STEVEHOLS54

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.

Also just read on Max James FB page that on 2nd Dec he posted that Edinburgh advised him he was not part of their Team plans for 2025. That leaves only Plym or Poole. Would be a great way to showcase his ability until end June if he signed for Poole.

Back on to Poole 25 team topic. Mentioned him before, but with exception of Edind/Plymouth (plus Poole) finalised, what chance of signing Max James as the temp cover for Cairns until July. Only mention him as he just signed again for Leicester NDL as Captain for 2025. Not bad for a youngster who is not 18 until 5th July. Thought he would already have been signed for Champ as showed decent talent from what I have seen in 2024. Seems able to mix it and although still a raw talent could hold his own against plenty of the other reserves in the League. Just a thought in the final throws of guess the team for 2025 which should be announced during next 10/14 days.

No problem Clive. Very rare I take your replies/contributions the wrong way. Yes all will become clear before Christmas.

But does it work that way. If the 2 pointer scores only 1 point per meeting, does he not stay as a 2 pointer under the rules ??. If so you are just replacing a 2 with Cairns another 2. Hodder _ Garrad - Mcgurk all av below 2 in 2024 but still have a min 2 allocated to them.

A somewhat touchy reply Clive. As a sponsor maybe you have an inside track on the signing ahead of us. I can only comment based on the available stats I could find which were not great. However since sending this I did find a report on the Mildura Speedway FB page where they rode the Victoria State champ last weekend won by Lydsey with Bowes 2nd and Mcdarmid 3rd. Ryan scored 10 points in his first ever meeting at the track and reportedly improved with each ride after familiarising himself with the track. Didn't realise he was chosen for the SON2 squad so yes Lemon must have spotted something in him. Maybe he is a decent prospect but still risky with a no doubt lower down 2 pointer also riding for 3 months if we assume Cairns arriving.

A word of caution if it is 21 yr old Harrison Ryan as mentioned/rumoured on here. He rode a SGP2 qualifier. Can't find scores but he is listed 12 of 16th qualifiers last season in Italy. He is on Leszno's books and roe U24 for first time on a flying visit last season. Only rode 4 matches - 11 rides - 3 x 3rds and 6 last places with 2 retirements. I assume on Leszno supplied equipment. Consider that to Mcdiarmid (signed by Oxford) only 16 who scored 35 points incl bonus from 17 rides - 8 x 1st - 3 x 2nd - 3 x 3rd and 3 last places. Just from that would indicate Mcdiarmid is a different class potentially. I would assume Leszno ( who snap up plenty of decent class young Aussies) are not stupid, but it would concern me as he is not a raw youngster and his form in that short stint in Europe is not one that makes me think he is even on a par with the likes of Hook. The question is would Starke on his low 3.36 score more points than a Ryan on 4 with no experience on our more technical tracks. I would argue that at Poole especially Starke would score quite a bit more. Last seasons 3 matches at Poole with his 6.57 4 ride CMA incl bonus would indicate he probably would. For me a massive gamble considering we need at leas one reserve to score a decent figure over the 8 reserve rides.

Found this comment from Ford interview yesterday on the last 2 signings. And we’re just putting this final piece of the puzzle together now. “We should have the full team confirmed this side of Christmas.” If it was Starke you would have thought that deal was done before last season end. Or could it be still trying to tie up deal for the temporary 2 pointer ?? Either that or trying to work around Cairns no doubt busy overseas schedule for 2025 bearing in mind already signed up for POL U24 lge (Tuesdays) and his no doubt busy individual European tournaments riding in U21 events. Plus maybe spending more time in Sweden being mentored by Greg Hancock again like last season.

Can't be West. he's been riding POL U24 for last couple of seasons. Would be a 5 so too high. Additionally he hasn't impressed looking at his POL stats for the last 2 seasons.

I would hope so but having looked at a lot of the available stats I am failing to find a decent UK based 4 pointer not already signed up to a max 4.32 or overseas based ., Unless a an unknown young Aussie talent but even then I'm struggling. The POL U24 is a good place to look but nearly all of them would be too high on a 5. Candidates would be more than welcome. Hook maybe ? but not done much in 4 seasons in UK. Chances are also Plymouth bound again ?

Maybe/Maybe not. I would assume if it is Starke then his form at that stage and points scored could determine that possibility. Same with the like of Toby I suppose.

I think the top 5 were decided a long time back. With a 38 point limit that would have left on 4.32 for 2 riders rather than the 6.32 for 40 points. On that basis would have left them with only 4.32 for 2 riders, meaning no room for Foord. Would love to hear its an exciting young rider who has not done regular main Dane/Swed/POL U24 leagues (meaning on a 5), but can't think who out there would qualify. Mcdiarmit would have been a good young exciting signing but I assume plenty of money involved with him flying in an out of POL most weeks and that's without all the related costs for Equip/Mechanic and accom. Perhaps the thinking is that the experience of Starke coupled with the exciting youth of Cairns is a better mix longer term this season.

Can only think it was maybe related to when he thought it was being a 38 point limit. Then Foord got snapped up by Worky by which time too late to get him back thus changing plans for the new 40 point limit. Having said that I have a sneaky feeling they had already tapped up Starke for 2025 after his impressive returns against Poole at Poole last season. 3 matches - 14 rides for a 4 ride CMA of 5.71 or 6.57 incl bonus. Perhaps the thought process is to try and hold their own in the reserves race rather than get wiped out 1-5. He can pick up extra points plus hopefully they can rack up enough points over the top 5 to win well enough to gain the important bonus point over 2 legs. Hopefully stay in top 4 for when Cairns should hopefully shore up the reserve partnership in July. Factor in that with Tobias at 2, he could easily swap with Starke at reserve and we know what he is capable of from that slot as in later stages of 2024.

Also is Saturday the annual Sponsors get together with the Ford's. Wonder if they will announce Cairns (and the temp hold 2 pointer), or maybe Rowe. They used it last year to announce Brennan. Assume you will be there as usual ?

Whoops - Typo my end. I meant 40 point limit and the calculation mentioned was based on that not 38 points.

Which would bring us back again to 6.32 left so a 2 pointer plus Starke at 3.36 leaving Poole with a 0.96 point gap short of the 38 point limit, which would seem a bit of a waster considering maybe they could/could have tried for a much more exciting talent like a Mcdiarmid. Perhaps they already decided Cairns is going to be the seasons saviour for the team come July.

Playing mind games again Clive ?? 😉

True but seriously Jason Garrad the 37 year old who has been riding speedway for 10 years. Having said that he fits the age profile with Lawson/Kerr & if signed Starke as well as Josh Graz if he were to sign. Even Tobias is 30. Nothing against age as I'm no spring chicken.

Would only work if Rowe doesn't sign and JG's last Champ GSA 2017 is reduced by 25% due to time lapse. If they could get him on that basis would allow them to sign both Starke 3.36 and a 2 pointer. Must admit a bit gutted we didn't get Mcdiarmid, announced today by Oxford, but to get JG back would be a very clever move. Hope this is not another Clive wind up.

Reading on the Edinburgh 2025 Forum that 17 year old Max James may not be back at Edinburgh in 2025. Could this be the temporary 2 pointer for Poole until July ?. Rode 2 matches at Poole for Edinb in 2024 - 9 rides with a 4 ride av of 2.22 or 2.67 with bonus. Would indicate he has lots of improvement in him as only 18 in July, plus could do a job at Poole. Saw plenty of encouraging comments on him last season in his first Champ season plus he did well (especially his away av at Leicester NDL team. Anyway an interesting possible development unless signing elsewhere.