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These teams suggested if there's a 36 point limit look pretty decent to me. Maybe could make for a more exciting league if there's more riders of a similar ability competing.

If they wanted to lower the cost, wouldn't adding a 2nd "rising star" be more beneficial than removing the system completely?

What would be the reason for a 36 point limit? If there's less clubs then no reason to lower the limit. Unless it's to encourage Champ clubs to step up / Northampton to join in?

I think Vuolas' away from, especially last year looks bad because he was so good at home. Look at it another way, first season over here for a foreign rider, never got a spell at reserve, if he averaged 5.00 (6 at home, 4 away) fans would probably have looked on that as a great debut season, but because his home average was more than double his away (4 points greater) taken out on context, it looks like a rider who can only ride his home track. This year can't have expected him to get any better at home, but upping his away ave, while moving from a second strong to heat leader position, is a step in the right direction. Of course if Workington want to challenge for trophies in 2026, then they'll be looking for Vuolas to improve his away form (if he's back) as it'll be his 3rd season, seems a fair time to expect more then.

Looking at the stats alone for Voulas 2024 home 8.74 (9.16) away 4.00 (4.32) 2025 home 8.55 (9.27) away 4.71 (5.24) Overall ave went up from 6.40 (6.77) to 6.68 (7.32).

If the top 9 averaged riders get shared amongst the 9 Champ clubs, that's not watering down the league at all (unless multiple 8+ riders were planning to return).

So after comments of drop Vuolas, sign Grahn & needing a stronger no 1, how about? Kyle Howarth (7.92) Troy Batchelor (6.80) Jye Etheridge (5.66) Jacob Hook (5.63) Tate Zischke (5.43) Jonatan Grahn (5.30) Ben Trigger (3.26) Total 40.00

Really? To me it's a stronger team than this years, in what will be a weaker league, more than half the teams are above the current 40 point limit. Out of curiosity, do you think this years Workington team was woeful?

If no-one's willing to move up, what can they do? The fact that Ipswich, Belle Vue & Sheffield haven't exactly shared out the heat leaders, may make any clubs thinking of stepping up hesitant to become the next Birmingham or Oxford?

How about starting off with Tate Zischke at reserve? Kerr for Bowes strengthens the top end! Troy Bachelor - 6.80 Lewis Kerr - 6.77 Annti Vuolas - 6.68 Jye Etheridge - 5.66 Jacob Hook - 5.63 Tate Zischke - 5.43 Mitchell Cluff - 3.00 Total 39.97

If Ace is at 6, won't have such a strong top 4 obviously. Btw I wouldn't call a rider who can score 4 at home & 2 away a "sacrificial no 7" that sounds like a valuable member of the team.

Would you want Ace Pijper if he started in the top 5, not reserve? Chris Harris (8.90) Kyle Howarth (7.92) Leon Flint (6.95) Nick Morris (6.86) Ace Pijper (4.04) Freddy Hodder (2.63) Jack Smith (2.61) * averages aren't official

I don't think Stene is Champ standard yet, some people don't think Perry is good enough, yet he's probably at least 2 points higher than Stene in the development competitions.

Anders, has actually been very consistent, but not scoring double figures. By my fantasy league stats (including bonuses) he's not scored double figures in his last 18 matches, which sounds astonishing for a heat leader in an (almost) treble winning team! Scoring between 5 & 9, averaging 6.7 points a match, he's found the consistency so many riders talk about. Of course I'm sure Anders & Poole expected more from him, it almost seems like he runs one last race per match and never gets into heat 15s, so never reaches double figures any more. Yet his green sheet average didn't seem to drop much!

Totally agree, I can't imagine Poole being unsuccessful just because the track isn't a gaters paradise.

I did say I'd have both of them. Just pointing out it's more Barker's away form that is a concern rather than Joe T's

Just seen heat 15, that was a fantastic ride from Harris, really amazing what he can do on a well prepared track. So the Poole promotion, realising they'll have their biggest crowd of the season, with one of the most exciting riders in British Speedway visiting, decide the best option is to make a super slick track with no option for passing! Which is what their fans want apparently? I really can't understand that. I'm not saying design it so Harris can have a blinder, but a track where you go backwards if you drift off the line, surely not? Don't really like either team, but I'd rather watch racing at Glasgow each week & finish 2nd, than watch Poole each week & win the league. Also makes me question why Howarth was used in heat 16, don't get that decision by Cami.

Looking at the stats (don't scream at me people) Joe T's away ave is almost 2 points higher than Barker's. If you want to be stronger away should pick Joe ahead of Barker. Joe's away ave is almost as high as his starting average, so he's definitely done well imo. Especially as I'm sure it's his first season being completely away from the reserve berth. I'd personally have both of them, especially thinking surely Barker can't be as bad away from home again (averaging less than 3.5). Looks a strong team, think Ingram would be a good choice as 2.00 reserve, he certainly seems to have improved, only saw him once at Scunthorpe & was impressed. Biggest doubt for me is Klindt, not sure I'd want a rider you can't rely on to turn up for home matches.

I am a big fan of the RS system, probably a few times riders who have not been the strongest options have been picked, which is the clubs fault not the systems fault. As long as there are at least 5/6 riders with a Champ average over 3, then I'd keep the system, don't want to force any riders weaker than that up. I agree it's not ideal to that there can be a big gap between ability, each club having 2 RS could solve that i.e whoever gets first pick also gets last pick, but there may not be enough talent to have 2 per club (unless upping the higher limit from 4.00). Think we'll always agree to disagree on the RS system anyway 👍

Probably an unrealistic team, but a title winning one imo Chris Harris Kyle Howarth Leon Flint Nick Morris Mitchell McDiarmid Jordy Loftus Cooper Rushen * I know Rushen is rumoured for Poole, but until he's 16 can't sign a contract, who knows maybe after watching the play-off final would rather ride at Ashfield than Wimbourne Road lol! I'd expect Loftus to return to Edinburgh, but would've said the same thing about Bewley in 2017!

Yeah, I don't mind that idea at all.

Fair enough. I reckon if Champ clubs want more riders who won't miss so many matches, need to lower the limit & include more NDL riders, no doubt fans would moan about the league being weaker though!

If Edwards is eligible he'd be a great RS, if he's too old now would be available on a 3.00 ave, while Jenkins would be on 3.46. Singing a former RS with a 25% reduction worked wonders for them this year.

looks a strong team, I'd have Edwards as RS if he's still an option.

That's a great point, just feel it would be more beneficial for a 17 year old after a season racing in the Champ. As brilliant as Cooper has been this season, he lost to Mulford at Ipswich, lost to Harrison & Scott at Workington, lost to Morley & Foord at Iwade. Now these riders would be the easiest opponents he'd get to meet in the Prem, even as a RS. So my concern would be it could hurt his confidence racing in the Prem so early in his career, I can't see any negatives to waiting till 2027? Now this is no slight on Cooper, there's no reason why a 15 should be expected to beat all these guys in his first season, which is the reason why I wouldn't recommend racing in the Prem, just too big a jump for me. Even if Ipswich said "no pressure, just enjoy yourself" no-one likes to lose each time, plus why wouldn't Ipswich use the best RS possible? Last time they overlooked Kemp & Rowe for Joe T, didn't work out (till they signed Dan). If he does sign, I hope I'm proved wrong & he does well, I just can't help but think would Boughen have been better taking one step at a time & don't want Cooper to follow suit.