Sings4Speedway

Tractor & shale are promotions problems not managers. As for riders vans breaking down you said real life events not fictitious ones

Tell that to Rich Lawson

Kent vs Cradley in 2014 finished with a 0-0 in heat 2. Im sure it was something daft like a rider not under power when a rider fell then the two Cradley riders left the track thinking the race would be awarded? Someone with a better memory will correct me but was certainly a strange atmosphere as it all happened.

Very true but its a limited amount that are any good at Championship level. Obviously Erik Riss. Eastbourne should be congratulated for what they chose to do but the PR spin was a little bit cheeky IMO.

In all fairness it was regarded and publicised as a great hurrah that Eastbourne fielded an all British team but in reality a new promotion cannot sign any sponsored overseas riders in the first year. Will be interesting to see how British the side is next year.

Hi Skydog. Bad wording on my part there. I saw Dan several times on a 250 machine and he was going quick but nothing exceptional compared to seeing Ablitt, Edwards, Thompsons etc on the same machinery however the step up in class saw him make huge strides in his first dev league season often missing out on maximums due to silly falls / mechanical gremlins if i recall.

Whilst i agree with the sentiment of the post in all fairness to Danny his average of 7.64 would see him as 2nd or 3rd heat leader in every NL team except the one he is currently in (yes his average has been boosted by riding as a second string). In the Champs most sides would be delighted with a reserve who has doubled their home average although true averages are the GSA's and not with bonuses included so its safe to say that most riders wouldn't / haven't had the chance to stay in a team long enough to creep up to 3.05 at home and a whopping 1.20 away (the only riders to record worse are Luke Chessell who tried to return after serious injury and Tom Woolley who was signed as a sacrificial lamb and half way into the season).

I think thats the same number of teams that David Wallinger has signed for this season

Championship level clubs might actually start showing an interest in the NL and development leagues below. Leicester have been tracking and helping the Thompson Twins for years, Jordan Palin signed for Scunthorpe already. Those in the know are looking forward and can see these changes coming. Might even see some Championship level sides hosting development league teams or linking up with NL sides so that an actual progression chain can be established.

With the greatest of respect the vast majority of youth racing takes place at the weekends which is far easier to balance. There were obviously a lot of extra pre/post race laps completed by some like Rowe/Kemp/Ablitt etc but to say they all know what it takes is a bit far off. Gilkes trod water for a long time before really stepping up a level on a 500 machine, Spooner had terrible equipment until Kent set him up. Clouting has great bikes and crew but very little racing experience and Mulford whilst a natural talent is getting by on a wing and a prayer at the moment. Not taking away any achievements by any of these riders (and their families to get them here) but even the most prepared riders like Flint/Bickley/Atkins who have been raised ready for Speedway must breathe a sigh of relief when a season is over.

Numbers game though. Can't see Leicester making a double swap to fit him in. If Eastbourne were going to make changes i think they would have gone for Nicol themselves given his record at Arlington & Hagon connections. Redcar might shuffle about as he has to be worth more than Kasper Andersen. This is where there should be incentive to sign / keep British riders. Lets face it there are many who would love the deals some of the visa riders come over on.

Very unlucky indeed if that was the case. Leading the meeting winner and two other members of the top 6 by a distance maybe he is ready to step up. Hopes of a wild card seem unlikely though with higher profile names (although not better prospects) in front of him from the UK alone.

Congrats to Jesse Mustonen on getting through. Shame its same old faces otherwise though. Hansen would have shaken things up nicely and Waj is edging closer every year.

Money? Not sure if its Sheffield or Hagon that that is sponsoring him to be in the UK (i suspect it hasto be the club he is registered too?) i don't know the exact figures but im certain that the club has to supply accommodation and a basic salary as a minimum so if Nicol is fit they might as well get something for the expenditure (as they are not exactly getting any value for money from Kennedy or MacDonald either)

What a barmy decision and an expensive one? Unless of course Sheffield are still footing the bill for Nicol's visa qualification in which case they might save a few quid? Its unlikely that Drew was going to return next year as he just didn't seem to take that well to the track however its another import chosen over a Brit which stinks a little. Im sure Drew will drop in somewhere and be able to shave a bit off his average ready for next year.

If its wet / greasy i would make Smoli one of the favourites. Not the best on show but a very adaptable rider who really knows his setups.

Both sides have suffered with riders missing / injured. Shame given the team that Stoke put together that this and the return fixture could well decide who finishes bottom of the table. However must be much more satisfying this year being more competitive throughout the season.

Tricky evening for both sides with a lot riding on it. Guest reserves for both sides but Douglas definitely has the greater pedigree although not sure if he has ridden Plymouth before or not? Coles absent is a big miss for Stoke but with Perry fresh from his holiday & Lawlor in good form could look to spoil things. For the Gladiators Wilson & Stoneman should be sharp, Wally is due a good meeting as its an odd day i the month but Andrews recent for has been a worry. Still should be a home win but if Stoke take a point i wouldn't be that surprised.

In an ideal world yes. Even if it was Friday + weekends so work after a late night wasn't an issue however the number of stadiums available at the weekends are minimal. Speedway is the minority sport and lower earner compared to dog racing so is pushed mid week. The only weekend tracks left running in the NDL are stock car venues and even they have to move / accommodate the more financially rewarding events. Those that start / move from other disciplines and fly up through the ranks do alright but those who take longer to find their feet must think what have i don at an all too alarming rate.

Definitely bordering on an under strength side....maybe Buster will fine himself.

Could quite possibly be the case. Its one thing signing for a club and then not getting on with the track as much as you expected to (Jenkins away average is marginally better than his home and a lot better if bonus points are included) so i suspect Jordan would have ridden the year out and moved on over the close season but he clearly also has aspirations to move up the speedway ladder and if he wasn't competitive at Championship level due to confidence, ability, machinery or a combination of them all it must put a lot of pressure on the desire to continue riding. Not everyone has the ability to put a bad day behind them immediately and if those baddays start to mount up life can become very tough.

Huge duty of care to all riders but especially those under 18. The sport needs a full review of its approach to young riders and the protection of before its too late (Which is currently the driving factor for any review of rules / procedures).

Its never been Bombers fault he can't find a setup! That whole side of the sport is what has held him back from being a much more successful rider. Yes his gating is iffy but not that terrible, what keeps him an an inconsistent enigma is that he doesn't know how to set a bike up and just lucks in some days but the worst part is that its always somebody else's fault.

Examiners didn't notice it on IOW then

Every part true and very valid points made. The additional money required to subsidise NL level whilst remaining competitive is hard to find and something has to give somewhere. Even if the funding / sponsorship is there the sport is time hungry and demands a lot of weekends and holiday days so in fairness riders and their families have a lot less actual time to relax and unwind. Obviously its a choice but there is still a lot of associated pressures.