tocha

So the rulings, as far as anyone can understand them, have changed since last season. Now it appears any rider qualifying under category 3 but holding an EU passport is assessed at 5 but those that don't are 7. Do I have that right as it would appear that two promotions got it wrong so perhaps no-one was told of the change at the outset. I guess we'll find out when the 2015 regs. are published. 18.6 RIDERS MATCH AVERAGES (see SR 16.2 for Definitions) and GRADINGS 18.6.1 Riders new to Premier League racing are categorised as follows: Cat 1: Riders with an “end of the previous season’s published average” in the Polish Ekstraliga or the Swedish Elitserien of above 6.00 points and a Rider subject to a Certificate of Sponsorship Cat 2: Riders with an “end of the previous season’s published average” in the Polish Ekstraliga or Swedish Elitserien of 6.00 and below plus ALL other Riders riding currently in any Professional Speedway League, Cat 3: Riders not riding in a Professional Speedway League and Commonwealth or USA (to a maximum of 4 each season) Riders new to British Speedway Cat 4: Riders who have ridden in the National Development League as an Amateur 18.6.2 The Assessed MA's for new Riders to the PL racing is: Cat 1 8.00 Cat 2 7.00 Cat 3 5.00 Cat 4 3.00

If the rules remain as for 2014 Richard, as a DU rider, may only be replaced by another PL rider.

This is going to be a management problem as each Tuesday there will be only three fixtures with one club having to sit it out. Six home meetings isn't enough for a season and I am guessing clubs in turn will have gaps of three weeks between home meetings. It has been suggested teams ride against each other three times during the season then have a reduced play-off competition involving only the top four.

I don't know how many of the riders are in action in Poland on Sunday so that might not work. As for Monday the weather forecast doesn't look any better than today. It might be better to put this fixture back a week to next Wednesday then run the finals week commencing 20th October.

Confirmed: http://www1.skysports.com/watch/tv-guide/09-10-2014

What is happening on the 9th?

Should be earlier than that. Newcastle have just seen off Glasgow whilst Edinburgh's, their semi-final opponents, reserve date for the KO Cup is next Friday, 3rd October. Newcastle are out of the play-offs so should be able to run the second leg the following Sunday. This leaves the way clear for the Ipswich leg in the final for Thursday, 9th October.

Who let you out then.

I have no idea if they are the worst. However, the majority don't seem to be fully included in a meeting. What I mean by this is that there is no attempt to engage fans who are in the first and second bends and many sitting in the stands along the back straight who do so because the viewing is so good. But, the PA system is poor so no-one can hear the interviews with Kevin and he makes no attempt to venture away from the home straight area. A few seasons ago this was addressed, partially, by locating the rider presentations at these different parts of the circuit. At least, it had the feeling that more fans felt included in the proceedings. Perhaps the start should be relocated to the existing back straight. It might prevent riders continually walking out from the pits to build their next start!

I take it that here is no restriction in running during the day so what about Saturday afternoons. I know this will clash against local football, Gillingham in league one and Dartford plus Dover in the conference but they don't play at home every Saturday and not extensively throughout the Summer months. It is possible that more spectator support could be gained than lost. A four team tournament over a weekend is even feasible, Lakeside Friday evening, Kent Saturday afternoon, Eastbourne in the evening and finally Mildenhall on the Sunday.

Dudek's ban, or suspension as described in this week's Star, has been backdated meaning the points he scored in the Polish Extraleague, subsequently, have been removed and the table amended. If the same stance were to be taken here it would have similar implications. Ward rode for Poole twice following the positive test, both against Leicester, drawing the away match in which he scored five points. Poole's two point draw becomes a one point defeat leaving King's Lynn now topping the EL giving them first pick of play-off opponent. Theoretical, of course, unless the verdict is made before Monday.

I bet Robert Lambert didn't think he would progress this far in his first EL season and I wish him all the best but, my money is on Jason Doyle to pick up the trophy now.

Now that Jason Doyle has qualified through the GP Challenge it is highly unlikely that he would l get a wildcard anyway. Even if Chris Holder falls out the top eight he, as a former World Champion, would be preferred.

Teams queuing up to pick Coventry just now. You will just have to hope Poole don't get all 4 points tomorrow and you get at least a two points at Belle Vue next Monday. Otherwise, you'll get Swindon.

You might see if you can edit the thread title. 12th September is Friday, the meeting is tomorrow.

Bunny was riding as a guest reserve for Glasgow at Workington last night. Scored 14 +2 from six rides. Why can't he put in that sort of performance for Rye House?

He may well have done but he is representing Denmark in the 'Under 21 SWC Final' on Saturday with practice Friday.

Of course, he might have got a new ruling much earlier. On the Benji signing, it appears that Ford wanted to include him at the start of this season but was prevented from doing so as he wasn't in the list at that time so Lee Smart was brought in instead. He then claims that in April he submitted a request to the MC to include Benji in place of Smart who rode his final race in Poole's colours on 30th April. Benji was injured at Stoke on 3rd May spending two months on the sidelines. However, at the time of his request, Benji was 15 in the list and Smart 19 so I don't know how he was going to swing that but I am sure he would have found a way!

Don't forget that tomorrow is the annual staging of the 'Donut' event at Latchingdon. Details: http://www.southenddmcc.org.uk/

Hope he keeps that form when we ride against Poole Friday week.

I dare say he will be, won't have missed a GP round and still in contention for his seventh championship by then!

We are quite vulnerable just now and only 7 points ahead of Swindon in seventh place. Also, to put things in perspective, we have only five home meetings left, Eastbourne, Coventry, Belle Vue, Poole twice but nine more away. Of the teams below us only Eastbourne and Wolverhampton have ridden more at home than away but not by the same degree as us. Even Belle Vue with just 16 points could be a threat having almost completed their away programme with only two more fixtures but a staggering eleven meetings left to ride at home. Places to visit include Poole, Kings Lynn, Eastbourne plus Swindon twice. Therefore it is essential that we pick up points at Leicester this Saturday and Wolverhampton, Monday, whilst dropping no more points at home.

MIchelsen didn't ride for Smerderna tonight and was replaced by Davey Watt who also didn't 'ride' either.

I suppose this meeting did take place. Nothing on this forum since Sue's unsuccessful attempt to secure a texter therefore, nothing on updates, Rye website, BSPA site, Rye twitter nor facebook link which, appears, not to exist. Hope it all went well Luke, someone might tell us about it eventually.

He has even a darker side. Apart from a guest he has never ridden for us at Lakeside but we are still holding out hope. Come on Scotty. You don't want to keep commuting to Manchester each week when you can have a short drive to Purfleet.