Plymouth 2012

[mikebaker]

His performance at Redcar was nothing to write home about.

He won heat 1, then conceeded a 5-1 to Havvy and Lyons in heat 5. Beaten by Summers while on a tactical ride in heat 11.

Another 5-1 to Aaron and Kus in heat 13.

Havvy rounded off the night by beating him in heat 15 to complete a paid max.

May be un-beatable at home, away a different story.

[wjm]

 

I suppose that is about as near as I get to you admitting that I was right.

 

Nah still just really clingy and slightly desperate.

[rgcumming]

Barker was the outstanding visitor to Berwick last year, only defeated by an inspired ride from our own Lee Complin but otherwise untouchable. I think this year will mirror Berwicks in recent seasons, good at home but poor away. Barker and Fish should be capable of keeping scores respectable plus if Boxall rides to his potential, you may spring a few shocks but midtable at best for me.

[spin king]

Not saying that Ben Barker is a poor rider, just that on the two occasions last season that he came to Sheffield that he was very disappointing when even Sheffield 2nd strings beat him.

I will agree that Plymouth will be very hard to beat on their own track, and some teams will possibly take a bit of a beating, but away from home I cannot see them making any improvements, especially if Barker or Fisher have an off night.

[stratton]

Franchetti, and Holder,are they the ones who have to hit the right notes straight away?.If not could there be early changes or will the promotion be patient.?

[bolly]

When he came down to the SBA with Rye House last year he looked good, and you have to say he has the ability, but you can say that about a lot of sportsmen, and they never do make the grade, not just speedway riders, i have heard last year he only had one bike, and that belong to Len Silver, and so far this year he hasn't got a van, so that's a good start, so that makes two riders that have signed for Plymouth that need a van, i hope it's sorted by the 17th press and practice day.

 

Len treated Steve Boxall with kid gloves last year. Supplied him with bike etc. chose him over Jason Doyle (Much to the annoyance of a large section of the fans) when he recovered from injury, sustained during an interesting night out after last years press and practice day ???

And for most of the season his bike performed like a pig. Maybe lack of tuning or effort or money ??? Did not really repay the confidence and efforts of Len to bring him back into the fold.

 

I've watched him since he started racing for the Raiders and like the guy, but I have my doubts he will last the season with you.

Edited March 6, 2012 by bolly

[spin king]

Franchetti, and Holder,are they the ones who have to hit the right notes straight away?.If not could there be early changes or will the promotion be patient.?

I think apart from Barker and Fisher, who you would imagine will get decent points where ever they go the rest of the team will be under great scrutiny.

 

The big problem that I see with Plymouth is the riders that have signed then not signed, and I would imagine that it must have been unsettling for riders that have eventually sign to ride for Plymouth only to be told that Plymouth were then interested in Leigh Lanham.

[stratton]

Len treated Steve Boxall with kid gloves last year. Supplied him with bike etc. chose him over Jason Doyle (Much to the annoyance of a large section of the fans) when he recovered from injury, sustained during an interesting night out after last years press and practice day ???

And for most of the season his bike performed like a pig. Maybe lack of tuning or effort or money ??? Did not really repay the confidence and efforts of Len to bring him back into the fold.

 

I've watched him since he started racing for the Raiders and like the guy, but I have my doubts he will last the season with you.

We take for granted the finance side of things,not all riders come from wealthy backgrounds.I dont think there is any doubt from what people who know more about Steve than me that the ability is there i hope it goes well for him maybe he will get a bit of a hand money wise.?

[Robinh88]

We take for granted the finance side of things,not all riders come from wealthy backgrounds.I dont think there is any doubt from what people who know more about Steve than me that the ability is there i hope it goes well for him maybe he will get a bit of a hand money wise.?

 

Certainly agree with your first point!

 

Did think Boxall's return to Rye House would have been the catalyst for him, he did have some good scores....

This IS probably his last chance with no Newport (at the moment sadly) competition for places is going to be tougher than ever before. He's certainly got the talent and the ability to score heavily at home but it really is up to him!

[stratton]

Certainly agree with your first point!

 

Did think Boxall's return to Rye House would have been the catalyst for him, he did have some good scores....

This IS probably his last chance with no Newport (at the moment sadly) competition for places is going to be tougher than ever before. He's certainly got the talent and the ability to score heavily at home but it really is up to him!

What do you exspect Robin from Boxall points wise?

[Roger MARTIN]

Steve Boxhall got 10+2 from 5 rides last year at the SBA for Rye House, i would be happy for him to get that every week at the SBA, if he gets himself sorted i can't see no reason why he can't add a point to his average, we all know the lad's got the ability, but like any motor sport its not all about the rider, couple a good rider with good tools and he has a chance, its all about preparation with motor sports, and that cost money, but if the 10+2 at the SBA was on a not so good bike last year, then on a good bike we should see the lad do well, we shall see at the press and practice on the 17th.

Edited March 6, 2012 by Devildodger

[Robinh88]

Depends its all if's and but's, he could be a very astute signing, that I will say. However Bowden signing Franchetti was quite frankly stupid and probably ended Plymouth's chances of winning the PL title!

[Roger MARTIN]

Depends its all if's and but's, he could be a very astute signing, that I will say. However Bowden signing Franchetti was quite frankly stupid and probably ended Plymouth's chances of winning the PL title!

 

Robin i agree 100% with that, no problem with Steve Boxhall, could like you say be a very astute signing, if he gets his head together, the problem like you say is with Franchetti, and by signing him will put a great deal of presser not on him but on James Cockle, he will ride at reserve, poor James is the one with all the presser on him riding in the main body of the team, i don't think there was any thinking behind that, moving a 3.40 rider in, then moving a 3.60 rider into the main body of the team so he could come in, to say that was a bad move is putting it mildly to say the least.

 

On the BSPA site Cory Gathercole says he is looking for a team, now i'm not saying he is the answer but i would think he would be a much better option to me then a rider that is no more than a average reserve, yes the lad gives 100% at the SBA but that is only half of the meetings, away he did nothing and thats why someone like Gathercole would do better, you are looking at Gathercole 6.84 and Franchetti 3.40, i can't see Franchetti doubling his average, it isn't hard to work out who the better rider is.

Edited March 6, 2012 by Devildodger

[torpointfanatic22]

I was at Sheffield the first time Plymouth visited and Barker was outshone by the Sheffield top 5 that night and by all accounts he wasn't that much better on our next visit. Barker is a class act but every rider has off nights and sometimes I think you have to give credit to the home riders who may not be as good all round as someone like Barker but on their own track are simply superb. Parker and Ashworth were brilliant on my visit first time around.

 

Ben also struggled at Newport and Redcar he was up and down. That said he was pretty damn good everywhere else!

 

Robin i agree 100% with that, no problem with Steve Boxhall, could like you say be a very astute signing, if he gets his head together, the problem like you say is with Franchetti, and by signing him will put a great deal of presser not on him but on James Cockle, he will ride at reserve, poor James is the one with all the presser on him riding in the main body of the team, i don't think there was any thinking behind that, moving a 3.40 rider in, then moving a 3.60 rider into the main body of the team so he could come in, to say that was a bad move is putting it mildly to say the least.

 

On the BSPA site Cory Gathercole says he is looking for a team, now i'm not saying he is the answer but i would think he would be a much better option to me then a rider that is no more than a average reserve, yes the lad gives 100% at the SBA but that is only half of the meetings, away he did nothing and thats why someone like Gathercole would do better, you are looking at Gathercole 6.84 and Franchetti 3.40, i can't see Franchetti doubling his average, it isn't hard to work out who the better rider is.

 

True but we don't have enough points to replace Franchetti with Gathercole, we'd have to make another change to fit Cory in. We are 2.72 under the limit so that wouldn't work however Holder out and Gathercole in would fit or Franchetti out and Kurtz in would be fine also.

 

Franchetti, and Holder,are they the ones who have to hit the right notes straight away?.If not could there be early changes or will the promotion be patient.?

 

It depends on what money they're on. With Barker and Fisher around he will need to have some cheaper riders on the books and if they are cheap they will stay probably longer than they deserve too (if they struggle).

 

Plymouth could in my opinion still do OK this year but Mr Bowden needs to make the right changes at the right time. It's been seen in previous years that making positive changes when the averages permit is key to success. There are plenty of riders out there on the sidelines and with 2.72 remaining we have room to move in.

[stratton]

I am not a Plymouth fan but hope they do well, i think it is exciting for the P.L. Because Plymouth are like a few clubs we dont really know what there full potential/ level is.

[The Blindman]

I think Plymouth will do ok and wish them well for a good season, The PL is an exciting package this year and so is Barker and Fisher riding together, I don't think any opposition would want to get to close to them when they try to team ride

[Willowman]

Len treated Steve Boxall with kid gloves last year. Supplied him with bike etc. chose him over Jason Doyle (Much to the annoyance of a large section of the fans) when he recovered from injury, sustained during an interesting night out after last years press and practice day ???

And for most of the season his bike performed like a pig. Maybe lack of tuning or effort or money ??? Did not really repay the confidence and efforts of Len to bring him back into the fold.

 

I've watched him since he started racing for the Raiders and like the guy, but I have my doubts he will last the season with you.

Good call.

Likewise he had it all handed to him on a plate at Somerset and look what happened.

Don't think that him being potentially dropped for Lanham and not having kit sorted at this late stage will be exactly helping getting "his head together".

I do fear the worst for Plymouth.

With regard to Barker and Fisher, any decent heat leader beating them into the first bend may take points off them so it will not always be a forgone conclussion that Plymouth will be safe at home.

[stratton]

Good call.

Likewise he had it all handed to him on a plate at Somerset and look what happened.

Don't think that him being potentially dropped for Lanham and not having kit sorted at this late stage will be exactly helping getting "his head together".

I do fear the worst for Plymouth.

With regard to Barker and Fisher, any decent heat leader beating them into the first bend may take points off them so it will not always be a forgone conclussion that Plymouth will be safe at home.

Huge year for Barker he has impressed me i think he will take alot of beating anywhere in the PL.

[Roger MARTIN]

Good call.

Likewise he had it all handed to him on a plate at Somerset and look what happened.

Don't think that him being potentially dropped for Lanham and not having kit sorted at this late stage will be exactly helping getting "his head together".

I do fear the worst for Plymouth.

With regard to Barker and Fisher, any decent heat leader beating them into the first bend may take points off them so it will not always be a forgone conclussion that Plymouth will be safe at home.

 

Your right when Ben is on gate 3 and 4 that's when he gets beat at the SBA, it's a very short run to the first bend, i have seen it done, put him on gate 1 and 2 he rarely gets beat, teams when they come to the SBA don't need to beat Ben and Ryan, just the other five, the team manager will tell his team that, like you i don't think Ben and Ryan will be unbeatable at home, there some very good riders in the PL capable of beating them both at the SBA, i don't think many will, but to say they will not get beat at home i don't see it.

Edited March 6, 2012 by Devildodger

[Halifaxtiger]

With regard to Barker and Fisher, any decent heat leader beating them into the first bend may take points off them so it will not always be a forgone conclussion that Plymouth will be safe at home.

 

Have you been to Plymouth ?

 

In my experience gating is not the be all and end all there - in fact, I'd say its one of the best racing tracks in the country and some of Barker's rides from the back there last year were absolutely fantastic. A good example is to be found on the Plymouth v Edinburgh thread where Barker passess and re-passes Wolbert - definitely no slouch himself.

 

He also averaged over 11pts a match there last season, so the number of opposition riders who actually beat him was very small indeed and there's no reason why a rider of Fisher's quality shouldn't be the same.

Edited March 6, 2012 by Halifaxtiger