thebaron

Crikey thats a late curved ball ? Maybe he thinks he was a bit hasty to rule himself out now things are looking set for a summer of UK speedway ?. Ippo is an issue for him as they are declared 1-7 so that ships sailed. Might well up his terms to race initially in the Champ with Scorpions ? Then hes here and a Prem opportunity is sure to crop up for him. But he will want more to commit to riding soley for Scunny in the first instance. Clear dilemma for Rob & the team if so but if we want to solve our problem position - No1 Jakes the man and he would be a game changer no doubt about that.

That would be unexpected to say the least and frought with red tape I guess ? But if it happened I'd take Zane Keleher in jiffy ! Hes one great lad and super professional. Easily the "Lockdown Rider 2020" for his resolve and innovation whilst stuck in the UK earning nothing and waiting on a start that never happened. Do agree looking at the Poole pair up against JMac & ZK they might be behind in UK track experience terms. But do not under estimate Keleher & Cook both could be suprise packets in this League. If Scorpions can add either Kennedy or MacDonald I would be confident we will be getting a rider who can be up to speed from the off and soon pushing for a top 5 spot. If IF ! Newcy failed to make it to the tapes that would be a big negative for Speedway GB just as the big launch is set with Eurosport. Plus their confirmed 1-7 being "tipped out" on the eve of the shortened season ? Cannot see the League Commitee letting things get to this stage only to let the Diamonds fall by the wayside ?.

I think its high time the management ended all this guessing game. Josh Mac seems the one reading between the lines. But agree Zaine Kennedy would be my choice. Either way I think both are capable of adding a couple of points to their start average. But now with heading into 4 weeks before tapes up I would expect riders to be arriving in the UK all being well. So I dont see the point of dragging this out ? We know its not going to be a 7+ rider so we may as well just make an announcement so we all know where we stand ?

For me it was always a flick of a coin for one of the available Aussies. Not least because of their increased track time in the past year or so. Josh MacDonald was unlucky to be cut loose by Pirates so its a great opportunity for him. Had made progress at Sheffield in 2019 so has the track knowledge already. On a 4 point averages means Lambo steps up into the main body of the team. Six and two threes though because JP & JMac should be amongst the points at reserve. Meaning that they and Lambo become interchangeable ? Auty, Lambert, Tommy, Pijper, Aarnio, Jordy and JMac it is then ? No No1 there on the face of it. Auty should have it tapped round Scunny but up against sides with two No1s its going to be tough going away. Still everyones been out for nigh on 18 months so no one really knows how well any of the riders will fair when they return to regular league racing. 2021 is at least a summer of some Speedway and win lose or draw lets be thankful for that. Just watching how we get on is going to be really interesting and especially having a true rising star in Jordan Palin in his senior league racing debut season adds that bit extra to the anticipation. Reminds me of when Kenny Carter made the step up in his first season for the Dukes ! If hes half as good we will have a rider.

To me if we were going for a 7pt rider I can understand the delay. But we are clearly not bringing in a rider on that kind of average. So no point in dragging this out any longer ? Everyones declared their hand already so theres no need for a "big reveal". Personally I would favour one of the Aussie lads who are race ready and committed for what amounts to the 2021 season. They can hit the ground running. But with the likes of Brit James Sargeant still needing to get fixed up could well see us "sticking to the British based" ethos of the league set up and Rob giving the jacket to him ?. Infact is it almost incumbant upon the SGB Chairman to show his support for a young British rider forced onto the sidelines because he has been let go by his club ? We just have to get on with it and see where it takes us ? As Dan say lots of "pan handlings" away and we wont win all the meetings at home. But hey at least we might very well have our Speedway back !

Doesnt Jordan Palin remain at reserve for the whole season and keep the same average ? Surely if he ends up being promoted into the main body of the team that ends his "protected heats". Is that not the idea or have I missed something ? In which case JP can slam in as big a scores as he likes it wont impact our team average. I think ...?

Great interview with BWD on Speedway Memories with Lee Ashby. All Lee's shows are really interesting and this was no exception. BWD gave gave us great insight into his thinking, motivation and commitment. Not just to his own career but his hopes to help other NZ racers make the step up to UK racing. What a together guy Brad is and would be just the answer for us trying to plug the gapping hole thats Jakes absence.? He is on his way to the UK arriving 26/4 so he intends racing here for somebody at some point ? Think initially his focus is on the GP Qualifier at Glasgow on 29/5 thereafter he must be aiming for a team slot ! Playing devils advocate what say we run rider replacement to see May out run down the averages (its likely to happen naturally) then bring in BWD in June ? That might just be the solution and we get a 110% committed racer and No1.

On Monday night Lee Ashby who has been doing a great series of Lockdown interviews with Speedway greats including Darcy Ward; Bruce Penhall; Greg Hancock, Chris Holder, Joe Screen et al. Will be chatting to New Zealands Bradley Wilson Dean !. Might be interesting what he has to say about doing the UK season in 2021 ? With options now almost down to zero if he does say he is making the trip then his destination might well be the EWR ? Tune in on Lee's You Tube Channel to find out ?

Birmingham have just added Erik Riss to their line up. Riss & Harris two No1s ! add Brummies to the list of teams we are going to struggle to contain this season unless Rob pulls a rabbit out a hat ?

Theres a bit more "commitment" on both sides if its either JMac or ZK. Both need to upsticks and come to the UK and they are here for the duration. Not saying that CM would not have the commitment but the club have more invested in an Aussie coming over than filling the slot with an available Brit ? With the latter knowing our form for "changing riders" I reckon CM would not get the time that JMac or ZK would. Harsh but true. That said we flew Jedd List half way round the world only to bin him after a couple of matches ! ?. This season being truncated as it is irrespective of how the Scorpions turn out I would like to see us stick with the plan if injuries allow. We arent going to have an out and out No1 and I think we can accept that and just make best of it come what may ?. Its more about just getting through and having regular racing on the card. Rather than getting too down if we get walloped here there and everywhere with this line up. I think the management are 100% behind the Rising Star programme and for us thats Jordan Palin who should be one of "the Stars" of that. It does add more expectation on his young shoulders but we are pinning are hopes on him being our "trump card" from the protected heats and scoring in the "open heats" then the absence of a No1 problem is maybe less of one ? There simply is not a rider out there that would get near to Jake Allens scoring ? Add in the uncertainty around travel and the virus into and out of Europe and it limits us further. It is what it is I'm afraid ? making us bottom two candidates as much as it pains me. All the Homes will be close run and all the Aways will be hidings !. Infact Id go as far as to say we will not pick up a single match point away from home this season looking at how the rest of the teams are set up. Clearly I hope Im wrong because 100% support the club but you cant go to places like Poole, Glasgow. Eastbourne, Edinburgh even Plymouth ! and face off against two No1s when you havent got and out and one No1 in your line up ? Harsh I know but thats the reality.

Certainly would ; I have no idea what average BWD would come in on. But there must be some reduction due to his not riding here since 2018 ? He has gone well at Scunny and would strengthen that line up !

Regards Bridger ? thats not a bad shout ? albeit I thought I read he didnt want a Championship club and was content to ease his way back at Kings Lynn ?. That said with Stars Thurs and Scorps Friday is it too much out of his way to do 4 more rides at Scunny the next night ? Certainly the more rides the better for his comeback. Ok he wont be like for like for Jake but we'd get one of British Speedways once highly rated prospects on around a 6pt average who has the ability to be a top rider in this league ? Might add some further interest to the season watching him make a comeback. ? He would make us that bit stronger on paper its a fact. Auty; Pijper, Tommy, Aarnio Bridger Palin & Lambo.

Your not wrong to flag concern; I agree that team definitely lacks a No1 and even a No2 compared to Poole; Glasgow; Eastbourne; Plymouth even !. But replacing Jake Allen is not going to happen. Whilst Rob is resolute in honouring the 2020 deals with the riders signed then. So unless there is a complete about turn Auty, Tommy & Aarnio are the "top three". I get your concerns but I think 2021 is more about working our way through the season; and "re-learning" what it takes to be promoters; riders, officials and supporters ?. Its not so much about being the best team in the League from the get go. We have one if not the best "Rising Star" in Jordan Palin so much (possibly too much ?) is anticipated of him. If he is winning his protected heats and chipping in points in the open heats then he can be a real plus in this team. Theres a bit of catching up for all the UK based racers. Thats why calling up one of the available Aussies for the one remaining team spot makes sense. They are the ones who have had the most bike time in the last year and can hit the ground running in May. Provided they can travel with certainty of the shortened season happening ?. Zaine Kennedy and Josh MacDonald the latter having missed out at Poole., have both been on the rostrum during the Aussie season. Both are Sheffield Tigers assets and a loan deal for one whilst no way replacing Jake. Gives us a commited rider; who would be here to race exclusively for the season ; know the tracks from 2019 and can potentially improve their average by a couple of points ? Its going to be a season unlike few others and its not going to be clear how things will pan out for clubs and riders. nigh on 18 months out is a fair strech for any speedway rider and most in the Championship are starting from that base. I reckon the Aussies are going to be leading the charge in the Championship not least Ryan Douglas at Leicester. I think we need at least one Aussie in our team; sadly it wont be Jake this season but I'd be confident Zaine Kennedy or Josh MacDonald would do themselves justice in the Scorpions colours this season.

Is that the case; the highest average has to be at No1 ? .For me he seems to perform better at 3 or 5.? Overall though thats going to be one of the concerns for....we wont have a No1 ?or come to that neither a No 1 or 2 compared to say Poole ? Eastbourne ? Plymouth ? least wise not on the Away tracks !?

Having said this guess what ? Dougy smashing the Darcy Ward Individual in Queensland last night ! But guess what ? Josh Pickering 2nd; Zaine Kennedy 3rd Josh McDonald 4th ..these Aussie lads are going to hit the ground running here in May !. Fast looking a no brainer to me either Kennedy or McDonald gets a shot at filling the vacant spot in the Scorpions line up !

Think its looking increasingly likely our three heat leaders are Auty; Tommy Aarnio and we wont get close to covering for Jakes absence ! ? Robs determined to honour the deals he did for 2020. Seems to me we will be gambling on a lower average rider coming up "Crumps" ? So it could be one of the Aussie Tiggers on loan ? Josh McDonald who lost his loan spot at Poole or Zaine Kennedy ? Could mean we line up ? 1.Jorgensen; 2. Lambert 3.Auty 4. Pijper 5. Arnio 6. Palin 7. McDonald (Kennedy) Theres certainly scope for adding to the averages but it will be all about how quickly riders dial back in to some kind of regular racing again ? I reckon if it was one of the Aussie boys they would not be here to hang around at reserve and we could actually come up "Crumps' ! pun excused ? .

Mighty quiet in these parts lately despite the excirment that we might actually have some Speedway this summer. With most 1-7s declared ! Options to cover Jakes absence are really diminished ? We need a 7pt rider all things equal but longer this drags on less likely thats going to happen ? Accepting we are probably not going to rip this league apart in 2021 ? Would there be any harm just saying sod it and get Aussie Zaine Kennedy on loan from the Tiggers ? Ok hes on a 4pt average but he can easy add two points to that ! Knows the tracks; would be based here all season and unlike UK based riders has actually been "turning circles" these past weeks as opposed to UK and EU riders sat around twiddling thumbs for 18 months ! I would be fine with that; ok puts Lambo back up at 2. But reckon it would not be long before ZK was pushing top 5 ! I reckon those teams with 1-2 Aussies have the advantage. Circa Flyin Ryan who looks to me like he will pretty much smash the Championship to bits this season at Leicester. ! Infact hes just the sort of rider we are looking for ! and is our asset ! Come on Management lets sort this out.

Rather than worrying over whos going to win what I reckon most of us are just hugely grateful to get back to the tracks again come what may ? But as you press me on it I cannot see past. 1 Poole 2. Leicester 3. Glasgow 4. Eastbourne 5. Edinburgh 6.Redcar 7. Berwick 8.Birmingham 9. Plymouth 10 Kent 11 Scunthorpe 12 Newcastle Pains me to dump Scunny second bottom but unless we sign a bone fide No1 ? Its going to be close run at the EWR every match and wallopings away. I think Plymouth might suprise a few if Crump & Pedersen get into gear and say Ruuml steps up. Of course it all hinges on who stays fit and finds form ? Another factor is the best part of 18 months enforced "suspension" for the British base riders. Whilst the Aussie based riders ie: Ryan Douglas !, should hit the season running against UK based race rusty racers. Then again the "rising stars" might spring a suprise ? A lot is anticipated from Jordan Palin at Scunny and he could be "the rising star" if too much pressure is not heaped on him ? As, I say its not so much about winning titles because having Speedway back on some sort of regular basis is a win in itself for all of us !

Jake is very difficult if not impossible to replace. In this league in this season he would have been a 9pt rider imo. I do not see many riders out there that could come in and cover for that ?. Dane Rene Bach is one I have thought could be on the radar. I think he last rode here in 2018 and topped the averages for League Champions Workington. I have always rated the "Bachman", hes just over 7 on his old average so would fit in. He generally goes well round Scunny from recollection. In this league he might well be a rider who can add to his starting average ?. Rides for Polish League 2 side Bydgoszca which I believe would allow him to ride in the British Leagues. So yeah we could be in the "turn on overdrive with the Bachman" You aint seen nothing yet ?

What a start !, Crumpie at the EWR ! It just seems unreal from where we are and have been. No hanging around with the delayed fixtures and I should think not either. Lets have a great Summer of Speedway.

Fixtures out !, we kick off at Berwick Sat 1st May and then its Leicester for the EWR opener in Fri 7th May. Just looking at all the fixtures is making me dizzy ! Right now it looks unreal after all this time; and still not 100% convinced its going to happen as planned. But it is something to look forward to If we can travel Berwick here we come !

Harsh as that seems I fear you might be right?. Scunny minus Jake Allens scoring at Leicester is 20pt defeat at least. While Leicesters EWR specialists Dougie; Morris, Howarth, Procter & Bates might not be far off repeating the dose at Scunny !. There are lots of unknowns about the 2021 season not least if it will start ?. But one real unknown is how riders will return after a year off ?. I reckon the Aussies will steal a march here because they have had the most of limited world wide track time. So we are likely to be starting a bit off the back grid when and if this all gets underway ?

I think a "major rebuild" is out the question. As its clear this season is more about us actually seeing league racing re-open again and "getting through". Robs already nailed his colours to the mast of the 2020 septet minus Jake so I dont see him changing. A lot of emphisis is on Jordan Palins progress and seeing him develop. I really dont think winning the league is our goal this season. Its just having our speedway back. With the team as it stands home matches will be tight run affairs. While away matches will be struggles. We do need another capable rider to make up the team. But as much as we would all like to see a bone fide No1 to come in and cover Jakes absence. I think we should be realistic now and accept thats if the Management are happy to allow the final make up of the team to meander into May we're picking up the left overs. Probably harsh but just the reality of that policy.

Told you ..even if Crumpy & Pedersen are both 40+ at this level surely thats some serious artillary and a real statement of intent by Gladiators ? As they say "Gladiators are you ready" ? YES ! "Scorpions are you ready" eeerrrr am not so sure ?

Bjarne Pedersen to Plymouth and rumour has it Jason Crump is next !. Without question we have to address the loss of our Jake Allen No1 Rider while options are still available ?. Leaving it to April and whats the betting we'll end up running Rider Replacement to fill the void.