Col

So let's be having it... Harris, Douglas, Becker, Shlien, Ellis... leaves what points limit wise?

Fingers crossed the weather forecast for the visit of Belle Vue to Beaumont Park isn't too wet, I may finally get my first methanol fix of 2024. Can't see any reason why both teams shouldn't be at full strength - no continental meetings.

Forecast has gone rather grim!

Yet, if you grant Milik, Pawlicki & Lampart enough to time to attain a none assessed average if replaced by a rider who will score more points, there is more of a chance later in the season when/if injuries occur that they would be viable options as replacements. In the case of Lampart in particular even if this is for another premiership team, that is more much needed experience which could benefit the Brummies in the future. I am assuming Milik & Pawlicki's registration is with other clubs, not that it counts for a great deal as their seems little to no loyalty in Speedway.

It is easy to make knee jerk reactions - change X for X - following a disappointing result. The likes of Pawlicki, Milik & Lampart are the obvious easy targets but surely at least give them the opportunity to attain a none assessed average. Then the team has more options for changes moving forward.

When are Ipswich the visitors to Foxhall? What's the possible issue with Sayfutdinov?

No.

Met office forecast, hour & chance of rain... 09:00 - 60% 10:00 - 60% 11:00 - 20% 12:00 - 50% 13:00 - 80%

I'm another one who was planning to make the trip to NSS but the weather forecast has been appalling for days and hasn't changed this morning. Surprised it hasn't been called off already, if it does go ahead I hope it isn't farcical due to conditions.

Believe me it will get worse in the summer, the sun is directly in your eyes when standing on the terrace by the start gate at Perry Barr. If only those poplar trees would grow a bit, does miracle grow on mature trees

On the video of heat 15 which I saw on social media earlier didn't seem to have clouds of dust appearing from the back wheels which was the problem when I last visited a few years ago.

Nitpicking. There have been equally unfancied teams as this Brummies septet in the top tier history of British Speedway, when I was a youngster Swindon seemed to have a tight grip on the top tier wooden spoon! I'm sure they didn't and I can't be bothered to look back through history books. As many people would have thought last years Stars & P'boro teams could qualify for the playoffs as this Brummies team. Which makes them equally as fancied.

I'm not so sure that's true the Kings Lynn & Peterborough teams of last year are capable of giving them a run for their money. And the Oxford team which saw their sad demise which had Jesper B Jensen as #1. I'm sure there are more.

Lack of top end strength showed sadly for Brummies but a last heat decider and a draw is much better than an opening night defat by 10 which is what most were predicting and I was (if I'm being honest) expecting.

According to https://www.birmingham-speedway.com/news.php?extend.3436

Weather forecast looks pretty grim, rain until 16:00.

I go to NSS often, had an Aces season ticket in 2022? I was planning to go to Leicester on 14/03 but it was called off.

Well, I shall make my Perry Barr return when Brummies are at full strength.

I take it no Piotr Pawlicki on Monday for the visit of the Owlerton Tigers?

Not a surprise to me, they were the best two riders at the Championship best pairs meeting held at Cowley last year.

One team has to finish 6th (sorry Brummies you're 7th)... Witches septet finished 6th when I totalled up what I thought each rider would average over the course of the season. Fricke is young enough to improve, Doyle is beyond his best. To win a league title you need riders who can improve their average over the course of a season. I don't see any, except Rew in the Witches septet.

I don't think H&H ever won a title together!

Why on earth do you think I have a problem with the Witches? I don't think their team building strategy with two riders consuming almost half their allocated points allowance is a great idea but I've been wrong before. My only visit to the EoESg last year was to see Ipswich! And my first speedway memory is of John Cook almost scoring a maximum at Dudley Wood (beating Penhall & Gundersen) but being denied it by Phil Collins passing him on the final bend of heat 13.

The obvious standout team is the Tigers from Owlerton, two former World Champions and a rider who would have made the podium in the GP series this year but for injuries. However they are surely the oldest top 5 in the league, with Pickering being the spring chicken of the top 5 at 27. Not sure there is much room for improvement from any of them and the reserve pairing could well struggle. Ipswich have a great top 2 but can they maintain the standards they set last season? Rew should improve but is unlikely to get anytime at reserve this season and the sophomore slump condition could hamper him. Two inexperienced reserves again. Can Ellis get back to where he was a few years ago is the question. I think the Witches will struggle to finish in the top 4 of the league but if they do they're dangerous in the play-offs, like last year they came from nowhere to deny Belle Vue a spot in the final. Considering his progress in the GP's in my opinion Bewley had a fairly poor season for the Aces so should improve his starting figure and must surely be better away from home in 2024. No more can realistically be expected from Kurtz following a solid season last year. I'm not sure on Lidsey, he had Wright backing him up all last year but won't have that next season, you'd think he should improve further with more experience of British racing. I didn't realise Cook is as old as he is. Blodorn won't be swapping between reserve at top 5 this year but is good at the NSS and is getting better away. Mountain has more experience than those in the same position as him at Foxhall & Owlerton but lacks their potential. I like the Leicester septet, Fricke is as good as anyone except Sayfutdinov on the GB tracks and the 4 others in the top 5 should all average over 7. Kemp seemed to have a new lease of life at Beaumont Park having missed out on a spot in GB at the start of last season and maybe he will finally start to reach his potential. The Stars are another team that don't really appear to have a weak link in their septet. Basso seemed to suffer from second season syndrome in a struggling Panthers team last year, Tarasenko & Wojdylo also rejuvenated the Alwalton team mid season last year but how well will they adapt to a different home circuit? Musielak has been excellent for Sheffield in the last two years, but as a Tiger with Jack Holder also in the line-up the expectation of being the #1 wasn't completely on his shoulders where as it is at Saddlebow Rd. Rowe like Kemp needs to start realising his potential. The Oxford team has too many question marks for my liking to be considered as potential table toppers but will be in the mix for the play-offs, Janowski is a great addition to the league but hasn't been at his best in recent GP series, it is probably a year (or two) too early for Boughen but fair play to Oxford for giving him the opportunity I hope it doesn't hamper his progress. Klindt & Tungate always blow hot & cold. Sadly Birmingham seem a fair way off the other teams in terms of strength, it is a big ask for Pawlicki & Milik to come in as a top two when both haven't ridden in the UK for many years and there is no obvious third heat leader to back them up, Brennan may grow into that role or Lampart could hit the ground flying. One thing is for sure the Brummies will have strength at reserve all year, it should be Flint's final year as a RS. Table prediction: Leicester Belle Vue Kings Lynn Sheffield Oxford Ipswich Birmingham

The big unknown in this team is Lampart, if he takes to British tracks like Musielak then Birmingham could have a decent side. Most Polish supporters & certainly the Polish authorities seem to rate Lampart over Musielak. Sadly I can't see that occuring.