arnieg

Do the SCB only issue licences to riders on proof of a passport normally? What if an NL rider has never been abroad and doesn't have a passport? Is he excluded from the NL until he successfully applies for one? Surely the issue here is British citizenship, and that has now been proved Possession of a passport is academic (unless you actually want to travel abroad).

I still don't understand your reasoning. You get 1&3 in seven races out of 14 regardless of who makes the choice in heat 1.

Why is it a schoolboy error? I'd always give choice of gates in heat one to the opposition.

Here's the relevant rule: 16.3 TEAM DECLARATIONS Teams must declare their Team prior to the start of the Season. Changes must be made at least 72 hours before the start Time of the Meeting at which it is intended to be used. 16.3.1 In any declaration where 2 or more riders hold an identical MA (i.e. cannot be determined by a 3rd or more decimal point) then the (re) Declaration must nominate the hierarchical order, except that where riders have a previous MA, then the higher placed rider from the previous issue shall retain the higher position. Key phrase is 'must nominate the hierarchical order' As Luke Harris is listed at no 5 in the hierarchical order of the declared Eastbourne line-up this is illegal under the current line-up but if Eastbourne redeclare before tomorrow it would be OK subject to 16.3.5 16.3.5 The BSPA MC monitors all proposed moves and has the sole responsibility to approve all (re-)Declared Team Line-Ups having been satisfied they are in the best interests of the sport. Otherwise I see nothing that stops Eastbourne redeclaring Harris at reserve and Phillips in the team. (Harris once had an MA greater than 3.00 but that was way before 'the previous issue')

Three matches for Grindsted in 2013 is his only Danish activity in the last seven years.

They lose because they have a dreadfully weak team. Leicester were only thrashed at home to Lakeside, without their reserves they would have received a spanking of mega epic proportions. At Coventry they nearly won - without Auty/Starke they wouldn't have got close let alone been level after 12 heats. Leicester's good reserves don't compensate for the weakness in the top five because it is so completely woeful. However Leicester did very badly out of the fast track/EDR system the two previous years so deserve a bit of luck on that front. Good though the Auty/Starke pairing is, doesn't make up for the serious deficiencies elsewhere in the team, but they certainly help to reduce their impact.

Also on the BSPA site: http://www.speedwaygb.co/historyarchive Then look for the links pages on the external sites listed there and you will travel far and wide across the internet. My particular recommendations are http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/ http://www.speedwayplus.com/ http://blunsdonblog.co.uk/ I think this is what Shawn was referring to (now out of date but still has many operative sites linked): http://www.speedwayplus.co.uk/links.shtml

If Eastbourne are below 40.00 then they can build up to 40.00 If they are above the limit then: they can only replace riders by other riders with lower average - the exception being that in the unlikely situation that Ellis's average has fallen below Hughes's they would still be able to reintroduce Hughes. The real problem is that when the points limit is substantially below 42 (the average average for an average team in any league whatever the points limit at the start of the season) it makes it very difficult for any team (other than the badly understrength) to make changes. It could well be a difficult year for Eastbourne - they badly need Wood and one of the three pointers to make significant progress.

Not relevant, they've shown that since the season started. The overriding rule is that EDR riders get four matches at reserve before a new average applies.

The problem is that if the rules were simple you'd end up with Artem Laguta and Peter Karger on the same assessed average. So clearly we need different rules for different categories of rider. And because the range of situations varies quite a lot, they have to go into quite a lot of detail. And even then they still throw up problems (Brady Kurtz anyone?) Here they are: ELITE LEAGUE 7.3 RIDERS MATCH AVERAGES (see Art. 16.2 for Definitions) and GRADINGS 17.3.1 Riders new to Elite League racing are categorised as follows: Cat 1: Riders with an “end of the previous season’s published average” in the Danish Speedway League, Polish Ekstraliga, Swedish Elitserien or any other Professional Speedway League, and any rider who is subject to a Certificate of Sponsorship, without an established MA from another BSPA Professional League, Cat 2: Riders not riding in a Professional League (ie. Denmark,Poland & Sweden) 17.3.2 The Assessed MA's for new Riders to the EL racing is: Cat 1 Riders will be assessed on a “Grading List”, based upon results obtained in all other Professional Speedway Leagues and given an Assessed MA accordingly Cat 2 4.00 PREMIER LEAGUE 18.6.1 Riders new to Premier League racing are categorised as follows: Cat 1: Riders with an “end of the previous season’s published average” in the Danish Speedway League, Polish Ekstraliga or Swedish Elitserien of above 6.00 points including riders subject to a Certificate of Sponsorship. Cat 2: Riders with an “end of the previous season’s published average” in the Danish Speedway League, Polish Ekstraliga or Swedish Elitserien of 6.00 and below plus ALL other riders riding currently in any Professional Speedway League, Cat 3: Riders not riding in a Professional League (ie.Denmark, Poland & Sweden) Cat 4: Riders who are eligible to ride in the National Development League. 18.6.2 The Assessed MA's for new Riders to the PL racing is: Cat 1 8.00 Cat 2 7.00 Cat 3 5.00 Cat 4 3.00 I seem to recall that Peter Oakes was involved in making the judgements on 17.3.2 category 1 riders. These could be clearer, for example what does "any other Professional Speedway League" cover?

New averages effective 7 days after last match, so it won't be until next Saturday that they apply. Edit: At least that would be the case if Auty had ridden four matches, but as SCB points out below I overlooked the fact that Auty missed Lakeside away so he still hasn't got a new average. However Starke will get one effective from Saturday. (So Starke moves up until Auty gets an average??)

Indeed, and that is what Poland used to do a few years ago - averages excluded the reserves races (and also a rider's best two and worst two scores over the last 8 matches)

I can see why SCB and others are saying what they are saying; they are going by the 2016 rulebook, placing thee most reasonable interpretation of the relevant section.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oh! I see where they might be going wrong, who in their right mind expects the speedway rules to be in the rulebook

Your level of comprehension is clearly quite poor as you are confusing yourself with JE. He claimed everyone was furious, I never claimed that you made that statement. And I won't take lectures in anonymity from a sanctimonious drama queen who uses a nom de plume on the forum.

You have a very poor grasp of language. JE said everyone - that means it only needs for their to be one person involved in the entire league who isn't hopping mad for the statement to be wrong. Yes JE probably knows more people than I do, but that doesn't mean I don't have some inside knowledge. PS I spoke to an NL club official this evening who didn't seem particularly bothered by the signing of Ellis. Yes Ellis probably should have taken a PL berth, but he didn't and that is his choice.

But I don't believe you. Whether you like it or not he's eligible to ride in the NL. Personally I'm not sure it is wise as it makes Eastbourne to top heavy, but as short term cover for Hughes it seems a reasonable move. And I don't blame Ellis, as he only gets 34 meetings in 7 months in the EL (assuming Poole make the playoffs).

Welcome back Luke Chessell is Mark's son (and therefore Gary/Martin's nephew). Lee Smart - no relation

Seconded See Warriors website for ticket details and to buy inclusive ticket online.

Baseby rode particularly well, and James Shanes looked the best rider on display.

Any update on the rain?

Lubos Tomicek, Lubos Tomicek and Lubos Tomicek! Adam, Nicky and Guy Allott

You might have difficulties with Buxton then - I've seen a sheep inside the stadium during a match!

Someone's got a persecution complex!

Regardless of the legal point the BSPA should and I believe would veto such a move as not being in the sport's best interest. Do we really want to hear in a week's time that the Plymouth rescue bid has collapsed because three of their riders have been poached by other greedy teams? This is truly an appalling suggestion (unless you think Eastbourne winning is more important than Plymouth surviving).

Joel and Tommy Jansson both reached world finals and would have a good run at third. I'd also programme the Kasper's in this meeting.