Sings4Speedway

Foord feels a surprise inclusion? Perhaps a few "no thanks" as would have expected Boughen, Jenkins, J.Thompson, Bowtell, Hagon and certainly Mulford would have been asked before Foord.....

Ouch isn't the NL suffering enough? If a female rider was good enough they would almost certainly grab a place however by far the best UK female is Katie Gordon who has strong links at Redcar and still doesn't get a spot. Publicity or not the interest in the sport is waning nationally and promoting novice/amateur level events won't help that.

Crikey id noticed he was a 5.00 i thought he was a 4. Initially thinking Coles/Smith were better options but when you consider Ablitt/Morley/Hagon were alternatives it makes you think.

I certainly get that Plymouth are up against it compared to some tracks for signings and aren't alone on the hit and hope approach it just seems a little more consistent. That said if Cluff comes good then it all becomes worthwhile but usually the early signs are more promising.

I know that Visa's, accommodation and the basics that go with it are higher than an equivalent Brit whos scoring next to no points. There might have been a few instances of greasing the wheels for a place over the years but don't think we are quite in the position of pay for rides yet.

Does make me wonder why season after season Plymouth ship in an expensive gamble. Baek, Turner, Goret all came in with debateable pedigree and Cluff is little different. There has to come a point in time where taking expensive gambles on riders with blind hope has to be replaced with some sensible team building.

Actually a very valid point from a business view. If whoever is signed is likely to 0-3 points a meeting is the logic that more local and hence less travel costs the most practical solution. Certainly Southern based alternatives like Springer, Vale or Scott would be more expensive (based purely on the number of home meetings). The other option would be to wait until Marson is released by Poole and sign him on.

Blimey the hype around riders after just a few meetings is staggering. Not slating anything that any of these mentioned riders have achieved (they should all be very proud of themselves) but the next big thing list changes weekly Rushen, Cairns, Summers Scott, Foord, Hagon,Boughen, Harrison, The Thompsons, Zach Waj and thats just a snippet of the list. If riders can enjoy the performances week to week and learn through the good and bad they have a chance of a decent career rather than living with the fanfare of a few good scores against limited opposition.

Smart timing if he wants a break/re-charge. Misses 2 Birmingham Bulls fixture but no Leicester Cubs matches. Bright young talent and hope he comes back stronger, theres a huge weight of expectation placed upon riders and often earlier than they are ready for it.

Would have expected a fair bit better from Troy to be fair, effectively 8 from 6 if you remove the double points from the tactical heat. Even in early season shakedowns riders need to get up to speed quickly and that can be seen by the score of Harris and the Thompson twins.

Hard not to see a big away win here. Hope the racing isn't too spread out and everyone gets through safely.

Because its in the rules and occasionally they are followed. However because they are Speedway rules they are largely useless. If Jamie had averaged 3.01 in a previous season he would have been forced to be in the 1-5 but he didn't and i was incorrect on this occasion as i thought there was something about named in a 1-7 previously etc (there isn't). In any declaration where 2 or more riders hold an identical MA (cannot be determined by a 3rd or more decimal point) then the re-declaration must nominate the hierarchical order. Where riders have a previous MA, then the higher placed rider from the previous issue shall retain the higher position Either way best wishes to Charlie and Max...hope they recover soon.

Just looked back in. With Kent tracking 3 x 3 pointers doesn't the rider with most experience (Jamie Etherington) have to start in the side rather than the rookie Nathan Hargrave? Strong debut by Rushen as expected but better than Cairns chatter is a little strong based upon one meeting. Whatever way these two clearly have a prospect of a bright future.

The concrete is probably an improvement on the previous rippled armco in regards to rider safety but those RSJ's look lethal. Padded jackets or not they are immovable structures that look like they could have scary consequences.

Would think that will need to be the case. If the dates have been agreed with the landlords all good faith would likely disappear is the steering committee back tracked. Sadly challenges are not always well supported but interest could be there. I guess it gives extra time to raise funds and build a stronger side.

Out of interest is Speedway GB entirely self funded via sponsorship or is there a hefty top up via the SCB and or the BSPL?

Think that will become clear enough in time. Im delighted for him that he has a team place and will be ecstatic about it but the skill set is way below the other six. Think grammer has let Rhys down. declining 2 offers, to be back at Kent. Ultimately potentially could have gone elsewhere but thought his Kent spot was assured. What happens for him now who knows as securing equipment for the start of a season is far easier than mid way.

6 good riders signed for Kent. Everyone including Naylor is surprised he isn't included. Certainly should be winning all the home meetings. Somewhere between 1st and 3rd in the table i suspect which is nothing to be sniffed at.

The problem i have with the Plymouth side is that the gulf from top to bottom is vast. Joe can very likely lap Morgan around Plymouth and that genuinely creates a danger on track with the disparity in levels between the two. Ive not seen Charlie ride for some time but my impression is that he would be behind Morgan in most races. Its certainly nothing personal as Morgan is a charming gent who will absolutely win hearts its purely down to ability and readiness. As covered above Kai ward was thrown in early and not ready, he went away improved and now fully justifies his places. Just because a 15 year old shows a little promise doesn't mean they are ready for league racing (even in the drastically reduced standard and amount of fixtures). There was a point in time when the best riders from the MDL/NJL along with the cream of the youth rounds were fighting for reserve berths, now its nearly all riders who compete are getting places and some in the 1-5. There will always be surprise packages and riders who really do succeed but the approach of nurturing talent appears to be replaced with the attitude that if you throw enough mud at a wall some of it will stick.

That is what the league has become. It used to be team places for those who were good enough, now its about places for those young / local enough. I know what im expecting and do genuinely hope im proved wrong but i very much doubt it.

Sadly its a team that sums up my complete drop off of interest in the sport anymore. If promotions can't take anything seriously why should fans. Delighted for the few who will be completing their dreams of becoming NL riders, luckily its just a few home meetings as i can see the fixtures at Plymouth ending up a farce again this year.

For once it is actually fairly clear in the regulations.....both riders had averages (below their minimum assessed) so hierarchy said Lasse in the 1-5 010.3 TEAM DECLARATIONS Teams must be declared prior to the start of the season to the BSP Ltd office, to confirm it complies with the current regulations. Where the declaration or re-declaration complies with the current regulations it will be approved and confirmed in writing to the relevant Promotion. Should the declaration or re-declaration NOT comply with the regulations the reasons for rejection will be explained, in writing, to the relevant Promotion. Any appeal against the decision of the BSP Ltd office should be made to the SCB Co-Ordinator as per Chapter 18 of the Speedway Regulations. Changes must be made at least 3 days before the start time of the meeting at which it is intended to be used. In any declaration where 2 or more riders hold an identical MA (cannot be determined by a 3rd or more decimal point) then the re-declaration must nominate the hierarchical order. Where riders have a previous MA, then the higher placed rider from the previous issue shall retain the higher position.

use it or lose it by July

The problem with the bottom starts at the very top. If clubs were incentivised to run NL sides with reduction in fees etc it would be a greater encouragement. Same as the lower development leagues, charging the amounts to volunteers to be signed up members every year, entry fees etc is ridiculous. Yes all speedway is a business and it is foolish to jeopardise a clubs survival for the sake of running a NL side. Belle Vue openly say the PL side tops up the funds but others have run at a very affordable level, Len Silver turned a profit at Kent every season in a genuine stadium so it can be done. There is just a lack of willing at the top to make it worthwhile, the weasel wants the youth rounds to be the saviour of everything, Louis thinks 1 meeting a season will transform the sport. Half the promotions now don't care about 10 years time because they won't still be involved then (if there is any sport left to be involved with).