Technik

I'm in no way attempting to defend Mr Holder's actions on the night in question. However I will say that it is very easy to stand on the outside & say "It's OK to ride on" but if your the one that is about to ride on it & you feel it is unsafe & you do not wish to take the chance on any possible injury, Who then is to blame. If the rider goes out & comes back unharmed it's easy to say with pride "See I said it was OK" but when it goes wrong & something bad happens where is Mr "It's OK"? Holder made his statement that night Buster didn't like it but why would he step in the way of a move to the Panthers after many years

Brighton "Pride". With a rainbow race jacket. Liverpool "Hub cap steelers"

Anders Rowe Has not been in The U21 set up for some time. Not competing in the British U21 or the FIM qualification rounds. I'm not sure these actions will please the Polish clubs as they want their riders in the top events so they can get more valued sponsorship

As I understand The club no longer wanted the pair & they also had issues at Somerset & Ipswich I believe.

I have heard that Mr Rowe & his Father are very difficult to work with & some British clubs are not prepared to put up with them.

I seem to recall that the rising star label was only applicable for two seasons for any rider. But if Drew Kemp has not been selected by any of the Premiership or Championship clubs then he needs to take a long hard look at himself & answer his own questions

The unattached riders in the Peter Craven event or any other invitational meeting would be required to obtain a one event licence so they are in fact contracted to the club for the duration of the meeting.

I Had a BBQ pulled pork roll at Oxford last season. I enjoyed but it was a bit messy & very overpriced IMO

I always like the Pardubice (CZ) track, The golden helmet event is something to behold 6 riders in each race & 6 lap finals. The programe is hard work but it's a great weekend. Somerset (OTA) offered an entertaining nights racing when it was prepared well which in it's latter years was not the case as they insisted in churnning up the bends meaning all but the brave or stupid were forced on to the inside line. Wittstock (GER) I have only been there a couple of times but have been impressed with the racing provided maybe it because it was not a GP standard event & the riders were there more to enjoy it & not just to make a million dollars for showing up

That's a strong side. This is labeled as the first USA -V- ROW test for many years but as I remember they had the same at Fast Fridays (Auburn) for a good few years

With most teams at or near completion it's easier to gauge the potential of each team. BERWICK; This is a very strong looking Bandits side, with the experience of Schlein to be the father figure over a fairly youthful team. If Flint & Knudsen can add to their tally then a play-off slot is assured. They will struggle at reserve more away from home. BIRMINGHAM; A team built to a tight budget, Morris will score well but will he be motivated when the going gets tough. I think another hard season for all at Perry Bar. EDINGBURGH; Fantastic that the Monarchs come to tapes but the loss of Masters will hit hard & his replacement in Cook is at best unpredictable in recent seasons. I cant see much happening towards the play offs GLASGOW; Money talks for the Tigers & again a massive side has been put in place with the single plan to win the title, can this be the season? if they can stay injury free there is every chance. OXFORD; A huge front line in Nicholls Masters & Kerr but will it be enough? The reserve pair are very green & a lot will rest on the shoulders of Heeps to bag a haul of points if they are to succeed. A good chance to make the play off series. PLYMOUTH; Another team built to a budget & much like Brum I believe they are in for a hard time & no play off in 23 POOLE; Five places filled & no doubt another big season will be expected at Wimbourne Road. The Cook's & Thomas continue to grow then the Pirates will please the home faithful. We await the reserves but I feel no matter a play off spot is the norm here. REDCAR; The Bears are a tough call, in Riss, Wright & King they have a strong spearhead but there is a long tail for that head to wag. It's going to be close but I dont think this is Redcar's year. SCUNTHORPE; There will be a lot of last heat deciders at the EWR in the coming season but weather the Scorpions have the firepower to get the result in the big races remains to be seen. So for the play offs I have Berwick, Poole, Glasgow & Oxford

We saw Congreve at Newcastle in the Championship last season & he was a long way off the pace for that league. Even if he is eligible to take a place in an NDL team would he think it viable to travel 12000 miles just for a NDL team spot. The finances involved would be unobtainable.

Looking back I see that he is down as NZ/SA but the results fail to show the NZ so I figured he was South Australian. It would have been better to ship in BWD and/or George Congreve. I don't know which other nations could qualify as Oceania other than Aus & NZ. The SEC champion moves into the SGP series if this championship were to include the rest of the world then we might see USA Canada Argentina & South Africa represented with a GP place on the line.

Strange to see riders listed by state & not national in an FIM event & not a Kiwi on the card. I see the name Schlien within the U16 support & have to ask if this is the son of Rory?

I'd hope that Killeen will have improved his ability to stay on his machine.

I got the Tri-Fecta up yesterday. Not one ...Not two.... but three Speedway Stars were on the mat waiting for me when I got home from work

Since Royal Mail started working part time hours I have missed the last two copies, others have been late & I believe some have failed to arrive at all. I have yet to contact the Star as I'm sure there is nothing they can do other than put me on the independent delivery system which I was on for a short time when it started but it never went well for me so I reverted to Royal Mail but I think after Christmas I'll be giving it another chance.

Every time I think I'm close to retirement the change the qualifying age 60, 65, 67 now 70 I feel like a donkey chasing a carrot on a stick.

I seem to remember the long wait for Kileen to receive his British passport to enable him to race in NDL meetings. So I feel he is very much British

Whilst I'm all for giving the young British talent pool a fair chance, They have to want to race at this level not be forced into a situation that they are unprepared for just to tick a box. If it was made a rule would these riders be helped with an upgrade in machinery that maybe required or transport to meetings for instance In this Oxford team I worry for Luke Kileen He has had one good meeting for Oxford in the NDL but he has been off his machine many times & suffered a bad break to his leg. He may well be a nice kid with great people around him but is he ready for this big step in his speedway life? Then what will it do for his confidence & his future?

A lot of pressure for the big 3 to return maximum scores with a very weak tail Hts 2 & 7 could very well be the undoing of the Cheetahs. But there's still a long way to go before the tapes rise on the new season.

A very talented engineer, He was a great help to everyone in the grass track circuit when he was helping Paul Fry at home & on the continent. both much sadly missed RIP "Woody"

For my money I'd rather not see Heeps return. He came in as a heat leader with potential to improve & finished up at reserve, I'm sorry but i've seen enough of Mr Heeps. Another from this line-up I would rather stayed away is Lee Complin, his gating is not good enough for a track that has such a short run to turn 1 & he over-rides when behind & on more than once cost his own team points after obstructing his team mate. I'd say the #7 would most likely be Henry Atkins. Well until he stamps his feet as he has done at Somerset & Plymouth when he gets replaced in a race. I believe he is a fair NDL rider but the Championship is to strong for him. The return of Jack Thomas to Cowley is a must he was the star of the side for me.

Maybe its being updated. Last week my car was in the garage for it's MOT & I could see it all the time but I couldn't drive it.....

I can't see an NDL setup at Plymouth all the time they have Championship racing. Outside the cost the level of support for such a venture has to be questioned. Oxford had 2000+ for Championship events but only 300 for NDL. Our public only have so much money & they are voting with their feet.