NeilWatson

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/speedway/speedway-news/panthers-have-plenty-in-reserve-with-first-signings-of-2014-1-5780245

Press release at 9.00am!

As soon as we know the detailed structure of the competitions and fixture lists I will be able to tell you that - this is exactly the reason season tickets are not yet on sale. Already we know there will be a minimum of 15 - the opening challenge + 14 PL but expect significantly more.

Karol Zabik's 2009 GSA of 6.55 converts to 10.92; Kosciuch's 6.24 to 10.40 Too much Xmas cheer :-)

No I hadn't - but it was an excellent post :-) Merry Christmas!

6.39 assumes one 3-point reserve; I agree 8.21 maximum but no less than 4.82 to complete the top 5? Happy Christmas!

Nous ne prévoyons pas de coureurs français à Peterborough en 2014! Happy Christmas !!!! https://translate.google.co.uk

SCB subsequently corrected that post as it was incorrect.

Lewis Blackbird is relieved and delighted in equal measure after finally being handed the chance to ride for Panthers. The 26 year-old will slot into the middle order of the new-look city side for Premier League racing in 2014 on a 4.81 average. Blackbird, who will also ride in the Elite League for Eastbourne after being part of the reserve draft introduced for 2014, has no shortage of local links. He was born in the city, spent his early years at Weston Hills, near Spalding, and is now based at Witcham, near Chatteris. And he is following in some familiar tyre tracks in signing on the dotted line at the East of England Showground. Uncles Mark (a part of a title-winning Panthers team in 1992) and Phil both rode for the club while his father, Carl, was also a racer. Blackbird said: “I’ve always wanted to ride for Peterborough and it’s brilliant to get the chance. “I thought I may have missed out as Panthers pulled out of the Elite League in the year in which I now have the chance to ride in it. “But I’ve been in touch with Trevor (co-promoter Swales) all winter and asked him to bear me in mind. He said I was in the club’s plans regardless of whether they raced in the Premier or National leagues. “I’ve turned down a few other clubs because I had my heart set on coming to Peterborough, so it is great that everything has worked out. “This will only be my fourth season in speedway but the clock is ticking and I’m putting everything I possibly can into making it a success.” Blackbird has starred for Mildenhall and Dudley during the two clubs’ successes at National League level in the last two seasons. He has also proved himself a handy customer at Premier League level with Leicester and Scunthorpe in the past year when delivered some impressive displays at reserve. But Blackbird knows he will have to step up again on that form when operating in the main body of the Panthers septet. He added: “Being in the main body of a Premier League side is a new thing for me, but I’m confident I can handle it.” www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk

DOUBLE British Under-19 Champion Stefan Nielsen will be the new No.1 for Coventry Storm in 2014. Nielsen, who secured his second title on his first-ever visit to Brandon in September, is widely regarded as one of the country’s best prospects for the future – and he now heads up a City Gearboxes Storm side with clear potential to reach the National League play-offs and challenge for honours. The 19-year-old was born in Denmark and has been racing since the age of four, and after returning to England he became mascot at King’s Lynn, whose junior system was at the time being run by current Storm co-boss Laurence Rogers. Nielsen first rode in the National League for Scunthorpe, with whom he is a club asset, and he won back-to-back titles with the Saints in 2011 and then with Mildenhall as part of their Grand Slam the following year. He had a spell in the Premier League last season with Somerset before being somewhat surprisingly released late in the campaign, and as part of the ‘fast track’ process for British youngsters he will line up for Belle Vue in the top flight in 2014. With last year’s No.1 Joe Jacobs having returned to Mildenhall and significant doubts over whether Robert Branford will race in the UK next year, a new No.1 was a major priority for the Storm and they are delighted to get their man. Rogers said: “Stefan was my mascot at King’s Lynn, I’ve always got on with him and his Dad, and Stefan had always said he was going to come and ride for me one day! “He won the Under-19s at Coventry the first time he saw the track, and he’s chuffed to bits to be here. He’s got himself sorted out with workshops professionally done and having a mechanic on board, so he’s very well set up for the season ahead. “If you look at availability of riders to be No.1 next year it was getting tight, so this is great news for us.” Co-boss Blayne Scroggins added: “Joe is going to be a hard act to follow because he did such a great job last season, but we’re confident Stefan can do just that. “I definitely think we’ve got a team that can make the play-offs - we just missed out after finishing fifth this year, so we feel we can make that step up and the boys are all confident they can do it. It’s an exciting team and we can’t wait to get started. “I’d like to thank Rob Godfrey at Scunthorpe for his co-operation and also Laurence for his hard work to get this deal completed.” CITY GEARBOXES COVENTRY STORM 2014: Stefan Nielsen, James Sarjeant, Oliver Greenwood, Dan Greenwood, Luke Crang, Martin Knuckey, Ryan Terry-Daley.

The conversion factor is 'divide by 0.6' not 'multiply by 1.6' - which explains the different figures 17.2.4 Where Riders transfer between Leagues, a conversion is necessary; the factors being: From EL to PL = divide by 0.6. From PL to EL = multiply by 0.6. From PL to NL = divide by 0.6. All the above are subject to the minimum / maximum converted MA’s being 3.00 / 12.00. From NL to PL it shall be 3.00.

7.52

Under the 2013 rules, Robert Lambert wouldn't be eligible to double-up: 17.7.1 An initial declaration can include only 2 Riders graded as “A” on the Listing approved at the EL AGM. In an initial or re-declaration up to 3 Doubling-Up Riders may be included who must at the time of (re)declaration: a) be in a Premier League’s currently Declared 1 – 7, b.) have a PL MA established prior to the start of the season and c) give absolute priority to all British Speedway fixtures.

Race-day is dictated by Showground availability, and end-of-week days are always going to be awkward to ensure continuity. Tuesday racing would give continuity - the holy grail as far as we are concerned.

Everyone one will be doing their very best to ensure that it is!

Lincolnshire's nice in May I believe Terry!

9.52

PETERBOROUGH Speedway supporters have been handed the perfect Christmas present – with the news that their club will race on into the 2014 season. A deal has been finalised which sees a community-led consortium fronted by former Panthers chief Mick Horton and including local businessman and former rider Adrian Smith take over the Showground side on a leasehold basis from owners Rick Frost and Julie Mahoney. The club will compete in the Premier League, with a regular racenight to be confirmed, and the top three riders have already been signed with the Panthers to be led by Ryan Fisher, Lasse Bjerre and Ulrich Ostergaard. Locally-based Horton returns for a second spell in the Panthers’ backroom, and has spoken of his delight that speedway has not been lost to the city. Horton is keen to stress the deal in no way changes his position at Elite League club Coventry, where he has been at the helm for the last two years – and indeed, with the Brandon outfit also operating at National League level, there is clear potential for rider progression between the clubs at the respective levels. Fisher will be doubling-up with the Bees in the top-flight. Horton said: “The most important thing through all of this has been that nobody wanted Peterborough Speedway to close down. It is, in my opinion, the finest racetrack in the country. “I’m a local man, I’ve lived in Peterborough for many years and therefore the club has always been in my heart, and I know that’s also the case for colleagues such as Neil (Watson) and Blayne (Scroggins) who both started watching speedway there. “I have experience of promoting at Peterborough and I know the local businesses, and obviously I’m very happy that Julie and Rick feel this is the right consortium to take the club forward. “They were adamant they wanted the club to continue, there were several interested parties and by choosing this one they’ve ensured Peterborough Speedway is in local hands, and being run by local people. Rick and Julie have been brilliant to deal with, and our working relationship is second to none. “We have agreed a two-year lease with an option to purchase, and I’ve got to thank my fellow partners for helping to get this deal finalised. The way I see it is that if I can do my bit to help Peterborough then that’s good for everyone. “Trevor Swales and Julie Mahoney will remain as co-promoters, so we keep Trevor’s day-to-day involvement and expertise which is very important to us, and also Julie’s presence means we maintain our position within the BSPA. “I still remain firmly committed to Coventry, there are exciting times coming there and I know there has been a bond between the two clubs and the supporters for some time. “We’re now looking for the people of Peterborough, and the sponsors, to come out in force and support what is a great level of racing, on what will be a regular race-night, and with reduced admission prices to previous years – so now it’s time for everyone to come together and enjoy it.” Co-promoter Swales is pleased to have made a positive start to team building with spectacular American star Fisher returning after spending last season with the club in the Elite League. Bjerre and Ostergaard are both Panthers assets, Ostergaard having won the top-flight title in memorable circumstances in 2006, whilst Bjerre has also raced for the club at Elite level. Swales said: “I’m delighted to have those three riders signed up and we should have more news to announce on the team front in the next few days. “But I also want to pay tribute to Rick and Julie, because they have gone out of their way to make sure that Peterborough Speedway didn’t close down. “They always wanted the club to continue for the Peterborough supporters and we are all so grateful for what they’ve done, and likewise my thanks to the Showground for their patience - they want speedway to be here in 2014 and have been very helpful to us. We can now press on and look forward to an exciting season.” Julie Mahoney added: “The last thing we wanted to do was to close the club down, and Rick and myself are both pleased and relieved that this solution has been found. “It’s an ideal situation in many ways with the club being leased out to local people, we will give them all the support we can and obviously we urge all the fans to give their backing to this new era.” Season Ticket and Admission Prices for 2014 have been confirmed: Season Tickets Adult £250 Concessions £175 Children (12-16) £50 Raceday Admission: Adults £15 Concessions £10 Children (12-16) £5 Under-12s Free

It's a 6-heat team match with two four-man teams, standard MDL format.

Yes, in the programme (sorry, couldn't resist!)

This meeting will not now take place on 29th December. It will be replaced by the MDL level 'Christmas Cup'

Spot on - Ryan Terry-Daley will ride for Coventry Storm in 2014!

Lewis Kerr's PL average would rule him out

Still got a few copies left, ideal Christmas presents! I will send copies to forum members post-free so £17.00 payment by cheque, card or PayPal Details from neil@coventrybees.co

COVENTRY Speedway are delighted to confirm a deal has been agreed to make promising youngster Oliver Greenwood an asset of the club. Greenwood, 18, rode for Coventry Storm in their debut National League campaign this year, and delivered a string of solid performances despite missing the opening three months due to a badly broken wrist. Now promoter Mick Horton has concluded negotiations with his Scunthorpe counterpart Rob Godfrey to enable a full transfer to take place, and Greenwood is expected to again line up for the Storm next season and also hopefully gain further Premier League experience after several guest bookings late-on in 2013. Horton said: “We’re really pleased to complete this deal, and once again it’s another promising young rider for the future that we’ve added to the club’s asset base. “I would like to thank Rob Godfrey at Scunthorpe for his co-operation in our talks, and the deal was finalised on Wednesday evening. “We look forward to having Oliver back with the Storm in 2014 and it’s more positive news to have him on board with the club.”