CardinalSin

Shadders, why do you think Neath's and Risager's falls were down to the track? What was wrong with it? I'm no track expert either by the way, but when we turned up the first topic of convo was how the track looked in good nick. A little slick maybe, but not deep or tricky to ride. Cameron Heeps, one of the least experienced riders out there, looked like a seasoned pro and had no problems whatsoever. To me, a number of riders just looked very rusty and the falls were down to rider error rather than the track.

Fair point that. My idol as a child was Dennis Sigalos and the very first thing that brought my attention to him and made him stand out from the rest was his distinctive red, white and blue American leathers with the white stars down the legs. When team suits first came out, i shared the same opinion to you. But my opinion has changed over time. When teams turn up with bibs and different colour kevlars, it just doesn't look as professional as the team suits.

Anyone else wanna jump on here and have a pop at all things Ipswich this close season? Still a day to go so you've got time!!

Also the best side in the league over the season won't necessarily win the title. You can be the best team all year, top the league by 20 points, pick up a couple of injuries in your last league meeting and then get done in the play offs because of a weakened team. Equally, there are those that don't look that great on paper NOW, but could look very different later in the year. Newport last year, had a shocking start getting thumped here there and everywhere and losing at home, but that enabled them to strengthen up and didn't they just. They went on a fantastic run, flew up the table and finished in the top 6 which this year would get them in the play offs. Once there, you would have put your money on them lifting the title despite Glasgow being the best team all season long!

Someone else who has been reading something that just isn't there

The Star of Anglia is now the meeting on the 22nd March. Field announced shortly.

You must mean Rohans Witch then

Taylor Poole's? It's strange because in the group photo he's wearing last years kevlars, but in the action shots in today's star, he's definitely wearing this years.

I wouldn't read too much in to that Baldy, Tungate is wearing 2 but has to be either 6 or 7 as he's a reserve.

Pete Simmons posted a pic on twitter of the lads warming up the bikes in the pits so definitely practice today. Lets hope they got a fair few laps under their belts.

Beggars belief doesn't it. We've got a meeting next week!

Sounds a bit ominous!

Thank you.

When is press and practice?

I disagree its a crazy decision. Ben Barker is an outstanding number 1 in the Premier league and a rider i'm sure every club would love to have in their side. A real coup for Plymouth to get him on board and an ideal opportunity to build a side to challenge at the business end of the table with wise signings down the order. When signing a rider on such a high average, the task then is to be clever with your other 6 signings and try and find some hidden gems with potential to up their averages. Firstly i don't believe Plymouth done that with some very strange looking signings, and secondly signing Fisher just made a complete balls up of the whole thing!! Unfortunately i can also only see a season of struggling near the foot of the table, but at least the supporters will have the satisfaction i suppose of seeing the two best riders in the league in their colours, and arguably the most exciting too so still plenty to look forward to.

Lanham confirms in today's Evening Star that he has an offer from Plymouth and he is thinking it over. He's not keen on the long drive to home meetings so is thinking it over before giving Plymouth his answer this week. Seems 50/50 at the moment.

I agree with you, but away you'll probably need those 3 to win those 5 races to share the heats. Thats why i think the 3 experienced and quality heatleaders have a job to do in team riding. They're good enough to do that rather than disappearing off in to the distance.

I'm not so sure about away from home SCB. A lot of clubs also have very good heatleaders on their own shale. The other 4 are likely to score very little away from Plymouth. Barker and Fisher are the top two riders in the league, but they will have to be pretty flawless away from home as well as home to stop being 10 or more down by heat 13. Its going to be very interesting watching their early results i can't wait for the season to get going.

Oh i think they would in a lot of away meetings. Maybe not at home but certainly away.

Lanham is a solid PL performer and will score more points than Boxall of that i have no doubt. I put Plymouth bottom or near to it of my prediction table because of the long long tail. But swapping Boxall for Lanham would change my thinking slightly. A top 3 of Barker, Fisher and Lanham is the best top 3 in the league by a distance. While the rest look ropey to say the least, those 3 will score enough points alone to make sure you are competitive in most meetings. Team riding by these 3 is essential. Its a pity with a side made up like this that the tactical rule has been tinkered with. I could see an awful lot of 8-1's in heat 13 for Plymouth but alas that will no longer be possible with the no tactical after heat 12 rule.

Exactly. That was the prime reason we were given for attendance at press and practice coming to an end. Shame really as a few really enjoyed the press and practice after a long winter as it signaled the official start to a brand new season.

I can remember the first year that spectators were not allowed entrance to press and practice a few years back, the reason given was that the previous year, a handful of spectators broke an apparent agreement not to venture to certain parts of the stadium!

Nice interview with Risager courtesy of the Evening Star http://www.lovespeedway24.co.uk/teams/ipswich-witches/living_as_one_but_it_will_be_no_party_for_morten_1_1207769

Indeed it was. He did the same to Ty Proctor and Ryan Fisher in his brief meetings at tail end of last year. Looks the real deal and can't wait to see him in action. Handy reserve

Ooops sorry Badge. The other one was against Glasgow