mikebv

One way to do that is share the 'old heads' around rather than having three or four (even in the 2nd Div) per team.. Max two riders over "whatever mean figure exists", per team, for a set number of named riders.. Or even one "old head" over average "x" per team if one big league... Unfortunately the sport in the UK is simply set up for giving these "older heads" as many opportunities to race as possible and Promoters to feel good about themselves by some fans colluding with them that what they watch is "real".... So it won't happen.... So more of the same crock of 'Barry White" no doubt to be served up next year. ..

True... But instead of adapting and being in charge of their own destiny, the UK Promoters decided to come up with some unfit for purpose half way house, half arsed system which was built around the GP riders' own individual agendas.. Even though it was evident that crowds dwindled whilst these riders rode over here, and when missing (which was regularly), meant guestfest upon guestfest... Which only then sped up the dwindling levels of punters.. And then of course the GP riders then pretty much all dropped the UK like a stone.. Yet the UK still have the same operating model?..... But nowadays just to provide around 70 riders or so with multiple team places... Not a great plan is it?

And One has to be under 30 years of age..

I think that Sheffield have been unfairly treated by fans of other clubs re the inclusion of Bates as an RS.. I bet no one was more surprised than them to find out that within virtually every one of the criteria needed, Josh got in by the skin if his teeth... Wasnt their doing that this was the criteria used I am sure.. A complete coincidence, and, in keeping with so much of British Speedway, beyond reproach integrity and credibility wise... I wonder (for next year), as the riders will be a year older, and will have actual averages, if the age levels change alongside the qualifying average needed to be an RS..? And if so.... More 'coincidences' maybe to look forward to?

Wroclaw for me...

Baddumm Tish....

Two Swindon riders were going to swap sides at "Half Time" of the Div One Play Off Final a few seasons ago.. Swindon hadn't qualified for the final either.....

Scott, Bomber and Rory are the most successful riders in the history of the sport... They have won leagues for the past 20 years on the run.. But also lost them too at the same time..

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Give it up for the 2021 Division Two Play Off Champions!".... "The Glasgow"... "Tigers/Monarchs/Bandits/Bears/Diamonds/Scorpions/Lions/Eagles/Gladiators/Kings/Brummies/Pirates" (Pause for a deep breath)... "And now let's hear it for your fantastic 2021 Division Two Runners up who pushed them all the way"... "The Poole".... (Another deep breath)... "Pirates/Monarchs/Bandits/Bears/Diamonds/Scorpions/Lions/Eagles/Gladiators/Kings/Brummies/Tigers"... You would need a couple of big old winners and runners up trophies to fit that on the roll of honour of them wouldn't you? And also need around 50 of each of the winners and losers medals.... With plenty of lads being awarded both... !!

To be honest I never saw any problem with that when there were simply too many clubs... Instead, at that time, this natural evolutionary process that strengthens any species or entity, was completely ignored and everything was done to keep everyone going, no matter the impact to entertainment level, and league credibility. .. Now it's very much a different time and clubs are being removed from the UK map at an alarming rate, therefore all Promoters need to work together and support their "weakest links"... As without them all inevitably will end up disappearing too..

Has to be the only logical conclusion doesn't it? The "have nots" riding in a 2nd Div akin to the NDL level that previously existed, seemed to flourish, and provided value for money for the fans. . So obviously not going to happen then.....

Looks like a perfect club to start in the NDL (not the current version but the previous one).. Get that "fan bounce", desperate to see Oxford back, without the costs of Pro Heat Leaders, meaning they can charge an admission fee that isnt knocking around the twenty quid mark.. I would suggest looking at the disparity in Div 2 between the teams, circa half of Div 2, (and maybe Mildenhall and the IOW?), would see the "old NDL" as something worth trying...? The league pre Covid seemed to be the most viable, and delivered the best value for money..

I think the way BV have signed NBJ is the way forward.. Have a rider out through injury then sign a lower averaged rider to replace him for 'x' weeks.. Say 21 days minimum, and even if the injured rider is back fit he has to sit out 21 days so as to ensure no manipulation of any injury situation takes place. Using a rider either not in this country currently or from a lower league.. Or sort out a fit for purpose RR facility that doesnt mean your No1 for example has to be replaced by riders third and fourth in the averages.. Ultimately though, if a meeting becomes a bit 'Mickey Mouse' if ran, then dont run it...

As long as just about enough punters keep colluding with the promoters that it's a proper sporting competition they run, and turn up to watch it.. There are though thousands more who could possibly go back to it regularly if they stopped the nonsense.. But I suppose we shall never know for certain if that is the case, as stopping the nonsense will never happen.. Because they are too good at it now after so many years of experience..

The US Conference system doesn't have everyone playing each other.. Maybe Speedway could do something like that? Eg 4 times v the teams in your North Conference and 2 times v the teams in the South?

As long as I can still watch Poland, Sweden and Denmark..

Indeed .... And those fans from other teams that appear to be gloating need to realise that their team cannot eventually end up riding against themselves.. Bottom line is any club going to the wall wont mean too much emotionally to too many people locally near any track.. In most 2nd Divs case maybe 1000 or so max (?) who regularly go... In Div 1, maybe 1500? Or 2000 max...? In real terms hardly anyone... Those doing "well" should thank their lucky stars, as the operating model and business plan they all share is clearly inherently unfit for purpose, and their time, if it doesn't radically change, will invariably come...

Two leagues for me... One "top league" and one similar to the pre Covid NDL level.. No point in making teams pay out what they cannot afford just to make up one league.. This happened this season with Div Two, hence we are where we are.. Far too many clubs whose attendance would support an NDL team successfully, were in at a level that was the strongest it had been for years... Just to ensure riders got enough rides. And you can guarantee that if one league existed, some Promoters would ensure they still got the best of the deal and let those lesser teams end up fighting for scraps.. And therefore, paying out daft money just to compete, as rider demand exceeds supply.. And we would be in a similar situation this time next year to where we are now.

Well as they are all pretty much the same riders, there cannot be much difference between the two leagues, therefore quite possibly a Div 2 team with three Div 1 Heat Leaders wont be "too far away" if they rode as Poole in Div 1. However.. Having individuals racing against themselves in the same race for both teams, might even be a bit far fetched for even UK Speedway to think up a regulation which allows it... Wouldnt surprise if they have thought about it though...

Take Dan and Jack Holder out and the league is pretty much made up of riders who ten or so years ago would have been "second string" level, with a few being "third heat leaders" at some clubs. With even Dan and Jack themselves being probably third heat leader standard at most.. Up and coming lads riding alongside two big hitters per team.. Now clear No1's... Nowadays the level from top to bottom of the team (even with RS's) is much narrower than used to be the case, hence averages are lower as a great many riders can beat each other from one night to the next... Maybe just being down to something as gate positions given they are so many so very similar in capability.. One night you beat the same rider because you had the best gate, then next he beats you for the same reason.. Last night off graveyard gate 3 Dan Bewley couldn't get near his opponents.. And given riders race so often, a poor run is now magnified as you could have six matches in just one week Thus highlighting your issues.. Whereas you may only used to have a couple of meetings a week in the past, giving you time to sort problems out..

He seems to get beaten quite a lot by opposition second strings and reserves when riding for the Aces.. Maybe its because these riders are of a higher standard than second strings and reserves in the 2nd Div? The heat leaders are pretty much the same in both leagues, but the next level down are better maybe? Thus he runs a few wins or seconds giving him confidence in the 2nd Div, whereby (usually from what I have seen), seldom wins his first race in Div 1, and more than should probably happen, doesnt even get second.. Him, his brother and Wright do seem to often be on the wrong end of a lot of heat losses in Div 1 due to their poor win ratio, and to compound it, dont always get the second place to reduce the impact, and actually run too many lasts... Hence the Aces invariably lose the meetings they do in the "engine room" of the team..

He could "guest" for Scott too..

When those two were there you had some of the best racing I have witnessed anywhere at the Wolves v Aces clashes.. Joe Screen, Bobby Ott, Shawn Moran, Kelly Moran and Jason Lyones etc were great to watch around Monmore with the outside being the main overtaking line followed.. Sadly now it's pretty much square off the corner to make a long straight, and power up the inside coming out of the turns..

Sadly the bikes now dont deliver the racing levels they used to on the tight circuits.. Too grippy and they bite too much and spit riders off.. Too slick and passing is practically impossible without rider mistakes.. Tonight was one of the better meetings I have watched at Wolves over the past few years... Not more than 6/10 though if honest..

And the inner rim of his front wheel...