Najjer

See my above post - ideally we would run squads like in Poland and then eliminating any need for guest riders. However, we are struggling to fill 7 rider teams let alone 10 or more so that isn’t an option. Rider replacement should be the first option for a missing rider and then rider replacement and a guest for when 2 riders are missing. Reserves should be replaced with other rising star scheme riders as I’ve explained in the previous post.

I quite agree - guests should be an absolute last choice if there is numerous riders out injured within a team. They should never be able to be a first port of call. Rider replacement should always cover a missing rider in the 1-5 in my opinion. Especially now with the new ‘rising star scheme’, teams should be replacing reserves in the top tier with riders who don’t have a top tier side and can only use riders within the scheme from the second tier or riders without a team. Likewise in the second tier, they should be using riders who aren’t assigned to a team within the top two tiers. That way it gives riders who aren’t currently in a side to effectively form “a youth pool” and get a chance to showcase themselves and earn a team spot.

I’ve said this many a time - it was a huge problem before the fixed race nights and riders missing matches left right and centre but problem was solved by the introduction of that. Aslong as riders attend every meeting (other than for injury) then it shouldn’t be an issue for any fans really. I always like the idea of a relegation play off at the end of the year, but understand that doubling up is just one of the reasons that can’t happen. Now, the guest facility.... that is a real problem!

Could do worse than Atkins at reserve. He struggled for Somerset away from home but was decent enough at home. I’d expect him to do much the same for Plymouth - and has been said many times, winning your home matches is the most important thing.

Nope - this is superseded by his Premiership average as that is more recent. I remember when he was dropped by Somerset it actually said he would struggle to pick up another team as from a certain date it would actually rise to over 9, due to the rolling averages...

BWD average is not 6.00 - I can’t remember what it is exactly but it was high 8s when Somerset signed him last year.

You’re on a wind up, right?

This is the nail hit on the head - What a signing and opportunity this is for Plymouth. This has to be one of, if not the biggest signings in the second tier of British Speedway ever. Assuning everything goes to plan with covid etc, I bet there will be a massive crowd at the first match. Assuming they win their home matches the crowds should hang about too. Best of luck to them and intrigued by the final 5 signings

There was another at Somerset coming out of the 4th bend when he collided with Stefan Ekberg and sent him over the fence and landed alongside the track shop. Couldn’t fault his commitment that’s for sure.

Jordan certainly wore his heart on his sleeve but give me a rider whose got abit of fire in his belly all day long. When he was properly in the mood he pulled off many memorable rides at Somerset and could be ruthless at times aswell. I’ll never forget what I would say was the best performance I have ever witnessed before too when he came to Somerset with Rye House. Absolutely mowed the first bend fence down after tangling with Cory Gathercole, ended up outside the track and near as damn it on the patio in front of the clubhouse. He got up, walked back to the pits and then went on to score what can only be described as the most amazing maximum I’ve ever seen.

I repeat.... What a shambles.

I’ll say it again, it is beggars belief a good idea that should have been so simple to implement has turned into an absolute car crash already. Wait until 2022 when the grades are revised and promotors try and shoe horn in certain riders then. What a mess.

With the amount of fixtures in the Premiership, he isn’t going to be riding Monday and Thursday every week for starters!

Are Birmingham fans still banging on about this one? I remember at the time they wanted Tomicek thrown out the meeting.... probably would of done Somerset a favour if he was but that’s another story for another day! Tomicek used to have a near heart attack every time he got near anybody on track so I am 100% certain there is no way that is intentional. You could actually even argue he passed Lyons into the turn, he doesn’t have to leave room and Lyons should actually back off. Nothing more than a racing incident!

To be fair I’m not opposed to Josh Bates being on the list. I only said the other day that I believe the ‘rising star’ list shouldn’t have grades/averages and should purely be capped to a maximum age (which I suggested at 25) and a maximum average - both of which would make Josh eligible. The difference between me and the BSPL is I wouldn’t of hid my criteria, simple, straight forward and not just produced a list that suits some and doesn’t suit others.

Decent signing in Bjarne. Whilst he will never reach the heights that he did during his career, he will no doubt still be lightning from the starts and he was always immaculately turned up with fantastic kit. Not only all that, regardless of his age it’s a huge marque signing at this level I think. Now if they sign Crump too, I’ll be massively envious that Somerset aren’t running and making these signings too!

Mateusz Bartkowiak has joined Grudziadz on a season long loan from Gorzow. Decent signing for them!

Whilst Becker could feature quite regular for his Polish team, there is no guarantee Masters will. He’s in a team where only two out of himself, Ellis, Karpov and Hansen can ride. There is a good chance Ellis and Karpov will be the preferred options.

I’ve seen him mentioned on here already, but Jordan Frampton would be great. He was set to get abit further in the sport and I always felt like he could of done a ‘Charles Wright’ and gone to the top of the British scene, especially given the standard nowadays. I don’t think he’s interested anymore in regular action but still had a few practices fairly recently at Somerset within the last few years.

Terrific news for Plymouth. Good luck to them. If everything goes ahead this year as planned and they manage to sign Crump then I may well make a trip down to watch! Such a shame that Plymouth, Somerset and Poole aren’t all competing against eachother at the same level this year.

This might answer a few peoples questions here.... I believe this to be the correct category and document You’ll need to complete the public health passenger locator form before you travel to the UK. You need to take a coronavirus test before travelling to England. You’ll need to provide written evidence from a United Kingdom or English national governing body for your sport of your status as an international elite sportsperson or essential support staff attending a specified event. You will not need to self-isolate for up to 10 days as long as you proceed directly to the footprint of the listed elite sports event you are participating in, and remain either self-isolated or within the event location (or locations if the event has multiple venues) until your departure from the UK. You must isolate within the event footprint with elite sportspersons training for or competing in that event, and also ancillary sportspersons who are involved in that event. Travel between multiple venue locations for the sports event is permitted. The sports event may include provision of hotel or other suitable accommodation within its location(s). You remain obliged to self-isolate if you stay somewhere other than the event footprint (e.g. if you own a residence in England), but are allowed to travel between such a location and the event. The 10-day period for which you are subject to these additional conditions begins from when you were last in a non-exempt country or territory. ————— So the long and short, yes you can travel and compete between England and Poland - will the Polish league stop it like last year though, is a different kettle of fish altogether.....

You do realise he’s ridden for Glasgow significantly longer than he has for Kings Lynn?

His average has been reduced by 2.5% - has he qualified for a British Reduction maybe?

What does it matter? They are all treated 2* riders from what you said - so they are basically 1* riders but treated like 2*.... clear as mud ey? I’ve said this before, the idea and theory behind this scheme is actually a good one. Like with most things done by the BSPL it seems like the execution is a bad and over complicated one to what should be a quite simple solution, effective and basic system.

So what is the point of a 1* rider, if they are actually 2* riders? That makes no sense at all