enotian

Wow, they must have really watered own the product in 1978!! Couldn't resist. That's some improvement. He'd had a few seasons as a three pointer hadn't he before the sudden improvement? Was he an Australian? Although I think my first ever meeting was around that time its just a little bit before I started to take interest.

With there having been a season hiatus I was thinking about which riders might make a massive improvement in average in 2021. Then got wondering about historically which rider has improved their starting average by the most by the end of the season. [excluding assessed starting averages] I recall Mark Thorpe almost doubling his average in c1991. He'd had two average seasons in admittedly average Diamonds teams, averaging about five and had even been dropped for one match iirc. By all accounts he was only handed a team place in 1991 because his average fit. Starting at reserve with Scott Lamb, I think, he was lightening out of the starts and never looked back, ending the season close to a ten average. Anyone else turned from reserve to #1 in the course of a season?

One can't deny that the status of speedway in this country has deteriorated but there are plenty of manics on here. But I guess if speedway is all you've got to be depressed about you're probably not doing too bad.

so how many of the cheap cannon fodder are being chucked in at the CL deep end who didn't have a team place in 2020? Smith (but only because Bailey isn't available), Alcock and Hume?

There was still a choice though wasn't there. Mountain could have been retained ahead of Roynon or Wright. If, as you suggest, a decision was made assuming Mountain would be the 3* #7 then someone messed up. When that became clear the choice between Mountain, Roynon and Wright could still have been made at that point. Although this doesn't stack up for me given they've then gone for a 1* NDL 2nd string at #7. Admittedly the other 3*'s are nowhere near Mountain standard but if that was the plan and budget then I'd have expected another option at #7. Kinsley for example.

Agreed. Not just the points points limit or rising star programme to blame. Mountain would still have fitted within the points limit even with Barker in the team. Perhaps the loan fee was prohibitive? Shame as he could have progressed. The Diamonds team would be competitive with him as the Rising Star. Actually surprised he didn't get the rising star spot at Kings Lynn? Surely he'll get a place at Birmingham, Redcar or Scunthorpe??

I don't know if the points limit would have affected other entrants because that's counter to the facts. We'd have to ask those promoters. I'd theorise that all teams would have wanted to be competitive and had a view on the riders they wanted to utilise. On that basis the points limit might have been a deciding factor. I don't think that the National Development League is the core product is it? From a BSPL perspective. It's effectively the R&D department. Obviously at odds with your own opinion and as I say it sounds like you made the right decision. Shame the facility is lost to the sport.

Such a shame that Isle of Wight will be lost to speedway for the reasons you've highlighted. Reading between the lines, it appears that the BSPL didn't like a cheaper product being as/more(?) successful than their PL and CL. An obvious cause for concern. However, the IOW promoters fail to address the counter factual. Had they have had an input into the league configuration and points limit remained higher, just how many teams would have come to the tapes? Two? Then how many riders would have been without team places? And how many would have been developed? Can't blame the IOW promoters for not wanting to invest in something they didn't have any say in or believe in. The obvious answer would have been to step up to CL level like Kent and Plymouth but I guess that was beyond their means. Maybe the BSPL will be able to use the IOW as a summer training camp for British Youth Championship riders. Get the kids on track everyday of the six weeks holiday. Maybe even put on some events for the public? Hopefully the facility won't be lost to the sport.

Don't tell them your name Pike.....

massive difference between submitting claims and receiving grant. the organisation I work for has had £50m+ out of HMT, due to covid impacts, and as you'd expect there is much scrutiny. Knowing something of the soon to be Darlo bound Treasury boys they'll know lots about cricket and the square root of zero about Speedway. As much as I can imagine will be recovered will be any signing on fees for riders who were then unable to ride and even that is debatable if the sign on fee is for investment in kit. I guess those who own stadiums might be able to recover those running costs. I wonder if Somerset have dropped a bollock here. Please Sir give me money so I can continue to operate.... IMO opinion a combined claim might have held more weight if you could justify that if 4 or 5 clubs might fold the other 15 will suffer going forward. Maybe the awards have been delegated from HMT to DCMS which might make it a little easier.

all you have to do is assess riders minimum average for team building purposes based on their experience. For example after a rider has done 100 matches their minimum average for the start of the next season is 8.00. (numbers just for illustrative purposes) 6.00 after 50 matches and so on. It means you can create a larger pool of riders and provides an incentive for riders to reach their target average or risk not getting a team place. although I do agree that riders (currently) averaging say over 4 or 5 in CL should be ineligible as they gain nothing (apart from points money) and stretch the range of ability too far so as not to offer any benefit to the younger riders. which is the valid point you make.

It's a key point/risk. If someone charged you £3 more for your pint because they've given you a straw so it takes longer to drink you might go to another pub. I have my reservations about these double header arrangements. All for having a platform developing young riders but not sure the teams running double headers and charging extra have got the product right. Why 15 minutes of action takes 2 hours is a mystery to me so if 30 minutes takes 4 hours how can you sell that? Maybe the future for reserve teams is 5 rider teams over 10 heats. 5 before the main match and 5 after. Those interested can turn up earlier stay later those who aren't won't but no additional price either way. I'm guessing that would leave the stand alone clubs with nowhere to go but you can't imagine Mildenhall running in 2022 with 7 home fixtures anyway.

And remember that some of these kids have had 18 months more practice since they obtained their last average. Across all of the leagues you could see some big improvements from young riders. I have to say that none of the 3.00 riders in the Northern teams are not worthy/capable of an opportunity at this level based on what I've seen in the Northern Junior League matches. Some really talented kids. I would agree that perhaps some of the higher averaged riders have out grown this league and should have been excluded (i.e. anyone with a CL average over 4.00) but for those complaining about the lower points limit if it had been higher where are all the higher averaged riders coming from? Genuine question, how many have missed out on a team place due to the lower limit?

If the reason IOW left the NL was due to lack of competitive fixtures (8 max is understandable) I wonder if they considered (or would have been allowed to) running two NL teams? Presumably signing on fees at NL aren't prohibitive so signing up 14 riders would have been too costly? Would have made it a 10 team league so 18 home fixtures on the Island.

Not sure anyone will be too bothered about the Gem's results. I think those interested realise it's about rider development and will be happy to see three local lads progress. We love a local hero up here you know (some old fart once even wrote a terrible tune about it ). However, if they come off the back of some Diamonds home defeats I can imagine you'll not need to worry about social distancing....

It'll be interesting to see who ends up finishing the season with the better record? 4* Bates or 1* Palin? Ultimately that's what matters. If the last year has taught us anything it's that statistics are only ever part of the story. And it's not as if the others on the 4* list are guilt edged prospects.

Weren't the GP practices over by 19:00?? Fair point on the track prep as you'd definitely want the GP to be the best possible product but you could argue it might even help improve the track? I wonder if anyone at the BSPA has ever enquired?

Lads can't win. Take a leap at developing their career by riding in stronger leagues in Poland and they're turning their back on British Speedway. Ride two British leagues and they're milking the UK gravy train. I think Ellis and Bewley have made the right choice by picking PL and Poland. Hopefully scoring heavily and maintaining confidence in the UK and taking that confidence on to the continent for tougher challenges overseas. Should the opportunities in Poland be limited then consider a CL place. For which they'd no doubt get stick. Imagine having the freedom to do whatever is best for your own circumstances.......

Always wondered why the never did this. I'm sure the Hoteliers of Cardiff would approve. Get if offered as an add-on to the GP tickets and you might attract a few Polish fans etc to attend. Maybe the SGP promoters would be a bit stingy with the rental fee? Wonder if anyone has asked and enquired if the Welsh tourist board would be prepared to help out?

If you look at all of the first season averages for the British World Champions it's been about 7 in the 2nd division and 5 in the top flight. Or higher. In what were higher standard leagues. However a rider like Lee Richardson didn't have a spectacular start to his career but went on to be an International class rider. The special talents like Lee and Collins would always have achieved on talent alone but its the progression of less naturally talented riders that needs to be facilitated. There seems to be a couple of hurdles. When a youngster reaches the 1 to 5 and struggles and is replaced (as happened to Kemp in 2019) and then once they do reach 2nd division heat leader status kicking on to become International class. Which there are numerous examples, Danny King for instance.

I know Max Clegg has been named but I'm not sure if that's a good idea for him or the league. I'd rather see someone like Jack Smith or Joe Lawler pushing for a CL place. I guess the old Stoke assets come into the equation but it would be great to see Harry McGurk in one of the 2nd string roles.

Great to see the three northern clubs entering the competition. Whether it's the right model for them commercially remains to be seen but is testament to all the effort put into the NDL over recent seasons. Yes not many of the riders are ready for the CL but there were very few who wobbled around at the 500cc or even 250cc levels. I thought the NL often reduced its points limit to incentivise the introduction of new riders? In hindsight it might have been worth restricting participation to the regulations of the Rising Star system from 3* and below. Ideally you'd want the NL to be a place where the CL Rising Stars can continue to learn their trade supported by those aiming to become CL standard riders

Without knowing the reason for IOW not competing I'll not attempt to apportion any blame but it does seem a massive shame that in a year when there'll be (hopefully) lots more people holidaying in the UK it would have been great to have had (a well run by all accounts) speedway as an attraction to potentially new supporters. Without knowing too much about the NL the 2019 IOW team didn't appear to be full of 'old hands'. Only Ben Morley had extensive CL experience. So perhaps it was the limited fixture list? If so I'm sure some other shared events could have been awarded. It sounds like it would be a great place for all the young riders to spend their six weeks holiday (if that still exists) getting track time every day. Shame.

All the more reason to increase the 4.00 starting average for new foreign riders. Not a pop at those teams that have taken advantage of this if they can as it's all within the rules. Whilst acknowledging how big a part foreign riders have to play, I think if you're serious about allowing UK riders to progress removing these low averages for foreign riders has to be considered.

That's the point though isn't it. By giving these riders a low assessed average of 4.00 you can't blame the promoters for going for two assessed foreign riders ahead of say a UK 5.00 and 3.00 who maybe haven't shown signs of improvement. It always seems worth the gamble especially now you might have seen footage of the foreign rider in action and apparently they become an asset of the club rather pay a loan fee. Had those assessed foreign averages been 5.00 then there's some more jeopardy as to whether a newcomer would achieve that level so the likes of Mountain, Greaves, Sarjeant, Kinsley, Smith and Ruddick might have got places. Notwithstanding that there are still places available elsewhere so hopefully they do all get fixed up. But you can see the incentive to go for a new foreign rider on 4.00 over a UK rider which doesn't really fit in with the Rising Star ethos.