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Fortythirtyeight

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Posts posted by Fortythirtyeight


  1. ashfield_giants_njl_champions23-773x439.
    JUNIOR LEAGUES

    NORTHERN JUNIOR LEAGUE SQUADS

    MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2024

    THE five teams competing in the 2024 Northern Junior League have confirmed either their team or squad for the upcoming season.

    Each team will consist of two riders riding a 500cc motorcycle and two riders riding a 125cc/150cc motorcycle.

    Armadale Devils  – Dayle Wood, Owen Booth, Lewis Hague and Callum Hague

    Ashfield Giants – Billy Budd, Tim Colley, Stene Pijper, Ollie Binns and Rhys Harrow

    Redcar Bear Cubs – Katie Gordon, Daniel McTeer, Ed Davison, William Hocaniuk, Charlie Fletcher, Oliver Bovingdon, Reuben Marsh and Harry Fletcher

    West Lothian Wildcats – Mark Parker, Lee Harrison, Rocco Webb and Liam Morris

    Workington Meteors – Callum Foy, Laylan Richardson, Casper Kluczniak and Charlie Luckman 

    There have also been three fixture changes from the original schedule. The changed fixtures are as follows:

    Workington v Ashfield (was 31st March) Now 4th May

    West Lothian v Ashfield (was 5th April) Now 17th May


  2. 42 minutes ago, phillwhitewasmad said:

    He is probably the best untried 3 pointer available. Looked quick and smooth at workington the other week. 

    I hope the lad goes well but they have 4:65 to play with and even though it’s a development side the team looks very weak compared to all the rest.

    I know there’s only 5 home matches but it’s a big gamble.


  3. 18 hours ago, ch958 said:

    what do you think Dave?

     

     

    I would suggest Dave doesn't know and neither do I as this lad hasnt been on a 500 before the last few weeks but someone obviously rates him as they have selected him before several other candidates including Katie Gordon and local prospects Goldsbrough and Davison.

     

    • Like 1

  4. On 2/28/2024 at 5:22 PM, StevePark said:

    I'm pretty sure it's a SCB/BSPL rule that all pit staff must wear hi-viz jackets/coats.

    There is nothing in the rule book regarding any officials clothing , only the riders.

    However, it is advisable in their specific job description, for those old enough to have been staff from several years ago when such a document was available.

    • Thanks 1

  5. 20 hours ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

    Not really interested in what goes on in the GPs but league racing is getting too bloated for its own good, you only need one mechanic per rider, everyone else can watch from the terraces, British speedway long time problem is the sport being run by the riders for the riders and look where we are 

    To some degree you are correct but perhaps you  have the old ‘rose tinted spectacles’ on as a former rider. Times have changed and we all know it’s not for the better. Riders have promoters by the round things, they have all the aces and dictate just about everything now which is why the sport is dying a slow death. The promoters hands are tied if they want to attract a very demanding crowd these days and it’s a catch 22 situation.

    Having clowns who are self interested at the top isn’t going to change things.

    • Like 1

  6. 4 hours ago, Diamonds85 said:

    Are Middlesbrough ever going to announce their final rider? It looks set to be a reserve so why not just give it to Alex or Katie?

    As theres ages before the first fixture there is no rush , maybe someone is coming out of retirement? Having an old average reassessed ? Having a new average reassessed to fit him in ? ( like Edinburgh ) .

    Edward Davison was head and shoulders above Gordon last season and was lined up for Belle Vue so someone rates him .Goldsbrough not having ridden since he broke a wrist early season and wasn't seen again although he is a club asset, unlike Davison or Gordon.

    • Like 1

  7. 1 hour ago, geoff100 said:

    Few riders down today ,no comets though thought some local riders might have been down !

    As it was a private hire it was by invitation only , and it appears non were invited, I’m sure they’ll get plenty of track time on their own.

    • Like 1

  8. 1 hour ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

    I agree and in league racing each rider should be limited to one mechanic and get the rest of the hangers on out of the pits and that includes riders not riding, girlfriends, and any other hanger on and there are many 

    But they are allowed a full team of mechanics  , a masseur and a mentor in a GP so what’s the difference ? Most club riders have two ‘assistants ‘ in their pit, are you going to tell Gary Havelock he can’t be a ‘mentor’ to Ben Trigger at Redcar?, or can’t be in the pits when a Poole is visiting ? You going to tell Glasgow they can’t have their full entourage of 12 hanging about in the pits ?

    Its in the rule book as to who should be in a pit area and it’s down to the club to enforce it, but every club is different…..it’s British speedway !

    • Like 1

  9. 15 minutes ago, Sotonian said:

    Absolutely this - they should pay to get in like anyone else. Frankly, they should consider themselves lucky that they get to watch their partners at work. Mine can't get near my workplace.

    Great attitude for a ‘family sport ‘.


  10. 10 hours ago, *JJ said:

    I discovered, when I was helping a rider do the MDL circuit, that you could just walk into the pits and no-one would take a blind bit of notice ...

    Down to the track not having proper pit marshalls doing their job then.

    • Like 3

  11. 2 hours ago, Hamish McRaker said:

    Is it time for anyone working in the pits at a speedway meeting, to be required to conform to a dress code? Black seems to be the best, but instead of heavy metal bands tour t-shirts, plain polo shirts with "pits crew" on the back, plain black trousers or long shorts, and black shoes& socks (NO flip-flops allowed).

    If BSPL could find a sponsor whose logo could be added, then it should be able to supply most of this kit (except shoes) free of charge via riders and promoters. 

    This would help to portray a better image when matches are televised and to new spectators.

    Keep dreaming, they can’t even act professionaly themselves and haven't attracted a major sponsor to the sport for years . Besides some riders have a different ‘spanner man ‘ every meeting so a very large wardrobe would be required. 

    • Like 1

  12. 6 hours ago, W9 Lion said:

    Err, announcements have been made, http://www.leicesterspeedway.com/news.php?extend.32433

    LEICESTER will switch to Sunday afternoon racing for their home fixtures in the National Development League this season.

    Fixtures for the third tier are currently in the process of being finalised, but the club can confirm the Lion Cubs have scheduled matches at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park for Sundays at 3pm.

    The move has been made in order to provide maximum rider availability both for the Cubs and their opponents bearing in mind Championship commitments.

    Skipper Joe Thompson has a Championship team place with Plymouth, who will be racing at home predominantly on Saturday evenings, and Max James is racing for Edinburgh who have various Saturday away matches.

    Another key reason for the switch is that it opens up greater opportunities to make use of the new mini-track for second half events featuring 250cc and 125cc riders, which would otherwise be constrained by time on a Saturday evening.

    Leicester’s first home NDL fixture of the season is expected to take place at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park on Sunday April 7 (3pm).

    The club will also be staging a round of the new National League Riders Development Series individual competition. This will take place on Sunday August 4 (3pm).

    That’s on the Leicester site, which most people don’t read and that still doesn’t tell you any details….

    Like who is in it ?, how many rounds ? Who qualifies to  ride in it ?


  13. Agree that Poland appears to do things better which is why we have so many issues over here. Not too sure what all the fuss is about, so tracks 20 plus years ago supplied the fuel? and Poland still do it seems, times have changed and so has health & safety. As long as SOMEONE supplies the fuel, then crack on.

    • Like 2

  14. On 1/24/2024 at 5:33 PM, lewy said:

    So are you saying that you know what deal he has agreed?

    I’m not privy to his or anyone else’s championship deals but the NDL pay rates at the club are not a big secret as most of the lads can’t keep a secret and talk openly about their deals in public, usually in the form of moans about who is getting more than them at other clubs!
    The club are not paying ‘top dollar’ but it’s my opinion they have been very sensible in the rates offered to ‘development’ riders and obviously the seven/eight concerned are happy with them too.

    Tigger and his family come across as very sensible and have been regulars at Redcar with the Gary Havelock connection in 2023 .

    • Like 1

  15. 10 minutes ago, lewy said:

    Redcar will be paying alot of travelling expenses to trigger it's a fair old jaunt from Plymouth, obviously if the NDL match is ran as a double header this will negate the cost

    No double headers planned and the lad has been very sensible in his deal as he realises the benefit of riding for both Redcar sides. Bearing in mind how many local lads are in the NDL team the club have saved a fair bit anyway.

    • Like 2

  16. 10 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

     

    I would assume so, most clubs have built / look likely to build teams well below the points limit, you don't do that if winning is your main objective. So why would they pay over the agreed pay structures if just wanting to develop riders?

    There isn’t a written rule regarding pay structure but it’s easy to work out which clubs are paying the larger wages, just look at the predicted  finishing order, Edinburgh and Redcar at the bottom and it’s no secret they aren’t paying over the top rates, very sensibly.

     Clubs have different outlooks on ‘development’ and winning at all costs. Besides , the SCB might just award you a title anyway like last seasons fiasco.

    • Like 1

  17. 2 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said:

    Most likely Macon in France. Affordable enough and better weather means more meaningful laps pre season 

    You must think Redcar have Glasgows piggy bank ! Try much much closer to home, about two hours from Middlesbrough.


  18. 5 hours ago, mikebv said:

    Those engines that got bought, (was it a GRS?), would surely be ideal for the NDL?...

    Let the lads hire them for a season, and maintain them...

    Then pay them a salary based on not having to fork out a solid five figures for 3 bikes...

    Would get a few "giving it a go" and seeing if they have the aptitude to ride a speedway bike to a decent level, I would think..

     

    You need to keep up with the times. The GTR engine fiasco died years ago and only 16 were ever brought into the UK so you’ll be lucky if there’s two or three still in a running condition.


  19. 33 minutes ago, szkocjasid said:

    Because he has never averaged above 4 in the Champ, Leicester want to win the league & there is no age limit in the NDL.

    Gavin Parr could stand in for Middlesbrough if one of their riders broke down on the way for example.

    How can Gavin do that ? When he won’t be at their away meetings and possibly not at many of the home meetings either.

    Now if you had said Stuart Swales ……


  20. On 12/9/2023 at 11:28 PM, Fozzie4388 said:

    Senna is off to Oxford I believe.

    Wouldn't be surprised to see Kean Dicken, Lee's lad in the Scunny/Sheffield Line-up 

    Yes, Senna had agreed to go to Redcar but was ‘persuaded’ to go to Oxford.

    Dicken would be a surprise and a gamble.

    • Thanks 1
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