Rebel1

At least Si has filled the spot left after Joe's injuries. The r/r last Sunday did not fill the numbers that Joe would have generated. Connor with a bit of support could well settle in and find his feet. Sadly there is now little chance of Danno being extended in order to hold down that third heat leader spot. A good win on an extremely hot afternoon by the team out front in the league and surprisingly led by their guest reserve!

Not so much being pessimistic, just that they will place a levy for speedway which may be greater than that in place between Roger and Len. Bear in mind that Roger has personal links to speedway, ARC are a Company in business to make money. Think back to why Wimbledon bit the dust. If ARC are only purchasing the rights to run the dogs ,ok. If they are taking control of the stadium then and only then would I see things being different.

Can see this affecting the viability of speedway here going forward.

Interesting fact as there have been a few tracks around football pitches in the past. When West Ham went to the wall I believe a team was to go into the Rochester dog complex before at the eleventh hour going to Romford football stadium.

East End Fan, I think you have mis-read my comment. I was merely saying that as a new football stadium was being built in Plough Lane that the design could have included a speedway track. As for the Olympic stadium I believe Jon Cook had put out feelers regarding getting track incorporated in that stadium. Both things have been missed opportunities. I used to go to Rayleigh before changing to West Ham in 64 and like you moved across to Arena. Being domiciled in Kent I now have a home County track to end my days at.

Bit late coming back on this, but, one would have thought that with another stadium being designed and now erected that someone from the BSPA could have requested that the design would include a speedway track. I also believe Jon Cook had at one time looked into a track being part of the redesign of the Olympic Stadium when West Ham and other London football teams were vying for the use of those facilities. Perhaps London does not want a speedway team and yes I went to many of those venues during the times when there were sufficient clubs to permit the London Riders Championship.

Even if racing does go ahead I wonder how many fans would risk being in close proximity on the terraces? I would be doubtful of the virus being eradicated even when the powers that be say it is safe to proceed. Hong Kong thought it was clear and then it erupted with 40+ cases last week. They have closed all borders now but here we still keep getting immigrants crossing from who knows where.

New name for the young Kent team as the National League side will be known as the 'Royals'. Just have to wait and see what pictorial will be put on the racing bibs. It can hardly be a crown, but it is possible. Maybe the old Crusaders emblem will be resurrected. No doubt we will have to wait for the first meeting to find out.

The unfortunate part of your thoughts Sidney the robin is the points building formula. The reserves, being these NL lads, tends to see them being dumped for lesser points average riders. Few if any promoters build a side from the bottom as they are more interested in the more solid scoring riders. I do agree though that these young lads need to be nurtured, I am sure that Len will stand by his decision to fledge Dan this year and probably coach him. He has the slot alongside Scott for this season in the pits so he will have lots of encouragement.

I believe that has been Lens' overarching requirement for several seasons now. The issues with the local Council planners have had it all put on the back burner till now. I believe that all League sides should take a real interest in the development of British riders by either running their own team or assisting with one of the dwindling number of stand-alone NDL sides.

Agree Sidney the robin, however, if Alex is placed in the right spot he can be a strong leader in a second string role. Jacob is the flimsy rider, has to regain his confidence after the accident of a couple of seasons ago. He could improve or lay dormant in which case he will become a useful reserve. Just have to wait and see.

With the likes of Scotty putting it about out there I am sure that He and others will influence Len into prepping the track to suit their needs. I doubt Len has listened to anyone else, even Luke. Many words have been wasted out there over the manner in which things are managed. When Len shouts and only when, things take place. At times track staff know that the tractor needs to come out and grade yet the water bowser will emerge alone. WHY! No more time would be wasted as one machine follows the other.

False Dawn, no one can view it for you, but I am sure that you would not be disappointed here in Kent. The third bend camber is one that has been a bother and last season was flattened out a bit so was less likely to draw riders into the fence if they went in wide. Some of the issues with the track arise from the morning running of the dogs which precludes any work until after 2pm.

Interesting, I have spoken to Les about that time but still believe that he started the clock late and had to give the time on the clock at the end. Time for timing transponders methinks! Ah well, tongue in cheek, no management will be keen to implement technology.

Sadly Rob as things stand it looks like 'Rockets' have retired to the big bang up above. My first smell of dope was at the Weir and I am quite content to follow the sport at Central Park, at least I am still able to watch on a weekly basis.

Bueherb777 I understand your thinking and though the bends have the width it is more a case of the straights being rather on the narrow side that I perceive to be the bigger issue. As for carrying more speed, the more experienced riders know how to set things up to accommodate the track peculiarities. I think that times will not be substantially different and that track record will take some knocking back. Luke has ridden the perfect line around that raceway without worrying it. Personally, when it was announced I disbelieved it and still do today. Whatever, it will remain as the NL track record and for the purists a new one will be accredited to the Championship.

John Sampson is managing the NL side so no doubt the riders names will filter down from Len in due course and released via the drip feed tap. Len must be at his most busiest at the moment with his ski-ing business so speedway will not be to the forefront.

Sam Hagon now announced as the first signed rider, that then is one reserve spot filled. Can surely see Jake, Jacob and Alex shoe-horned into the side so the heat leaders need to be found unless James Laker finds a spot. Another contender could be Jamie Couzins. Think overall the Club would be looking to find lads who could go up a league such that Kent find and retain their own riders. That is what speedway should be built upon in my opinion.

The Kent Championship line-up is a sound mix of experience and youth. One cannot evaluate how the individual riders will fare at this stage therefore it is unfair of pundits on this forum to pick holes in individuals. I have over the years seen riders expected to perform well fall back on their averages as well as others who were not expected to do well over-perform. At this stage in my speedway life I am happy to see the lads out on track doing their utmost for the team and that can also be in the pits. Keep an open mind I suggest.

Scotty will be invaluable to Dan and his father. No doubt he will be able assist others in the team when they get together. Sometimes big advantages come from strange places. Whether the team gells will have a lot to do with the final outcome.

I may be wrong but I like to watch speedway and regardless of the competition. I became hooked on offroad biking back in the 50's and still like to watch those with a skill that I profess I never acquired. Scrambles, grass and trials were all weekly individual meetings, apart from star meetings where a British team turned out. Shrublands Park was my top scrambles venue, brilliant place. Yes, team riding is what many go to watch, however, in the sixties some of the best meetings were individual meetings and they continued really until the GP's when for various reasons individual meetings lost their attraction. Remember too that the Laurels is one of the longest running individual meetings that is now still with us. A meeting that I would always get down to Plough Lane to witness. The line-ups for some of the top individual meetings were as good as or even better than the individual world championships. Thus I am more than happy to say that I can still watch speedway in my retirement without having to turn on the little box in my living room. I have followed Rayleigh, West Ham and Arena Essex / Lakeside, all now defunct. £15.00 may be a debateable cost as is any price for a commodity. As Teaboy says compare it with fags and booze. If I go to the pub I can easily spend £16.00, whatever the cost I make the decision as to how I distribute my hard earnt money.

I would be surprised if Roger and Len did not seek an appeal. Dog racing on a Monday morning shortens the preparation time for the track and fence erection. There are three appeal routes available and no doubt they will require a period of time in which to reflect upon the Planning refusal and how best to appeal the decision.

For once in speedway I think a promotion has got it right. Kent have persevered with their riders throughout the seasons past regardless. Other than injuries or riders wishes, a seven rider declared team starts and progresses through the season as a TEAM. Now I gather that the foresight is to build a team of English youngsters that can be gelled into a Championship team and when that occurs look to go up a league. Seven English lads working together and staying together can be nothing but good. I have for years wondered why promoters in this country have never done their best to elevate their own into the world of super-stardom rather than buying-in foreigners. Win, lose or draw, most supporters go week in, week out, to see a regular septet of riders and this may be why Kent currently have a sound supporter base and why they may also follow a team of youngsters up into a higher division.

Explain the excuse of Health and Safety? Surely tracks shoud be prepared to accommodate worn tyres were that to be a real consideration. I feel the motors are too strong for many lads but no-one objects to that.

Given that the Premier and Championship leagues (Promoters) recognize the National League as a training league, I am surprised that they have never included the NL Promoters in their AGM's. The Development Leagues are the lower echelon of speedway and are the real feeder route into the sport. The NL suffers from the fact that riders who improve their averages provide a dilemma for the promoters as they cannot all be included in the following years points averages at this level. Given that the higher leagues seem to prefer to give opportunities to foreign riders then it will remain that very few NL riders will have lengthy careers. There is a need for a joined-up route for youngsters towards the upper echelons of the game. Some of the promoters need to put the riders careers ahead of their own financial gains with a view to creating strength-in-depth with British riders. In the long term supporters, in general, go to watch particular riders and would prefer to see their favourites rising through the leagues rather than dropping out because their averages do no fit. I am not advocating a free for all approach as again just a few clubs would be capable of purchasing the best riders, yet on the other side of the coin then there is something in respect of a Control Body placing riders in teams.