STEVEHOLS54

Maybe I've not seen enough of him other then a few video clips. We can all get it wrong when we look at videos of only a few rides. I remember a 23 year old Ben Cook arriving in 2021 and based on some of his Aussie form, I was very sceptical and thought he would be out by the first GSA's before he had even ridden for Poole. How wrong I thankfully was 🙂. The guy deserves his chance so good luck and hopefully he can score a few points

You really expect anything else from Danny Ford ?? Can't see how you can compare a what will be 25 year old with at least 6 years experience in NDL to a raw young what was 15 year old in his first season at NDL level. Anyway the deal is done - Danny is happy and its only temporary until Cairns. The bigger question on the likes of Springer future will no doubt unfold over 2025.

But IF Springer really improved this year and stepped up a level you could possibly tie up one of the UK's top prospects on a 2 point GSA who could easily achieve 3/4 points per meeting in 2026. That surely is a positive team move. I look at Springer and how he performed at 15 against Foord (nearly 3 years older with more experience) in some races, then I saw a rider who could be better than Vinnie when he reaches 17/18. Remember he was only 16 last November. Having said that I am sure many promoters will be monitoring young Sonny's performances this coming season and will be alert to signing him if he does progress. Just feel we could have got a head start if had had signed until July.

To take the positives. Poole signed Cairns really early last season. They saw the potential and struck to give him a near enough 2 year deal considering he could not ride anyway until 1st July. If we assume that Springer was to show plenty of scope/improvement in him in the period up to say July, there is nothing really stopping them trying to sign him as a 2 pointer with lots of improvement in him for 2026 (assuming that Cairns will achieve over 2 per meeting GSA by end of 2025). Would also leave additional points for top/middle end of the team for 2026. Just have this feeling that from seeing Springer on various videos riding 2024 meetings that the then 15 year old looked like he is going places and his riding of Poole in the NLR Series once he had got used to the track was impressive as was his riding in NDL meetings. Could be wrong but his decent gating/exciting style and always trying was pretty impressive for a 15 year old in his first season at 500 cc level. Last time i had that feeling was when seeing plenty of videos of a young Tate Zischke in Aussie before his accident in Aussie 2023 when he could not ride a bike for 6/7 months.

So they sign an Aussie who will be 25 in March who has been riding UK since 2018 (with a 2 year break in 20/21). I know this is only a temp appointment, but did they even attempt to approach a young Brit based here like Springer/Vale etc who have more scope to improve. My personal view from videos seen is he did not look a natural on a bike and his riding style looked awkward to me and certainly not impressive for someone who has ridden on NDL tracks for 7 years (less 2 off). Compared to both Springer & Vale both have shown improvement and both based in the South. Maybe I am wrong and they were approached and didn't want to take on Champ this early if also both still in education system. Of course we will never know that, but I think we could have done better. But of course the die hards will say its only a temp appointment. My personal view remains that Springer (only 16 last Nov) showed a lot more scope to improve and could have showcased his talent to be considered for a 2026 slot. I get the impression that Marsen was the first and possibly only rider they approached. Could have done a better job promoting a young up and coming Brit talent for the future, but just my opinion.

I'm not one of them. Vinnie Foord is a prime example of a young rider who had a 3.81 GSA or 5.14 incl BP at close of NDL 2023 and look how he progressed with Poole in 2024. Springer was 15 last season and the videos I saw indicate he is better than Foord was at 17 back in 2023. Who knows what will happen pre 1st July but if a young lad (whoever he is) does that well then there is nothing to stop the Fords offering him a contract for a reserve berth in 2026 plus he could even be pushing to keep his place for next season depending on circumstances. However no pressure would be on him as it would be unfair and if he was to develop like a Vinnie did in 2024 then I'm sure Poole would make sure he is signed.

True but from start of Poole season until 1st July - 6 matches at Poole - 3 at Oxf/Plym - 4 at Edin/Berw/Glas/Worky = Total 13 of which 9 in the South which better suited to a Kent based youngster. Also important logistically for a 16 year old not even qualified to drive a car until Nov 2025. Again may not be him but Danny did mention a young rider and the logistics of such a signing are with him and his parents. Would point to being one of the younger NDL guys which narrows the choice a bit. Similar situation to Ashton Vale (Hertfordshire) & Jody Scott (Norfolk) although Springer arguably the best located of all 3 for Poole. Anyway we will hopefully find out soon. I would love it if we signed someone who shows potential and gets dangled a carrot from the Ford's to be one of our reserves for 2026. Especially if he does reasonably well at Poole. Would get plenty of meetings in 2025 with the NDL/NDT plus U21/U19 qualifying meetings on top.

Also easy to forget he was in his first season - was only 15 and a half and was riding in an U21 meeting. His 2 wins and a second beating the likes of Foord/Wood & Max James on a track he had never ridden was a decent effort. Of course could be way off as it was Lewy who mentioned him, but from the videos I saw he looks like he may have a decent future, with Leicester more than happy to have him in both their NDL sides. Also hails from Kent and went/goes to secondary school there. Meaning not having to travel down from way up North.

Just cultivating opinion/input into Poole 2025 Forum. Better than seeing all the useless waffle aimed at Poole joining/not joining the Prem KO Cup for 2025. Feel free to watch the videos to see if you agree that whether he is the choice or not he shows early signs of being a decent rider considering he was only 16 in Nov and was 15 in the 2 meetings I viewed. I would hope my almost 55 years of watching the sport live - via TV and online has given me a small insight into riders who display potential at an early age 🙂

Also on Sonny Springer didn't realise how impressive this youngster looked until I just saw 2 impressive videos of him on Youtube just now. The one which was Leicester V Middlesbrough was very impressive where he beat team mate Joe Thompson but also beat the likes of trigger & Perry. Also in an U21 individual he beat Max James. Both meetings last season. Can gate and has an exciting style. This guy could be going places based on what I've seen. Remember he rode these meetings as a 15 year old. Just type in Sonny Springer into youtube search.

Could be an interesting option. Just turned 16 in Nov and had a decent first season in the sport riding for Leicester 2 last season. Had a 5.60 GSA but 6.80 incl bonus points. Had some decent scores if you look through the Speedway Stats website under the riders section. Rode 10 league matches in that first season and could be another youngster who could have a decent future. Would be a decent option and with no pressure on him. Considering what he achieved as a first season 15 year old, I would be happy to see him sign until July. Also good experience for him as he is already signed for Leicester 2 & 3 teams. Getting ahead of myself here but if he did do reasonably well, and shows expected improvement for Leicester could be an ideal 2 pointer for 2026. Just a thought if Cairns ends up with 4 or more at season end. A decent carrot to dangle in front of him as a potential incentive.

Problem is that don't the 4 BSN Qualifiers also count in the GSA calculation (thought they did last season), which would make it totally unviable if they also have 7 Lge fixtures before 1st July. If jody was the choice then he already has his NDL season sorted with both Oxf & K.Lynn, and if you factor in Poole have 13 fixtures over Champ/BSN and KO Cup before 1st July. Considering Jody is only 18 in Feb 25 that's not a bad meeting haul as of Jan 2025 and that's not counting all the younger rider individual meetings. If he is doing okay I am sure that another team would go for him if they see he is doing well (assuming Oxford could/do not want to fit him in.

Would like to put this post out again as no responses received, other than the ongoing exchanges re Poole not participating in the Prem KO Cup. Now the Champ fixtures are out. How many Lge matches before young Cairns gets a GSA ?? I notice Poole ride 7 Lge matches before he rides his first match against Glasgow at home on 2nd July. Meaning in effect 9 Lge fixtures left prior to any play offs if they qualify. Can anyone confirm what the qualifying criteria is as get the feeling they have timed it so he keeps his 2 point GSA also for 2026. I know the play offs do not count for GSA's. Similar the BSN qualifiers that counted will also be completed before July.

Now the Champ fixtures are out. How many Lge matches before young Cairns gets a GSA ?? I notice Poole ride 7 Lge matches before he rides his first match against Glasgow at home on 2nd July. Meaning in effect 9 Lge fixtures left prior to any play offs if they qualify. Can anyone confirm what the qualifying criteria is as get the feeling they have timed it so he keeps his 2 point GSA also for 2026. I know the play offs do not count for GSA's. Similar the BSN qualifiers that counted will also be completed before July.

Not a case of panicking. If the deal is done why not announce it. They were happy to release the post 1st July team before Xmas so why not announce this guy ?. It is interesting though that many on the Poole Forum (and from other teams) knew most if not all the post 1st July team well ahead of the Ford's announcing, but with this one temp guy nobody seems to have worked out who it is yet. I'm sure we will find out eventually. But if as you say deal done then why not put it out there.

All still quiet from Ford Towers on who the temporary No.7 will be. Could it be a case of no takers currently for the job. There is still no rush but considering how Matt/Danny love to milk/maximise the media coverage, and knowing how many months they near enough knew they would need temporary cover, would have thought that with riders needing to make sufficient arrangements (even if only for 3 months), something would have been sorted by now. Think the Champ Team finalising is now just down to Plymouth No.7 and our temp signing. You would think that a rider in NDL would love the chance to show case their potential talent for the future. Either that or maybe nobody at this stage in that lower region of the NDL wants to be used as a whipping boy driving around the Country in the higher league for 3 months scoring little to no points. It could be someone is secured already but they are trying to secure them some sponsorship/mechanic etc to make it viable for the rider involved. After all, if his points haul is minimal he will need some income from somewhere to make it worthwhile.

In the overall scheme of 2025 as a whole it may not be too relevant. However for those of us who enjoy using the close season to try and guess/work out who next seasons team will be, it also keeps interest in the Poole forum going, and to exchange ideas on whom it may or not be. Ultimately we have 3 months of this temporary rider doing his best even if with limited/inexperienced ability. So yes to those of us interested it would be good to know, bearing in mind it was Danny himself who stated that the full team should be announced before Christmas. Anyway hopefully we will find out in the near future.

Correct - Plus Danny has known for months he would need a replacement 2 pointer. It was him who originally indicated in interviews the team should be announced by Xmas. By that I assume the full team also starting. I assume it's because many who may be half decent have held off as long as possible or the likes of Max James who informed him he was not part of their 2025 plans had a late change of mind due to Edinb not having finalised their originally planned team building. Maybe it will be someone like Chaz Wirtzfeld (mentioned on here earlier) a local Dorset lad who rode B.Vue 2 in 2024 (maybe also part of 25 squad) and for 2025 Plymouth 2. Would make some sense if he is still local and one of the better one's still not signed in Champ. Merry Christmas all.

So are we going to get our final rider announced before Xmas ?. I mean starting line up which includes the temporary 2 pointer rider until 30th June. Danny Ford's last comment was not totally clear having earlier said the team expected to be announced before Xmas. His last comment was "Ford has confirmed that there will be a temporary signing to cover at number seven and he hopes to be in a position to confirm who that will be in the near future".

I would be happy with 4/5/6 per meeting next season. Over 2 points riding with Starke/Thomsen should secure Poole sufficient if the other 5 perform,

If Rowe has signed a 2 year deal on the basis Poole know they will race in 26, it would be logical to think maybe an agreement in principal for similar agreed with Cairns family. Especially if Poole feel he will end up still with a GSA of 2 for 2026 from remaining Poole fixtures when he comes in irrespective of how well he may score. Falubaz have him signed up already for 25 and if performs as we expect I'm sure he will be there for 26. Meaning 18 matches if they get to play off final (Tues race day), also add in his almost certainly in SGP2 qualifying and maybe the 3 finals ??. He also did training camps in POL in 2024. He could even maybe get a Prem reserve slot in 2026 if his stats really stack up.

If I remember correctly I saw a Youtube interview with Cairns late last Summer while staying at his mentor Greg Hancock's place in Sweden, that he actually mentioned he had agreed a deal with a Champ side in 2025 when he turns 16. I think it may have been that interview when all the Cairns joining Poole rumours/comments started to leak out.

While some not too impressed by Starke think it's a clever signing, especially at Poole. I think he will do well at home against plenty of the reserves with a higher GSA due to his track knowledge (as evidenced last season in 3 meetings when Worky visited). Against teams with stronger reserves I think that Poole top 4 will outscore the other teams sufficiently to cover the shortfall at reserve. Factor in that Tobias could well end up at reserve with Cairns after the first GSA's end of June doesn't make bad reading. Also if Starke does bomb out they could replace maybe up to 5 points (based on first GSA if he outscores most weaker/inexperienced reserves) which widens the replacement possibilities. Assuming Cairns would replace the 2 pointer temp replacement. The important part is to try and stay in top 4. We shouldn't think too much about the brilliant treble season in 2024. We had to shed 6 points in team strength, but we are now in a weaker league after some good riders not returning. Still optimistic of a decent season.

Interesting when looking at Vinnie say compared to Max James. Vinnie is one year older (18). First rode full season in NDL with Kent in 2021 then Leicester full season in 2022. In 2023 also Leicester but Max (then 16) rode his first season and outscore Vinnie 6.79 to Vinnie 5.14 incl bonus. Last season both at Leic Max av incl bonus was 8.30 compared to Vinnie 7.86 incl bonus. Now considering Vinnie is one year older and with 2 years more experience than Max it makes you think could ??? Max have plenty of improvement in him considering his age and limited racing experience. Factor in his maiden season at Edinburg last season in Champ. Just a thought, as if you saw Vinnie in 2022/23 you probably would have never expected to see the heroics he performed for Poole in 2024.

I think it's difficult to assess until we know who the number 6 actually is. I agree the "All about the points/numbers limit" does make it look at bit strange considering where we are at, where Vinnie would have fitted even on a 40 point limit, considering he had already been allegedly allocated a slot when it was 38 points. Even more strange when the top 5 had near enough been agreed/known about by a good few on this forum long before any announcements. Suppose we just have to wait a bit longer to find out the number 6 in order to work out maybe why. If it is a young Aussie then you would think all the planning - Work Visa - accommodation - Engineers - sponsors - equipment etc would have taken a long time to sort out before any actual signing/announcement. That's without the fact they would have considered such a rider to have more potential than Vinnie. Difficult considering that any undiscovered possible gem would not have ridden UK tracks yet. Harrison Ryan is one of the very few as he did a few meetings for Leszno U24 last season and chances are he will be again in 2025. Have seen a good few of his races on Youtube but difficult to assess if he would be better. Having said that I thought Ben Cook when he first signed would be out by the time of first GSA back in 2021 based on his Aussie form so got that badly wrong.