Bagpuss

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.

In my opinion, while the third division has stand alone tracks, its main purpose in the whole structure of British speedway is and should be to train up and provide the new blood for the PL each year, who themselves should have an FTR system for NL graduates. I think its excellent news that this year the NL has so far 14 three pointers signed up and 12 sub five pointers with the likelihood of more to come with fewer riders topping up their PL earnings or journeymen third division riders with no hope of progression. It will certainly encourage me to attend more third tier meetings next year, after going to several in 2013 I didn't go to any last season. The whole thing seems much more refreshed for 2015.

Great team.

Gater - Andy Graham Racer - Henka

Really pleased for the Glasgow supporters.

He might refer to his team mates as muppets

Can kind of understand Havelock's posturing but at the end of the day Summers will ride for Glasgow, for a fee set by arbitration. Would love to see somebody challenge the asset 'system' in court and see it dissolved.

I think he will have had a very, very good year if he averages more than Allen, Blackbird & Oystercard.

Don't be sorry, threads often develop into something slightly different, just one of those things. People can still discuss Charlie on here if they wish.

I don't think it's necessarily as simple as that, Cook rode in a title winning team with a very capable partner, Stead probably had little choice other than to 'clear off and win' nine times out of ten.

I personally think King is the next best in the PL after Cook and has a bit of improvement in him now he is familiar with the league again. Stead along with Barker, Allen, Kennett, Lawson, Fisher etc will do well to achieve any significant increase. Bjerre and Kerr are the two number ones with potential to improve a fair bit but both are some way off Cook & King currently.

I like to think of it as lively discussion rather than argument we really should do it at the EoeS over a beverage one week next year!

Indeed, the fact that he has finished top of the averages three years running and is the standout rider forms the whole basis of the argument that he should have left the PL behind by now. Can't see things changing this year although Danny King might push him harder having been to most of the tracks last year.

Plus Laguta is never coming to the PL and they ain't gonna unsign Jorgensen. Great post apart from all of those things though.

Indeed, had to be Ostergaard. You don't put an inexperienced rider who will be going to many tracks for the first time with a reserve for three of his heats.

Mushrooms or red shells?

Of the teams declared or nearly declared so far they either look very good or pretty poor, there isn't much in between really.

Holder.

If the fixtures are planned with a bit of common sense clashes should be minimal. People moaned about the amount of clashes between double uppers and FTR's clubs last year and rightly so, the planning of the fixtures was absolutely rank.

The team to beat IMO.

Ah, wasn't really paying attention to the good cause bit. Of course I'll accept the bet