szkocjasid

They do use the Champ ave converted but can't go below 4.00. Same rule for Jake Allen, rolling ave would be 3.24, but has a 4.00 ave.

Minimum ave for Brits in Champ is 2.00, Prem is 3.00. Which makes sense as you want the top NL riders to start at 2.00 in the Champ but stepping up to the Prem too early doesn't help anyone, so the minimum of 3.00 in that league seems correct I'd be perfectly happy for the minimum averages for foreigners to be 4.00 in Prem & 5.00 in Champ, encourage Champ clubs to fill the lower half of their teams with Brits, save money on air fares, accomodation, workshops, visas, work permits - all of which seem an unnecessary expense for a sub 5.00 rider!

I certainly hope not. You could argue if a foreigner isn't good enough to sign on a 4.00 ave then you should use a Brit! If Poland have rules to help their own riders shouldn't GB also?

The rule has always been minimum 4.00 ave for a foreigner, didn't matter if they are new or not!

I've heard nothing different, so yeah using the 1.5 conversion rate.

Ben Cook's ave would be 4.06 (6.09 / 1.5)

Zach's Champ converted ave would be 3.28 but minimum average for foreigners is 4.00 so that is Zach's average.

Indeed, if they make the play-offs would be massive favourites, just have to get there first!

For a side that on paper should have dominated the league (before they strengthened by signing Mulford) that's a pitiful excuse for not making the top 4 tbh. Imo the biggest underachievers in NL history - because they had the potential to be so much better!

I suspect Connor Bailey would do what Max Clegg did last year, sign on an 8.5ish ave & finish above 11!

Think this team would suit the aggregate bonus point ruling. Riders like Morley, Bowtell & Trigger are good at home for the big home wins, 3 good heat leaders plus an improving Gilkes help keep the scores close away? Plymouth Kyle Howarth 8.36 Richie Worrall 7.97 Ben Barker 7.80 Ben Morley 4.94 Dan Gilkes 4.55 Alfie Bowtell 4.28 Ablitt / Trigger 2.00 Total 39.90

Think it's a bit early for Sam Hagon. Would likely be the weakest 2.00 rider in the league!

Roynon did improve when he went to Scunthorpe. Not saying he's a good signing but is still potentially a 4.0 Champ rider.

Not sure what you mean? Are you saying Mulford will be dropped or moving up into the top 5? Neither scenario seems likely to me!

Just as well there's not many home matches these days then lol!

Could it be tougher for people who live in Oxford to get to the Speedway next year? https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/23073992.traffic-filters-will-divide-city-six-15-minute-neighbourhoods-agrees-highways-councillor/

Fair comment.

So what if Shanes has been a 4.7-5.2 rider for the last 4 or 5 years? Not everyone can become a heat leader! For every youngster that improves someone else has to drop their average & Shanes has been able to keep pretty consistent!

6.24 home, 4.00 away. But I guess it's easier to slag off riders if you make up the stats!

Not sure I get all the anti-Shanes comments. He averaged 4.74 from 12 matches, starts on 4.68. From some of the responses it's like they have signed Lewis Miller on Sam Masters' average! I'll admit I thought he would have done better after dropping to reserve at Birmingham (but not the easier number 7 spot) & is unlikely to up his average much. But I also see no reason why his average would drop, so a 4.7 rider at second string, or reserve if Edwards improves is a useful rider to have in the team imo.

Or here's a crazy idea, give him a chance before dropping him?

Whose average have I got wrong? Redcar Eric Riss 8.58 Danny King 8.05 Charles Wright 7.40 Danyon Hume 5.68 James Shanes 4.68 Jason Edwards 3.80 Jake Mulford 2.00 Total 40.19

With the target of finishing 6th (out of 9 teams), everyone should be saying that!

I reckon Mulford will be the best 2.00 rider in the league

Newbies probably have no idea of team strengths so a lower points limit means nothing to them. It's the fans who pick & choose their matches who are likely to attend less