szkocjasid

Kerr should keep his average (in a weaker league) but I wouldn't expect it to improve, as you point out he's moving from number 3 to number 1. But, he's given Berwick a stronger top end in a weaker league, something Bandits fans aren't used to having recently.

For me someone like Tom Brennan, a 3rd heat leader who spent the majority of the season at number 5, would be on a good average. It would be the same as signing Alfie Bowtell to use at reserve as his average was gained in a second string position.

Based on his 8.63 average being 8th= highest in the league, means he's a number one in a 9 team league. Remove Douglas, Basso & Morris & he'd be then 5th= highest, so ever more a number one for 2024.

Despite reading that all winter, I just couldn't believe it (till now) honestly thought he was a Bandits lifer (while in the Champ)

The biggest issue with Speedway, right here. Why would any business pay more out than comes in? I know riders will say bikes / tuning is expensive, but they shouldn't be able to demand that they need to use the most expensive equipment if the crowds don't allow promotions to pay for it!

For me it would be daft of Oxford to let Jenkins be a rising star elsewhere & use Boughen themselves.

unless the rules have changed, both Flint & Kemp still qualify as "rising stars"

I don't understand this comment: Louis says that team building for the new campaign is complete with announcements to be made over the coming days so he's basically saying, we've picked a team but aren't going to tell you yet - seems an odd way to treat your fans? Would it not be better to simply say "team announcements / signings will be made over the coming days"?

While no one likes to lose at home, did those defeats actually hurt Ipswich? They still won the KOC & made the play-off final (winning their home leg) turning those 3 defeats into wins, doesn't help them win the league. If anything, signing riders who go well at Sheffield could be the answer?

Hadn't seen that, cheers for the confirmation.

Berwick have edited their post to add a challenge match, so it must be 3 groups of 3? Shame they didn't answer my query / thank me for pointing out their error!

Can't see how that would work, allowing a 4 team group to save Berwick & Workington travelling, but means Redcar & Scunthorpe having to go to Poole & Plymouth twice?

If Wojdylo or Palm-Toft start at reserve then Lambert hasn't "ridden himself out of a team place" they've simply signed 6 riders stronger than Lambert (which they're entitled to). If Lynn went for a 4-4.5 reserve, you could argue Lambert "rode himself out of a team place" by upping his average.

That makes less sense to me, there's 3 southern & 6 northern teams

Have the groups for 2024 been announced? I'd assumed the groups would be: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Workington Berwick, Redcar, Scunthorpe Oxford, Plymouth, Poole Or Berwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow Redcar, Scunthorpe, Workington Oxford, Plymouth, Poole But saw Berwick have announced their season tickets based on 12 meetings (8 league, 1 KOC & 2 bsn) adds up to 11, so wondered if they were having 3 bsn fixtures / counting the NL individual clubs have to hold or can't count?

Maybe they could try that scoring system for the BSN series? Just to make the competitions different? Then use the Elite league "fast track" format for the KOC!

I think Schlein would be a decent enough signing, he rode at number 5 virtually all season for Wolves, despite not being their 2nd best rider. Put him at 2, 3 or 4 and you can expect improved scores.

I'm not sure Gilkes would have been a 3.00 rider, "rising stars" get a 25% reduction when they "graduate" from the RS system, but I don't think they'd get one just for racing at number 6?

Przemek, Piotr or Pawel?

How about Paul Starke for the "gap" in the team? Poole Richard Lawson 8.48 Ben Cook 7.39 Tom Brennan 7.15 Zach Cook 6.22 Paul Starke 4.00 Sam Hagon 2.56 Max Perry 2.00 Total 37.80

Indeed, after previously thinking they've had good teams, which obviously were poor, not sure I'll believe Birmingham's promises of a good team. Hope I'm wrong though.

What's the alternative though? Force clubs to move up & if they refuse they have to close down? Or say to Birmingham they can't move up, so they also have to close down. In an ideal world, you'd want promotion & relegation between Wooden Spooners & Champions, but can't see that ever happening in this country. Especially as many clubs don't own their stadiums / can only race on certain nights.

I've seen similar comments on the Kings Lynn thread about lack of improvement in their (proposed) top 5. But remember this is a strong league, the average team should have ended 2023 with a 42 limit, so 40+3 or 40+4, means every club / rider could drop their average without getting any worse. Having riders who can ride to their averages, which Sheffield look to have, could be what's needed to win the league. Especially of this team looks capable of 55+ points at home & 40+ points away.

1) they can't do that initially, as Gilkes at 6 puts them over the points limit. 2) I'm guessing a team could re-declare throughout the season to swap the RS about, but they can't pick & choose per meeting, the declared RS would be at 7.

I'm sure Birmingham could find plenty of second strings & reserves to race for them, I just hope they have a top heat leader to lead the team & (hopefully) bring in the crowds.