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I made a bold prediction last year that we were a top 6 side and was proved to be correct so I will say the same again this year.

One position the Panthers are still by far the strongest is theTeam Manager, his strategy for the teams plan of attack is something the other 5 TMs just cant match ,

Seriously I'm not one for swearing usually,,, but for xxxx sake,, shut the xxxx up talking total xxxx all the time,, you xxxxxxx retarded xxxx

Look on the bright side. It might go above 4.00!

The big question mark about this team is can they maintain or improve their averages. If they can, they could be contenders. However, with Ulrich on an inflated average - they definitely don’t look as good a team (on paper) as the one Sheffield announced.

There to be shot at now as reigning champions and expect some wont be happy, but at least they have been loyal to the 6 who made 2021 such a memorable season for all Panthers fans

Or he’s at Sheffield ha

Cant be either it distinctley says "a new signing" like it did last week for Zaine. Its a new rider ?...Kasper Andersen ? or maybe Jason Crump ?

Averages are like the stock market investments,they can go up as well as down.Imo I would expect Batchelor to put at least .5 -1.5 on that average and thats the name of the game. A few years ago when Doyle was probably mid 20's on a mediocre average did people think that was his ability and wouldn't get a higher average. Teams have to try and get a few riders in their team who they think can improve their average and imo Batchelor is one.

Been there done that and got the t shirt and a backward move in my eyes and we need to move forward not back.

One rider who I fancy could do an Ostergaard from reserve this season would be Ricky Wells he's got the undoubted ability but not been consistent enough in the top flight.

The most stylish rider for me was Martin Ashby. His style was so neat and perfect. Every photo you see of him riding looks exactly the same.

Breaking News** Si Kellow, the new promoter confirms Kent will be racing at Iwade in the NDL in 2022 via Facebook. Some will point out its a massive step backwards from where we were a few months ago, to those I say it's a massive step forward from where we were yesterday.. League Speedway in Kent lives on.

Tbf Ostergaard was showing everyone the way round last season.

Could say the same about pboro and oystercard tbh, last season was an anomaly, rose above the level he’d previously achieved at any point in his career, bringing him back on a 7+ average after the horrific injuries makes zero sense other than sentiment

Hes got around 3 months to get back to fitness, if hes not on track with his training programme then they have the option to bring in someone else, giving him a spot is incentive for Ulrich to achieve full fitness and shows the management are prepared to reward him for his 2021 efforts

We've got nothing to worry about. Ipswich are awful with half a team arriving on the back of an awful season. They've blew the entire budget on Doyle as it's looking like Batchelor and Riss now. Wolves are going with two rising stars basically with S. Worrall in the 1-5. KL have journey men and Kildemand who's on a steep decline. We're on par with Sheffield MPT, Nicholls, Harris and Hans is just as strong as J. Holder, Musielak, Ellis & Howarth Ostergaard and Cook are the risks. Nothing to split the reserves as Basso is on a false average due to him not completing enough meetings for Poole.

I am pleased that the team in general has been kept. They deserve to have the chance to defend it. Personally as long as we are entertained will be enough for me.....and this team will entertain. Bring it on.

Peterborough forgot to name the No.8? Basso has good potential, but the reality is that Basso for Pedersen is a weakening, while the other 5 teams will be stronger than last year.

I would say if they are going to release any one from the top 5 it would be Ostergaard. A 40 year rider coming back from a serious injury on a 7.09 average. That would be a massive gamble.

Tried to warn you

Don't see much improvement in those riders. Reserves are very weak too. Panthers would have a field day against that side.

A rider who has an assessed average of 4.00 can average below 4.00, but his average will never drop below 4.00... Fingers crossed we don't have them issues and George's average goes above 4.00 He is the less seniors of the 2 reserves afterall, so he has zero pressure and expectations, so hopefully he'll have a few weeks to be able to get used to the very strange track for him... Hope he's good because we could've got Ashley Morris on a 4.80ish average instead... I just can't wait to find out who our final signing is... Surely George Congreve at 6 and James Wright at 7 has to be the strongest reserve partnership in the league? Couple that with the 4 riders we've already got in the top 5, we may not be table toppers but at least we'll be in and around the playoffs imo (I know it's pretty early to say) I can't wait for the new season to begin...

If Poole want to build a team with 3 x number ones! I for one would certainly love to see a team of 7 Brits! Poole Steve Worrall 9.05 Danny King 8.99 Richard Lawson 8.51 Danyon Hume 4.88 Stefan Nielsen 4.67 Drew Kemp 3.72 Jason Edwards 2.11 Total 41.93 Poole Steve Worrall 9.05 Danny King 8.99 Richard Lawson 8.51 Ben Cook 5.31 Zach Cook 4.40 Drew Kemp 3.72 Ablitt / Mulford 2.00 Total 41.98

Hope not, if it was up to me he'd be in the Poole team if that's what he wanted.

Same here. I remember being surprised that someone who looked so ancient was a sportsperson........ well i thought he should have been doing crown bowls or sheep dog trials with a pipe hanging out of his mouth instead of racing bikes

Batchelor on a 5.57 ave vs Broc Nicol on a 5.23 ave, suggests there's not much between the riders ability. But compare their Champ averages 8.98 vs 5.50 & you can see how some (me included) would rate Batchelor as a clever signing!

I've had two Asian wives. Both have given birth. Neither died and both had the exact same care as anyone else. In fact, my first wife probably had more because she insisted on having a single room with a shower because that's what she would have had in her own country and she got exactly that. I also feel that there will never be racial equality as long as the term BAME is being bandied about, because it separates people from white people by it's very definition. I actually find the term BAME to be an (albeit unintentional) insult to anyone it refers to. Do you think that if a novice black kid turned up at, say, Belle Vue and went round the track like the new Michael Lee that nobody would want to sign him because of his skin colour? Personally, I reckon every team would want to snap him up straight away based on his ability .

Eastbourne have no assets now When the club dropped to NL racing, assets like Michelsen was transferred to Lakeside for 'safe keeping' Lakeside went bust so lost all those assets Any assets the club then built up, like Tom Brennan, went to the BSPL when the club folded in 2021 A new air fence is £20K or a foam fence £50K BSPL fees are a lot more than that but we are already in a good place for 2023..

Tbh Ostergaard is a decent rider imo who doesn't get enough credit. Apart from one odd year in the Championship when he got injured mid season his averages for a good few years have all been 7+ Which goes to show he's a very reliable and consistent HL in that division and most Premiership teams consist of Championship riders who he beats regularly in the Championship anyway. Ostergaard is better than riders like Riss, Kerr, Jorgensen, Howarth, R. Worrall, Allen etc.

You have to remember Batchelor started the season on 8.82. You’d have to be completely bonkers not to want him in your side on 5 and a half whether you like him or not. That 8.82 was riding with Doyle as well, so hopefully having his mate back in the pits will help him push that average back upwards. Even if he doesn’t hit those heights again, there’s a point increase there at the absolute minimum.

Gem of a signing for anyone imo. He won't be that poor again and I expect him to put a point and a half on his average next season. Full Championship calendar as well as a few meetings in Poland should breed confidence and make him more sharper in the process.

They could you’re right, they’re both good signings because of the average they’ll be coming in on. Those two aren’t the issue. But then why sign either Starke or Heeps with just under 2 points still to play with? They’ve effectively put Hawkins’ best mate back in at the expense of Craig Cook. Yes, I know Cook isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and there are fans who dislike the bloke, but if you’re building a side to win stuff, who in their right mind would choose Cameron Heeps over Craig Cook? I don’t have a big issue with Heeps either, I know some don’t want him, but he’s another that will increase his starting average (IMO). But then why sign Paul Starke? Nothing against the fella either, but if you’re finding a spot for Heeps then at least use the points available and find a 6 pointer instead of Starke and get Heeps down at reserve!

Yes, he retired the week I went to my first meeting. I've always felt responsible........

Im sure i read somewhere that Rowe didn't want to be a RS due to the point money involved compared to what he could earn being a none RS in a team.

It is with great sadness the loss of one of our own, Steve Turner. He was a great chap and always smiled on the terraces and had many friends on the BSF. He was one those who brought a lot of forum members and fans together. I remember meeting him many times and have fond memories of our trip to the Cardiff GP together with Fd and Co. Rest in peace my friend.

Maybe! lol. I'd be wanting Poole to move back up if he said he'd be in the team. I'm not that sure about Erik, but prob haven't seen him ride enough.

Solid side which will be capable of winning anywhere on their day however lightning rarely strikes twice and you would expect a couple to drop next season rather than improve. As good a signing Basso appears to be you would not expect him to rise to a 7 pt figure so the magic ingredients is not there...

Well,as I expected,tbh I'm more gutted at picko not being there.the cook signing is a gamble,I like cook but too many flaws.i just hope he proves me wrong.

I'm feeling underwhelmed. Second season syndrome and no real improvements there barring Basso and Palin.

Decent side for me, looking forward already to Thursday's at Owlerton

"Then again, some of the already congested areas where houses are sprouting like daffodills, have to be seen to be believed areas of "nice enough houses but I really wouldn't want to live there", turning many roads into car parks." I believe both the above to be arguments held by local Brandon, Coventry residents who are in favour of keeping the stadium. Makes you think....

Thanks for the update MD.

I don't see that as a fact, in my experience I would say that an interest in motorsport sees you being welcomed with open arms at any event. I have spent my entire lifetime around motorcycle competitions of various sorts and have yet to be made unwelcome anywhere. Whether it be Trials, Speedway, MotoX, Grass track or for me most recently Flat track I have found them to be full of the friendliest most welcoming people of anywhere I go. I only have limited experience of other motorsports but certainly Rallycross and Truck racing are both very friendly. There are not many people from ethnic backgrounds involved generally but when they have been I have never seen them treated any differently to anybody else from inside the sport (fans might be different, but if they don't like you they will find something to ridicule you for, you can choose to laugh it off or take it to heart but it's no different to any other sport in that respect). Generally speaking though I have found motorcycle sport to be very welcoming and to be the friendliest bunch of people you could ever hope to meet.

Good a rider though Sam undoubtedly is, I don't think he's polish top flight material. With limits on number of foreign riders I don't think any of the top flight teams be banging his door down

But what about Dick and Harry? Is there still room for them?

If these tracks opened there wouldnt be enough riders for a Best Pairs Competition never mind a League...

It is, it was the main reason for Oxford getting told no

Man in ‘travels for work’ shock.

Although Kildemand is a huge risk this team is 100% better than last years shambles. But here's the kicker. When you look at the other 5 potential teams, we're still ending up bottom of the league. There's just no 'thinking outside the box' with this management team. Safe, very average options again.