Sings4Speedway

It's not a line of work, it's a developement league. The clue is in the name, the "National DEVELOPMENT League" Whilst I agree that it is and should be a development league does that mean that it should discriminate on the basis of age? Im not saying that I want to see a selection of 30 & 40 plus year old riders who will never achieve any better than the third tier I feel its hard on those who would benefit on another seasons racing whilst finding their feet in the PL. At present the regulations favour the 16 year olds who go flat out rather than those who have taken a little longer to find their feet. Whilst a flow of new talent is obviously required to keep things ticking over I don't approve of the make it by the time you are 25 or tough luck mentality.

I think there is some daft rule about riders over 25 being able to double up between the NL & PL ? Same as one rider over 30 in the NL silly. Any other line of work or hobby wouldn't allow any form of ageism and would be heavily penalised if they did!

Can't argue with either statements. I assume Perks will be staying with the Verge's again? Anybody know who will be acting as mechanic & driver this year?

I think everybody will be tripping over to get the signature of Ellis Perks although with him being signed in the P/L I suspect there will be a lot of date clashes? Of the others Kirby 3.68, Verge 3.57 & Harris 3.17 would still be too many. Verge has potential & would make sense to go in at 2 with two rookies at reserve. Im not sure I could handle another year of Calamity Kirby again.......

Check the MDL threads. The season end averages were there listing loads of potential riders. Obviously ignore the likes of Ayres, Bacon Kinsley etc who have already secured team places but there is plenty of potential in there. Anyone who has done at least 10-15 meetings last year shows they are prepared to travel. And if Layne doesn't get a team place this year after the miles he covered in the MDL it makes me wonder where the sport is headed.

Good point & good thing. New blood into the league is always interesting, entertaining and exciting. Some will make it, some won't. That's speedway. But without new riders coming in the sport wouldn't survive for long.

I don't see what the problem is. Len & John have been involved with the Kings since the start so why not stay and see through their project? For them its a case of same as last year with Andrew Silver picking up the additional work required to run the raiders. Removes the conflict of interest (sort of) so roll on the new season! In principle I agree with what you are saying however I cant really see that actually coming to fruition. From the sounds of things the Rye Raiders will be a development side where as Kent will be the stronger side? The loaning / guest issue is something that runs throughout the leagues not just between two particular clubs. If there is a reserve in red hot form at any team that isn't in / pushing for the play offs he will pick up bookings simple as that.

I would be very surprised if Chris Hunt isn't the kings team manager this year. Joined the setup last year and has the experience so its just good common sense (even if I know there is no place for that within speedway)

What did Bailey finish the season on? I thought he was around 5 / 5.50? If so that's definitely a 1-5 average and possibly a shade high for potential return?

Doesn't look too shabby. Two heat leaders & 3 second strings that will be pushing for the other spot. Reserves look pretty tasty and well capable of inflicting damage. Stay injury free and fingers crossed not too many date clashes and could sneak a top 6

1. Edward Kennett 8.38 2. Tyson Nelson 6.16 3. Nicolai Klindt 6.68 4. Steve Boxall ? 5. Jason Garrity 6.75 6. Oliver Greenwood 3.12 7. Ben Morley or James Sarjeant ? Can certainly see Steve in the team and getting going again but think Luke Bowen is destined to head up the Rye House NL side? Would be nice to see a full quota of Rye assets at reserve and certainly think Ben is capable especially around Rye.

Extremely gutting. I suspect that the major players will all get fixed up anyway thanks to their years experience. If I was a betting man I suspect Moggo - Eastbourne Verge - Lakeside Chapman - Mildenhall (Devon if they run) Perks - Whoever can sign him first (providing he comes back over) The other northern lads have possibilities at Buxton Either way I think having the benefit of a year will see them fixed up even though it is sad to see the Stags fold after just a year.

I too hope that they will be back at Scunny especially as I cant see them being bottom this year however with several southern based riders & potential southern based team places it might be hard to turn down? It was a little light ribbing at kings lynn and a couple of the old guard however I concede that they have brought many youngsters through. Young Bailey had an excellent season that went largely un-noticed and I strongly suspect that Kinsley will be included this campaign. It is also not easy to sign non full time riders when racing midweek despite having such brilliant facilities at the Norflk Arena

I suspect & hope you are right greyhound. Its always good to see 3 pointers at reserve anyway. I think due to the potential points drop there will be quite a merry go round in terms of riders and new teams (except kings lynn of course who track the same old every year) Who would have thought that with a full seasons league experience behind them the Scunthorpe lads could find themselves in high demand!

If only there had been an amateur league running all year in the background, giving riders the chance to ride different tracks and iron out any mechanical issues.............something that ran after main meetings and gave up and coming riders precious track time and exposure........ Oh hang on there was! The MDL has dozens of riders all looking to step up to the next level. I for one would like to see at least one if not both reserve berths in all National League teams awarded to riders who competed in the 2014 MDL season.

Not for the MDL there isn't. Cut off date for the play offs was the 21st so congrats to the top two. Im just noting the difficulty the clubs will have finding available meetings to run after.......as these are run under SCB rules and therefore require all the officials and medics (quite rightly) as the main meetings do.

Seems unlikely any of these will take place given that most clubs will have no available venues & the league points would not count anyway as the cut off has now been passed. Sheffield & Belle Vue have completed all their home meetings. Coventry do have elite and NL paly offs but can't see Sky wanting the MDL on track after so maybe two meeting possible at best? Not sure what Castleford could get organised at Scunny? Either way with Coventry / Stoke yet to face Sheffield in the KO cup home and away and then the winner of that having home and away meetings against Kings Lynn & Rye House vs MK Knights home and away in the play offs I suspect that some of the silverware wont be dished out this year.

Whilst at Mildenhall yesterday during the MDL after the main event i saw a rider run wide on a corner and brush against the air fence which dislodged a loosely tied advertising banner. The race was then stopped (fair enough safety grounds) but excluding the rider seemed a little bizarre..... ......Got me thinking what other weird and wonderful rider exclusions have there been over the years?

The trick with speedway is to pick your team and hope for the best simple as that! The way Edinburgh built their team (bar Cook) was based upon potential of riders and as its worked out all have had a fantastic year. Same could be said of Rye House as far as I see it only EK & JG have really delivered at any consistency this year and only one wants to be there. The rest all have potential and didn't deliver. If Box, Bowen & Lambo had delivered what they are capable of then who knows? Yes the Nelson / Tres situation went horribly pear shaped & Bunny blows far colder than hot but they weren't no hopers just non deliverers...............if they all hit a little form and confidence (Bunny aside) the same 1-7 could win the league next year!

Not wishing to sound negative but is this going to prove to be a blooper? Whilst I agree there are a lot of outstanding matches this is going to push things very tight for the available weeks remaining? Both KO cup semi finals need to be run home & away, plus both legs of the play offs. Im not against everyone getting as many rides as possible but the MDL can only run when there are main events taking place at relevant tracks. I have a sinking feeling that the play offs and KO final may not happen as there are just not enough usable dates left?

Wooosh says the Kent supporter. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones ? Benji Compton? Its the best I've seen the him ride the track this season Im not saying kent is perfect but Stoke was dangerous & shouldn't have gone ahead in my opinion. Every Kent rider fell (including Benji who has aggravated his wrist injury hence missing from Buxton) and several Stoke riders hit the deck too. When messers Mason & Armstrong are coming to grief you know the track is in a bad way!

Personally im surprised the meeting even went ahead! The track was awful. Arrived at 5pm to see a soft mushy inside line and hard fine outer. All the riders walked, kicked and commented on it and yet nothing was done except shrugging of shoulders by the promotion until the referee ordered some work to take place which started at just before 7pm. After 40 minutes of pointless grading the meeting went ahead on with all riders just using the outside line which produced poor racing and far too many falls as all riders were forced into a small area. I hope all those that took a tumble are ok and Benji recovers asap although im surprised nobody was seriously injured. As a sub note I also really feel for the MDL boys who had their part cancelled due to time constraints after the track work. All in all I think the Stoke promotion should hang their heads in shame and apologise for this farce. I for one will never make the trip to the potteries again!

I think JG is a certainty for a full 1-5 place in the elite league next year. Cheap on a 3 point average and capable of beating riders above his calibre. However.......his attitude stinks, not sure that I have ever seen him talk to a rye house team mate, there have been numerous rants about not being selected for heat 15 and I would argue his machinery is questionable at best. There are definitely bad apples at rye this year and sadly that attitude is rubbing off on others with any luck the Jason's will be gone next year then hopefully Anders will return, Ty Nelson will get a visa add a improving national league youngster and I think the team will both unify and push for honours.....

Getting tight for those illusive two play off places...............its going to be down to who can get the meetings run before the cut off date? If Rye House had got the meeting result at Buxton yesterday (stupid rain) it could be even tighter.................. ...........Milton Keynes a cert for a place but the other spot could go to any of the top 6 I reckon? What are everyone elses tips for the silverware this year?

I wouldn't worry too much about the state of the track (never been but also never heard a good word about it). I would worry / rejoice more about the weather........looks shocking at Buxton on Sunday so cant see this one going ahead ? Which leaves the tricky issue of....... 1. Will Kent have enough points for the play offs without it? 2. Will Kent push for a re-arranged fixture before the cut off?