SteveEvans

Re Klindt - he's a middle order rider who has steadily progressed. Billed a wonder kid in 2007, never lived up to that and some personal reasons outside of racing may have been a factor. I would not object to him riding for Wolves next year based on who the 1-7 of the team are. He can be frustrating but he can do well as his numbers and average shows. I would say to automatically consider him nailed on for a 2013 spot shows that we are simply building a team based on assets and who can fit and lack ambition. No rider of his average should be 'nailed on,' That said I think you need to put him in catagory 'b' as far as a team place - a would be an absolute priority, b would be sign him if he fits a 1-7 that could contend, which is not just about him but who the other 6 are. The are several catagories below b including the 'never in a million years' one that Paul Thorp was a lifetime member of years ago. One thing we need to understand - its okay to let assets go for a year or more on loan. Also whilst I respect that some Wolves fans have seen enough and want rid of, I can equally respect some like the rider and want to keep him around and defend him. Whereever he rides in 2013 I would wish him well. Wolves may not be the perfect club in some respects but the rider loyalty in this day and age is astounding.

Schwartz won Costa Mesa Saturday. Have a nice day y'aaaalllllll

The team needs a fresh look and we need to cast attention outside of our asset base and use our assets to potentially do mutually beneficial season long swaps with other teams where applicable. 2012 team failed fundmentally on two 4 point riders who were worth less than 3 between them at the time. Behind that was Freddie's dip in form and injuries to Tai and Nicolai. There is also the fact that some riders may have been there too long and the club and rider would both benefit from a change, at least for a year. The way to win a title is having 2 riders having big average increases while the others at least are level or show small improvements. In the 2012 team Ricky Wells fits the bill. He has been a revelation and is holding his own at #4. Wolves in fact with their 'keep the faith' policy do get riders who can go from struggler to revelation in next season - Chris Kerr 2009/2010, Ricky this year. I'd say Burmeister may have been a 4-5 rider this year too based on his pace and gating. I would retain as the first order of business Freddie (testimonial year + scope to improve), Wells (seems to be able to hold his own in top 5) and Thorsell (could add numbers to a 3 point average next year and 'do a Ricky.' I'd likely keep Tai but would loan him for a year if we could get a rider on a lower average who could improve to the point he does Tai's job as 2nd top rider. Ty Proctor I would keep if he was a PL double upper. I think with more meetings and confidence from scoring points in the PL, he could add more numbers. If not I'd give him a year on loan but look to have him back in the future. Nicolai I think is less likely but to be considered if numbers fit a balanced team. Most likely I would say 3-4 max from 2012 to return. Needs more than minor tinkering based on our league position. I'd go for Fisher possibly - I feel with Monmore as a home base and his ability to ride big tracks (Peterboro in Sky Match) he could add a point and break through. What we can't do is simply do another hybrid of the 2009 title winning squad and the old Freddie, Tai, Nic and Ty and see who else fits. That was this years strategy and disaster ensued. We can't be too emotional in keeping our personal favorite riders but be a little colder. Its not the end of the world to loan an asset.

Used to drive by this place 20 years ago and think it would be great for racing!

Bobby was awesome at Wolves as an Under 16 in 2nd halves back in 86. I think he did 1-2 years in the NL (started at Stoke) and then retired.

It would also guarentee the Czechs would be seeded into the 2014 tournament as they would not do a semi final and come 4th. Quite a good break for a team who I would rate as 7th in the World right now and thus on the bubble. That said I think the tournament going to a new place isn't all bad - maybe we'll bringn it stateside at some point

I'd like to see the challenge go back to the old way - throw in the 7 riders out of the top 8 versus 9 qualifiers. Have them race off for 5 of the spots, keep 2 for nominations (more for injured riders like Hampel than Harris cos he's a Brit). I also think that regionalized qualifiers like the old days would be cool - Brits, Aussies, Yanks, Kiwis even an Argentinian or two in the Overseas. Those were good meetings!

As per most tours before it, the 4th match is where the magical turnaround occurs. Whilst we understand how fans write us off when we get our usual beating in match #1, those who have been doing this for a while know that when the tour reaches its end we are usually a different team. When I was selecting the riders for this tour I was quite confident it was the best side in the last two years and after todays result at Buxton not sure anyone can argue.

Dylan released from hospital and on his way back to midlands per reports from the UK crew.

Re U21 prep - yes cos its a big track like IOW. Re PL - of course, thats the ultimate goal.

Good luck to the USA boys tonight!

Its the job of the home promoter to market the opposing team coming in and those that know how to do well when USA rolls in. As far as the funding - I have always found that those who really want to make it in the sport work out how to get on the tour. There is essentially only one other rider outside of the seven in the UK right now who was seriously considered. Several of this team have worked feverishly to put together their budget and more than one rider I have helped personally or found them sponsors. Aside from last October match one of every tour results in a sound beating. You see on this time seven of the brightest spots in US speedway right now and every one of them deserves their shot.

Everyone can have an opinion Paul and there is much here to take on board. I'm not sure I agree that this team is weak. Tonight 6 of the riders raced equipment they had never ridden before - no practice, racing at Isle of Wight and versus a team with quite an experienced NL 1-5. I'll bet there are teams who will put less on the board than we do. I think we were only down 33-27 in the last 10 heats. The team that is over right now aside from Fox are essentially on a different agenda than usual. They are getting ready for the Under 21 WC Qualifier in the Ukraine next week where Ricky Wells will join them. The more laps done, the better the impression we will make. The team we brought last October was excellent, but with the available fixtures at the end of a very wet season we ran only 1 meeting vs a true NL squad (3 were PL, one was against GB Under 21s) and we came close to winning on opening night at Lynn. The October 2010 team demolished a GBU21 team at Lakeside that was stronger than a typical NL team. In the early Dream Team days tours were every 1-2 years but that wasn't enough to get riders improving and on teams. Coming every 6 months ultimately gave the likes of Ingalls and Burmeister enough meetings in 12 months to be league ready. Possibly the quality of teams has dropped a little with the frequent tours, but coming as often as we do is a necessity. It also should be remembered that in the early days the economy was much better so some riders or their families found it easier to fund these trips. If anything the last two or three teams lacked that #1 ringer to take the pressure of the kids - Buck Blair, Tommy Hedden, Jimmy Fishback, but you can only bring those who have the funding. The Handicapping idea is sound and we did an American style meeting at Leicester last October that used with and was very well received. We'd like to do more of that again at some point. Your opinions are appreciated Paul! I'm not saying mine are better or are right but it may give you an idea as to where I am coming from. We actually were not planning to tour this Spring but circumstances changed around Christmas. I am sure as the meetings go on we will improve and we'll be ready to give our best in Ukraine. And we get a phenomenal reception and great feedback wherever we go!

Is there a web link for that MM? The folks over here would love it and we had many tuned in last October for the GB Vs USA match that was live on the radio in Wolves.

Brad's job on the tour is to enjoy and learn - no pressure on points like every newby who has ever toured. The top 5 all have UK experience so we'll be hoping for some points from them though!

Thats why you are in charge Sandie

Team arrives this week - part of a very exciting 5 weeks for American Speedway that started last night in New Zealand and includes the tour, the Under 21 World Cup in Slovenia and the SWC Qualifier in Slovenia. This is a very young and hungry team who really do the team name 'USA Future' justice. We hope the fans in the UK enjoy the matches!

Team event or Individual? In 2005 the team rode Stoke, Weymouth, Sittingbourne, Mildenhall and Newport in 6 days and then went to Scotland on the following weekend. 2006 and 2007 I don't recall the full schedule and I know that there were plenty of 2nd halves back then. All of course before my travel on tour days so those who were there can verify

We've added an extra little event! 2nd half Vs Team Viking friday April 13th at Coventry, after the main match. 4 of our squad will get an extra meeting! I think its our first Brandon visit!

Our new merch on our Facebook page, coming to a track near you this April! Stellar job by Hayley Bromley (designer) and Sandie (merch guru). http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Touring-Team-Dream-Team-Reloaded/118471111538202

The tour will be run by Laurence Rogers, Andy Hale, Mark Cochrane, Sandie Feltham and others - all very experienced crew and any one of them can do a better job than me! April and May are very busy - aside from the tour there is the Under 21 World Cup Qualifier in Rivne Ukraine on April 21 and then the SWC qualifier at Slovenia on May 5th. I'd love to be there for the tour and the World Cups but that would be over one month which simply isn't practical. But, if this is all to keep growing, gotta delegate! By the way, we are looking for a mechanic or two who can do the USA Future events - PM me if possible.

Dylan Black completed the team. Combined age about 13 years less than Eddie, Doug and Shawn last Spring!

Gino Manzares becomes the 6th rider on the 2012 squad - team average age is 20!!! Manzares had the performance of his life yesterday coming third in the 'Big Kids Gumball Rally' behind the two Billy's Hamill and Janniro and ahead of Kenny Ingalls.

Russell Green becomes the 5th rider named to the USA Future Squad. Russell has just completed the Xtreme Indoor Ice Race Series promoted by Anthony Barlow. He made a very solid debut last October from the difficult (for a first time tourist) #3 bib. Having experienced the Uk scene he wants to come back and give it his all to get a Premier League team place within a year.

As some of you know most all of the riders on the tour rent bikes in the UK. For this years tour we are a bike or two short right now, mainly because a couple of our regular helpers have sold equipment. Please send me a PM if you have equipment to rent - we are based in Cradley area so the closer to the Midlands, the better!