STEVEHOLS54

Yes but he said he had signed his first contract. he didn't say first Champ contract. So when asked if its Poole he could quite rightly say its a different postcode (because Oxford NDL team is). Smoke and mirrors as they say. Words in relation to his first contract could quite easily be his NDL Contract bearing in mind he cannot actually sign a Champ contract anyway until March 2026 when he turns 16. Its probably different in the NDL as you can ride at 15. I hope that the case anyway 🙂

it could be he has signed for Oxford NDL team of course. I am sure he will do both the NDL and NDT leagues again in 2026 as well as Champ. I am sure he will want maximum races he can get for experience. I don't believe any Champ team would be too happy with him advance releasing clues as to which Champ team such a prestige young signing would be signing for in advance.

Personally I would like to see Tobias sign for Plymouth as he was pretty impressive when riding there. 5 matches in 2025 with a av of 6.29 or 6.86 incl BP. In 2024 only rode once but still got an av of 6.40 or 8 incl BP. Also more chance off seeing him a few times at Poole in Lge/BSN and maybe KO Cup. An entertainer who will be appreciated at Plymouth with hopefully a decent AV above the 4.82 he achieved in his 33 matches overall at Poole in 2025. Plymouth a tight not easy track but he seems to have it worked out fairly well.

Thanks Guys Hopefully he can secure qualifying sooner rather than later.

Believe that Beau Bailey first chance to qualify for his UK Visa may be in the Victoria Champ on Sat 29th Nov. His main competition seems to be Sedgeman (multiple winner before) - Declan Kennedy - Mitch Mcdiarmid - Fraser Bowes. The others look more beatable for a rider of Bailey's ability. The question is whether you have to finish in the top 2/3 or 4 to qualify. (can anyone clarify ?) Would be nice if he could qualify that early as would take pressure off the guy so he can enjoy his winter racing down there.

Well lets just say that the POL sites such as Speedway PL & Sportsfakty seem willing to mention it in various posts when referring to British Clubs/Riders and interviews but in UK on our main British Speedway site doesn't even think its worth a mention. Considering the decisions these guys make affect what the rules will be the following season would it really be an issue to keep us the fans at least informed of the meeting taking place.. Especially when the site has days of no news. Even a short statement saying the meeting is taking place on XYZ and that they would keep fans updated on what comes out of the meeting on xyz date.

Where did that comment originate from. Depends how you view it. Could indeed be Batchelor who has ridden for Poole. Or viewed differently Bowes could be returning to UK for a second season and staying with Middlo. Its one of those thought provoking comments that can be looked upon depending upon how you interpret it 🙂 Final thought. Find it incredible that the British Speedway site has not made a single mention of the SPA AGM that is supposed to be taking place today, in which we await what will be the rules for 2026 despite many of us near enough knowing at least for the Champ.

If Bailey is earmarked for the team, then I can fully understand why Danny& Matt want to keep a close eye on how the Aussie season goes. Especially with Bailey needing to secure a placing through one of these meetings to qualify for his UK Visa. Fingers crossed he gets that done & dusted in one of the earlier ones to take the pressure off. Bowes start to the Aussie season last Saturday was a strange one. Late withdrawl due to no motor. Maybe his equipment not arrived back from Europe yet. Bailey's did as he won all his 4 heats (beating Sedgeman twice) but lost to Sedgeman in the final after missing the start. Saw the race online and with a slightly better start I think we would have beaten him again the way he closed the gap. Looks a class rider.

Starke I could understand as probably first rider shown the exit door for 2026. Rowe I am a bit surprised. his no show and Danny Could his temper have been linked to the frustration of his groin injury holding back his progress/consistency ?? Even so I hope no major falling out as a very good rider if he can sort out his injury. Still can't understand that with all the people there Friday incl Zach Cook that the question of Zach possibly not riding in Champ next season was not put to bed. Is he sworn to secrecy or something as I would have thought that was the obvious question everyone would have asked. I also thought I saw on the Forum he was supposed to have been flying back to Aussie within a couple of days of season ending. Also with Danny there one would have thought the question of IF the BSPA AGM was still on for this Wed after a good few Forum comments mentioned it could have been postponed ranging from 30/11 to early January. Not even the British Speedway site has mentioned an AGM date.

just saw some photos of the Poole end of season function. Was surprised to see Zach Cook in the photos as thought he had gone home to Aussie just after the BSN Final ?? Any comments on him definitely not doing Champ next season. Also with various comments on the Forum pages about the Wed BSPA AGM being postponed maybe until 30th or even later (Jan), was there any news on offer if it is still due to be this coming Wed ?? Would have thought some news on both would have come out on the Forum by now. Besides Lawson signing for 2026.

That's 3 definitely signed already then with Rowe & Cairns already signed prior to 2025 season started on 2 year deals as informed by Danny Ford when he signed both. Also on Beau Bailey I see he announced he has signed in POL for 2026 for GKM Grudiadz in POL EXL as their U21 foreign rider plus also in their U24 team. That's some Tuesdays tied up for certain but no different to Cairns who did 8 matches for Z.Gora after he turned 16 end of June. Of course Bailey needs to qualify from one of the several State Champs or from Aussie U21 or Aussie main Champ to ride UK.

Would love to have Mcdiarmid at Poole. Considering this guy was 17 in March and his first season in UK at Poole Stadium alone he scored a 4 ride av of 6.77 or 7.38 incl bp from 3 matches and 13 rides. Very impressive for a 17 year old in his first season. His GSA is only 5.18 and he rode in POL U24 Lge and finished runners up with Zischke in the Son FIM U21 World team Champ. Definitely got a future in the sport.

Was Batch situation a case of nearly no other options as from memory thought most teams were already signed up when he was announced. Nobody wanted him in Prem so it was Worky or sell the bikes ?? Incredible really for a guy who was once a Grand Prix Rider who rode in 28 GP's. He is getting on but was only 38 in August so still has a few years left in him.

Also to back track a little. I think Tate Zischke (20) and Mitch Mcdiarmid (17) are other promising Aussie talents. Was gutted when Poole didn't sign Darcy prodigy Tate in 2023. Unfortunately a serious injury kept him out of UK in 2023 and a more serious one in 2024 curtailed his undoubted talent. Until his second one he was av 7.70 incl BP from just 12 meetings in his first UK season with Worky. I think Darcy Ward felt the Workington track was more suitable being more open for his first season hence why he started there. Mcdarmid has done well for a turned 17 in March in his first UK season. Still a big fan of Ziscke and would love to see him at Poole still on his arguably low 5.76 when the guy was rediscovering his form & Fitness after his potential career ending injury in his first match for B.Vue in 2024. Most of the Worky fans on the forum think he will be back there though for 2026. Fingers crossed we get Bailey as I read that Middlo has plenty of accommodation for riders who want to lodge/board there. Just like both Cook's did.

Plus I think the Aussies will assist all they can in trying to help one of arguably their biggest young speedway talents in a good few years develop his obvious talent in the UK.