The Dog

Now Buster has invested in 3 teams in the top flight, I'd assume he's trying to control the riders a bit more, especially cost-wise. If he offers a rider, for example, £50 a point less than he was getting last year and the rider refuses, the rider is limited to where he can go to next seeing as he'll find the same problem at another 2 out of the 7 clubs running in the Premiership. If the clubs that Buster doesn't own are full, the rider will either have to lump it, get a job and go semi-professional or retire completely. It could be Buster owning several clubs that starts to put the squeeze on riders earnings, therefore reducing promoters out-goings and keeping clubs afloat. Buster may well be the man to 'save speedway' but at what cost? He does seem to be a man of 'do it my way or not at all'.... Anybody think along the same lines?

I think it would be great if the club had 1 or 2 riders back from last year for a bit of continuity for the fans and club alike. Bacon, Shanes, Davey, Flint and Hume would all be good additions at reserve and 2nd string

The problem I see S4S is that if teams do track a big hitter he'll be racing around on his own with the others on around a 4.5 average, tho I appreciate there are a lot of permutations to team building. Not sure where teams will find 2 and 3 pointers from either. Maybe they would have been better off running 5 or 6 man teams to keep riders of 6+7 points in a job. The other issue may be that the likes of Gilkes and the Thompsons will end up adding 7 or 8 points to there average and putting themselves out of the reckoning for a NL place the year after. Can't imagine youngsters will want pushing into the Championship after just 1 yrs proper racing experience.....

I think the Thompsons would be a given for Leicester, both on a 2 point average, but I'd be surprised if Connor will carry on in a league that would give him very little in the way of competition now the points limit has been reduced. I think he will push on in the 2 higher leagues this year, he's certainly capable enough.

Can only see the low points limit either forcing the better riders up into the Championship or out of a job completely, or if clubs do take on a Roynon, Bacon, etc, then they have to fill the rest of the team with 4.5ish riders. Makes you wonder where clubs will find all these sub 5-6 point riders...

I can understand the Birmingham promotion keeping all options open after expressing a keen interest in moving up but then being told that they couldn't attend the AGM by the BSPA. Your not going to move up when you don't know how the points limit will impact their business. So they have to wait until after the NL AGM before making a decision. I have every faith in the Masons doing what's right for the club, in the same way that Somerset have. If it's not viable, they wont move.

Seems a bit strange that sponsors/promotion couldn't afford teamsuits to promote their business and look more professional but found the cash to send the riders on a jolly to Abu Dhabi....

If the rumours of 6 man teams and 3 3pointers are to be believed, then the reduced points limit won't seem so bad. Not that I agree with reducing the limit because it will put reasonable riders out of work, and where do the authorities think all these 3 pointers are going to come from? Lets hope they are rumours or the NL will be pointless instead of a valuable stepping stone for the youngsters

Wasn't a shambles at all. Rogers and Mason looked after the riders, tho they all have programmes and mechanics to make sure their in the correct should they struggle. I would think majority of fans recognise a rider by their kevlars and helmet colour rather than the body colour too. It was an extra meeting for fans to see a bit more speedway before the winter without having teams from around the country. And for the Birmingham fans to say 'goodbye' to the riders. I don't see a problem with any of it tbh.

None of that stops them riding at Coventry (Leicester) on the 21st tho....

Can't be easy attracting sponsorship when you run 2 meetings during the height of the season and have no programme to speak of despite owning a printing company....

I think its essential to have a NL for many years to come, its where the likes of Woffy cut his teeth and learnt about being organised, travelling etc, not just about racing. You can't just throw the majority of youngsters into the Championship nowadays, they need this league to progress. There's been a lot of great racing in this league and I hope it continues.

Can't be easy attracting sponsorship when you run 2 meetings at the height of the season and have no real programme to advertise in despite owning a printing company...

Shanes and Flint do currently ride for the Brummies....

The track was watered heavily beforehand but was very bumpy and unpredictable, not giving the riders the best chance to shine. Shame, because the NL riders are far better than they showed. Credit to the riders for trying to race on a poor track tho