Technik

In the 90's we were trying to get engines to rev over 10,000rpm. There were still crashes then but not as many serious ones that we are experiencing now. Todays engine can achieve 18000RPM but is restricted to 13500RPM. I'd have to ask the question why would an engine tuner build a motor that cannot be used to its full potential. For me the bore size should be limited which would mean a longer stroke to get to 500cc & in turn this would reduce the RPM to a usable level. The short stroke engine has not made the sport any faster as the list of track records will support only a fraction of a second each time it is reset in most cases & less than a second over a 25 year spread. The short stroke motor has made the sport more about who can hold on the longest & who is prepared to take the biggest risk rather than the best control & skill set

Before speedway Ashton was a very talented MX rider as was his Father. But the biggest difference in MX is the best bikes & equipment are only available to very few & if your not one of those it's very hard to be at the front when the flag falls. His move to speedway was very successful in the early stages but I fear he moved up to quick & the pressure of needing to score his points was a massive weight to carry rather than learn the skills at a lower level to begin with. I agree the lad was known to back out of a contest but if he was first from the gate & couldn't see anyone at the first turn he was as fast as a butchers dog. But in Flat track his skills from both MX & speedway will benefit him as was proven last weekend & to top it all he has a works Ducati GB machine. I may have been a bit cautious when I said he would be top 6 at the end of the season.

Flat track is between speedway & moto X many of the riders have a moto X background & just freewheel into the turns with his experience with speedway he should be near the front for the most part it will only be the final rounds where he may find it a little tougher. The FIM Flat track event has got much closer & much faster over a few short years as the riders and their machines have adapted. I will stick my neck out now & say if Ashton & Ducati complete the full season he could be in the top 6 at the end.

Alfie Bowtell - Buxton 9.41 Jake Mulford - Kings Lynn 8.74 Dayle Wood - Edinburgh 8.00 Senna Summers - Oxford 7.11 Harry Fletcher - Oxford 3.58 Harry Sadler - Middlesborough 2.00 Ben Whalley - Edinburgh 2.00 Total ---------------------------40.84

I ask the question as the statement reads to say only ACU permit meetings are covered, If that is the case then FIM & racing in another country would not be covered by an ACU permit. Even an FIM event in the UK may not be covered.

What about our young riders that travel across Europe to represent the ACU in FIM & International open events. Are they fully covered for travel & racing time whilst away from UK Borders.

Maybe they could sign Dag Lovass (pronounced Rider replacement) from White City

You have to think of the benefits. With his MBE he can see the whole track. MBE = Massive Big Eyes

he's been doing that for a while now

I really don't think the rider connections will matter as long as they are called Coventry & have a Bee on their race jackets. Most supporters that have lost their club will for the most part be happy to support their club in any form. The Cradley team that was so great in the NL for many years had a massive following no matter where the had their home meetings. Other clubs have formed to become nomadic just to keep the name alive & the race jacket on track.

All that is easily fixed. The cost of doing it is a bigger issue. There's a long time from now until the tapes go up. try to look at things with a more can do attitude not for reasons not to do it.

I'd have to pick Harris & Nicholls as a top 2 then the Thompson Twins as they were mascots there, for the lower order I think they will come from the Chargers line up. Then as Manager Rosco!!! or if the budget allows Greg Hancock or Hans Nielsen who each rode for both teams.

Over the years many Poles have moved to the UK through the EC agreement & some that have made the UK their home have stayed on after Brexit. With Speedway being such a massive sport in their homeland it was inevitable that there would be some that have that interest & after becoming Citizens of the UK will be eligable for a UK passport 7 inturn to compete in NDL.

For me it doe's not matter if teams are completed with guests at this level so long as those doing the racing are getting track time & enjoying their racing. There are not enough clubs that offer any form of second half racing. Weather the public choose to stay behind after the main meeting or not is not important. When we were young & looking to be the next World Champion to travel to Milton Keynes Weymouth Reading Iwade or Eastbourne on a weekend just to get as many laps in as we could or until we ran out of fuel was what we did & never received a penny for it. The NJL is doing a fantastic job giving all these riders a chance on a race night & maybe one day one of them might be the next 6 time world Champion, everyone has to start somewhere!!!

So Sorry for this oversight. I can tell your deeply offfended. I trust when you get your teddy back in the cot you will calm down a bit.