SPEEDY69

I quite like the logos and have gone for number 2 - simple and effective for each league, easy to copy/print.

All teams will be a bit weaker next season and I like the fact they're using British based riders so far. The only slight concern is that they could be very up and down rather than consistent - some big wins and losses. I also hope Watt improves on the last few years where he's looked very disinterested when behind.

which would have to be spent on rider wages, so no real benefit.

Belle Vue have had a very successful season, top of the league. Therefore, I fail to see why some riders should be ditched unless it's necessary due to their wishes or to fit into the required team average. They have all played their part, including the manager and the balance of the team has been good. I see no value in 7 riders who are great at NSS but shocking at the away tracks, you'll finish mid-table. Jacobs for example has been excellent at NSS but is hopeless around many of the away tracks but that's where other riders compensate. I do agree with others about Zagar being hit and miss and he doesn't have the best record in Heat 1 but there again, Steve Worrall has helped compensate. Some untried Pole may do ok but if they were all that good they'd have had more than one world champion in the last xx years!! (and that's even with having multiple GP rounds at home).

Really impressed with the summing up by Lemon - he is such a positive manager and has to take a big slice of credit for BV finishing on top of the league. Missed out in the play off final but still a great season.

Really? Have you not seen/heard him over the last few years?

ABS, on 06 Oct 2016 - 12:12 AM, said: That's because at the smaller and tighter tracks, the bike makes less difference and the skill of the rider is more important. It's always a balance but a flat out track is easier to ride than one where accurate throttle control and balance are necessary - this is a generalisation but you could put a really good rider on a juniors bike and he'd win races at the smaller tracks - no chance on a big one where the pace of the bike will be too much of a disadvantage.

He is doing pretty well I think but I see why some people may compare to other riders with equal experience. I thought he was wildcarded into GP challenge rather then made it on merit? At least he knows how to race and pass, which is what I look for in a rider, so good luck to him.

Think Wolves start as favourites for this. Woffinden, Lindgren and Masters should score heavily at NSS. Narrow win for Wolves at Monmore and an away win for them at NSS.

So, Pedersen has said he'll be fit by Thursday - just too late for this one. Poole will struggle without him.........

Makes them weaker if he does.

Did tungate say last week he was guesting for Poole tonight, as mentioned in earlier post by mdmc82?

Has Iversen had wildcards before? Seem to remember him always around 9th/10th? Could be my memory though. Also, don't want to see Kildemand in there again, don't rate him. Pedersen is certain to get one.

Good to see an all British EL rider final!

He's obviously referring to money. The BSPA have done little in the past to help new british riders or even league riders to develop (e.g. the SEC ban) but many things have changed this year. It's disappointing that he continues to represent himself as unprofessional, the swearing at cardiff and this latest tweet because there may be a genuine point behind it other than his own wallet.

Sorry, but how is aloowing all four playoff teams build a new side for the playoffs settling for the status quo?????

I suspect i'm not alone. Many people bemoan guests and double downers etc. and want to see settled sides. Why couldn't all four playoff teams reset as at the start of the year?

He needs to make a few quid as sweden and poland finish. Tail wagging the dog.

If it wss a straight league then i understand maybe but strengthening just for the finish makes a mockery of it. Why not let all the teams reset, contracts end and all those in the playoffs have new sides? Riders dropped would at least know it's on the cards, i don't like the chopping and changing, no matter what team or who the riders are.

Whatever the rules are, i simply don't like teams being able to change their sides like that just for the play offs. Doesn't matter who the rider is.

It's not actually that hard to do, turn bars to lock, wide throttle and lay down, pulling in clutch so back wheel stops driving once you're down. The thing you need to do is make that decision because sometimes missing the rider in front is possible as well and that's where indecision can cost you/the other rider.

Dispute with the AMA - that'll be not enough money then. "Your true colours shining through"

They all seemed to get on ok at the SEC round earlier this year in dreadful wet conditions, in fact the racing was made very interesting by it. A lot goes into perfomrance on the track, not just engines or their power but also riding styles, experience of the rider, the track, weather of course. If you've never ridden on a wet track you will struggle to start with. I also agree with Danny Smith earlier in that i don't think the positioning of the engine makes any difference to unpredictability - however a short stroke is definitely more unpredictable than a long stroke engine and unfortunately many riders now use these. I think there should be some way to reduce the speed of the bikes because for me that's not the sole attraction of speedway, it's the combat.

Why does it have to be the number one - I assume Woz you meant 'the best' rider in a team? If so then I don't see why - some of the best sporting captains in history were never the best individually. I agree with Dazzafl and also for me it's about being a real people person, being the conduit between the team manager and riders, helping them in motivating riders etc. and handling conflict. However, for the World Cup there is a limited opportunity to build those relationships and I'm not sure they even get to toss a coin. Does Woffinden captain his Swedish/Polish side?

Can anyone tell me what the role/point is of having a Captain for each World Cup side?