Sings4Speedway

Its a great way to provide extra entertainment past the first corner and for the lesser riders to get alongside and mix it with better abilitied (is that a word) riders. However as stated it works well at IOW and likewise at tracks like NSS, P'boro etc but unlikely to be as mixed and varied at tracks like Plymouth or Mildenhall where passing opportunities are at a higher premium.

Eli is a nice lad but not yet ready but at 15 still has time. With respect the sides tracked at Birmingham this year were poor and did the MSDL no favours, there would be visiting riders winning comfortably and even then its on a slick bald surface that offers little in terms of learning for riders development into the higher tiers. Probably right there but its high calibre ex-moto crosses that make it higher not has bike can scramble. By comparison if you look back at Danny Ayres early days he was borderline dangerous and on the deck more than he was upright. It took a lot of time, effort and guidance to get him up to a consistent competitive level. If Leicester can offer that to Woodward then maybe they can unearth a gem but my limited viewings of him have been that he has limited skill sets but he could well prove me wrong.

Can see the Devils taking a pasting unless the 3 pointers are stronger. Ryan Mac would likely have to ride at 2 if there were rookies at reserve, Not seen Millar since his Stoke stint but will need to have stepped up a lot even in a diluted league. Could be a clever tactic to hold back and see what scraps are left over then pick the best i just hope that the club doesn't get held to ransom by heat leaders knowing that Edin need some strength somewhere.

Decent looking side coming together on the Island. Final place for either Smith or Jenkins? Glad King got the nod over Widman as his time must have surely come and Danno may be popular on the Island but his average is just to high. Tough league this year but if the 1-7 can stay fit and focused i expect the Warriors to go close at the end of the season.

Sam Hagon is certainly the best of the the emerging youth riders although partly because the others have already moved up but there won't be many riders with better NDL equipment than him. Ablitt has been too used to winning and his temperament suffers when he gets beaten but hopefully he will return a better rider for the learning experience and will be a good asset for Mildenhall. I think its the end of the line for Danno, been through too many clubs and often leaves under a slight cloud plus his average has peaked and even the loyal IOW can't see much more to come from him.

Woodward is definitely a surprise signing, not even the best MSDL rider available on a 3.00 so either right place right time or inside links i suspect, stating 3 practices at Leicester hardly inspires either but it is nice that at least one rider has been promoted despite the best attempts to prevent with the return to the 3.00 rule.

I have no doubt he did make a profit but the business model of upping prices can only go so far. Anders should continue to build steadily, he does need to move out to the dirt and learn to ride wider as currently he is an expert on the white line and slicker surfaces but that experience will build. I find that he is the type of rider that finds something that works and sticks with it a while and only changes when its no longer quick enough.

If any of the others have strong links with major sponsors then im sure they would have been welcomed into the side instead. Much in the same way that Simon Lambert has enjoyed prolonged spells at certain clubs in the past. Speedway has far more behind the scenes than building a team that will demolish the opposition.

Leek on a 3 average looks a great signing even if he can be a one man wrecking ball. Not sure if Edwards will return or not but could fit Brooks, Marson & Jenkins into the top 5 with Leek + a.n.other 3 pointer at reserve

Len raised the prices last year after signing Drew and stating £1000+ kevlar suits and rising riders costs were to blame (Kemp wore a JC Pro that costs circa £600 all season). There was a big reliance on Kemp hitting the big time last season to bring trophies to Kent and it was the steadily improving Rowe who shone through.

Kinsley is a big signing and definite shot of intent from Mildenhall and a bargain on an 8.00 average. Ruddick ought to be decent enough at home and patchy away but powerful enough if 3rd heat leader.

I don't dispute that Georgie is as popular as a fart in a lift with several at CP but he is equally well received by others and often seen in the stands. Im not saying i would have him in my side but in the right mindset, on decent equipment which Kent are known to supply he could easily top the NL averages.

Definitely difficult for Josh. Sometimes riders can end up victims of their own success thanks to the average system but his unusual number might work for a team somewhere.

Personal opinion before Mike01234 gets upset.....Kemp no, needs away from CP to regain his confidence. What has Ablitt done since quitting mid season? Because Mulford was discovered it got covered up but if Kent finished the season running James Laker i doubt runners up would have been on the cards. A team with 4 likely double uppers is always a recipe for disaster, the injury curse struck Kent this year and would lurk again with that side.....but still looks better than the built Plymouth team

In my personal opinion and it is all it is based upon. Bowtell & Stoneman are on inflated averages and both will drop over the year, i see no improvement in Butcher, Bursill or Davies so the side very much depends upon Atkins regaining his confidence as his average is 5 for a reason and Andrews who will hammer huge scores in the cup comps when his average is protected and hold his number in league fixtures. There are obviously a few surprises to come but fear when the other teams are built/released Plymouth won't look any better on paper or track as they were this season.

Would need to along with Spooner as 3 double uppers in a team means guests galore. Which will be further limited by less teams and therefore less riders to choose from.

Underwhelming Plymouth side so far that will do little to appease the disappointed promotion/fans. Could be tactical to ensure that the move up is seen as the correct one but losses and lower attendances this season could cost the clubs longer term vision.

That group with Jenkins & Gilkes would leave Kent around 6 points under the limit. Its interesting that Ablitt & Wood did similar things last season but because of averages Wood is on the naughty list an Ablitt is not.

Quite possibly but if Kent want an out an out number 1 like previous seasons the options are going to be a bit limited.

The handicap idea is decent in theory and if used in the best spirit it could create a few additional areas of interest mid meeting which will always be good. It does suit tracks like IOW far better than it will Mildenhall & Plymouth tough as you need size and passing opportunities for it to become a winner. What happens if the top averaged rider in the chosen races doesn't fancy it and gets themselves timed out? Does the reserve assume the average and have to take the 15 metres or will the other rider have to drop back if they are higher averaged than the reserve?

A team without Widders ? I suspect not. Plus Wally was dreadful on the Island so switch those two, drop Edwards out and bring Lawlor in. Fruit loops maybe but he can certainly ride the island. For me that side would be right up there next season and if it was Marson for Verge then even stronger.

With the minimum bumped back up to 3.00 (why stick with a plan for more than a season) i would think Clouting & Mulford are certainties for the reserve positions, if it was me i would look for 4 strong riders around the 6 point mark like Marson, Jenkins, Harris & Spooner and then lump the rest on a big number 1 like Wood. Just checked averages and that actually fits so im off for a cuppa.

Don't see it with Bursill personally i find him awkward to watch on a bike and the Colliseum doesn't suit him. Sheppard certainly made the most of the home advantage but i fear its his swan song also. As for the rest Andrews managed to end on a attractive average again and Atkins looks a bargain on that figure but Stoneman & Bowtell must be considered expensive on those figures? Fingers crossed Davies has got better equipment finally or i fear another season of mediocre for Plymouth.

Even if there are a couple of strong contenders from the dev leagues / amateur leagues they are still only going to occupy the reserve berths. I fully expect the usual northern suspects may feature like Ryan Mac, Ruddick etc but it still needs to be a team up to standard and whoever signs is in for a whole load of travelling for every away match.

Interesting but hard work for them. Looking forward to the away matches lads at IOW, Kent & Plymouth?