PotteringAround

Jack Smith 8.73 Nathan Ablitt 8.33 Dayle Wood 8.00 Ashton Vale 6.38 Ryan Ingram 5.18 Kenzie Cossey 3.25 Ben Whalley 2.00 41.87

That's not how averages work. Obviously it was only going to be a challenge match, so Buxton could use Zmarzlik if they wanted. I just found it surprising to see that they were planning to use a second-string "ringer" that took them over the points limit, when I would have thought it would make more sense to try out a legal reserve, since that is what they will need for league fixtures. As it happens it was rained off anyway.

Sacking one of the 6 riders before a wheel is turned? Seems harsh!

I understand that this is only a challenge and that Max Perry and Alfie Bowtell have apparent pre-existing commitments elsewhere. So no problem with them covering for these two with Rider Replacement and a guest (Darryl Ritchings). But I can't fathom why Buxton are replacing their non-existent reserve with a second string to take them way over the (already too high) points limit. Surely the spirit of Buxton is to bring on young riders, not to chase wins with ringers? Wouldn't it have made more sense to try out a rider who actually fits within the points limit and who could be their actual legal reserve? Owen Booth (above) sounds like a candidate in need of track time?

It's like Richard Branson. They say he's a brilliant businessman, but have you tasted his homemade Vol-au-Vents? I found the pastry too flaky, and not enough filling. The bloke can't cook. I was up for a big deal, but they put me right off.

1. Sheffield - Decent top 3. (Though C Holder on the slide a bit). Need Rowe to perform as last season, and Flint to bring his reserve form into the main body. 2. Belle Vue - Powerhouse top two. If the younger members can keep improving, they have a chance. 3. King's Lynn - Best side for years, but feel more like individuals than a team. If they all fire, they'll be hard to beat. 4. Leicester - Solid enough, but might be lacking in heats 13 & 15 against the above 5. Ipswich - Unless they sign a big name, having Brennan at No.1 is a tough ask. Will be solid throughout, and if the rumour of getting a heat leader like Thorssell on a reserves average is true, it will boost them. 6. Northampton - Unless they have something special up their sleeves it could be Lidsey, Wright, Lawson as top 3. Enough riders out there to build a strength in depth team, but not play-off winners.

Agreed. I could get from Stoke to Brafield in around 100 mins. Maybe 1 hr 45.

Yeah, Rob keeps coming up with these great ideas, but they always have their knockers.

Coming next, the BSN Cup draw....

Louis certainly seems to have been a bit of a "James Hunt" this winter.

The NSS was there in 2018. I merely searched to find every appearance at the NSS. I didn't take into account appearances at the dog track, or anywhere else.

And Emil Sayfutdinov would be a good signing. But like Zagar and Wright, his average doesn't fit the BV second-string berth either. BV needed a 5-point second-string, to complete the team, and seem to have found one of good value. As I say, if Kildemand's age of 36 makes him a bad signing, then we must write off Sayfutdinov, Wright and Zagar too, along with Chris Harris, Chris Holder and Jason Doyle.

Seems to have only ridden the NSS twice. 7 years apart, and double figures each time

Seems a strange take to suggest signing a 36-year-old Kildemand is a poor signing, but a 37-year-old Wright, or a 42-year-old Zagar would be good.

SGP is a world FIM event. Totally unconnected to the BSPL and the Premiership.