SarahLapworth

Its hard to say what the National League has become now days. In many respects it is probably a two tier league where you have teams like Dudley and then bona fide development clubs like Buxton. Either way it is still important to have the league as it is the platform for British talent and if the league has become more competitve then that can only be good. I have seen a few comments where people have said there are riders who stay in the NL because its easy money for them and I can see their point. As harsh as it seems maybe the BSPA should slap a ban on riders who have raced in more than 100 PL meeeting from racing in the NL? Its a very similar rule we have in the junior leagues.

Thanks Mike, This is a big help for me to keep track of all this years records after the Vikings website was unexpededly shut down early

15 in February so he is allowed to ride in both the MDL and NL next year

Nathan Greaves

Liam Rumsey and Lee Geary should be back. work well together as a pair.

I don't know who Blayne and Laurence intend to use at this stage but I would assume it would be made up of only riders that are to become Coventry assets. I can't see Mick investing on other clubs assets. I agree that Jaimie Pickard would be a good call - he is very enthusiastic and on his day can beat anyone in the NL, but my concern is he has been around a few seasons now so is he ever going to make it above NL or just be a good NL rider and I think that is the difference that the Coventry promotion would be looking at.

This is excellent news all round. The Mercia Vikings will act as the feeder team for the NL side and it will create a lot of opportunities for the MDL riders to progress. I hope a lot of the other Elite league clubs take note as this is the way forward if we are ever going to be a force in the Grand Prix and World cup again

The first AGM for the MDL will take place on Saturday 1st December 2012 where proposed rule changes will be discussed towards next season. It is hoped a senior member of the SCB will attend. We will also be discussing possible league expansion with an application from the Castleford Kings already on the table, and also what form next years play offs will take. Details of the final outcome from this meeting will be posted in due time but in the meantime I would like to hear some feedback from the fans about their thoughts on how this years competition has gone and how we could improve it. Thanks in advance Kelvin Lapworth

Me and Laurence were talking about this last night, and you are right. The main team riders sometimes forget that they were once second half riders who were trying to make thier way in the sport and should have a little consideration for the next generation. What I would like to see in the future is a main team rider coming over to the MDL riders after he has finished with his riders and offering the juniors some track advise ect, Just little things like that can go a long way in improving these lads.

The MDL has been a huge success this year and has helped many riders progress into the National League. Dan Greenwood has become a better rider and has gained a great deal of confidence from being involved in it which will benefit him a great deal in the future. The league has also helped the likes of Conor Coles, Liam Rumsey and Lee Geary. I think it is very unfair to say the league has been win at all costs and I beg to differ with anyone that says so. Myself and Laurence at Mercia always gave priority to those riders who did the away meetings for us as it is always hard to get riders to travel and they were the ones that were rewared with regular rides at Coventry.

After a few days rest from all things speedway I have come to reflect on what a huge success the first staging of the MDLRC was A massive thank you to all the sponsors, Leicester speedway and my colleague Laurence for all the time and effort that was put into making it such a superb meeting. I hope we can work a deal with Leicester to return again next year as every supporter I spoke to said they really enjoyed it. Of cause, as Co team manager of the Coventry-Mercia Vikings I am delighted that Dan Greenwood took the title but what really made me happy was the smile on Liam Rumseys face for getting third. The lad was chuffed to bits and its moments like that that make me realise that the MDL is working. A big thank you to all the riders who took part - they raced hard and with every race that went by the entertainment got better and better. You were all a credit to the event and long may the MDL continue Kelvin Lapworth MDL Co-ordinator

STOKE Spitfires got back to winning ways with a 20-16 victory over the Long Eaton Invaders in the Midland Development League on Saturday night. The Spitfires got off to a flying start with a maximum 5-1 in the opening heat from skipper Shaun Tedham and Martin Wrathall over Lee Springthorpe. The Invaders pulled back to within two points in heat two as rider/team manager Lee Geary gained the first of his four victories on his way to a twelve point maximum as he got the better of Andy Mellish to give the Invaders a 4-2 heat advantage with the Spitfires leading 7-5. Stoke extended their lead in heat four as Wrathall and Mellish combined for a maximum 5-1 heat win over Springthorpe and Trevor Bebbington to give the Spitfires a 15-9 lead after four heats. Geary took victory in heat five but as Tedham and Wrathall packed the minor placings it mean't the Spitfires took victory with a heat to spare. Geary completed his maximum in the final heat as the Invaders gained a 4-2 as Springthorpe took third Mellish spliting the Invaders pairing but it was the Spitfires that took the victory 20-16. Stoke 20: Shaun Tedham 7, Martin Wrathall 6+1, Andy Mellish 6+1, Sean Phillips 1+1 Long Eaton 16: Lee Geary 12, Lee Springthorpe 4, Trevor Bebbington 0

So is anyone brave enough to predict a winner yet??

The rules will be looked at next year but it is down to the BSPA/SCB to approve and rubber stamp them. I personally think the MDL has been a big success this year and has seen a few of its regular riders graduate to the NL which is what we are about. I do get a little bit frustrated somethimes when people say to me "its win at all costs" as I believe that all teams have put out evenly matched teams this year compared to 2011. We do have to make the riders competitive though as that is the only way they will improve and go forward. Looking back at last night, its fair to say that Long Eaton struggled to field their regular squad as 2 of them were in Belgium and then we had AJL meetings. They were also limited to which NL rider they could put out as both Connor Coles and Liam Rumsey have progressed into the NL, meaning they can only use one of them at any time. Hats off to Cookie though for riding last night, I can say that he will not be setting a new trend as there is no way either myself or Laurence will get on a bike unless they give us a 2 lap start Kelvin Lapworth MDL Co-Ordinator

Actually Nicki has never raced Somerset in a 2nd half for the Vikings. The closest he got was when we visitied in October 2009 but did not ride after his bike caught fire whist warming it up. He has done an open meeting there last year and scored about 4 points.

I trust that you have not heard of the MDL or AJL then?

I have read some of the comments on this thread with interest and I would like to put forward the policy behind the MDL The word development was added to the league rather than junior because that is what we are, a league where riders can develop regardless of age. We prefer and encourage all teams to be made up of youngsters where possible but adding the odd "older rider" to the team can be usefull to the kids as they can benefit from it. Also there has been a lot of ex Moto X riders come over to Speedway recently who are in their late 20's to early 30's who are showing good potential. Just because they are over 21 does that give us the right to descriminate against their age and tell them they are never going to make it? Greg Hanckock and Tomasz Gollob have both proven older riders can still be at the top of their game. Kelvin Lapworth - MDL Co-Ordinator

Does anyone know if today's Ufa gp is available to see on a live stream via russian tv? Cheers

Darcy Ward was a foregone conclusion, Nicki Pedersen as a 3 time champ is an automatic choice, Chris Harris as everyone says is the "token Brit" although I think he has really got to pull his finger out next year to justify it. I am a little suprised that Lindgren has been given a wild card though. He is a top rider don't get me wrong but he is still young and has plenty of time to prove himself at this level and qualify in his own right. I would have presumed BSI would have brought in another new blood to the series along with Darcy. Hancock, Crump and Gollob only have another couple of years left at this level so the promoters need to be looking towards the future. On the subject of wild cards who's gonna get the pick for the New Zealand GP?? I hate to be ignorant but I can't think of any Kiwi's that would give any real challenge to the regular 15 unless Ivan Mauger is making a comeback!

Darcy Ward was a foregone conclusion, Nicki Pedersen as a 3 time champ is an automatic choice, Chris Harris as everyone says is the "token Brit" although I think he has really got to pull his finger out next year to justify it. I am a little suprised that Lindgren has been given a wild card though. He is a top rider don't get me wrong but he is still young and has plenty of time to prove himself at this level and qualify in his own right. I would have presumed BSI would have brought in another new blood to the series along with Darcy. Hancock, Crump and Gollob only have another couple of years left at this level so the promoters need to be looking towards the future. On the subject of wild cards who's gonna get the pick for the New Zealand GP?? I hate to be ignorant but I can't think of any Kiwi's that would give any real challenge to the regular 15 unless Ivan Mauger is making a comeback!

Team Viking riders Lee Geary and Sam Woods will be competing in this meeting

I have just read on the BSPA website that Dudley are giving an outing to a 43 year old who is making a comeback. Can I say that I think this is an absolute joke, yes its sentimental that a former Heathens favourite is ridng again but I thought the whole idea of the National "development" league was to give up and coming youngsters a chance and not to give old has beens a jolly (I don't mean any personal offence on you Mark). As coordinator of the Midland League I have been on the phone to nearly every NL team manager until my face turns blue trying to get the better riders the chance that they deserve. If only Messers Pottinger and Pearson would open their eyes they would see talent in the likes of Conor Dwyer, Lee Geary, Tom Woolley and Conor Coles all of whom have all beaten national league level riders in the Midland league this year. What do these guys have to do to get an opportunity? I wish all the best to Mark but in all fairness The NL should be used to bring on raw British talent - isn't that what Nigel Pearson preaches to us every week on SKY? Kelvin Lapworth

Although I stand by my original comment about giving youngsters priority I'll admit I was wrong about Mark and I'll take my hat off to him last night. Well done!! Kelvin Lapworth

I would suggest you look at the name under the initial comment - This whole thread was written by my husband Kelvin while I was at work for 14 hours today - So unfortunately I do not have time to spend in the kitchen you narrow minded individual

Being the last home meeting of the season gives even more reason to give a youngster a chance if they have nothing to lose. Maybe Simon Cross and Phil Collins might make a comeback now! Love winding all you Cradley fans up lol