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To me, doubling up is a problem To me, fixed race nights are a problem To me, one league senior league, plus a development league, is a must

Kent to Eastbourne - about an hour

Its not precisely clear from Gambo's post above whether 140 days racing is enough to support a rider for an entire year (or whether he thinks it should be) but if it is, that is a stark contrast with what you are putting forward. Truth is that speedway has always been for the overwhelming number of riders a part time occupation even during the season. I have said this before but Mick Bell, a three time British League winner and a decent reserve/second string in the 1970's, once described it as a 'good paying hobby'. I'll be honest and say that my knowledge of rider pay is minimal, but to repeat again I'll be surprised - very surprised - if most those doubling up between the top two leagues are struggling to survive. The teams that pay them, however, most certainly are and what we cannot have is a situation where clubs are put at risk simply so that riders can use the sport as a full time occupation.

Great to see Nikki back. Excellent signing for both the Tigers and British speedway. Who cares what his reasons are for returning. Yes, he isn’t as good as he once was but he is still better than 90% of the current league. If we can drip feed a couple of more decent riders back in to the league this season it will be a decent close season for British speedway. First visit to Owlerton beckons. Well done Sheffield. Poole who?

Why because somehow you were in the know and rather than let the club announce what they’ve described as their biggest ever signing, you thought it was a good idea to share the news before they had - smug something for sure! congrats to sheffield on the signing of Nicki, look forward to seeing you in the top flight next year

An interesting article with AdrIan Smith of BV in the Speedway Star current edition re some of his thoughts on the future... It is noticeable that those who come into the sport without any 'emotional attachment' to any particular rider or team through either being a sponsor or fan, seem to look at the sport far more objectively and dispassionately, and therefore make far more clearer decisions based on good business practice.. He seems to have a lot of ideas, (many of which contributors to here will recognise as they have been mentioned on probably far too many occasions!), including the need for an 'independent body' to improve the sports credibilty and bring it in line with other sports.. He mentioned that he hoped several topics would be raised at the AGM, and also talked about his concern that changing points levels every year doesn't help the sport progress, and, as we saw from the AGM press release, that is being looked into with the Champs possibly setting the level the season after next. So maybe some of his ideas are starting to get some support and cut through? I would imagine though overall it will be a 'hard sell' for him to convince those who are 'too close' to the 'emotional' and 'hobby' aspect of the sport to agree to change.. He does though come across as a shrewd man who finds a way to get most things done, so more power to his elbow, (and those of a like mind).. Overall a very interesting read and in general another excellent issue again.. UK Speedway is VERY fortunate to have such a professional magazine cover it's output..

I've never had a problem with doubling up because, and I'll use Chris Harris as an example, Ipswich don't race against Birmingham because their in different leagues. You should be backing the rider that rides for your club and not because he rides for a different club in a different league. I also think that given the lower crowds nowadays, riders generally need both leagues in Britain to earn a living. Although riders say cost is going up every year, it would be interesting to know how many of them get jobs during the off-season....

Or you could say, when he's trying he's always determined, normally ruthless, and occasionally reckless. But he is a character and great to watch.

i didn`t know Colin North at all but this year at the British Final I parked up behind a car on the road side. A man got out of the car and opened the boot, I could see it was full of TengTools merchandise of which I spotted some TengTools caps. He picked up some caps and other stuff and began walking off to the stadium, I asked him were the caps for sale he pondered a second and said here you can have one. So I was shocked to see the photo of him on Twitter I will always remember that moment, it was a nice gesture. everytime I put my TengTools cap on I`ll think of him.

Brilliant signing, no negatives to this signing what so ever, great for Sheffield and a big boost to British Speedway.

Dont mention that to us Wolverhampton fans .

Really nice to see Simon Stead so enthusiastic about the season ahead, and it's great to see so much positivity and forward planning where there is normally so much doom and gloom. Great signing as far as I'm concerned. Sheffield are certainly coming to the table all guns blazing, and good luck to them!

Who cares ?

Great signing Will put bums on seats and thats what this sport needs right now Rest assured fans of other clubs will go to the home matches with Sheffield just to see Pedersen.........when Sheffield come to Foxhall the crowd will be packed because of him.......entertainment assured Lets hope some of the other promotions can get a few top boys back........maybe not the top of the tree but the Zagars, Iversens of this world

I'll just sit here smiling smugly with my arms folded

Apparently Kyle Howarth, given the number 2 race jacket, has just bought some brown kevlars.

A stupid comment. Watch the GP's and Euro's and you'll see ruthless riding each week. He is no worse than any other rider.

I really don't think that is what you meant to say

Anders Rowe is without doubt an excrement prospect for the future and is making good progress but he is certainly not ready yet for PL.

Reported

Anyone know where Adam Ellis is going in the Championship?

Stop talking to the mirror and concentrate on this thread..

And Nicki has his say

Put one club (Rye House) out of business, another (Sheffield) up for sale and forced another (Poole) to change leagues. It should not be the case that we risk the very existence of our teams for no reason other than riders doubling their pay and they all seemed to manage before we had it so why not now ?

Everyone's highest home attendance will be against Sheffield for sure, love him or hate him, he's box office. Great signing for both Sheffield and British Speedway in general.

Well having not attended one match last season on a Sunday at Owlerton, that signing alone (Plus back to Thursday night racing) will have me purchasing a season ticket

Best thing to happen to British Speedway in years and years. This is what it's all about, big names and proper crowd pullers.

That has been the problem now for a few years and unless the bspa address the league set up it will continue.

He has put about 18 teams out under his various user names so I'm guessing he is confusing himself.

Totally agree with the post, and particularly relevant is your last sentence. At a recent NSSC meeting Referee Phil Griffin, who by the way provided many laughs in his talk-in, was particularly scathing in the attitude of a particular CL Heat Leader who thought that around 140 actual 'working days' in a 5 month season should allow him to live for 12 months.

Beggers belief really.....Adam Ellis is on the up & on a decemt average.

Brilliant signing for British speedway and Eastbourne, regardless of the limit. A lot of clubs will be jealous, especially if you can keep Drew for a few years and see him mature into a number one aged 20! About a point under the limit, but an all British team, excellent continuity from last season and three very good emerging young riders. Tom Brennan might drop a point and Drew put one on, so Lawson, Kerr and Newman will have to step up to be realistic challengers.

Yes

He is desperate to come back to the UK for a fraction of what he can earn abroad. I heard all the GP stars are queuing to come back too.

Don't believe everything you read on this forum. It's a hoax. Some people just get a kick out of deceiving other people.

That’s not the official website page tho. Nothing on the official website. It’s a prank by the way.

That’s what we thought when he signed for Peterborough..........

I believe that their earnings in this country will have dropped a fair bit as well as them not earning abroad. I think many on here would be surprised by who work elsewhere and just how much riders earn. There aren't too many pulling in better money from Speedway than the people watching them do from their jobs. Things have changed for Speedway riders with far less jobs that are able to fit around the sport than the old days which makes working difficult during the season for many, many others still manage it though. While fans talk about the good old days of a rider turning up with one bike on a rack the reality is that these days any rider turning up with one bike that is less than pristine will be slaughtered if their equipment costs the team points.

The AGM ended less than a week ago and only Sheffield have announced anyone. Not saying you won't have a bad team but at least give them a chance to let you down before you are deflated!

Why don't you go and do one

what an absolute belter of a signing,caan see kyle winning a few more at two as well as he will want to stay out of the way.no,joking aside, big big welcome to n.p.pure box office.now for my season ticket!

At least it not going be the little s--t Pedersen.

He is on the decline, let's not dress it up, but regardless, it's terrific news for Sheffield and for British speedway In this league he will be an apt number 1 and he's box office. Bums on seats and that's what it's all about. Welcome back niki and congratulations to Sheffield

I think a fair few GP riders would take issue with that. Have you ever seen Janoswki, Zagar, Woffinden or Hancock ride as "ruthlessly".

So ignore any of its threads or take the pi## out of any of its posts.

Anything but an eastbourne fan, but for the 2nd year running they have tracked a completley British team, and I can only compliment that. Hope kent follow suit.

Not for much longer I have been told.

Quite a bit of room for improvements though, which is normally the key. Welcome to Drew, sure he'll thrive in the Eastie family. Unless someone in the main body has a dreadful run, Drew and Jason should be at reserve all season, which can only be a good thing for 2 young riders in this league.

Jonas Jeppesen certainly seems to have progressed since his spell with Somerset and Ipswich in 2018. 8th in this seasons World U21 Final. Jan Kvech who finished 6th (only 2 points behind Lambert) also looked useful. Maybe Topinka/Brhel could put in a good word for us. If we're talking U21 riders though, I'd rather have Gleb Chugunov. Now that's a signing that could re-ignite my passion for speedway.