Sings4Speedway

Was always going to be a tough ask for Kent as Belle Vue are in fine form and every rider has been delivering (the only rider suffering an off year isn't ravelling). Cannot see Bickley having a second bad meeting at Central Park and with Flint & Palin its probably the most powerful heat leader trio in the league, throw in the joker 2 pointer still at reserve. When fit Kent have the power at second string that would really swing the balance but with only Jenkins and the reserves able to take the RR rides that may swing the tie. Not much in this one so dodgy decision either way could swing it. Im going for a narrow away victory but far from certain about this one.

There is always a danger when trying to rescue a slick track that dragging dirt over the holes etc means that you have a marble-y surface with hidden dangers underneath. Sadly meetings like this cause the NL no end of harm as the product on show does not reflect what can actually be served up. In reality this should have been run the other way round with the NL match starting first (and earlier) as the track damage would be lesser and then the big names could have ridden the track later in the day with their superior abilities. That way Leicester could have charged the double header rate until X time/heats of the NL match and then the regular rate for those who just wanted to view the higher tier.

I will name Barnes because he featured in league matches which supporters have to pay to view and in my opinion (which is exactly what anything written by me on the forum is and i am fully entitled to) Luke is enthusiastic but his riding ability and machinery are not at the level required to be competitive at National league level and by him making continued appearances he is actually doing himself more harm than good as whilst the experience is a benefit the results will create a reputation that sticks. However i do not wish injury upon anybody and hope he is back on track soon.

Thats a quite fantastic figure. A fitting value to a lifetimes dedication and i hope all the new owners have items they can now treasure for an equally long time.

Im not in a position to name names as its not fair on any of the riders concerned. It is however safe to say that the dreaded Monday where Kent failed to track a number 7 there were a minimum of 5 riders i know of who would have definitely ridden if they had a days notice. None of these riders have since been contacted and Barnes became the new go to guy (which has worked out so well). The position Kent are in is entirely irrelevant to this situation, they will make the play offs, they will be able to field a much stronger team at that point. Len has done a huge amount for the sport in Kent and as a whole but it still doesn't stop him being a stubborn old bugger.

Standard Regs 19.7.4 It is mandatory for riders to appear in the NDL 4TT, NDL BP and NDLRC; riders will be suspended from their next 2 Home Meetings in contravention, subject to the Directors confirmation. Supplementary Regs Qualification: Each of the 8 NDL Clubs will be represented, of which 2 out of the Top 3 by MA must be selected. As it stands Cradley & Plymouth don't fall into the qualification criteria although Plymouth should be cut a little slack as Extance is out for the season so Stoneman becomes the 3rd fit rider by MA.

Im not going to name names as the riders who i have spoken too / communicated with / heard via other trusted sources but there is certainly some disillusion from fringe riders (all of which are higher rated by me than Barnes) that he has been given the opportunities and full notice whereas offers midday on Monday that riders simply cannot accommodate seem to be treated in a negative light. There are plenty of teams out there who will / do need additional riders and the vast majority don't struggle to find an unattached guests so perhaps that should start to tell Len/Kent something.

Started silly late in the first place, track already in a bad way after the first 15 heats and once Spencer needed to go in the ambulance that was that.

Surely Cradley wouldn't have chosen Spencer over other options? I thought attendance was mandatory so could pick whoever they liked.

Kent haven't struggled to find suitable /available 2.00 riders what they have done is alienate those that would be available to cover for them after struggling once when they were given late notice by Gilkes. Since then they have persisted with using a way below par Barnes who is as fragile as his equipment and enjoys the photos pre-meeting more than the track time. Ablitt stepped down because he was going to get an average and was woefully out of form so was at risk of being dropped and saddled with an average over 4 rather than 2/3 for next season. Clouting is lucky Kent were desperate having been lumped with an average nobody else would take him on and Mulford comes in now as the options have run out. The 4 meetings rule is good to prevent long term abuse of reserves in form but will end some riders careers as its very easy to get a high average, get replaced and be un-signable.

Likewise sadly but as ever a huge thanks for producing these (even if i cannot currently read them)

The other element that never gets fully considered is that younger riders bodies are not fully developed. I hate football comparisons but Liverpools spice boy generation of Owen, Macmanaman, Redknapp etc were all plagued long term through injury and often thought to be because the handling of their fitness & training during their teens wasn't correctly handled.

Even if Kent fail to win any of the matches against Mildenhall or Belle Vue they still look to have enough points on the board to finish inside the top 4. Of the chasing pack IOW face tough Belle Vue & Leicester sides at home, Cradley have a run away fixtures against Leicester, Belle Vue & Plymouth which seems unlikely to generate any points although should they better Plymouth at home it could mean that Cradley vs Kent in the last fixture decides the last play off spot.....which as a neutral is exactly how i like it.

Providing he has a contract signed for next season to be included in the side whatever his average it should be no problem. The fact is that Mulford like Ablitt next season when he returns will be able to pick whatever team he likes on a 2.00 average (unless the rules are fiddled with again) but if he ends the year on 4+ which is quite likely its a different story.

Ive always been an advocate of closer ability riders is what you need to create the best racing but by adding a very simple handicap to the format you create racing where reserve level riders can compete with top heat leaders and prove that often the difference between riders is often only a small amount of gating technique / reactions and very marginal higher speeds over 4 laps.