Sings4Speedway

Ipswich, Newcastle and Plymouth would all be strengthened by the inclusion of Stokes.

Sad thing is that I think the below would have been a playoff team especially with either Pedersen, Bridger or the KenSon combo occupying one of the second string berths every match. It doesn't have the same feel with Nilsson in for me. Its also clear that Bjarne/Bridger were/are on similar deals that must be substantially more than Nilsson if costs were the issue (and assuming that Kim was the man to make way). Normally im all for being sensible with the spiralling costs but as its potentially the last year at Lakeside it would have been nice for the team to go out with a bang! AJ Bjarne Bridger Kennett/Lawson Swidders Kerr Mear

As a bit of fun and i do like my "predictions" i am going 1st Southampton 2nd The Warriors 3rd Exeter 4th Weymouth

In brutal reality the sport isnt cheap and the days where talent could outweigh top equipment are behind us. Whilst im not saying that riders who run on lower budgets can't make it the truth is that to be able to stay in the sport long enough to earn a full team place you need dedicated and selfless parents to start out with and then deep pockets yourself to stick with it. Its a sad fact that there are plenty of riders of varying ages that are lost to the sport each season due to either disillusionment or the costs.

Right you are.....who will be after additional funds first Andrews, Purchase or Kingston? Which team mate will Chessell fall out with first? (I betting Kingston). Will they remain loyal to Basford if he continues with his impressive NL scores? Discuss

Elite Fricke Swiderski Sedgeman Lindgren Nicholls Prem Lanham Hall Aario Kerr Tungate (All Pboro team)

1. Carr 7.73 (Cov) 2. Coles 5.61 (Mild) 3. M.Baseby 5.88 (IOW) 4. Smart 5.76 (IOW) 5. Greaves 7.08 (K.Lynn) 6. Bacon 4.42 (Brum) 7. Clifton 3.50 (Kent) Total = 39.98

We both agree that changes are required if the sport is to progress / survive just differing opinions on how it could/should be done. It should be a £10 sport and the riders wages even at NL level are getting out of control. "but its not the riders fault if they need more money to maintain equipment". Its the riders choice how much they spend and where they spend it. Just as it is with supporters and those turning their backs on the sport year after year. The bubble has burst and riders who are trying to make the sport pay for itself or even a profit at NL level are dragging it down. If they were paid less then some would have to consider more durable engines? Faster engine = more points but more bills vs reliable engine = less points but cheaper to maintain? As for pre owned engines they are just the same as 2nd hand cars. There is no such thing as a bargain its all a gamble to be taken. Ive always felt they are sold incorrectly anyway....Why would a rider pay for a thorough service then sell the engine? They have the bare minimum done to maximise profit. Second hand engines should be run until service is due then sold and let the new buyer get it checked & maintained for themselves.

I see the logic you are applying to this however most riders have engines in place already so the initial purchase price is negated. The Gerhard/Tatum engine is only alleged to be able to complete a season with no services / power loss but has yet to be verified & as above Sam's engine is over bore and ineligible. Based on your logic To run engine 1 for a season and a purchase is £6500 Tatums Engine is £5500 Pre owned engine & service (£0 purchase, £2000 services) = £2000 Whilst I completely agree that gate prices need to drop even at NL level I feel that would be more easily achieved by set points limit brackets rather than imposing further restrictions upon riders with more expensive regulation changes.

If they enforce standardising and other ridiculous expenses upon riders it will be the end of the sport for me and maybe in general. Whilst a level playing filed sounds like an ideal the facts are that continually enforcing expensive silencers and potentially entirely new engines will drive many riders from the sport, force the riders that do remain to request more money and therefore require increased prices at the gate. By all means make the engines available to riders as if they are competitive enough they will use them but the continuation of enforced regulation changes will be the death of the sport. (rant over?)

Takes team bonding to a whole new level!

Quite & the racing has been dull & indecent free....... On a serious note i agree with a neutral venue just not the rationale for the move

Im in the not that fussed group at the moment. Incomplete teams & the weather at present doesn't help matters. Plus usually during the opening month the teams/riders I have tipped get hammered by teams/riders that I don't rate so big helpings of humble pie usually come my way.

Interesting inclusion of Boxall? If a couple of averages drop after the first round could you squeeze him in instead of Simota?

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.