szkocjasid

But riders like Nicol, Ruml, Wethers etc who didn't get a team spot would likely agree to one team spot rather than staying home for another season. They need to make Speedway affordable for the fans, if that means riders have to work & race (some already do) then so be it!

I hope they don't have a strict 2.00 average for the number 7, as that just hinders riders like the two you have mentioned already. A similar thing happened in 2015, Edinburgh signed 2 x 3.00 riders (Branford & Clegg) when they didn't have to, then the following year dropped them both as they reached 3.5 for a new 3.00 rider (when a new rule came in).

I'd agree with that!

There's a massive difference between numbers 6 & 7 currently. As stronger number 7 (Borke, Kemp) meets a reserve in every race, you could argue for their development he should be racing stronger riders more often. A weaker number 6 (Wood, Ablitt) meet a reserve in heat 2, then race the 1/2 & 3/4 pairings, before often getting dropped from their last ride! Riders like Ablitt, Coles, Harrison, Trigger & Pijper are more likely to improve racing at 7, so I'd like a Prem style rule, where they have to be there (& not replaced in heat 8).

In the elite league fast track format heat leaders (1,3,5) never meet reserves (6,7). Second strings (2,4) meet everyone.

Could have races where 4 reserves are out being scored 2.5/1.5/0.5/0 & 4 heat leaders scored as 3.5/2.5/1.5/0.5? This would just be used to work out averages (so they are more realistic) not used for the match scores!

Surprised Flint is as high as that

Nope, referring to the thread, don't understand people asking "does anyone have any news" if there was official news we'd all know it, anything else would just be rumours / opinions.

I don't understand why people ask "does anyone have any news" when there's news the BSPL / SCB will announce it, until then it's just people opinions & speculation - which is interesting & what the forum is for. But don't expect concrete answers till the AGM.

It made sense in the past not to include KOC matches, but not now. Prem clubs race 24 meetings, but the rolling aves only count the last 20, so that creates an imbalance where some riders will be dropping 4 tough matches, others could be dropping 4 easy matches. In the Champ clubs only raced 16 league matches, so their rolling aves will include 4 (minimum) league matches from 2022. Is it really better to count the last 4 league matches from last season than counting the BSN series / KOC matches instead?

I personally really liked that format. Better for the fans imo, as they get more HL vs HL clashes, same with reserves. Obviously top riders won't like it as they get harder races, but if they are serious about getting to the top of the sport (Poland) they need to get used to tough opposition. Plus you could make pay rates for 1,3+5 higher than 2+4, which would be higher than 6+7.

Lowering the points limit could improve the racing, if it led to the top riders missing out on the Champ. Currently the 2.00 reserves are miles away from the Masters & Douglas standard riders. But if the 8.00 heat leaders become the top men, then there is a smaller gap between top & bottom riders, so the racing should be closer. Should help NL riders stepping up having more riders nearer their ability to attempt to beat. However of it leads to lots of 4-6 point riders being dropped and teams running with strong top ends & 4 reserves, then the gap is bigger & racing more processional.

I think the limit should be 40 or 39 to build a bigger gap between Prem & Champ and most importantly lessen the gap between Champ & NL. However if the NL disappears with Mildenhall & Workington stepping up, think it would have to be even lower so the strength is half way between Champ & NL level. If the likes of Oxford, Poole & Glasgow want to sign top riders, they'll have to move up a league

I see Ace Pijper has made his return from injury.

As rediciulous as that would be, King's Lynn were allowed to do that this season!

Others don't have to take the qualifying route, they can get seeded into the series. Besides what nation would nominate Laguta & Sayfutdinov, doubt Poland would give up any of their spots?

I agree if you pick one, you should pick both, it's just a personal choice based on Laguta's terrible attitude in his debut British season. Nothing to do with his ability.

Quite likely, but he qualified so deserves his chance. One downside of having 5 wildcards is some top riders not entering the qualifying system as they'll expect a wildcard. So you could get riders qualifying but being out of their depth in the GPs. But despite thier poor seasons, riders like Przedpelski deserved & Nilsson 100% deserved to be in the GPs, besides - someone has to finish bottom.

Woffy had no divine right to be in the GPs, & never enters the qualifiers, so I can't see any reason for him to have a strop (if he did).

My picks: Sayfutdinov, Kolodziej, Thomsen, Bewley & Fricke. Expected picks: Thomsen, Bewley, Woffinden, Fricke & Janowski / Kubera?

Gotcha, not easy to get sarcasm when it's written down

I understand your point, but Smith can only guest against Belle Vue because they've deemed him not good enough to ride for them? He's surplus to requirements as Belle Vue (correctly) believe Bailey to be stronger, so in theory shouldn't score any points, if they lost out - need to blame themselves for not riding well enough, that's my view anyway.

I'm obviously in the minority here, but I have no issue with Harris guesting for Ipswich in the semi & then Sheffield in the final. Riders guest all year round & can even knock their own team out of competitions. So can't see how this is a big issue, when his team isn't involved.

Consider the alternative though, riders for Kent, Mildenhall etc, could guest in any match, but if Colts aren't allowed to guest against the Aces, they'll have less chances to guest as an RS. Seems odd that signing for Belle Vue Colts could limit your Prem chances?

His system shows the flaw in using 4 or 5 year old averages for GP riders!