Eastbourne 2017

[TurnTwo]

I don't think they will be unfortunately mike, Andrews isn't a number 2 from what I've read from cradley fans they saw him as useless last year, heathen1984 - your comments on this? Smart ain't a heat leader, Walker isn't exactly a world beater nor is Atkins if they sign Mattie Bates they have 4 reserves

[Heathen1984]

Richard Andrews was awful for us last season but pretty sure he is a better rider to what he showed us last season.

[TurnTwo]

Plymouth must be hoping so

[Sings4Speedway]

I don't think they will be unfortunately mike, Andrews isn't a number 2 from what I've read from cradley fans they saw him as useless last year, heathen1984 - your comments on this? Smart ain't a heat leader, Walker isn't exactly a world beater nor is Atkins if they sign Mattie Bates they have 4 reserves

 

A lot of home track specialists though. Agree Walker hasn't really progressed in 2 years but Atkins is one of the hot reserve signings. Im hoping for a successful season at Plymouth to help with crowd numbers etc likewise Lakeside however i feel the most optimistic i can be about the Devils is mid table.

[gazzac]

Last season there was always a feeling that Birmingham or Eastbourne would win the various competitions from pretty early on with Kent possibly in the mix as well. This year looks wide open. Probably become evident in the first couple of months who's more likely to succeed, but reacon perhaps half the teams will be in the equation instead of 3 last year. Good news for the league.

Edited January 13, 2017 by gazzac

[Hunters]

Foolish I know to make forecasts before teams are finalised but assuming Belle Vue have the team that has been proposed I believe it will be a league of two halves. Alphabetically Belle Vue, Birmingham, Cradley, Eastbourne, IOW and Mildenhall in the top half and the others in the bottom.

 

At the risk of upsetting some fellow south eastern supporters unless there are some surprises to come I really do not like the look of Lakeside or Kent. Good Friday doubles Lakeside/Eastbourne and Mildenhall/Kent should be very revealing.

[TurnTwo]

Interesting promo from the eagles Aaron from Geordie shore shouting their name on a video

[Halifaxtiger]

With the National League looking to bring on young riders. Why do we need to talk about Hurry, Mason, Atkin, Armstrong etc. Lets get a kid in and see if Eastbourne's coaching is up to scratch. We really need someone other than and his dad or his brother in Kelsey's ear, we all know that kids and siblings usually do the opposite of why they are told by older family members, I am sure he and Tom can up their ave by 2. If it is to be a surprise, it will not be anyone from last years greensheet ave's.

 

You need anyone but those two in his ear.

 

Dugard looked twice the rider at Isle of Wight and he became hugely popular there partly because they looked after him and he didn't have his father and brother telling him how crap he was all the time.

[Hunters]

 

You need anyone but those two in his ear.

 

Dugard looked twice the rider at Isle of Wight and he became hugely popular there partly because they looked after him and he didn't have his father and brother telling him how crap he was all the time.

 

An interesting comment, I have been a big enthusiast of Kelsey since he was 11 and will never forget his joy at race victories in back to back heats over Baseby and Shanes in 2015. If you are right and he has improved that much then his average should soar this year as leaving Arlington pushed it back a little last year.

[TurnTwo]

Kelsey has potential. His first year I've never seen so many crashes from a rookie whilst in scoring positions he hardly ever fell at the back mainly when he had got round someone.

 

His year last year didn't have many apart from the one where he nearly ended his year and Georgie woods with that horrible crash on bend 3/4.

 

I hope he kicks on this year as looking through who he rode against in the youth championships, all of them seemed to have kicked on and kelsey hasn't yet (not saying he can't) but look at:

 

Mountain - pl reserve / NL #1

Greaves - el / pl reserve / NL #5

Clegg - el / pl reserve / NLRC

Bates - pl second string / el reserve

Danyon Hume - pl reserve / NL #5

[stevec]

 

You need anyone but those two in his ear.

 

Dugard looked twice the rider at Isle of Wight and he became hugely popular there partly because they looked after him and he didn't have his father and brother telling him how crap he was all the time.

I usually steer clear of reacting to comments like this and have done this one since I first viewed it but I keep coming back to this.

 

Firstly, I am NOT in the know and dont have any ties within speedway hence why I rarely make comments about riders or anyone else within speedway but just look at the comment.

 

You need ANYONE but those two in your ear.

 

I have had a little involvement with Eastbourne over the last few years, through sponsorship of an Elite League rider and the National League plus I helped a little at the track and attended training sessions with my son and I found Martin incredibly helpful. He is one of the FIRST people I would want in my sons ear about riding speedway.

 

I would imagine they are pretty hard on him as his father and brother but I also have the 'feeling' (I dont actually know) that Kelsey does not always like to listen. Something he has as good as admitted. So yeh, maybe there are some relationship issues but to make that statement seems a bit naff.

 

But. Maybe you speak from experience and if you do, I take it all back.

[Sings4Speedway]

In now way relating to this particular scenario but some riders do need firm guidance and keeping their feet on the ground as much as some need continual gentle encouragement. There is a trend at present to blow smoke up the trumpet of any rider who shows a little promise on a speedway bike. Every rider is a person & every person requires different treatment & reacts to praise/criticism differently. Frustratingly its the nature of the beast that we hear about the negative relationships far more often than the positive ones.

[Nathan Mole]

Many Eastbourne fans know how lazy Kelsey is and is the reason why Connor would only bring Kelsey back aslong as he agreed stepped up his game.

[gazzac]

I remember at the end of the 2015 season the announcer having a 'game' with the riders asking such questions as who's the laziest, who moans the most etc and nearly all the other riders said Kelsey. It was done tongue in cheek but I would imagine since a young age his brother and dad would have always been 'nagging' him in the usual family way. I get the impression this is probably a throw on from that with no malice intended just a bit of banter to get him going.

Edited January 17, 2017 by gazzac

[Falcon Hammer]

Remember Martin saying that Kelsey wouldn't make it as a great rider back in 2012 at the Lakeside Rico Memorial meeting - said he didn't have the application & dedication. They seem to get on fine though, as last year Martin drove Kelsey to some meetings & Kelsey helped out in the Eastbourne pits

 

If Kelsey applies himself he has the potential to become an excellent rider

[Islander15]

Kelsey probably isn't the best at applying himself but surely he needs encouragement from his dad and brother. Yet in the public eye they seem to make more negative comments than positive.

[TurnTwo]

Haven't been even able to get on here today, but great to see IT First back sponsoring the mighty IT First eagles

[Halifaxtiger]

I usually steer clear of reacting to comments like this and have done this one since I first viewed it but I keep coming back to this.

 

Firstly, I am NOT in the know and dont have any ties within speedway hence why I rarely make comments about riders or anyone else within speedway but just look at the comment.

 

You need ANYONE but those two in your ear.

 

I have had a little involvement with Eastbourne over the last few years, through sponsorship of an Elite League rider and the National League plus I helped a little at the track and attended training sessions with my son and I found Martin incredibly helpful. He is one of the FIRST people I would want in my sons ear about riding speedway.

 

I would imagine they are pretty hard on him as his father and brother but I also have the 'feeling' (I dont actually know) that Kelsey does not always like to listen. Something he has as good as admitted. So yeh, maybe there are some relationship issues but to make that statement seems a bit naff.

 

But. Maybe you speak from experience and if you do, I take it all back.

 

Pure hearsay. From more than one source, though.

 

Lets see what Connor Dugard has to say about his team members for 2017, shall we ?

 

''said it was signing “we could not miss out on

He said: "Colesy is a great guy on and off the track. He guested for us in 2015 and also in the KO Cup final this year.

“He's on a bargain average in my opinion. He could easily put a point and a half on that I reckon".

 

 

Mark guested for us a couple of times last year and just like Georgie and Colesy he gives 110% every time.

“He only rode Arlington twice last year and he showed how good he is round our circuit.

"I've built the team very much like last year with three potential number 1s in Mark, Georgie and Colesy.”

Baseby rode last year for the Isle of Wight where, Dugard said, he was “near on untouchable”.

“He is another rider like Georgie and Connor who put two points on their averages.”

 

Charley comes in on a 4.05 and we believe he can put at least a point on that average.

“A couple of clubs approached us wanting to use him including the likes of Cradley."

I know Adam had many offers from other clubs and we appreciate that he will be trekking down each week but he says he's up for it and we are willing to give him that chance.

“He's definitely got ability and hopefully with the help from Dad and everyone else we can get the most out of Adam.”

Georgie put nearly two points on his starting average again this year building the team around him was a no brainer"

Wood having a home track average of 9.89 (including bonus points) is 'a steal' explained Connor.

Whatever the point limit is Georgie is in all of our plans. If he makes the progress he has I wouldn't be surprised if he is riding in the Championship next year let alone guest bookings in the premiership.

.....................and then there's Kelsey:

 

 

I'll be one of the first to admit I didn't think he was up to it at times. I have told him where he's at as opposed to where he thinks he's at.

“In fairness I look at his average and it has gone down, however, the league was harder last year and he did ride at number 2 so that was fair enough and he didn't actually crash as much as he did in the previous year.

"We have a deal with Kelsey with regards to his fitness and bike maintenance which has been a major problem in the past. However, he has promised us that will change.

“He really has to crack on this year and establish himself at this level as riders that started at the same time as him really have progressed massively in the past two seasons."

​I suppose 'didn't actually crash as much last year' is about as positive as it gets and the contrast between those comments and the remarks made about the rest of the team is a stark one.

​There were one or two remarks about Kelsey's attitude at Isle Of Wight last year (and while that's hearsay, too, what is undoubtedly true is that he was hugely popular there). But if the above comments are made in public, just imagine what is said in private.

Edited January 19, 2017 by Halifaxtiger

[stevec]

I am not sure that any of the above means that he would want 'anyone in his ear but them'

There is a doubt over his attitude and they have voiced it, the same as they would anyone else. I would rather that than just feel he is always going to be in the team because of who he is.

[gazzac]

Kelsey is hugely popular at Arlington, with everyone wishing him to do well, even when he was sliding off way to offen in 2015 there was never any negativity from the crowd, and received the biggest cheer when he did hold it together against opposing heat leaders. I'm convinced the comments are only to gee him up and can imagine that type of banter whether in private or public has been going on all their lives in the Dugard household, so I can't imagine it holds any animosity. Who knows what was said to Connor when he dabbled with a riding career and couldn't quite make the grade.