Wildcat Steve

I did not intend it to be about George at all more about the good state of the NL and good to see riders coming back. I only use George as a reference to give everyone a view from our perspective. I had nothing to do with George's return I had a phone call from him in October he said "Dad want to come over and chat." He came over said " I was thinking of doing the Pit bike British Championship it will cost me a lot for top engines I would rather put that into Speedway and race again.". within a month he had got two top sponsors on-board and has pressed on with his agenda . I cant thank Andy and the team at Speedway Portal enough who have proved an amazing sponsor and instrumental in making his return happen. The Promotion at the IoW have a good eye for riders and what they want to achieve George going there is an Ideal link up. I would love to see Matt Bates back riding along with Tim Webbster and Jordon Frampton I watched them Progress from the training schools we ran and then making the team at Weymouth. I am pleased George and Brendan are back and Lee Smart joins them at the IoW. I think all riders will progress with track time how far they go will be down to ability equipment and lack of injuries. I wish all riders a safe and enjoyable season and am looking forward to this years NL esp the visit of Eastbourne and Kings Lynn who have also signed good team that could push the Warriors which is what is all about. Enjoy your season Sings4Kings :-)

Its good to debate Foamfence we all see things with different perspectives :-)

TBH I think there is a good mix of riders within the league a good number of teams which should give a good value for money meeting for supporters There is a decent amount of new and young talent and a good standard for them to aim their riding at. For the better NL riders PL and EL experience the steps are not unrealistic. If you have the NL like a junior league the step up to PL becomes too much plus the stand alone clubs need a good standard of racing to get bums on seats. Its a fine line but with the number of teams taking part and the make up of the teams it cant be all bad can it ;-)​

Peter Oakes had a great idea with the Academy League where you had teams that did not belong to clubs but rode against each other around the country as second halves this way you did not find one club using all the best juniors and the Academy gave everyone riding good experience of riding for a team and riding tracks they would not normally ride on. Worked very well. before that a Weymouth we had a junior team and had second halves against invited teams worked very well and was received well by supporters How do you feel this hinders their development? the top riders in the League help bring on the junior riders and we have plenty of spaces for 3.00 average riders. Riders coming back does not mean they are failed riders. Riders quit speedway for many reasons and a return should be greeted a a good thing I would have thought. I don't know of any failed riders returning. Speedway is a hard sport and can be cruel some times and as well as physically demanding it is also Financially draining. Also at the the NL level most have jobs and a life outside of Speedway so there are many reasons for riders leaving speedway. Does not mean they are failed riders which seems a little Harsh

Yes will be interesting to se how they do. When we used to run the training schools and second halves at Weymouth we had such a great bunch of youngsters and it was sad over the last few years watching them drift away the likes of Matt Bates, Tim Webster, Sam Hurst, Adam Wrathall, George Piper. Brendan Johnson. James Purchase Now we see George and Brendan back for the IoW this year and James for Cradley I know with George he would have continued at Oxford had they returned in 2008. He has been riding Moto X and did a few rounds of the Pit bike British Championships he is on better equipment now and has excellent sponsorship so will be intresting to see how they do You will only find future stars if you have a good system for riders to progress and to me its all moving in the right direction

Well With the Wightlink Warriors back we have another speedway stadium back and yes I agree with you A British World Champion and some good riders coming through at the top end but we have riders coming back into the NL this season and plenty of new reserves in the NL. With such a healthy bottom tier for speedway can only be a good thing.

Its funny how we can be quick to moan and criticize speedway but we are slow to see the good things. With IoW re opening and British riders coming back into the sport and a very healthy National League this year. I have always been one to moan about the lack of British opportunity and although with planning and lack of speedway owned stadiums we cant compete with Europe on track time for young riders, things are looking a lot better than for a long time. If you can build a good base at root level it will grow. So if you don't go to NL meetings take time to have a look because this is where we will build from. Thank you all NL promotions, Sponsors and Supporters because without you we would have no first rung for our lads ​

Don't think anyone would underestimate Kings Lynn only at their peril ;-) Nathan looked very sharp when we saw him putting in some laps at Somerset before Xmas. As to three point riders don't rule out George Piper he is on top equipment with good backing on his machinery with one of his top sponsors Speedway Portal who were instrumental in his comeback this season. He will be looking for a good season and on far better bikes than he had before

ooohh fighting talk love it ha ha going to be a great meeting really looking forward to it :-)

Thanks Andy was gutted I was to rough to go :-(

ha ha George Piper is back in 2016 lets see what the season brings

yeah made me chuckle lol the Santa Clause

It is the Job of the club to help bring on talent and riders need to race to gain valuable experience. Is that not what the NL is for??

As I say George is here to back up the team and both reserves will find their feet its what the League is for to bring on young talent.

Its a bit early to tell how well the reserves will do they have George Piper at No8 and George is a team man and will support the reserves as much as he can. George is on top equipment and invested heavily as well as having quality backing from sponsors. he has a point to prove but is not at the Wightlink Warriors to take a reserve place but to back up the team. In His first season in the old CL at Weymouth within a few meetings after signing on his 15th birthday he was in the main body of the team. yes he has been out for a few years but he has been racing Moto X. there is more to this team and the promotion than meets the eye ;-)