Sings4Speedway

Sadly there are always riders that fall through the cracks when these rules are brought in. That said even if Glas & Edin were in attendance if it was voted on they would have been out numbered anyway.

Don't see quite what the negativity is about? Kennett is a top PL number 1 Lykke had a good year last year and can definitely up his average. Lanham had a beauty at Rye last year and will be dependable Klindt is the gamble but has bags of ability when applied Morley always a cert as an asset and the best option. Fingers crossed some new blood is brought in for the final two places but with 12.5 to play with will it be 8/4 7/5 or a 6/6 split? Either way doesn't look too gloomy.

Not eligible to guest and yet did so for Rye house at Somerset? I think Tom is a prime example of exactly who should be on the list. A slight surprise as I though Ollie Greenwood would have been chosen but a decent signing none the less.

Sarjeant, Garrity, Bates & Grieves in the same team! Surely that is asking of one big dust up!

Solid signing who will surprise a few especially at home. Could have done a lot worse.

Going to be tough for him. Yes I think someone will take a chance but he will have to go well to deliver on a 5 point average. This year he has had accommodation, financial & mechanical help etc plus scoring big every week to pay the bills. If he comes over to do the PL next season where will he find that kind of deal and will he be able to earn enough to sustain himself?

Hope so. Tee Hee

Congratulations you wont be disappointed. If the colts cant get in with a brand new super shiny stadium then we might as well pull the plug on the NL.

Liam has just signed for Cov in the NL so seeing that they are a Friday night team I cannot see him at Edinburgh? Whoever is signed it is worth making them an asset to get priority over fixture clashes.

Taken me too long to work it out however could be a potential diamond of a signing if you get JB. Talented youngster who loves a big track and a delightful lad to boot.

Working the opposite way and ignoring Williamson, Ayres & Grieves who are already signed. If it is a rider who has never ridden PL before that rules out (from memory) Zach Waj, Shanes, Perry, Carr, Both Greenwoods, Carr, Perks, Morley, Clegg, Chapman, Hopwood, Crang, Phillips, Cockle.........sure there are a few more on top of that. What im saying is who is there outside of that list to get excited about?

Yep and yet all teams bar Kent were signed by before Christmas last year. There will be plenty of phone calls and provisional deals being done at the moment. If Belle Vue & IOW aren't doing this also they may suffer a little.

Are Glasgow moving to Fridays? Either way congratulations to Danny. Lets not forget that 2 seasons ago he didn't even have a NL reserve berth and now he has signed for the PL money men.

IMHO the NL has just had one of its best seasons for a very long time and does not need a dramatic overhaul as suggested. Asking / forcing clubs to host NL will not work as too many staff & supporters are set in their ways. The MDL is widely welcomed and the riders embraced by some clubs and others treat them as a second rate hindrance. As a league for home grown riders (plus a few exceptions) the only way the NL will continue to flourish is if there are plenty of riders coming through the ranks fighting for team places not the occasional over hyped hot shot and a few that have bikes and will travel.

All clubs will speak to riders they are interested in before the draft draw takes place and I strongly suspect who would pick who wasn't a particularly guarded secret between the promoter's. Its not just we choose you, you must ride. Details need to be verified such as does the draft rider have a PL deal agreed but not yet announced etc Otherwise it will end up like the Josh Bates/Swindon debacle a couple of years ago.

Does seem unlikely he will get a place in the PL if made to go in on a 5 point average when every team will be signing riders around his ability on a 3. Sadly there are always riders who fall through the cracks when rules are changed.

Until there is decent promotion of the sport numbers will continue to dwindle. The number of people who don't know that speedway even exists is alarming. Given that almost everyone knows what Moto X is or Moto GP. Ive spoken to people who attend greyhound racing at Kent regularly and still didn't know there was a Speedway team based there! Small steps add up to big things. A TV for example showing speedway highlights at the entrance to all tracks when non speedway events are taking place there? The world cup being shown on a domestic channel was a huge boost only for the final not to be shown due to the weather (and other idiocies). Until the sport as a whole is promoted to a wider audience crowd numbers, admission prices and rider quality are all going to remain causes of debate / concern.

That's ridiculous and very sad. Both great for the sport with their enthusiasm especially Cookie who is one of the many unsung heroes. If the bspa / scb are serious about developing future riders then the registration / managers fees should be waived which would free up a little cash to help with rider costs. Referees don't help either as they demand being paid a full additional match fee after 22 heats so MDL double headers cant be completed which could potentially double emerging riders bike time with very little additional work.

Whilst I like the romance of this idea and the giant killing possibility as with all speedway money would kill this idea off. To cover the wage demands of EL riders NL clubs would have to charge EL prices or run at a loss if the competition was run as a one leg affair. Would be interesting to see if any teams fancy putting on any inter division challenge matches during the pre season to gauge interest / results?

Of course riders can choose who they ride for, when, where etc but im with Speedibee on this one. Sadly the number of riders turning out for their own "team" seems to be dramatically on the decline this season. Whilst targets of riders in the MDL vary dramatically (some want NL some just want to ride etc) it is very good preparation for the strains of NL racing to complete all the fixtures of your "team" and then take any additional guest rides if you wish. The riders that do whatever suits them forget the hard work done by unpaid enthusiasts to keep the MDL running and if they are not repaid in effort and commitment I fear some may decide to save themselves a lot of heartache and walk away.

Just an attempt to boost numbers. The practice session was booked before the number 7 draft came in. Peterborough already have there riders in mind. If someone turns up and is truly exceptional they may get considered but I suspect whoever ends up at Peterborough in the number 7 jacket a, wont be at the practice session or b, has already been agreed but not announced.

More wishful thinking than realism. Len will just sign a selection of established journeymen and 3 point non movers. Kent's top riders will be moving on or prioritising higher divisions this season I suspect so potentially less visits for me.

Ben seemed to tail off a little once he was fully signed however I agree he is worth another go. Not going to give Kent a powerhouse reserve duo but definitely capable of hitting 3/4 each which was better than this years crop!

If that is true then I hope none were partaking in any celebratory drinks!

I doubt Warren Scott & Co have even heard of Rob Mear. If a good relationship between one of this years riders and the promotion they have a chance of being back otherwise I think Rye House will line up very differently next season. The new man has his own vision of what makes an entertaining team which could definitely spell the end for the seasoned old guard.