Sings4Speedway

Out of interest is there a minimum required team average in the CL? I know last time Scunny put a NL team out it was so low that it forced a rule change the following year due to being uncompetitive and hurting other clubs gate. Is there a similar lower limit at CL level?

Whilst i do agree with you to a point its very hard to sell a product to the paying public with that ethos. "Come and pay £15 to watch some lads of various abilities have a bit of track time", "some of these riders might progress to a higher level, see them here first". We all know that is part of the magic of the NL but unless there is a level of competition, a strive for improvement and a pressure felt when under achieving it will become like a school sports day where everyone gets a medal for trying.

Been banging that drum for years (as its not only NL with the problem). You could track two teams of 3 pointers (providing they were of a decent standard) and get a full evening of entertaining racing. The current setup will allow for 3-4 good races at best and ultimately more people watching higher tier racing (which is what the objective of the BSPL is). Some people have used them to a level of success and i suspect will have reaped the financial benefits (even reduced servicing intervals is going to take a few of seasons to achieve break even point.) But they are certainly not for all as they require a differing style setup / ride. The option is there to any rider but why would anybody want to get rid of decent engines they already own to use something that has a limited production life?

or locked in his glovebox......

Ultimately time will tell. Whilst the Island have returned to the sport for only a few seasons they were certain to continue and drive speedway forward until the much discussed impositions upon them. The points reductions has generated new entries to the league and should these teams all remain in 3-4 years time then the dictations will be considered successful but should the new joining sides turn out to be short lived then it will have been a grave error.

and here was me thinking im ahead of the curve but yet again Eastbourne beat me too it (i can't find any info on the website at present but doesn't mean its not there). as for the skate park whilst im sure many would gladly like to see me have a go and i can assure you it will 100% result in broken bones (that may inspire some to want to see it more)

The grasstrack convertees have drifted in and out of fashion over the years there was a point when thats all that was looked at, then they were seen as leg trailing yokels (not all Richard Halls fault) and motox was the switch discipline of choice. Equally there was a point when it was only schoolboy grasstrack that was available for kids and the switch didn't take place until 15/16 but with the youth afforded much more track time and exposure youth grass isn't as strong as it once was.

Good price structure, forward thinking all im hoping for now is that Eastbourne link up with Knockhatch & Drusillas in the future to offer some kind of combo day and night entertainment ticket and i might have to stop saying bad things about them

The problem being that even an applied Smolinski who would likely be the highest rated rider in the CL would still struggle to maintain a huge average. On that basis why break the bank to sign a rider just to use up available points? I suspect that number of leagues prohibits Rasser Jensen but maybe Hans Andersen is worth a punt? Plenty of other veterens are viewing doubling up in the UK as the way forward, would have kit here anyway and just has class. Hans and Connor Mountain would be a great finish to the team. BTW pretty sure Tom Perry has hung his kevlars up.

Under the limit or not i would love to see Connor Mountain get a place and certainly think he could do a very good job in the 1-5. Far too good a rider to not have a CL berth this season.

I would argue that Wright is still improving whilst Cook has levelled off but as much as it pains me to say it Cook is a top performer at this level. I would think Schlien, Kennett and in current form Douglas seem the most likely of any topple Cook at the end of the season but it feels like a big ask.

Non of the teams built look strong enough but thats the rules. The cubs have 3 genuine heat leaders which is more than some teams. The Thompsons are likely to put 3+ points each on their averages. Halder is another likely strong improver and if Spencer returns its a top 5 all with season experience under their belt. The reserves are probably middle of the road from the newbies so as long as they can score ok at home and pick up pieces away i think this team will be in the hunt.

Probably better off not knowing for as long as possible....saves the disappointment being dragged out

Open and honest about pricing and pricing aspirations too. Excellent treatment of season ticket and 10 in advance ticket holders. Also standalone prices for NDL are exactly where they should be for the level of racing. Eastbourne leading the way once again.

The apparent new focus is to bring more new riders through the sport, "places for all" if you like with the hope that if you throw enough ahem at a wall some will stick. The NL has always been plagued by those riders that hang around achieving not much more than 3rd heat leader at best, these are the riders that will end up on high averages with the new points reduction. If they are not good enough to step up to Cl then step aside and let the new crop through. In the same way that in 1,2 or 3 seasons max a half decent embryo youth rider could easily achieve a 7 point average in the weakened leagues but if they are not good enough to step up then what's the point of giving them places year on year? Likewise promotors want average improvements and shouldn't be signing riders who manage to keep their average in the 5-6 point range year on year (although its worked for Scott Campos for the past decade).

Its fair to say several (7ish) of those have retired but i do take the point that there are riders who's averages were attractive last season and now don't fit. I have said throughout that whilst i don't like the lower limit i like the way its been imposed and handled less. Current rules allow rookies and 8+ point riders in the same meeting/race. Should have been cut to less that 8 This season, decreasing by 0.5 over the next couple of season until no higher than 7. That would have left a league with plenty of spaces for new riders, riders starting out whos averages will rise and the current crop improving. Once they exceed the top limit they will either be good enough for a CL place or pushed out and not become a blocker for other riders looking for places.

I think you have almost nailed it. I see NL reduced to 4 man 2nd halfs in the not to distant future. Possibly 8 heats format. The top brass dont like that it was a good attractive product at a better price. Still thin £20-24 double headers is better value than the PL but that may change on a cold evening..

It does seem odd that whenever calls for the NL to be a £10 product have been shot down but running as part of a double header makes it a £3-4 product. I can only think that expenses of staging a double header are greatly lesser than two individual meetings along with lesser riders on probably lower points monies.

if you thought gardening at NL level was annoying...........

I think weekends tend to lend themselves better to earlier start times than week days but it won't be for everyone. Likewise the increased admission, for all those who bang he drum and support the new venture there will be plenty who have no interest in it and will be unhappy at paying for a product they have no intention in hanging around to see.

Not great news. I have to question the benefit to the Berwick riders Bickley & Flint having to put in the extra laps straight after the main meeting other than building excellent fitness? Same goes for the other sides using riders in both senior and junior sides, should anything unfortunate happen during the main meeting be it mechanical or physical then the Bullets become quite prone.

Confirmed as stand alone meetings then. Any ideas of the admission price yet?

Wont be bitten twice surely

Reserves lowest 2 averages. In event of tie BSPL decides who in team based upon previous experience etc so basically no reserve chances for Sheldon all season.

Agree largely with the masses Plymouth, Scunny and Newcastle to struggle massively away and take some beatings at home too. Eagles home advantage might be key but Lions, Pirates and Tigers all going to be pushing hard and certainly worth a watch of those meetings. Berwick to be dark horses and get near the play off spots...