cinderfella

Can't see there being a top tier next season with several clubs threatened with closure. And even so I think Belle Vue would be Tom's first choice.

Yes there is that side to it.

Is Pearson not at Plymouth now? Now regarding Complin here's a wee thought? He is doubling down with Mildenhall and has been taking a fair number of NDL guest bookings. At his age is this extra physical activity and travel stress affecting his performances for Glasgow and although I appreciate it is part of Lee's income, would Glasgow be within their rights to say one team only or is their employment laws to prevent such a thing?

Freddie Lindgren was (don't know if he still is) using a GTR as was one of the Thompson twins so they must be capable. But as you say Theo will have his finger on the pulse I'm sure.

That maybe in fact go to any stockcar meeting and unless it is a major title or championship the winning drivers usually give their trophies to kids in the crowd. However I will argue that with major titles a large annual trophy should be given with previous winners' names on it as a course of record. I remember one young rider on winning The Jack Young Memorial Trophy presented to to the winner of The Scottish Open Championship being delighted that his name was going alongside the likes of Ivan Mauger's.

Just looking at photographs of the rider in the rostrum can't help but notice how cheap and plastic the three trophies are. Surely a proper silver cup or silver and wooden shield awarded annually would be more appropriate along with a replica for the winner? Was there not a 'real' trophy back in the days when it was called the British Junior Championship? I seem to recall Barry Thomas holding a nice trophy when he won the title.

The CL has managed fine without these guys for years and the standard of racing is just as high if not better. Personally I think a league would be just fine without these guys and British racing wouldn't be disrupted to the same level. I'm still of the opinion the GP series should be expanded to at least double the number of rounds it currently has with the riders only competing in the GPs and leaving the leagues alone.

Yeah I recall a few seasons back the averages were so misleading. I think it was Michael Palm Toft who was top of the Peterborough averages in the PL but was only fourth in the Redcar averages in the lower division. The whole doubling up situation made a mockery of the averages between divisions.

How much, if at all, did he ride in Poland last year? A year out is a long time. Personally I think over the years Glasgow have been guilty of building a team around guys who can ride Ashfield forgetting titles are won away from home. Yes you want Ashfield as a fortress but arguably the track is so good and fair it doesn't always give a home advantage so visiting racers can do damage. Equally our reserves haven't dominated at home. Ideally home reserves should be getting the upper hand on visiting counterparts and even beating s/s and the occasional h/l. Who can ever forget our two reserves, David McAllan and Trent Leverington scoring a 5-1 against Newport's top two Craig Watson and Frank Smart?

Indeed if the rumours of the PL and CL amalgamating are true big change to team construction will be required. If the change does go ahead I just hope the CL Promoters hold their ground and don't let the declining PL guys dictate what's happening. Maybe something akin to the old RIDER CONTROL will be required to balance teams out though I can't see that being popular with all riders. But if they want a team place then hey ho go with the flow!

So if that reasoning remains constant we can expect a few new faces in The Stripes next season if not this?

Isn't it interesting how for years we moaned about Poles coming and racing in the UK and the Polish authorities dictating what went on in speedway yet they are now helping develop our young riders in their U24 league.

Personally I don't think there is much difference between the tracks at Redcar and Glasgow so learning may be minimum. Perhaps if he had got a smaller, tighter and flatter track he.may have gained some knowledge and considering he nearly didn't have a CL place he has improved well. His track skills will definitely improve riding Workington especially with Stevie Lawson there to help and extra track time now with Belle Vue can only add to his armoury. Let's hope he's back in the stripes before long.

Yeah and despite less fixtures and gaps between matches you can bet there will be a mad rush to complete fixtures due to all the rain-offs and other postponements. Just glad the BSPA don't own a brewery

All the 'tours' seem to be a thing of the past perhaps due to finances and perhaps due to lack of tracks in the same geographical area running on consecutive evenings. Southern teams used to be able to do Edinburgh/Berwick or Workington/ Glasgow or Newcastle together. Too many teams racing on same nights now doesn't help

But is that not BSPA/SCB's problem or as volunteer host are Glasgow expected to pick up the slack?

I suppose they channelled the noise from their three meetings into the one that went ahead. Great bunch of supporters

And yet another example of Cammy getting rid of the wrong rider

Personally I wouldn't be bothered by the absence of GP riders. IMO the GPs killed British Speedway (ask Eastbourne or Arena fans) and two out of the three British GP riders elect not to ride over here. I'm sure many fans would welcome going back to their original race night but then that may prove problematic with the availability of foreign riders.

And an endless supply of Rob Grant burgers of course and at the same number of photographs and quotes as the team manager

Yeah the inclusion of GP riders would be problematic. I know it was tried before but perhaps a banding rather average than system could be introduced thus if a team has a band A (GP standard rider) the balance would be in having to have three lowest band riders (NDL standard). As always there are just so many possibile combinations to try to balance the teams out.

A lot could depend on the make up of the leagues next season. IF there is an amalgamation of PL & CL there will be a "shortage" of riders so perhaps changing the team building to include two NDL standard reserves could be a way round having enough riders while giving more opporchancities to new riders. Obviously some limitation may be required as some of the current NDL heat leaders who are doubling up are holding good CL averages.

I'd have thought the opporchancities at Leicester in the PL and NDL would have appealed to the lad more but the way things are heading with threats to three or four teams it looks like the PL & CL will be amalgamating next season so the too tier would be the same. Just hope if Glasgow do sign him they tie him up on a deal for a few years and he's not a one or two year deal wonder. Just out of interest what age is William Cairns?

The way things are looking I sadly think a few teams will close come the end of the season which would perhaps accelerate the change to two divisions and thus end the stupid doubling up situation. All doubling up has done is Rob fans of seeing riders and their machine operate at 100%. And it's not just at the top level. There are rider doubling up between CL and NDL and their scores show the toll it takes on them. As much as I don't want to see any club fold I do want to see the PL and CL amalgamate for the good of the sport.

Wouldn't it be nice to hear more of the Cinders to Shale Museum at Loanhead. It is a fantastic place but sadly only open a few days a year and they aren't always advertised.