Rebel1

Ben, Aaron, Danny may drop their averages (not being pessimistic) then a gap could arise points-wise to include a further 5 pointer thereabouts!

Depending on how the averages develop it may be that the next green sheet declaration could include Brendan Johnston, he goes well around Central Park and would give a bit of impetuous to the middle order.

Sadly you make the offer, surely supporting a team means through thick and thin, not looking for the nearest winning team! Anyway with such strength in depth are you not going to be witnessing follow-my-leader racing as well?

Difficult to make an informed statement on the pairs event, why they have made the Kings team up with the riders they have is almost unexplainable. The most to be said is that it will give them a bit more track time with nothing to be lost. After Bank holidays showing the second strings/reserves need all the time they can get on track in competitive action. Soon see who will be dropped for better rated three pointers still on the shelf. Could still be an entertaining meeting however.

Sounds like the number 8 is one from three: Matt, Jamie or Adam. The way I understood it from the fans forum last night was that there is likely to be shift around over the first six weeks. Sadly if Matt has incurred an injury it comes down to Jamie and Adam going out and cementing their positions in the team. Personally I have doubts over Adam who I feel could be the weaker rider long-term. Hope he proves me wrong and makes the necessary progress. He urgently needs proper help.

Fair comments teaboy279. I believe James Shanes will chase both Danny and Ben for top spot as he seems to be a natural and has weighed up the track very well. Likely to be King of the season.

Real beer(ale), hot dogs and speedway, what more could you wish for in life. Sadly the old JAP's and black leathers, even two piece, will never return. Rayleigh and West Ham back in the early sixties with grass track meetings on Sundays, Heaven.

All to come out in the wash Monday evening if they are allowed to race!!! Adam has no real sponsorship or knowledgeable mechanical backup which might be slowing his progress. Sadly the facts of life prevail and if you have sound backing and machinery you are more likely to progress. This is almost a last saloon shoot-out for these lads and sometimes experience does count. Anyway Monday evening it is then.

Still think he was more a grass man than a shale man Hunters. One season does not a speedway rider make! He overall in his shale career never hit the heat leader status which does require consistency. For whatever reason, as you yourself say, he fell away during the grass season.

Not sure that the statistics are doing anything other than substantiating my thoughts. Peaked in 1957! Just under 7 points! I will take nothing away from any man who puts his life on the line when he takes to the track, however, I still believe he was a master on the grass and not the shale. Cannot say too much about the quarter mile records they speak for themselves as do the engineering feats.

Always remember Alf Hagon, brilliant on the grass yet only really made reserve status on shale. Not all riders are able to do both, Malcolm Simmons was one who could.

Yes Teaboy279, I also thought that Couzens had more get up and go than Sheppard. Sheppard has had more track time but does not appear to have what it takes other than to be anything other than a reserve. Just my view and may he prove me wrong.

Pleased to see that Sam has a team spot. He is a most likeable lad and provided he can keep his equipment up-to-speed he will be a good reseerve 3.0 point asset. He has ridden all of the tracks excepting Eastbourne, but how many riders in this league have?

Be interesting to see James Shanes at Iwade. He has to be the best signing and surely will, when settled, keep Ben on his toes for top spot.

Falcon Hammer, hoping not, nothing confirmed either way other than it should be taking place the week before the official first meeting.

That is what I believe will happen on press and practice day, behind closed doors but one will get the number 7 jacket and the other will have to prove he is the better racer/rider. Dan Blake/Luke Harris days of last year then Danny and Jason burst onto the scene!

Now for the shenanigans. Who will Chris run with as the number 7? Race-off day is the press and practice day. No doubt Adam may have the edge having ridden in NL meetings previously and did have a good meeting at the end of last season down Plymouth way. Who has the most potential though is another question. Who will be prepared to commit for the season come rain and shine? Nothing says Rikki will push on so with Danno, Rikki, Jamie and Adam all there in the basement points club there is everything to race for. Will make for interesting times.

Grading referees is not such a bad idea. In tug-of-war judges, after qualifying they become grade 3 status, this is after both theory and practical tests. They then are allowed to control lower level meetings (pulls) and are not eligible for consideration to grade 2 until they have controlled a set number of meetings. This usually takes at least 2 years. A panel of grade 1 judges make the decision to make them grade 2. Grade 2 judges can control intermediate level meetings (pulls). Only grade 1 judges can control all types of National competitions. England grade judges can control UK meetings and International meetings require an international qualified judge. This could be too much effort for this sport but would keep referees on the ball as Judges can be down graded and have to participate in refresher courses.

Number 8 is only ever going to be a three pointer and 3.18 does not fit many reserves. Sam Wood is still only 3 points and would be good in this level of NL this year.

It appears that David will no longer be a rider with the Kings, he would still be a major asset around the pits though. Luke Harris never really liked the Central Park track so him not returning was no surprise to me. Perks, Moggeridge and Verge if their averages summed to fit would be a starting line-up to get the team up and running. The number 8 selection intrigues me though!

Thanks. Sounds fair enough, too many formulas being delivered. Cannot find it in the regs though.

So then RocketBen1, if a heat leader does ht 15 and therefore takes 5 rides, does that mean he gets an average of 12? 15/5 = 3, 3 * 4 = 12! This then does not apply where only 4 rides have been taken as the cumulative points scored divided by four would give a cumulative average over the month for the revised green sheets. Points scored / number of meetings thus 68 points over 10 meetings = 6.8 av. Or 52 points over 8 meetings = 6.5 av. Or have I missed something maths is not my strong point.

National League - 36 points upper limit, 30 points lower limit and a number 8 to be declared. Seems as if clubs have got to look forward with having to declare the number 8. Could this be something to be considered in the future by the Premier and Elite leagues?

Difficult to know which way is the right way with the points limit in speedway. It did not work when riders were allocated to teams and has problems with the maximum limit. Some riders raise their game and increase their average whilst others for whatever reason fall below their expectations. If your team enlists riders who raise their game then there is every chance for trophies, whereas a team that falls below it's declared average will ultimately fail. To permit an open market would be good for promoters having deep pockets and those on limited funds would never be able to compete. A little bit of that does currently occur, however, the points limit does mean that those promoters still have to remain within the points constraints. A minimum figure will only add a bit of interest during the season with each and every green sheet declaration.

A solid start for the Kings with those four signings, surely they now need to keep David Mason in some capacity if he is not signed to ride. At this level an experienced rider in the camp to help the youngsters is surely a must. Around 12 points to use on three more riders, two 3 pointers with the capacity to up those to 4.5 plus would be useful and a solid six pointer if the team averages for it.