drew2

Spot on, they both wanted the same piece of track at the exact same moment. For the Rebels Wrighty and Jake were awesome with Paddy, Josh and Starkey solid. Rohan will sort it out soon i'm sure and Jan will get better the more race fit he gets. For Leicester Nilsson was good when he gated but very average when he didn't, Gomolski worked hard but always lost out to a Rebel, Bjerre was ok until his collision with Jake, King was very good and quick, Bates was generally out of control and poor and Ayres failed to turn up collecting a lengthy row of coconuts. Not bad racing for the opening meeting of the season and track was good despite looking a bit wet to start with. In reality not much different to last years racing to be honest just the different name.

Somerset website hardly registers the Rebels are at Kings Lynn yet!

At Somerset 5 minutes racing equates to over 5 races so will that mean a SGP KK appears for the Pirates?? 000000000!!

Who and what actually classifies as a 'big name' rider? Looking back at the 80's you had a lot more regular World Finalists in British Speedway but then again if the SGP wasn't so difficult to get into then a few more riders might have enjoyed a great year and made it to the 'big one' at the end of it. Does that then classify them as a big name if they have ridden in a World Final? Modern riders hardly get the same chance now especially when something like 11 riders out of 16 i think used to qualify from the ICF to the World Final each year. When does a 'lesser' rider become a bigger name? What does he have to do? Is it because riders are starting in the NL/CL and we still think of them as that level despite their progression into higher leagues? For me, two such riders will be coming to the tapes for the Rebels this year in the shape of Paul Starke and Charles Wright. If any one has seen either or both of those two in full flow at the Oak Tree then they will know they look superb and in total control of their machines and able to squeeze through gaps only they can see. For me seeing that is worth the admission money and makes no difference that they aren't big name riders as such. The chances of either making the GP series now are slim with no disrespect meant to either of them. Going back to the 80's people remember riders the Carr brothers, the Owen brothers, Neil and Phil Collins to name a few who all feature in excellent races you can find on You Tube. They weren't 'world class' at the time (regular world finalists) but all entertained the paying public royally and are remembered fondly. Is this how we will remember the riders of today in 20/30 years? I hope so rather than just saying we had no big names in the sport in 2017. It is time for us to accept the rider progression/ changing of the guard whatever you want to call it and embrace the current day fare? If we don't they won't even remember what the sport is in 30 years time let alone talk about the riders!

They will be announcing the date of their annual Golf Day soon too!! Have any other clubs done that??

I think Jake will make a big impression this year and surprise quite a few (not just with his trademark divebomb into the 3rd bend either!).

Got a feeling Jake may be riding in Denmark too next year so the Premiership might be difficult to fit in with Somerset.I know he had already had offers from Denmark after his Aussie U21 WTC showings last year.

I'll support whoever comes to the tapes in the Rebels colours in March. Remember this league isn't the Elite League it is a step down from that 2016 product. Alos remember our 2016 PL side swept all before them despite not being tipped by many. In effect we have replaced BWD with Hougaard and Jan takes up the number 7 spot that Zach and guests filled last year so if he scores points then fine. I think you would back Paddy to score more than BWD at the moment at a slightly higher level. The rest all know what they are doing 'at EL level' as they have had plenty of experience there. The key man is Jake and Somerset fans know exactly what he is about and he will surprise many in 2017 I think. If he starts at reserve he won't be there long and whoever replaces him will prove just as useful in that position. At the end of the day Garry's track record of building teams is pretty damn good so lets trust him because if it isn't working he will makes the changes he feels he needs to. Think back to 2013 when Stefan was axed for Wrighty mid/late season, no one liked that but the rest mentioned below is history shall we say! Premier League Champions 2013, 2016 PL KO Cup - 2013/15 PL League Cup 2016 PL Shield 2014/16 PL Pairs Champs 2013/16 PL Fours Champs 2014 Looks like Rye have gone cheque book speedway, lets hope it works.

but they have moved down a League to the Championship i believe??

I sense you rarely see Charles and Paul ride then. BWD is good but still room for Wrighty and Starkey to improve... and they will

Going to have to remember where all these tweets are I think to quote them when Rebels beat certain sides in 2017? The 2016 Rebels were not very highly thought of on here last December were they........ but they didn't do too badly!

Great to see Jake back too!

Wrighty and Starkey are back!

down the straights and turn left hopefully?

I think you will find the golf range also has restrictions as their lights had to be placed into the ground to shine upwards when it opened. When it was realised that the speedway lights were actually higher than the Range structure they were moved onto the roof (after they got flooded during a heavy downpour one day!).

As a Rebels fan I would say Garry May (or when he couldn't make it to Peterborough earlier in the season someone called Garry Day ). He can certainly motivate any team of 7 riders and has proved that over the last 5 years at Somerset. He knows how each rider operates and the best way to get the best out of them. As others have said Neil Street was very good also. I can class him as a family friend but it didn't matter if you had known Neil for years or 5 minutes he would still share his knowledge with you if you gave him the opportunity.As SCB said he knew more about the sport than most of us!

If it all went to one bigger league with the EL clubs (that are still going!) plus the stronger current PL it might work. As said before the local derbies with Poole and Swindon would be good. If that happens and the averages are the PL ones adopted and converted then hopefully most of the 2016 team can be back, if they want to be. For me, I would love to see Jake back along with BWD, Wrighty and Starkey for starters. Whatever the setup and points limit Gazza and co will have a great team assembled I am sure. With the way Somerset look after their riders I'm also sure there won't be a shortage of riders wanting to come to Cider country in 2017!

and more to come later on i sense........ CHAMPIONS!!

it isn't as it is 0.04 too high!!

Great performance by the Rebels tonight although the Tigers were much poorer than i expected. From the moment Jake and Rohan hit the front in heat there was only going to be one winner. Expected Garcia to be better as in the KO Cup he looked quite useful against the 4 man Rebels. Not sure how Shanes got excluded in heat 8 as surely at worse it had to be first bend bunching and unless my eyes were deceiving me i thought it was Ayres out of control who collected Lunna. It made no difference to the result but very surprised to see heat 15 awarded on lap two as Starke and Lawson were still battling it out and I thought Starke was in front although i was watching Jake pull some interesting shapes on a speedway bike before falling! Maybe Mrs Turnbull had to get home quickly? Hope the guy who collapsed at the end and was taken away in the ambulance is ok?

I think we have beaten them home and away, wet and dry this season anyway! Bring them on!

Well done to the Rebels! Seems 16 points lead was ample as i always thought it would be. 4th final in 5 years is a pretty impressive stat, congrats to the promotional team as much as the riders for that. Lets beat those Tigers now whichever variety we have to face!

i did say IF

no Glasgow will have to do better than that especially if Somerset are back to claim the PL Title later this month. and i wouldn't be surprised if you weren't the 'brains' behind the whole which rider fits and rides tracks well for the Rebels when the need arises??

nah Ippo can have him back if they want! (***** Somerset poster alert ***** add it to the count!)