Sings4Speedway

Test rider only meaning he can stick with his GM engines. Not currently looking a wise decision.

I think this should be a safe home win. Kennett, Lanham & Robson should all fare well but i can't see much assistance and think the Rebels reserves will run riot on their home track. I hope for a full 15 heats and a safe night of entertainment for all but Rebels to hit 50+

First MDL challenge meeting takes place on Sunday. 3 new faces and 5 experienced campaigners take to the track to try and gain a psychological advantage for when the league starts in anger and of course gain some precious track time. Mildenhall ‘Stonefield Farm Shop’ Fen Tiger Cubs 1. Robert Parker 2. William O’Keefe 3. Connor King 4. Alex Spooner King’s Lynn Lightning 1. Adam Portwood 2. Lewis Austen 3. Stephen Whitehouse 4. Luke Harris

Yep VAT on 20% of their cash takings just like everyone else My point was that despite there being untold additional expenses that i hadn't factored in even a wally with a calculator and too much time on his hands could see the figures just don't add up.

Rough on the lad. Made good progress last year. Any ideas what he has done?

Whilst there may not be many PL riders on £100 a point there are others who are turning down those offers looking for more. The NL has riders on £50 a point and not all of them heat leaders. Ultimately the riders can ask for whatever they like its the promoters responsibility to work out if they can afford it and offer deals accordingly. The rich clubs already have first pick so that wouldn't change but if the majority of teams were offering £50 per point for example there will be some who say i can't afford to run for that and retire and yes there may be a few more NL standard riders in the PL for a couple of years but at least the clubs will be sustainable and still in existence.

Based on very rough hypothetical maths. 800 people @ £15 = £12,000 Half this for stadium costs etc = £6000 Half this to cover away meetings = £3000 Based on an average 45 points per meeting that gives £66.6 per point that could be paid out on average. 450 people @ £15 = £6750 Half this for stadium costs etc = 3375 Half this to cover away meetings = £1687.50 Based on an average 45 points per meeting that gives £37.5 per point that could be paid out on average. The top figure shows just enough to put a PL team together but you wouldn't get first pick of riders, the bottom figures would only sustain NL and infact the admission would have to be reduced. The fact is that the bubble has burst in Poland and its burst here too its just that we are not admitting it. Clubs must sign riders they can afford.

Missed out / dodged a bullet with Lambert. Even Rye's new deeper pockets couldn't afford him and as proven by Plymouth signing riders / paying wages you can afford is even more apparent now. Whilst i don't advocate spreading the misery of riders losing their places it does seem slightly galling that the likes of Holder, Kurtz, Newman & Brandford are without whilst Lykke & Karger are included.

Not sure what the possibility of riders, officials and any other person who takes a wage from the club accepting a reduction in order to get the teams to the tapes this year?

Horrendous times. Now is not the time for any finger pointing etc but it does make you question who does the budgets? I mean if you are only getting 450 people a week then don't pay wages based upon 700-800 attendee's. Either way i hope all the riders get fixed up soon and hope they can recoup some of the expense they will have undoubtedly laid out. Perhaps this opens the door for an Exeter revival?

Not sure if Kent will bother with one this year? They aren't required within the rules so i guess they will just book someone if required. With the curfew as it is i would imagine its pretty hard to get a rider to come along and stand around all evening with the uncertainty of even being able to get a few practice laps in at the end. Matt Saul was last years number 8 but i don't recall him ever getting a ride anyway.

Well that's a turn up for the books the tweet seems to have been deleted?

Hope Shelby is ok? Hate hearing of injuries at any time of year but before the season has started in earnest is even more galling!

On the Eastbourne page there is a link to their twitter account which shows some photo's and also to JC Pro Racewear who are this years suit manufacturer but i can't work out who runs this company? The picture i saw said "one down" ? That said with the Easbourne supplied neck braces nobody will be able to see the collars.

Whilst i didn't like the tone of the BSPA statement and the way it sought to distance itself from the situation the Belle Vue statement isn't much better. When it comes to specialist construction items like the air fence and the track these should have been supervised by the track curator and not left to the hired construction companies. A speedway track is a living breathing thing and needs specialists completing the task. You wouldn't get a plumber to fit your new roof!

We shall soon see Not that sold on the new Eastbourne kevlars? Colour scheme and design looks good but very iffy finish to the collars? Im assuming they are FIM approved?

Or it could be seen as a way of keeping those who are unable / wouldn't be travelling in the loop and their desire to watch live speedway going. We all know that there is nothing better than he sounds & smells plus the rattle of shale against your face watching our beloved sport live.

To clarify in terms of the risk and entertainment involved there will never be too much money however there are far too many riders looking to earn a living out of speedway rather than a subsidised hobby. Its all too easy to forget that first and foremost these riders love to race. As for extreme its the increases in wages in percentages rather than pure value. For example in the NL 2013 Scunthorpe & Kings Lynn were paying £10 a point. Other clubs a bit more but not hugely. Last year i know there were number 1's on £30 a point. This season there are riders on £40-£60 a point and these are not heat leaders. Anyone who has recently got a 200-400% pay rise recently raise your hand......

Aaron Baseby would fit a treat?

Was a reason given why Perks wasn't present?

From my point of view if costs are to be reduced then pay needs to be reduced. Wages at all levels of the sport are getting extreme. If points money is reduced then riders will be forced into the decision of spending big with tuners or sourcing more cost effective engines themselves. Plus with the potential in reduced outlay gate prices might finally come down to sensible levels. Yes there will be riders who refuse to ride at a reduced rate but its their option to continue or pack up? Im sure there will be plenty who despite early reluctance will be ringing clubs begging for a place as the season approaches.

Nobody likes to hear news like that so close to the season. Not sure what happened but a big blow for Brendan and IOW. Fingers crossed the op is a success.

Ah completely forgot about Poultec phew that's alright then. At Eastbourne Clifton might struggle like several visiting riders but if rumours are true he will have the better of Andrews at home. It could be Verges year (like it could have been the previous 3) id be happy to see him succeed and prove me wrong but........

Think this should run out a close home win. Kennett should go near a max and the reserves should run riot at home. Rye has never been a happy hunting ground for Nielsen and i feel Perks may be out of his depth? I think the Rye 2-5 are a little under-rated and should all put in 6-8 every week and deliver the consistency recent Rockets teams have lacked. Excited to see how Gjedde goes though along with Kurtz & Holder Jnrs.

Think both teams are pretty well practiced for this one although the Eagles have the advantage of actually practicing on their own track. Looking forward to see how Hughes & Knight go round Eastie plus what damage Bowen & Clifton can do. Im going to try and be nice to the reserves this year although currently i only think Powell is deserving of a place. My only current concern is that ive not seen or heard of Shanes practicing anywhere?