Sings4Speedway

The problem is there aren't really and riders available near 5.21. Cottham on 4.70 or Terry-Daley on 4.55 are as near as you would get and would leave the team at least 0.5 under the limit. If you could tempt a rider out of retirement Sam Chapman 5.18, Mikey Neale 4.85 or Moggo Jnr on 4.94 changes the look of the side completely but the last 3 would be rusty.

Its a very tight limit to keep the reserves in place and even harder to keep them there. Think Harris & Dwyer look most likely and fit in the gap although perhaps Tedham for Harris is a possibility? Either way with the four lower order riders its going to leave two good reserves but two weaker 2nd strings all season unless one or two kick on.

Has anybody been banned for life? I remember Danny Bird getting a substantial ban but that's about it. Since then there have been on track brawls & silencer tampering that resulted in suspended sentences, small fines and some character defamation. Hall & Tungate received bans for violent conduct but they weren't for very long. As things stand punishments for foul play are not strict or harsh enough to act as any form of deterrent.

True although 14ish of those places are at reserve and will be filled by 3 pointers from this season but not on the list or rookies. Some riders will move on to do higher leagues only which is great to see Perks for example but there will be a few established NL names who are casualties. That said i think its a positive thing as i would much rather see competition for places than the issues faced last winter where there were not enough riders to go round so early indications say the 39 point limit is a positive move.

Agreed or make provisional signings. Its been said if the limit was 40 Shanes in, 39 Shanes out. Surely that deal would have applied better to Clifton and include Shanes regardless?

Would seem a little foolish if they do. Whilst promoting the future, young riders etc etc lakeside have started to assemble a competitive side and will need it to be both capable & competitive if they have any hope of winning over Premiership supporters

Strikes me that there were issues early. Danny turned down before the close of the season as he wanted more time to consider his options for higher leagues, Len doesn't like being turned down so withdrew the offer which isn't the first time he has done that. The first 2/3 signings were made before the agm and then finger off the pulse is surprised at the rule change. Ayres or Shanes could have fitted with Bowen, Thomas & Hopwood plus 3 x 3 pointers but not if Clifton had been included already so Clifton in Shanes out! Im pretty certain Hopwood is nailed on so it leaves 13.7 for the final 3. That means either 2 x 3 pointers & 7.7 for a heatleader. Problem is Len can't pick a 3 pointer unless he falls in front of him and all the heat leaders around that average are gone so i suspect it could be tricky to even build near the points limit and remain competitive.

Thats enough of a rumour for me.

You didn't see much of Connor Locke then On a serious note Basford seemed to get decent returns at home but struggled away whereas Burton seemed to struggle on his home track but did alright on the road. In fairness i don't know how many additional points threw away by falling & Burton is certainly not the only rider to struggle with the Buxton track.

With the points limit reduced, many riders improving their averages last season and team places filling up fast which riders from last years 1-7's are likely to miss out on a starting place in the NL this year? Below is a rough list of riders who achieved an average over 3.00, have not indicated retirement/year out/riding higher league only; **rumoured but not confirmed signings Tony Atkin Danny Phillips Darryl Ritchings Jack Smith** Dan Bewley** Lee Payne Rob Shuttleworth Tom Woolley Andy Mellish Kyle Hughes Luke Priest Lee Dicken David Wallinger Mitchell Davey Liam Carr ineligable NL Ryan Terry-Daley Connor Dwyer** Jamie Halder James Purchase Ben Basford Bradley Andrews** Jack Kingston Ellis Perks Gary Cottham Luke Harris** Ben Hopwood** Nathan Stoneman** Kelsey Dugard** James Shanes Dave Mason Brendan Johnson - Retired Josh Bailey Scott Campos Shane Hazelden S Beebee Shaun Tedham Paul Burnett Chris Hay

A lot of clubs are asking that exact question. With the MDL being shrunken down last season meaning less rides for riders to develop & most of the rich pickings from the youth rounds taken the number of ready & capable 3 pointers is limited. Perhaps the academy at Lakeside can throw up a couple of riders but have they done any competitive racing?

Nathan Stoneman would be a perfect fit with 2 x 3 pointers however i suspect there could be a bidding war for riders like Stoneman or Smith? Based upon averages riders like Danny Phillips or Rob Shuttleworth must also be in the mix? Looking at last years green sheets there are a lot of riders who are going to miss out on a starting place this year.

Not exactly a surprise signing or one that is going to appease the Kings supporters after the loss of both Danny & James. It was pretty obvious that Luke was going to be at Kent or nowhere this season and whilst he will be a very solid rider if he can avoid getting beaten up with injuries again i still don't see him achieving much more than his average. I suspect most Kings would have preferred a lower averaged rider @ 2 if it meant Danny or James was included in the side.

Very true however i said the same thing about Layne last season and that resulted in him jumping from Kings Lynn before he was pushed, bombing at Cradley and only finally getting going on the Island. I don't doubt his ability in fact i think he has more talent than most reserves signed this season its just the confidence side that seems to let him down. IF Brum can unlock the best of him they have a very good signing.

Im yet to be convinced by Burton. Seems to lack some of the basics required which led to a few falls last year and ultimately time out injured. That said he was forced to ride most of the season in the main body of the team & has now seen most of the tracks so has the potential to do a job at reserve but my personal opinion is that Basford would have been a better bet.

I'm certainly not against giving new things a try, far from it but I just want thongs to be considered fully and documented correctly so everyone knows the rules and how they are to be applied. I just tire of new initiatives being implemented and not thoroughly thought through and then rulings made on the fly to cover eventualities that should have been foreseen.

Do you happen to have the results from the open class from this weekend? Can only find the results from 27th November.

Is Bradley UK or New Zealand based? must have been tough financially last season trying to survive on NL reserve money only!

On that basis i suppose i could remove the seal of another competitors engine and prevent them from using it in a BSPA event? All hypothetical of course. Same goes for a rider who crashes and knocks the seal off? Whilst im not against a new engine being introduced as i feel its essential there is variety i just don't see how the sealed engine idea would be enforced. Much in the same way that if everybody used a sealed GTR some would be happier with the output than others. Its common knowledge that tuners will build several engines, a rider will take them to a track, try everyone and pick their preferred few from the bunch. So if the top riders all got to do this with batches of GTR engines it would mean the lower ranks would still be at a disadvantage.

If i was to purchase one of these engines then surely i can do with it what i choose? I can accept that if the seal is broken it would invalidate any warranty that it is supplied with (whatever that warranty may be worth?). Additionally what happens if i or another awkward sole was to walk along and cut the seal off of somebody's Gerhard engine?

I think thats the danger for a lot of teams this season with a "star" reserve. It only works if they can be kept at reserve like Brum managed this season otherwise the threat is neutralised when they move into the main body of the team. The top 3 is as good as anybodys but if any of them have a off night/afternoon im not sure the tail is capable of picking up the slack?

Ive largely given up when attempting to apply logic to team signings within speedway.

Oh dear not a great day for many by the sounds of things. Best wishes to all those who had mishaps fingers crossed nothing serious for any riders.

Would have been very happy if Ryan had signed for Kent. Looks to be improving every season and i would rather see that than just one spectacular year then level out. Has a good style, good gating & the luxury of a family tuning business to ensure his engines are always in good order.

Certainly tricky to think who will line up at reserve for Brum given most of the obvious options have gone however they are aware of the importance of solid reserves however in fairness last years duo were unearthed elsewhere & the year before Waj exceeded expectations despite excellent pedigree. For this season the only ones i can think of with Birmingham links would be Alex Wilson, Robert Parker, Adam Kirby, Eryk Borzuch (pending UK Passport), Kenny Bowdrey or the number 8 from this year who retired before the season started?