Almost every team sport I can think of has differing levels of competition albeit that the top flight does not necessarily produces the best entertainment all of the time when compared with the lower tiers of the same said sport.   However, having multi levels/divisions/leagues of any particular team sport should serve to create ambition and aspiration to reach the very top of the chosen sport. This objective is applicable to owners, players and fans alike with a clearly defined pinnacle being the significant attraction for sponsors, investors and TV companies which ultimately creates interest in the lower echelons or "grass roots" as it is often referred too.  Unfortunately, UK speedway looks like it is heading towards creating one (low) level of competitiveness with no reason/need for a team/promotion to do anything other than to survive year on year. As such, rather than having a professional sport striving to grow from within and increasing its fan base speedway is in danger of  looking more like a circus coming to town. And it is son much more than that.  Conversely, having an elite top flight  league in the UK acting as a show piece for the sport creates the opportunity for ambition and aspiration to be encapsulated in order for the sport to flourish at all levels. There can be no doubt that a five team premier league, missing many of the recent top riders who have raced in the UK is far from ideal. However, and I say this more in hope than belief, keeping a top flight in 2026 is paramount to plans for 2027 and beyond, if during this coming year it is used as a catalyst to establish new significant sponsorship, investment & TV coverage.  I know if I was marketing the sport, I would need that clear demarcation and it would be of no surprise if Speedway Futures were also of that opinion.   

I would choose a format that is affordable, and sustainable, for as many teams as is possible... A format that makes the sport look like a "National One" covering the length and breadth of the country, and not some "By invitation only" one using a few random selection of teams scattered across England.. And a format that ensures ring fenced spaces for UK rider development, and not one that has riders riding for several teams, clogging up spots.. Currently you can win a league with some expensive GP stars, or win a different league with some NDL developing "wobblers"... The financial reward and wider mainstream media publicity is pretty much the same for both leagues... Put together a race format similar to the one used a few years ago whereby the HL's rode against each other more, as did the second strings and reserves, and build the sport again from scratch... The optics of a five team league in a pro sport look shockingly bad...

That’s what my thinking is 

I could definitely see the Vuolas happening as he always seems to score well when he visits and not sure if Workington can now fit him in.

This is the team that I’ve drafted out based on signings and who I think will sign  Josh Pickering 11.64 Declan Kennedy 4.63 Michael Palm Toft 6.10 Connor Mountain 5.96 Steve Worrall 6.82 // Anti Vuolas 6.87 Ryan Ingram 2.00 Jack Smith 2.61 = 39.76 // 39.81

I'm sure he would be worth ever penny