szkocjasid

Maybe the rule should be, missing RS in the top 5 = guest RS (who can be in a Premiership team). Missing RS at 7 = guest RS (from unattached list)? That way all teams would still be using a RS?

I get your point, but here's another view. Dan T has a 4.78 average, so Ipswich can use r/r or an RS in a Premiership teams 1-7. But if Anders Rowe was ill, who has an average only 0.03 lower (4.75) King's Lynn could end up having to use a rider like Hodder, who likely would score 0,0,0. Why should Kings Lynn be punished for building strength in depth instead of top heavy like Ipswich? Seems totally unfair to me!

The only other club Dan would be in the top 5 for would be Birmingham. So if Dan rides for Ipswich or Birmingham they're allowed to use r/r? But if he rode for Belle Vue, King's Lynn, Leicester, Oxford or Sheffield they'd have to use an unattached RS. Doesn't seem right!

What about a rider with a positive attitude then?

Perhaps clubs should have to name a RS at number 8 if using r/r for a RS. At least that way they've fulfilled the "must have a rising star in the team" rule?

I cannot see Oxford dropping Kerr. If they were unsure of his form / fitness, the obvious thing would be to have kept Cook. I can't believe after one match, they'd suddenly change their plans with Kerr.

Surely if Birmingham explained they were dropping Worrall (temporarily) to avoid using guests, that should be welcomed? You could even argue there should be a rule where they can't drop a fit rider (Cook) and be allowed a guest for an unfit rider (Worrall). I thought it was wrong Oxford could drop Klindt, just so they could use Nicholls as a guest for Kerr, instead of being told "no Riss has to replace Kerr, or no guests allowed".

Are you sure? Why wouldn't it be allowed?

What was the admission cost? The field was weaker than a Championship meeting, while that doesn't bother me, can effect attendance.

Not an issue when it's the number 2 out injured, every top 5 rider can get an extra ride, so the reserves have 6 spare heats if needed to cover a second injury, which might not even be needed when using IRR.

Edinburgh will be pleased with their 2 point rider. Only other club looking would be Berwick I'd guess? *Apart from teams looking to make a double change.

That sounds familiar. Think I read that too.

Surprised they haven't put Ben & Zach together at 3&4 tbh

Why on earth would he be at Plymouth. They have strong reserves & are hardly likely to replace their missing number one with a (sub) 2.00 rider. Unless you mean in future seasons?

Zach Cook to guest for Adam Ellis (or King)?

I'd agree with that.

I had no issue with the low points limit, if we can fill teams full of Brits, save on flying in riders etc all the better. Plus helps riders step up from the NDL. Poole & Glasgow could always step up, or go with the majority vote, which they did.

1) while Glasgow did have to lose more points, they also had the same 38 points as every other club to build to this season. Gotta blame the riders / poor selection rather than the points limit. 2) I agree the average conversion rule is stupid. Basically saying because Rowe or Gilkes etc has missed a couple of months of Championship racing their old rolling ave is no longer valid. But as soon as they sign for a Champ side on their converted Prem average, will then go back to using their old Champ rolling average. 3) Why would Championship promoters vite for a low limit if they didn't want it. Even if every club voted, there are more Championship teams, so they'd get what they want. Also how many riders have missed out on a team place due to the points limit. Most missing riders from the Champ appeared to want to drop the league.

That's what lots of people overlook. Many have slammed the low points limit, but if there's not a lot of stronger riders out there wanting a team spot, how could clubs have built to 40 instead of 38? Singing new 4.00 foreigners - having no 2.00 Brits? I also would've preferred Vissing to Flint.

Was thinking the same thing, one way to solve the issue of fitting in cup finals & play-offs is to pick a weak team that won't qualify lol!

I'm not sure of they rules were changed after the season long guests for Kennett? I always read on here someone saying they have, but heard an interview with a Redcar promoter suggesting clubs talked about changing it, but realised there wouldn't be riders available to replace heat leaders, so didn't change it? Regardless sometimes rules aren't clear, when Anders Rowe left Leicester in 2022 I think, they had 28 days to sign a replacement (Max Clegg) because he was "withholding his services" but the same season when Claus Vissing didn't turn up for Birmingham they continued to use guests (or r/r) after 28 days. If you appear to have different rulings for the same situation, how can we ever truly understand the rules?

If Covatti didn't ride abroad, I'm sure they'd be allowed guests, possibly till the end of the season, but now they know he's not injured & is intact "withholding his services" the guest option is just for 28 days.

I could have worded it better, I meant an "unattached" RS guest. Like last year when an inform Dan was replaced by a struggling Joe for the play-offs. I guess Jake Mulford, Luke Killeen, Joe Thompson & Nathan Ablitt ate the best options?

SCB STATEMENT: NICO COVATTI TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024 On Monday 3rd June 2024 the Speedway Control Bureau (SCB) were informed that Plymouth rider Nicolas Covatti had competed in the Totalizator ZZ MO Krsko Open meeting in Slovenia the previous day competing in 5 races and scoring 8 points which included a race win and two second places. With Plymouth already having a facility for Mr Covatti on Saturday 1st June in their BSN fixture versus Poole due to missing with a speedway injury, informed the Plymouth Promotion that Mr Covatti had to be in attendance for Plymouth’s next fixture which is scheduled for Tuesday 4th June. On informing the Plymouth Promotion that Mr Covatti had to attend the next Plymouth fixture, the SCB had in writing from Mr Covatti that he was still not ready to race in the Championship as was still suffering with the effects of his injuries that he received in March in his National Championship in Argentina. Therefore, as Mr Covatti is refusing to come back to the UK to race for his British Club although currently riding in events in Europe the SCB have no alternative than to suspend his SCB Registration for a period of 28 days for failing to attend a fixture listed on the Official fixture list as per SCB Regulation 017.2 i) The Plymouth club will receive a facility for the same period 28 days as per SCB Regulation 010.5 j) The Plymouth club have been informed that the facility will not be extended, therefore at the end of the 28 days either Mr Covatti must return or be replaced. Is this last bit correct? Surely under the rules they could use a 75% guest of he doesn't return in 28 days?

From the British Speedway website The home side have two absences with Troy Batchelor stepping in at No.1 to guest for Nico Covatti, who has been suspended by the SCB for his non-appearance, whilst r/r covers for the unwell Dan Thompson. Covatti correctly getting a ban for withholding his services, but Plymouth can be happy with that, as guests should strengthen them.