Sings4Speedway Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 1 hour ago, gazzac said: They definitely are few and far between, was just trying to think how Georgie Wood got his go, think that was from a taster day at Arlington, maybe Powell and Brooks, but they were all accomplished grass trackers used to powerful 500cc bikes. Not sure there's any more of that type waiting in the wings. Georgie Wood did the rounds with Paul Hurry a few years earlier but no takers then as he was a little raw and youth wasn't favoured as much. Brooks had a decent amount of amateur laps but Powell was peobably the most green as a switch over rider and showed in places but did dial in quickly. Obviously there was a time when grasstrack to speedway was the desired switch for more meetings but sadly its the other qay now with more speedway riders like Bowtell looking to the grass to boost fixture lists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotteringAround Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 13 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said: I would find it extremely insulting to everyone involved if the 3 pointers were non speedway riders. They would be a danger to all other riders on track with them and insulting to paying fans and every other 3 pointer working hard to secure a team place. Develop riders through an academy sure but dont ridicule the NDL Oxford are a new track opening, starting from scratch in the NDL Belle Vue opened a new track in 2016 and started an NDL team from scratch. Did you feel equally insulted when they threw in a 16-year-old non-speedway rider who had never taken part in the British Youth series and had never even raced a competitive second-half junior league race? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie76 Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 Yes the Belle Vue situation of 2016 was what I had in mind. I was certainly not suggesting you should put someone in an NDL team who is not safe or competitive, The potential rider would have to prove this on track before they go in the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted January 15, 2022 Report Share Posted January 15, 2022 6 hours ago, PotteringAround said: Oxford are a new track opening, starting from scratch in the NDL Belle Vue opened a new track in 2016 and started an NDL team from scratch. Did you feel equally insulted when they threw in a 16-year-old non-speedway rider who had never taken part in the British Youth series and had never even raced a competitive second-half junior league race? Not insulted at all because the rider in question had worked thier way through the Scunthorpe winter series quite successfully following plenty of laps on Steve Lawsons private track. There are always exceptions to the rule and naturals on a bike but how frequently is even that happening? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted January 16, 2022 Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 On 1/15/2022 at 12:52 AM, Diamonds85 said: I'd personally rather see the next Danny Ayres, Steve Worrall, Craig Cook rather than seeing James Chattin and Ryan MacDonald again (no offence to them lads, but they just haven't cut it with so many opportunities) Fair enough, if the league was bigger, there'd be more space for the likes of James and Ryan. I'm sure if a promotion is willing to put a rider in their NL team on a 3.00, even if they are a ex motocross rider, they'll have had plenty of experience on a speedway bike at the many training days across the country. There are currently a couple riders just from the top of my head I can think of who have just transitioned from road racing and motocross who are based in the midlands of the country. They are older lads (late 20s) but they are very talented at riding fast bikes. They could do a real good job helping our leagues grow into more homegrown riders, which is what we need at the end of the day. I'd disagree with your assessment of James Chattin, he's hardly had any chances at NL, only a few guest booking & never had a permanent position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secsy1 Posted January 16, 2022 Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 On 1/15/2022 at 12:52 AM, Diamonds85 said: I'd personally rather see the next Danny Ayres, Steve Worrall, Craig Cook rather than seeing James Chattin and Ryan MacDonald again (no offence to them lads, but they just haven't cut it with so many opportunities) Fair enough, if the league was bigger, there'd be more space for the likes of James and Ryan. I'm sure if a promotion is willing to put a rider in their NL team on a 3.00, even if they are a ex motocross rider, they'll have had plenty of experience on a speedway bike at the many training days across the country. There are currently a couple riders just from the top of my head I can think of who have just transitioned from road racing and motocross who are based in the midlands of the country. They are older lads (late 20s) but they are very talented at riding fast bikes. They could do a real good job helping our leagues grow into more homegrown riders, which is what we need at the end of the day. Its very easy to down cry riders, have they been given the right support or opportunities? They are trying their best and should be applauded for the time and effort being put in. On a foot note, how long and how many times was Ivan Mauger given numerous opportunities before his success? Was Charles Wright an overnight sensation? Both were given time to blossom and so they flourished!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technik Posted February 13, 2022 Report Share Posted February 13, 2022 I'm not sure that they are still a going concern but I believe that the American football team in Oxford were also called the Chargers. Sorry it's taken a while to come to light but today is Superb Owl day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedyOne Posted February 13, 2022 Report Share Posted February 13, 2022 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Technik said: I'm not sure that they are still a going concern but I believe that the American football team in Oxford were also called the Chargers. Sorry it's taken a while to come to light but today is Superb Owl day. Seem to be called The Saints http://www.oxfordsaints.com Edited February 13, 2022 by SpeedyOne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technik Posted February 14, 2022 Report Share Posted February 14, 2022 23 hours ago, SpeedyOne said: Seem to be called The Saints http://www.oxfordsaints.com Yes you are correct. I checked their history & they have been called by many names in the past but not Chargers. However I was playing in 79 - 84 of which part is before the history page starts. back then there were many teams that started & due to the numbers involved many clubs joined each other to make a bigger club. I started in Newbury & we never had a match before joining forces with Reading & a few from a Maidenhead based club. I can remember going to play in a friendly at Oxford just off the A34 where its 50MPH. The Reading team is now part of the university sports clubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skydog Posted February 14, 2022 Report Share Posted February 14, 2022 6 minutes ago, Technik said: Yes you are correct. I checked their history & they have been called by many names in the past but not Chargers. However I was playing in 79 - 84 of which part is before the history page starts. back then there were many teams that started & due to the numbers involved many clubs joined each other to make a bigger club. I started in Newbury & we never had a match before joining forces with Reading & a few from a Maidenhead based club. I can remember going to play in a friendly at Oxford just off the A34 where its 50MPH. The Reading team is now part of the university sports clubs. An American football team used the centre green at Reading's Smallmead Stadium for a couple of years, I'm sure they were called Thames Valley Chargers, maybe they were a manifestation of the team you played for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac101 Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 last 2 riders Read the full story on the Oxford Stadium website now https://oxford-stadium.co.uk/speedway-news/oxford-chargers-squad-is-complete-with-the-additions-of-arran-butcher-and-luke-killeen/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander15 Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 Any idea how Killeen is eligible for the NL? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 2 hours ago, Islander15 said: Any idea how Killeen is eligible for the NL? He must have a British passport........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundTheBoards Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 3 hours ago, Islander15 said: Any idea how Killeen is eligible for the NL? Do you mean nationality-wise or ability-wise? In terms of nationality I don't know if Luke was born in England or Australia, but he'd qualify as British because his parents are British (being the son of the former Belle Vue and Wolves second-halfer Frank Killeen - known as "Fearless Frank" or "Frank the Fence" depending on how he was going at the time). In terms of ability, I don't know if riding in an Australian State Championship still allows him in the NDL on a 3.00 average. (presumably it must). 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crescent girl Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 29 minutes ago, RoundTheBoards said: Do you mean nationality-wise or ability-wise? In terms of nationality I don't know if Luke was born in England or Australia, but he'd qualify as British because his parents are British (being the son of the former Belle Vue and Wolves second-halfer Frank Killeen - known as "Fearless Frank" or "Frank the Fence" depending on how he was going at the time). In terms of ability, I don't know if riding in an Australian State Championship still allows him in the NDL on a 3.00 average. (presumably it must). Results elsewhere have no effect on a rider's elegibility to ride in the NDL. He has to have a full UK passport and an ACU licence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac101 Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 6 hours ago, Islander15 said: Any idea how Killeen is eligible for the NL? Comes in pretty much the same as Connor Bailey has British passport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Flag Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 According to SS Aussie reports he has signed for Wolves and will be loaned to Oxford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technik Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 He is Steve Johnstons godson not that it counts for anything with UKBA. I will assume given all that we know he is entitled to hold a British passport & therefore able to lineup in the NDL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 Have the reductions for Hopwood/Stoneman been confirmed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted February 18, 2022 Report Share Posted February 18, 2022 On 2/17/2022 at 4:40 PM, Red Flag said: According to SS Aussie reports he has signed for Wolves and will be loaned to Oxford If true, not sure why Oxford would take him on loan? The purpose of their NL team should be to build an asset base for future Cheetahs riders, not Wolves riders! I wouldn't want to use a rider on loan from a club who he's never ridden for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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