Great Central

There was never going to be a squad system in the NL. Danno went out in all good faith to get the essential ferry sponsorship, paid for a block of tickets, obtained some other very valuable sponsorship and now has to go back to all of them and say what?? Some of his sponsors were new to the sport and may now be lost forever due to this happening. I sincerely hope not.

I have a list of riders experienced in NL racing who could step in to hole created by the loss of Jamie Halder so please don't say there is no replacement available, Martin Widman

That was a legitimate decision. This clearly isn't.

I don't know why people are getting so wound up by all this cheating? It is being done to bring on the youth and "for the good of the sport". Martin Widman Wight Warriors

Hardly the same situation. There are riders out there ready to ride in place of Jamie.

I think it is you that needs to get your facts right. The NL is not run independently as all their meetings are overseen by the Management Committee, with all decisions having to be ratified at a General Committee meeting. All the standalone clubs pay fees to the BSPA and to the SCB, the insurance is cheaper because the benefits are much reduced from the other two legs, and the referees fees are slightly less because the referees choose to charge less for their services.

There is posting from him on Facebook. No he hasn't retired from speedway but last season took it's toll on him trying to run his butchers shop and being a speedway rider as well, particularly riding for the Warriors with a full on programme meaning quite a bit of time away from the shop. Life running a shop on the high street has proved to be a bit more challenging than was anticipated due to various problems, but he has definitely not retired. I am sure he will appreciate your comments.

It is tough but that is how it works until somebody comes up with another way of team building from year to year.

Thank you Richard for your words of support. The handicap and the gate change rules only apply to the NT competition, not the league, and were agreed by all three participating clubs as a way of creating something a little different. No rider will be left out of his/her nominated race, it is not a tactical substitution but a means of trying to do things differently. As you may know the IOW have held handicap races for a number of years and this season we tried 6 riders in the final for the first time so we keep innovating. Some things work and some don't but unless you try, you will never know.

They will only have 6 away meetings so it shouldn't be a major problem. I think Ryan Mc did his fair share this season without too many hiccups although he did suffer some cruel rain offs.

It is still there and is used every weekend for speedway and flat track and sometimes in the week as well. Track is good now.

Are you sure it was 29 and not 28!!!

There is also on top of your list BSPA admin fees, SCB track and official fees. You are right, not much change on gates of 150 and just in case anyone is wondering about your 90 points, you have to pay your riders for the equivalent away fixture and of course travel to both.

Former Potter Chris Widman was there in the crowd.

False dawn that is spot on, and you can understand in a way why so little was spent on the stadium if the lease they had allowed the owners to do this. Not much incentive to spend any money knowing that it could be snatched away at short notice.

Great work again Mike. Thank you so much for doing it so well from often scant information. It is much appreciated.

Looks like a forgone conclusion. Plymouth woefully weak due to injuries obviously beyond their control.

Yes Ben did a great captains job leading from the front, and it was nice to hear absolutely no complaints about the track. A bit slick but very smooth.

What has happened to the KL track? Not been for a few years but has generally produced good racing in the past.

Looking at the webcams down there it looks like a good call by the Plymouth promotion.

Not sure your list of riders in the same boat as David is very accurate. Mark Baseby has retired, Taylor Hampshire is taking time out and I am sure Adam Roynan isn't fit yet.

Glorious sunshine in the late morning/afternoon meant constant watering but it got quite cold later and the Warriors blankets were on show yet again. Flaming June!!

Many thanks Rob.

Rob has promised that they will be in this afternoon.

I have just sent a message to Rob Dyer to see if he can post them as my programme was incomplete. What I can tell you is the track was much improved this week and enabled Georgie Wood to record the fastest time of the season.