Hackett

The National League is the first tier of league speedway - A genuine 3rd tier - It's naturally a development league of sorts to allow youngsters a first experience of league racing. So the likes of Tom Brennan, Jack Smith, JPB, etc etc can gain some track experience however it's a genuine 3rd tier. There are true development leagues through the MDL the SDL and NJL. Riders are being paid - so it is about winning !!

Ayres in different class. Come on leaps and bounds every time he raced at Arlington. Just wants to win. Brennan for the Eagles was excellent but Heathens threw away a lot of points and Arlington not the greatest track for Armstrong.

Bad day at the office for the Eagles .... the @ITFirstEagles twitter feed stated that they had 3 blown engines and were riding on used tyres as there was no spares van at Mildenhall. This was followed by another tweet stating that they had bought a number of tyres from a spares company so not to get caught out again. It is early in the season so no need to panic just yet; but it would be a concern that Tom Brennan is top scorer each meeting and the heat leaders are struggling against opposition no.1 + no.5's hopefully get back into the groove at Arlington on Saturday.

Skornicki has been released. CVS will look to find him a Championship club. Interesting they say that he was using a test engine which they weren't aware off + he has stated getting a new engine. So obviously that new motor hasn't worked. I guess releasing Skornicki so early means they have a bigger average to work with.

The young aren't interested in speedway because it hasn't been marketed to them in the right way. Belle Vue as an example has a great track ; arguably the best racing track in the UK + a great stadium. Youth marketing is all about social media - although the BSPA is using video clips now - They should be maximising this not having racing rights restricted for video usage (Gospeed). Remember riders stating that they couldn't use race footage on promotional dvds or clips to sponsors. The small montages Sky and now BT Sport make should be used everywhere - each club provided with a montage of their own riders clips etc to show to schools , youth clubs etc to generate more support. Think what MotoGP does. Speedway needs to do the same and then change the way the sport is presented - meeting take far to long and need to be pushed through we are looking at 15 mins racing ONLY - A meeting should be done and dusted in 90 minutes barring injuries. Seem to remember Frank Ebdon not wasting too much time with the "2 minutes" - As for the audience blue chip sponsors aren't interested because the numbers don't warrant it -

Rye House track has always been on the slick side .... "slicker than a strippers bikini line" ... Not the first time they have had trouble with the track. Only last year that the Rye House Raiders vs Eastbourne Eagles meeting was abandoned. Issue is a lot of riders don't like grippy or deep tracks. The Rockets with Nicholls, Robbo + Harris have three racers in the team. Bomber has never been a gater and needs dirt and grip to give him a chance to pass from the back. So few tracks have a decent amount of dirt on these days BUT then I guess that saves them from spending too much money on track prep + a blade.

Real shame considering some of the hyped dross that Sky Sports shows BUT it is all about viewing figures. Sport needs to look at itself - bent over backwards for Sky Sports and still they walked away. Personally I think BSPA/SCB should terminate Go Speed contract and look at straming video heats etc on social media. The sport is 4 laps behind MotoGP + MotoX in terms of self promotion and video content. The sport needs to look at new ways to attract an audience - there is hope ; look at the success at Glasgow Speedway.

That team is shocking !!! Great to see Leicester back in speedway but can only see that side struggling.

Think Swindon should take a bow for honouring the contract despite the crazy average. They had agreed a 2 year deal and honour that. Loyalty is a rare commodity in speedway and I hope they prove people wrong.

Adam Ellis was excellent for Poole and was good enough to keep a former GP rider at reserve. At Eastbourne it was like taking a Uzi to a duck hunt. He was superb all season. Although he has an average that is traditionally difficult to fit into an Elite team. Should he choose he could easily do a job at Premier League or whatever it will be called in 2017 James Shanes looks a good prospect for the EL reserve or PL. Has improved in the two season I have seen him race and if he can get a reserve berth and a racing track as he rarely gates he could be decent. With guidance could be a good rider.

Superb result for the Eagles especially after such a bad start. Points were thrown away by both sides but a great meeting for the NL Final. It is the Eagles to lose but need another strong performance from Adam Ellis, Ellis Perks, Jake Knight + guest to keep it close and an improved performance down at reserve as the Eagles cant afford a 27-2 return at 6+7 as the pressure on the Top 4 will be huge. For those at Perry Barr it should be an absolute cracker !!

1. Ellis Perks 8.68 2. Jordan Jenkins 3.00 3. Georgie Wood 7.53 4. Ben Hopwood 6.00 5. Jake Knight 8.54 6. Kyle Bickley 3.00 7. Tom Brennan 3.00 Total - 39.75

Drury has come out today and sees the reserve pairing as key to the meetings. “I certainly feel we’ve got the upper hand with the two Jacks (Parkinson-Blackburn and Smith) at reserve and a lot will depend on their performances. . ." Last time at Perry Barr the Eagles took the chequered flag on 10 occasions but lost 47-43 - They will need Tom Brennan + Luke Harris to be competitive and pick up points. If Brummies hit Eagles for 5-1s in the reserves heat. 17+5 Brummies - Eagles 1 !! A repeat of that will make it a tall order for the Eagles !! Jack Smith 10+2, Jack P Blackburn 7+3 vs Luke Harris 1, Charley Powell 0

Agreed Woffinden was simply playing the game ;-) called #banter - Wolverhampton may of won the Grand Final but speedway and Belle Vue Aces are winners with track. Just a shame the nearest tracks to me are Eastbourne + Lakeside ... Must be a pleasure watching racing at the NSS regularly...

Positive outlook The Eagles achilles heel is at reserve and having to cover most of r/r #2 rides. Eagles will be prone to a team with a heavy hitting reserve If Jack Parkinson Blackburn takes to Arlington as he did Buxton the Eagles will be in trouble. Could be about who makes the least mistakes at reserve who wins if Brummies and Eagles meet as the top 5 will be a match for each other. Kent will be without Danny Ayres, who is riding for his Premier League club, Glasgow. Ben Hopwood, a member of last year’s treble-winning Eagles’ team, comes in as a guest replacement. Solid guest for the Kings ...

Hoping the Eagles make it through the Play-offs ... Working in London + finishing work at 17.30 ; not a hope in hell of making it home to Surrey and then drive to the meeting. So no Play-Off SF for me the kids + missus will have to go alone.

Still going to need the Eagles top 4 to score well on Friday. Will be up against it vs Brummies as they have a solid look about them but Eagles run them close at Perry Barr and won at home ... so will still fell confident if they can make the final.

Eagles have Tommy Brennan at 2 and Jordan Jenkins at reserve. Luke Harris was injured in junior meeting on Sat night after one of his better performances for the Eagles. Going to need Adam Ellis, Jake Knight, Ellis Perks and Georgie Wood all to bang in decent scores.

Main body of the team scores 37 - Reserves only manage 1 point. Unfortunately that is the Eagles Achilles heel at the moment. Although being a dead rubber - imagine that the Eagles will be thinking more of the KOC Semi-final at Cradley.

Good result for the Eagles on their travels ... Play-Off bound !!

"He admits there have been issues behind the scenes which have contributed to his decision but doesn’t want to discuss them in public." Us as supporters can guess that he isn't happy with the situation and his intention of giving 2017 a miss shows he is not happy with the BSPA and questions will be asked by media and fans alike but personally I believe he should come out and state the reasons. That way everybody will know and the BSPA will have to answer the situation.

Tai needs to makes a full statement and slam the BSPA if need be and give the true reasons for his decision. He has continually gone on record and stated his 5 year plan - I seem to remember that Rob Lyons had a similar plan and was banging his head against an air fence and quit !! The BSPA probably thinks they are doing enough in supplying riders with kevlars. Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson (RIP RICO!) have said there needs to be more help training,development and preparation for the riders. Guess the BSPA will say it is about money !!! Premier League 4's riders were going to quit because of pay, the Elite League hasn't had a "true" sponsor for years. All clubs look after themselves rather than the future of the sport. Lets remember BSI / IMG pay little in comparison to other motor sports in terms of winnings - Russia riders had to pay their own way to SWC events and threatened with an international ban if they failed to do so. Australia have to resort to sponsorship pages on websites in trying to help the funding of riders etc - Team USA has had issues financially continually. Would be interesting to see what Sweden / Denmark provide their riders with in terms of support and help on logistics.

Schlein will know far more about the situation that we ever will - unless Tai makes a complete statement. As for his Lynn form he is going to take time to get 100% after his injuries

Buxton were pretty poor and fortunate to have a guest as good as Danny Ayres. He has got better every visit around Arlington and certainly showed the Eagles the fastest way round the track. He deserved a full maximum but blew it on the last bend. Fair play to Ayres as although a guest was helping out and helping the injured Buxton rider. With Adam Ellis out for a few weeks I would think that Ayres would certainly be considered as a guest for the Eagles. Plus Baseby was good value for the Eagles too. Good to see Georgie Wood looking a lot more competitive too ....

Bridger was excellent last night. You just wish he can get his head right and knuckle down. Hopefully with Pro-revolution team dealing with the bikes all will be good + he can continue to score well at Lakeside and improve his away form.