Sings4Speedway

Tough on John. Whilst there may be many that are not his greatest fan all my encounters with the man have been positive. He lives & breathes speedway and has put a lot of time and effort into Rye House over the years so to be dumped pre-season (especially as he stated in the Speedway Star this week he was looking forward to the season ahead) seems a little brutal and cruel to me. There is very little loyalty left in the sport these days. Good Luck for the future John & fingers crossed another team can utilise his strong grasp of the rules......(or a step into the referee's box?)

Or an unknown grasstracker that fancies a crack at speedway? Thats what half the other teams have done this year!

    Agreed sadly Sky do not seem keen on the 2nd half matches however I wish they were. Imagine the buzz the riders would get out of live coverage & full commentary of their heats.

Just realised that Stoke still have one reserve to announce? Leaving things quite late?

Great news. As with the City Gearboxes last year a title league sponsor adds much needed funds to the most entertaining league in British Speedway and promotes the professional appearance that it deserves. All I hope is that teams were given an early heads up so that race bibs have been ordered accordingly as several teams fell foul of the late announcement last year.

Huckenbeck would be a very sharp number 8 signing for someone if he has UK based kit. I think him and Karger Jnr will be quite sought after.

Is it to restock all the items Mr Drury will throw out of his pram?

I don't see any reason for an age cap. Its a development league for riders to develop and hone their skills. With riders like Armo & Atkin riding competitively into their 40's & 50's what's to say a 31 year old rookie cant have another 10 years in the sport? At least he knows the costs & dedication involved, how many 16 year olds start out in the NL and retire a few years later?

Funny how 3 years ago nobody would touch a grasstracker and now they are flavour of the month! That said Andy is a good rider and good signing in proving ability over youth is more important. However if Holt doesn't now start at reserve I feel that Belle Vue might have missed a trick early on.

Speaking of the revolution team as it will predominantly effect the Witches is there any word if they will be functioning as a fully Jawa powered outfit as the press release suggested or will Danny & Lewis be sticking with the trusted GM's?

Perhaps however I like the look of the Cradley team this year even if I am unsure of a few of the individual riders I think they will be a very potent threat if they do all click especially at Monmore.

I think looking at the Brum vs Eastie teams they are not a mile apart Waj/Hughes, Ritchings/Knight, Perry/Hopwood & Bacon/Wood are all pretty even match ups. Id give Andrews the edge over Hume based upon experience but I think Hume will go further in the long run. The deciders are the reserves and the combined JPB / Smith combination will be too strong for Powell / Phillips (although if Brum swapped Smith for Powell it would be a fantastic side IMO)

Good point! Although Lambert is largely predicted by some to drop to reserve early on? I know in the NL you can use a guest if a draft rider is missing on PL duty so it would make sense if the same applied for PL to EL draft?

Think the link is more Birmingham -> Danny King & Danny King -> Danyon Hume (via a shared Mechanic). However I do predict a very strong season for Hume in the NL this year and having Danny King in your corner can never be a bad thing.

As things stand though there are some fairly useful guests available? Based upon Simons current average of 5.19 you could use Hall, Sarjeant, Rosen, Roynon, James Wright or Robin Aspegren and all should score similar points to what Lambert would achieve either home or away (especially at reserve). Obviously average changes and availability plays a part but if some smart bookings are made you could play the system and profit nicely.

Not a shock signing but a very good one that makes the side look very solid. With a combination of Hume, JPB or Smith filling the reserve positions at any time that is a very potent lower end threat. Im also not convinced the Eagles will make the play offs and even if they do it doesn't have to be Brum who knock them out. Much to the annoyance of many Birmingham fans im sticking with them to finish top & win the play offs.

Hats off to you for trying to move things around so you can attend. No way I would be that fortunate. Also a huge shame that there are a selection of fans that refuse to attend a NL meeting. Would be interesting if a couple of NL meetings were made free entry or free entry with a valid EL ticket would convert a few?

Would be ridiculous if somebody has signed him. Retired half a dozen times, not ridden with at all in the last year would be a real kick in the teeth to anyone who has genuinely been trying to earn a place.

Sweeping wide FLAT turns if rumours are to be believed?

If that is true then its barmy! The banking is one of the strong points of the Rye track and something that most venues are trying to add rather than remove! If its true then I probably wont be making as many trips to Rye House this year which is a shame as the NL for a tenner seems good value, tried Mildenhall several times last year but the journey got a bit gutty and the dominance of Eastbourne failed to provide the spectacle in most matches so not sure where to watch this year?

Sounds like he has been signed on loan as a number 8. I guess he is ready made cover if anything happens to Ritchings? There is some sense in it if they are trying to develop a number 7 for next year but it does sound like its a not what you know..........situation.

Bit bizarre? Just goes to show its not what you know..........

Overlooked for too long. One of the most consistent riders in the MDL and would have been signed much sooner if the majority of teams weren't ageist. Good solid signing for Buxton and sure he will have a decent season.

I think Rob Mear is content with just doing the EL as its fewer meetings along with his full time job. I think Lanham will surprise plenty of people this season and could be a real trump card. Heeps needs to up his average, Morley will increase his so if Kennett & Robbo maintain theirs it should be a decent year providing your last signing is not a real duffer!

Im sure I saw quoted that some NL meetings at Kings Lynn had sub 100 spectators? Shame really as the racing is often more entertaining that in the EL. If season ticket holders equate to appox a quarter of crowds then you should be in for a strongly supported season indeed.