torpointfanatic22

If we get 30, we've had a good night (or Poole a bad one). I fancy this will be a bit processional for those going to watch. Hopefully the Pirates miss a few gates so the fans get to see some decent racing.

What a weird observation. Not sure I'd judge a club by the age of a machine being used to do the track. I think you're looking at it the wrong way. I don't think it's so much about Plymouth being a 3rd tier club, more a case of the likes of Glasgow and Poole being top tier clubs. The reality is you're always going to get 'minnows' in every league, clubs that punch above their weight and on the flip side clubs that are fallen giants, that a bigger fishes in smaller ponds. I fully accept Plymouth in the past has been poorly run and I'm not a massive fan of the current promotion, but the facilities today are chalk and cheese from what they were in the past.

Classic! In a day when the sport is on its arse, supporters are walking away year on year and tracks struggle to survive, the authorities would rather hang Plymouth and their fans out to dry rather than work together to provide a solution. If Saturday goes ahead it will likely be a mauling and all that does is see more supporters walk away. It will be the same in each meeting. I don’t know when Covatti may be fit but based on what I’ve seen and am aware of, this is a problem that Plymouth didnt cause and have tried every avenue they can to resolve (without financially crippling themselves) and yet the authorities are sticking two fingers up rather than offering support. Classic reaction from a body who has their own interests at the heart of what they do. It’s not the authorities fault either, I’m acutely aware of that but the lack of flexibility is piss poor

I think much will depend on Covatti and his return from injury, the management are clearly keen to stick by him when he is fit so if he could get fit by the start of May it’s a case of seeing if someone could agree a one month deal. I think the shout of moving things to a Tuesday through April would make sense if it meant a rider like Riss would sign on for that month. From the clubs perspective, giving away meetings by having a poor guest at number 1 wouldn’t be good for business. On that note would we get a guest facility? 8 possible meetings until the end of April would surely be attractive to someone!!

So back to the topic at hand, with Plymouth set to host their first meeting at home to Poole in 3 and a half weeks. Will we have a new number one announced (temporary or permanent) and will the new look track be ready to go to give the Plymouth lads a chance to actually ride it before Poole do!? I see on the Plymouth forum someone suggesting the track won't be ready until May, not sure if that's true or speculation but maybe that would allow Covatti to be fit in time to prevent Plymouth needing a replacement? All very quiet at the moment, which isn't necessarily a good thing!

I wouldn't want him on a 4 let alone 8. If Riss can make it work he has to be the one.

Or it shows just how hard people are working in and around the stadium to improve the track and ultimately the racing. Of course I’m biased being a Plymouth fan but I actually think the pictures give a real truth behind what happens in off seasons and I’d like to think most fans will empathise with the challenges faced to help a club improve their product.

Completely agree but the minute bigger clubs like Poole or Glasgow that have the means to pay riders more along with various packages (signing on fees, engines etc) it opens the door for others to start to demand silly money that clubs with lower budgets simply cannot afford. Thus you get a division within a division and it makes it all the more remarkable when smaller clubs win trophies, it's the same in almost all sports in this country sadly. Some kind of thinking around a salary cap or fixed structure of pay would protect clubs and level the playing field. It would put the power very much back in the clubs hands because I'm sorry to say that riders demands increasing constantly (among other things) is what is financially crippling for the sport.

Really shocked and saddened actually that Dan Gilkes hasn't got a place in the championship.

Nico Covatti completes the Plymouth team

So it's Covatti, Bowtell, Newman, D Thompson, Barker, J Thompson and Hook - Not the team I'd have thought we'd be putting together and I think we're going to struggle in a lot of heat 13s and 15s both home and away but hopefully, with a strong(ish) reserve pair we can make up for it in other heats. Lots of improvement from the non-heat leaders required!

Do we know his starting average? I'm assuming he'll be doubling up then as can't see him coming over just to ride championship.

With the number one still to be signed, I can't help but fear Plymouth will struggle to beat opposing heat leaders (and 2nd strings away). Hopefully if nothing else we can dial in to the new track shape, but when you see the fire power others have (appreciate not all teams are sorted) I'm struggling to see heat wins in this team, especially away. We'll need at least two of the 'supporting cast' to seriously improve if Plymouth want to be competitive.

They'd be silly too that's for sure

Never impressed to be honest, but with reserves looking weaker this season due to the points limit decrease, hopefully he'll profit.

Hoping you're on a wind up here Lewy, BWD is not number one material, in fact he's probably 2nd string at best.

The two new signings are Thompson and Hook I'd have thought so, badly worded presser I'd think. Hook is on a 4 so if he's at reserve it's got to be with Thompson.

You can't win meetings if you can't win races. If that was the team, we'd be nowhere near the playoffs

Would be a terrible, terrible signing on that average.

I'd take Riss in a heartbeat, goes really well lat Plymouth, the other two can stay in Oz.

It was stated in the article in the local paper when Barker was announced.

I make Dan on 4.86 and Joe on 3.51. With Alfie and Ben signed that's 20.26 I believe. Leaves 17.74 for the last three. I'm guessing the team will line up something like... 1. 2. Bowtell 3. 4. Dan 5. Barker 6. Joe 7. Lots of talk about Newman (5.51), would leave the chance for a decent number one and would negate the need for a two pointer.

Depends on averages I guess... Barker - 7.41, Bowtell - 4.48, D Thompson - 4.86, J Thompson - 3.51 = 20.26 So last three would need to be 17.74 or less. Newman would be 5.51, Gilkes 4.84 and Pearson is 4.08. If Newman and Pearson, we 'd have 8.15 for a number 1. If Gilkes and Pearson, we'd have 8.82 for a number one. Pretty sure Gilkes is off to Scunny so if rumours are to be believed the number one would be up to 8.15. Options definitely more limited with 8.15 so hoping we've got a bit more than that for our top rider.

I don't think he is either but with the reduced points limit this season I think a number of teams will be starting the season with two genuine heat leaders and three second stringers with the hope one will develop into a heat leader, especially if they want to have some strength at reserve. You could say the same about Oxford who have completed their team. Heeps / Jenkins are not 3rd heat leader material based on last seasons form but I'm sure they will be hoping that one will develop into that (especially at home). Thompson came on leaps and bounds last season in fairness to him and showed he can do more than ride Leicester. Much will depend on who we bring in to ride at number 1 and reserve. Alfie and Ben should score really well at home, I'm not sold on both Thompsons personally but I do see that happening. Newman is more likely than Gilkes, which is a shame as I really rate Gilkes and I'm not sure Newman improves his average from last season being away from Poole but time will tell.

Really like Alfie returning. Great bloke and really good at Plymouth, away form has improved over the last season too.