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That was quite neat. I guessed the outcome; not that it was that difficult to do !!!

Whilst this sounds good in isolation (and to an extent is) and actually highlights a potential problem with the initiative. Rider A gets lots of extra help and has minimal personal costs. Rider B gets no help and everything is a cost to him. Rider B decides that much as he'd like to continue in the EL it isn't economically possible. Rider A is riding GP standard equipment, and although there skill levels are similar is financially able to stay in the EL. For Rider B he decides he's better continuing his education at NL (or PL) level which is more suited to his ability and finances. We can argue all day about the lack of ambition of Rider B, but the system won't survive with too many Rider B's. Then when it goes all wrong we can all blame the Rider B's lack of ambition for turning down an 'opportunity offered on a plate" and causing British Speedway to take another step back. Yet the blame will lie at the feet of the BSPA. This initiative needs to be centrally funded and managed. If not and left to promoters to do what's best for them, the recent history tells us all we need to know about the next level of mess this sport will reach. I plead with the the 10 promotions to work together on this initiative this season. You've got an opportunity for all of you to reap the benefits going forward. Don't destroy through your individual ego's.

Certain riders unobtainable by phone so to time to move on perhaps !!!

In the end isn't the crux of this how income is viewed. The sport has been receiving 1 million a year from Sky. So what does it do. After deductions (i.e. Terry Russell, but at least that's an agreed cut), they divide it 10 ways between the promotions to do what the want. At this point I haven't really got the will to continue the discussion, because the mistake is already evident. Where's the investment? Do you know what, each team could have benefited from the investment with a little bit of management control. Hand your kids a windfall to blow as they wish in a year, or provide them a windfall that they must invest sensibly. And each year you get the windfall, repeat the process. Then the windfall stops. Now compare the kids who blew it, against those who invested. Only one group will be reliant on more of the same.

How about awarding Double Points in Heat 15 or for your final match of the season award double match points (i.e. a big away win gets you 8 points instead of 4). Just something totally unique I've thought of that's never been considered in a sport before.

And on the way I think these rankings are being compiled, will Rank Number 15 (to Robert Lamberts 14) if both were to make themselves available. Those two may swap depending on the exact method. Not too sure where Kurtz would rank if he were included (but not surprised I don't know because he's missing a key ingredient, NL racing !!!), but wouldn't be in the Top 13. So where would be a good spot to draft tactically? 13 sounds like a Smart pick to me !!!

I meant based on the confirmation that he has signed for Somerset, he would be a doubling-up rider in the EL. So on 2013 regulations he would be ineligible to double-up. That would only leave the reserve spots. 17.7.1b can't (you'd hope !!!) be applied to reserves. However, he should be ineligible for reserve as has never ridden NL. So I was saying that whilst he is a Somerset rider he can never be declared anywhere in a 2014 EL 1-7. If he quit PL racing then obviously he could ride 1-5 on a 3 average. Would that be the case, or is there more to it?

Hopefully that's nothing to do with his Lakeside contract. He certainly isn't happy, but its not necessarily speedway related.

Does this not confirm what I'm suggesting, or am I missing something? If Kurtz is joining Somerset on a 3, then he must be a Cat 5. (Not sure where a British rider with no riding history fits in. By the wording Cat 3, but seems a bit extreme). Then under rule 17.7.1b he isn't allowed to double-up. 17.7.1 An initial declaration can include only 2 Riders graded as “A” on the Listing approved at the EL AGM. In an initial or re-declaration up to 3 Doubling-Up Riders may be included who must at the time of (re)declaration: a) be in a Premier League’s currently Declared 1 – 7, have a PL MA established prior to the start of the season and c) give absolute priority to all British Speedway fixtures.

Except he can't if the 2013 regulations are retained. He shouldn't be eligible anywhere in the 1-7 if we follow last years regulations plus the 2014 reserve regulations as far as we know them. Just wonder if he'll fall into the reserve 'guest list' and appear that way. Loopholes you see !!! As an assessed PL rider he isn't eligible for the EL (see Jon Cook's mistake with Adam Ellis last May). Whether they will be updated due to some EL reserves being technically in breach of that regulation is a different matter.

That was nothing more than looking at who might fit. No point creating available points for the last spot unless there is a plan to use it. Pawlicki makes sense as he only left Poole last season to make way for Ward. At the point he joined Poole there was no way Poole could be sure of having space to fit Ward back into the team. Ford is not going to invest 20 grand (THJ deal as well) in a rider who had no intention of staying the full season. More than anything because getting a like for like replacement if Ward couldn't be fitted in was problematic to say the least. So Pawlicki is an obvious option if Kildemand joins and Poole go for a 3 pointer (doesn't have to be Kurtz). It just seems to me if you can get a 3 pointer second string who is at least the equal of most reserves, you can go with three heat leaders and a solid second string. The (one) alternative is two heat leaders and three second strings. I just think on the suspected heat format a third heat leader truly capable of competing with the top heat leaders is going to be the difference maker in the top 5. Any team I see declared where there third best heat leader meets that criteria and the reserves can hold their own against the majority of opposition will be the play-off teams for me. If the lower second string is designated as a supplementary reserve, then maybe you need a truer second string at that position.

You may be right re available riders. Poole is interesting though as there are many ways to fill the remaining spots. I guess the next signing will probably give a big clue as to the last two. Are the Danes able to limit their home (Danish) appearances? Wasn't it what Iversen had last year when it went wrong. If it is limited to 4 compulsory, that would probably be ok to plan around

Sorry rumours is probably the wrong word. Probably should have said that based on rumours about riders at other clubs, then you'd could deduce that Kildemand at Poole makes a lot of sense. It would appear (but not fact yet) that there is no room for him at Swindon. I'd be very surprised if Poole didn't go with a second high level heat leader. Kildemand seems to fit this. Just my thoughts.

I think Leicester are going to be in for a shock when they start contacting riders on the 15th !!!

Rumours suggest that Kildemand may be heading to Dorset. With Kurtz being given a 3 in the PL, is it possible that if Poole can't find a way to get Kurtz as a reserve (in place of Smart), then could they bring him into the 1-7 instead. This won't work if the doubling-ip rule on assessed averages (see Adam Ellis last year) remains in place. But there will be reserve riders in the EL effectively doubling up on an assessed average (e.g. Max Clegg) so there may be precedent. That then creates space for Pawlicki as the third heat leader. Since I suspect your junior second string only needs to be a match for most reserves to justify his place, the fact that Kurtz will be racing against a number of NL only riders then it doesn't even seem a risk. Another option is Sundstrom. I think he is 0.02 to high, but easily remedied after the first GSA's.

He shouldn't be a 3, but it appears the fight is going to be related to not restricting a British passport holder. So let's call his bluff and select him for GB. Once gain we are going to witness promoters looking after themselves. He shouldn't be at Somerset on a 3. And it doesn't take an Einstein to recognise that Ford has him lined-up to partner Newman at reserve. If that were to happen I wonder what they other British reserves will think? I suspect most won't get involved and just get on with it, at least to begin with. Less sure how they will react when they are made scapegoats for a team losing because Newman and Kurtz are racking up the points against them. There are only so many riders to fill these 20 reserve places.

Suggest Doyle to me too. Get the impression there has been a bit of shuffling this week, with Swindon one of the most affected. That last spot does look difficult to fill though. Problem with using the 10.92 on two second strings is availability of suitable riders and the lack of top end strength (i.e. for Heat 15 there are more options with Doyle included, without the strength in depth is probably outweighed by a weaker top end). Too me this team really need Kildemand, but looks like he's not returning.

Based on the alleged heat format (generally, not Heat by Heat) it suggests to me that top heavy is the way to go. As long as one of your second strings is generally stronger than all reserves and your other second string is on par with most reserves then I think it works. My only reservation is if your reserves are particularly weak, then you need to bump up the strength of your second strings (at the expense of your heat leaders) to compensate. Of course the big unknown is the Heat Format. We know neither what the promoters have agreed at this point, nor do we know what they will eventually agree on. The cynic in me suggests this hasn't been decided yet (or more specifically ratified), and when the promoters return to discuss it in the New Year, it will be influenced by each promoters personal agenda (based on their line-up) rather than for the good of the sport (i.e. competitive close racing). But that's Speedways issue; and I don't think they will ever learn.

I've spotted a potential loophole !!! Does the regulation state to be included in the draft you must commit to GB, or does it state to be eligible for a reserve spot you must commit to GB. If the former ..... only in Speedway !!! Well its started already. Kurtz has been named to the Somerset team on a 3.00 So the rules have changed ..... and we all know what the next step is. The BSPA surely aren't going to allow this?

Both ? !!! I'd assume it was given to all the promoters at Tuesday's meeting. You do have to be careful with Sky. They don't suffer fools gladly. I remember about 10 years ago when British Basketball had a great set-up with Sky. Live Saturday evening matches, fully paid by Sky, strong viewing figures. Then the BBL in their wisdom thought the sport was bigger than it was and basically gave Sky notice to go to ITV Digital and a pot of gold. We know what happened to ITV Digital, and for years they tried to get back the TV profile without success. One year a high profile final was featured on Milton Keynes TV (!!!) - it was accessible on a Sky dish. There was a lady at Sky (I forget her name at the moment) who worked tirelessly to get the BBL some incredible coverage. They were not happy and basically from then on the BBL had to fund their own production costs with TV companies. They did go back to Sky for a couple of years, but delayed coverage (by days) for the majority of matches and I believe (but I'm not certain) the BBL teams were contributing to this cost. They are now the latest of Eurosports new additions (Speedway, NFL etc). But just a one hour weekly programme featuring a match from the previous week. In the end Sky are a business first and don't make emotive decisions. But at the same time they will negotiate hard and won't take kindly to anything negative. That is why the BSPA fired off their apology e-mail so quickly; it put them in a really awkward position. I'm sure Sky will have left the BSPA negotiators with a few sweaty palms, although I doubt it will make any difference to the outcome. Probably will change things at the BSPA though. I suspect confidential information will now be shared on a need to know basis, rather than with the 20 odd promotions it does currently. The downside of that is may return to the closed shop of previous years when some promotions had an advantage over others virtue to being privvy to information.

Yes, lets have this won on the track, not off it.

It's a case of once your in the PL you can't be kicked out. You could be a three time current world champion and continue to ride in the PL. I think you get one years grace to, so if you drop out of the PL you have one year to return with "protection". Whether that still is the case with rolling averages I'm not certain.

Agreed. The reserve positions are for riders who have come through the NL system. You can't just sign-up to an NL team and be eligible immediately for an EL reserve berth. Rather defeats the purpose of it. Otherwise you could get a rider riding once in the NL, getting is EL spot and leaving the NL team. Poole are likely to ride competitively before most if not all NL teams, so in the Kurtz scenario he end up making his debut in an EL match on the basis of being in a declared NL 1-7. The point re-locked in raises a big issue. These riders have been asked to commit to the EL. No one's questioning it is a big opportunity for them. Via the social media we can tell behind the scenes there have been some reassurances given to these boys. But its a two way thing. The promoters must also commit to them. The Number 7's in particular are NL only riders, probably riding about 20 meetings a season. They are being asked to do an extra 38 meetings this season. In terms of commitment that's a big jump, for many involving their support group such as parents. We can't have these riders being spat out of the system at this point. Imagine the disaster of this initiative if we end-up with less British riders by the end of the season if they've dropped out through disillusionment. That has nothing to to with blaming an individual. The system will be at fault. The promoters need to forget their ego's and see the bigger picture here as they will all benefit long term. History suggests long term is perceived as the next effective date of Green Sheet Averages, so my confidence is low. We are not offering riders jobs for life here. Just a guarantee of a set number of meetings. I'd like to think a rider himself could make the decision it wasn't working out for him, rather than been removed or pressured to announce he's pulling out. The reserve set-up is hugely marketable. I doubt I'm alone in actually being quite intrigued to watch reserve races with four young British talents to see who actually going to come out on top. You can be assured that one or two riders will surprise and in a years time their stock have raised hugely. And surely that's what this is all about. A few years of this (commitment to British riders, even if the method changes) and the pool of home grown talent will grow, because currently there are far to few Brits in the EL and PL. It's exactly that type of thing blurring whether a rider chooses to step down or in football parlance, "the manger is leaving by mutual agreement" (a polite way of saying your sacked).

I do have an issue with a particular person who I believe is self centered beyond belief. I don't have a team and Poole have never registered to me as a rival so Poole itself isn't an issue. I'm livid with his behaviour this week. I really don't think people realise how close this sport is to disappearing in this country. The British rider scheme is precarious due to the limited availability of riders. As I stated on Tuesday it desperately needs all promoters to treat it with respects. Having acquired the only rider to have previously been named legally in an EL 1 to 7, within 24 hours he's in the press effectively dropping Smart. Seen it to many times now, the use of the press for his own agenda. Because this will be one less rider for the scheme. The whole point of this draft was to get the best possible equality at reserve, because without that the new format will struggle. The process already favoured Poole the most in that they got to jump 7 places for their first pick. It needed Poole to accept that with dignity and not look to take advantage of the process, which I have little doubt they will. In my opinion Lee Smart wasn't the best rider available at that point, but tactically he was. And then the same day we have him leaking details on the most important issue currently facing the EL, to the extent that the BSPA were forced to issue an apology. Until that point Poole fans were saying he's every right to do it. Bit different now when its realised the potential damage and certainly embarrassment this has caused. His disregard for rules is now manifesting itself across the sport. I would suggest the Swindon/Peterborough impasse last season, and the Kyle Howarth situation this season are direct results of clubs reacting to Poole's approach. It's doing the sport absolutely no good. I actually recognise Ford as an excellent promoter, but his ego and disregard to the sport means I have no respect for him. I'm sure he doesn't care what I think. Trouble is its British speedway that is suffering. I want to see two teams racing on equal terms on the track. I'm not interested in a sport where success can be driven via loopholes. I appreciate you aren't going to like it, but that's the way I feel I'm afraid.

When was he confirmed, today? He was still trying to sort out a PL contract a fortnight ago. I suspect he signed some days ago, but I don't know. Equally I don't know if Smart has signed for a PL team, but then nor does Matt Ford, but then I'm not trying to employ him. I doubt he will at all. But he may have done. Ellis was always nailed on for a PL spot and likely ipswich. Thought I read that Ford was an encyclopaedia of speedway rider knowledge. I guess Smart suffers from being British, to such an extent that when he rode on Ford's own track he turned invisible !!! At least we know now that it isn't Ford identifying these promising foreigners.