StevePark

I can't see Rob throwing the towel in, especially after spending the money he has so far. He obviously sees potential at Newcastle and (I believe) is in for the long term.

Care to elaborate ?

Mainly Fridays at 7.30pm http://www.redcar-speedway.com/fixtures/

Newcastle are still planning to race their away fixtures, so don't know how you are expecting Ben to suddenly "jump ship" and sign for Scunthorpe (unless you know something I don't?).

Sheffield and Leicester

Too busy making cakes.

Newcastle did something similar when Andrew Tully broke a vertebrae at the Press & Practice in 2013. He was a new signing, but the BSPA agreed to allowing us to use R/R.

Wouldn't be the first time it's happened. In 1995 or 1996 ('96 I think) Middlesbrough ran virtually all season with R/R as they couldn't find a rider to fill fill the vacant position. They brought in a Supplementary Rule to cover for it.

I don't see why Workington Comets couldn't operate out of a new venue. It's the ownership name that wouldn't (possibly) be allowed to operate. The team name has nothing to do with ownership.

https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/news/travel-agents/silver-ski-holidays-failure-confirmed

Unless the rules have changed, the rider who is top of the averages has to be at number one. It's been that for years now.

https://newcastle-speedway.co.uk/2021/03/04/newcastle-bts-gems-complete-with-the-arrival-of-kelsey-dugard/

Yeah, I stupidly looked at 2019, rather than the abandoned 2020 team lists. If they want to encourage new riders, then 2.00 would be better than 3.00 in my opinion too, all they have to do is drop the points limit accordingly, so teams are not overly "top heavy."

Would Danny and Archie not be 2 pointers, rather than 3??

I very much doubt it, but that's just a guess.

Taken from Newcastle Speedway Facebook Page: Max Clegg will lead the Newcastle "BTS" Gems side into the 2021 National Development League season, at the most important time in British Speedway, as it's vital for the development of young British talent with the new Rising Star scheme now in place which the top two leagues have implemented. Coming on board with Clegg is new asset, Joe Alcock, and the home town triumvirate of Josh Embleton, Archie Freeman and Danny Smith, while the club have confirmed that advanced conversations are being held to complete the side with the last two riders soon to be announced. Club owner, Rob Grant said: "Newcastle will operate double-headers on many Sundays, with Championship matches running first then followed by the National Development League, and with the earlier regular start time of 4pm at all our meetings, this will allow better value with 30 heats a-night, and highlights Newcastle's emphasis on developing British youngsters in readiness for rising into the Championship in seasons to come. "We at Newcastle are very much making a natural path to run from the Northern Junior League through to National Development League, and then hopefully to the Championship with the Diamonds, and this will also help Newcastle develop their own asset base and create a good foundation to work from in the future."

R.I.P Barry Simpson + Taken off Barry's Facebook page: I would just like to let all of Barry's friends know that Barry sadly passed away on Wednesday 17th February, peacefully in his sleep. Many of you will know that Barry was diagnosed with MND in March 2020, but now he is at peace from this cruel disease. Thank you to everyone for their kind words and support over the last year. Ali and family.

Interesting Tweet from Jason Crump:

I thought that was "protected" for Premiership meetings?

http://speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.38597

http://www.sheffield-speedway.com/news.php?extend.2937

So they could sign Ben Barker?

Newcastle have 7.

Danny Smith has signed as a Newcastle asset (copied and pasted from Facebook): Welcome Danny Smith! Hot on the heels of the signing of 16-year-old Archie Freeman on a full club contract comes another addition to the side's ever-growing youth portfolio by signing another recently-turned 16-year-old locally-born rider in Danny Smith! Like Freeman, Smith has been shifting the Brough Park shale during junior and second-half events for a good number of seasons, often battling well with Freeman as they both have developed a high degree of speedway skill side-by-side. Diamonds' team manager, Darren Hartley is full of enthusiasm for the signing, saying: "Danny was always on the cards to be signed into our set up once he turned 16, and he perfectly fits the bill of exceptional young talent, home grown in the North East, and as such is another local lad desperately keen to improve and go all the way to the top with the Gems and the Diamonds!" Dave Tattum, the club's co=promoter went on to add: "We're really pushing the club's youth development policy this season, like never before, and now with Danny fully signed and, on our books, the future is looking very rosy indeed." "Newcastle Gem's manager, Steve Pate was also thrilled at the signing, adding: "Both Archie, and now Danny, have been honing their skills on the 500cc engines over the last couple of seasons, and last year Danny too took part in pretty much the only full-scale 2020 competition to take place on UK tracks, the British Youth Championships, gaining vital experience with every round and will join Archie at first in the ranks of the Newcastle Gems NDL side, gaining more, and more experience with the aim of joining the full-time Diamonds in the Championship at some point in the future. We are really getting a bubbling youth scene going at Newcastle right now, and just at the right time for the lads and the club!"