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Once Tom was poached during last season it really put them on the back foot, making things very difficult. Whether this will be fully to blame for their potential demise is a debatable point. I’d rather compete against a stable and competitive Birmingham side but that’s just me looking at the bigger picture rather than the sadly adopted win at all cost approach.

Good signing, I’m looking forward to seeing him on our shores again. Don’t group us in with the other two as we don’t “snap up the best riders” at all. The current team with the averages we initially signed them on are…… Brady Kurtz 7.50 Norick Blodorn 4.00 Jaimon Lidsey 4.00 Zack Cook 5.57 Dan Bewley 3.00 Tate Zischke 4.57 Jake Mulford Some of the other “best riders” we’ve snapped up in recent years include Tom Brennan (last RS pick), Max Fricke 4.84 & Ben Cook 6.00.

Brennan Thompson Jenkins (back as RS now) Rowe Hume (out of RS but still a reserve) But apart from them, it’s not worked.

William Cairns Freddy Hodder Chad Wirtzfeld Mason Watson Harry McGurk Jack Shimelt Billy Budd

Sorry mate, misread the room. Happy Crimbo to you to and everyone else for that matter. 🎄

It’s a stretch to say he goes to pieces in the play offs but then BSF lore dictates you’re only as good as your last meeting. Paid 27 in the semi v Ipswich was decent imo. Sheffield would give their right arm to have had that kind of scoring in the PO semi. 2022, the injury jinx struck him. 20 points in the 2018 semi wasn’t to shabby when we were down to just 4 fit Aces. He top scored in the 1st leg in 2017 before missing the 2nd leg through injury, costing us the tie due to our usual play off injury jinx. He was second top scorer in the home leg of the final during the 2016 “ringer” year but was poor in the gate ‘n’ go 1st leg, as were the rest. He did well as a second string during the infamous gogglegate final in 2015.

That’s true of all riders at most tracks, sadly. Clubs need to take a leaf out of Ipswich’s book as they are attempting to improve their racetrack this close season. If it comes off, I’ll be back.

He attained that in 2015 for Swindon. His stint at Poole in ‘18 was only 2h 3a so it didn’t affect his old 7.10. He should have really been reassessed in 2020 when we signed him but of course the chance to leave him on his higher 7.10 for us couldn’t be missed by the powers that be. Problem there, as often happens is it then created a problem for Kings Lynn a couple of years on, if they changed that decision it would highlight what they did to The Aces. Bringing things up to date, using an average from 2015 is just daft. Glad we didn’t sign him again this year as he’d probably be an 8.00.

It was. Peter signed for us for the 2020 season on a 7.10 average but never rode due to Covid. He then signed for Kings Lynn for the 2022 season on his 7.10 average but never rode due injury, being replaced before a wheel was turned. Even though he had his 7.10 average two years ago, there’s only so long he can keep that without riding over here so I’d expect him to be reassessed. He was in the Rzeszow squad this year but didn’t ride. Looking at the rules (this seasons anyway) he will be a 4 due to his participation only in the Danish Super League but who knows what they’ll do. https://britishspeedway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/p22_issue_1.pdf

Riding at 3 though not 6. Important distinction imo but very BSF in failing to mention it. In the final declaration there were only 3 teams with a better number 6, average wise. Considering he was drafted in to replace injured Tate, I think he did and would do a fine job in the PL.

Qualifiers, plural? Me thinks you’re lying. Still baffles the hell out of me the ill feeling directed at riders striving for individual glory over the decades. Brady got his reward though and I’m looking forward to seeing him push on in the GPs.

Chris Harris whilst replacing Tai at the NSS was beaten by Dan & Brady twice and it’s not too much of a stretch to suggest that would be the case with Tai should he have been there. The only question mark is the race where Norick beat Chris. At Owlerton Chris top scored with 12+1. Having our reserve take Bens final ride in 14 in the 2nd leg definitely weakened us as it’s crazy to think he was any kind of replacement for the stars new number 1. Though not a speedway injury, losing Connor Bailey was also a blow we had to work through but taking the bigger picture view, there’s more to life than speedway and I back his decision to do what is best for him long term.

We often celebrate how lucky we were in 2023. Losing Charles to injury due to our play off jinx saw us covering a rider who had scored paid 19 that year at Foxhall only to get 3 from his rides. We still only missed out in the last half of a glorious final heat. I best play the lottery with luck like that.

The witches management were no doubt aware strengthening was needed. When comparing the teams ‘24 against ‘23 averages there was a distinct drop and you’re not going to win trophies with a falling team average. Injuries somewhat masked the inevitable failings of a side that would have struggled to maintain a potent challenge for silverware. As with previous seasons they have Hawkins in charge and the witches faithful have been very vocal about his obvious lack in getting the best from the team and directing them to the ultimate goal. Will they pull defeat from the jaws of victory as has been their modus operandi of late? I hope so. https://britishspeedway.co.uk/2024-rider-statistics/ https://britishspeedway.co.uk/2023-rider-statistics/ https://ipswichwitches.co/team_member/ritchie-hawkins/ https://britishspeedway.co.uk/event/sheffield-tigers-v-ipswich-witches-5/ https://britishspeedway.co.uk/24results/leicester_12.09.24_res.pdf

No brainer. Jason is 10 years older than Brady so naturally his remaining shelf life is limited and only going one way. In their head to heads in ‘23 Brady won 9 to 5. Emil is also older and it only takes things to change internationally for him to revert to the rider that completed 1 UK season out of 18. Jack is just not a Belle Vue kind of rider and wouldn’t fit in despite Marks love for his fellow Aussies.

Which Polish fixtures did he complete whilst swerving UK fixtures? Also if you’re one of those who thinks the PC’s, Lorams, Tatums etc of this world are a holes for chasing championship glory, Roy of the Rovers style, then I’ll have to disagree strongly on this. They all get my backing every time.

Belle Vue sticking with a tried and successful formula aside from the enforced change though even there we’ve kept it in the family and that’s probably the best way to describe The Aces, one big happy family - management, fans & riders. With such longevity in this team of returning Aces I’m surprised that we are the youngest team again. I think we’ll be ok at home as having Tate back from injury will bolster us at reserve, many thanks to Antti for stepping in. Away, Ben and Zach had almost identical averages with Zach slightly higher so bonus's should be won with the odd victory thrown in. It’s then down to the how badly our play off injury jinx affects us.

There was a not right witches fan recently saying how “fans” like it when opponents get injured as it gives them an easier ride to potential victory. I didn’t get it but seeing your latest post I guess it’s a topic of discussion at the Foxhall clubhouse. If you look back I bemoaned the way the rule makers had gone this season and said I’d prefer a witches team with say Zmarzlik covering for Doyle. I bit of a reach for you to grasp. As someone who looks out for people in general and riders in particular, I cannot in good conscience discuss our wonderful sport with someone who takes umbrage at a club trying to cover for an injured hero as it effects your results or not wanting the sport to play by the rules. I’m sure other witches fans will take you to task over this but yourself and the other grim individual, several buttons short of a full cardi or whatever it is are being shunted off to the ignore list.

You’re right there. Playing by the rules is a solitary Aces thing. Still can’t believe an outside source was required to ensure the rules were adhered to, extraordinary behaviour for a “professional” sport.

That included the reductions you mention.

Jeppesen, Nilsson, Thorsell and Zagar look handy guests should teams need them early in the season.

I don’t think managers do that in this league or at least hope they don’t. It’s all about rider development so not having them take their four rides is ridiculous and shortsighted.

He was fine away as a late replacement for Dan in the championship year of 2022 being in the teams top two scorer's in 5 out of his 9 qualifying meetings. Had a blinder in the play off semi and did his job in the final. There was only really wolves he couldn’t be bothered with and who can blame him. Not an issue currently, unfortunately. Top performer given the right canvas and worth a couple of points in the pits with his motivational skills.

Always thought Belle Vue should make more use the massive student population and fact that they generally reside on our side of the city. A coach and admission + drinks ( not trying to get them legless) would be the way to go via the student union. We have a lot of (very) local schools rock up using free tickets but broadening it out to the city would be more beneficial. The Polish community is another miss imo.

The fact is, if we made that move they’d have about half a season each whatever motive you want to spin. Plain English. World champion Jake more than held his own in the play offs with his heat 8 win v the tigers securing the win and the heat 2 paid win at Leicester effectively knocking the wind out of their sails. If we feel it beneficial to share the season for the greater good we will. Having a squad of junior riders on our books gives us that option - which is nice. Keep an eye on them as you might want to tap them up once they become more established. £££££ FYI. Not all clubs are the same.