gazzac

You're right, need to draw a line under the other issues here, hopefully it can be fixed!

There's so many good valid points here about the machinery, and Sings point about the silencers has definitely made the current bikes seem less controllable actually narrowing the power band. But at the end of the day the prime cause must be track preparation in whatever conditions are thrown up ,especially with set weather. I can only answer for Eastbourne, our track looked destroyed over the winter by the stock cars, but we always seem to prepare a track that's a bit slick on the inside with plenty of dirt and grippy around the outside and don't remember seeing any dangerous ruts. Although some opposing riders find our tight track a bit ' demanding' it's not normally dangerous. I suppose throttle control comes into play rather than just winding it on. The opposing riders who can master it don't normally complain about the track surface, expect Kemp found it ok last Saturday. So track prep is key, what you can do about machine regs for the NL I don't know, only way to instigate something would probably be no doubling up which I can't see happening.

You'd have thought the power's that be would have learnt over the last 20 year's that a low points limit has never been good for any league. There will always be stronger and weaker teams whatever the limit, but as you say a higher starting figure always gives the weaker teams chance to improve, and the likes of Jake Knight and until recently Bowtell wouldn't be without a ride.

Yes did have a quick look, I think against Plymouth away in August, hopefully doesn't affect us nearer the sharp end.

Agree,the most satisfying meetings are a 49/41 win having got a 5/1in heat 15 to take all 3 points and restricting the away team, although if it's a cracking match, 46/44 is great and gives the away team something for their efforts in making a great meeting.

Just hope there's not too many fixture clashes as it's always the NL team who loses out.

Yes, please can both Birmingham and Mildenhall hurry up and get your 4 league meetings done to help the rest of us!

Unfortunately I think you're right.

I've enjoyed the NL whilst we've been in it, but although I don't think it'll happen, really hope we go up to the championship next year otherwise we'll probably lose the likes of Wood and Brennen. Would we get much bigger crowd's, not sure, but no dought the call and probably need for lower costs in the NL and more than likely a lower points limit next year would probably reduce crowd's, not sure I could justify the 100 mile round trip with 4 of us to watch 2nd half quality racing having done the journey for 20 years.

It'll become an mdl/sdl league, they won't learn what they can in this league with the current competition, but as I said it does need restructuring, with the likes of Buxton running in an mdl type league , with the top league being slightly above championship level, followed by a league somewhere between championship and nl for the likes of Eastbourne and Birmingham.

That's known for sure then? I've kept away from this discussion, but taking Eastbourne, we started with Baseby at no 1, who I can't believe is anywhere near the same cost as say somebody like Clegg or Roynon, think we had some luck with Edwards with Lakeside going up, but believe we enquired about Kemp first but we're out bid, Powell, Brooks and Woods were scouted from grass track , would we be paying them championship rates, I dought it leaving Brennan and Dugard who came through the youth system, in fact I remember Mark Baseby riding the second halves years ago. There will always be teams with a slightly bigger budget, ours due to no part of aquirering a fantastic headline sponsor, which not all clubs seem to do, I do think because of the Dugard heritage they are in a position to provide more help with machinery etc but we've also a good record with bringing in new untried talent. I suppose we're lucky to have a well run club, I don't think it's down to the amount riders are paid, although I agree 2 leagues is really the amount our sport needs, but that's not likely to change I imagine.

Spot on, Birmingham and Mildenhall look far stronger than anyone else. I said exactly the same about Eastie when the team was announced, no out and out number 1 will never work away, probably still go unbeaten at home , although close calls against Birmingham and Mildenhall, but will get hammered away at both.

It will be r/r for Powell but also Brooks had a high speed crash into the air fence on Saturday so may not be 100% hence a No 8. Unfortunately as you say with the average changes coming in for Eastie and not yet Birmingham, think it'll be a comfortable home win, although Wood and Brennen are flying at the moment, so hopefully be some good races.

Well apparently Charley's going to have the shoulder plated and hopes to be riding by mid June. Underestimated the toughness of speedway riders again, although hope he doesn't rush back too soon.

Couldn't agree more, long term r/r never really works. Be okay until the first green sheet changes, but not beyond.

Have just seen the x ray of Charley Powells shoulder, looks a bad break so assume he'll be out for quite a while. Any thoughts on what we're likely to do? The dreaded r/r until he can return? Is George Hunter still wanting to ride speedway, or is he giving it a miss this year? Maybe a decent replacement, and seem to remember he was marrying into the Dugard family?

With no Brooks or Powell, could be a similar score to last time. Would make the second leg interesting though if Coventry get a 10 point plus lead.

Echo what everyone has said above. Best wishes to Mitchel and his family.

I suppose a ' fair' figure for NL would really be £12 ( £10 plus vat), and make it the same (maximum) across all NL clubs, unless someone wants to charge less.

Maybe the answer is fewer teams in this league, and I don't mean closures. I really like it in the NL, but if say Eastbourne and say maybe Birmingham or Kent went up a league,would that solve the problem?

Agree with B.Bucks post, although I wasn't there seems a good sensible evaluation. Be nice to move on now and stop the blame game.

Think you're spot on there, shows early on what is likely to happen away from home again this season without an out and out no 1.Dugard will be at reserve shortly with Edwards at 2, better in one way but less options as we'll have 2 weak reserves if their current form continues, although you'd like to think both Brookes and Dugard should improve?

If Eastie had 36 hours of dry weather before a meeting, even now would probably be watering it! Never been to Stoke but the drainage must be really bad not to get a meeting on.

Cradley

Really!! Never known such a sensible 22 year old.