YeOldPitGate

Granted but that was probably against the weakest top league team line up's in history Phil.

Always remember Sam Ermolenko after he won his world title saying i've got the mindset now where when I really need to win a race against the worlds best I can do it and that mentality is what makes the top 1-2% in any sport. After that quip I remember watching Sam v Han's Neilson in a world cup round at Coventry and Han's was probably at that period where he was nigh on invincible in the sport. It came down to which ever one of them finished ahead of the other that Country took the prize Sam gated and Hans looked quicker behind him but sheer skill and racing brain kept the great Dane behind for all four laps, IT was an absolute master class in track craft.

Spot on your lot could surprise a few this year Tobi if his head is right could put 1.5 - 2 points on average, Bangs has talent to be one of the best newcomers if he can adjust to the track, Lawson steady eddie 7 point man, Tom capable of putting a point on average in a weaker league, Nicholls will do a job at home also if King and Edwards can maintain averages you will make play offs.

Spot on last four races of the speedway world cup where Poland nicked it off us at the death was brilliant racing shows what the sport could be if it could get organised over here.

Agreed I can't think of to many sports where you start in division three and end up in division one at the same time your in division 2 granted the odd special talent can make the leap but 90% of the time it does more harm than good and loads of potential top league future third heatleaders and second strings are lost to the sport.

Spot on I remember when I went down to Foxhole one bank hol following Lynn was either late 80's or early 90's and over 5k were there for the afternoon meeting the weather was brilliant for once also. Might have been around the time Ippo had Donkey and Castanga

Its equally often the case that the uber naturally talented riders are surpassed by slightly less talented but more dedicated riders. Three examples I can think of off the bat over the years Penhall was world champ v Kelly Moran who wasn't, T Rick multiple world champ v Henka who wasn't and Hancock four times v Hamill only once. In my view Moran, Henka and Hamill were three more naturally talented riders than the other three mentioned but just lacked that extra 10% grit that the other three had to really scale the heights and become multiple world champions. And just for the record I'm not implying Penhall, Rickardson and Hancock were slouches they were obviously far from it.

Agreed stacks of decent young british riders lost to the sport through being thrown into the deep end to early for every Screen, Loram and Lambert there's another 20-30 who although never hitting the heights could be the next Kings, Lawson's, Hurrys and have decent top league careers which would cut down on the need for flying in overseas riders.

Niels Iverson was another was pretty much an engine room rider for years went to Lynn when they were struggling and most thought he isn't number one material but kicked on and had a great carear.

Agreed if Zagar is happy/motivated they should win most of home meetings, if he's not fussed they will be up against it.

Personally think your team look a lot better Brennan should kick on, Tobi could be a 9 point man if his head is right and Bangs is one of the best talents out there, Lawson should be usual solid self granted the other three could be hit and miss.

I am utterly grasping at straws here Dean but I got the impression at Birmingham there was someone else in the background who was as minted as Tolley underwriting the losses was this H or am i way off base with my speculation ?

Pretty much what most expected just a shame it was so late in the day they might have ended up with three riders who sometimes are only interested 50% of the time.

They would do a Rune Holta and take out a polish licence

Agreed 99.9% on here want this to be a resounding success that means the club can carry on for many years, the worry as the same 99.9% have said is it seems to be the standard speedway operating model of lets just open the gates on opening night and they will turn up. This semi works at existing tracks as the wealthier owners can underwrite the losses but its been a very slow death by a thousand cuts for the last 40 years, people on here desperately want it to succeed the concerns are it seems the owners are following the current operating model that we all know doesn't work unless you can cover losses elsewhere Poole and Ipswich excepted.