Sings4Speedway

Perhaps it was Josh who was hesitant to take on the extra meetings? I don't know their exact circumstances but unless Josh can make NL pay for itself (not easy) and then make enough from reserve rides at the higher leagues to cover the costs of bikes & living for both himself & mechanic (Dad) then he they will need to try and hold jobs down as well. Not easy when you have 100 meetings to squeeze in as well. As for his sharing partner Kinsley is possible but i think Connor Mountain is a better shout?

You are fully entitled to your opinion. Personally I feel that the most important thing is maximum bike time available to riders and as many varied tracks as possible. I also think that team mentality and team riding is best learnt as early as possible. Who would fund these individual meetings?

Good point although would supporters be happy with RR all season? Again a very fair point made. Perhaps a limit on the number of times a team can use RR each season? Maybe twice home and twice away so that extreme cases can be covered but equally the facility isn't abused?

Have to admit I made assumptions surrounding Martin with his IOW commitments so even more hats off to him. I knew Steve quit due to being disalusioned but didn't know the circumstances surrounding his departure

Im going to let it pass as a questionable attempt at humour as surely an Ipswich based supporter couldn't be against junior league racing when both Witches reserves are MDL graduates

How about enforcing the use of a NL rider (Championship eligible 2 pointer) rather than allowing RR (or limit RR to a couple of uses per season to cover last minute emergencies?) that way riders looking to move up could gain experience, some teams would abuse the RR facility would not benefit, meetings would not be so drawn out & hopefully clubs would look to avoid signing riders who are doubling up.

Makes dropping it from Leicester all the more gaulling. They have the perfect opportunity to run MDL i.e weekend race night, late curfew etc to be fair the writing has been on the wall since Steve Cook left & then Martin Widman. Its about time the governing bodies did something to support the junior leagues like a reduced league entry incentive along with reduced/free memberships for those who organise the teams / leagues. Yes there are clubs that logistically cannot host junior league racing due to strict curfews but those that can and opt not to should hang their heads as the demise of the sports future riders rests with them.

Only just seen this but couldn't agree more with the points surrounding the mdl being dropped it's ludicrous. Do Leicester honestly think if the Thompsons make it they will definitely sign does Leicester or just the club who offers the best deal. Add in that most number 7's in the premiership this season started out in the mdl. Where are the next batch of riders coming from and able to hone their skills? If anyone is blinkered enough to say the youth rounds then more fool them. There is a trickle who are good enough top3/4 but the sport requires more riders than that to progress if it's to survive. I'm hoping at least that Bates will be re-instating the MDL at Sheffield to even things out?

There are some truely remarkable individuals who run MDL teams and put in countless hours & stresses for no reward other than the pure love of the sport. Sadly as often pointed out they along with riders are all too often treated poorly by promoters (and many supporters) who treat them as second rate & an inconvenience rather than a benefit for the sport & its future. Then there are the governing bodies who set out a remarkable amount of hoops to be jumped through & financial requirements just to bring an amateur team to the tapes. For all of its flaws this is still the most honest & enjoyable league currently racing in this country.

Lebdevs could be the signing of the season, Riss is focused on Speedway this year & missing the longtracks, Nilsson with some consistancy has the potential to be a top number 1 in this league plus i think Ayres will have the beating of most number 7's (bar Bates & Huckenback). If the Lions fans have been craving some passion & desire from previous teams you can bet that Danny will bring that by the bucket load.

I would say there is no fear about the rider doing well and keeping Anders out of the team. From whenever i have seen him he has been on ropey equipment (could have been replaced over the winter), has been running in the Scunthorpe amateur support class (could have made dramatic improvements over the winter) and appeared a little stroppy when results didn't go his way (could be said of most speedway riders). Getting to some of the early Kent meetings will mean busting a gut this year & with the offerings on show im not sure how much i will bother?

She doesn't think much of you then? 😉

The 2015 Brum side had most of thier big away wins on the back of performances from Zac Waj or Kirby. Not sure Sam Woods has ever been a match changer. Back to Mildenhall and yes i do think they have a solid looking side but there are reliability / composure doubts surrounding Woods & Ruddick. I would bet there will be a couple of 5-0's in heat 2 over the course of the season.

As most of the above have correctly pointed out a number 8 can only take the RR rides and there is no minimum amount they can take. So all to often a number 8 is booked and stands on the sidelines all night

I would be pretty worried if the 3 mentioned are the most promising options. All spend too much time off the bike or off the pace

Whilst i agree that it appears the MDL is going to be very spread and potentially northern biased this season i personally feel that it is good experience & exposure for riders to have to travel up to Belle Vue midweek with school the following day (using the example you offer) as these are scenarios that they will face when competing in the NL. If riders can sustain themselves riding in the MDL/NJL for free then once they enter league racing and receive some compensation for their efforts it will ease the burden. However as its your opinion on a public discussion forum, posted in a coherent considered manner i fully respect it & hope that both the independent Mildenhall approach & the MDL prosper & develop new riders for years to come.

Shame that Mildenhall have opted not to field an MDL side this season and focus on home rider development? 2nd half track time is very important to riders of all ages so whilst its a benefit that they club will still supply it i can't help thinking they are being very short sighted by not including a Jnr squad and giving them experience of racing on other tracks, as part of a team and the travelling required etc. The cynic in me thinks that they are upset about losing Taylor Hampshire as the MDL offered him exposure to other clubs but their actions are going to create riders who can only ride the west row circuit?

Whilst a rider may not officially retire if they don't ride from the end of 2014 isn't self imposed exile the same thing? (not that its hurt Rikki Mullins chances). Reece had plenty of potential but like many around his age appears to have drifted away from the sport? Would think a better bet would be a local second half rider / Nick Phillips for the final position.

Think Jacobs would be 10.72? Either way far too high. With just over 11 points to play with and hints that Buxton will be without another true heatleader it points towards a 5 & 6 point rider and Shelby starting at reserve?

No surprise but definitely a relief. Gives Kent a very solid looking 1-5 although a lot will depend how they line up. Good years for Clifton & Stoneman & its a side that will be towards the top, average years for them and its mid table mediocrity i fear.

If all riders brought the cheapest items available we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place. Great point. If a rider has the cheaper to run engines then surely they need less points/attendance money as their outlays are down. equally what are the deals with cubs signing riders who are considering a new GTR? A rider competing on their current engines with setups already known is far more attractive than a rider who will require time to adapt and get the best out of the new engines.

Excuse my ignorance but can anybody explain laser leveling in simple terms? Is the track dug up and then re-laid with laser level precision? Or is it simply a laser is used to measure the dips & lumps and then the shale is raked about accordingly?

I think even the NL riders will want more than £10 a point but still certainly less of a financial drain. Hopefully it will offer some NL exposure to those who don't view it very often (either by chance or location). Might even see some P'boro fans warm to the idea of having an additional NL team for the 2018 season?

Success will always bring imitators. 'IF' GM & Jawa improve the lubrication system of their new engines it could be disastrous for the GTR project as while riders will always pursue the fastest options they are also creatures of habit. How long have a multitude of silencers been available, 5 years? and how many riders still choose King as the default pipe.

6.48 i believe so Hopwood would put the Kings about half a point under the limit. In fairness only Cradley, Mildenhall, Stoke & possibly IOW (depending on Cook's mystery average) have got close to 39 point limit. With only Buxton, Belle Vue & Kent able to fit Hopwood in i would say we are nailed on and need to be if the side is going to have a competitive look to it. Although a very poorly kept secret it does at least make sense to name the most positive signing last.