Bagpuss

'Speedway at Mildenhall under threat' according to the Newmarket Journal http://www.newmarketjournal.co.uk/sport/speedway/speedway_at_mildenhall_under_threat_1_3341117

Is it Not Unusual to see a Tom Jones in the line up?

While I'd be loathe to compare Heeps or Tungate to Darcy and put all that pressure on them, and at the risk of repeating myself, this Witches line up reminds me very much of the 2009 Stars with an experienced number one, two very promising reserves and an ultra solid middle order. And you guys are making semmers' fishing trip far to easy

And Simon Stead

Regarding the number five slot, opportunity knocks for everyone bar Doolan really. One could argue that if Poole or North in particular are going to progress in the sport then their third year in the PL should be one where they start knocking on the door of a 7-8 point average.

Its worth remembering also that these Poles rode on what was, until it was widened two winters ago, a pretty dull Foxhole circuit.

There are several between 6 and 7 who may or may not fit the bill such as Sweetman, Eklof, Morris, Legault, Wells, Wilko, Hefenbrock and Topinka and one who is just under 6 in North who probably looks the best bet of them all everything considered. Linus would be ideal but I suspect he'll be riding in Sweden on Thursdays.

Just going by the fact that the six I named would leave 7.18............

I've already mentioned on another thread that the probable Ipswich side of Doolan, Poole, Matt T, Risager, another 7 pointer, Tungate & Heeps reminds me a lot of the Lynn team of 2009. Nobody is going to have reserves to get anywhere near Heeps & Tungate in my opinion and as a result the Witches are generally going to have the upper hand in heats 2,8,12 and 14 so more often than not heats 13 and 15 aren't going to be as vital as last year. Plus the fact that I think Doolan will increase his average anyway.

But Workington have given two young Brits a chance, Newcastle two more, Scunthorpe another. If the authorities pulled their fingers out and sorted youth racing out properly then no doubt there would be plenty of Brits around for everyone. And I expect you guys would be using Blackbird if you hadn't unearthed two cracking Aussies.

Unfortunately Greg I think Tom is way past his best now and numerous injuries over the last couple of years have taken their toll.

What about heats 2,8,12 and 14 though?

The strength of the Ipswich team next year is that they are likely to have awesome reserves all through the season.

I bet the Ipswich promotion love Mr Havelock, thats two signings he has 'announced' before the Witches have had a chance to do so for themselves. Quite right. The racing last season was a world away from what we were served up at the Norfolk Arena in the PL era, and seems that Ipswich found the change of division had the same result.

Mikey mate, if that ends up being your team I really feel for you and your fellow Devils fans. May well be ok at home like last season but there'll be all manner of hidings on the road again.

Its a typically average looking Rye team, but for those who have moaned about the lack of racers in recent seasons the additions of Bunyan and Garrity should crank up the entertainment levels. A bit of improvement in those two and Nelson also.

So who to believe regarding finances at the Foxhole.....Mr Snack who has been involved in speedway admin and has a balanced viewpoint, or aljack who is a self confessed Louis hater, plucks figures from the sky and doesn't seem to know his arse from his elbow? Hmmm thass a tough one

I was thinking more along the lines of flying them in and out of the UK. I'll go with what you say though as you know a lot more about the ins and outs of speedway promotion than me I'd imagine.

I can't imagine the Poles came cheap however poor they were.

I don't really see what relevance a short spell twelve years ago in a different league on a different shaped track has I don't think you'll sign Tom because he is past his best and not really good value on his current average. Thats all that matters really.

*and Neil Vatcher

We won't produce a Holder, Ward or Heeps over here until we get regular, structured and organised speedway racing and training for kids long before they are old enough to ride NL. Phil Morris are working their backsides off with the limited infrastructure they have but until the authorities invest we'll be behind the likes of Poland, Aus, Sweden and Denmark.

Now thats a mouth watering prospect

More fool them then!

Ignore the word painting in there, that'll be the predictive text