Sings4Speedway

Be terrible if that was the case with half the teams moving up would sink what is left. Cant see Stoke, Buxton and Plymouth surviving. Whilst clubs have to look out for themselves there is a touch of abandon ship about this rumour.

So far the consensus is pretty much straight forward entice more GP riders and overseas based riders, reduce the wages & admission fees, don't dilute the product but do include NL riders who are just settling into heat leader roles, add extra fixtures so matches can be run every week and hope for once they all get completed before a cut off date that is drawn out of a hat. Simple really.

Finances will always divide opinions, some will always dispute actual amounts paid, amounts paid vs risk etc and whilst some clubs are able to run within their means and be competitive others are not. Whether a reduction in points limit / standard is reflected in admission prices remains to be seen? Again opinions will be divided but i don't feel the value for money is there enough to turn out every week and i now pick and choose my meetings and am certain im not the only one.

Certainly not an ideal situation, add in O'Keefe "stepping down" and Couzins stepping in plus potentially last chance saloon for Hampshire & changing averages could see a much changed Kent side between Friday & Monday. That of course is if the tie is still viable, Mildenhall have been smart getting the home fixture first as a thrashing on Friday could see a low crowd at Kent on Monday although fingers crossed the Kings can keep it within 10 and have something to go for in the 2nd leg.

The major problem is consistency. Set a limit and stick to it overwise riders averages count for nothing. I actually believe a lower limit would generate more entertaining close racing as the gap in rider standard would be lower BUT it would require a huge flow of new riders in as many will end up with falsely inflated averages and stuggle to get a place the following season.

There is no doubt that some very top riders have progressed through Buxton and that is you can master the track you can master anywhere. If Pavitt chooses to stay and show some loyalty good on him and im sure he will progress, if he chooses to go to a track that has more consistent fixtures & surface i suspect he will progress faster.....

Does seem a strange one especially as there is no stipulation of the standard of the 16 lapper? Could have been run at NL standard for much cheaper payouts an i suspect there would have been 16 amateurs that would have done it for free (or at least supplied tyre and a bit of prize money for the finalists)

I can put my hands up and say i was wrong. I was all for the 39 point limit as in the short term it generated fairer teams but in the longer aspect it just generates falsely inflated averages.

Probable points limit increase too (42?) and ive just scratched out a Leicester team that would trouble this years Mildenhall side.

As for highlights i think most have been covered in terms of exceptional rider performances. Bickley & Edwards have been encouraging without stealing headlines likewise the progress of Rowe & Atkins. Other highs include the growing reputation of the IOW and the respect they receive for their promotional efforts, the National league continuing to flourish and an exciting play off run in. Lows injuries to far too many, non committed riders occupying places others would have benefited from, Buxton not scoring a point so far (they deserve better) and Stokes track woes continuing.

Next year could be tricky as there is a whole heap of riders lurking on the sidelines next year ready to take up places at 15. With plenty of riders still on 3.00 at the end of the year there will be some headaches over the winter but along with Gilkes the Thompsons are coming, Ablitt, Palin, McGurk, Wirtzfield etc. Think Pavitt will make big strides next year at the right club.

The nail has largely been hit on the head. Focus on the product and not the names. There si no doubt that a GP star in full flight is a fine sight to behold BUT week in week out i would rather see closely contested races with riders going to the tapes and all having a genuine shout of winning & the potential for some actual overtaking. I care not about who is involved in producing a good race as long as its a good race. The gulf in quality within teams needs to be reduced as does the gaps between teams in leagues. I like many i know want affordable entertainment simple as that.

Very impressive but he has been reluctant all season and technically a reserve from one of the sides has to be missing for a reason of their choosing. The precedent has been set with Scunthorpe so clubs can no longer drop riders at this stage. If O'Keefe wants to ride Kent are a bit stuck, if the opt not to use him and can land Gilkes it would enhance their chances BUT if O'Keefe were to go public it could land them (or any other club) in hot water.

Excellent spot that. Although with the length of Hampshires injury unknown it could be RR for him and a guest for Hurry?

I hope the approach isn't sit or bust. Lurching from one dramatic shake up to another is getting everyone nowhere, its about time that a 5 year plan was put together. May not be ideal from day one but with the aim of the sport being in place in the future rather than setting up for individuals benefit for the upcoming season

Ayres & Bailey likely to be out but Jenkins in, possibly Mountain in? as stated Brennan & Stoneman on the fringes and hopefully Coles as he has been in top form recently. Shaping up to be a top looking and very open meeting.......

True but still the most likely choice. Mildenhall have gone well at Kent a couple of times this year and cleared 50 at home each time. Whereas Brum have run them close, Cov can be tricky at their place and Plymouth is a major trek. Common sense says take Kent & hope someone else does a job on Eastbourne prior to the final?

Is there any further updates on Ryan? I thought he had a big off in a Longtrack meeting but have heard little since.

uh oh having an upbeat day today too. Was meant a little more looking at the big picture with play offs and KO cups coming up. A tiring jaunt to Buxton and a result that will make no difference either way vs additional preparation time ahead of the Eastbourne match and fresh riders.

Kent will be doing a rain dance i suspect, play offs now confirmed so no need to risk anything, i suspect the race will be on to get excuses in early. With a KO cup semi final at home the next day there will be plenty of minor injuries that need an extra days rest or broken down vans preventing key riders travelling north.

I can see why teams like those meetings early (effectively low pressure challenge matches) but if they went straight into league racing there could be a few upsets early on and surely the sport needs more shock results not less?

Based on current points & fixtures as i see it Mildenhall, Eastbourne & Kent definitely in. Brum definitely out. Plymouth MUST beat Stoke & Buxton and score 114+ points from those two meetings to dislodge Coventry which is a tall order (although exciting as hell if they stuff Stoke)

As a club i like Buxton and have no axe to grind with them however 3 planned home fixtures during June & July certainly does not help the case. Add in the three home meetings that took place in May were National Trophy matches it adds further fuel to the fire that these competitions should be placed at the tail end of the season and not at the start.

Injuries apart id be expecting Hume to rattle in a few votes.....

With the final 3 spots for the play offs anything but certain it looks like an exciting run in and fingers crossed the weather plays ball. Based upon rough current form (and we all know that means little in speedway) Kent - Current Points 34 - Buxton away +4 Total 38 Coventry - Current points 28 - Buxton away +4, Buxton Home +3, Mildenhall Home 0 Total 35 Eastbourne - Curent Points 28 - Stoke Home +3, IOW Home +3, Mildenhall H ? Total 34+? Birmingham - Current Points 30 Buxton Away + 4 Total 34 A slip up anywhere for any side and the chance has gone, Buxton & its notorious weather will play a huge part in the run in as any matches not completed will have a serious impact. Its entirely possible that 2nd place Kent could miss out if the match isn't run...... Whilst its rubbish that all matches haven't been completed and that is having an impact it certainly makes for an exciting end to the season.