Halifaxtiger

I think that's a decent team, certainly one worth watching. Klindt is the only one I have real concerns about. He was awful riding for Scunthorpe in this league, averaging two points lower than his starting one here and only being interested if he gated.

Dead right and that is what sticks in my craw more than anything else. We can all debate the rules that apply to speedway but, however controversial they might be, they can at least be applied consistently by an unbiased, impartial adjudicator. Simple truth is, though, all too often they are not. They are subject to inconsistent, arbitrary, incompetent and illegal rulings by interested parties - parties whose identities are hidden and whose reasons are rarely disclosed. That is almost totally contrary to our system of law and breeds frustration and anger amongst not just fans but officials of clubs as well. Isle of Wight asked for average reduction for Harland Cook last season, a rider who had been out of the sport for years,. They were refused, despite the precedent set for David Wallinger and Luke Clifton the previous season. Later in 2017 Paul Hurry was given an average reduction of almost 3 points, two clubs having been quoted an average in excess of 10.50 during the close season. Matt Marson, who has never ridden in Britain and has a British passport, was at one point graded at a 5.00 - which doesn't even exist in the NL rulebook. You can only believe that such rulings are motivated by spite, jealousy, backscratching and one-upmanship. People can complain about the rulebook and individual rules as much as they like but until its contents are applied consistently, fairly and openly by an independent arbitrator we might as well not have one.

Didn't mean it was so much a gaters paradise as the quality of the racing really hasn't changed much since the 1950's. Fantastic stadium and dreadful that it is about to be demolished.

Be a great choice, Phil. Local, loves the track and would be a huge and fantastic influence on Belle Vue's young riders. Not sure where he will ride but, as I say, I have been told it won't be at NSS.

It would be an exaggeration to say that every meeting at Belle Vue in 2017 had brilliant speedway. It would, however, be true say that some meetings most certainly did and that you would be more likely to see brilliant speedway there than just about anywhere else. Its a myth to suggest that the racing was better 20, 30, 40 or 50 years ago. It wasn't, but nor was it worse. My Dad went to Wimbledon in the fifties - Boy Wonder Ronnie Moore and all - and when I said I was going he said 'first out of the gate always wins'.

That's correct. Any rider who has a Championship average above 4.00 and a Championship place cannot ride NL at the start of the season. Bizarrely, they can be included at a later point. Armstrong must change his mind - I have had it on very good authority that he won't be riding for the Colts.

I know for a fact that Isle of Wight do not regard their entry as 'winners' as light hearted (and rightly so, if there were winners last season they are surely one of them).. To be fair, it does say in Speedy Star that some of the mentions are firmly but, to me, you can't mix serious comment with something that is anything but. Frequently, people have trouble determining which is which.

Plenty more ?

So deserving of a place in the 'losers' category is an ex-rider who got sold a 'duff ticket' Is that really the best you can come up with given all that happened last season? What next, someone who ate a dodgy burger and got a dose of the runs ?

Looks like you have narked someone with your critical and often pointed comments. My advice is to wear it as a badge of honour - I believe it was Mahatma Gandhi who said 'First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win'. Not sure you'll get the last two but it looks to me like you have hit the others. I have a lot of time for Phil Rising and his contributions on here but shame on Speedy Star for putting you in that category simply because you complained about a restricted view at a GP and this seems to be nothing more than a cheap shot at the behest of those who don't like your outspoken opinions. I doubt if there is a speedway fan who couldn't think of half a dozen more deserving nominations. We don't always agree but I have nothing but respect for your views.

Huge step up from the NL and no doubt he'll find it tough. An absolute no brainer, though. Just 16, a local lad and had a fantastic debut season riding with the Colts.

No doubt you thought that when Matt Marson was totally illegally graded on a 5.00 average. Along with the Roynon and Hurry reduction decision, I'd say by the end of the season (if not long before that) he was thoroughly discredited and the NL is well rid of him.

What I do know is that is exactly what they said at the beginning of 2017 (when they had finished slagging him off, that was). Maybe there was no-one better on an average that fitted. It is make or break. But it was at this time last year, too. He's definitely a better rider than his average suggests and he was hugely popular on the Isle of Wight due to the way he engaged with the crowd (a model example, I'd say). As to whether he will apply himself, experience says not.

To be fair, Neil, you are a regular and, in my opinion, much valued poster. Dale, Laurence and Gordon comment very rarely and Tsunami is a former promoter with no official position, although I know that he makes a huge difference to Newcastle and his perspective as a former promoter is often sobering. The point stands : there are 28 clubs in British Speedway and the overwhelming majority of clubs make absolutely no contribution here whatsoever, despite the fact that it is easily the biggest online speedway forum in this country. My view of the way the BSF is viewed also stands, and it is indicative of how the sport treats its fans that so few of those running teams seek to engage on here in the way that you do and Barry has. You often do not get the credit you deserve, but the number of likes that Barry has attracted shows just how much members appreciate someone coming on and telling us how it is. I believe there is a recognition by most members of this forum that information can be confidential and cannot be disclosed publicly. That does not prevent explanations being given on many, many other matters that concern the individual speedway fan.

I definitely think that Jenkins is the better rider. His brilliant heat 12 pass of both home riders at Isle of Wight was one of the best moves I saw all season in the NL. Interesting competition between Kemp and Dugard ? This is the same Dugard that got sacked twice last season, isn't it ? Do I need to remind you of the comments his father and brother made about him at the beginning of 2017 ? Much better than his average and just about everyone refers to his attitude. But how many chances does he get to prove himself ? We'll see about Kinsley and Powell. I must admit I haven't seen Brookes but I have seen Marson. There's a good reason why desperate attempts were made to increase his average to a 5.00 last season. I saw Kemp and Edwards ride at the NSS last season, a track that really sorts out the men from the boys. Kemp scored 9 for Eastbourne in the NL Grand Final and was the reason they weren't beaten out of sight. He scored 8 for Mildenhall in the KO Cup and his two late wins over Shuttleworth were the reason Mildenhall won the tie. Edwards only ever looked like beating Woodhull and he didn't manage that. Kemp was by far and away the best novice I saw last season who will start on a 3.00 average, and that's probably why Eastbourne tried to sign him.

He can't possibly be worse than the incumbent. Dale Allitt for me.

I remember going to a match at Newport in early 2005 and this chap was coming round, shaking hands and talking with spectators. He shook my hand, asked about the speedway and went off to the next person. I was hugely impressed when I found out he was, at the time, chairman of the BSPA.

Without a doubt, Harry - and you're dead right. Jayne Moss comes on occasionally but no other club official makes any comment at all, which speaks volumes. Problem is, the BSF is entirely out of their control so they can't throw those who criticise off it - unlike a club forum or facebook page.

I'd say that man for man Mildenhall are far stronger, Powell being the only one likely to match his opposite number (Kinsley). Eastbourne also have no-one who is going to improve his average like Kemp or maybe even Marson.

Is that why Jack Smith and Dan Bewley haven't signed, too ?

If anyone wondered why I bang on about Isle of Wight all the time, there's your answer. Most promoters treat members of the BSF as g'bs*ites, trolls, ignoramuses and keyboard commandos. They regard us with contempt, spite and aggression and as 'completely without credibility'. This one treats us as speedway fans. Ps Go there and have a chat with the Big Man, but aside from his fabulous (and I mean fabulous) curry, never eat anything he gives you

They target youth groups, schools, scout and guide troops and let them into a meeting for free. They then ask them what they think of it and how it can be improved.

I hate to say this but..................Isle of Wight do that

You're dead right and I think it is more a problem with those in their teenage years and slightly beyond rather than the young children. You'd think that a sport that has racing on bikes without brakes that do 0-60 in 3 seconds would be attractive..................

I have only sat with you once but you were brilliant. My mate from Mildenhall who attends Ipswich who is a pensioner shares that view. Speedway's problem isn't that targets old people, but that they are the majority of its support (and by old people I mean those over 40, not those over 70). It has to find a way to attract younger fans without alienating its current fan base.