MattK

What makes you say that? Did dropping down significantly impact crowds?

My fav: 15.8.1 If the Referee stops a heat, following an incident or accident, where the rider causing the stoppage and his team partner were in third and fourth place and a re-run is called with one of those riders excluded, the Referee has the sole discretion to order that the remaining team partner will start on a 15 metre handicap in gate position c or d (the opposing team does not change positions).

Riders must remain astride (in bold no less) their motorcycles while preparing their start areas.

Zmarzlik's average was 8.22 in 2014 and 9.33 in 2015, however he would have been riding at reserve in both years.

The regulations only refer to re-declared teams: 16.5.3 No facility is permitted to replace a rider, who although included in a Re-declaration has not made an appearance for that Team since being re-declared.

Precisely. At least it is a level playing field for all teams. I am simply exacerbated that Swindon didn't utilise this, especially after winning the league with a ringer last year.

In no particular order: Sarjeant Woryna Szczepaniak Clegg

I'm not sure what you point is. A rider has challenged the BRITISH speedway authorities. If the BSPA/SCB want to avoid this in the future, then the rules and regulations have to abide by UK law.

I'm no expert, so please correct me but I don't think there is an EU law which covers discrimination based on nationality.

Differences are far more than that. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scots_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Ireland_law

Why? We don't even have the same laws in England and Wales as they do in Scotland. Either way, the point is as SteveBrum said, there was likely a gentlemen's agreement between teams and riders. Nicholls broke this by seeking legal advice. Therefore, if the BSPA/SCB want rules and regulations which cannot be challenged legally by any team or rider who disagrees, their new rules have to comply with the law, one of which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of nationality.

Because Poland doesn't have to comply with British law?

I think there is huge potential here. Given the BSPA seem unwilling/uninterested in properly funding the national team, so much so the best rider is no longer interested, it seem ideal to bring in someone who can run the team with a commercial view. I guess the problems are twofold. Firstly riders now race four times a week against the best in the world, so they don't need the experience or the additional meetings. Secondly, unless you can attract the top riders (see first point) fans are unlikely to support these events especially given how accessible the GPs and SWC are.

It doesn't have to impact league teams though, does it? If the franchisee can simply help young British riders get Swedish and Polish team places it will be a massive boost to our competitiveness.

Rosco: Hold my clipboard

It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of: race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin https://www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights

In the BSPA's defence(!) they have clearly stated the rule*, however many people have abbreviated it to mean British riders. *Riders who have previously been eligible for the old Conference League, or the current National Development League, are now eligible for the Championship.

They haven't opened the gates to British riders though. Their use of the term "home grown" is misleading if people think this means British.

I don't know the laws in those countries, but presumably unless a rider seeks legal representation those leagues will just continue until challenged.

The law states that you cannot discriminate on the basis of nationality. Therefore a rule which excludes certain nationalities while allowing others, is by definition illegal. You're right, a gentlemen's agreement could be thrashed out, but it would only take one disgruntled rider to challenge the ruling. I'd imagine many of speedway's rules would fall foul of the law. This is why the authorities crumbled as soon as Nicholls consulted legal representation.

It makes a lot of sense if the franchisee will invest in TeamGB and attract the best rider in British speedway back into the fold. Revolution certainly seem to be good at promoting their "brand". I wonder if GoSpeed are in the running?

But that is ILLEGAL. You cannot discriminate on the basis of nationality.

Yes, I believe they both meet the definition of "home grown".

Aren't they are both "home grown"?

https://www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights Types of discrimination ('protected characteristics') It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of: age being or becoming a transsexual person being married or in a civil partnership being pregnant or on maternity leave disability race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin religion, belief or lack of religion/belief sex sexual orientation So "home grown" is definitely illegal, but the law says nothing about having an average over 6.