Fast Track Riders

[orderly]

Forgive me for being an ignorant plonker but I am confused the about the “fast track reserves” in the elite league, the way it was explained to me was that

1. Each Elite League team would choose a reserve from two lists of selected riders
2. That these riders would then remain at reserve for their team for the duration of the season
3. That each fast track reserve would be guaranteed his team place unless unable to ride through injury

It seems to me that a good few reserves have been dropped Tom Perry & Lee Smart have already suffered this, I take on board that Lee has now retired from the sport but this was hastened by the fact he was dropped by Poole and Tom Perry was absent through injury and now he has been dropped by Leicester and Ben Reads retirement was brought on by him being released by Belle Vue.

 

Surely it is hypercritical of these clubs to promise these lads the opportunity to improve their game then get rid of them within a few weeks , what damage has this done to the confidence of some of the other reserves

[mrcts]

 

Surely it is hypercritical of these clubs to promise these lads the opportunity to improve their game then get rid of them within a few weeks , what damage has this done to the confidence of some of the other reserves

Who said that "professional" sport is fair?

[hyderd]

are you a Stars fan, if I was I would have the same opinion as you.

[orderly]

No particular team just a general speedway fan advancing in years

[waiheke1]

Forgive me for being an ignorant plonker but I am confused the about the fast track reserves in the elite league, the way it was explained to me was that

• Each Elite League team would choose a reserve from two lists of selected riders
• That these riders would then remain at reserve for their team for the duration of the season
• That each fast track reserve would be guaranteed his team place unless unable to ride through injury

It seems to me that a good few reserves have been dropped Tom Perry & Lee Smart have already suffered this, I take on board that Lee has now retired from the sport but this was hastened by the fact he was dropped by Poole and Tom Perry was absent through injury and now he has been dropped by Leicester and Ben Reads retirement was brought on by him being released by Belle Vue.

 

Surely it is hypercritical of these clubs to promise these lads the opportunity to improve their game then get rid of them within a few weeks , what damage has this done to the confidence of some of the other reserves

Who explained point three to you? I haven't seen this stated anywhere .

[Tom Turner]

The fast track system is ridiculous, the Elite League is not the place for them. You cannot have "trainees" in a professional sport, especially when their results can make or break a team. It's nonsense and is no wonder British speedway is heading down the tubes.

[stevebrum]

The fast track system is ridiculous, the Elite League is not the place for them. You cannot have "trainees" in a professional sport, especially when their results can make or break a team. It's nonsense and is no wonder British speedway is heading down the tubes.

 

Wrong, the likes of Lewis Kerr and a few more notables are a perfect example of why it has been an excellent idea.

 

The only point i would agree is the poor execution of the draft. The NL standard riders really should be making their progress in the PL first.

But besides a few exemptions of riders struggling it has been largely a success so far.

[SCB]

Wrong, the likes of Lewis Kerr and a few more notables are a perfect example of why it has been an excellent idea.

 

The only point i would agree is the poor execution of the draft. The NL standard riders really should be making their progress in the PL first.

But besides a few exemptions of riders struggling it has been largely a success so far.

A couple of EL teams tried to sign Lewis Kerr last season. So the draft has done nothing for him - he'd have a team place without it.

[weatherwatcher]

How can it be progressing young riders. There are more riders above the age of 24 in the the fast track riders scheme. Some of these have been plodding along in the NL and PL league for years a few others have already been riding at reserve in the EL befor the fat tack started. It would have made far more sense to have set an upper age limit on the fast track, because if these guys have been riding in the PL for years have not come to the notice of the EL league teams, then they could not have been good enough in the first place to ride in the top league. To me it would have made more sense to have given young riders who have an upper age of 21 to try and bring them on in the sport. Rather than the ones who have been around for quite a few years now and have gone to no greater things than riding in the PL.

Where do they go after this year, you have to either give them a place in the main team or forget about them. Because if they are not going to get any better than a reserve placing, then to me it somehow defeats the objects of what they are trying to do.

I would rather see 17 to 21 year old given the chance than these lads that have been hanging in the wings of British speedway for years.

Nothing against them but I just can't see them getting any better now, where some of the young lads could surely learn a great deal from the top flight speedway riders in the teams. That is if they have the time to spare to talk to them about setup and lines etc.

[stevebrum]

A couple of EL teams tried to sign Lewis Kerr last season. So the draft has done nothing for him - he'd have a team place without it.

 

Of course the draft has done something for him. There is no certainty he would have had an EL spot without it.

[BluPanther]

 

Of course the draft has done something for him. There is no certainty he would have had an EL spot without it.

Not sure if his protected Elite Lge races are as beneficial as the tougher rides he faces in the Prem Lge though...

[stevebrum]

How can it be progressing young riders. There are more riders above the age of 24 in the the fast track riders scheme.

 

 

WRONG. There are 6 riders 24 or above from the 30 eligible (not the guests).

Blackbird, Lambert, Compton, Mallett, Halsey, Payne.

 

That makes 18 below 24.

 

So clearly is the right thing.

Not sure if his protected Elite Lge races are as beneficial as the tougher rides he faces in the Prem Lge though...

 

 

I agree there is some question to that. However he is regularly beating EL standard second strings in the EL so has already proved his worth and ability so far.

[Aces51]

If there is to be a restriction it makes more sense for it to be based on racing experience rather than age. Why should someone with very little experience like Lee Payne be excluded simply because he took up the sport later in life than others.

[SCB]

If there is to be a restriction it makes more sense for it to be based on racing experience rather than age. Why should someone with very little experience like Lee Payne be excluded simply because he took up the sport later in life than others.

Lee Payne fines. But Lee Smart, Simon Lambert, Darren Mallett and Benji Compton are all a bit of a mick take.

[weatherwatcher]

Lee Payne fines. But Lee Smart, Simon Lambert, Darren Mallett and Benji Compton are all a bit of a mick take.

It is these riders should have either been offered a team place or none at all

[Tom Turner]

 

Wrong, the likes of Lewis Kerr and a few more notables are a perfect example of why it has been an excellent idea.

 

The only point i would agree is the poor execution of the draft. The NL standard riders really should be making their progress in the PL first.

But besides a few exemptions of riders struggling it has been largely a success so far.

 

There's nothing wrong about it, it's an opinion. I know you would rather everybody back down and adhere strictly to your will but unfortunately that's not how debate or opinon works.

 

The draft system is a terrible idea. The notion that it has been created to help British riders is a fallacy manufactured to illude fans into thinking they're getting value for their money in an era of corner cutting and desperate money saving. You are being conned.

 

You cannot call Elite League speedway a competitive sport (define competition: the activity or condition of striving to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others) when the outcome is decided by trainees who aren't fit to compete at that level and of which their inclusion is mandatory regardless of their ability to perform.

 

We are now left with a majority of teams who are unable to match the performance of the league leaders as their ability to make tactical changes at reserve level have been been stripped from them.

 

Unfortunately Lewis Kerr, and the "few more" you mention were certainly not worth the irreparable damage this farce has inflicted upon the sport.

[stevebrum]

 

There's nothing wrong about it, it's an opinion. I know you would rather everybody back down and adhere strictly to your will but unfortunately that's not how debate or opinon works.

 

The draft system is a terrible idea. The notion that it has been created to help British riders is a fallacy manufactured to illude fans into thinking they're getting value for their money in an era of corner cutting and desperate money saving. You are being conned.

 

You cannot call Elite League speedway a competitive sport (define competition: the activity or condition of striving to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others) when the outcome is decided by trainees who aren't fit to compete at that level and of which their inclusion is mandatory regardless of their ability to perform.

 

We are now left with a majority of teams who are unable to match the performance of the league leaders as their ability to make tactical changes at reserve level have been been stripped from them.

 

Unfortunately Lewis Kerr, and the "few more" you mention were certainly not worth the irreparable damage this farce has inflicted upon the sport.

 

In your `opinion` it is a terrible idea. Many of us don't share that so best accept that also. And your belief that EL supporters like me are being conned.

NOT SO.

I am fully aware of the `reasons` why the draft system is in place and their is no one more passionate that wants a `strong` EL back again.

However i`m a realist as 1. top riders want LESS meetings not more 2. Top riders want same night racing not many nights in EL 3. Top riders would appear happy to `job share` so that could sign for a set amount of meetings 4. Top riders and new talented riders don't feel or see a need to come to the UK anymore, some will and still do but in recent seasons gone by most of the best or better riders would at least have a season or 2 in the UK.

 

The majority of EL fans i have spoken to are in favour of the Draft system. Most of the SKY matches i have watched and also meetings i`ve attended have been greatly enhanced by the `reserves`. To ignore that fact is blinkered IMHO.

 

Plenty of us have been calling out for authorities to do something for the future of its own riders. Now they have despite it being several seasons to late to make any serious impact for several seasons still.

Call me conned if you want. But i would rather watch the next generation fighting for points in their heats than the likes of over payed reserves like the Dryml`s looking like they couldn't care less.

 

We have cut out the rubbish that has used our leagues and taken out good money and has been replaced with something that actually wants to try entertain us.

That has to be a good thing.

[HadrianDog]

There's nothing wrong about it, it's an opinion. I know you would rather everybody back down and adhere strictly to your will but unfortunately that's not how debate or opinon works.

 

The draft system is a terrible idea. The notion that it has been created to help British riders is a fallacy manufactured to illude fans into thinking they're getting value for their money in an era of corner cutting and desperate money saving. You are being conned.

 

You cannot call Elite League speedway a competitive sport (define competition: the activity or condition of striving to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others) when the outcome is decided by trainees who aren't fit to compete at that level and of which their inclusion is mandatory regardless of their ability to perform.

 

We are now left with a majority of teams who are unable to match the performance of the league leaders as their ability to make tactical changes at reserve level have been been stripped from them.

 

Unfortunately Lewis Kerr, and the "few more" you mention were certainly not worth the irreparable damage this farce has inflicted upon the sport.

And this is different from the Swedish Elite League forcing two nationals on their teams seemingly irrespective of ability because?

Edited June 16, 2014 by HadrianDog

[Tom Turner]

 

In your `opinion` it is a terrible idea. Many of us don't share that so best accept that also. And your belief that EL supporters like me are being conned.

NOT SO.

I am fully aware of the `reasons` why the draft system is in place and their is no one more passionate that wants a `strong` EL back again.

However i`m a realist as 1. top riders want LESS meetings not more 2. Top riders want same night racing not many nights in EL 3. Top riders would appear happy to `job share` so that could sign for a set amount of meetings 4. Top riders and new talented riders don't feel or see a need to come to the UK anymore, some will and still do but in recent seasons gone by most of the best or better riders would at least have a season or 2 in the UK.

 

The majority of EL fans i have spoken to are in favour of the Draft system. Most of the SKY matches i have watched and also meetings i`ve attended have been greatly enhanced by the `reserves`. To ignore that fact is blinkered IMHO.

 

Plenty of us have been calling out for authorities to do something for the future of its own riders. Now they have despite it being several seasons to late to make any serious impact for several seasons still.

Call me conned if you want. But i would rather watch the next generation fighting for points in their heats than the likes of over payed reserves like the Dryml`s looking like they couldn't care less.

 

We have cut out the rubbish that has used our leagues and taken out good money and has been replaced with something that actually wants to try entertain us.

That has to be a good thing.

 

Nonsense. Let's host an opinion poll and see what the fans really think?

 

To think the league will ever go back to being strong after this shambles is blinkered. Draft riders will stay until British Speedway's ugly demise in the not too distant future. There will never be a strong league in Britain again. Sorry to disappoint you

[stevebrum]

 

Nonsense. Let's host an opinion poll and see what the fans really think?

 

To think the league will ever go back to being strong after this shambles is blinkered. Draft riders will stay until British Speedway's ugly demise in the not too distant future. There will never be a strong league in Britain again. Sorry to disappoint you

 

 

Feel free to. The vast majority of posts i`ve read and people i have spoken to this season feel it adds to the league. Its nonsense to ignore that opinion.

 

You appear to have failed to read my message properly. I didn't say the league will ever be strong again, in fact i gave reasons why it wont be. You highlighted one part but ignored the reasons why i said it wouldn't happen again.. I will take that as an error on your part. I am already sad the EL is a much watered down product but at least we still have some of the top riders in the World here.

 

By the way we will STILL be having this debate about the demise of British Speedway in many years to come.

It will be the usual moaners who want to knock our top league year in year out.