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Just over seven weeks to go until Klindt’s testimonial for the season curtain raiser. Still have no (active) owner, Manager, team, sponsorship? Track man? So much to be done in such a short space of time. That’s without the bigger picture of fixtures to be sorted for all clubs as well as admission prices and season tickets etc etc. It’s been an absolute sh!tshow this winter let’s be honest.

No help was given to Mildenhall who moved heaven and earth to make their fence safe. They covered all of the metal posts with very high density foam AND have an air fence in front of that, yet it was deemed not acceptable because they didn't get the foam from the one and only recommended supplier. They ran two highly successful meetings under the NORA banner last year with no problems and had big crowds. I appreciate that rider safety is the number one priority, but when I stand at Kings Lynn where just behind the wooden fence that isn't protected by the air fence, I see a huge concrete armco barrier, I wonder how that can be safe yet Mildenhall's fence is regarded as unsafe?

Currently no decision is made on Luke doing the league, my personal feeling is he shouldn't do it as with the current pay scales even scoring 15 every meeting means you run at a loss and even more so when you factor in the loss of a days working wage for us both as well. But on the flip side of that with only a championship spot and the limited amount of racing that it will provide he may have to do it for bike time and to justify the huge outlay on equipment during the winter. From doing 70 plus meetings last year to probably less 35 this year is there any wonder why young riders give up.

All it takes is for tracks to start 15 minutes earlier and put some races on during the interval and stop hanging about with riders going out on track as soon as the previous heat is finished. All could find a way to make sure the races take place but many tracks/promoters simply treat the youngsters with contempt. Back in the day with 13 heat meetings and a second half, the first race of the second half always use to be the new talent on the block. Now those in charge bemoan no new talent coming through in abundance but they do not want to do anything to change this and blame everyone but themselves. No wonder the sport is going down the plug hole and soon any rider who makes a serious living out of the sport will desert the UK and it will be left with amateur meetings which might not be such a bad thing.

Personally I hope it's all on BSN. I think they do a much better job than Discovery tbh.

Credit to BSN for wanting to keep their customers informed. If the BSPL had any credibility, I’d say the lack of transparency and information was disappointing, but they’re not, so it isn’t.

A long stay sponsor has confirmed they're sponsoring again this season and been told all the plans etc but just can't release that info until they have made it public once the sale fully goes through. Even though it's painful and seems so long to hear any news some will be coming soon

Doesn’t Phil Morris answer to Godfrey ?

I totally agree. It is just the apathy by those who promote/run meetings who pay scant regard for the up and coming riders. I really have never fathomed out why they ignore the novices who have invested in machinery and equipment only to be told to get lost because it does not suit those who run meetings. Over the years I have seen far too many riders turn up for a second half outing only to be told they cannot race and that is a disgrace. Why anyone would want to continue attend meetings when those in charge treat supporters and these novices with such contempt.

🖕🏻 😉

Only 6 teams confirmed is a travesty, but the bigger issue is only 1 home / 1 away per team, a total of 10 meetings per team. This is absolutely nowhere near enough meetings for the youngsters to develop. Why not 2 home and 2 away?! I know this was a very long time ago but in my short stint in the mavericks we rode 24 meetings in one season.

Just goes to prove the BSPL don't fully know how many clubs are coming to tapes in the top league.

Agree with you Glasgow in the losers category was a strange one, its a pity they didnt get it over the line in the last heat but when you consider the racing/entertainment factor between the two legs they were easily the winners, nothing about that club puts them in a losers category, yes its nice to win trophies but for me its great racing i pay to see winning is a bonus. Not a mention of Scunny well cant upset Rob

Decent side with continuity in the key spots - reserves could be a weakness but overall i reckon they will be fine top 5 spot awaits 😉

https://www.speedwaystar.net Gonna give this a read tonight, see if anything is mentioned about a possible UK return. I can’t see it personally but we’ll see. Also an interview with the legend that is Siggy in this weeks edition! My childhood idol 😁

That’ll be Luke Becker nailed on then! I heard Olly Allen mentioned yesterday so who knows. Least the rumour mill is cranking up to generate a bit of interest..

It’s not just a case of track time. In this country the sport is a team sport and team craft is just as important as track craft. 2nd halves have increasingly become a problem because you could turn up at a track and the 2nd half gets cancelled time off work, get the bikes ready travelling to find the 2nd half is treated with complete contempt like the poor relation.

Have you asked Phil Morris to come on to explain what is going on?

Why not both? The teams no participating in the NDL should be forced to host 3-5 2nd half races really.

I'd do away with it personally and make every team run a junior team as a 2nd half on the same night as the seniors.

Do you really expect to make a profit in a training league? The riders should be doing it for the experience.

A fixture list, or two, might help.....😄

By next season they will probably have a reduction depending on what type of injury riders have.Its all back of a fag packet stuff making up rules.👎

A 42 point limit isn't actually a particularly strong league imo. Every year then limit is below 42 then the league is weaker than previously, so technically last season was the weakest ever development league. Even when clubs sign a 3 pointer who doubles or triples their average, the league should average out at 42. All a 42 point limit does is stop improving riders missing out in team spots, which is a good thing. It's a shame there's only 6 teams, but at least there's still a development league running. If clubs lose money on the NL, perhaps every Prem & Champ team who don't enter should pay a nominal "training fee" to be shared amongst the clubs that do? After all in future years they'll want to use riders other clubs spent money on training (Cairns / Rushen etc). 😉

Pete Adams seems to be who they’re hinting at. Olly Allen and Rosco could also be in the mix potentially so there seems to be a few options. Maybe it’ll be none of them!

Pee taking aside agreed he was an awesome rider super talented another one who had a bad crash that blunted the end of his career a bit. I can remember a world team cup at Coventry where it was a critical race and he was up against Hans Neilson , Sam gated and you could see Hans was faster but Sam held him off with brilliant trackcraft for all four laps.

75k for a few high fives in the pits what a lovely result

Suddenly Sam returns 😂

I have heard a rumour that a team manager will be returning to the sport after a few seasons away if the Witches take over goes through

Krayzy!🤣

Nah don’t be silly mate, it’s great to hear as many ideas as possible and yes I guess that would work if the home team covers all costs 👍 Like yourself I’m desperate to see as many teams and fixtures for the young riders as possible, the national league is probably my favourite out of all 3 and I’ve supported it for many years. Absolutely gutting that so many teams have pulled out for the upcoming season. Over the years I’ve seen the likes of Tai Woffinden, Dan Bewley, Robert Lambert and Tom Brennan all come through this league, people tend to forget that sadly

A forum rumour, Chris is keeping his cards very close to his chest, even from close friends. Expect news within the week...

I don't see why a proper 2nd half can't be implemented at tracks that aren't involved in the NDL. Put together a little (and more importantly) local team of say 4 riders and have 4 races and a nominated 5th race (similar to a heat 15) - keep it fast and flowing with pushing off the next race immediately after the previous race has finished, it could all be said and done in 10-15 minutes (barring tapes issues, crashes etc) Have an overlap of riders in the NDL to give them more experience if necessary. Everyone gets 2 races each + 4 riders get an extra race. I understand that there will be a cost to the rider, which is an issue, but if the riders are local (ish) it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

He has retired.

You need to watch much more of the coverage then. Far from ropey across the season.

He has signed a warsaw contract which in reality is not a guarantee of a spot just allows a rider to practice and hopefully get picked to race this involves no payment at all unless racing

I think all the major leagues have now been published except the Polish National League [tier 3] which includes the likes of Wright. Flint, Castagna, Riss, Masters, Ellis, Kemp, Lawson, Klindt and Howarth.

Does anyone know what effort or incentives were offered to Mildenhall, Kent and Isle of Wight to rejoin mainstream speedway?

No not at all but if a rider on a 10 point average is losing money riding and a days wage on top of it then it becomes massively unviable can you imagine the losses a 3 pointer is incurring

For me the national league was always at its best when we had independent teams running in it such as Weymouth, Wimbledon, Mildenhall, Isle of Wight, Stoke etc. It was better supported then as they had their own fan base. As soon as it became lots of teams running second teams, although that’s admirable of those teams to try and develop young riders, when the crowd have a choice between watching the championship team/national team they tend to spend their money watching the higher standard. It’s a shame because often the racing is more exciting and it’s great seeing the superstars of tomorrow coming through but some families just can’t afford to attend meetings when running 2 sides.

So many complain about not enough British riders coming through but then expect the youngsters to get into the sport making huge losses for the privilege?

Headboard hitting the bedroom wall mate. Too much thrust.😂

Thing is I didnt know who this guy was or has done, it took me 2 minutes to find out. Surely he isnt in the frame

I’m beginning to wonder if this 6th team talk is a smoke screen to deflect from they haven’t secured the 5th team yet and it stops people talking about the Ipswich situation until it is resolved,,if it was a done deal they would surely be able to release fixtures by now, so clearly all is not sorted

Even more fooked than it is now

Could just do the fixtures now with 5 teams. Every Monday & Thursday there will always be at least one team not racing, they could race the 6th team on that date if needed?

Ah, so what's all this got to do with Leicester?

People stop going if the team is losing. Bu if a rider can help turn that round into a better team...

He froze himself out, in a way! Declined at least two invitations to ride for clubs he judged "too far north" didn't he?

Could argue Gusts and Knudsen were on the sidelines last year as well the amount of meetings they missed