Sings4Speedway

Pinched from the main page. Adding In George & Kelsey's 2 x 3 point the answer is not much to play with! Eastbourne Eagles 1. David Mason 7.38 2. 3. Marc Owen 6.11 4. Brendan Johnson 6.21 5. Danny Warwick 7.01 6. Wood 3.00 7. Dugard 3.00 Remaining: 3.29

Thanks for the info Shads. Is there a curfew at Rye House? Seems to make sense although I feel for the Raiders who are unlikely to have any room in the pits to park or work until the first meeting is over?

Im guessing the Raiders will run mostly on Saturday afternoons (1 / 2 pm starts?) allowing time for the pits to be cleared before the Rockets meeting and the track to be knocked back into shape?

Completely agree. The age restriction is stupid and wouldn't happen in any other area of life. Follow suit of the PL / EL and give riders over 25 two years max too double up then its make or break time....

Huge kudos to the MDL & NJL last year given the amount of riders that have moved up. Just goes to show with the right backing the system works. Im sure several of the riders will continue for another year as track time is crucial & hopefully there will be more willing to try it out as it has become a proven route into the National League. I for one feel those that have moved up this year will be better prepared in terms of the expense, travelling time and track knowledge than the few that have popped into the National League with little experience.

Sure Birmingham would be delighted to hear such news!

I have to disagree. There are a few ifs and buts about the Eastbourne side and obviously the last signing could be crucial but the two reserves have the potential to be the best "pair" in the league. Owen is hugely underrated and I think will finish the season at number 1. Mason, Johnson & Warwick are all experienced and should score consistently in the lower level format. For me its a top four side with Cradley, Kent and Stoke as my outside tip.

Sorry I should be more positive about the 6,7 & 8. Its a lower standard all round this year so points and improvement is there to be had and lets not forget that Danny didn't exactly start last season in glory. I feel the best reserves this year will be those who are consistent and ultimately stay on board the bike. Keep steady and pick up a point from the 3 main rides and potentially a little more from the reserves race and that's their job done. Not the best bottom two in the league but also not the worst. With a strong top 4/5 and a little luck the Kings should be right up the table.

Excuse my ignorance but Sam Chapman (born 16 February 1989) ? Does that not mean he will be 26 this season and too old to double up between Brum & Plym ? Not saying the date is accurate (Wikipedia) just asking the question....

Im not doing leaps of joy over either option if im brutally honest. Best of 3 races prior to the meeting would be a last man standing event with predictable results; Race 1 Cousins 1st Shepard Fell Race 2 Shepard 1st (awarded) Cousins (major fall bike wrecked) Race 3 Cousins NS (no bike) Shepard EX 2 mins (mechanical gremlins)

If I sponsor a rider with machinery can I get a ride....... Not a particular shock in terms of names but I was Sheppard and ended up at 8 id be hacked off. Neither of the others have done much competitive racing over the past year. Just goes to show dedication doesn't always get you very far!

The Rye House fans may not be expecting a table topping side but I doubt they will turn out for a "Scunthorpe" style side that gets battered regularly. The national league produces some of the most entertaining racing in the country (for both right and wrong reasons) and a Raiders side that could mix it in most meetings could be very well supported.

Id say Covatti & Pavlova are certs to put 2 pints on their average. Brandford & Knopka are my "outsiders" to do the same.

Whilst I agree there is no rush if I was a rider I would like to know by now even if I was told to keep quiet until official release. If those involved had been notified then there is a stronger chance they would be better prepared / be investing in new or upgraded equipment sooner rather than a last minute rush.

The worst place to introduce any new iniatives would be via the national league. Most riders in tier 3 are lucky if they can make the sport pay for itself with the majority losing year on year. To add more expense would retire many riders out. Innovation needs to come in at a younger level anyway so the next generation learn to ride the bikes from a young age.

Personally I think he would have delivered by now if he was going too and the only 3 pointers round him are Verge who isn't completely raw and the tba. My bigger issue is dedication. He retired last season whilst doing the MDL and has to use sponsored kit as he sold his own! Dan Blake mk2 ? (with less potential imo)

It could be that Andrew has his team down and is just building suspense? With all the other teams completed (barr a heat leader at Buxton and a couple of 3 pointers at Kent / Eastie) the available riders now must be clear and not in negotiations with others. I would be amazed if Chessell isn't at Rye House this season. Hopwood again is a strong possibility + one other heat leader then 4 rookies I suspect. I guess Andrew has to get the top end in place though in case he has issues getting over the bottom limit.

Not a great signing imo. Drifted in and out of teams to often and didn't really bother with the mdl last season despite being given a place with Milton Keynes knights. sure I remember him no showing for a meeting at belle Vue. Trumping rumsey at Mildenhall as the strangest signing thus far in the national league but only my opinion. Which of Hunts old mates will be next?!

My choice was based more upon experience of the league tracks and mileage already put in. Not sure how many tracks Couzins has actually been too or how prepared for all the travelling he is? I think there will be some shocks for several of the newbies across the league this year when they learn how time and financially draining league racing is and sadly suspect mid season retirements.

Of the eligible 3 point riders available for the remaining places I believe both Jamie Couzins & Rob Watts are Kent lads. Personally I think Adam Sheppard & Watts would be a good fit at 6&7 with Couzins filling the required No.8 berth.

"With an overall aim of getting as many Kent-born or Kent-based riders as possible into the Kings’ squad....." Interesting statement from Kent? With only Verge & Baseby current born or based Kent riders does this point to other local lads for the 6&7 positions?

I think the hold up with Benji is that he is hoping for a premier league reserve berth.......fingers crossed once the penny drops that Rye are one of the few options left he will sign and then the team building can begin in earnest?

"One thing is for sure, we will be there or thereabouts again and that should make sure the support is retained. I think the standard of the racing may suffer due to the reduction in the points limit but everyone has to start somewhere, that's what the NL is about, and let's hope it is as entertaining as the other years since our return.." I completely agree with you that everyone has to start somewhere and I strongly suspect the racing will be very entertaining this season. The quality of riding may suffer a little but the racing I think will be closer than ever due to the points drop.

Afternoon Pirate. I personally have never heard of a solid footrest & wouldn't recommend one. The footrest is the lowest part of the bike (apart from the tyres obviously) and the intention of swinging is so that if you hit a bump / rut etc it flicks back up rather than digs in and unceremoniously remove the rider from the bike. Several riders use springs to flick the footrest up when there is no pressure on it so in theory you could apply the same in reverse and have the rest permanently down? Alternatively its make a home made one or fill the excess gap with something but I wouldn't recommend it and think you will be better off persevering even if it does feel a little strange to start off with. Good Luck & Have loads of fun.

Sorry to sound grim but Dwyer packing up work to concentrate on speedway? Either he has good backing or good savings? Very few could make the NL pay for itself, giving up work should be the last consideration ive known riders take on extra jobs to help pay for racing.