teaboy279

To be fair why are we tracking raw aussie kids, when we have many many young brits set to be without a ride depending on size and format of the NL.

Everything you've written there about a winter tour in Aus and NZ then say Argentina and the US and even Thailand, Japan and Malaysia who all have massive bike markets. Even a small foothold in those Asian countries would massively open up extra potentially massive exposure and income. And there must have been some research into moving into spain. Whilst setting up a domestic scene is a far greater task, on the face of it I can help feel a gp in a Spanish football stadium in the summer will not only be a major must do to hardcore speedway fans, but a genuinely feel you would get local fans new to the sport. Again you get a tiny slice of the Spanish pie and its massive in terms of sponsorship.

I really dont understand the logic.

I doubt that very much as he was given a 3.5 assessed average in the NL last season. Having read the press release now, you are right, apologies. Seems crazy to have a higher assessed average then last year when now riding at a higher level.

Think the next name all Kent fans want to see announced is Dan Gilkes.

My reading of the press release lead me to belief it's one big group with the top 6 going to the play offs, first and second into semis and third to sixth into the quarter finals.

Anyone know what average jurica pavlic would be available on? I ve been quite vocal I like a mostly british team. But I think a punt on a lad with a stadium in his back garden is worth a punt if the numbers are right.

Think he was really kicking on when he had his first bad injury. Hopefully another season injury free will see him kick on again

There are plenty of other sports that have BYEs in early rounds to get the numbers right. For example in some drag racing competions it is possible to get a bye through every rnd into the final depending on number of entrants. I do think in speedway when Byes are needed the fairest way is to give them to either... The top 4 in the league from last season or the 4 semi finalists from last season.

If we are comparing to other sports then the FA Cup is the pinicle of club sports cup competions. That has 5 qualifying rounds with more clubs starting at each stage. Then the bottom 2 "pro" leagues join in the 1st round proper and then the Elite at rnd 3.

Not sure what that takes the team total too, but certainly be a team I'd be happy with.

Chris Louis did the draw.

Kent brum Poole Somerset - weds Eastbourne Leicester Berwick- Saturdays Think scunny and glasgow are fridays Edinburgh friday or sat Newcastle will be sundays Redcar not sure.

Think he got a 4.5 average about 26 years ago. As he started last season on a 3.5 assessed in the NL i assume he will be classed as a NL 2.0 rider. But that is just guess work.

Think all will become clearer Tuesday.

Whilst i cant get any clues as too whole have signed, I am assured Sundstrom is not one of them.

Zach W is very high on my wish list, and gets on with paul hurry. So a possibility at least.

I imagine we have quite a good choice of potential lower order options. A lot will depend on how many points we use up on heat leaders if there are many available.

I believe that Iwade can be used if dates run out at CP. But barring in mind we have always run weekly, to have the "senior" team having at least 6 weds away fixtures leaves a nice gap for the NL fixtures.

Bump to get pinned

I think moving forward hopefully the higher league clubs will all start to have some development side as a feeder. even if neighbour clubs entered a joint side sharing home fixtures. It may cost promoters a little in the short term but looking long term it has to be cheaper to have a pool of local lads ready for the big leagues rather then importing riders. Equally a strongly supported NL gives potential new stand alone clubs a viable league to set out in, which in turn can only strengthen speedway across the board. For the pinicle of the the sport to be stable the foundations need to be solid. I actually think if the BSPA were to get the NL back of a couple of years ago, when it was by far the best the league in the country. Get everything around the National League set up right and then adapt the sport moving up the levels accordingly

I strongly expect Rob to ride both leagues, I known plenty of riders who just rode until there body had cried enough for the fun of it rather than any aspiration to move up. I speak to Rob Often and I know feels he has something to offer the sport still and has ambitions to go as high as he can. The man is highly driven and is fully aware how hard its gonna be but is preparing himself and machinery to give himself every opportunity to suceed. I think if he makes a go of it in the higher divisions it's a great story to pitch to the tv companies and newspapers etc to gain exposure. Best of luck to him. I think it's also worth noting that Kent have only ever had NL riders and all of whom mix with the fans, in the pits, around thier Van's, and in the bar afterwards, i think with Rob and Scott both of those will ensure that connection continues Also reference Lens comments about surprise international rider signing, I think maybe he meant an (ex) international level rider rather then a foreign one?

I ve been told by a decent source that they are expecting between 8 and 10 teams in the NL. Not been told who the potential extras are though.

If there is a NL then Kent will be in it, UNLESS they bring in any silly rules. With 6 away fixtures between Poole, Somerset and Brum on weds that opens almost enough free dates for the NL fixtures.

Believe midweek speedway is the issue stopping Gilkes to confirm yet. He wants his dad in the pits with him but it's hard for his dad to get the time off. Hopefully he will be number 1 in our NL side and 7 in our CL side.