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And it doesnt really matter what the "rules" are, because, as we know, Polish Speedway will do exactly what is right for Polish Speedway, at even the slightest hint of them being impacted... Up to, and including, banning their riders from leaving...

But isn't there a presumption that sportsmen stay in bubbles with their team mates/ fellow competitors - a model that doesn't work when riders ride for different teams in different countries.

Seen a bit from Kurtz that he leaves for Poland soon and HOPES to be able to travel between countries to compete in Britain He is not the only one in this position and I cant see it being the UK coming off best I can see a shambles approaching.......

I don’t know how professional speedway can be classed as ‘elite’ given that the sport received nothing from the government whilst other sports that ARE elite did. Speedway appears to be classed as semi professional so should be fighting their corner to start earlier with crowds.

And has been shown in the Champions & Europa league where some countries are banning everyone including sportsmen from going into the country, this could still be a problem in the future.

That would wash if the foreign rider just came in on a 4.00 average and was on a comparable deal to a Brit but when they are sponsored there is accommodation supplied, workshop facilities a guaranteed wage etc. If the emerging Brits were afforded this level of luxury they could they could focus on racing, fitness and bike prep without the additional stresses of having to earn enough to keep a roof over their heads.

Yes, me too. Hopefully here at Eastbourne we will get plenty of racing at Arlington and also the chance to go and re-visit some NDL friends from the recent past, such as Mildenhall, the nouveau riche at Sittingbourne and, of course, that great day out over the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Bring it on.

All the more reason to increase the 4.00 starting average for new foreign riders. Not a pop at those teams that have taken advantage of this if they can as it's all within the rules. Whilst acknowledging how big a part foreign riders have to play, I think if you're serious about allowing UK riders to progress removing these low averages for foreign riders has to be considered.

Wasn't that down to fact Speedway was an "Elite Summer Sport' and those who got offered a grant were classed as 'Winter'?.. Either way, I think the fact it wasn't "free money" was possibly the reason it wasn't pursued. Paying it back might have dissuaded them from going down that particular avenue.. Ironically, a year out for some tracks may have actually been beneficial given we hear so many "lose money" regularly.. And that year out has also, for me, put the standard to where it should have been in relation to its crowd levels a good many years ago. Which must reduce costs going forward.. A 'reset' was long, long, overdue, so maybe this season, with the TV money to add in also, could be a start of something more positive for the sport in the UK?

That's the point though isn't it. By giving these riders a low assessed average of 4.00 you can't blame the promoters for going for two assessed foreign riders ahead of say a UK 5.00 and 3.00 who maybe haven't shown signs of improvement. It always seems worth the gamble especially now you might have seen footage of the foreign rider in action and apparently they become an asset of the club rather pay a loan fee. Had those assessed foreign averages been 5.00 then there's some more jeopardy as to whether a newcomer would achieve that level so the likes of Mountain, Greaves, Sarjeant, Kinsley, Smith and Ruddick might have got places. Notwithstanding that there are still places available elsewhere so hopefully they do all get fixed up. But you can see the incentive to go for a new foreign rider on 4.00 over a UK rider which doesn't really fit in with the Rising Star ethos.

Hi, I produced the discs with Hugh Vass (stats) and John Somerville (photos). A few years ago there was an issue at work which prevented me from continuing with the discs and I started the website. However, there were some software problems that I couldn't resolve and I got so busy with other things the domain name expired a few years ago. The 1960s disc was just about done but will need tweaking to bring the biographical info up to date. I have checked with John Somerville re the photos and he has very kindly agreed, and I am happy to send out the 1960s document as a PDF to anyone who wants it. If you want to send me a message or email on mattjackson68@btinternet.com I will sort it out. I'll need a couple of days to check the biographies though.

Not racing against you and if no restrictions were in place you would have your biggest attendance of the season, the rest of the the league can embrace that and enjoy it,you really need to stop sucking lemons your very bitter

They started with 2 surprises that no one saw coming so would be excellent for the last one to be another one. It makes you wonder why the BSPA were so against them joining for the past couple of seasons. They have been a breath of fresh air and excitement to British season for, hopefully, the new season. Some of the more established promotions could learn a thing or two from the Plymouth promotion.

My thoughts exactly, has never had the same amount of NL rides as any of his peers, and never became a heat leader at NL before moving up, plus all kitted out already.

Great news that we are going full on in the NL full rather than just the cup competition and I appreciate we need to balance the team with the number of local untried youngsters in there but Max Clegg should not be in there. Nothing against the lad but he’s been riding as a professional for about nine years, he was in the Elite league draft system in 2014 and he is way too good for the NL. Add the fact that the pressure of doing the previous championship match and then being expected to clean up doing another 5 rides afterwards is just too much to put on him. This is supposed to be a development division , he isn’t going to learn anything that he doesn’t already know. Yes, he will be a big scoring number 1 but isn’t the point of the exercise to give new youngsters opportunities ? There are bound to be clashes of fixtures away from home so he will miss meetings anyway and there won’t be many 10-11 point averaged guests knocking about! I know we need a competitive team but there’s room there to bring in two less experienced 5-6 pointers who , with the reduced standard, will become the next generation of heat leaders.The likes of Josh Embleton will double his average based on that so let’s look around at the least experienced lads out there. Id throw in the name of the likes of Greg Blair who is on the comeback. Seen him at Redcar in 2020 and he’s already on the pace, he’s experienced enough and has been unlucky with injuries and don't think he’s actually ever had a full season under his belt . He’ll score points and be entertaining to watch and he’d be an ideal rider to step up into the diamonds side if required!

Belle vue to replace bewley who's going to stay in poland... and a 5.00er to replace jye at reserve to make up the missing points... that's my prediction

Except on alternate Fridays when the limit will be 400 people providing they are in possession of a deep fried mars bar.

is berwick in england or scotland for the rules

That's great, Matt. I'd love a copy please. I'll message you.

Think that was old bob's aim, although if I'm honest think he may have it right!

In any other job in the country that would be age discrimination & illegal, how is speedway any different?

You don't need to lower the minimum limit from 3.00 to 2.00 to encourage newcommers, as the limit is low every year, clubs will always need 3.00 men to fill the bottom end of the team!

He certainly is still a very valued member of Plymouth.he was on local radio only last week extolling the virtues of the gladiators.

Made me go back in time to the fridays when I used to pop across London to Hackney speedway (In those days I was a Wimbledon fan and Thursday night was Plough Lane night) - I can remember when Belle Vue ( with Ivan at 1) were the visitors and Bengt Jansson, Hackney’s number one, got passed on either side at one of the bends by Peter Collins on one side and Chris Pusey on the other at the same time - It was one of those ‘WOW’ moments. I think Peter was one of the reserves at the time. I regret never having seen the racing at Hyde Road but although I still live in South London I do get up to the NSS when I can. Just a fantastic track.

There has never been any doubt that Josh Bates can ride a Speedway bike and ride it fast. The number of falls and injuries and attitude strops though would be the main concern. I also recall reading an article in the Speedway Star where his comment was, he doesn't mind if he gets hurt , as speedway is all he wants to do. Wish him well and hopefully he can fulfil his undoubted potential.