A Suggestion

[wjm]

A Random thought for EL structure, work or not who knows but here goes.

 

12 man squads with a rotating points limit.

 

With the idea of riders having a strong team for " Elite League " matches and then a weaker team for " Grand Prix weekends ".

 

If you consider a squad of say Poole constructed of

 

Crump,Bjarne,Boyce,Kennet,Doyle,Batchelor,Boxall,Woffinden,Holder,Frampton,

Hawkins as well as two nominated CL riders and a forieng retainer rider of there choice to train up eg Klint ( yes I know he went to Wolves )

 

Which would compete on a regular EL basis of there top team constructed to a 42 point limit to meet in regular EL fixtures, which would be there ELA team

 

And then on Gp weekends a team structured to a say 36 point limit to compete against other EL teams constructed to the same limit, these meetings would be ran with out GP riders as the ELB team

 

 

Admittedly there would be teething problems with this, some teams have designated race nights etc,etc, teams would need to meet in an equal number of ELA and ELB meetings.

 

I also thought if teams were constructed this way it would open up the opportunity for.

 

A. A national cup competition of PL and EL B teams, which they would use there CL riders in to balance out the sides, which in turn would give CL riders the chance to meet PL teams.

 

B. The opportunity for riders who don't get regular racing being full time EL to have more meetings to open up there opportunity to increase earnings, which in turn would increase the chances of them moving up.

 

C. It would tighten the gap between the EL and PL as it would give improving PL riders more opportunities to meet standard EL riders eg Legualt a rider who is in the PL racing well but struggling for EL meetings to gauge his progress could meet ELB teams.

 

D. With less meetings in this country it would give the GP riders a less hectic calendar which in hand could increase the chances of them showing up.

 

E. Would recuce costs as it would mean paying GP stars for less meetings, they asked for less lets give them less.

 

This is either total nonsense or constructive sense make of it what you like.

Edited August 29, 2007 by wjm

[TonyM]

Big problem is what is in it for the 'squad' riders, to take your points in turn

 

A. A national cup competition of PL and EL B teams, which they would use there CL riders in to balance out the sides, which in turn would give CL riders the chance to meet PL teams.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Looking at your draft Poole team you've raided half the PL to get the squad so who would be left to ride for the PL teams? Equally CL riders get plenty of chance to ride against PL opposition with guest appearances covering for PL reserves, with what can only be described as 'mixed' success. Why would PL teams want to race these extra fixtures in what is a fairly full fixture schedule at PL level anyway?

 

B. The opportunity for riders who don't get regular racing being full time EL to have more meetings to open up there opportunity to increase earnings, which in turn would increase the chances of them moving up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Who in your list doesnt get 'regular' racing, the bottom end of your draft team would end up with less meetings than they had this year for their respective teams - which members of the squad are you refering to?

 

C. It would tighten the gap between the EL and PL as it would give improving PL riders more opportunities to meet standard EL riders  eg Legualt a rider who is in the PL racing well but struggling for EL meetings to gauge his progress could meet ELB teams.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Would this by Kyle riding for his PL club against an EL B team or for the EL B team (getting limited meetings) against a weakened PL?

 

D. With less meetings in this country it would give the GP riders a less hectic calendar which in hand could increase the chances of them showing up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Possibly, although there would still be potential fixture problems but accept there would be more scope for flexibility

 

E. Would recuce costs as it would mean paying GP stars for less meetings, they asked for less lets give them less.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But what would the 'squad' members ask for, possibly less per meeting than GP riders but would they really want to be 'cover' riding only 'B' meetings, I'm guessing what you save on one hand you would lose on the other as these riders (if they exist) would probably want fairly hefty signing on fees to mitigate for fewer meetings

 

There is your main problem, speedway as it currently stands places a large financial risk on its competitors by way of equipment costs and having large squads means large equipment costs to be funded. Giving each rider potentially less meetings to recoup that outlay means higher up front payments and/or higher costs per meeting unless they can earn elsewhere from that equipment when not active in the squad, sorry but I cant see how the above would be attractive to either promoters or riders

[wjm]

The squad riders would still be part of the PL side they were contracted to be, so in a way it would an extension of the DU scheme.

 

The way I saw it was a better BLC, without as many clashes so that riders in the ELB would be contracted to there ELB side and that alone.

 

And in the PL & EBL cup they would be contracted to there PL side and that alone and unable to ride against there BL team.

 

Confused yet.

 

I thought under this structure the league would appear more lucrative to any teams considering stepping up hence increasing the league there for increasing the number of teams in the league.

 

The PL would compensate for the extra fixtures by doing away with the current KO Cup.

 

So riders who ride both ELB & ELA fixtures eg, Batchelor, Doyle, Boyce in the example I use would still be getting the same income, as well as relatively easier meetings to increase there income, as well as being accompanied by the squad riders in the ELB meetings, so they would still ride the same amount of meetings if not more.

 

ELA TEAM

 

Crump,Bjarne,Kenent,Boyce,Batchelor,Doyle,Woffinden

 

ELB TEAM

 

Kennet,Boyce,Batchelor,Doyle,Woffinden,Frampton,Hawkins

 

KOC TEAM

 

Constructed of the full time Poole riders

 

Kennet,Boyce,Bathcelor,Doyle,Foreign squad rider, Two Non Contracted PL CL. riders.

 

This would be to stop the confusion of the BLC when riders were in free for all racing for who they like, a rider would only have one average for one team per competition.

 

The squad system would seem to work affectivley in Sweeden and Poland I think it is some thing that has to be looked into here.

Edited August 29, 2007 by wjm

[T.N.T.]

ELA TEAM

 

Crump,Bjarne,Kenent,Boyce,Batchelor,Doyle,Woffinden

 

ELB TEAM

 

Kennet,Boyce,Batchelor,Doyle,Woffinden,Frampton,Hawkins

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Wjm - Please remember the following statement

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAI WOOFIDEN

 

 

 

 

 

WOLVES ASSET - NOT POOLE

 

 

 

Further to your team, I dont think Boycie will be riding next season

 

Otherwise you have some basics there, but your details are well off the scale.

 

EL TEAM; Crump and ?? with Kennett, Batchelor, Holder, Doyle and ?

 

Then a British League team without the two top riders (Crump and ?) with a doubling up rider filling the 6th spot and a format used using 6 man teams over 18 heats like the old test matches used to be.

[wjm]

Im not really bothered who was riding where it was just an example.

 

I know as well as any one who owns Tai.

Edited August 30, 2007 by wjm

[Trackman]

Back to topic.... A Suggestion....

Bring back the Biff.... http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=VmZfAN5lhY4

Regards.