StevePark

As you say, "there won't be" as Oxford are in there twice & Birmingham have gone, even IF Northampton come to the tapes in 2026, it is still only 15, which gives 28 league meetings + any Cup or "BSN" series matches. I can't be bothered to look at how many riders rode in both Prem & Champ in 2025, but I'd guess +/-40% or so? The only way you are gong to fill the "empty" places is with NDL riders and most of the top riders in the NDL are already in the Champ and some are even in the Prem!! Which leaves the second strings and reserves, most of whom aren't ready for Champ racing. One League might seem the "obvious way to go", but the "knock-on effect" is far more reaching as far as the overall product is concerned IMO. EDIT: A quick look at the final 1-7's in the Prem, I make it 27 riders who doubled up in the 49 team places (hope I've got that right!!).

Yeah, the promoter at the time failed to pay the riders and, if I remember correctly, did a runner !!

OFFICIAL Green Sheet Averages (without Brit reduction) taken off the BSPL site: https://britishspeedway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/c25_issue_27.pdf

When Newcastle were still running in 2022, during one of our last ever home meetings, the opposition Manager said that one rider over an 8pt average per team would be fairer to the likes of Newcastle as he actually felt sorry for us. His team had two over the 8pt average in the team at the time.

Stene Pijper @ #8 for Bears.

So... you are not anti Antti, then?? LOL

Didn't stop Klindt from signing !!

Does that mean he is (technically) withholding his services? The season doesn't officially end until 31st October and he's booked his flights before that date? What are the rules regarding this situation?

Just "this season"??

Not now I've read it properly, no !!

He's replacing the #1, so it's OK: 011.4.2 Guest Rider (G) b) a rider may ride as a guest (in an official meeting) at a track only once in an 8 day period (within that league) excluding Play Offs, unless he is replacing the home teams #1 or is ONLY declared in a British Development League Team

duplicated post

Are you confusing the night when Ben Powell, riding for Scunthorpe, aimed his bike (after the race) at Newcastle's Kenni Larsen (after Powell had dismounted it)?

Are you confusing the night when Ben Powell, riding for Scunthorpe, aimed his bike (after the race) at Kenni Larsen (after Powell has dismounted it)?

I( used to love my trips to Buxton when Newcastle Gems were there. Good luck to them.

For those who haven't seen it:

Who'd of thought it? In October as well? It might be "pie in the sky" but for 2026 how about - BSN Final by end of July - KOC Final by the end of August - League meetings complete by end of August - Play-off Semi's and Final in September.

That, of course, depends on how many riders will be in the teams!! Some have suggested five riders per team, with many others saying six. It doesn't necessarily have to be seven man teams. It went down to six per team in 1997 (but soon went back to seven!!).

The fixture congestion has very little to do with the Play-offs (IMO), it has all to do with the gaps in the fixtures from May-August. Fill those gaps when racing can take place and you get rid of the congestion in September/October when the weather is a damn site more "iffy" than May-August. BTW, I don't like the Play-offs either. I also don't like Semi Finals and a Final in an individual meeting either. Top of the League/Top Scorer after 20 heats should be crowned Champion in my book. But (sadly) Play-offs are here to stay.

What has been said?

The Championship doesn't have a "TV deal" as such, so no need for Play-offs 😛🤣

There's only Kent (In the NDT) who currently are not running in the Leagues above. Are you suggesting Teams go like Oxford and run more than one team (Belle Vue, King's Lynn & Leicester are the only current PL teams in the NDL/NDT, all others are already Championship)?

I think the fact that Workington got through to the end of the season is maybe more important than getting into the play-offs. I could be wrong of course.

I hope Sam Hagon not too seriously hurt. Looking on Updates it sounded horrible.