Big Al

Ok maybe not. How about KK then?

Holder?

Most recent SGB average is 3.33 in CL which converts to, what, 2.++ for PL? Rumour about him signing for Lions began a few weeks ago, so perhaps the club were trying to get his GSA verified before confirming him? Based on his form in 2017 I doubt if the club would have him at 3.81 whereas 2.++ could mean Kim Nilsson or similar as the final appointment.

Simon Lambert has to miss a large chunk of each season injured. Not easy finding replacements for someone with such a low average

If Martin Vaculik does carry a 9 point assessed average, that bullet is probably worth biting. If Krys Pieszckek is assessed as 6 (or even 6.5 at a push) that might be ok. But if he is given a starting average of 7, I'm not so sure he's good value, especially if it means Kim Nilsson can't be fitted in. I have seen the rave reviews but would prefer us to start with three known heat leaders (classing King as the third) than have King as the no.2 and the third one not certain. Lasse Bjerre might also become a possibility for the team without Pieszczek.

After years of hearing all sorts of garbage from the previous owner/promoter since joining the top league, but actually ending up with teams composed mainly of leftovers and waiting and waiting for riders to be announced, I for one am delighted the new ownership has "jumped the gun" by announcing the signing of Martin Vaculik at such an early stage. I'm not including Jason Doyle in the "leftovers" category when he was signed from Birmingham, but he wasn't a GP rider at that stage and left due to the intransigence of the owners. The signing makes a statement, to the Leicester supporters and the rest of the league. We're not going to be the whipping boys any more. And we don't need charity handouts from the 1 over 8 fiasco. And, I'd much rather have a Plumber as club owner than a Hairdresser.

We know where the real power resides now. It's the Championship clubs. No wonder that Ipswich & co didn't want to shift leagues, stay with strength in numbers and make the higher level league dance to their tune. No surprise to hear the AGM sessions went on for so long in that case. The Premier League is now well and truly on its own, so can it survive or will they eventually fully concede and chuck in their lot with the Championship? Unless they can conjure up some TV money and league sponsorship, it's looking a bit dodgy. So we also have the 1 over 8 shoot-in-the-foot fiasco. Not content with being screwed over by the PL, why not inflict some self-harm as well? Already the World Champ looks like being lost to the UK. Nice start, guys. I wonder how many riders out there with 7-8 averages not currently riding UK will actually materialise? I bet they will be upping their financial demands because they can pretty much hold the UK top league to ransom now. And the tac sub? Heat 14 allowed?? Can they be serious? Imagine a guy coming out in all 3 of heats 13, 14 and 15. Gee, won't that really speed up the match being completed. How about a rule banning tac sub riders from having 2 rides on the trot? As my old mate Geoffrey Boycott would say, there's more brains in a Pork Pie.

What I see is a fudge of compromises, trade-offs and a rift between the two leagues which has been patched over temporarily. Its a case of most have got what they didn't ideally want, and some have got what they wanted. Next year's horse trading will just rake up the compromises made this time as favours reckoned to be owed are called in. Democracy in action!!

When we had Wilson, Boulger and Jessup at Leicester, plus a cast of regulars filling the other places, the crowds were good and interest high. All three moved on at various times although I think that DJ was first to go. There were conflicting stories around at the time as to whether he moved due to Rider Control, excessive money demands, or tightwad promoters. Whatever, we were then treated to a succession of riders coming in via the Rider Control system who were substandard and in many cases didn't want to be there and showed it by their performances. The club's decline was rapid and steep from then on until Rogers revived it a few years later.

I think the fixed race nights plan isn't primarily to entice GP riders etc to ride in the UK now. It's more about trying to tempt the more middle-range riders, who have been content with Swedish team places plus a Polish squad place. Polish clubs may now be happier to allow their mid-rangers here, the Museilaks of this world.

Contrast the attitudes of Holder and Zagar as described above (and I think they're true) with Martin Vaculik who has stated he wants to tackle a difficult track as part of his quest to become a better rider. These 3 are in pretty close proximity in the current GP pecking order. Let's see which one comes out on top in 2018. Maybe he's realised how much his 2 years at Leicester helped to move Mr Jason "British tracks are crap" Doyle on in his career.

This reminds me of Rider Control of the 70's in a different guise. It's back to the future in more ways than one! Who knows what the new starting rules will bring.

If Hancock would mean no Nilsson, Wozniak and Bjerre that's not good. Those 3 are riders with a connection and can be looked on as core team members for the future. To trade that for what would likely be one season from a 59 year old seems daft.

Must be Rohan Tungate then. 100% GP record

No Prima Donnas at Leicester, please.

Mick Horton and Boris Johnson. Not related are they by any chance??

The only way it could work! There just wouldn't be any logic to Sheffield Ipswich and Redcar carrying on running Thursdays if they remain in BCL. Not just from the point of view of clashes with Leicester but with the Premiership as a whole. I wonder if they've agreed willingly, though.

IF the Premiership fixed nights are Mondays and Thursdays, and IF any or all of Sheffield, Ipswich and Redcar stay in the Championship, there will still be doubling-up problems, won't there? So either those three would have to move up to the Premiership, or change their race nights. Wouldn't they??

I distinctly recall Mr Lynch stating on TV there will be no double uppers at Leicester next season

If the league is to attract a good enough sponsor, the logic is to run matches when there is the best chance of more well-known riders taking part and when televised coverage is more likely to happen. Those 3 would seem to tie in together. But I also think that a poor performing team would have more drastic consequences than has been the case so far in terms of attendance level. I remember the 1970's only too well!

I think a rumour which appeared on here during last winter claimed that landlord Mr Hemsley would not enter into a lease for speedway unless the main race night was Saturdays, and it was in the highest level league. Of course even if there was any truth in the rumour, the actual terms of the lease agreement struck with the new owners of Leicester Speedway will be in confidence. Sometimes the more "senior" level Swedish riders sign with a second tier club, but only ride for them very occasionally.

Will the landlord be happy with that?

Getting E.Riss commitment would be a good start, maybe on a transfer if they can afford it. No.1? Somebody who is currently a good No.2 and is ready to take a step forward, and it would be even better if he has a good record at BP.

It's a shame Leicester Comedy festival isn't on until February. This farce would have won the Perrier Award

Pretty surreal to have a trophy for finishing bottom of the league and avoiding relegation! Would have been more appropriate if somebody had bought a Mickey Mouse toy and presented that instead. So a future strategy for clubs is to aim low, because it's a good shot at getting a Pot. Any suggestions as to a name for this trophy??