Sings4Speedway

Lets face it Sunday afternoon and just across the border there would have likely been a decent amount of Mildenhall fans alone attending the event without the other clubs who are likely to feature well attending. Im certain a coach from Kent on a Sunday afternoon would have been an easier sell if it was heading to Kings Lynn rather than Stoke on a Saturday night.

That is a bonus for some but i do fear that many are in positions now where its a choice of either one rather than both.

Yes they are and would be a very strong Nl side. No disrespect to any of the riders as they will all put effort in but Scunny are travelling with 4 second strings. Nicol had a good night at Brum riding at reserve and now he takes the number 5 jacket. Auty could surprise but i don't expect Eastbourne to suit him. The facts are that this is highly likely to cost Eastbourne a lot and the Robfather will get away cheaply.

Crikey and the word "hopefuls" included too. With the exception of Waj who will return to the form of old once his speedway break is over and Jeppesen the rest have tried failed and tried again plus some would cost the club far too much. I suspect more realistic signings will be Kasper Andersen or Wilko

Bumped back as its not the flagship event they wanted and will now rather than staging at a neutral top flight venue it will be held at Stoke. Whilst the implications is that the racetrack has improved the facilities and location has not. Think the number of travelling visitors will be considerably down. Yet again nice idea but poorly executed, welcome to British Speedway.

Still seems strange when Coles has been competitive again and beaten Phillips yet does not get offered his team place at Newcastle? Jorgensen is a shadow of his former self and Lasse is caught in that cycle where his kit needs upgrading but he isnt earning to do it and then its getting worse.

Certainly a tough ask when Danny Ayres (brilliant as he is) is the major selling point for the meeting. A dreadful team is being sent down from Scunthorpe that borderlines under strength. I know many teams may not be expecting to get a result at Eastbourne but they do deserve something to offer their crowds especially "in the best interests of the sport". Look forward to hearing about Jon Cooks programme notes this week.....should feature a full and snivelling apology but i doubt the odious man even has the bottle to do that.

Indeed and interesting as its previous gripes were being under powered on bigger tracks. Disappointing from Somerset another season of promise fizzling out early.

The curse of these challenge matches can be that the NL select sides can be built a bit strong and with no rules (the Swindon side averages 40.86) and should have enough to see off Kent however the bigger aim is to provide an entertaining match that encourages fans to back a NL venture based from Swindon and from that perspective the Sprockets teams has been well assembled.

Certainly removes a level of the spectacle. Not being overly harsh on Cradley to say without Max they will have huge difficulties progressing. Belle Vue on the other hand who have a huge chance of winning should be able to cover their 4th rider a bit easier and actually opens the contest as a whole up.

I think the this is one of the few areas where the reduction in points limit has worked to an extent as the idea at least was to force riders to improve, move up or move out. My biggest gripe with the NL is often the amount of riders who tread water for season after season and ultimately block up team places for others who are trying to break into the sport. The top guys (who all had to start somewhere) do have things to offer but the middling guys / persistent slow burners are what needs addressing.

Replace as far as i know with as quoted by the Plymouth promotion. Anyway as it stands i do think its wrong that riders without team places cannot guest within the NL. I would even go as far to say that these riders could even get a reduction to promote the use of unattached riders but the rules are as they are (for this season at least). There have been plenty of better riders who have faded into the background due to the classic numbers game and i suspect that will continue its just the nature of the sport

Agreed. Riders in that situation who its a little harder on as they were eligible last year until the rule change although in all fairness Jamie isn't keen on travel and William has ridden for almost every team in the league.

I thought it was Postman Pat who posted post?

Id be very surprised if that was the case. Probably best for Sheffield to move forward and be the priority again.

Avoidance yep Puma (too narrow) and not so long ago brought a pair of Kappa's wore them briefly and the sole started to detach so returned them for a replacement and they did the same thing a few weeks later .

Very true in all fairness Lee Kilby switching his allegiances to Swindon have had a factor too as he was doing some positive work in the previous seasons.

No pre match build up from the promotion once again? Is the PR element from the club slipping or are they bracing for another rain off?

No doubt that a fit and race sharp Gilkes returning will make the Kings a much bigger force (at least for the month he spends at reserve) but as ever once he moves into the team his threat will be nullified a bit like the Thompsons / Palin so its down to who fills the positions. Kent are likely to see Spooner at reserve and he could be even more dangerous there whereas Leicester with Ryan Mac & the ever absent Halder not so much. Are there any update on Gilkes likely return date? Obviously with a promising career it would be foolish to rush back but there must come a cut off point when he will choose to sit out the remainder of the year and maintain his 2.00 average plus im sure there is a signing deadline in July but of course that could have secretly changed?

Doh! Bit to early for me clearly.

Similar issue. I have a pair of day glo orange laces and hunting the perfect trainers to fit them into

im now starting to feel the pressure with limited days left. With roughly 11 years left, pair of trainers lasting circa 6 months that's less than 22 pairs left in my existence time....got to choose wisely

Who was expecting Adam Sheppard to be on a paid max after his first 3 rides? Whilst the win was secured there must be a few alarm bells ringing at Kent? The pre season favourites do look like there is a tendency to self destruct a little. Spooner obviously rusty, Jenkins & Ledwith brilliant but inconsistent and Kemp yet to set his season on fire. Fortunately the mature beyond his years Rowe held things together. By most debut season Ablitt is having a decent one but with much promise he is being eclipsed by the others stepping into the league and with the Gladiators reserve pairing not being one of the leagues strongest there are signs of weakness in the once dominant Kings side.

Fair point although Baseby "retired" due to lack of team place/high average and Hampshire "took a break/got the hump" for the same reason. Fact is Wally couldn't hold down his team place for a full season yet again and has to pay the price just like any other rider.

Not sure that the NL fours has priority over CL so you may be stuck with Danny but do also get Max which is a huge bonus especially after his 18 point Max last night.