Grachan

I just don't see what the 2 Brit rule has to do with the one over 8 rule. Where is the relevance? People have clearly looked at their own team building plans and then proposed or voted accordingly. This really has to stop. Seriously. Get some bloody rules and stick to them.

Oh shush.

Hoping for Bachelor, personally, although I'd be sad to see BWD leave. It does make us weak at reserve, but makes the side more attractive to go an watch, and I always enjoy his little melt downs. I'll never forget on Sky, when he went storming into the opposition pits to cause a fuss, stopped and watched for a bit, then snuck quietly back to the Swindon side. He brings a bit of personality, and my son loves him!

If it is Batch then I guess the last place would be between Mitchell Davey and Danny Ayres (unless they can temp Liam Carr out of retirement). Whoever is at number 7, though, may not be there for the whole season. More important than that, though, is that if Bachelor comes back he'll have to get rid of that moustache.

Although Lakeside do get Nick Morris on a lower average than Swindon.

So Lindgren and Doyle both pushed out of their sides. Very sad to see, particularly after the positive noises of Vaculik coming into the league. Soon we will have two separate leagues of equal strength using exactly the same riders.

There may not appear to be a big numerical value on Bellego's average, but the real value is, I suspect, in team spirit, which paid a large part in last year's success. Keeping as much of the side together as possible is a good thing, in my opinion, especially after being unable to retain Doyle. It gives the team a kind of "ok, you did it with Jason - now let's see what you can do without him" feel. All sides will be similar to us in strength. The problem with low points limits is if one team (possibly Poole this year) can get a big improver in it is very hard for others to do anything about it.

Agree 100% on having a scoreboard. A major mistake at most tracks. The score of the meeting is the most important thing after all. This is a major mistake. The score should be constantly on display. I remember at Swindon, years back, they used to bring the riders out to Jean Micheal Jarre, with blue lights flashing. It worked really well. Then, suddenly, without warning, they stopped it and they all started marching out to some horrific marching music. I wrote a letter to Speedway Star to complain! The following week,David Smart was quoted in the Swindon article agreeing with me. The week after that, the Swindon promoter (I can't actually remember who it was) said that they though it would be great to bring the team's out to what he called "a stirring march", and the good presentation they had was gone forever.

I'd like to see Batch back, personally. Some people don't like his bad attitude, but, personally, I've always rather enjoyed it. He rode well as a guest for us last year, but it almost felt like he was doing it to stick two fingers up to King's Lynn. Bring back the Bratch I say

Would they both fit? Would give a good top 5, but presumably leave Zach as top reserve which would leave us exposed a bit at the bottom end.

One over the eight by Soft Machine.

Is that what happens with Aussies at the moment then?

The best Finnish rider I ever saw was Ari Koponen in a match atbSwindon after he piled into the fence right by me in a crumpled heap. He then came out and won the rest of his rides. Best I've seen him, or any other Finn, ride.

It's a perfectly good decision. The problem is they relaxed it last year so now, in order to bring it back, you get inequality. They should never have allowed riders below 6 to drop down in the first place. Then everyone would know where they are and there would be no issue. Now we have riders like Harris free to ride in the lower tier whereas Nicholls isn't. Harris should never have been allowed there in the first place. I'm not sure riders like Nick Morris should still be in the lower tier either.

I agree with this. I love old music because I'm, like, old and that. But it's not what is required at speedway. Music can be a major part of the presentation if done well. Nothing wrong with playing old stuff, as long as it works. For example, there was a guy on Graham Norton recently (I can't for the life of me remember who it was) and when asked if his kids like his music he said that all they listen to is AC/DC "Thunderstruck" because it's in some computer game. Finger on the pulse, see. That's what it needs. Just sticking on The Beach Boys or Gerry and the Pacemakers isn't going to work.

It's like Swindon last year. With Doyle on a 13 average and a 10 point difference in the points limits. Take out Doyle and bring in a 3 pointer and you would have had a Second Division team. And that's not far from what we will get this year.

Me too, but let's face it. Twice we've won the league and both times we've dumped him. Why would he want to ride for us again?

What about Martin Ashby? Made just one World Final and one as reserve. Certainly a good enough rider to have been in a GP, but would he have ever made it I wonder.

I've noticed this too. Why does every thread end up as a discussion about Mike Sampson? It is kind of spooky. Best Norwegian was probably Sverre Harrfeldt, but he was a bit before my time. Dag Lovaas is streets ahead based on the ones I saw ride. Such a classy rider and so good for Oxford in 1975.

How ridiculous, though, that Lakeside in the Second Division can have Morris on a lower average than top division Swindon.

He needs to get a move on, though, or the one that he does bin will end up with even less chance of finding a team than they have at the moment.

He did say he was hoping to have a GP rider at Rye House this year, though.

I think Erik would have excelled in the earlier, knock-out system. Once it went to points scored I would go with Hans every time.

After listening to the interview online, what about Doyle coming to Rye House? I wouldn't rule it out completely.

Thinking about Woryna's average, and the issue of GP riders being assessed upwards. Riders like Zagar and Woffinden rode in the old race format where heatleaders met each other more often, hence falsely low averages. By the same token, Woryna rode as a reserve or second string - and would have avoided heatleaders. So, if anything, would his average not be too high? So, should he not be assessed lower than his actual average based on 2016?