Birmingham ductair Bulls

[Petecc]

That's the new team name. Who are the riders going to be?

[HGould]

I wonder if the likes of Seth Norman (is he 15?) , Cooper Rushen , Billy Budd may be included.

How about Joe Thompson - lives locally and give him extra meetings?

William Cairns at least until he's 16?...extra track time fairly local?

Long long shot if his average in CL last time he rode was under 6 -- Ashley Morris - be a great mentor?

Monday nights will restrict options a little although I would expect School Holidays may be used - boost for some younger riders and parents and get some local kids in for reduced prices too.

Edited December 12 by HGould
added rider

[*JJ]

One will be Darryl Ritchings who is doubling up with Oxford Chargers (this is allowed between NDL and NDT teams, apparently).

[Speedway fan]

 

FORMER title winner Darryl Ritchings has opted to ride for Birmingham as part of their National Development Trophy team in his comeback campaign.

The Wiltshire born racer is the first name confirmed for the Ductair Bulls’ side - the day after he was announced by Oxford in the third tier as he returns to shale racing for the first time in eight years.

Ritchings was a part of the Brummies’ memorable 2016 team who won the National League and hasn’t raced competitively since he quit the sport part way through 2017.

But whilst continuing with other motorsport disciplines whilst starting a family, he now has the speedway bug back and will be a very welcome face back at Perry Barr.

Ductair Bulls team manager Laurence Rogers said: “I’ve known Darryl since he started racing and he attended my training schools at Newport initially.

“He then rode for me for the Hornets and later Coventry Storm and he’s always been great to work with.

“I saw him ride on the grass last year and we got talking and we recently discussed his comeback at the Speedway Show at Gaydon.

“When we confirmed we were in the NDT, he was keen on coming back to Birmingham and it’s good to have him back.

“With Oxford giving him a team spot in the NDL, he will be getting more track time which is just what he needs.”

The Bulls are expected to name a second rider for their NDT side at Friday’s (December 13) BSSC Christmas Party at Aston Manor Cricket Club with full details available via the Birmingham Speedway Supporters Club Facebook page.
 

 

[Sings4Speedway]

6.59 feels like a high average for a rider who has been out for 8 years. I don't have that many notable memories of him but equally it was a better league back then so ought to be able to maintain that at least. I wonder who will be next on the comeback trail.....im hoping its Jon Armstrong.

[Islander15]

1 hour ago, Sings4Speedway said:

6.59 feels like a high average for a rider who has been out for 8 years. I don't have that many notable memories of him but equally it was a better league back then so ought to be able to maintain that at least. I wonder who will be next on the comeback trail.....im hoping its Jon Armstrong.

Yes its a weaker league nowadays, but he's been out of competitive racing for so long that it'll be hard for him to get back into it immediately. I always found him fun to watch tbh.

[szkocjasid]

2 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said:

6.59 feels like a high average for a rider who has been out for 8 years. I don't have that many notable memories of him but equally it was a better league back then so ought to be able to maintain that at least. I wonder who will be next on the comeback trail.....im hoping its Jon Armstrong.

I guess you could argue as it's a development league, there's no reason to lower his average. Focus in bringing riders on rather than if the team is good enough to win the league?

However 5 or so years ago a few riders came in on lower averages, Luke Clifton for example, so rules should be consistent.

[Islander15]

56 minutes ago, szkocjasid said:

I guess you could argue as it's a development league, there's no reason to lower his average. Focus in bringing riders on rather than if the team is good enough to win the league?

However 5 or so years ago a few riders came in on lower averages, Luke Clifton for example, so rules should be consistent.

Yep rules should be consistent and follow precedents set like your Clifton example. Even this coming season, Edinburgh have got Palovaara back on a reduced average after a similar period of time away from British speedway. Yet Ritchings has been away from all speedway. 

[Petecc]

Eli meadows

[HGould]

We might need this team to gve us the enjoyment of a win!

[Speedway fan]

ELI Meadows is the second rider to sign up for Birmingham’s National Development Trophy side.

The 20-year-old is no stranger to Perry Barr having been a second-half regular in recent seasons.

He represented the club in this year’s Midland Development League where he averaged 11.45, the highest figure at that level.

He’ll also be racing for the Leicester Lion Cubs in the National Development League in 2025 and Ductair Bulls team manager Laurence Rogers says Meadows deserves his team place.

“His stats for us in the MDL this year were superb,” Rogers said.

“He rode seven meetings, had 22 rides and scored 63 points - that’s pretty amazing for any rider at any level.

“He’s a good kid and again I think he’ll only benefit and keep progressing with the extra bike time he’s going to be getting.”

Meadows signed his deal at the Supporters’ Club Christmas Party on Friday where Tom Brennan, who has since moved to Ipswich, claimed a clean sweep of honours for his performances for the Brummies in the 2024 ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.
 

[Speedway fan]

BIRMINGHAM have added three riders to their National Development Trophy side - and all have a connection with the club.
Arran Butcher is already an official asset who has previously ridden for the Brummies in the National Development League as well as for the Ductair Bulls in the MDL. He was also mechanic for Freddie Lindgren during his time at Perry Barr in 2024 and has now invested heavily in his own equipment for next term.
Tom Spencer is another rider who has also represented the Bulls in the past whilst Senna Summers is the son of former Brummie Aaron Summers.
Ductair Bulls Team Manager Laurence Rogers said: “Not only will these be three solid signings for our NDT team, but it’s also nice that they’ve got some form of association with Birmingham already.
“Arran is the one people will be most familiar with I’m sure and he had a really good year for Leicester in the NDL last season.
“Tom had his first rides at the training schools I used to run at Peterborough and again he showed some of his true potential for Leicester this year.
“Senna is another rider improving all the time and interestingly, he actually made his competitive racing debut in the MDL for Redcar against the Birmingham Bulls!
“Adding those three to Darryl (Ritchings) and Eli (Meadows) gives us an interesting side so far with two spaces now to fill.”

[Speedway fan]

BIRMINGHAM have completed their National Development Trophy side for the 2025 season.
Max James and Sam McGurk will join Darryl Ritchings, Arran Butcher, Tom Spencer, Eli Meadows and Senna Summers with Max Broadhurst named the Ductair Bulls’ official No.8.
Team Manager Laurence Rogers said: “Max James rode for the Buffaloes in the 2023 Midland Development League notching two maximums and ended with a 10.67 average.
“He took some big steps in the right direction with Leicester in the National Development League this year and he’ll be a key rider for us.
“Sam McGurk is only 18 and for me he is a highly promising youngster.
“He gained a lot more experience with Workington this year and he’ll really kick on from that next season I think.
“I’m glad we’ve been able to bring in Max Broadhurst as the Bulls’ No.8 - he was a Buffalo in 2024, he’s secured an NDL spot with Oxford and it’s going to be good to have him as part of the squad.”

[Islander15]

So are we assuming that Ritchings is getting a reduction on his average? That potentially Oxford didn’t know about and Birmingham haven’t made public. Otherwise the Bulls team is over the limit. 

[szkocjasid]

4 hours ago, Islander15 said:

So are we assuming that Ritchings is getting a reduction on his average? That potentially Oxford didn’t know about and Birmingham haven’t made public. Otherwise the Bulls team is over the limit. 

I do have to wonder why the need to change his average?

Normally you want riders average to be realistic to be fair to all teams, but as it's a development league, does it matter?

Let's say Birmingham feels his average was too high & makes it harder for them to win, so what? Obviously you should try & win the league / trophy but should clubs have riders averages reassessed on order to do this?

[ellioth4]

23 minutes ago, szkocjasid said:

I do have to wonder why the need to change his average?

Normally you want riders average to be realistic to be fair to all teams, but as it's a development league, does it matter?

Let's say Birmingham feels his average was too high & makes it harder for them to win, so what? Obviously you should try & win the league / trophy but should clubs have riders averages reassessed on order to do this?

Darryl Ritchings is coming in on a 5.00 average, so we will be under the 38 point limit. 
really excited about the team lots of experience abc youth development, be good to follow their journey at the meetings throughout the season. 

[Islander15]

3 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

I do have to wonder why the need to change his average?

Normally you want riders average to be realistic to be fair to all teams, but as it's a development league, does it matter?

Let's say Birmingham feels his average was too high & makes it harder for them to win, so what? Obviously you should try & win the league / trophy but should clubs have riders averages reassessed on order to do this?

It follows the precedent of Clifton etc being reassessed after a significant period of time out. But it he went down to 4.50 following no specific rule and it appears that’s the same lack of logic to give Ritchings 5.00. 

[szkocjasid]

45 minutes ago, Islander15 said:

It follows the precedent of Clifton etc being reassessed after a significant period of time out. But it he went down to 4.50 following no specific rule and it appears that’s the same lack of logic to give Ritchings 5.00. 

I guess I don't see the need for an average reduction whatsoever, if he can't reach his old 6.59 average in a far weaker league, why bring him back? Apart from attempting to win the trophy that is.

If he's a potential future Championship rider, good for Birmingham & Oxford giving him a team berth, just don't understand the reason for giving him a new average.

[Islander15]

3 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

I guess I don't see the need for an average reduction whatsoever, if he can't reach his old 6.59 average in a far weaker league, why bring him back? Apart from attempting to win the trophy that is.

If he's a potential future Championship rider, good for Birmingham & Oxford giving him a team berth, just don't understand the reason for giving him a new average.

I tend to agree. 
I was more questioning the decision to come up with an arbitrary figure of 5.00. 

[*JJ]

18 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

I guess I don't see the need for an average reduction whatsoever, if he can't reach his old 6.59 average in a far weaker league, why bring him back? Apart from attempting to win the trophy that is.

 

I am told that Richings decided himself to get back into speedway, and contacted promoters for a team place.