*JJ

There is some talk now about closer ties with Australia now that we are out of the EU, so no more need for visas for Aussies coming here, and for Brits going there.

All of which is beside the point. Why were the 'ghost teams' a 'thorn in the side' of the BSPA? The result of this decision is to sharply reduce the opportunities for riders to develop into team riders proper. In any case, all MDL teams - including those theoretically attached to league teams - were run by 'enthusiasts' in my experience.

'Amateur' means that they don't get paid - but pay to enter instead.

I do bear this in mind, and always stop for a break half way along a journey. As for accidents: most are caused by young men under 25!

Actually, all this business is just some busybodies (who, of course, know what is best for the lower orders) being silly as usual. I am 76, and will be taking my caravan to away matches, Redcar, Plymouth and Poole, Berwick and Newcastle and so on. I have always had good night vision and still have.

It is true of a surprising number on this forum, but not all of us.

Is that good or bad, then?

Depends on whether Godfrey or Mason offer him the most cash!

Non sequitur ... I am not sure what you are argueing? It doesn't answer my point.

You've been watching 'Once A Jolly Swagman' again! This hasn't happened for very many years. Nowadays, the standard is so high that except for a minute number of hyper-talented riders, nearly all have to go through the ladder of training sessions/amateur racing/MDL/NL to reach Championship standard.

It's what happened. No-one could have forseen that Garrity would go insane and get locked up?

Or Birmingham!

First two signed for Birmingham.

Been no problem in the last few years.

Laurence Rogers has said that Birmingham will be running a MDL team this year, so I presume that it will go ahead.

Explain?

It could be BWD, who is delaying making a choice of clubs, probably hoping that he can get a better deal.

I suspect that James Shanes is nailed on; and Grobauer isn't mentioned anywhere else. The real mystery is the third heat leader.

About five years ago, I commented that Clegg was too good for the NL: he certainly is now. He should have moved on a long time ago.

Well, wrong again it seems ... at least they don't have to depend on Pedersen now!

Rumours ... you don't believe that, do you?

Pedersen made it obvious that the British League came about tenth on his list of priorities when he rode for Birmingham in 2012 (and so became very unpopular). Still, I suppose that Plymouth had to sign someone from a short list as No. 1.

I wonder why, as he has been announced by the team manager as the RS? Still, the Brummies have James Shanes on the list!

Some years ago, I drove a new rider around to the training sessions; nobody taught him how to lay it down (mind you, nobody taught anyone anything). However, when he was in about his last MDL match, a rider fell in front of him, and he laid it down in a flash. I don't know how he knew how to do this, though; probably having slid off onto his backside plenty of times!

Ulrich Ostergaard?