Sings4Speedway

will be interesting to see how the mood swings in the camp regarding Haertel? Will it be classed as a pure racing incident or something that was waiting to happen and create unrest amongst those who have to race with him? I have heard several comments from Longtrack circles that he is prone to taking out other riders.

Cross league guests allowed again then.....wonderful Plus side im glad its an indication the Ed is fit again.

Obviously there were numerous reasons for the Young Stars closure and finances paid a part in that along with availability of suitable riders. I definitely do not like seeing riders out of "work" but i equally dislike seeing teams who have built well at the start of the year fade away as one rider becomes injured and there are no suitable replacements available. There are also a variety of reasons why decent riders are not included in sides averages playing a part, distance & wage demands also being a factor. Ive always been a huge believer that if riders are good enough they will find a place but only if they want to ride. Either way this is getting away from the issues that the Warriors are facing at present and it appears that if it doesn't physically rain on race nights it rains points against them.

Another sad result for IOW last night. Campos & Hopwood still doing their jobs and quite likely Morley would have got more than Baseby. I would think Verge would score more running at number 2 rather than trying to protect Widman there? Tough on the reserves against decent opposition with Tedham's debut & Portwood just back from illness but 5 vs 20 from each sides bottom 3 tells the story.

Tougher tests to come for Mildenhall as most teams are thumping IOW at the moment but still very impressive. Like a few other teams Mildenhall will be hampered when star reserve Kemp moves up into the team but if Marson or Bebee can hit a run of form they will want some stopping. Wednesday will be a good marker of where teams are right now but for the season i would still give Brum the edge at present given they are more used to dealing with the pressure of play offs etc however a lot can happen before the end of the season.

With the greatest will in the world unless there was a limit to the amount of 3 pointers allowed per team they would still feature in most sides. If the limit was higher most teams would have a 10+ averaged number 1 increasing the wage bills and creating a bigger divide between rider quality in the league. In addition a higher limit and the half dozen riders out of a job included leaves a void should any riders get injured / retire during the season. Its one thing finding a suitable 3 pointer its quite another finding heat leaders and that ultimately closed Kings Lynns NL side and left several others struggling to build near the limit let alone over it. Long story short is that there are only a coupe of riders who would / could improve the IOW side and they would require multiple changes to accommodate which seems unlikely.

Given the nature of the track at Eastbourne teams will always come and struggle. Its not trick just takes a couple of attempts to master generally. Therefore there will be plenty of hammerings during the season. There are obviously some supporters who want to see constant 5-1's and others who want to see close racing. Ive often wondered if the Eagles could become a works team and affiliate with one engine supplier only like jawa/godden or GTR (remember them). Get the sponsored engines in and see what level of success they could have?

What are the options though? Mark Riss & Grondal? Would have said Starke & Gravesen but looks like Starke is now in the declared Belle Vue line up? Either way the team average has gone up and to make improvements it would mean chopping a point out of the side which doesn't make much sense.

The problem with those calling for Davey's head is who would be picked to replace him? He is one of the form riders in the NL and that is largely the pool of riders you have to play with given the averages. Hume or Mountain would be the other sensible contenders but both ride Thursday nights for Ipswich so virtually rules them out. Would need a double change and re-declare under the limit. Does switching Davey & Musielak for 2 x 4 pointers make any sense? Think the robins will have to stick with Mitchell and help him the best they can

The problem with those calling for Davey's head is who would be picked to replace him? He is one of the form riders in the NL and that is largely the pool of riders you have to play with given the averages. Hume or Mountain would be the other sensible contenders but both ride Thursday nights for Ipswich so virtually rules them out. Would need a double change and re-declare under the limit. Does switching Davey & Musielak for 2 x 4 pointers make any sense? Think the robins will have to stick with Mitchell and help him the best they can

Sums it up perfectly for me. Cockle is fading rapidly but even with half effort should get more than 5. RTD has never achieved what he has been tipped to do and is a perennial 4 pointer. The Colts are obviously strong at home but as pointed out once Woodhull is in the main body the reserves are going to be a huge concern. I see Bowen had a suspected dislocated thumb? If true could be a while for recovery and a catalyst for changes.

Apologies bad quoting on my part. Would be interesting to see if the new setup is prepared to subsidise suits? For example plenty of riders have to fund their own kevlars at present, however if they were to use the National Team design they would get £200 towards them for example? The riders can then use them week in week out etc. Think everyone has seen the former team GB suits on ebay within weeks of a world cup despite them being sponsor supplied so its clear certain riders have little regard for them but if they had a vested interest in the suit it might be kept?

And what a huge shame it is that the achievements of these 4 young riders only gets mentioned in a slightly snipey way on a race suit thread.

Been quite a while since Halsey was on £15 a point. However i agree that with family businesses weekend tracks are preferable and despite a long time at Mildenhall Dan's casual attitude does not help his cause. Clubs have been moaning about the lack of suitable 3 pointers for years yet the amount of clubs who do anything to help develop future ones is limited. (Not aimed at IOW by the way)

Bombers inability to work out setups have held him back for his entire career. Lost count of times ive heard engine was wrong, not enough speed etc. The reason he has stayed "at the top" for so long is his riding style and commitment but the technical nature always has & will evade him

Exactly add 3 points to the limit IOW would still have started with the same reserves and just used them on other places higher up. Same as most teams would have creating a bigger gap between the top & tail. The issues with the Island side are fairly small. Morley, Hopwood & Campos are all hitting above average regularly. Just needs reserves to hit theirs, Verge to do what he is capable of Widman to actually do something and the side will be alright.

Probably correct. I like Shaun but then he is crazy as a box of frogs. However his results speak for themselves and it is not a compelling case. I think he does have a bit more to offer BUT that would require a huge machinery investment along with time & i don't think he is in a position to do that at this stage of his life. However should Tedham score his 3 point average every week it would still be an improvement.

The Warriors tail has looked to be a problem of recent matches and given that a guest came in and beat Sealey might have sealed his fate? IOW have often been loyal to a fault so maybe a change will freshen things up and wake a few others up. Plus i wouldn't be shocked to see Jamie pick up a place elsewhere as he is not the worst reserve in the league. I think Shaun Tedham is great but not sure how he will go on a big track? Or what he has actually done since last season but wish him all the best.

Spot on Waco. Morley in great form at present, Hopwood doing his job and Campos punching above his weight (partial pun intended). The tail does have serious problems though. Verge will have better nights but Widman is a major concern and Sealey being beaten by the home guest asks a lot of questions. However IOW are a loyal club to their riders and will give them a fair chance but alarm bells must be ringing. Eastbourne had their top end not entirely firing and still won comfortably as the reserves are going from strength to strength. To be fair it won't be the only team to get turned over by the Eagles but feel the Warriors are slipping out of the winning habit again.

At what stage into the race did the stoppage happen? I know there is a rule introduced this year where a ref MAY start the remaining rider off 15metres IF one team is on a clear 5-1 when the stoppage occurs.

Largely as expected last night. Brum heat leaders just edging it, Kent second strings slightly better than their opposition but reserves 16-4 in Birmingham's favour. Flint was always going to be a treat but once he could take all the reserve rides it was game over. Sets up the return match quite nicely where i think it will be closer overall but the melted easter egg cup looks to have a big red B on it.

Think the Brummies will be a bit too strong on home shale. Bowen may be one of the few riders in the league who could trouble Davey on current form but is still likely to be rusty. Thomas obviously went well last week but i fear there is little support elsewhere and there is a huge risk that Flint will run riot at reserve. If the Kings keep it to a 10 point defeat they will have done alright.

Any update on Adam Ellis who ended Sundays Grasstrack in a sling?

I believe the joys of the new ruling is that Starke could start from 15m back if the referee decides so. Basically another appallingly worded ruling.

Great to hear there has been a positive outcome to this and hope you enjoy many entertaining matches on the Island. As for runners up definitely a success plus you can only truly appreciate winning after you have tasted defeat.