MrMungo

That's how I read it, too, but the statement is, as ever, a smidgen vague in some areas. Should find out in March one way or the other!

It doesn't have to affect the race format. Just make sure they ride at 7

I think FTR riders gaining an average after 4 matches is too soon, too. It's far too small of a number for someone to gain a true average.

It was certainly an interesting statement. "Draft system retained – all Tier 1 riders start on converted PL average and start at reserve but gain EL average after four meetings with ability to move into main body." No mention of T2 reserves, which is interesting. At least there's now some opportunities for NL riders - it's been a huge step for a while.

And definitely not Garrity!

I think you're being a little harsh on Graversen - granted his average now is really low, but it's been over 4 for the vast majority of his British career. I actually went through the list of potential draftees last week, and I reckon there's enough talent (just about) to have a semi-experienced #6 (eg Ellis, Morris, Nielsen, Bates, Sarjeant, et al) along with a rookie @ 7 (Ayres, Wajknecht, Shanes, Perks, Spiller, at al).

It's also worth mentioning that some riders may be based in the north, but ride for a southern side, or vice versa.

The AGM is always my favourite time of the year. They always keep me guessing on which wonderful delights they can come up with next!

Fully agreed. It was an awful year!

I don't think Matt Ford has decided yet

I have. At this stage of their careers, Thomsen is the superior rider. Thomsen is on a par with the Michelsens and Bechs. Kurtz, whilst having plenty of talent, still has a bit to go. Thomsen doesn't constantly roll at the start either!

Stead seemed confident he'll be back next year last night

There were about 20 riders King's Lynn could pick from! It just so happens that they picked a rider who decided to retire. The waiting was then related to Morris' fitness following his spill last year.

It's worth remembering that some may well still be eligible for a reduction. It's never a lot, but every little helps!

Updated for final averages.

An interesting unique viewpoint, Travertine. Personally I don't think that dropping points at home 5 times (out of 12) is play-off material, and that is where the downfall was. Although there were other times when an extra point or 2 could have been gained here and there which in hindsight would have the difference, that period in May when the track was not well prepared (due to new shale?) ultimately cost the side dearly.

Denmark, like Britain, ride on an assortment of dates. Usually either Mondays, Wednesday or Fridays. It has been that way in the past at least, not sure if it's changed lately. In the top league that is, their 2nd division usually runs on a Saturday morning or afternoon, whilst the big individuals are often run on a Friday evening. King's Lynn are one of those sides who could operate on pretty much any day of the week they wanted to. They have run on Thursdays before when riders were in Denmark on a Wednesday, they have held lots of meetings on Fridays too. It's some of the other 20 odd clubs with limitations that could be problematic!

With Belle Vue running on Wednesdays next season (if I remember correctly), that does leave Wolverhampton as the only 'pure' Monday night club left. One could argue that Wolves are in many ways more suited to the PL now given that they seem to really struggle in the heat-leader department. Could Speedway on Monday nights be a thing of the past? Is it at all possible we could have EL Speedway on Wednesdays/Thursday & PL Speedway Fri - Sun?

IOW back in NL next season too

How are his parents doing?

Henning Bager? That's just off the top of my head, and I am unsure of his current average

The final EL averages has his final average as 5.87 - even better news for the Peterborough fans!

I'm with you on this one. There are always riders available to sign. Always. Valentin Grobauer was begging Neil Vatcher to e-mail the British Promoters to try and get him a team spot not so long ago. I know there are numerous others who would be very keen to come over, too. Whether they could hold their averages, whether they were affordable for the British clubs, and whether they would be totally committed to British Speedway is another matter entirely though! There's always loads of riders in the NL who would jump at the chance at being given a fair shot in the PL, too. The problem is, and it has been for a fair few years now, is that the strength of the PL is too strong for the vast majority of NL riders. That step is huge. Every single year the PL seems to be getting stronger, with the EL going the opposite direction more often than not, resulting in some riders having similar sort of averages in the EL and PL. If it is deemed there is not enough high quality riders to go around, I don't think 6 man teams are the answer, as has been mooted in this thread. They use 5 man teams in Denmark, and the race format is very 'same-y'. The most logical step would be to have 2 British reserves incorporated in a slightly lower points limit. The down side to that, of course, is that people will whinge. And as we all know, Speedway fans love a whinge!

It's strange to see Heeps getting some criticism. He's not developed as expected, definitely, but did increase his average, which is the name of the game, despite taking some hefty knocks along the way. I think the latest averages comparison shows where the side lost out. King: 8.84 -> 9.39 Hawkins: 5.27 -> 3.35 Manzares: 6.02 -> 5.41 Heeps: 5.38 -> 6.15 Tungate 8.36 -> 7.29 Nielsen 4.23 -> 4.68 Covatti 4.19 -> 7.55

That is quite simply mental. As is the fact that Lasse would start on a higher average than him next year in the PL. I remember a few years ago when Lasse Bjerre had signed for King's Lynn and was bombing round the outside of someone, Bagpuss/Gordon Bennett turned to me halfway during a race and said: "You know what, he's going to be better than his brother!". I took that to mean that Lasse would go on and become a world class rider, not that Kenneth would be in a position to ride in the PL a few years down the line!