Cliv Clav

Does this now mean we can't now fit in Kennett? Thought he would be a certain starter for us, as in this league he would be almost unbeatable around Arena.

Was this ironically because Nicholls was originally lined up for Lakeside? As we were told a new heat leader that was new to the league was a target for our all British team. I wonder how many team plans went out the window because of this rule, and now what team changes could be made because of its retraction.

How many team's plans were altered by bringing in the rule to not allow those riders to double up? How many more team's line-ups have been changed now that the rule has been removed?! I wonder if Nicholls was originally lined up for us, as Jon mentioned a possible all-British team?

If Kennett doesn't ride in the Premiership, could he still line up for the Hammers next season?

I agree, a good competition between us and Ipswich will be great business for both clubs

Great signings, Lawson is ultra popular at Arena. Morris has been hit or miss round Arena in the top flight, but sure he will be a star at Championship level. Two good away riders too, which is what we always need.

So Edward Kennett may not be able to ride in the Championship either as he doesn't have a Championship average from last season and his Premiership average was above 6.00? Or have I misunderstood?

Very unfair on Scott though, if true, as Harris and Cook both have higher averages and are eligible for the Premiership. Also, Nicholls was guesting for Premiership teams at the end of the season. Not fair on a British rider who has been entertaining the British fans for 20 years and is looking to ride and earn as much as possible in his last few years before retirement. Maybe a foreigner will have to be brought in to fill this Brit's potential team spot(!)

Would this rule preclude Kim Nilsson and Edward Kennett from riding in the Championship? Neither rode in the Championship last season. If so, the Hammers would have lost 3 potential heat leader targets for next season.

Unfair on a British rider that has entertained the British public for 20 years. Who is the other rider, out of interest?

Is that fair? You would have thought that if Harris, who has a higher Premiership average, can ride in the Championship then Nicholls would be allowed to also. Especially when he was allowed to guest in the league anyway!

Kim used to ride for Newport in the Premier League. He has also signed to ride for a Thursday Swedish team and a Sunday Polish team.

Jon was on the radio a short while ago and didn't want to name some targets, but said it is pretty likely that both Zach & Ben will be in the team. He seemed keen to get the top 3 sorted first, as you would expect, and said that talks have taken place in the last 48 hours with at least 2 of the riders he wants to include.

It was a long quiet ride home on the coach after those Fours. When Tacey had engine problems and then Leigh Lanham's engine blew whilst leading I thought it wasn't meant to be.

So it is doable then, thanks. Swap Kerr for Ellis and that is a tempting team.

Thanks for that info. Swap Clegg for Justn Sedgmen then.

It was more about asking if that team is close to the points limit. It is a strong top 3, that usually means there are not many points left at the bottom end. I could have put Sedgmen in at 4, but as I don't know all the averages, I wasn't making it too strong. Robson is an asset, so he could also feature. I can't see many 5 pointers being available for us, so looked at a strong top end with riders who I believe will increase their starting averages. A dream team would be Nicholls, Nilsson, Lawon, Ellis, Bridger, Wajtknecht & Morley but that is way too high so I didn't suggest it,

The same team that lost to Somerset and Rye the year before. Whoever it is has dropped 2 leagues in 2 years by the look of it(!)

I wonder if this team would fit for next year's Lakeside Hammers team: 1 Scott Nicholls 2 James Shanes 3 Adam Ellis 4 Max Clegg 5 Edward Kennett 6 Ben Morley 7 Zach Watjknecht A good top 2 and 5 riders whose averages can increase. Shanes has never ridden in the second tier, so should have a low average. Zach has never averaged above 3 in that division so will be on a bargain starting value. Ben & Adam have pretty low averages from previous years in the PL. Tom Brennan could be another possibility. I don't suppose that we could fit Nicholls, Lawson & Kennett in the same team is there? Really not sure what the averages would be for most of these riders.

Does anyone have starting Championship averages for the following riders please? Zach Watjknecht Ben Morley Adam Ellis Stuart Robson Edward Kennett Richard Lawson Kim Nilsson Scott Nicholls Justin Sedgmen Lewis Bridger Lewis Kerr Paul Hurry Rory Schlein Gino Manzares If we do apply to join the Championship, I would expect all the above riders to enter our promotions thoughts for possible line-ups.

After attending last night's Lakeside Hammers end of season get together, I must say I am pleased to hear that Jon Cook won't be rushing to put the team back into the top flight as things currently stand. It seems that the BSPA are going to insist teams run in the top tier on Mondays & Thursdays which are not days that can be well attended by most people, especially at Arena. So, not only is top flight speedway very risky to put on financially anyway, but to be told you have to run it on 'off' race nights would be disastrous. If this is the case, I believe the Championship/Premier League is the best way forward for us next season. That way we don't have to ask people to drive to Arena straight from work on a school night! Rider wise, it would be great to have Zach & Ben at reserve as they are very popular and great to watch round Arena. As mentioned above Max Clegg has said he likes our track so is a possibility. Heat leader possibles could include Nilsson, Kennett, Lawson, Ellis, Robson and maybe Nicholls who wants to ride in the second tier and has ridden as a guest for us more than any other rider I can think of. Schlein is another who likes the Arena track and is a friend of the team. Other riders could include former Hammers Kerr, Bridger or Sedgmen. Maybe Gino Manzares could be considered as he looked good in practice at Arena.

Unexpected win tonight, but very pleasing to see. Some battling performances and good racing too. Zach came from behind in most of his heats, his round the boards sweep past the Colts in the last race was terrific! Ben was outstanding and never looked like he would be beaten, even when he missed the gate. Alfie & David were lucky to escape injury after Payne took both into the fence in the evening's only race stoppage. George stole a couple of points of Nick, but looked smoother. He just needs to make some starts. Nick had his best meeting, but Jamie was sluggish away from the tapes. Nice to see some of the Colts youngsters, over the next few years some could turn into big name riders. Expected more from Payne, but former Hackney rider Hopwood served as a good guest on a track he has ridden at a fair bit. Bickley got stuck in, as did Bewley who was the only rider to take a point off Zach in heat 13. Good meeting! Shame it was a chilly evening though. Looking forward to Mildenhall's visit, as that should be a close meeting.

Honestly, I think most Hammers fans expect a loss tonight. A change at reserve and more home track knowledge and who knows, but it is too early in the season. Still, it will be nice to see more of the next crop of British prospects that the Colts will be fielding. Interesting meeting.

As has been mentioned, Jason Edwards should be a Hammer when he turns 15. He has come through the Hagon Shocks Academy. Alfie & George both started there too, so we are seeing the fruits of the Academy starting to emerge. I am sure others began there also, maybe Alex Spooner, James Laker, etc. We have just joined a league that already had knowledge of, and connections to, riders of all abilities. Given time we will find promising reserves. Drew Kemp is another possibility, when he turns 15. Lakeside were always going to find it hard to get a top reserve, as we were just joining that level of racing. Heat leaders however, not a problem. Morley, Wajtknecht, Hurry and Mear could have all lined up for us; depending on the points limit. But, we will get there with reserves in time too. Enjoying the season so far, good to get behind local riders that are racing to get somewhere in the sport & for the love of the racing. Rather than just for money. And, I have been able to go to all the meetings without taking time off work! Enjoying the NL

This was very much the Dugard's doing. Watch the 1995 cup clash between the Hammers & Eastbourne, where Bob Dugard is the instigator of the shenanigans and bad feelings off track, and Martin does the same on track. Jon Cook just stands back, quietly filling in his programme. I love the idea of having an audition or trial for the last team spot. It means we get to see lots of riders, unknown to us, in action and if we have to make changes or injuries occur, we have a bit of knowledge to make decisions in the future.