Technik

Not sure I've seen or heard of the British reserve.

It was not contained to Poole riders. It was quite widespread. The tyres were softened with a substance that was used in Go Kart racing to soften their tyres. This is why fitting of tyres is now to be done at the track.

I know its a pain but I think I'd rather not start at this stage of the season if it's light rain seeing riders act like Bambi on ice is far from entertaining & I'm sure won't help them either. As much as I want to see a meeting I want to see proper racing.

Almost...... It got rained off at Poole

Connor Bailey (Workington) 8.86 Nathan Ablitt (Kent) 7.20 Ace Pijper (Workington) 6.90 Adam Roynon (Edingburgh) 6.00 Archie Freeman (Berwick) 5.29 George Congreve (Mildenhall) 4.50 Luke Killeen (Oxford) 3.00 Total 41.75

I've got a team selected just awaiting the points limit allowed as I shot myself in the foot last season!

The big disadvantage of no pay at the door on the day facility is you can't take someone along without making a prior plan. I have a friend that is a massive rugby fan & I was in his area one saturday morning so I dropped in to see him. As time passed he asked if I'd like to go to watch his rugby club play & of course I agreed only to discover their pre-pay only policy. So the outcome is my friend lost his £15 for not attending & the club lost £15 by not allowing me to pay on the day via cash, card or in kind. I understand we are in the 21st centery but also people are now living a hectic lifestyle where plans are very fluid & change quickly.

What A track for a final.... I used to hate going there as the surface is black sticky & impossible to get off.

Dr Peter Kenyon was a true gentleman & always a fan of speedway. I have known of him for many years & know that many involved within speedway are very greatful for the services of the good Doctor. I know Tony Briggs speaks very highly of him & that the care he received from Dr Kenyon after his serious neck injury saved him from life changing injuries. Thank you for all the help care & advise you have passed on in your time you will be fondly missed , may you rest in peace

There are riders that will stick to NDL racing & ride for a club that is prepared to pay them an oversized fee for their services in the hope of team success as the return. But if asked to race in higher leagues as reserves they are not so keen to ride for basic point money & only possibly 3 rides when their rewards in NDL are of more value. I have heard of NDL clubs waiting for a reply from a rider as one of the higher paying clubs might want him & until that option closes the smaller clubs will suffer & in turn so will the progress of British riders as these clubs will fold

I have seen him & I agree he is special, However last season he had no pressure at all but now he is in a team set up & because he rode enough meetings he already has an average so will not start at reserve which I believe will mean him starting with much harder rides. I saw him at Oxford -V- Leicester last season play off match & he scorched Ht 2 but his next outing struggled at the back. I hope he can build on his first taste last season & become the special rider we believe he is.

The hardest of the 3 leagues to make a prediction, Some of the riders have been in this league a while & have maybe found their level whilst others are just begining their career & are largely unknown. Then of course to fresh new 15 year old starlet that pops up mid-season & the unfortunate injury that often happens. BELLE VUE - Strong top end with the reliable Jack Smith securing double figures almost every meeting at NDL joined by James Pearson who may gain some confidence at this level & the ever improving Sam Hagon. But I think the Colts will find it tough this season. BERWICK - I have to be honest in saying there is not much that inspires me with this seven I just hope they enjoy their racing & stay healthy. EDINBURGH - Adam Roynon is possibly the leagues top trapper & with the CL experience of Bickley & Hook should do well enough & may well be in the dogfight at the end of the season. KENT - As with Jack Smith at Belle Vue Ben Morley has a wealth of experience to call upon & with Nathan Ablitt as his number 2 they will not loose many of the big races but it's a long tail to wag. LEICESTER - A big season is always expected for the Cubs & many would feel this should be the last season for the Thompson twins in NDL. Boughon making an average towards the end of the season may hamper the 15 year old as he will start in the top 5. MILDENHALL - A top 4 that I think can achieve great results if things go their way, Bowtell can top the averages whilst Complin is superb at this level, trigger should again up his average & the returning Kiwi Congreve may find life easier at this level. OXFORD - The Chargers track much the same team as last year with Fellows coming in at the bottom. Killeen must establish himself this turn as his long fight for a passport then injury scuppered his chances . It could be a big year at Cowley. WORKINGTON - Home track advantage will be a big factor for the Cumbrians. Pijper will be the lynch pin as they move forward & I'm sure Bailey can sharpen up his gating at this standard. Top 3. Oxford, Workington, Mildenhall

I'm sure there will be a series for the electric model within the next 5 years. Maybe at a youth level to start but we cannot ignore the future & how fast it comes

It's a tough call this year, with only seven clubs there will be little room for error & I can see there being swift changes should any rider not be producing their expected returns. all teams now have a full seven & whilst some were quick to name theirs submitting to the pressure of the social media whilst a couple played their cards old school. Oveall the teams look well matched some with depth others top heavy but fair entertaining racing should be the result. Belle Vue; A very young side they should do well if they can avoid injuries. I expect Lidsey & Brennan will be the two most likely to make a big jump in average. Mulford (RS) is very new to the shale but has very fast equipment so should progress. Not many will leave Manchester with a victory Ipswich; Doyle & Sayfutdinov as a top two, Chris Louis has worked wonders to get this over the line Add King & Riss to form a massive spearhead. I'm not sure how Rew will fare having seen him in Europe I'm not entirely convinced & the reserves may not be the strongest but there has to be some give. Kings Lynn; I'm sorry to say but I don't think the stars have a strong enough side in any area. I like KK but he is way past his prime & (RS) Edwards is possibly one of the weaker picks. Lets hope the Danes can work together & pull a rabbit out of a hat. Leicester; An average team for the Lions, How much longer can Bomber go on with his wall-of-death sweeps around the boards after missing the start. Is Thompson ready for this upgrade. Like Lynn Leicester have gone heavy on one nation & the lions go Aussie so can that Aussie spirit lift them? Peterborough; After the disapointment of Chris Holder the Panthers bring in Nicki P, IMO a better choice on past records but can he pick it up one more time I think with countrymen NKI & Hans Andersen by his side again he may just & .with Basso & Cooke in the mix it could be a better season at the showground. Sheffield; Jack Holder will again move his career forward this season & pull the Tigers along with him. Ellis will be happy to have longtime friend David Bellego alongside & with Musielak loving the big tracks they will not loose many. I believe Gilkes as (RS) will just get carried on the wave to learn at his own pace. Wolverhampton; In Leon Flint Wolves clearly have the strongest (RS) & he must remain fit if they are to find success. Early reports from Australia show Schlein has not dropped an inchbut I believe they are missing a big hitter at Monmore. Top 3; Ipswich, Sheffield, Belle Vue

I think it will be a solid workout for the home side. I think the Swindon team edge it slightly but it should be very close.

Of this list of riders I wonder how many have been asked to race in 2023?

So if Scunthorpes #4 brakes his leg playing football can I assume as it was not agreed with the SCB then Scunthorpe would not be allowed a facility?

As much as I would love to see Emil again racing on British tracks there are still many fences to be cleared. I understand he is now a Polish Citizen & will race on a Polish licence However he has to submit application forms where he will need to supply his place of birth & that he has held a Russian passport until the need to become Polish was his preferred option. will UKBA be happy to supply the required permit to someone that has less than one year as a Polish Citizen & not worked within Poland in that time. Then there's the ACU who still have a blanket ban on Russian competitors or officials operating within their borders. The BSPL are not an issue they will do as they are told by the senior authorities.

Theres always Troy Batchelor & Nick Morris who have won the title with the Wiltshire side.

I'm in no way attempting to defend Mr Holder's actions on the night in question. However I will say that it is very easy to stand on the outside & say "It's OK to ride on" but if your the one that is about to ride on it & you feel it is unsafe & you do not wish to take the chance on any possible injury, Who then is to blame. If the rider goes out & comes back unharmed it's easy to say with pride "See I said it was OK" but when it goes wrong & something bad happens where is Mr "It's OK"? Holder made his statement that night Buster didn't like it but why would he step in the way of a move to the Panthers after many years

Brighton "Pride". With a rainbow race jacket. Liverpool "Hub cap steelers"

Anders Rowe Has not been in The U21 set up for some time. Not competing in the British U21 or the FIM qualification rounds. I'm not sure these actions will please the Polish clubs as they want their riders in the top events so they can get more valued sponsorship

As I understand The club no longer wanted the pair & they also had issues at Somerset & Ipswich I believe.

I have heard that Mr Rowe & his Father are very difficult to work with & some British clubs are not prepared to put up with them.

I seem to recall that the rising star label was only applicable for two seasons for any rider. But if Drew Kemp has not been selected by any of the Premiership or Championship clubs then he needs to take a long hard look at himself & answer his own questions