szkocjasid

Last year when riders raced in Poland while being injured in Britain, the wording was after 28 days they have to return or be replaced, clubs wouldn't get a second 28 day facility. Assuming that's the case this season, if Becker didn't return, Leicester would only be able to use a 75% guest, as they can't replace him.

I think the rule was brought in to stop riders feeling "ill" every time they were due at Exeter, then making a quick recovery for their next match. A 7 day suspension stops this happening. But it also means riders who are genuinely ill, having to miss more meetings than necessary, which means more guests (when they should be trying to limit them). Could also mean a rider races when not well to avoid a suspension, potentially causing an accident if he's not strong enough to control the bike. I would get rid of the rule, maybe of it happens multiple times in a season, can look into it, but anyone can be sick one day & off work, but back the next. Why can't Speedway riders? Better make a comment on the match. Glasgow to win on aggregate.

It's tricky deciding how long a rider can be a "rising star" for. Although the age limit has dropped since it started. Many people say the RS are too weak & out of their depth etc. Others say Jenkins & Flint have been RS too long & shouldn't be any more. But once you limit the amount of seasons, you make the standard even weaker, which leads to even more RS out of their depth! I personally think they've got it about right, Flint has come on a lot this season & his average will prevent him being an RS next season.

I meant realistically could make the play-offs, Scunthorpe could probably still have made it when I wrote that. Before their away match at Edinburgh, Monarchs pre-match comments were that Scunny needed a win in their play-off hunt, but for me that was so unlikely, not even worth contemplating. But obviously they've got to hype it up.

Maybe Lynn should've signed Kerr for Cook for the rest of the season. Obviously Birmingham away is an easier match to score points at than any other. But even if Kerr can't replicate this form each week, you can rely on him to turn up. If he agreed terms before the end of heat 15 does that count as less than 75% of fixtures raced?

Certainly called that one wrong!

I'd agree with that, Jenkins did well enough to regain his spot for the rest of the season. Plus Edwards would have had opportunities for a full time spot elsewhere rather than a temp spot at Ipswich. Edwards would be a good choice of RS guest in the play-offs if needed (by any club).

Howarth has more bonus points than any other Leicester rider, so that helps keep his average down. Good for gaining a team spot next season, but less options if needing guests.

After missing Wednesday's match through illness, Palovaara wouldn't be able to return tonight, even if he was well enough to.

Jack Holder didn't get a ban when he missed a match due to a family illness. Seems like if his wife or kids had to go to hospital no ban, but if a rider was unwell & had to go to hospital gets a 7 day suspension. Doesn't make sense.

Have you seen Zach's FB page, full of fans congratulating him on his performance. Although tbf you see that on all riders pages, even when they are awful, fans will always be like "you did your best", "you win as a team & lose as a team", "you'll be better next time". Kinda like they are talking to a child tbh. I'm not saying they should be cruel obviously, but wonder if that's the best motivation for a rider?

Vinnie Foord missing again, Dayle Wood guests.

While I agree with that, I would have said the same about Ben Cook & look what happened with him. Rider missing matches while racing abroad happens more & more these last few seasons, it's gotten to the point fans may wonder if their Polish club will "allow" them to race over here.

Except for your number one.

Sounds very poor from Berwick not to add an insert into the programme

If Lasse did indeed cause Joe T to fall, then I'd exclude Lasse for being the cause of the stoppage & Kerr for not being under power after his fall. Can't see Lasse being at fault for Kerr's fall.

I did wonder if Lasse caught Joe & caused him to lift, but I think they just missed, so appeared that Kerr caused Joe to fall.

Tate seems to be going better away than at home, Vuolas the opposite. One match fans will comment Annti needs to do better, the next night it'll be Tate needs to do better.

Just to be picky, Plymouth didn't lose a heat leader, they lost a second string riding at number 3. ps Get well soon Lasse

Just seen a video of heat 3. Looked like Fredriksen picked up on his own & crashed, but then Kerr clipped Joe T & they both came down. Could have excluded both Fredriksen & Kerr imo.

I guess that means if a rider was genuinely ill, but his club couldn't find a similar averaged rider to guest & best option was actually 75% of his average, the club could then say "he's not ill, he just can't be bothered" so he doesn't get a 7 day suspension for a non-speedway injury / illness?

I'm wondering why Barker got the IRR ride in heat 3. In normal circumstances it would be used in heat 12 - to avoid both reserves having to go out together. While Barker win the heat, so it looks like it worked, as Plymouth knew Kerr was excluded from the re-run, I wonder if they would've put Spencer out, guaranteed at least a 3-3 using your weakest rider? As it turns out, with Kerr excluded from heat 12, they've got a guaranteed at least a 3-3 using their weakest rider in that heat anyway.

Berwick had the opportunity to swap either rider for Trigger. I would've brought him in for Smith.

While I agree Hagon should have done better, perhaps the reason his average is so low, is that he's a reserve riding at number 2 & sometimes 3? Progress would've been keeping his average in a tougher position, but even that didn't happen. Of course this now means he's got a better chance of finding a team place next year.

Looking forward to Scunny fans being forced to praise Lambert lol!