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OK, it’s a cold and boring Friday morning so I’ll take the bait…. 1. Louis has decided to strengthen the team by bringing in Brennan. 2. Therefore, in the same way as Belle Vue ‘somebody has to go’ to accommodate that strengthening. 3. Two clubs offered Rew a significant uptick on his points money. He was ‘keen to stay’ but expected Louis to move towards his new offered points money. 4. Any business when hiring an individual weighs up cost v benefit i.e. value for money and it would appear that in this case Louis decided that did not stack up for him as the owner of the business. 5. I have no issue with Rew wanting to increase his earnings and another team being willing to pay accordingly, that’s called Capitalism. I wish Rew all the best and hope that we see him back as a Witch at some point in the future.

Waste of money!

No, because he’s still on the rising star list as he meets the qualifying criteria. Whether a club uses him in any position from 1-6 is irrelevant. You only get a 25% reduction when you first exit the rising star scheme due to no longer meeting the qualifying criteria. Dan Gilkes will get the standard 2.5% British reduction, not 25%.

Would love to add Erik Riss to that team

And here was me thinking this thread was a Birmingham Brummies one.............

Matt marson ? The Australian that the evil Belle Vue colts have allowed to steal the place of a young English rider. maybe mark lemon should note how the angelic Chris Louis operates and nurtures young English talent.

What about that new Russian rider than contracted covid? Tikaly Chestikov

Looking forward to brummies visit to Foxhall, Zagar has alway been a classy rider despite what some say on here.

boomers from 50s 60s era when there was less snowflakes about, but more snow.😁

Oi 😅

The original thought was he would be on a 4.00, but the Regulations say that riders with Ekstraliga experience start on a minimum 5.00, and that was imposed. I think, although not sure, the Witches had to re-jig their team plans because of their incorrect assumption. Overall, I reckon 5.67 is a decent average for a rider who had a tough learning curve at Foxhall - his improvement this season was tangible. I'm with others in that: i) I agree signing Brennan was a no-brainier, and ii) I think Rew was more likely to have been retained - with either King or, most likely, Ellis, making way. From Louis' comments, Rew played a part in the decision for him to move on.

Not really sure why the Lions team was announced over a number of days being as there were absolutely no surprises whatsoever in the team selection and 99.9 % of the supporters already knew the line up.

Try retro Speedway

The 4TT used to be great and emphasised the variety we were exposed to “back in the day”. Am I remembering correctly; teams would begin the completion in sections (Glasgow were in with Edinburgh, Berwick and Newcastle, typically) and after all teams had a home meeting, the side with the most points would be seeded to the 4TT final at Peterborough? I seem to recall a different scenario, where eight sides across semi-finals would fight for a place in the grand final on the same date, also at Peterborough. I’d welcome its return. I think it would be a great addition to the British speedway calendar.

Think Steady picked the wrong Christmas film

Just checked and I've got Tomato Ketchup, HP, Lea & Perrins, Henderson's, Tabasco, Light Soy and two bottles of Tropical Sun Hot Pepper sauce

My mistake, must have misunderstood what I was told. I’ll add to the fun , as I don't know the proper averages.. Wright Riss Jorgensen Edwards Mulford Bailey and Phillips ( doubling up in Tigers NDL )

Contrary to one or two sceptics on here. I think we have put together a team that has room to add to their averages. With the league losing one or two big hitters theres room for others to step up. We should be strong at home. While we do have riders who know the tracks so we should be capable of being in the meeting away from home. No 1 Steve Worrall only committing to Scunny should allow him to focus on finding form after being out last season. Being local to the EWR will make it an easy commute for home meetings. Jake just had to be back. In this league he can be the No2. His ability is not in question he will always score well at home. He just needs to find that level on our travels. He brings a lot to the party so was always on a return ticket. We had to take a bit of a leap of faith this time. The Championship needs new talent to come in. Some of that is in the shape of the British Youth scene. Luke is a brilliant example of this. He really showed his potential last season. He is very capable of upping his average. But we had to cast the net wider and I am excited to see the return of Zaine Kennedy and brother Declan making his UK debut. This could prove a shrewed move with both starting in the reserve berths. Zaines better than his 4.27 starting average for sure. While Dec on 4.00 might suprise a few once he is dialled in. Both are welcome additions to the league as a whole. Australia has and continues to be a prolific supply line of racing talent. In Lambo and Connor we have two racers who will aim for double figures round Scunny. Connor is still a developing British talent. He demonstrated he can hold his own in the Premiership last season at Belle Vue. He can kick on in 2025 and can be a third heat leader. Lambo equally will want to bounce back in 2025 and put all his know how to the cause. He rode through a tough period in 2024 but his scores held up pretty well. I read hes investing in new bikes for next season. The commitment to the club is there at every turn from Lambo. So I think the management have used our 40pts well. I think the Scorpions 2025 promise to be a mix of the tried and trusted. With the odd roll of the dice that we need to try. Its going to be a good watch seeing where the Winter takes us. Have a good one roll on March

There is no such thing as a rider being “sacked” after October 31st. Every rider becomes a free agent after this date, and is then free to negotiate terms with anyone they choose. Likewise, every promotion are free to negotiate with anyone they choose to assemble a team of seven riders for the new season. They can be any seven riders, as long as the septet falls below an agreed points limit. Just because a rider(s) has ridden for a certain team that season, doesn’t mean they have any right to a team place the following year. That’s all self explanatory and common sense. To most people.

No. Aussie can now ride in the NDL.

Zagar class act when he in the mood but imo better riders for the money out there

Snow! Just put some overalls on and get on with it. 🤣

Why great to see him back.

Ace!

I can understand Gilkes position, not expecting to score as many points as last year in a tougher position, so wanting more money. But feel Sheffield are sensible to stand their ground, plenty of options who will score much the same as Dan would.

Tell me if you like

I’ve heard Gilkes wanted too much money.

I know but I'm not going to tell you

You know it’s an art form to finish bottom every year, I’m looking forward to another season battling for the wooden spoon, we do have the almighty Border Trophy that being said.

That is true, I guess in a strong looking league, an average looking team could end up bottom. I'm probably thinking on the positive side, cause I'd love Birmingham to do well & keep going for years to come.

Money as I believe Ellis would've been dropped if Rew didn't ask for so much. Been told he was paid enough this season gone but performed at reserve most he season.

the fours were great both the qualis and the sunday afternoon at alwalton bring em back i say

According to the SGB Championship 2025 - Confirmed Signings post: Workington Comets 1 - 2 - Fraser Bowes (5.00) 3 - Jye Etheridge (4.98) 4 - Antti Vuolas (6.40) 5 - Tate Zischke (6.96) 6 - Vinnie Foord (3.90) 7 - Total Average: 27.24 so 12.76 left for the last two riders

Half of them aren't the same riders they use to be.

You have to give Louis credit, he has done pretty much everything he can with the track within the constraints imposed to improve the racing spectacle.

Conscious uncoupling - mostly.

That rule lasted ONE year, could have 7 foreigners in your team if clubs wanted to.

Is he not rumoured for Poole? Not sure if the 2 brit rule has changed, you can't keep up with changes at times

You could make up an alternative narrative for all The Aces but the fact of the matter is someone HAD to go, even including Tate’s injury replacement the fabulous Antti. That’s not debatable. Like I say Ben ticked all the boxes unfortunately but whoever it was we could be unfairly berated for dropping a rider - which we had to do to conform to the rules. Things will be a clearer when the team is announced as why it was Ben. Louis mentioned Keynan wanted to stay as he had unfinished business and that Louis had reasons for getting rid of Keynan. Keynan also had reasons that could affect whether he re-signed or not. Probably 50/50 though as Louis stated it was mostly Kenyan, so 51/49. His sacking was unnecessary, a choice not available to The Aces, again not debatable.

Douglas final rider

Maybe some people aren't as "savvy" with averages as you D1pSH1T

Don't think there is anywhere to put a track down cardiff or newport u could do a Sweden and put in a forest away from moan a minute people,but I suppose u might disturb some animals

Don't think Forgein riders can drop below 4

What is your problem with Scunthorpe or more to the point the Promoter,Scunny are and will be top four again next season . Riders get paid on time every time unlike others

Are you a Tory politician!!?? Selective quoting at its finest 🤣🤣 the following sentence… “I’m quite excited to be going back into battle with the same guys. Obviously, Keynan is one change, for his reasons mostly, which is fine and it’s certainly not closing the door on his Ipswich career. I like to think we gave him his chance and helped his first couple of years development, and he did make big improvements last year. I certainly don’t see that as the end of his Ipswich days that’s for sure.” Chris Louis

I think Riss could be on his way to Workington apparently loves the track

Waste of money! We had 2 like that last season!!

The GP series now using all the F1 sayings like P1, LCP1, Q1, FP1 gets right on my wick, I’ve got one for them FO

Wasn't it going to be held at Leicester the day after Cardiff in covid year... then never heard of ever again