenance rather than replace every part that becomes slightly scuffed. However vans are just part of modern culture, the number of cars on lease or PCP is rising and the average age of vehicles on the road is shrinking. Add in the vast distances covered by even the lowest level riders and the need to arrive safely, reliably both at the track and back home into the early hours then money spent on a van is the best money spent for any speedway rider.

Whoever chose the opposition its quite a gamble going up against a strong Bears side, that said there is a fair tactical element to it as i would fancy Somerset to have a stronger chance of taking out Glasgow and then i would back either Lions or Bears to beat Rebels in the final.

Surely it sums up UK speedway for the worse if he is forced to ride for Eastbourne in a dead rubber match and force a play off fixture which is likely to be televised and feature a guest. I see very little point in holding the fixtures that occur after the play off cut off dates.....that said i personally feel all fixtures should be completed before the KO cups etc are started, if you haven't got your home fixtures down you don't get to enter....simple

Cost reductions yes but is there any sustainability of rider production in a model like that? If the MDL is to remain in it current format you would lose the vast majority of sub 6 point riders from the sport along with anyone competing now as the current target is NL 2.00 position not championship reserve at 6.00 level. How would anyone be able to get near that level or be measured without sensible levels of competition and track time. I feel if there is no NL next season there will be no point having an MDL either any many will just walk away from the sport. Propping up the top leagues by sacrificing the grassroots of any sport just doesn't work.

Im all for promotion of emerging riders (be that youthful or otherwise) however ive always been in favour of being good enough rather than young enough. Protecting riders has done no favours in the past whilst the Aussies have no comfort blanket at all and it is a pure case of sink or swim. There will obviously be riders lost by the wayside who are either no strong enough on or off the track but those that are left will ultimately have made the grade.

Is that not going to create greater divides between the abilities of riders? Its tough enough when PL heat leaders line up against NL second strings in the CL this season. Are you implying that Jason Doyle & Luke Harris in the same race is good for the sport or the entertainment factor? A smaller league with a higher minimum rider average for the top league is required so that the gulf in class is reduced. Closer matched riders on the right tracks will produce far better racing and entertainment than one or two superstars disappearing half a lap into the distance.

Very much appreciated as ever. Quick question though do IOW not go ahead of Exeter due to superior points difference?

I too think that Belle Vue will edge that semi final but Spooner at reserve for Kent is a huge trump card that said i think the title will depend upon RTD and ultimately end up with Cubs hands on the trophy.

With great respect that is largely what we had this season and what is likely next year. The only reason this year looks a little stronger is the batch of youth riders progressing up in one go but the amounts cannot be sustained every year. The likes of King & Butcher will need to be 2nd strings next year if they want a place and quite frankly if just natural progression. Likewise the top riders will be pushed up into the CL (providing their is one) as that was the 'vision' when the averages were reduced. If you look at the green sheets the most sides have a top two on 8+ of very close if all of these moved up (top 3 from Belle Vue & Clegg from Cradley) then introduced two x 2.00 as reserves that is likely what will be served up next season. There are riders that will obviously fall by the wayside a usual but thats just how the sport moves on.

Similar i suspect. There is a large contingent of speedway & grasstrack riders who have been competing in a pitbike series on the Iwade mini track for the past couple of winters. Maybe Eastbourne are looking to capitalise on this growing interest and inexpensive form of motorsport.

Whilst i get what you are saying in reality the MDL style leagues should not contain riders that are learning to ride (although sadly in places it does) it should be riders who are bike competent and are honing their racing skills and techniques in preparation for the step up to the next level. The competent riders along with lower level NL riders would produce good racing as all you need for good entertainment is a raceable surface and competition that is of similar abilities.

I guess much depends on the stipulation of what is required as a training league and if silly age restrictions are brought in? Higher end MSDL riders mixed with lower end NL riders would still be a saleable product (although make the jump to the next tier tougher). It may also force the lower end MSDL riders back to the amateur scene until they develop further but that may be no bad thing?