dontforgetthefueltapsbruv

Given that had my parents not returned to the UK after nearly 3 years living out there I couldve been an Aussie I have often had soft spot for riders from down under although most of my memories of are of those outside the Backtrack era. Shane Parker was a brilliant character and great entertainment and today Cam Heeps is all action and 'worth the admission money alone' as the saying goes. During the Backtrack period there is of course just one I will pick out - the Witches legend that is Billy Sanders. One of my first true heroes as a kid and a big influence on me understanding life (and death) as I hit my teenage years. That October night at Smallmead watching the Witches clinch the title lead by Billy will never leave my memory and in all too short a time after how things changed! More recently my brother was involved in helping the Leigh Herne and Taylor Poole so there is link to the Backtrack era through their fathers - quite apt given my first sentence. Generally Ive always found the Aussies to be great fun and fierce competitors and a welcome and important part of British Speedway. Whilst I support all efforts to promote British youngsters for me there is always a place for our antipodean cousins.

A lot may depend on whether the league cup count towards averages....

Think you need to look closer to home I need say no more than Grondal.... I wouldve loved Nathan back (even in the 1-5) and had he been replaced by some many time tried foreigner rather than an exciting young prospect I would be first up in protest. Haertel though I think could be a real asset to the league

Me too AS - with the local interest hopefully a decent crowd turns up to back the promotion in bringing a meeting like this to Foxhall

With todays technology it should be straightforward to have reliable photo finish equipment in place to avoid any doubt

Aw well at least some good has come from it (joke)

Is your name on the list?

Cheers Iris - I was expecting you may have seen a bit more of him than me! There is that question mark over him - as you say highly rated from a young age but very quiet in the last vouple of years (certainly in speedway terms anyway) If he replicates Tobi he will do fine. Tobi is still very popular with many Ipswich fans having fond memories of his time as a Witch.

Iris - what would be your assessment of Haertel? Us Witches fans are looking forward to seeing him. How does he compare to the Riss brothers and Huckebeck in your eyes?

Or staged......

Ron was 80

Strong indications that the SCB will overturn the BSPA decision to exclude the over 6 riders from the Championship

Tend to agree with you given the position as it stands but... The devils advocate position is perhaps the 1 at 8 and over rule shouldve been in the Championship rather than the top league

Would be a travesty if Nathan didnt get a Championship place. He was fantastic at Ipswich in 2017 Plenty more improvement in him I think

All the teams currently show under rider announcements with no averages quoted and with the caveat re ratification Once confirmed this will change on the website to 2018 team declarations with the average applied and a team total

Clegg's Championship average was 4.15 divide by 1.3 conversion means his Premiership average should be 3.19

Not ratified yet.....

Shanes v Shanes - 2018 would be an upgrade. Need to factor that in as well

Just need to find the cowboy and the construction worker now.....

I dont know - Peterborough manage it year in year out

1 Glasgow 2 Sheffield 3 Ipswich 4 Redcar 5 Scunthorpe 6 Workington 7 Lakeside 8 Edinburgh 9 Newcastle 10 Peterborough 11 Berwick Very open and therefore difficult to predict. Many are putting the same teams towards the bottom end and although I have done the same I dont see any team being truly adrift. Mid season changes could easily turn the whole league on its head and as ever (unfortunately) injuries may have as big a say as any other factor. Best of luck to all and heres hoping for a great season of great racing everywhere.

Only Billy Janniro Max Ruml and Broc Nicol would qualify for a visa Ruml or Nicol would be a great signing

But not yet officially accepted....

Could just mean he is waiting for his pre booked sunbed confirmation

He has too now - he is in BSF 'jail' for 24 hours