leander

Actually that's not what he said at all. (read the website). What he said was ""We anticipate we're not that far from releasing a name or two relatively soon, and when we do I feel it will be a solid start to team building. Compared to last season 'relatively soon' gives him about a month. I would think at least two or three have probably agreed contracts. However, Newcastle are not in the habit of announcing riders until contracts are signed, sealed, and delivered. In February, Newcastle had a dane (named after a famous ghost) signed and sealed, only for him to change his mind before the contract was delivered. It was the rider who caused you to be pee'ed off by changing his mind rather than the club. It wouldn't be the first time the club have announced the entire team in one go (at the xmas do for example).

I would suspect it's along the lines of the bond, that they are required to post with the BSPA before they run, not being sufficient to cover their outstanding debts (riders wages etc.). The BSPA will have paid the riders the outstanding wages, all be it at the standard league rate. I.e. Not the additional money agreed between Rye House and the individual riders. Just a theory.

I see.

???. Not quite sure i understand that statement. Surely all the fixtures they raced at Rye House WERE those that they couldn't stage at Arena because it had closed! If they didn't fulfill the full fixture list they could potentially be fined. Workington may have been fined for not completing their fixtures with the last League fixture not reaching a conclusion.

According to the Star it's possible to watch ALL six matches live over the week-end. So 1st division matches are likely to be saturdays as I can't see there being eight hours of speedway on the sunday. Also, this year, lower division riders are allowed to guest in the Extraleague.

Not sure I'd have Ludde back. His performances have dropped right off (even at home on occasions) since he moved back to Sweden. Also his late withdrawal from the last away match at Workington let the supporters, management, and team mates down disgracefully, when he knew, several hours before he informed George, that he wouldn't be there. Final straw for me.

Yes but it is the first thing they sort out at the conference, and team captains can report non payment to the referee at every match.

Not next year it ain't. All four extraleague fixtures are televised live every weekend. Two on Fridays, and two on Sundays. So that's 50/50 fridays and sundays. Also two first division matches are televised every weekend. Probably on a saturday, as I can't see there being four matches live on TV on a sunday. Possible consequences for every championship club.

They usually do get paid as clubs do not get a license to operate for the upcoming season if they still have debts (including rider payments). It's usually about January or February though (after the clubs tend to receive their sponsorship payments for the coming season).

Wouldn't touch Barker with a barge pole. To start with his baggage doesn't include any bikes!!!

Yes that's a statement that certainly needs clarification. Don't know how you can achieve an actual 3.00 average without riding in the league. Or does it mean a 3.00 average in the Championship before you can move up. Or a 3.00 Premiership average AFTER the 1.5 (or whatever it is) conversion. Clear as mud as usual.

Yes!! Not too impressed with the rest of it though. Does nothing to address the lack of fixtures!! Fans and some promoters saying beforehand they wanted more meaningful fixtures. Well in the Championship they have ONE! Wow. Much better to split the league into two "conferences" (based on geography). You play everyone in your own "conference" twice (10 fixtures) home and away, and everyone in the other conference once ( six fixtures) = 16 league fixtures + three fixtures in the Shield results in a minimum of 19 plus KOC. Top two from each conference into the playoffs. 38 point limit. Why? All that does is artificially increase a riders average, as a team averaging 38 at the start of the season will average 42 at the end! without, possibly being any better.

Yes but the difference is Local Councils in Poland invest hugely (some over 30%) in a teams annual income, not to mention local businesses. Most of the stadium upgrades over the last few years in Poland have been funded by Local Councils and, I would suggest, clubs pay next to no rent. Some of this money is almost certainly come from the EU!!!! Oh for our various councils to input even a fraction of what they do in Poland.

Not according to Tero. Speaking to him before the end of last season he said he had a polish contract in the pipeline but only as a SQUAD rider and not a regular. He would be available to ride in Poland on days (including a few sundays) when Newcastle didn't have a fixture, assuming he's back with us of course.

Not that silly. Edinburgh have to vacate Armadale by the middle of next year, I've heard.

Regulation 18.10.6 No Rider, whose Team is in the Play-Offs may appear as a Guest in the Play-Offs And Supplementary Regulation 1810 Amendments to 2018 Regulations 18.2.4 to include all SGB Premiership and Championship Competitions. A Rider may only guest for one team in any leg of a 2-legged competition (home and away).

Some promoters have and failed (Coventry, Bristol, Exeter, Reading, Oxford to name a few). Generally, nowadays, unless you've can find a barren site or field that is at least 5 mile away from the nearest habitation you've got next to no chance of getting planning permission.

Not allowed to this year. Can't choose a guest from another play-off team. If a rider guests for team A in the first leg of a play-off he isn't allowed to guest for team B in the second leg.

Guests for a missing number one only. R/R for missing 2 to 5 in averages. Teams to name an unattached NL no.8. If both teams are using R/R then top reserve moves into the team proper and number 8 comes in at reserve.

One single league and you can add at least another three clubs to your list of those potentially not running next year. Suddenly you are down to one league of 11 or 12 .

Why is Madsen in? Granted he's had a great season, but if he can't be bothered to do the qualifiers then he shouldn't get a pick. Personally I think they should scrap the wild cards full stop. There is always a hint of favouritism in there. Instead if you are in the regular GP 15 then you don't do the qualifiers. Top 10 from GP at the end of season qualify for the following year. Next five go into the final GP challenge along with 11 who have got there through qualifiers. Top 5 from this meeting into next year GP. This meeting could be held at the end of the season or beginning of the next. The qualifiers could then be held on the same weekend as the GP's. If you are in the qualifiers and are called into GP then you automatically qualify for next round or your GP score counts if it's run as a series. If you are injured at the wrong time then tough, it's no different to any other sport. Try again next year. That way you might get somewhere near the top 15 riders, instead of top 12ish and four others whose face or nationality fits.

But then that would put Peterborough in doubt as he isn't allowed to run two in the same league.

Not sure how that can be. TEAMS get 7 tyres per meeting to be used as and how they seem fit. They can chop and change them around as much as they like within the team. A reserve who gets seven rides is unlikely to use the same tyre, and a team using R/R still gets seven tyres. If a ride is struggling with tyres just borrow somebody else's back wheel.

and Kasper Andersen appears to have had two more rides after being withdrawn ( one of them a reserve replacement) ??????

Congratulations to Josh Embleton 2018 Northern Junior league Champion. 5 wins in the qualifying heats, a win in his semi-final, and a win in the final. Not all from the gate either. Well Done Josh. And also to Durham ( Archie & Danny ) for winning the County of Origin Pairs Championship, also at redcar this afternoon. A vital 3rd place in the final from the back after he totally missed the gate for Danny to back up Archie's win. The futures bright, the futures "Newcastle Gems"