arnieg

Presumably because it is not within the guidelines of the new 'secret rule' we are not being told about.

Here is what wiki says on the 'Stainless Flag' - the intermediate design between the original confederate flag and the 'battle flag of the army of North virginia (as per Pirate Nick's post.). This was the first one with the iconic design During the solicitation for a second Confederate national flag, there were many different types of designs that were proposed, nearly all making use of the battle flag, which by 1863 had become well-known and popular among those living in the Confederacy. The new design was specified by the Confederate Congress to be a white field "with the union (now used as the battle flag) to be a square of two-thirds the width of the flag, having the ground red; thereupon a broad saltire of blue, bordered with white, and emblazoned with mullets or five-pointed stars, corresponding in number to that of the Confederate States."[20] The flag is also known as "the Stainless Banner" and was designed by William T. Thompson, a newspaper editor and writer based in Savannah, Georgia, with assistance from William Ross Postell, a Confederate blockade runner.[1][2][4][5][6][7] The nickname "stainless" referred to the pure white field which took up a large part of the flag's design, although W.T. Thompson, the flag's designer, referred to his design as "The White Man's Flag".[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] In referring to the white field that comprised a large part of the flag's design elements, Thompson stated that its color symbolized the "supremacy of the white man":[8][9][10] Second national flag (May 1, 1863 – March 4, 1865[19]), 2:1 ratio Second national flag, also used as the Confederate navy's ensign, 1.5:1 ratio As a people we are fighting to maintain the Heaven-ordained supremacy of the white man over the inferior or colored race; a white flag would thus be emblematical of our cause.— William T. Thompson, Daily Morning News, (April 23, 1863)[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][21] The official Confederate flag act of 1864 did not, however, formally state what the white-colored field officially symbolized and thus, many Confederates at the time offered various interpretations. The Confederate Congress debated whether the white field should have a blue stripe and whether it should be bordered in red. As the flag's designer, W.T. Thompson opposed adding any such additional elements to the white field, feeling it would compromise his intended design.[1][2][4][5][6][7][9][10] William Miles delivered a speech supporting the simple white design that was eventually approved. He argued that the battle flag must be used, but for a national flag it was necessary to emblazon it, but as simply as possible, with a plain white field.[22] In May 1863, when Thompson discovered that his design had been chosen by the Confederate Congress to become the Confederacy's next national flag, he was content. He praised his design as symbolizing the Confederacy's ideology and its cause of "a superior race," as well as for bearing little resemblance to the U.S. flag, which he called the "infamous banner of the Yankee vandals." Writing for Savannah's Daily Morning News, Thompson stated: As a national emblem, it is significant of our higher cause, the cause of a superior race, and a higher civilization contending against ignorance, infidelity, and barbarism. Another merit in the new flag is, that it bears no resemblance to the now infamous banner of the Yankee vandals.— William T. Thompson, Daily Morning News, (May 4, 1863)[1][2][4][5][6][7][9][10] The flags that were actually produced by the Richmond Clothing Depot used the 1.5:1 ratio adopted for the Confederate navy's battle ensign, rather than the official 2:1 ratio.[11] Initial reaction to the second national flag was favorable, but over time it became criticized for being "too white." The Columbia-based Daily South Carolinian observed that it was essentially a battle flag upon a flag of truce and might send a mixed message. Military officers also voiced complaints about the flag being too white, for various reasons, such as the danger of being mistaken for a flag of truce, especially on naval ships, and that it was too easily soiled.[13] Addressing these concerns, the flag's designer, W.T. Thompson, stated that the battle cross in the canton was sufficient enough to distinguish the flag from that of one of truce and that adding any additional elements would make the flag look too much like the U.S. one, which he scornfully referred to as "the Yankee flag."[4][5][6][7][9][10] Despite these complaints, the second national flag was applauded by some for its design invoking Confederate ideology. George William Bagby praised the flag, referring to the saltire in the flag's canton as the "Southern Cross," as did others at the time, and stating that it embodied "the destiny of the Southern master and his African slave", expressing the desire that some Confederates held of spreading slavery into Latin America.[3]

His Elite League GSA is 7.23, so he may not even be eligible. If he is I'm guessing on a 1.4 conversion factor (based on discussion elsewhere of Peter Karlsson's PL converted average) which would come out as 10.12. So short of dropping Kennett - no way.

What about Denmark a much greater percentage of their matches (40%) are on Fridays.

What like Mike Parker?

Today's Speedway Star, referring to Swiders as Lakeside's number 5 tends to back up E I Addio's hypothesis that we are only looking at job sharing for double uppers so Liam may be disappointed. Can we please please please have a straight forward statement from the BSPA outlining this change Is it really too much to ask?

Take your tin hat off. Do you really think the BSPA have set up a panel of promoters vetting each fan applying? Given the location (clearly a matter of convenience for the BSPA) I would expect the majority of fans attending to be from Coventry or Leicester - neither groups are likely to be particularly compliant at the moment. I think there are benefits to a smaller rather than a larger group - it makes it easier to have a constructive dialogue. A thousand people shouting at the BSPA would only prove the point of view that it is impossible to have a discussion with speedway supporters. I do think Kirkylane's suggestion is an excellent one.

Vladivostok!

So this brilliant idea of job sharing means that any rider still considering the Elite League will be of interest to half a dozen clubs, not just Leicester and Lynn - potentially making it even more difficult for them to complete their teams.

My programme tallies with that

Then watch out for Glasgow responding by signing Greg and Tomasz.

Summary of Polish Calendar here: http://sportowefakty.wp.pl/zuzel/573811/znamy-kalendarz-sportu-zuzlowego-2016

So that would be something like: Poole - Adam Ellis Wolves - Max Clegg or Josh Bates Leicester - Bates or Clegg Lakeside - James Shanes Coventry - Ollie Greenwood Belle Vue - Liam Carr Swindon - Zach Wajtknecht King's Lynn - Connor Mountain or Danny Phillips

Gilmore already has a world title (250cc), Lidsey looks good to me; I'm less convinced about Declyn Adams, but it's early days. Also add Jack Norman and Brody Eves to the list.

Rawicz don't have any fans! Their average attendance in 2015 was 275 (compared with 5000+ for Daugavpils)

You seem to have missed the point here. It is the BSPA that dictates that an ACU licence is required I also find it remarkably anglo-centric that you impute blame on the Poles. Let's be quite clear when we had the best league set up in the world we didn't give a flying **** for other nations leagues so why should they defer to the UK now the boot is on the other foot. You can have as many Poles as you like in your team providing they take out ACU licences (and you pay them enough to compensate for the loss of income as a result of not riding in Poland.)

Unicorn racing?

Well he has the experience, he was number 7 in the PL before... ...for Reading Racers... ...in 2004!!!

The first speedway book I bought contained an article bemoaning the lack of characters in the sport, unlike 'the old days' - and that was in 1970.

I once went to a speedway meeting at Champion, New York, where there was a rock concert (a heavy metal festival!) within the curtilage of the speedway stadium. There were no programmes, and because of the 'music' the announcements couldn't be heard so I had no idea what was happening.

I thought Rachalle Kerr looked quite a tidy rider, her brother was of course Chris.

Is this based on actual intelligence or has the journo just read this thread and summarised every rider suggested?

I think we all know from experience what the answer to that one will be

Yes try Football. First Premiership match Aug 8, fixtures published 17 June. That is less than two months. There are other complications you've overlooked: I) two tracks have changed race day II) Polish League One fixtures are still to be announced (they only decided on the composition of the league last week - at least the PL lineup has been known for two months) III) There is Euro16 footy and the olympics, which clubs will want to work round. Question when were the fixtures for July 1964 released?

The NL is much better for their presence. Many have quite respectable careers and provide plenty of entertainment along the way. And remove all those riders and I suspect the lowering of standards would have an adverse impact on attendances. There are still several team places available for three pointers and not a long list of NL ready riders to fill them.