Sings4Speedway

Youth riders rather than being grateful for opportunities will now hold all the cards in terms of wage demands. No mention of NL which will likely see teams ripped apart due to the availability of the riders now required in the higher tiers. But at least the two top bods at the table have the top 3 from the youth rounds signed up already....

Points limit and fear that the team they have assembled could have a reserve in place with a higher star grading.....urgh star gradings whilst the average system may de a bit daft is questionable grading any better?

Sadly very true, nice idea and the potential was there to expose riders to better equipment than they were used to. But GM or Jawa if the engines aren't set to the riders liking and built for the home tracks the bikes will always struggle. Danny King had the right idea namely taking the rolling gear and using his own engines.

With respect Kylmakorpi bikes are about as good as they get so it would have been a bit of a shock if he wasn't flying. He chose to use the hire per ride jawa bikes. We hear it all too often in the sport "if i had better bikes/engines id win" well get them and prove it, nobody owes you anything in speedway, money, team places and respect all have to be earnt.

.... lots of CL teams are now relieved. Pretty safe bet that Lens prodigal son will be returning now he is allowed to race again.

If the Godfather was that worried he would move Scunnys race day back to Sundays but he has done what he thinks is best for attendance's and his business which is fair enough but why do others not get the same opportunities? Missing riders affect most sides over the season so guests from the league below, unavailable riders or the dreaded RR would level out over a season rather than track specialists being brought in non stop. Personally my dream (stadium availability aside which will ever prevent this happening) would be NL Sunday, CL Friday and PL Mondays with Thursday as a reserve day for all in event of a fixture backlog.

Why out of interest? If Bridger can sneak back on a 3.something all of a sudden he's an asset to the sport? Past behaviours aside what has he currently done to get himself speedway ready? He hasn't cut the weight yet, he hasn't had any meaningful laps in the past 4 years and he has zero kit. He can't hire bikes anymore and the good ones he had have been reclaimed. If Lynn fans are excited about the signing then please enjoy it, if Lewis delivers on track then good on him and i will admit that im wrong. If he drags the sport down further then i hope that all who are backing the return will admit the same.

In all honesty if Bridger gets any team place its firstly a kick in the teeth for any rider who misses out and has bust a gut for the past seasons trying to get a break, secondly he managed a few laps at Leicester before deciding/realising that its not for him/he doesn't have it any more. The3 natural talent was there but the brain isn't and there is far too much baggage to make him a sensible signing......which puts him as a cert at Kings Lynn.

its a secret .....

There were a couple of issue with ghost teams but most were just trying to keep interest in a defunct side whilst offering track time and opportunities to emerging riders. There were some that were closer to putting a side back on track than others (be it as a second team at an existing track or finding their own venues) but by forcing them out it has removed any chance of being successful. Over the years we have seen teams denied race nights as it clashes with others hundreds of miles away, teams had changes of leagues denied due to being too close or too far from other teams and denied permission to run because the name is wrong/not geographically accurate. Hardly forward thinking or visionary.....

IOW have run a few handicap individual meetings with excellent entertain results (worth looking back through the historic footage page in the NL section). As ever nothing is perfect and the line up defines the quality but its certainly a nice bit of variety. Obviously it was run on an individual basis and maybe a pairs setup could be interesting, would the higher grade riders be able to protect the lower? Maybe scoring an a SON format would mix it up a little?

sadly this divide has plagued the sports progress for many years, the quality vs entertainment debate is much like classical violin vs rock guitar, which music is better? which music is more enjoyable? Ive firmly sat on the side that similar matched riders on track at the same time will produce entertaining racing and thats what i would rather see week in week out. Take nothing away from watching a GP regular at full flight its a sight to behold the level of track craft as they disappear into the distance but the novelty of that fades quickly where as unpredictable entertainment is what keeps my interest.

The great frustration with the NDL is that the teams involved are all positive and numbers increasing with new sides like Edinburgh and Newcastle joining the ranks. The entertainment is often greater than the higher leagues and the sense of satisfaction likewise which is why the league is held in high regard and so dearly by so many. However it is a constant after thought from the management committee who seek to have total and dominant control of everything whilst actually just looking at the interests of their own clubs (much in the same way the MSDL has been destroyed to pave the way for a Prem Junior league that will never see any meaningful fruition but that's another topic). Until an approach is employed where promotors can agree what is best for the league and the teams within it rather than being dished out regulations by those with no vested interest the league will struggle. Let the NDL run itself, pick its own rules and potentially there will at least be one successful league operating in the UK.

Darn good question. Not sure where he would stand travelling through countries on the list to get home ? He could fly direct i assume and be ok but the van and drivers will have to come back via France...

The difference with Poland protecting the under 21's is that they take an interest in the riders at a much earlier stage, offer them junior team places, sponsorship's, guidance etc the whole package to make them feel involved with the parent clubs. There is then a bond created and a two way respect generated. In the UK the instant smash hits are snapped up, thrown in at the deep and and thrown to the Wolves if it is too early for them. There is a whole lot more than talent required to make it as a speedway rider even to a decent level, determination and funding play a major factor and is where a lot of potential good riders fall by the wayside.

I think Kent are blessed with numerous avenues for supporters as mentioned like defunct club fans, the county is also lucky to have a couple of training tracks os attracts a decent amount of amateur followers and families, there has been a strong (stronger in the past) grasstrack scene in Kent which also adds to the numbers who follow track racing hence crowds of 700+ for a midweek National League side.

As much as the temptation is there to douse you in emulsion its highly unlikely i would join the band of volunteers. I would respect any who do but with the prices at Kent i was unlikely to attend more than a couple of meetings this season anyway.

I don't reserve my criticism for Kent as unlike you i have an unbiased view of things. The stadium could be one of the jewels of british speedway however everywhere is a little tatty looking and the toilets in the main stand area are functional but grim (and reports regarding the ladies are worse). I do understand that there isn't a bottomless pot of funds to improve every single detail but with a bigger selection of visitors due to visit Central Park over the coming seasons a little spruce up certainly wouldn't hurt.

In comparison does anybody know if there have been any updates to central park? Whilst an excellent viewing venue the whole place could definitely benefit form a good coat of paint and the toilets are disgusting.

why not have something to look forward to? If the Prem starts and i do know its if then the PJL will be running alongside it despite no squads being announced

Plenty of time to get the provisional squads sorted now so whats the hold up?

No rent not sure about that? Season tickets will need refunding yet riders advances will still have been paid out. Vans booked, race suits made etc. There are sizable pre season costs that if not recoupable could sink a club......oh and bspa fees which im sure will be returned immediately.

Disgusting that other teams have been driven from the sport whilst the rules can be bent to suit the PL clubs. Hang your heads in shame Bspa

What a waste of an opportunity both for Leek and for the rider coming in who has little time to prepare. Leek knew what was required when he signed so blaming lack of sponsorship is poor in my view although probably better now thsn the first few weeks of the season

Never seen the lad ride but results & reputation suggest he is due his chance. Unfortunately after the first set of averages he is likely to end up riding at 4 even if he gets a few spins at reserve to start the year. Leaves Armadale quite a bit under the limit but i suspect that isnt the purpose of the project