Big Al

I think that Proctor and Bates have both had employment from the Bates family businesses as key workers in Sewage and Waste Water. I'm not sure if this is still the case, but if they are still engaged as key workers, could that be a factor in their struggling a bit, so far? In the case of the Thompsons, surely it is better a case of "steady as it goes" at present and assess them fairly at end of the season?

Is Dakota Ballantyne eligible to get a visa?

I'd hang on until they make the next signing. A former world champ now living in California??

I'd give it about 5 matches

Is that down to him having signed a contract in Sweden since Swindon withdrew, or would it just not be possible for a GB team to fit him into the new averages limits?

Has there been any word yet from Jason Doyle about his plans for the season?

Who will emerge as the No.1 ?

I decided, against my better judgement, to go to two Leicester home matches during one of their recent seasons in the Elite (?) league. They were against Belle Vue and Wolves - both of them clubs with good reputations, and with supposed star no.1 riders in Matej Zagar and Freddie Lindgren. These were strong factors in me deciding to go. Against Belle Vue, we were treated to Mr Zagar throwing a hissie fit in that he made it obvious that he didn't want to be there, to the extent that he created unnecessary danger to other riders (and was possibly doing it in order to earn exclusion from the match). Against Wolves, Lindgren mostly struggled around in 3rd or 4th, on machinery which looked to be not up to scratch. Those proved to be my only and last matches at Elite league level. Top quality is only top quality if it performs like it on the night. There is nothing worse than underperformance in driving someone away.

So the "star" ratings system means the lower the number of stars a rider is given, the higher his rating?? Or am I just confused

The teaser returns!! Here goes....SOME options.....meaning two out of the above three? Logic would mean the only one still available to go with due to AGM changes is Anders Rowe. Which probably means it won't be anything of the sort!!

I'm sure its just a coincidence that a BSPL website item about Leicester having got a new signing lined up, is followed immediately by one about Lewis Bridger making a comeback?

All centre greens to be converted to golf courses. 160-bedroom luxury hotels to be built on car parks

Strong rumours that a new "Supremo" is all set to take over, but no announcement is going to be possible until Wednesday evening UK time, after he officially leaves his current job

goodness me, that old expression about squabbling over the arrangement of the deck chairs whilst the ship is sinking, has hardly been more applicable

Problem is, and I think this applies at Leicester, local authority-imposed regulations for noise suppression can dictate how open the pits are, and their location and this probably applies especiallly to new stadia or when existing ones want to re-configure?

What a complete fiasco, cock up, failure. No easy way out from this now.

Think they got it because its a fair way to the stadium from the car park

Happy to be corrected as this is making a presumption, but do riders' racing styles and their setups make a significant difference to wear and tear of their machinery and therefore their costs over a season? Ellis rode a lot of races during 2019, I only saw him at Leicester both for Lions and Cubs, but he was always giving it full gun for 4 laps, even if he was half a lap ahead as was often the case with the Cubs.

Saw pictures of Doug "Flyer" Wyer a few weeks ago, looks good at 73. And also read that Graham Plant's been back on a speedway bike

If that's the case, why bother awarding any points to those riders who finished in positions 9-16? Just give them all zero!

Almost as confusing as the new cycle lanes on the A6

If they are going to stick with this new points system, then for next year they should think very hard about getting rid of having two semi-finals, and going with seeding the two top scorers direct into the final, and having a race-off for the other two places. Otherwise its leaving things too open for somebody like Freddie going the full 20, or someone like Laguta having his efforts wasted due to a freak occurrence in the semi.

Good fun. was Henning during his short stint. Announced at signing as being an "out and out number one" by our beloved former promoter Mr Hemsley. By that time, many had become accustomed to his blarney and didn't for one minute believe that, and of course Henning got nowhere near to that status. But along with Kevin Doolan, he knew how to work a crowd.

Spotted in Speedway Star recently...... Sergei Darkin makes comeback to help out Togliatti, age 47 Ilya Bondarenko returns to action for Vladivostock. Is he still using lawnmower engines? Greg Walasek regularly putting up double figures at No.1 for Opole Who would we see making a comeback for the Lions if any matches take place this year??

Completely understandable, especially if they have an alternative (and reliable) source of income.