MattK

But if the format is that reserves only race against each other and the oppositions second strings, then this suggests team formats will have to be more rigid. This in turn suggests there will either be a clear advantage of having a strong top three, or a strong bottom two, depending on the heat format.

Two very good questions. It does seem rather strange that teams are signing anyone other than absolutely nailed on riders.

The real problem is if fans only go to the NL meetings, then suddenly your EL team is losing thousands of pounds a week. This is what happened at Oxford. Their EL team was performing terribly and their NL team very well, so fans missed EL meetings in favour of attending NL matches. As others have said, running an NL team does not attract any new fans, unless you come up with a cleaver gimmick, like Dudley Heathens. You are therefore totally reliant on existing fans attending more meetings, which in the current climate is a big ask.

Depending on how it is enforced, we may well have to have fixed team spots. So, the highest average rider at 1, second highest at 2, etc. down to 7.

That race format would have to be re-jigged if the reserves are only going to race against each other and the opposite team's lowest second strings.

So the BSPA enforcer has had a word in Blackbird's shell-like and suddenly everyone is happy!

I agree about Garrity and Newman, at least Kerr rode in the NL last season. I think the criteria has to be either finished the NL last season or starting it next season. I don't see why riders like Garrity, Birks (if fit), Howarth and Newman would not be picked in a teams 1-5, as it seems sensible to go with a top heavy three and two reserves, plus your NL pair.

I can't see how riders like Birks and Howarth can qualify for the reserve spots.

Where does it say that?

Where does it say that?

I think it's more a case of they don't know and they'll make it up at a later date.

Depends on the new heat format. If the lowest of your top five will have two rides against your opponent's reserves, then the likes of Birks, Howarth and Auty would beat them with one hand tied behind their backs.

It gives more detail, but it is no clearer. Now some PL riders will be eligible to ride at reserve, but no criteria has been laid out. The heat format is changing, but no one knows what to. I would have preferred a high level press release, like the BSPA one and then a more detailed press release once the details had been finalised. Instead we have this halfway house where nobody knows if they are coming or going.

There's a massive disparity between the top and bottom riders in each group.

If the current owners were losing £100k per season, it would make sense for any new owners to start off in the Premier League, rather than going straight in at the deep end.

I don't deny he can beat anyone on his day, but do you want to be relying on him to regularly win heats 13 and 15 and take crucial tactical rides without a trip to the airfence?

Hans and Batch will both be free agents if Peterborough doesn't find a buyer. And I'm not sure Kildemand is #1 calibre unfortunately.

The other thing people haven't mentioned is that there will be 20 riders in the National League riding Elite League standard machinery. Won't this massively increase the cost of riding in the NL as all riders will need better equipment in order to stay competitive?

Where does it say under 21?

I hate to say it, but I think we'll need a proper #1, which would suggest Andersen, Batchelor or maybe even Zagar in place of Kildemand.

Does anyone know any National League riders?

Will riders treble-up? It makes no sense for them to ride NL and EL, but not PL. Although, just because it makes no sense...

You now get double points if you lap an NL reserve.

So you agree that any points limit below 42 is a decrease in the strength of a league on the the previous season?

He does know. Ever year for the past five seasons or more the points limit has been reduced and every season less fans turn up. Yes, occasionally one club may see a boost in fans due to on-track success or other factors, but on average attendances have reduced across the board for the last several seasons.