Ben91

Assuming a 40 point limit what would Heathens fans go on: 1. S. Worrall 7.09 2. D Greenwood 5.74 3. Clegg 6.27 4. Smart 5.76 5. Perry 6.30 6. Greaves 4.00 7. Isherwood 4.57 Total: 39.73

Fantastic entertainment value, balls to the wall rider. He pushes himself and his bikes, wouldn't say he looks dangerous though. Was riding towards a 10 point PL average with us last year. Taking nothing away from the others on the list, he is the best rider on the draft list by a long chalk. Coventry would be mad not to pick him.

My opinion: First Round: Coventry will show intent and take Garrity (2). Belle Vue then have a toss up between Blackbird(4)/Nielsen(5) as next available rated riders or taking Steve Worrall (12) to ride with his brother and secure an early second round pick. They'll go with Blackbird (4), Worrall will be too much of a gamble. Eastbourne will pick Nielsen (5) up. Leicester will sign Steve Worrall (12) as all riders from 1-7 are now taken/protected and he is better than the available Starke (8), Jacobs (9), Perry (10) and Lambert (11). This also secures them an early pick in round 2. Lakeside take protected asset Ellis (6). Kings Lynn pick up protected asset Kerr (1). Wolverhampton take protected asset Morris (7). Swindon have a choice between Lambert (11) and local rider Reade (14). They take Lambert (11) as he has more experience and will be comfortable at Blunsdon. Birmingham have pick of the rest as Poole will no doubt take asset Kyle Newman (3). They go for Lee Smart (13), a former Brummie and also giving them first pick for the second round. Poole sign Kyle Newman (3). Second Round: Birmingham have pick of the bunch again and will take Joe Jacobs (9). Leicester will have a choice between Starke (8) and Perry (10) the latter's bigger potential will see them take Perry (10). Swindon will now take Ben Reade (14). Wolverhampton will sign Starke (8) as the best rider left and he also knows Monmore Green from his time at Dudley. Lakeside pick up local rider Ben Morley (18). Eastbourne take Danny Halsey (16). A team mate of Nielsen at Mildenhall and no worse than the rest left. Belle Vue have a choice between Hopwood (19) and Sarjeant (17) but plump for the latter as he has more potential. Poole take Josh Bates (15) as the best of the riders left. Coventry pick up Lewis Rose (20) as a rider on the up and expected to be riding in all three leagues in 2014. Kings Lynn have four riders left to pick from and take Ritchings (22) who has more potential than Hopwood and is better than Clegg and Greenwood at present. So that leaves: Belle Vue: Blackbird, Sarjeant Birmingham: Smart, Jacobs Coventry: Garrity, Rose Eastbourne: Nielsen, Halsey Kings Lynn: Kerr, Ritchings Leicester: Ellis, Morley Poole: Newman, Bates Swindon: Lambert, Reade Wolverhampton: Morris, Starke

It seemed that way but with riders such as Newman, long out of the NL, being suggested as being part of the list of eligible riders then omission of Garrity from said list would be an outrage. I'd like to see Cook at Belle Vue, be good to see him stay loyal and as the Aces have struggled for some time it would be good for them to put together a good team.

Poole are expecting to line up with Kyle Newman as a reserve on a higher average in the PL than Garrity, no reason Garrity won't be eligible for an EL reserve berth.

Garrity and Steve Worrall at reserve? If Stevie is motoring then that could be as good as a potential Lambert/Kerr pairing at Lynn. All subjective of course and there seems to be enough speculation to suggest that Cook may not even be an Ace in 2014.

Of course, there was the cup and Trophy meetings too, however should Stoke have entered the Trophy if they couldn't fulfil their League schedule? I really enjoy my trips to Stoke and it's a shame they're struggling to fulfil a NL schedule when less than a decade ago they were running a full programme of PL and CL/NL racing. Hopefully the Potters come back stronger in 2014.

It's not about the rain offs though Gustix. It's the fact that in a 30 odd week season Stoke could not fulfil 7 home league fixtures. It's shocking really and inexcusable.

It's been said for a long time but a lower points limit would really benefit the NL. For the fans the racing is closer. For the young British riders they get a better chance to enter competitive racing. For the clubs it keeps the costs down a little more. Let's hope to see at least eight clubs come to tapes for the start of the season, more would be even better. On an IOW air fence note, could a deal be made to purchase Peterborough's if buyers do not come forward? Sad thought, however it would be terrible if we were to lose two clubs this winter.

If they are the best Brits they should qualify easily. Think you're underestimating people too, everyone loves an underdog and it is the national final. So what you may get a NL rider qualify? That's the beauty of it, anyone has a chance and it's something fans will enjoy.

Watch Grasstrack after watching Speedway and it can seem a little mundane IMO, could explain the attitude some Speedway fans take towards Grasstrack. The disciplines are similar however, perhaps not exactly the same but similar, anyone saying otherwise is being ignorant. Grasstrack is not a feeder sport to Speedway, it is a sport in its own right, however Kent in particular is/has been a hotbed for Grasstrack and riders making the switch onto shale. Names such as Paul Hurry, Harland Cook, the Basebys, Barry Burchatt (unfortunately retired due to an injury sustained grasstracking) and I'm sure there's lots I've missed. As such it may be something for the Kings to tap into in future for potential riders. For 2014 I'd go with Coles and Kingston though. On a Paul Hurry note, anyone know if he is still racing? Would come into the National League on a 10.86 average if you convert his last EL average from 2010.

Hope the Panthers find a buyer and can compete in the Pl, great venue and a fantastic track. Not to jump the gun but a potential PL side: 1. Bach 2. Ostergaard 3. North 4. Howe 5. Vissing 6. Schramm 7. S. Nielsen Solid top 5 and a youth/experience combo at reserve.

It has only been held on a Monday night for the TV cameras, stick it on a weekend, more people will go. The fact that it probably won't be on TV too will make even more people actually attend the meeting. Say it every year but there should be more than two qualifiers, if you're British, have a licence and want to try become British champion there should be a route available for you to do so. No seeding or wild cards, you earn your right in the final and the winner/highest placed finisher if Woffinden wins goes to Cardiff as the wildcard. Run it on a Saturday night, not a Sunday afternoon and it could be a great weekend for Speedway fans too, similar to Cardiff.

Mellgren and Aspgren instead of Kennett and Lambert and we had a title contending team on our hands. No issues with Eddie coming back on a personal level, he's a Rye legend but from a team building stand point he takes up too many points and this has meant we have had to sign Simon Lambert. A bit of perspective, we have dropped Olly Allen, what more does Kennett offer the side except maybe a point or two more at home for his far higher average? Lambert won't pull up any trees, he always looks laboured around Rye and that's a polite appraisal. Mellgren and Aspgren would have left Luke and Garrity at reserve whilst we would have always had a solid number one. I'll reserve judgement but I think it's going to be a case of what could have been.

No Mellgren is a decision that is going to come back and haunt us as he'll go elsewhere and become a number one next year. Luke deserves a testimonial, 10 years with Rye House, not just as an asset. Only missed last season due to injury. It'll be interesting to see the line up he puts together!

Really, that's interesting, cheers fella. Can't think of anyone else who dropped down to see if their averages were converted that way, still it's strange that Boxall came down on double his PL average then.

Not so, Steve Boxall dropped into the NL this season on double his last PL average. If it has changed then Kent can feel very hard done by having used Boxall on a much higher average than they could have had him on.

Have you actually asked anyone from the club Gustix? Maybe try emailing them and they can be of assistance. I think by now it's pretty obvious nobody on this forum knows the answer to your query.

PL to NL conversion is double the PL average. Different to EL to PL conversion.

It would be terrible if the Islanders were to be lost to the sport, lets hope a solution can be found. The rule to bring in air fences across the board is a very good one with regards to rider safety there can be no arguments with that. The ridiculous part, especially for standalone National League outfits, is the timing of the announcement that the rule was coming into effect. It have hardly any notice for clubs to prepare and get fund raising initiatives in place. Tracks like Buxton have done a great job with their fund raising efforts but they can't have been easy, fund raising never is, but the least that could have been done was to give these clubs some time. Lets hope the IOW come to tapes for 2014. Perhaps a meeting with some of their former stars such as Chris Holder donating their services to kick the season off could help raise some money?

Continuity is ok but it probably won't win the League title again. Teams need to build with riders who can improve their averages. From an outside perspective I'd say only one of the top 4 can be retained as I can't see any major improvement from them. Stick with Doyle, he's a fans favourite and one of the best in the league. So who fills the next two slots? The name Zetterstrom has been mentioned and may not be as outlandish as it seems. He'd come in on a 7.8 average which he is bound to improve on, he'd be one of the Premier League's top men. Taking the third spot Claus Vissing. More than capable of adding a point to his average back at the OTA. Next up Kyle Newman. He'll never be a world beater but has enough about him to become a solid PL middle order rider. He's very professional and could add to his starting figure. Rounding off the top 5, Todd Kurtz. Surprised he is still only on a sub 5 average. He has the potential and must kick on in 2014. A move to Somerset alongside his brother Brady, who I'd put in the number 6 slot may just do that. Finally, Stefan Nielsen. He's a class act, was dealt a bad hand by the Rebels towards the end if last year but he's capable of improving on his 4.7 starting figure. Somerset owe him a shot perhaps and wherever he rides in 2014 he'll be one of the best reserves in the league. Outsider perspective of course, had a bit of time on my hands!

It's still just double the PL average, the conversion system is different to that between EL and PL unless it has changed for this winter. Mills may have an average, I'm not 100%, but Schramm will be double his PL figure in the interests of consistency as its been longer since he last rode NL that Boxall did before this season and he came in on double his last PL average. When did Mills last actually achieve a NL average? I have a feeling it will have been back in 2005 at Oxford and the meetings he did at Bournemouth were on double his PL average at the time. Mills on a 6 point average would be a no brainer and Schramm on a 7.04 would be a decent signing too. If they're on higher figures then they are of course not as attractive signings.

Time to chuck my thoughts in. Gone for a solid top 5 and two riders who will be strong reserves. 1. Ben Morley © It is a make or break year for Ben. He isn't ready for the Premier League yet. His NL average dropped below 6 at a stage in 2013 which shows this. The fact he finished above 7 shows a strong end to the season though and proves he is capable of performing to a high standard. He has all the attributes to be a very good rider and has great support off track. He's off to Australia this winter which has helped lots of young Brits really kick on. Give him the number one racejacket and let him make it his own. 2. Marc Owen The lad was destined for great things. Unfortunately he had some horrible injuries however he can come back and become a very good rider. He would be a slow burner across the season, perhaps even drop to reserve for a spell but by the end of 2014 he'll be heading back in the right direction. 3. Chris Mills Will come into the NL on a 6 point average, capable of at least 7. Comes from Chelmsford so not a horrendously long journey for him to home meetings, especially after a year of travelling all the way to Workington for home meetings. An experienced head also, a key signing. 4. Benji Compton Shown glimpses of what he's capable of in 2013. Had some poor performances too, if he is on better machinery then he can become a heat leader certainly. 5. Chris Schramm On a 7 point average Schramm is a must. A real battler, will maintain his average or push it up by 0.5 or so. Another experienced head in the pits. With Morley, Compton and Mills could become part of a powerhouse top 4. 6. Connor Coles Question marks over machinery, none over talent. On a decent bike and at reserve Coles will really kick on. Spent most of his first full season partnering Steve Boxall and racing opposition heat leaders in most races. Be a shame if he's lost to the sport, can become a real Kings favourite. 7. Jack Kingston Never say die rider, love watching him ride and progress as a rider. Partnered with Coles the Kings will have a reserve partnership to strike fear into other NL sides. There we go, a solid side 1-7, led by fans favourite Ben Morley, full of potential and experience. Boxall will go into the PL, he can't double down and rightly so. Simon Lambert on an average similar to Boxall's would be a mistake as he is half the rider that Boxall is. David Mason was a victim to the numbers in my line up, however he could be included in place of Mills or Schramm although he hasn't got the same potential to improve his average IMO. Adam Kirby again a victim of circumstance, he's a real battler and doesn't know when he's beaten. It didn't work throwing two rookies in this season however and it'd be a mistake to go with the same partnership again I feel.

One rider's availability is not enough to change race night for, it's a big upheaval for fans and not worth it. The last few seasons Newcastle have put very handy sides together and they will do next season again I'm sure. As for all the suggestions of Robert Lambert, I'm sure the lad won't give up his continental commitments to sign for a Sunday PL team. I would have liked to see him at Rye House and it did look like it could be a real possibility for a while but I can't even see that as we are a Saturday night track. As a young Brit with a big future I hope he does end up in the PL somewhere, stepping straight to the Elite a'la Bridger isn't a good move.

Ah I see, thanks for clearing that up. Hope that if he takes advantage of a 3 point starting average he will also commit to racing as a British rider.