SteveLyric2

Each round is being streamed 'live' for the first time according to Sedgeman's promotional video.

With some strangely worded translations of the Polish statements over the past few days, one of the later ones refers specifically to Rune Holta (who is/was due to sign for Torun). It suggests he is the first rider to 'go against the rules' but is not clear whether its against the clubs' new rules or against what his fellow riders agreed on Saturday?! The clubs are due to meet today (Tuesday) so it'll be interesting to read a good translation of what their updated position will be and how the riders will respond en-block?!

Chris Holder would have had to sign or at least reach an agreement with a club before returning to Australia as that club would need to sponsor for his visa application to return next year! Also MF's views on the Vaculik situation in the local Echo today. http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/speedway

Yes that was so clubs weren't wiating til end June (or even later in some cases) to complete their 4 home/4 away meetings to give riders new proper averages!!

Emil's another that has good contacts in Glasgow and Poole!!!! ;-)

Maybe - but would the fans turn up every week? Isn't it the clubs without 'big hitters' ie the Championship clubs that are complaining most about dropping attendances and even closing in some cases?

Newman said in the local newspaper interview this week that he would love to return to Leicester - BUT would not object to a return to Poole!! Having said that, especially at this time of the year riders will say anything that they think clubs/fans/sponsors/media want to hear - until they get a firm contract offer in front of them. NB That's not a criticism by the way!!

I thought that KOC scores were being included in averages after initially (and in the rules) being excluded?!

I believe there has also been a statement from Riders Representative Krysztof Ciegelski - but I can't find it now. The riders are apparantly up in arms about the new rules and their effect on earning capacity. OK the Polish leagues make a big thing about announcing their signings for the following season - and then try to introduce new rider restrictions after the riders have agreed to sign!!

Don't know where he gets his information??! In the latest Echo article on Thursday. MF said he still hoped to include both Woryna and Shanes BUT it will be dependent on there not being any last minute changes to the proposed team building points limit! I guess that is in light of the whisper that the proposed limit may be lowered (from 42?!) by a point or so if more teams are in the Premiership.

Torun don't look too bad do they? Doyle, Iversen, C.Holder, Holta, Prezedpelski and J.Holder so far - not a bad top 3!!

Iversen joining Holder Doyle Przedpelski and Holta in Torun - not a bad start!!! I wonder how many of them will feature in the SGBP next season?

Great shout Steve0. Certainly took me and quite a few others by surprise even with the knowledge of the Steady connection!! I shall have to have a stern word with my sources!! Why? Sorry I've been out all afternoon hospital visiting!! Never professed to be anything of the sort!

Keep guessing Steve0!!

So Martin Vaculik confirms he is to race in Britain next season!! The strong rumours are that Kings Lynn are in pole position to sign him rather than the expected Poole??!!

Dawn could be a busy girl that week!!! :D

I see Gav's back and got things a bit twisted again. Chris Holder's appeal to the ACU (assisted by Matt Ford as reported in the SS) was partially successful as the length of ban has been reduced to allow him to start the British season next year and his fine was also halved.

2 weeks time the weekend of November 17th to 19th. Not sure where its being held this year? The last several years its been in the UK. Before that a week in Tenerife used to be the thing.

Yet Lodz still sign him for next year - reportedly!!

Holder on 7.16 but still within the 42 points.

Couldn't agree more BW. There will always be the 'haves' and 'have nots' especially in speedway, so why not let those clubs that want/can afford the top riders (through deep pockets or good sponsorship or whatever) run in a top league, whilst using the basics of what JC has outlined above for the other lower league(s). If the senior league only has a few clubs - lets say 6-8 for arguments sake - and therefore insufficient fixtures to sustain a whole season,(which would suit many of the 'top' riders) then let those clubs also run a 'B' team with only the 6 point and below average riders using the standardised machinery (Gerhardt?) and a price differential for those fixtures..

So thats Somerset, Swindon, Belle Vue and Poole that the Holders are riding for then?!?? ;-)

One of the problems with Miedzinski - despite how well he rode for Poole last time - is that he seems to be very injury prone. Very much like Kildemand, who was another in the frame mid-season!!

Does it really matter how BT get their audience figures? If they are happy then that is surely a big plus to start negotiations. Rather than clubs relying on some sort of TV cash pay out they should be concentrating on using TV to get more (and get more out of) corporate sponsorship, which in turn should benefit riders as well as the clubs.

I expect Chris Holder must have signed an agreement for 2018 somewhere as that club would need to 'sponsor' his visa application for his return to UK. Somerset did try to sign him at the start of 2017 but there was going to be too many missed meetings due to GP/Polish commitments. PS/NB. Has anyone given thought to Piotr Pawlicki returning to Poole? A 7.32 average from his stint at Wolves in 2014 is bound to be reduced plus he's no longer in the GPs. He'd be a good mentor/partner for Woryna too!