Leaderboard

What the hell are you expecting? Rome to be built in a day? The Masons are English. Neither of their first names is "Sheikh" and they don't dabble with Russian Oil Company stocks and shares. The Brummies are in a better league, on a limited budget, in just the promoters' second season in business, with commitments to aquire assets as is required by the league, having had the original assets stripped away from the club without compensation. All that means a huge outlay of cash. Not that those people who moan about admission prices care about that. Money grows on trees in their little bubbles. Finishing the season will be a success. Entertaining racing will be a success. More people on the terraces in September than in March will be a success. All you fans from other teams, don't worry, the Brummies won't be troubling the league leaders this year. But considering where the Brummies were 3 or 4 years ago, it's already a success to be where they are now. Let's be grateful that a foundation is being built and that in future years, the rewards will come.

Quote from the Bears promoter... Whether you agree with the 38 points limit or not, it will do exactly what it was intended to do and that is to reset the balance between all 3 leagues and give the younger British riders a ladder on which to climb in the sport. Contrary to what some may tell you, my main motivation to support this limit at he AGM wasnt financial, but to develop new British talent. When all teams have been declared, take a look at the reserve berths in the Championship and you will see lots of young riders being given a shot as a direct result. British speedway will benefit in the long run from this new crop of riders getting their chance.Read more: http://bears-talk.proboards.com/thread/3403/2019?page=10#ixzz5ZlUfN5Og

Lewis Rose has said he will not be returning to the sport. Best wishes to him for the future and thanks for all your efforts whilst riding for the Diamonds. He has said this on his Facebook page: "So after a long time off from speedway this year after putting everything into it during last winter preparing I think was easy for people to see I wasn't enjoying riding at all . Was such a hard decision to stop at the time . But now after being away from speedway I've decided not to return to it .. I had a good crack at it during the 6 years met some great people and made some close friends. I had some great sponsors who I can't thank enough for what they did for me and for understanding my decision this year .. Work is going good I'm really keen and eager to get stuck into work making this new business a success and a good future for my family .. hopefully see yas about and keep.in touch with everyone.. but thanks again to everyone who helped me a long the way you all know who you are so thankyou Lewis rose 822"

was you at the AGM how do you know redcar pleaded poverty as you said? Worry about your own team!

Nothing for sure but staying positive A few whispers here and there though nothing to pin my hat on naming on here Im sure whatever happens some will like it and others not a lot but it will be what we've got and we then need to get behind them and enjoy it

it seems to me that both of those aims have been met and i think that's fine. There is now clear divide between the leagues and NL riders are moving up. Don't see the problem

Ryan Terry-Daley is the Warriors fifth signing for 2019. Joins on 5.22. Full details on Facebook and club website.

Nine teams now complete and the others almost. I assume we finish with Kennett, Lawson and Zach. Having never followed this League it is hard to tell just how strong the other teams are but they look on paper to be well matched. No outright favourites and I suspect that forecasting the top four is almost as hard as winning the lottery. Redcar seem to be well fancied and we do know some of them. I would think our heat leaders could match theirs so it is down to the bottom four. I don't know Stewart but have seen the other three and they hold no major fear over our four so we should be competitive. It will be interesting to see how the continental riders handle Arlington as very few if any of them have been here. I was also surprised how many English riders are 'strangers' to Arlington because they had not made the Elite League when we left but were past the NL when we joined. Our home record should keep us mid table with the most likely challenge coming from Leicester. Richie Worrell was brilliant as a guest with Poole scoring something like 18 points in the Elite League and Nicholls and Perks are ex eagles . Mountain and Thomas have a fair bit of experience on the track but they did have difficulty against Wood and Brennan last year. All in all a fascinating year ahead, I just hope all those fans who refused to watch NL appreciate what is coming and return to the fold.

Completely agree ……..with one issue. Young riders of their level shouldn't be frozen out so they can be accommodated. That, however, is more of a matter of the points limit. No-one in their right mind would say that having Jon Armstrong (now well into his 40's) in the NL is a bad thing. I don't recall you objecting to Mark Baseby and when Ellis joined Eastbourne he was way beyond NL level - evidenced by a final finishing tally of 10.98 and the fact that at one point he was topping Poole's averages.

I assume you mean ulterior. Either way it worked, this cunning devious plan.

I agree with UK Martin and GA! I’m just grateful to be watching championship speedway! Thank you David/Peter Mason . I salute you. You definitely deserve my hard earned money through the turnstiles next season!

Astonished is the only word I can think of, they were one of three clubs who pleaded poverty at the AGM and they put a team like that together!!

I think teams having the likes of Ayres and Halsey is an important part of development so long as teams arent packed with them - one each side is positive Why? The new/lower guys have to have something to beat in order to progress Yes perhaps the 2 Dans arent going to go to the top but unless/until the newbies can challenge the likes of those 2 and beat them then there is little chance of progress for those other either

Sad news on Tomasz gollob , best wishes Tomasz. ON TOMASZ GOLLOB (10th of December) – Please, pray for this iron man Tomasz still struggles with the constant spastic pains, that does not allow him to function normally. Currently, he suffers so much, that it is impossible to continue the rehabilitation, which was to help him reduce the most onerous symptoms. Recently, Tomasz underwent the two operations: the first – the removal of the gall bladder, the second – an implantation a special stimulator near the spine to help fight with the pain. Unfortunately, despite that a few weeks have passed since the operation, even the smallest improvement has not been observed. 'For now, the implanted stimulator didn't help, but it doesn't mean, that there's no chance of improvement. At this point, we must focus primarily on a selection of appropriate parameters of stimulation and the treatment with antibiotics' – says professor Marek Harat. At present, the pains are so troublesome, that Tomasz rarely sit on the wheelchair and spends most of his time in a bed. 'Neuropathic pains are so strong, that the traditional painkillers are unable to control it. Patients are given the anti-epileptic medicines. The problem is, that Tomasz doesn't tolerate part of them and he feels very bad after them' – says professor Harat. Neuropathic pains occur in up to seven percent of patients with damaged spinal cord. They are so strong, that they are often compared to the electric shock, but medicine still does not know the answer, what is their reason. The pains occur independently or they can also be caused by an appearance of even the smallest stimuli, such as a skin contact with a clothing or a riding a wheelchair into the slightest unevenness. The recurring infections almost every week are also a huge problem. Tomasz's body is so weak, that any change in the conditions causes a high fever. This is why he avoids the guests, leaving the house only for the control and the next dose of strong drugs in the hospital. Despite the huge problems with his health, Tomasz intends to appear in public on 16th of December, during

Then Glasgow, Somerset and Sheffield should be racing in the Premier league and not with the poor poverty stricken teams , I'm sure they would have been accepted.

But we’ve already been told we’ve signed riders. Just because none have been announced doesn’t mean riders haven’t signed on. Louis likes to reveal the full 7 in one go.

Piotr Świderski?

A lower points limit makes it not such a big gulf between the the National league and Championship ,so yeah it is about promoting British riders

Funny how he pipes up as soon as Eastie leave the league mate lol

He will put at least two points on his average after his first away match, when he will get an average

Hoping the promoters have got something up their sleeves Dave as af the moment we look to have missed the boat for the second season in a row? All obvious options have gone elsewhere and if we fill the team with the usual suspects we’ll be down near the bottom again! Most other teams have 3 established heatleaders (even Sunday teams) and we currently have one who isnt a lover of the smaller tracks. Martin said previously that riders had been in touch before last season was properly ended asking for places so I hope there are new faces in the offing. The press releases up to now suggested the riders were surprised to sign for Newcastle - hope it wasnt purely because they had nowhere else to go?

I admire you optimism but would expect meeting the real Santa Claus would be more likely

Maybe this poverty thing can be put to bed now.

I agree wholeheartedly. Roll on April ??

Not always to a tight or strict budget as said by Redcar. This is not a criticism, but it is a fact that the club has said it rightly so for the last few years.

Nobody has to have been at the AGM to know that both under Havvy and Kevin, all their teams were always quoted as being built to a strict budget,

While you need a Bit of luck in this sport,judging what I saw of him at Ashfield last season he looks a real talent.

From the angle of putting together a team in the championship on a budget I suppose with the Lakeside/Cook/Eastbourne collaboration the expected team will be put together with no loan fees? If as I suspect that is probably the case, when you look at the unease on the Birmingham section ref the team for this year, think we can be pretty happy with the team. Think Eddie's average is a bit high, but be good to see him back having seen him in the second halves all those years ago.

In his interview on the Bears Facebook page Ben admitted to putting some false information out to keep people guessing.

As usual Eastie will be forecast to be bottom 4 and as usual will more than likely end up in the top 4. If that is the final 7 as expected, can't see us losing at home with that strength in depth of riders who ride well at Arlington. Think it will be a pretty open league this year which can only be good .

Despite my 'robust' comments re the Danyon position I certainly do hope Birmingham is a success

Keep your hair on. A competitive team is usually a prerequisite of “more people on the terraces in September than in March”. Are they required to acquire assets? How many must they sign before they can take part in the league?

Buster cannot change any rules without to other B,S, P A.member agreeing He is only the Chairman.

Nothing in the regs to date to say that Fact is that it was only due to his release from Lynn that enabled him to line up for Sheffield He then didnt achieve an average in the Championship either and is therefore still assessed Unless the regs are changed he cant double up Much has been made of riders having to achieve a real average to enable them to double up so why ant different in this case......

His year at Rezszow obviously hasn't worked riding big tracks and he did OK passing Batchelor at Leszno in the SWC

Seven actually. Keep up.

Seriously, that's a tasty team there

Maybe because he did not know which way brum where going N.L or championship. And when the limit was set low teams had to act quick and sign the team......

Change is often difficult particularly when unexpected and with unfamiliar elements I think your feelings are only natural Keep the faith - Heres to Chris producing riders that can make your worries disappear

...and Me.

Confirmed team... Michael Palm-Toft 7.96Charles Wright 7.68Ben Barker 6.87Tom Bacon 4.50Jordan Stewart 4.09 Nathan Greaves 3.99Jack Smith 2.73

After romping the 2019 Championshipand showing profits of £100,000+ they will take a chance and move up to the Premiership.That should silence a few.

So sad many memories of him lighting up Foxhall. I really hope that he recovers soon.

So he is a exciting rider who is a bit up and down like most riders at his level, sounds good to me. He may not bang in good scores every week but if the play offs are anything to go by he goes very well at Poole and at reserve could be a match winner.

Be Interesting to see Barker and cook in same team

You can put as many laughing respones as you want Scott, but its the truth. Dont be blinded because youre in the pits every week.

Just makes the ruling of no NL teams allowed assets all the more ridiculous. Brum could have spent the years in the lower league recruiting and placing themselves in a much stronger position moving forward.

It's difficult to read that without becoming teary-eyed. Tomasz went from zero to hero in my book from the Boycey incident to becoming World Champ and I wish him all good luck in his recovery.

Will be riding for Rybnik most Sunday's as well so you count him out. I don't think his plans were ever to ride in the championship with having a pretty secure place in Poland.

IF Tom isn't at Brum this season the only reason i can think of is that he feels he has got the best out of himself on the track and wants to master somewhere else. He opted for P'boro the past couple of seasons (not a track that suited him) because he wanted to improve on all tracks and its paying off. Riders who want to be track specialists stay still, riders who want to dominate on all tracks move around,