gazzac

Maybe a bit of not wanting to pick an injury with both semi's coming up?

Hopefully Belle Vue will win the playoffs, then who cares really !!!

Seeing the proposed fixture list, if as I hope we get to the playoff and koc finals only leaves 2 weeks of the season left, with Friday 21st taken up by the end of season do (always seems a strange time to have it! ) and Saturday 29th the stock car finale at Arlington looks to be leaving it tight again this year, and that's not allowing for a change for the worse in the weather, only need to have the semi finals run into trouble and it will be difficult! Really need to get the season started earlier, more meetings in the summer and the finals in September.

No gp on that weekend, Poland on the 1st, then Melbourne on the 22nd October. Doesn't bode well for the fans who prefer racing on Saturday nights, believe there's the big stock car finale on Saturday 29th as well!

Does anyone know why it's on a Friday? Can do Saturday/Sundays but can't get to it on a Friday which is a shame, 5 less through the gate.

Don't know who has the choice to have home or away first, although would think it would be Birmingham. If Eastbourne get to the final, the thing for Birmingham to do must be to ride at home first and build up an advantage, Eastbourne still aren't the best away. Easier to defend a lead than claw it back. Even though I disagree with the playoffs if Eastbourne do run it close away they will probably win the title at Arlington . The league results home and away would have given it to Eastbourne by a point, shows how close it's likely to be.

I was there in 2002 as well, absolutely hated it, still hope we ( Eastbourne ) can win the playoffs, may erase that night a bit, but I would feel sorry for the Brummie fans.

Thought that was the case, that should be used more often.

Perhaps someone knows for sure as I'm sure I saw somewhere as long as a No8 only took r/r rides it didn't count. I'm really glad we have a sport where the rules are so easy and clear cut!

Such a shame after the great improvement he's made this year.

I am surprised when both Powell and Harris have been in the team they haven't taken Brennan as a No8 to take 3 of the rider replacement rides (along with Perks), give him a bit more experience at other tracks for next year without affecting his average . Only downside is its a fair ask to in effect taking rides in the No 2 position.

Probably be Eastbourne in both finals, and Cradley in the league playoff semi final.

Are you sure about last year, I don't recall Eastbourne fans moaning about Adam being in the NL. Looked forward to his battle's with Brad, only moan probably was he normally won the dual.

At the end of the day the points limit in all three leagues determine who you have in the team, who wants to ride for your team and what type of team you build, Birmingham have done a brilliant job with strength in depth this year, because of injuries on the first day Eastbourne had to change their statagy and if you remember had a few weeks using guests with no new No 1's becoming available . Adam initially rode on a short term deal to get extra rides early in the season and genuinely help the club out of a bit of a hole. Don't for a minute believe it was a financial situation but benefitted both at that time. I think because of the professional way the Dugards run the club, both agreed to extend the deal, suited us having the best rider from the Nl in 2015, and gained Adam the extra rides to keep him on form. Unlike the other riders mentioned who do PL, Adam was/is also involved in the World U21 and was in the world cup squad. Taking all that into account dought he would have wanted to take on a full season in the Pl even though he could obviously compete with the likes of King etc . If anyone else like Cook ,Worrall etc qualify to ride in the NL and want to bring it on, I'd be watching!

Only one or two do it on here, best to ignore it really!

I'm sure Mark rode, but I do remember Billy Janeiro riding, think Barker or Norris may have been out, to be fair to Janeiro he rode his socks off. Seem to remember Adam Shields having an off night at reserve having been on cracking form before. What also cost us was the team who came top in the first playoff went straight to the final awaiting the winner of the semi's, so by the time we faced Wolves don't think we had riden for 2 or 3 weeks, so came in 'cold' .

I was unfortunate to be at the first playoff in the elite league when Eastbourne lost it to Wolves having been the best team all season, it was such a disappointment after a great year. I'm glad we're where we are in the playoffs, as has been said it's Birmingham's to lose and the other's to win. Having said that still think last year's system of the team who came top won the league, then the end of season gold cup was probably the fairest and correct way. Only thing is if we do win it, I suppose it makes up for the hurt 14 year's ago!

I don't think they'll choose Kent, imagine they would see them as the most likely team to beat Eastie if possible as I would imagine they'd rather meet Kent in the final than Eastbourne.

Hope the weather plays ball and it's dry, think we'll be in the top 4 whatever, but a wet day with 2 home matches not played might make it tight!

I see they've made a good move taking Tom Brennen as no 8 meaning he can take any rider replacement rides, without altering his average I assume and giving him more experience. Would think he'd do 3, with Perks doing the other one of Cotthams rides.

Don't often venture onto the elite league section being a long term Eastie fan and so pleased we're in the NL, but surely it's great to have Woffy back in the elite for whatever reason, within the rules as has been said. Poole have manipulated the rules over the years to their benefit far more than this, and at the end of the day it'll be Poole and BV in the playoff final for sure with Woffy in the Wolves team or not so can't see why there's any fuss really!

Ditto.

I bet the Dugards are having a good old laugh at the rubbish on here about BWD, and whether Mrscambelt is a Mr Dugard! There is an insignificance about this compared to keeping a speedway club running in the current climate, and let's be honest and say BWD would have been our No 1 if the rules hadn't changed.Speedway and riders move on has happened before and will happen again. Whatever BWD 'cost' last year was more than repayed in excitement, incresed gates and trophies, we always knew we couldn't 'own' him so can't see he's doing anything wrong now, who's to say we haven't received indirect bonus's through the 'back door ' maybe not paying, or a reduced loan fee for Adam Ellis who I think is a Lakeside asset.

As Tom's first match was a 0 and didn't complete his programmed rides does that have any bearing?

Agree think it was one of the best NL matches I've seen and the atmosphere was good with a tiny bit of controversy. As you say James Shanes is great to watch, love his 'grass track' riding style.