szkocjasid

If they are looking to attract new fans to Speedway to make it a success, would Woffinden make much difference to crowds?

I'd agree 3 is no more difficult than 4. All depends on if the opponents put their 3rd heat leader at 3 or 4. Riding at 5, would certainly be more difficult, but Glasgow don't seem to change the riding order much, whoever starts at 5 tends to stay there. I suppose Flint's average should rise because he's the stronger rider in the pairing now, so could go above Howarth?

While I'd understand their concern, no-one is owned a team spot, if they were better, they'd get picked. By disappointment as a parent would be focused on all the teams that don't provide Nora or development league racing. Also there's a chance they could be picked for Mildenhall's opponents?

The first half of your post clearly explains why Nicholls would sign on his Champ converted ave. So I was surprised for you to then get it the wrong way round at the end? Nicholls most recent MA is his 2025 Plymouth one, so that's what's used - for both leagues.

I'd agree with that

Shows why the 42 limit works out, on a lower limit, a "developing" rider would've likely be frozen out of a "development" league team spot. Agree doesn't sound a great signing on his average, when it comes to winning the league - if that was the priority.

I haven't looked at the fixtures in detail, but just assumed every team picked the same week to have the later rounds of BSN & KOC competitions, so whoever goes through they'll be available the same day as their opponents?

Worked for Poole as Starke upped his average. I'd have Lambert ahead of Starke, got a higher average, spending at least half the season in the top 5, compared to Starke at reserve all year. I wasn't impressed with Lambert when I saw him last year, but his average is attractive enough to give him a chance to show last year was a one-off poor season?

Given it's a "development" league, would fans not turn up to see a weaker team, if the club were obviously building for the future?

With everything happening so late, it would probably make sense for Northampton (if they run) to start in 2027. Have a few open meetings this year in preparation. But obviously they are so desperate for a 6th Prem team, they may be letting their hearts rule their heads?

I don't mind the points limit, just keeps the level at last year, but totally agree that minimum average should have been left at 3.00

If the job of the NL is to bring on future Champ riders, then riders who can't get anywhere near Lambert won't cope in the Champ. These riders should be at the lower end of the NL, not an alternative option to the Lambert signing. If the NL was weakened further, it's be much harder for rider stepping up, how do you know if you've reached Champ standard without riding against lower Champ riders? There's a reason riders don't jump straight up from the NJL or MDL to the Champ as they'd be miles off the pace, hopefully a stronger NL bridges that gap?

I agree it's a shame after his efforts last season, but which riders would you swap to fit him in?

They've really not got the average rules right in the NDL for me. Kenzie Cossey races 4 matches as a guest so gets a new average (3.25). When they lowered the minimum average to 2.00, that could've ended his NDL carter before it started, but thankfully King's Lynn have given him a chance. Nathan Ablitt rode 3 NL matches for Steelers & 2 NT matches for Kent Eagles, but doesn't get a new average. Despite averaging 8.92 & 9.33, he'll keep his low 8.33 average for 2026. If they're so desperate to have accurate averages, that they give guests averages, why not combine NL & NT for riders who didn't ride enough meetings? It's not like they won't count NT matches at all, as any rider who doesn't have a NL average will use the NT one for 2026. I just find it bizarre that 4 matches gains you a new average, but 5 doesn't!

Kenzie Cossey got a 3.25 average from guesting last year.