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Looking at the teams being assembled, and what appears to be quite a long "tail" for most teams, would it have been better to run maybe 5 man teams in the NL? Or even 4 team tournaments? More actual teams maybe but less riders, with a much lower difference between standard. The difference in standard being so important when it comes to the entertainment served up. The best lads wont gain anything from beating the 'wobblers' and the lads 'wobbling' wont gain anything from getting hammered by the best lads.. You wont get a 'wobbler' to HL status in a season, but you might get a Second String there, so these "middle" riders are the ones who should be given priority places, and the most opportunity to race against their next level of rider.. Let the 2, and 3 point NL average lads race together in 'proper' second halves and see the NL place in a team as something to aspire to. Not to just be handed one so you can be a "makeweight" because your average fits.. Its great that we seem to have a joined up development path for riders, however the on track entertainment will be vital to maintain the public's interest.. Not sure seven man teams will deliver this given the difference in standard in virtually every heat..

With the year we have just had, can we not just leave the petty squabbles and attempted point scoring for now - NNH!! (No Numpties Here). Just focus on the speedway and be glad that you have a speedway team to support this year!

I'm not quite as excited as dandelion, but it is a good signing, his 2020 results suggested rapid progress that makes me think he could be a valuable asset to Plymouth if he sticks around

Listened to the radio link shared on Facebook earlier on that included a short interview with Garry May. The two main snippets to take from the interview was that he was determined and adamant that Somerset will be back. He also seemed very positive about Somerset still hosting the pairs this year if they’re allowed to do so and offered the chance. Great news on both fronts.

This is my prediction: Jake Knight 8.83 Connor King 3.67 Richard Andrews 6.55 Kelsey Dugard 3.35 Henry Atkins 5.86 Sam Hagon 3.00 Nathan Ablitt 3.00 Total 34.26 Mildenhall have stated that they have had to make 3 team changes from last season, with Kinsley and Marson confirming that they aren't at Mildenhall, that means one of Edwards or Ablitt is staying there (I think it is unlikely that Eastbourne won't have Ablitt in their side on a 3.00). I believe Kelsey is back living in Sussex now and can't really see him being anywhere else.

Video of last night`s Czestochowa`s 2021 team presentation

You are so right Steve. Some not all need to grow up.

Good to see another young American starting a British career. Good luck to Plymouth in 2021

Just thought I had seen some where he said he was because of work, but not 100% sure

Nothing worse than someone that doesnt follow their own advice....... It's such a shame when a prize bell end manages to derail threads. Yes we are all to blame for even acknowledging the said bell end and of course it's exactly what the bell end wants # note to self - leave the bell end to it in future

That team is as I believe this league should be several up and coming riders and a couple of experienced ones to pass on advice and encouragement and score a few points. A very similar thing to scunthorpe in 2005 with Wayne Carter as the experience and a load of young lads with limited experience.

Line-up order not confirmed, but it's how I'd set them up

OMG GORET IS IN BRITISH SPEEDWAY? YES!!! This is a rider I've be VERY excited about, and he's signed for one of my teams!! So excited... This team is gonna be amazing to watch. What average do French riders come in on? Is it 4.00 or 5.00?

don'tforgetyourbraincells when posting

That’s a shame. Wouldn’t have minded a trip to Lulu

I don’t think fans of either team would swap many of the others’ riders, that’s the point.

Excellent introductory briefing there. Only hiccup is in Luke Ruddick's nationality -- he's from Melrose in Scotland, not Northumberland. A big difference!

CERTAINLY both fishy

Appreciated was definitely a rush of emotions although you may regret it Eastbourne are certainly moving in the right direction and do take care of their riders and reap the rewards of the development. They are also a side that does look at ability over anything else and the track at Arlington certainly sorts out those with the skill sets from those that don't. I hope that there is some level of MSDL for the Lakeside Seagulls to take part in but with ghost teams gone it only leaves Birmingham & Eastbourne?

Please carry on posting. Your views are always put across in a clear way and never seek to be deliberately annoying. Sometimes I agree with you and sometimes I don't. You are always welcome at Eastbourne where you can see the club is setting out to develop their own riders and to have a 'ladder' within the club for them to progress: MSDL to NDL to Championship. If you are good enough etc It's that same sort of progression ladder you find in many instances in working life...makes sense to me.

For the first time ever I can honestly say that I am not too bothered where we finish in the league this season. Sure it would be great to be successful in our first championship season, but I just want to see some good racing with a Poole team that tries hard and displays that "Pirate Pride". I have only been supporting the Pirates since 2008 after my local team (Oxford) folded in 2007 and living in Buckinghamshire (100 miles each way) could only get down a few times every year. However, just before Christmas I took the plunge and moved to Poole! So now I am looking forward to being able to walk to every home meeting!

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?

Ordered it yesterday afternoon, it came today before 2pm.. Always liked Kelvin, even when he seemed to be less than a favourite of many of the English fans.. (Although to be fair to be him, many of the fans at that time seemed to think they were all Americans).. And for me, does a great job on the commentary with Nigel P... Not everyone's cup of tea, but who cares, they sell the sport fantastically well...