Bagpuss

Let's hope he grabs the opportunity and improves so that he is an automatic choice.

New sponsor for the Young Stars http://speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.28215

Which heats are of NL standard? Who can you name in an EL 1-7 other than Adam Ellis who will also ride in the NL this year? The overall standard of the EL is the highest in British Speedway today. You can go back as many years as you like and pick a particular heat from a second tier meeting and say that its stronger than one from a top division match but the top division will always be the higher standard (ie elite). As has been said before, many riders 'doubling up' are on loan to the PL from their EL club and if made to choose most would most probably stick to the EL, they use the PL to top up their earnings if they can't get a ride abroad. So its probably the EL propping the PL up in reality.

I expect its partly down to the involvement of Sky Sports.....the 'Elite League' name was adopted a couple of years before their live coverage of speedway began and that name is much more marketable than 'Division One'. Times have changed and events need to be made as attractive to their potential audience as possible. In any case elite means 'a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society' and thats exactly what the EL is, whatever people think about the standard today compared to years gone.

I'd have a recount of the riders who will be riding in the EL & NL this year if I were you.

Assuming the Aussies are all able to come over then Sheffield Peterborough Ipswich Glasgow Edinburgh Somerset

Fair enough but surely a speedway promotion could easily lose £14k over 5-7 years through rain offs?

Out of interest how have Olsen and Vojens got on with them?

As a professional sport I think the authorities in this country should organise a pilot scheme of some description with regards to track covers to see how feasible the idea is. Najjers thoughts on the subject are sensible ones so why not try some ideas out at a couple of tracks who would be willing to take part as a trial? If it doesn't work then fair enough.

Many thanks

Rose, Brandford, Clegg, Sarjeant, Bates, R Worrall, Covatti.

Have admission prices been announced yet?

Not at all, the should run when they want and of course when the showground allow but IMO its in their interests to avoid clashing with Lynn as much as possible because of the people who do and will try to attend both tracks. If they are at different times of the day then great.

Sounds great, just a pity that this meeting clashes with Rory's testimonial.

Would have been more of a surprise had he not won it surely? Anyway, looking forward to seeing what he can achieve in the EL this year.

Too early to write him off yet, I hope he is given a chance to prove his worth over here. Goes to show though that a few years away from speedway can have a pretty big impact regardless of talent.

Gone from an average looking side to a poor one IMO.

Not with that team Starry.

Can't wait for Gemini to see this

Me too.

I think it depends almost entirely on which track a meeting is on rather than which league it is in.

Somerset is a fantastic racetrack but its unique shape will always offer a decent amount of home advantage.

I think the balance this year looks about right. There is a place for the experienced riders, but not at the expense of up and comers. To me the NL looks much more appealing in 2015.

A scattering of journeymen is fine, from the point of view of entertainment and giving the youngsters someone to look up to and learn from (Atkin & Armstrong for example). But the majority of this division's riders need to be up and coming IMO, and the decisions made for 2015 have gone a long way towards that. As far as I'm concerned people would rather pay to watch exciting youngsters with potential in the NL than, with respect, the likes of Campos, Cockle, Baseby, Halsey etc.

Rebels look very ordinary now, expect changes during the season.